I Became the Master of the Empress chapter 171

171 – 175

Looking at Sabirelli in the foul-smelling prison, I force a neutral expression and open my mouth.

“I regret meeting you like this again.”

Sabirelli sighs deeply at my words.

“Have you come to mock me with the words of a loser?”

I shake my head in response.

“That wasn’t my intention. I have always admired Marquis Sabirelli.”

From Noble mtl dot com

Though it feels a bit self-congratulatory, I believe I have some talent for self-criticism and self-reproach.

I enjoy skillfully manipulating others and rendering them helpless when they catch on.

And the person I believe can match me in that regard is…

None other than Sabirelli.

Perhaps when I leave the empire, he will have to fill in the gaps in Theodora’s shortcomings.

That way, I can depart the empire with peace of mind.

“hahahaha… Your praise is excessive. I am merely an unfaithful servant who failed to properly serve my lord.”

I nod at his words.

“Well…”

“Perhaps it was during Lady Mary’s wedding.”

Interrupting me, Sabirelli makes an incomprehensible sound.

His eyes hold a deep regret as he continues speaking.

“It was around the time we made an alliance with the Kingdom.”

“Correct.”

“At that time, both I and Lord Ioannes… thought the Grand Duke had gone to oversee the Grand Duchy. We probably expected our war to last a long time. However, we didn’t know it was a scheme to bring in external forces to defeat our navy. We never imagined the proud empire would resort to such foul play.”

Indeed, I had my own concerns about bringing in external forces.

Given my political standing and the high pride of those loyal to the empire, backlash was to be expected.

However, the desperate faction of the emperor and my faction managed to push it through.

“And then we sent William and the Golden Knights to prison, luring us into complacency, and they landed in Adrianople. We thought that was the end of it.”

With the renowned William and the Golden Knights, I anticipated that landing a large force would weaken Byzantium’s defenses.

And as I expected, Nicaea succeeded in striking at William.

“But the ace in the hole must have been the landing in Byzantium. Perhaps the Grand Duke had this plan prepared even before the war… or from the moment we strengthened our alliance. I couldn’t help but wonder.”

I simply nod in response.

Utilizing future knowledge to exploit the Barony’s rebellion.

This method has been a plan I’ve envisioned since I was young.

After that, I spared no means or methods to steer the politics in the direction I desired.

“To be honest, it’s astonishing. I’ve heard that you’re quite clever, but I never imagined you would wage war in this manner.”

Sabirelli continues, shrugging his shoulders.

“You are truly terrifying. As I suspect, you must have foreseen the signs of Barony’s rebellion and orchestrated all of this to place the empire entirely in your hands.”

Listening carefully to Sabirelli’s lengthening words, my mood gradually sours.

Phew… Calm down. To acquire talent, one must tolerate this much.

Most likely, he’s venting on me because his loyal servant, Johannes, passed away.

For the future of the Empire, I can brush off this kind of venting with a smile.

“The Emperor who saved your life was left to die, and you deceived the Emperor who trusted you. It must all be for your power.”

Sabinele’s criticism escalates.

“Do you realize you’re like a heartless monster?”

Looking at Sabinele glaring at me, I say, “I have emotions too.”

“Ha-ha, a person with emotions and compassion, standing by watching their benefactor die in disgraceful circumstances. Impressive! Truly impressive!”

Exhaling a sigh at those words, I speak, “What is the point you want to make? If you want to criticize and gossip about me, feel free to do so. I will listen a hundred or a thousand times.”

As I say this, Sabinele laughs heartily and says, “Ha-ha-ha! Understood. I shouldn’t detain the busy Grand Duke. In conclusion, I am not needed by the Grand Duke.”

In response to that, I nod my head and reply, “No. I need talents like you.”

“The Grand Duke is far more exceptional than I am. How could I assist the Grand Duke with my limited abilities? I wish to serve someone whom I can help.”

When Sabinele indicates refusal…

“Viscount… Can’t you reconsider?”

Sabinele’s eyes gleam faintly in the dim torchlight.

With a bright smile, almost whispering, he says, “I have no intention of working under a monster, so you might as well kill me.”

Changing his expression immediately…

“I wish to rest now. Please let me go.”

Watching Sabinele, who speaks of the prison as if it were his own bedroom, I ponder.

What should I do? Should I kill him then?

Judging from his eyes and tone.

I feel he won’t be easily employed.

