Episode 6 From now on, it’s a real battle (edited)
Episode 6
There was a brief commotion, but the meeting with the issue of trade with the Principality of Rome as the agenda was fortunately concluded.
The Marquis of Marquis, who openly attacked me, had a slightly dissatisfied face, but he couldn’t tease his snout anymore.
It is proof that the threat through the ‘Hwangmyeong’ worked.
Well, on the other hand, I also felt fortunate.
I was scared of what to do if I suddenly did a sword dance there.
The reason why I was so worried was because I was a reader who had seen the original.
Cecilia was the first to leave the conference room. Count Milord and I followed her like sweet potatoes.
“I have to go to the office.”
She said, taking her steps with her strides.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Earl Milord should focus on educating his new recruit.”
“Are you okay?”
Cecilia’s answer did not change despite Count Milord’s worried question.
“It’s okay. The ladies-in-waiting are also working together.”
“I understand, Your Majesty.”
After a while, we arrived at a door.
I think the sign is too plain for it to be the place where the highest being in the Eckhart Empire works…….
“You guys, just go back.”
Me and Count Milord bowed down towards her as she entered her. Of course, the empress did not look back at us.
Stretching our backs again, we moved to the secretary’s office.
“Hey, newcomer.”
Even though I introduced myself, this person calls me a rookie from time to time.
Anyway, nobles tend to look down on those of a lower status than themselves.
“This is Luke. Luke.”
“You should be grateful to His Majesty.”
Earl Milord spoke his unexpected words.
“Yes?”
I didn’t understand it right away, so I asked back, and he let out a sigh as if he was stuffy. Then he jerked his body in this direction.
“Don’t you know what that means? Really?”
Milrod’s sharp eyes pierced my face. I rolled his head for a very second, only then did I know what this man was trying to say.
“It means that His Majesty protected me.”
“To realize that now. Tsk tsk.”
I was obviously annoyed by the attitude of ignoring me, but since the fact had been pointed out, I had nothing to say even if I had ten mouths.
But on the other hand, I still had doubts about whether that was really the case.
A man called the Marquis of Marlborough attacked me and at the same time secretly sneered at Cecilia’s eyes. And that made Cecilia angry.
To put it in one word, it was an insult to oneself.
But can I interpret this as covering me?
‘Well, depending on your point of view, you might feel that way.’
“Hey, newcomer. Let’s hurry. There are piles of things to learn today as well.”
The Count turned to face the front again and started moving his steps with great strides. I also quickly moved to match his stride.
“Next week, I will also enter His Majesty’s office. I would like to thank you then. Okay?”
“Yes.”
“The answer is bold and short.”
“Yes.”
I wish I could escape from the imperial palace as soon as possible, no matter what I say thanks.
Still, thanks to a rule I found out while reading through the Imperial Rulebook, I still had hope.
The fact that you can resign after one year from the time you entered the palace!
Before that, there was no way to get out on my own, so I had to live here for a year unconditionally…….
Still, you managed to survive 18 months in the army.
One year is more chewing gum than that.
I decided to think as positively as possible.
Of course it’s like X, but…….
* * *
That evening.
The Marquis of Marlborough headed to a tavern located in the back of Delle Son. The tavern was quite shabby for aristocrats to enter and exit, and there was no proper lighting. Thanks to this, it was difficult to recognize the faces of those sitting at the table.
But that rather became the reason nobles sought it.
Especially for those who want to have private conversations, this bar has become a go-to place.
After entering the bar, the Marquis took a look around. There were quite a few empty seats today.
But the Marquis wanted a different seat. He moved his steps toward the farthest corner.
“Duke of Montersen. I am here.”
“Hmm. Have a seat.”
The Marquis cautiously sat down in the seat across from the Duke of Montersen. The duke raised his hand and summoned his bartender.
After ordering simple drinks and snacks, the Duke opened his mouth to the Marquis.
“Isn’t that so arrogant?”
“Yes. I think so too.”
“To think that a new blue one who is only 19 years old now speaks of Hwang Myeong.”
Duke Montersen clicked his tongue.
The Marquis of Marlborough’s rage flared up again at the thought of the insult he had suffered during the noble meeting this morning.
“How dare you touch my daughter… …. Slash that b*tch’s neck on the spot!”
“Uh huh. Until there.”
The Duke warned in a heavy voice, and the Marquis immediately shut his mouth.
The nobles of the Eckhart Empire are divided into two categories.
On the one hand, the imperial faction wants to protect the legitimacy of the imperial family.
On the other side, the aristocratic faction prioritizes the rights and interests of the nobility.
The Duke of Montersen was the current head of the aristocratic faction, and the Marquis of Marlborough was his right-hand man.
