145 – 149
After the Cabinet meeting.
“Grandfather, then what should I do from now on?”
Taking a sip of his tea, my grandfather responds to my question.
“Tera, do you know why the Kingdom of Nikea is strong?”
“Well… is it because of its vast territory and fertile lands suitable for farming?”
Nodding kindly at my words, my grandfather continues, “That’s true, but… I wonder how they managed to claim that land. The Kingdom of Nikea has always valued scholars for generations. They have shown great interest in technology and have developed many innovations. Moreover, Nikea’s capital, Byzantium, has a deeper history than Rome, the capital of the Empire.”
I nod in response to his words.
“Oh? Are you talking about talents by any chance?”
Nodding in agreement with me, my grandfather says, “You hit the mark. Since you don’t have any talents following you, it seems like you lack avenues for seeking advice. First and foremost, you need followers who will guide you on the right path.”
Frowning involuntarily, I express, “But I don’t have the money to hire them. Besides, I can’t go out freely…”
Shaking his head, my grandfather says, “Oh Tera. Those who truly follow you are not merely after money.”
Perplexed, I ask, “Then why do they follow me?”
Smiling brightly at my question, my grandfather explains, “Serving the Emperor alone is considered an honor. Given the high regard for your husband in the Empire, many talented individuals might want to serve you to make a name for themselves in history. Moreover, since several people have received favors from the late Emperor, they may want to help you.”
I ponder over my grandfather’s words.
“People who have received favors from you?”
Chuckling, my grandfather replies, “Sir William, who received great favors from the late Emperor, as well as Councilor Pompeius and Speaker Charles. There are numerous nobles, imperial citizens, and scholars from the Academy as well.”
Questioning further, I ask, “Then why haven’t they appeared when help was needed? Especially during Valoran’s misconduct, or the forced marriage with Devian? Apart from Speaker Charles and Councilor Pompeius, I haven’t seen them come forward.”
“It’s because you haven’t sought them out. Talent doesn’t just come to you; you have to seek it out.”
Nodding slightly at his words, I realize that besides Valoran, Lucius, Maximilian, and Mueller, there are no other notable individuals.
It’s always a recurring theme that there is a shortage of people.
“Especially with Devian’s notoriety, it might be difficult to find talent in Rome, but Tera, you should be able to easily find them. There are a few individuals that come to mind right away.”
Feeling pleased, I inquire, “Who are these individuals?”
Smiling mischievously at me, my grandfather replies, “hahahaha, Byron’s Mongke will be of assistance to you, and Machiavelli, the political science professor at the Academy, will support you. Both of them care a lot about you. And it’s not just them; the Emperor’s faction also believes that you should be embraced.”
The Emperor’s faction? Can I really embrace them?
To be honest, aren’t they the group that betrayed me?
Apart from embracing them, I doubt that those with stronger influence than me would come under my command, so I voice my thoughts.
“They… Are they trying to come under my wing? They must be a strong faction.”
Currently, within the Empire, the most powerful political factions include the anti-imperial faction led by Devian, the imperial faction led by Boheemi Kingdom and Eren Kingdom with Joanes gone, and neutral factions like the free cities and the neutral faction.
“It is said that after this war ends, the grandson-in-law will try to dismantle the imperial faction. According to Euridike, the grandson-in-law instigated this civil war.”
Surprised by his words, I ask, “Huh? Devian instigated a civil war within the imperial faction?”
Nodding his head in response to my question, the old man continues, “Yes, it seems like from the beginning, pretending to form an alliance with Epirus and giving Ezip to weaken the imperial faction and then planning to clean up the entire imperial faction.”
What… What does that mean?
Not understanding, I ask, “What do you mean?”
Smiling slightly at my question, the old man explains, “Epirus and Ezip are powerful kingdoms. If they give all that land to Joanes under the pretext of giving it to the imperial faction, what do you think will happen?”
Frowning at his words, lost in thought, I speak in a hesitant voice, “Wouldn’t that strengthen the imperial faction’s power?”
“Ha-ha, theoretically, that’s correct. But human greed knows no bounds. Other nobles tied to the imperial faction won’t like Joanes monopolizing everything. And Joanes won’t like the weakened imperial faction trying to take Epirus and Ezip.”
Realization dawns on me, “Ah… So they were made to fight each other?”
