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Lost in thought as she explores my lips.
What should I do?
“Hmm… Ah…”
She pulls away, looking at me with crimson eyes.
Cheeks flushed.
Red eyes glistening as if wet.
And a labored breath.
Dangerous! I might be devoured at this rate.
What should I do? What’s the right move?
I once heard that when married men are under attack, they pretend to be asleep.
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But that won’t work in this situation.
“What are you thinking?”
She asks, and I reply.
“Oh… I’m not thinking about anything?”
She chuckles at my response.
“Then why are your eyes darting around like that?”
“W-Well…”
Can’t help it, can I? If I mess up, I might be poisoned in 10 months.
It’s been proven that even with the servants preparing the food, poison can’t be entirely prevented.
Even if Mary’s maids work hard, didn’t Theodora refuse to take the contraceptive last time?
So, the proposition that there’s no one who can’t be killed in this world is true.
Thinking such thoughts, I ponder on how to escape this situation.
Oh… Is there no other way?
“Theodora, just a moment…”
I sit up on the couch to retrieve the poem I’ve been carrying around for a while…
“Huh?”
She snatches the cigarette with a mischievous smile…
-Clang!
“W-What are you doing?”
I broke the poem.
“No smoking in the honeymoon suite from now on.”
She smiles brightly, but behind it, I sense an intangible pressure, like a dragon lurking.
-Gulp.
Seeing my last resort blocked, I quickly make a decision.
First, the thought that I should leave this place makes me nod my head.
“Ah… Okay, I’ll wash up and come out.”
Saying that, I head towards the bathroom.
-Splash, swoosh.
As I fill the bathtub with water, I undress.
-Swish.
I melt my body in the warm water, relieving today’s fatigue.
“Ah… refreshing.”
But what should I do? Theo Dora’s eyes seem suspicious.
I initially ran to the bathroom to escape her gaze, but her eyes are unsettling.
It’s like the gaze of a dragon before hunting.
“Should I escape to the study?”
The idea doesn’t seem bad.
If I run to the study without properly drying my hair, claiming an urgent matter, there might not be much she can do.
After all, this era is one where the clergy controls people’s perceptions.
Here, a woman’s desires are a touchy subject.
She probably finds it difficult to talk to me directly.
Having organized my thoughts, I finish bathing and come out.
-Splash!
The bed in the center of the honeymoon suite.
Pulling the blanket up to her neck, she looks at me with moist, intense eyes.
Seeing her like that, I get lost in thought.
Will she let me off easily?
Looking at her determined expression today, I hesitate.
“Ahem… Theo Dora, something important came to mind suddenly… I’ll go to the study.”
As soon as I say that, I turn my gaze away from her and walk towards the door.
“Just a moment!”
-Thump, tap-tap!
Suddenly, Theo Dora rushes to my side and grabs my wrist.
“Don’t go, please… stay with me tonight.”
Her faintly trembling appearance sends a shiver down my spine.
Uh… what should I do?
The most beautiful woman in this world, trying to make me stumble, is tearfully asking me to hold her.
-Thump… Thump…
Her words make my heart race.
With such a lovely face, tearfully speaking to me.
I must not be swayed by those words.
Behind that beautiful face, there might be a deadly venom.
Isn’t the meaning of her plea too obvious for the woman who declared she would make me stumble?
A ploy to make me stumble… nothing more, nothing less.
So…
“Ahem… I have some materials to report at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow. I might be a bit busy today. Next time…”
Whispering softly in her ear as he embraces her.
“I’ll be the one to seduce first when the time comes. Can you hold out until then?”
As he gently pulls away… Theodora, blushing, nods slightly.
“Yes…”
Feeling reassured by her response, he heads off to his study.
Phew… I survived.
***
A man with verdant hair.
He gazes at the land from a high mountain.
“You are a noble figure. News has arrived from Roman.”
In response to his words, Locust, the king of grasshoppers, replies.
“I see… What has happened?”
The hesitant man.
The man, with his head nearly bald, is a well-known wandering knight in the empire.
Jacob, a highly esteemed wandering knight with exceptional skills and a knightly spirit.
“It seems that we are being tracked by the empire, so I have decided to take a break for a while.”
At his words, Locust twitches.
And then…
Turning around, he stares at Jacob.
“Do you… know what command I received in hell?”
