135 – 139
The next day, after spending a day in Theodora’s room, I retreated to the study.
As usual, I received the report from the Information Department today.
Dufole has finally fallen.
The moment William headed towards Roman.
It seems like a definite outcome. Overcoming an overwhelming difference in military strength is not easy.
And then I read Mueller’s report.
It mentions dispatching 1,000 members of the magical unit from the Kingdom of Sardina.
I also thought that sending the entire force would be difficult.
So, I had estimated around 500 to 800 members. I feel slightly pleased with the unexpected gain.
Not bad.
And then a letter from the Ambassador of the United Kingdom.
It states that the United Kingdom fleet has arrived at the Grand Duchy and will sail to Roman with troops and supplies.
It also includes a warning that a treaty must be signed before docking in Roman.
“I should convene the council soon.”
I anticipate a lot of opposition due to my plummeting popularity.
There might be opposition from the neutral faction, but as long as I can persuade the Emperor’s faction, there should be no problem getting the treaty approved by the council.
Nevertheless, regardless of that, it is not beneficial to be at odds with the council after the war, so I have decided to take action.
First, I will invite influential figures from each faction to persuade them.
If necessary, I am prepared to persuade even through covert operations.
There is a big difference between making an effort to communicate and not doing so at all.
Of course, I can’t disclose covert operations to all members.
It will cease to be confidential at that moment.
As I pondered on the report and work matters.
– Knock knock!
Who could it be?
Since it was unusual for someone to visit my study at this hour, I asked in surprise.
“Who is it?”
[Queen Mother has arrived.]
Ah… Mother-in-law.
After dealing with Theodora, I feel a headache at the thought of facing my mother-in-law.
“Invite her in.”
As I finished speaking, the door opened, and my mother-in-law entered exuding a daunting aura.
She was quite different from her usual gentle self… so different that I involuntarily swallowed hard in the tense atmosphere.
– Gulp.
She glanced at me once, then sat on the sofa. I got up from my seat and headed towards the sofa.
Was it because I grew up in the Eastern Etiquette Bureau in South Korea in my past life?
Seeing an elder makes me involuntarily submissive.
“Mother-in-law, have you come?”
My mother-in-law looked at me sharply with her blue eyes.
“I heard rumors that you handed over Epirus and Aetius to Johannes and arranged for Joy to be engaged to Johannes’ son, forming an alliance with the Imperial Faction.”
Then there was a moment of silence.
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“Is that true?”
In response to my mother-in-law’s questioning, I nodded.
– Flinch.
Her eyebrows twitched momentarily.
“You! How could you do this to us?! Giving away something that isn’t even yours to them! And selling off young Joy! She’s not just any noble, she’s a rare-born princess in the current empire!”
A rare-born princess refers to children born in a purple-colored delivery room filled with purple dye when the Emperor’s direct descendants are born.
Children born in rooms painted purple, designated as the Emperor’s color since ancient times, are considered to have a high likelihood of ascending to the throne due to their noble birth.
In other words… it signifies nobles with a high chance of succession to the throne.
“This is no ordinary matter! If you make a mistake, it could bring great harm to Theodora, you, and the empire! Don’t underestimate the consequences.”
As my mother-in-law stated, I am well aware of Joy’s high chances of ascending the throne.
If something were to happen to Theodora and she were to pass away, the next in line would be Joy.
That’s why the Imperial Faction brought their army close to Rome, seeing the advantageous situation, they had no choice but to strengthen their bond with Epirus, Aetius, and Joy, forming a powerful trio.
Of these three, even one alone is of such great value that if the empire were in normal circumstances, it would be nearly impossible for the Imperial Faction to obtain.
“I understand what you’re saying, Mother-in-law. But at that time, with Rome surrounded, had I lost, I might have lost even more.”
If by chance I had lost the war…
Empress Hwang, Theodora, Joy.
What will happen to these three?
Can Epirus protect the palace?
No, my mother-in-law in front of me will be married off to another man, as if sold to another faction.
Only then can I control the empire as I wish. The elders of the palace will be like thorns.
Marrying her off to someone else will eliminate the elders of the palace.
My still beautiful mother-in-law is nothing short of a great pawn.
And Joy marrying someone from the imperial faction is as clear as day.
Do I realize the essence of my words…
My mother-in-law frowns.
