181 – 185
On a day when several weeks had passed since the demon worshippers had bombed the inn.
Finally, it was Theodora’s birthday.
Was it because of the emperor’s birthday celebration?
The palace was bustling as usual today.
– Ho ho, Your Majesty looks weary today as well.
– Indeed, milady countess.
Beside Theodora, her lips, praising her, laughing, and chatting with the ladies, seemed to twitch with a spasm.
Well… It was hard to count how many people had come to give her presents.
Normally, as her husband, I should be there too, but…
I sneaked away under the pretext of entertaining noble gentlemen and sipped champagne.
Take care, Theodora.
Wishing her well from afar, I gazed at her, and our eyes met.
In that moment.
It felt as if time stood still between her and me.
An incredibly beautiful face.
Beautiful crimson eyes that seemed to engulf everything in this world with flames.
The ladies surrounding her were quite lovely as well, but they couldn’t compare to Theodora’s beauty.
It’s not without reason she’s called the most beautiful in the empire.
When I gazed absentmindedly at her face.
She raised her eyebrows slightly and glared at me.
As if… I could hear a voice in my ear saying, “Aren’t you coming here right now?” But…
I had no desire to join the nobles’ sycophantic scene, so I just waved my hand with a smile.
I wanted to help, but I didn’t have the confidence to joke around with noble ladies.
So… Cheer up! I need to maintain my position! The support of noble ladies is crucial.
Of course…
There might not be any noble ladies with titles, but being from a respected family, they wouldn’t be bad to get along with.
As I was thinking that.
I saw Theodora gesturing to a male servant.
“Your Grace?”
At that moment.
Agrifa called me.
“Huh? What is it?”
“Would you mind helping out? It’s Her Majesty’s birthday…”
Understanding what Agrifa was saying, I nodded.
“It’s okay. When dealing with politics, that’s just a show of affection.”
Building relationships with nobles is essential in politics.
I almost ignore such things and rule, so I don’t receive support from the nobles.
However, they are controlled reluctantly by authority, nominal hierarchy, military power, and finances.
“Sigh… You’re ruthless.”
I nod at Agrifa’s words.
“Oh? By the way… Your complexion seems better these days?”
Certainly, my face wasn’t looking good until just before heading to the battlefield.
“Ahem… Don’t you have something given by His Highness? That unicorn horn.”
Ah… Was it because of that?
Thinking that my complexion improved from diligently managing the affairs of the Grand Duchy with that, I say.
“Effective, isn’t it? When I took it before, I didn’t get tired even when working overtime all night.”
As I say that, Agrifa looks at me as if I’m a lunatic.
“Are you using that precious thing for overtime?”
Agrifa’s reaction is different from what I expected.
Of course, I use it for overtime. Where do you see a woman for me to work the night shift?
At that moment…
The morning after Mary’s wedding comes to mind.
Ah… Could it be?
Come to think of it, Agrifa has been bothering Mary every day.
When that thought crosses my mind.
“That’s why His Majesty dislikes the Grand Duke.”
She looks at me with cold eyes.
“Ahem… That’s why your complexion has improved.”
Agrifa nods at my words.
“Yes. Especially Mary likes it.”
I don’t want to know about my younger sister’s affairs.
But… well…
It’s not difficult to guess she would like it if you see that from day one.
At that moment.
[Today, we will hold a ceremony to present a birthday gift to His Imperial Majesty. His Grace, Duke Devian, is requested to come promptly.]
“Ugh… It’s already the opening ceremony. I’ll go first.”
Theodore’s birthday present.
She bought an impressive ring with a red ruby resembling her eyes last time.
As I approach her…
The surroundings become noisy.
– I wonder what the Grand Duke has prepared for a gift?
– Yeah, right.
When everyone’s attention is focused.
“Now! As expected, the first to give a gift will be His Grace, the Grand Duke, who is a couple.”
The order of giving gifts is strictly established here.
Starting with couples within the family, then children, followed by parents, and so on, with outsiders starting to give gifts after that.
I should give it quickly and get out.
