158 – 162
As Theodora leaves, the imperial faction members sigh.
“Now, what’s going on because of Lady Yoanes?”
Luis sighs and says.
“Yeah, really, to have a young woman reaching for the emperor’s position.”
A slightly younger-looking member speaks up in response to Luis’s words.
“Should we just stand by and watch the Imperial faction disband?”
In response to that question, Congressman Enrique speaks up.
“Paulo, the Emperor might send out some kind of message, but it won’t be easy for the faction to disband just like that.”
Many minor nobles are enraged by the actions of the grand nobles who have been dominating until now.
Aren’t they the ones who, centuries ago, demanded territories be relinquished, or pushed for harsh actions like entering marriage alliances or sending troops?
That’s why, as the minor nobles gather, forming marriage alliances to check the grand nobles in the political arena, if the Imperial faction, where the grand nobles congregate, crumbles…
They might even eagerly seize the opportunity to reclaim territories that were previously taken from them.
“Congressman Luis, how about the method you mentioned last time?”
As Congressman Enrique cautiously brings it up, Luis glances at the other congressmen.
“Oh! What method do you have in mind?”
“You mentioned they’ve been meeting frequently lately. Do you have a good plan in mind?”
As the Imperial faction congressmen look at the two with hopeful eyes, Luis cautiously presses Enrique.
“Congressman Enrique, it’s not right to bring up sensitive matters that are not yet confirmed.”
But Enrique, as if not quite understanding, shrugs his shoulders and says, “This concerns all of our fates. And those individuals over there, in a way, are involved in this issue, don’t you think?”
“That’s right. They should inform us as well.”
“Yes, we are part of the Imperial faction, aren’t we? Don’t forget the precedent of Johannes.”
Even an older congressman steps forward and says, making Luis sigh, “Fine. Last time, Congressman Enrique and I pondered various ways to save the Imperial faction. Currently, the Grand Duke wants to dismantle us and redistribute us under his command, while the Emperor aims to crush us and make us his tools.”
Luis and Enrique think that it was nothing short of Debián inciting rebellion by handing over territories that Johannes couldn’t handle.
“Perhaps… it was a plan to deal with the internal weakness of the Imperial faction from the start. Despicable brat.”
“Right now, we don’t have the power to stop him. But it is possible to kill one person, strip him of his power, and send him to ruin.”
Silence spreads among the Imperial faction at those words.
“What are you suggesting?”
The Grand Duke, who wields power greater than the Emperor in the Empire.
Everyone feels uneasy at the mention of a way to bring him down.
Everyone knows, though, that if they fail…
The consequences will be severe…
“Could it be… suggesting the execution of the Emperor?”
At that, Luis shakes his head.
“Yes, the reason he can wield significant influence in the Empire is… because he is only the Emperor’s husband. So, if we kill the Emperor and frame him, it should suffice.”
***
Leaving the Imperial faction mansion like that, heading towards the Duke’s residence to meet Grandfather.
Did he send word ahead of time? Grandfather is there to welcome me.
“Have you arrived, Your Highness?”
Grandfather, addressing me with respect, to which I bluntly reply, “Grandfather, you can speak freely when we’re alone.”
Saying so, I take Grandfather’s left arm and lead him into the mansion.
Grandfather chuckles and says, “If this old man talks quietly, he’ll be scolded by the guards behind.”
At those words, I puff up my cheeks.
“I am the Emperor, and I asked for it. Who dares to refuse?”
“hehehehe… Even if it’s a child, isn’t it proper to address the Emperor with respect?”
I tilt my head at his words.
“Mother insists on it with me, doesn’t she?”
Grandfather chuckles in response.
“hehehehe, Theke is still young.”
Calling a mother over 40 young seems odd.
Watching Grandfather, who sees his own mother, Theora, as a child, I think to myself.
Grandfather… truly a doting father.
I’ve heard of an 80-year-old worrying about their 60-year-old child.
Perhaps in Grandfather’s eyes, Mother is still a little child.
“Although a unicorn appeared to Theke and I was startled, urging her to wed quickly, it’s worrying to see stubborn Theke as an adult of the royal family.”
Come to think of it.
“Yes, Mother is urging for grandchildren these days, right?”
It wasn’t like this before. Lately, showing a stubborn attitude is distressing.
I understand Mother’s situation, but…
When it comes to me and Devian, neither of us are wild beasts. Shouldn’t there be some mutual feelings when doing such things?
“hehehehe, calling Theke a grandson… Time flies so fast.”
Grandfather’s expression brightens at my words.
“Leaving that aside, have you met the Emperor’s faction people well?”