Saying so, as he reaches out his hand gently, Jacob, as if choking, grabs his throat…
“Cough…, cough! Cough!… But! Urgh!”
Locust gently grabs something in the air.
As his hand gradually rises, Jacob slowly begins to float in the air.
“I asked if you knew what command I received.”
Jacob’s pale voice contrasts with his reddened face.
-Thunk!
As Locust’s hand that held the air is released, Jacob grabs his throat and coughs.
“Cough… Cough!”
Watching Jacob cough with a red face, Locust turns his head to gaze at the land below the mountain.
“Fine, since you called me here. I will respect you. But… We can’t afford to be indecisive. Amon, was it? That guy is trying to overthrow the empire as a commoner… I’ll create a situation where the commoners rise up.”
Locust looks at the vast wheat fields grown along a massive river.
As he reaches out his hand, a massive swarm of locusts hidden in the mountain rushes towards the wheat fields.
***
Last night’s story subtly heard from Devian.
He is delivering that story to the top brass of his faction.
“First of all, inform Count Sabinelli that he is expected to be appointed as the Minister of Justice this time.”
Sabinele responds with a hint of surprise in her voice.
“Are you saying the Grand Duke approved it?”
I tilt my head at her disbelieving expression.
“Yes, he has finished discussing it with me.”
At my words, Sabinele ponders with a puzzled look on her face.
“The Minister of Justice has the authority to oversee the prosecution and the public security forces in Roman. It’s hard to understand why he would easily give up such a position. The Grand Duke’s intentions are unclear.”
I pause for a moment to consider her words.
It can be said that the Ministry of Justice’s responsibilities are substantial.
The two most significant powers are executing court judgments and appointing prosecutors, among other authorities.
I hadn’t thought about it then, but why would he place my person there?
I try to think about what he might gain from this bold move, but nothing comes to mind.
Why did he say such a thing?
He had been contemplating for a long time how he could strip the Minister of Justice from his influence, but giving it away so easily is perplexing.
It’s suspicious… What are you plotting, sir?
He even intended to retain the position of Minister of Justice even if his proposals were rejected by the assembly.
Compared to the forces he stationed in Roman, it may be a small number, but having control over the security forces is crucial for maintaining public order.
Moreover, by having the power to check the Supreme Court, the judges he has bought may find themselves in a complicated position.
“But if it’s being offered, there’s no reason to refuse, is there?”
Chairman Charles interjects to lighten the mood.
“I agree with that sentiment as well. Regardless of the Grand Duke’s intentions, the position of Minister of Justice is crucial.”
As the grandfather nods in agreement, Sabinele reveals a sense of unease.
“The Grand Duke is adept at presenting a grand lure to his opponents, ultimately dismantling them. We cannot easily accept his intentions without understanding them.”
I ponder carefully at her words.
I reflect on Debiang’s tactics during the civil war of the Rebellion Faction, the conflicts with Johannes, or even his maneuvers during negotiations with the former Emperor Faction.
His strategy of offering irresistible bait and then toppling his enemies through unforeseen means is undeniably menacing.
“I, too, primarily employed deceptive tactics in warfare. However, it’s hard to believe that the Grand Duke, a master of deceit, would yield so easily.”
The former Minister of Justice steps forward.
“You need not worry. While the position of Minister of Justice comes with responsibilities, it also offers protection.”
Johann, who had previously held the position of Minister of Justice, speaks.
“However, those who have accepted the Grand Duke’s sweet offers have not met favorable ends.”
Everyone knows how Johannes crumbled after accepting his proposal, causing them all to sink into contemplation.
The leader of the Emperor Faction and the once ruler of three kingdoms.
Both the rise and fall of this powerful figure were orchestrated by Debiang.
“But… we currently lack any public authority. It would be madness to reject this.”
“That’s why I’m afraid. We cannot know what schemes the Grand Duke is concocting, can we?”
At that moment, Emperor Enrique steps forward and speaks.
“Hmm… if I may offer a suggestion… it might not be a conciliatory gesture from the Grand Duke. Frankly, even for someone who wields the empire’s real power, disregarding us entirely and discussing state affairs is unreasonable. Perhaps he is considering a gesture of reconciliation with the Emperor’s veto power in mind.”
Enrique’s words make sense.
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“Sigh… I’ve come back again after all.”
And so, the long and tedious meeting continues.
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