161 – 165
The capital of the Kingdom of Nicaea, Byzantium.
There, Agrippa and William lived busy days.
They preserved the honor of the defeated Nicaeans in the war, ensuring that the punishment for King Ioannes’ rebellion did not harm the Nicaean nobles.
They maintained public order in Byzantium to prevent any backlash from the citizens and, except for the mastermind behind the mercenaries who killed King Ioannes, they had all been executed.
Thanks to them, the situation for William and Agrippa, who had honored the Nicaeans and held a grand funeral for Ioannes, was not the worst.
“It seems to be resolved somehow.”
When Agrippa spoke, William nodded.
“There shouldn’t be any major issues for a while.”
Of course, if the news of the Angelos family being stripped of the Nicaean kingdom’s rule were to be announced, the situation might change, but for now, Byzantium was not in a bad state.
At that moment.
– Knock, knock!
[An urgent report has come from Thessalonica.]
At the sound from outside, Agrippa and William turned their heads.
“An urgent report? From Thessalonica?”
Although the eastern part of Nicaea was still being closely monitored due to the lukewarm response of the nobles, there weren’t many significant issues in Thessalonica, which corresponded to the west. Thus, the two felt puzzled.
Agrippa instructed the messenger to come in.
“Tell him to come in.”
– Creak!
Seeing the messenger with multiple cuts and bleeding wounds, Agrippa and William couldn’t help but sigh.
Just by looking at that sight, one could guess what was happening in Thessalonica…
“Sabinelli led 60,000 troops to attack Thessalonica… and it fell.”
However, the report from the messenger exceeded what the two had imagined.
“What… What?! How could they breach a place that even withstood 100,000 due to its thick walls?”
“What are you saying? Hurry up and tell us.”
Even Agrippa, taken aback, urged the messenger, who, with tears in his eyes, looked at Agrippa and William with a stern gaze and said,
“The Nicaeans incited a riot at night and opened the gates, we tried to stop them in every way possible. But their numbers were too many, so in the end…”
Unable to continue, the weeping messenger looked at Agrippa and William with a bewildered expression.
“Did you not send scouts to patrol the area?”
“No, aren’t Thessalonica citizens unarmed? How did this happen?”
In response to that, the messenger said,
“I… I’m not familiar with scouts, but Thessalonica citizens attacked the armory, armed themselves, and caused unrest in the city. So, while trying to quell the unrest, the hidden bandits took the gates…”
As the hesitant messenger spoke, both Agrippa and William couldn’t contain their anger and shouted,
“Is that an excuse now?!”
“What about the soldiers inside the fortress?!”
Unable to answer the two’s shouting, the soldier remained silent.
“I don’t know. I just followed orders…”
– Bang!
“Does that make any sense?!”
William, furious, shouted.
“Quick, lock that guy up in prison!”
At William’s shout, the soldiers outside the door rush in, dragging the messenger towards the prison.
“Sigh… I’m sorry, Commander Agrifa.”
Agrifa responds, lowering his hand at William’s words.
“No need to apologize. How could anyone have predicted such a situation?”
“It’s the trouble of appointing an insignificant fellow like me as the commander.”
“It’s in the past. We need to swiftly occupy Thessalonica. If we leave it be, most of the Adriatic will fall.”
Upon hearing this, William nods.
“Alright, I’ll go capture Sabine’s spy.”
Agrifa shakes his head in response, saying, “No, I will go. Haven’t you already accumulated significant military achievements?”
“No, you have achieved a higher rank than me by capturing Byzantium.”
The two men insist on going themselves.
Both of them find the battlefield more comfortable than the complicated internal affairs.
Well, that’s because they’ve been kept awake for so long by the endless tasks sent by Devian as if he’s gone mad in the capital.
“No, I’ve only gained a spoonful of military achievements compared to William’s. I will go.”
After a few hours of intense debate, it was decided that Agrifa would go to Thessalonica.
***
Time passes.
“Your Highness, this is a document signed by the kings and nobles of the Imperial Faction that Your Highness sent me.”
I accept the paper handed by Louis and check the contents.
“Hmm…”
A smile creeps onto my face at the realization that the Imperial Faction has become my support base.
“hahahaha, I see. If this passes in the council, I will exercise my veto power.”
Louis nods in response to my words.
“Yes. Please review it, Your Highness.”