I kneel in front of Theodora with one knee, saying, “Your Highness, may you continue to prosper in the future.” As I take out a ring case from my pocket and open it, a voice is heard commenting, “Oh? The gem on the ring is quite large.” “It looks rather expensive, doesn’t it?” “But it’s made of gold, not aluminum.” Everyone murmurs in agreement. Indeed, while aluminum may be costly here, compared to gold on modern Earth, it is undoubtedly cheaper. Therefore, no matter how expensive aluminum may seem, buying an aluminum ring is impossible for me, especially when it’s more expensive than gold… Isn’t that foolish? At that moment, Theodora looks at the ring I present and says, “Your Grace, I appreciate your gift. Now, please rise and… help me put on the ring.” I feel puzzled as I see Theodora, blushing up to her ears, extend her right hand shyly, asking me to help her wear the ring. Normally, gifts are given to servants, right? But when the Emperor issues a command in front of many people, it cannot be ignored. Thus, I stand up and place the ring on her hand. She links her arm with mine briefly and says, “Now you can’t escape.” Startled by her words, I look at her face, blushing but smiling subtly. Ah… I’ve fallen into her trap. She seems determined not to let me go, tightly holding onto my arm, making me inwardly sigh. I only intended to give a gift and leave. It seems I’ll have to stay here until the gift is acknowledged. *** As Theodora torments the nobles instead of unwrapping gifts by her side, I find myself enduring alongside her until the end of the party… Lying on the couch in the honeymoon suite, I say, “Ha… I’m exhausted. You were really naughty. And dragging me in there too, how could you?” When she was being harassed by the nobles. I tried to quietly slip away, but she reminded me that she prevented my escape by linking arms with me… She shrugs her shoulders as if she doesn’t understand anything, saying, “I’m not sure what you’re talking about?” I’m speechless at her shamelessness. “Unbelievable. Simply unbelievable.” Then, she sits next to me. “You, not willing to help a suffering wife and trying to escape, is that right?” Her words make me nod. “Of course, it’s the duty of the birthday celebrant, not mine.” She frowns at my response.
“You’re my husband, is it so hard to help your pretty wife?”
Her cheeky remark.
Objectively, Theodora is an incredible beauty.
So, it’s not a wrong statement but…
As she speaks boldly, I can’t help but feel a bit strange looking at her right now…
Turning my head away, feeling odd as she strokes my face, I speak.
“Well… there’s also the emperor’s duty.”
“Tsk. Only at times like this you remember you’re an emperor. A powerless emperor who doesn’t even have any real authority.”
A sweet voice whispers in my right ear.
Oh… come to think of it, wasn’t the Imperial faction trying to appoint Sabinelli as the Minister of Justice?
The current Minister of Justice is retiring soon.
Hence, the report suggesting to replace the current Minister of Justice with Sabinelli comes to mind.
Since they were planning to elevate Sabinelli anyway.
It might be a good time to bring it up.
“Authority… authority… The Minister of Justice is retiring soon, right?”
-Swish…
I sense her slight startle at my words.
“W-why is that?”
She must want to push for Sabinelli. She probably hasn’t had a chance to discuss it until now.
If I resist and refuse, I know the Imperial faction will deliberate on the aftermath.
“What do you think about giving it to Sabinelli?”
Was it an unexpected proposal?
-Twitch.
She visibly twitches at my words.
“M-me, really?”
In response to her surprised voice, I reply.
“Yeah, anyway, among those close to you, Sabinelli is quite capable, isn’t he? Honestly, he’s talented. He’ll do well as a minister.”
As I say that…
-Swish…
I feel her rising from the sofa and turn my head.
She gives me a slightly puzzled look as she faces me.
“Why do you keep hesitating about me?”
“Huh? What… Whoa?! W-why are you suddenly like this?”
As I try to ask what she means, not understanding.
She climbs onto me.
And…
“Mmm!”
She pulls me close with her arms around my neck, sealing my lips with hers.
Soon after…
Something warm, soft, slightly rough slips between my lips.
“Hmm…”
Watching Theodora let out such a pitiful moan, my head stiffens.
What… What is this? A new kind of teasing?
Being the quiet one lately, I suddenly feel perplexed.
What should I do?