“Your words are not wrong. I know well that loyalty to the imperial faction is only shouted in front of the emperor.”
She was the wise wife of the late emperor.
Although the late emperor managed the imperial faction that cooperated with him well, the reason they were loyal to the emperor was simply because he was strong and the power he wielded was good.
“But… that doesn’t mean you can handle such a big matter on your own.”
I listen quietly to my mother-in-law’s words.
“If you act without the permission of the emperor, the master of the palace and the empire, you may be seen as a rebel, not to mention the crime of deceiving the emperor.”
She speaks sternly for a moment.
“Do you realize that it is a great fault not to tell us everything about what you have done afterwards?”
I answer with a guilty expression.
“That is unforgivable.”
“We… sincerely accepted you as family, even though our relationship was not good from the start, we got married, and because you are not evil, we truly consider you as family.”
I know better than anyone that my mother-in-law and Joy have treated me like family.
“But why didn’t you tell us such a big thing? If you had confided in us, at least I could have been on your side.”
“Well…”
When I think about it myself, what I did is nothing but rebellion or treason.
It is difficult for me to confess this to my mother-in-law and Theodora.
Especially Theodora is in the most difficult situation.
If she openly interferes with the emperor, there will be more than one variable.
A letter that simply mentioned Theodora, who has no real power, moved William.
As someone who knows the original work, it can be seen that maintaining a good relationship with her until she completely controls the empire is the most helpful.
But there is no reason to mention this fact to her and worsen our relationship.
Does she sense my feelings?
My mother-in-law, with a displeased expression, speaks in a regretful voice.
“Why don’t you trust us?”
“I…”
I can’t bring myself to say it’s because of Theodora’s personality.
“You always said you love that child Terra and avoided her. What is the reason for that?”
At my mother-in-law’s soothing question, I hesitate to answer.
“I am scared.”
“What? What are you scared of?”
As usual, I unknowingly spill out my hidden feelings that have been frozen deep inside me at the sight of my gentle mother-in-law.
“I wonder if what I’m doing will be obstructed by her. Her influence… the power coming from the name of an emperor is unbelievably strong. I understand it might be hard to believe that I handed over Ephesus and Epirus to Johannes, but I was weak and intended to prevent a war between us and the imperial faction, weakening them. And now, that thought is effective.”
My mother-in-law nods gently in response to my words.
“Yes…”
“But in this situation, I was too afraid that Theodora might act impulsively and ruin my plans.”
Soon…
“Johannes will be executed for treason, and the remaining imperial faction will lose all power. And Epirus, Ephesus, and Nicaea will remain as imperial territories.”
That’s why I handed Ephesus and Epirus over to Johannes.
Because I anticipate a certain victory.
Although I fell into Johannes’s trap, ultimately, I will be the final winner.
But… if Theodora acts impulsively before we reach this point, it’s hard to guarantee a definite victory.
That’s why I didn’t tell her everything.
As someone who knows the original work, if she truly wishes for my death…
She might manipulate my plans against me.
However, my mother-in-law looks puzzled.
“Why would you think that? Do you not know how much that child Thea loves you?”
She loves me? That mad woman?
Last night, the sound of Theodora’s mad laughter echoes in my mind.
Honestly, her appearance yesterday reminded me of the original mad Theodora, which was terrifying.
It’s difficult to bring up such words to my mother-in-law.
“I do not believe in the word ‘love’.”
Love in a cold political arena?
This isn’t the Republic of Korea where I used to live.
Meeting and dating someone you love, then getting married… that’s a story for ordinary people.
Here, high-status individuals always have strategic marriages.
Marriages are based on considerations of territories, political influence, and legacies for future offspring.
In reality, spousal murders are more common than one might think.
“Ah… You heartless person, do you really not know how much Theodora trusts and relies on you?”
As someone who has memories of the mad woman seen in dreams…
It’s hard for me to believe my mother-in-law’s words.
“I… I fear her.”
In response to my words, my mother-in-law replies.
“She’s such a beautiful daughter, why do you always fear Thea? What’s the reason?”
Theodora, captivated by anger and revenge.
She is a woman overflowing with madness.
How can I not be afraid of her, who can do anything for her goals?
But… to explain my words without referring to the original story is almost impossible…
So, I couldn’t respond to my mother-in-law until the end.