41 – Episode 41
After I started sleeping in the newlywed’s room as much as possible…
“Really! If this is going to happen, just sleep in the office!”
-Puck!
“Wow!”
My light ball hits the pillow thrown by Theodora.
“Se… Safe… I’m glad it didn’t break.”
I’m glad that the light ball, which is the second best friend in the imperial palace after Agrippa, didn’t break.
“Isn’t that too much?! I just had to keep eating until this late. “Aren’t you supposed to let me sleep?!”
I say that with an embarrassed smile.
“Well… There are documents needed for the cabinet meeting by tomorrow…”
He glares at me with red eyes full of irritation at my words.
“No! “Just because I give it to you a day late doesn’t mean I’m ruined, just let me get some sleep!”
Hearing those words, I sigh and clap my hands.
“Whoa…, Okay…”
-Clap clap!
“Ugh…”
I lay down calmly on the sofa, pushed by Theodora, who sighs loudly.
It’s been a week since we’ve been sleeping in the same room like this.
I think I was able to work without any physical contact.
I need to get some sleep…
In my head, I think there will be a heated discussion about the establishment of a new department, the Ministry of Information, at tomorrow’s cabinet meeting.
To be honest, pressing it with force is also an option, but it is not necessary now.
On the contrary, sound criticism is helpful.
It will help me realize things I hadn’t thought of and serve as a foundation for improvement.
Actually, I have been thinking about the Ministry of Information for a long time. When I actually plan it, I don’t know what parts need to be supplemented.
So, I am thinking of using this opportunity to make up for the missing parts.
When I think like that. Theodora’s voice is heard softly in the darkness.
“Are you… Sleeping?”
“No? Why?”
At my words, she quietly stands up and speaks.
“Because of you… I woke up completely.”
I am deeply pricked by those words.
“I… I’m sorry.”
I sleep less than 4 hours a day, but Theodora sleeps a lot.
I’ve been sleeping for about 6 hours every day these days, and I feel like I’m trying to die, so my heart hurts a little… Just a little.
-Clap clap!
As Theodora claps her hands, her surroundings become brightly lit.
As I wake up in the bright light, Theodora looks at me and says.
“Phew… Do you want to go for a walk?”
“Is that so?”
I can’t sleep right away anyway, so I put on my coat and leave the room.
After passing the guards saluting us, we emerge into the garden of the imperial palace.
A night with a beautiful crescent moon.
I feel that winter is coming soon as I see the places where green grass used to be sparsely filled with barren brown and white grass.
-Hwiiing~
As the cold wind passes between us, Theodora says, her body shaking slightly.
“It’s a little cold.”
“Because it’s winter soon.”
It will snow soon.
And when winter passes and spring comes…
The war will begin.
When I am so lost in thought.
-Cock!
I come to my senses when I feel a gentle prick on my cheek.
“What are you thinking?”
-Pisik.
“Nothing?”
Theodora smiles softly at my words.
“I guess you’re lying and thinking about work again.”
It is not wrong.
-Pisik.
“Yes, because the Ministry of Intelligence agenda will be discussed at the cabinet meeting tomorrow.”
Theodora says, shivering slightly as if it is quite cold.
“Honestly, I don’t understand. It costs an astronomical amount of money. “Is that really necessary?”
I nod my head and say those words.
“There is nothing we can do about it, but it is a very necessary department.”
From Noble mtl dot com
Theodora shakes her head at my words.
“You said you would do it, but I have no choice. But I don’t know why such an institution is needed.”
In this world, the concept of an intelligence department does not exist.
That is why Theodora and the other members of the State Council do not understand well.
So the logic I use to persuade them is…
“Think about it carefully, why was Valorant able to successfully rebel?”
Theodora frowns at my words. It was as if he was telling me not to bring up that topic.
“I don’t want to hear such stories.”
“Theodora, I tell you this many times, but a ruler must always think calmly. “I know it definitely feels bad, but…”
Theodora frowns, then sighs and opens his mouth.
“Phew… I understand.”
“In other words, the reason Valorant was able to succeed in his treason was because his treason plan was not exposed. “How could Rome have fallen when those triple walls existed?”