*Sigh*… It can’t be helped. He’s too precious to kill.

But leaving him in this state is also regretful…

With a heavy heart, I smile wryly and say, “I hope to see you again next time.”

***

A few days after the improvement ceremony.

All evidence related to Theodora’s assassination attempt has been collected.

The final review of the compiled evidence and records of Theodora’s assassination attempts by the Erin Kingdom, Bohemia Kingdom, Neo-Flu Viscountcy, and the majority of the Imperial faction has been completed.

– Thud… Thud.

Straightening the stack of documents, I tap the desk a few times lost in thought.

With this, managing Theodora within the Imperial faction should be easier?

An attempt on the Emperor’s life is a grave crime.

It would not be strange for all involved to face the death penalty.

But it would be foolish to reveal this information in order to punish them.

No matter how powerful the emperor is, it is not easy to kill a noble without fault.

Regardless of being pro-imperial or anti-imperial, no one would stand by and watch the emperor wield such tyranny.

Because there is no guarantee that the next emperor’s blade will not be aimed at oneself.

However, if there are valid reasons and justifications, the situation changes.

Since they have perfectly secured evidence of the plot to assassinate the emperor, witnesses, and evidence, they will not easily escape.

In other words… they will inevitably become slaves of Theodora.

If she declares them as attempted assassins of the emperor, they will have nowhere to hide.

-Swish…

Sorting out the documents and putting them in the document bag.

“Phew… Should I go see my mother-in-law now?”

I plan to deliver this information to Theodora through my mother-in-law.

She seems to be avoiding me for no reason lately.

When I return home from work, she pretends to be asleep.

Is it because of that kiss that night?

Theodora, who hasn’t been able to look me in the eye since that night.

I feel a little uncomfortable when she blushes at the sight of my face.

“Well… It’ll work out somehow.”

Come to think of it, next month is Theodora’s birthday, and the month after that is our first wedding anniversary, making my head spin.

I should buy gifts, right?

Thinking that I’ll have to go to the department store later and roughly pick out a gift, I head towards the Gold Area.

The security guard guarding the familiar mother-in-law’s door salutes me and soon knocks on the door.

-Knock, knock.

-Who is it?

“The Grand Duke is here to visit. Empress Dowager Mama.”

-Tell them to come in.

As the door opens at the words of my mother-in-law, I bow lightly.

“Sure. What brings you here today?”

Although she seems a little happier than last time, I can’t help but feel puzzled seeing my mother-in-law.

“hahahaha… I have something to ask of you, so I came here.”

In response to my words, my mother-in-law nods with a bright smile.

“Of course, what can’t I do for my son-in-law? Speak freely.”

With that, I pull out a document from my pocket.

“Please don’t say I gave this to you, but please pass it on to Theodora.”

As I take out the document and place it on the tea table, my mother-in-law looks puzzled.

“What is this?”

“It’s a portion of correspondence exchanged between the imperial faction members who were planning to assassinate Theodora during the banquet, the confession of the assassin, the receipt for purchasing poison, and witness statements.”

At my words, my mother-in-law’s expression darkens considerably.

“What?! Who were you trying to assassinate?”

-Swirl! Sizzle!

The mother-in-law roughly tears open an envelope and checks the documents.

“This… This can’t be…”

Her trembling blue eyes.

Watching her flip through the papers with shaking hands, she says, “Deliver my message to her without mentioning my name, refrain from arresting them, and assist her in firmly controlling the Imperial Faction.”

As I calmly speak, the mother-in-law places the documents on the tea table and says, “Ah… Now I understand why she sighs every day. But I have one question. What’s the reason you won’t deliver the message to that girl yourself?”

The mother-in-law continues, looking puzzled.

“Maybe because you think that delivering the message yourself would improve your relationship with her.”

“She… might not trust me.”

Ever since learning that Theodora, in her efforts to discredit me, continues to expand her influence by meeting various officials and nobles after receiving Epirus and Ejeup from Joannes, it is only natural that she would find it hard to believe politically sensitive information coming from me.

“However… I have no way of obtaining such detailed information. If she were to inquire where she got it from, I wouldn’t have much to say.”

Nodding in agreement with my words, I continue, “It is known that the court historian cleans my study. If he were to hand the Imperial assassination attempt document files to you through the mother-in-law, it should suffice.”

By doing so, conveying information through the mother-in-law in the future would increase the credibility.

“Hmm… I will handle it first.”