“Yes, that’s it. By making them fight, the grandson-in-law can pressure the weakened imperial faction to dismantle. That way, his power will grow stronger. So, your task is to prevent their dismantling, gather them under your wing, and help them grow stronger. That way, the grandson-in-law won’t be able to ignore you anymore.”
Feeling a flutter of excitement and hope in my heart from the conversation with the old man, I say, “I will succeed. I will gather the excellent talents spread throughout the empire, rebuild the imperial faction. That way… I can stop him.”
Patting my head, the old man says, “Yes, that’s the way. But, Tera, do you really hate your husband so much?”
Looking at the old man cautiously, I nod firmly, “Yes. I truly despise him.”
Chuckling at my response, the old man says, “I heard you love your husband… Maybe it’s because of that incident, right?”
Caught off guard by his words, I feel flustered.
There’s no other way.
I love him, but I hate him just as much, and I don’t know how to explain these conflicting emotions.
Until recently, the moments spent with him were so wonderful.
Sharing the same bed and living together felt so warm to me.
But… I discovered his cold side.
His demeanor was so cold and ruthless that it made me doubt if he even loved me…
He doesn’t trust me.
Yet, in a situation where he could die for me, he fearlessly threw himself in front of an assassin’s dagger.
That’s why I’m confused.
Does he really love me?
Or does he see me as a political tool?
There is no situation as dreadful as this. If he said he loved me and then pretended due to his political reasons, I would want to kill him.
But on the other hand, if it’s a political tool, would there be a reason for him to protect me more than his own life?
I don’t quite understand his contradictory behavior.
I don’t really know anything about him.
What he’s thinking, what he wants. What he’s drawing.
All I know is… he just lives diligently for the empire and values me?
Since he doesn’t usually reveal his inner thoughts, I don’t even know why he does what he does.
That’s why I make an effort to organize my thoughts and move my lips.
“I love him. But as much as I love, I hate.”
I make an effort to organize my thoughts and spit out short sentences.
As much as I love him, I hate him. I’m not sure if those words truly express my feelings.
“Do you hate him enough to want to kill him?”
At that, I shake my head.
I may hate him, but… I don’t want to see him die or get hurt.
“No. It’s not like that. It’s just… because he’s fixated on power. I wonder if by causing him to fail, I can understand his feelings…”
In response to my words, my grandfather nods and says,
“Tera, politics isn’t that emotional. Sometimes, politics can be more ruthless than blood relations. If you lack a firm goal and a sense of justice, no one will truly follow you.”
“Well, that’s…”
“It’s not just about causing your grandson-in-law to fail, but also about thinking about how to lead the country afterward. What to do with the technology investment fund created by your grandson-in-law. And how to reform taxes. Also, what the empire needs to do to develop. And if, by any chance, you end up fighting with him, you need a firm resolve on how to fight. Only then will the people following you truly pledge their loyalty to you.”
My grandfather’s words are true.
Simply causing him to fail emotionally is nothing but foolishness.
“Present a vision that Devian hasn’t presented, meet with many people, and think about how to lead the empire.”
I nod at his words.
“Yes! I will do that.”
***
A few days after the Cabinet meeting.
Unlike usual, there are a few reports on the desk.
“This is…”
-A summary of the conversation between His Majesty the Emperor and Duke Jans.
The summary that was ordered by the information department a while ago has arrived.
-Swiftly.
Flipping through the papers, a brief summary of what Theodora will do is outlined.
Stories regarding talent recruitment and…
“Hmm… Are they trying to turn the Emperor faction into a supporting force?”
Not bad.
Although I was trying to dismantle the Emperor faction. Should I try to recycle it this way?
No matter how much of an Emperor one may be, without the support of the nobles, it’s impossible to engage in politics in the empire.
Even if I transfer power to Theodora, I was worried about the lack of a political base supporting her…
If the Emperor faction joins Theodora, it wouldn’t be bad for me.
If their momentum is broken, they won’t directly oppose me after the war ends.
Moreover, if Theodora provides life support to the Emperor faction, I can step back and maintain a good relationship.
Duke Jans… Can’t underestimate him, can I?
He chuckles at the unique insight.
If only I had more talents…
First, I need to think naturally about how Theodora will absorb the Imperial Faction.
With such thoughts about the future, he starts his work feeling slightly uplifted.
From Noble mtl dot com