I chuckle in response.
“Yes, I’ve returned all the insults I’ve received so far.”
Grandfather shakes his head at my words, smiling ruefully.
“hehehehe… I told you not to do that.”
“Why? Considering how Alexander forced me to marry Devian… It infuriates me!”
It really makes my blood boil when I think about it.
“Tera, in politics, you shouldn’t reveal your true emotions. You never know what they might do if you make a mistake, right?”
I nod at his words.
“What can those scattered fellows do if I don’t help them?”
Grandfather pats my head and says, “Even a worm wriggles when stepped on. Don’t push them too hard.”
“Sigh… When you say it like that, Grandfather… Okay, I understand.”
Grandfather nods with a kind smile at my words.
“That’s true, but I also want to see my great-grandson. Any news?”
I sigh in response.
“No such thing at all. We don’t even hold hands properly, you know?”
As if worried, Grandfather says, “hehehehe, it would be good to conduct the wedding ceremony quickly.”
I retort with a hint of irritation at Grandfather’s words.
“Can I do as I please?”
“Well, leaving such a lovely granddaughter alone, I might have to give my soul when I meet my grandson-in-law.”
Although the grandfather’s words were not that bright, I ask, “Grandfather, you don’t seem too happy. Is something wrong?”
“Well, just a sudden anxious thought crossed my mind, don’t worry about it. Maybe I’m just getting old and worrying unnecessarily.”
I smile at the grandfather’s words and say, “Oh! Grandfather, you haven’t aged at all. You’re just as I remember from when I was young. But what were you thinking?”
Carefully, the grandfather opens his mouth in response to my question.
“If, hypothetically, the grandson-in-law dies… I thought it would cause tremendous chaos.”
Devian dies?
The meticulous Devian dies?
A scenario I’ve never imagined.
No matter what anyone says, he’s my one and only husband.
Even though I may resent him, he’s the one I truly love.
“Oh, Grandfather, that would never happen, right?”
Nodding at my words, the grandfather speaks a bit solemnly, “Well, didn’t I say I’m getting old? Anyway, it would be good for the grandson-in-law and you to hold the wedding ceremony soon.”
“Why is that?”
Stopping in his tracks at my question, the grandfather looks at me and says, “Tera, do you know what an annulment is?”
I shake my head in response to his question.
“What is it?”
“An annulment, you see, is a blessing that the gods have given to humans for prosperity. Once married, divorce is impossible unless one spouse is infertile. Furthermore, to divorce, you need the Pope’s permission, which usually takes several years to obtain.”
I’m aware of that.
Hence, even if one is an emperor, getting a divorce is not easy.
Let alone getting a divorce, once divorced, both the man and woman are stigmatized, and remarriage is not simple.
“However, there’s one condition under which a couple can quickly separate. It’s called an annulment.”
I’ve never heard of such a thing before from the grandfather.
Is there a way for a married couple to part ways other than through divorce?
“Was there such a procedure?”
“Yes… receiving an annulment decree with conditions attached is rare in the history of the empire, which spans thousands of years, but the annulment system exists.”
“What conditions?”
Nodding at my question, the grandfather continues, “Yes, they shouldn’t hold the wedding ceremony. So, if Devian were to be assassinated… there might be great chaos in the empire.”
“Chaos?”
“Yes, if it’s discovered that your grandson-in-law died and the wedding ceremony didn’t take place, the nobles might rise up to claim you. In that case, your marriage would be annulled. You wouldn’t have to worry about imperial customs.”
There’s a royal tradition that if the husband of an empress dies, she doesn’t remarry.
It’s commonly believed that empresses mourn their deceased husbands and don’t remarry, but reality is a bit different.
There’s no need to marry and restrict oneself for no reason.
Furthermore, it was a common belief that once a marriage took place, within 1-2 years, pregnancy would follow, and with 5-6 children, the issue of successors would naturally be resolved. Therefore, empresses would discreetly enjoy free love instead of marrying.
However, it was not something one could openly admit, so it was sugar-coated. It wasn’t entirely false to say that there were empresses who wore mourning clothes for a lifetime, longing for their husbands, as a symbol of true love, so there was a tradition of abiding by chastity while yearning for their husbands.
This sentiment resonated with many imperial subjects and had almost become a customary law.
Hence, in the thousands of years of imperial history, there had never been an empress who remarried.
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In a way, I felt bewildered by the absurd words of the old man.
“Oh, come on. Who would dare to assassinate her? She’s heavily guarded by many soldiers.”
At my words, the old man let out a chuckle.
“hahahaha. That’s why I said it’s just an old man’s rambling.”