I nod at Louis’s words.
“Ah, I have pledged allegiance to you. Naturally, I must protect you all.”
I am satisfied with gaining one means to restrain Devian.
“Then, I will take my leave.”
I nod at his words.
“Go and review it.”
“Yes.”
Louis withdraws like that.
As soon as the door to the audience chamber closes, I am lost in thought.
Perhaps he doesn’t realize that I have embraced the Imperial Faction?
His character is so meticulous that he probably thinks I’m truly unaware since there has been no opposition so far.
If he knew I was aligning with the Imperial Faction, he would have tried to interfere somehow.
Lost in such thoughts, I take a sip of tea and ponder.
Even if I gain the Imperial Faction, I still lack enough people following me.
When a problem arises, you need people to advise on that issue.
Of course, I have my grandfather and mother now, but they can’t compare to Devian.
Devian is not only a brilliant genius himself, but there are also those who follow him.
First, there are the talented individuals from the Great Duchy – Agrippa, Victor, Mary – who have gained experience in government affairs, along with Mueller and Lucius.
And the other five ministers.
They are far from being comparable.
Starting with me… it’s hard to say I’m better than Devian.
It’s only been a short while since the war ended, and I could use a break…
Seeing him working late into the night in his room, I truly feel his effort and sense of responsibility are remarkable.
Moreover… according to the report presented at the recent council meeting, how pleased Finance Minister Frank was with the increase in revenue last quarter?
In contrast… I…
Perhaps I am more suited to be the Emperor than Devian.
Can I surpass him?
Such thoughts make me gloomy, but I resolved to clench my fists tightly and think positively.
No! I can do it!
Devian may be a genius, but he is not perfect.
There are more people who dislike Devian, forced to follow him under his power.
If I embrace those who dislike Devian, perhaps I could make a difference.
Chairman Charles, my mother, have both advised me.
If I were to be Emperor, I should appoint good people but not engage in politics relying on others.
So. I shouldn’t think it’s impossible already.
Indeed, the situation is not as bad as it used to be.
Back then, I had no one on my side, but now I have my own power entirely.
That’s how I gain courage.
***
-Knock, knock.
“Who is it?”
A familiar voice responds to my words.
[Empress Mother Mama.]
I say to the voice of Shin Yang.
“Come in.”
The door opens, Shin Yang enters, bows, and says,
“I’ve brought the elixir you mentioned last time.”
“Is it… really?”
My voice trembles in response to Shin Yang’s calm voice.
“Yes, it’s finally completed after being commissioned to the Alchemist Guild.”
“Oh…”
Shin Yang approaches me and places a small leather pouch on the tea table.
“There are no side effects, and it’s a medicine highly favored by many nobles.”
“Ah…”
Looking at the morning-after pill, a conflict arises within me once again.
Is this really right as a mother?
No matter how important the empire is… is it morally and ethically right to give the morning-after pill to a son-in-law…
From Noble mtl dot com
At that moment.
I feel Ian and René calling me in my dream.
The lovely granddaughter René from a dream I had before.
“Grandma, what’s the name of this flower?”
René, looking about six years old with an innocent smile, holding a white iris flower in her cute little hand.
“This is called an iris flower.”
As I say that, René picks some flowers and makes a wreath…
“Grandma! This is for you.”
She puts it on my head.
Oh…
Ian is so adorable again.
“Grandma!, Grandma! Dad keeps bothering me!”
When the son-in-law runs into my room after trying to escape punishment for not doing his homework.
The image of my cute grandson trembling and hiding behind my skirt because he’s scared of his son-in-law comes to mind…
Isn’t he just too cute?
“Ahem… When can I give this to the son-in-law?”
“When I asked the chief steward of the Grand Duke, he said… the attendants of the Grand Duchess are currently handling the meals for the Grand Duke and the imperial family, so it seems difficult for now.”
Oh… This is not good… I need to give it to them quickly…
Ian and René urge me, saying they miss them too much.
“Is there no way?”
“Well…”
Seeing the maid unable to answer, I become gloomy.
“Mama, I heard that a banquet will be held soon. At that time, you may not be able to check all the dishes in the banquet hall. How about waiting for that moment?”
Oh…
I nod with a bright smile at those words.
“Alright, I understand. I trust you.”
“Yes, please trust me, Mama.”