In fact, if the emperor had known even the day before, Valorant’s plan would have failed.
In that case, Theodora would not have married me, and the emperor and crown prince would not have died.
“That’s how important the plots and information of hostile forces are.”
Theodora says after thinking deeply about my words.
“But unless the hostile forces are fools, they won’t say such things, so how can we know?”
“No, if you prepare for treason together with Valor, traces will definitely be left behind. For example, purchasing an abnormally large amount of water defense equipment.”
Complete information blocking cannot exist.
So somehow traces will remain and it is the job of the intelligence department to find those traces.
Well… It’s not just for civil war preparation.
It also includes information such as collecting information on enemy countries and forces trying to cause internal chaos.
In other words, the intelligence department will provide a clue to catch the demon worshipers hiding in the dark.
“Think about it carefully. “It would be of great help if we were to go to war with the United Kingdom or the Babylonian Empire in the future, right?”
This is unlikely to happen, but if a war breaks out, it would be possible to reverse information that is unfavorable to the enemy country.
Or spreading dangerous ideas and fanning the flames of civil war.
I appeal to him that it is important to establish an intelligence department that encompasses the entire interior and exterior of the empire, but Theodora says it as if he cannot believe me.
“But if information is so great, why don’t other countries or empires have such departments?”
I speak with somewhat keen insight.
“Because no one thought of that.”
Theodora smiles and says, as if my words were amusing.
“So you are a genius who thought of something no one else in the world could think of?”
I shake my head and say those words.
“That’s not true. How many times has information been used in war, diplomacy, or palace intrigues? “I’m saying let’s handle it more professionally.”
In fact, there is training for spies during military training.
We can turn the war to our advantage by finding out about the enemy’s military type, deployment, and tactics.
This is something you naturally learn at military academies, and you can gain an advantage in diplomatic warfare just by knowing who is preparing for war through diplomacy.
“Hmm… Is that so?”
But Theodora doesn’t seem to understand what I’m saying.
Well… It’s easy to not know.
What I’m telling you right now is only simple administrative aspects.
I am still immature when it comes to high-level concepts.
“Yes, of course.”
Theodora smiles brightly at my words.
“If that’s what you said, that’s probably true.”
Huh?
I feel embarrassed by her words, as if something has changed in her.
“What’s wrong? What’s going on?”
It’s as if you’re asking why I said that.
“No?”
“Is something strange? “Tell me honestly, aren’t you planning something strange?”
Her cheeks blush slightly at my words.
“Well… Over there…”
I open my mouth when I see Theodora looking like she has something to say.
“Is there something you want to say?”
She nods her head slightly at my words.
She walks next to me and speaks hesitantly.
“Thank you…”
I asked her because I was puzzled by her words.
“Huh? What?”
Theodora’s face blushed slightly at her words and she lowered her head.
“I… I heard about it from my mother.”
To your mother-in-law? What did you hear?
“The reason you don’t do that with me is because you don’t think I’ll get hurt?”
Ah… Oh my…
Perhaps she is mistaken about something.
“Well… Um…”
Should I bring this up?
Should I say that I am afraid of the consequences of doing something like that?
No, this is too straightforward.
Think of it!, Think of a way to avoid this situation!
I scream inside my head and try complicated things in my head to get out of this unexpected situation, but I can’t find an answer.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Since I can’t say anything, she thinks alone and she speaks alone.
Should I just… Not say anything?
It seems awkward to say something for no reason.
Something about this atmosphere feels unfamiliar.
“…”
“…”
I wonder if it’s not just me who feels that way, she also feels that way.
There is only awkward silence between us.
“I… I’ll just go first… It’s cold.”
He grabs Theodora’s wrist as she tries to hurriedly leave her place.
Then I take off her coat and place it over her shoulders.
“Wear this at least.”
At that moment, my red eyes meet hers.
“Thank you…”
Soon, her face heated up, she nodded her head slightly and hurriedly left her place.
Is it that cold?
And then I walk a little more and head to the office.
If I work in my room, I’ll probably hear it again.