After a while, snacks and drinks were served on their tables.
“Let’s have a drink first.”
The duke and the marquis quietly shared a toast.
As the cold beer ran down his throat, the Marquis felt his anger subside a little.
“Duke. I worry so much these days that I have insomnia. What will the future of our empire look like? ….”
“You are not alone.”
It has been half a year since Cecilia ascended the throne as the emperor of the Eckhart Empire.
As for whether a woman who is only 19 years old will be able to lead her empire well, the aristocracy, as well as the imperial faction, expressed concern.
But at this point, the imperial faction has calmed down quite a bit.
The main reason was that Cecilia was managing state affairs more stably than expected. It was, in a way, a natural thing.
Despite her young age, she has lived as a princess ever since she was born, and her successor has been thoroughly educated. Also, at a time when her empress, Olivia, ruled as her emperor’s agent, Cecilia would also frequently assist her empress in affairs.
However, from the aristocratic point of view, that alone was not enough.
“My biggest problem is that I inherited the habits of my parents.”
This is exactly what Montersen pointed out. The point is that Cecilia does not show a large-scale aspect of embracing both the imperial family and the aristocratic faction.
“Yes. Not only the duke, but all members of the aristocratic faction are thinking the same thing.”
At the words of the Marquis of Marlborough, Duke Montersen nodded once.
“Anyway, there is one thing we need to remember.”
“You mean continuing the noble will of Duke Hundrey, who was sacrificed by the previous emperor?”
“Yes.”
The two men toasted quietly.
* * *
Today was the day I finally entered the emperor’s office.
It’s been 15 days since he started receiving new training from Count Milord.
‘I heard that it was unusual to be put into this job so quickly, but they praised it… ….’
The Count, who used to look down on me, seemed to recognize my abilities recently. He honestly would have deserved to admit it to anyone who saw it.
It is basic to memorize a thick book, and the department heads of each department within the imperial palace and all employees under them must memorize them. It didn’t end there, but he instructed them to find out all the items in the furnishings room in the imperial family.
For reference, this is not the small furnishings room we usually think of.
It was the size of a library in a tolerable mansion!
But after all that was done, the count also changed his attitude towards me.
“Hey, Luke. Check your attire again before entering.”
Before knocking on the door of the emperor’s office, the count instructed me.
First of all, I tried to fix the condition of the cravat, but fortunately, nothing was disturbed.
Next is the sleeve cufflinks. This is running properly too.
The collar, the trouser hem, and finally the shoes.
As a result of the inspection, it was flawless.
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“Keep your head upright and do it.”
“Yes.”
As soon as Earl Milord knocked, a voice came from inside. After the Count introduced himself and said that he had brought me, permission to enter was dropped.
“Meet Her Majesty, Empress Cecilia, Mother of the Empire.”
“Yes.”
It was only after the Empress accepted her greeting that Milo and I were able to straighten our backs.
In the Empress’s office, the desks were arranged in a U-shape. All the furnishings here were old-fashioned.
The desk used by the empress and her throne, as well as the desks that appear to belong to her ladies-in-waiting and her direct secretary.
The center was, of course, the seat of the empress, and on the left and right sat two women who seemed to be the age of the empress.
I immediately recognized who the women were.
It was Flora and Mulia.
In the original story, Cecilia and her two friends who spent their childhood together. And thanks to that friendship, they were also people who rose to the position of maid of honor.
“I should introduce her ladies-in-waiting before going to work.”
Having said that, the Empress rose from her throne.
I was quite surprised by the unexpected aggressiveness, but I tried hard not to show it off.
“Oh, Your Majesty. We’ll do it ourselves, so you can sit down.”
Flora said with her smile on her face, but Cecilia came closer to me and Earl Milode. Then the two women also came to the empress.
“Luke. The first to introduce is Flora Delis Simonion. She is the second daughter of the author Simonion Hu and my old friend Uzi. She is doing a great job as my maid of honor now.”
Flora has her pink hair, which she styled in twin tails in two pigtails. Her translucent, light-green eyes looked like emeralds.
“Whoops. Nice to meet you.”
Flora held her eye smile and lifted her skirt slightly in greeting.
Perhaps it was because of his sad eyes, he looked cute.
“This is Mulia Fordward. She is the eldest daughter of Count Ford Ward’s family. She too is an old friend of mine and a great maid of honor to me.”
Mulia had navy blue short hair that came down to the nape of her neck. She had violet or amethyst-like purple eyes staring at her, but it was quite a nonchalant look.
“… ….”
Instead of raising her voice, she greeted with a light nod.
All of the ladies-in-waiting have the same personalities as they did in the original work.
So I felt rather fortunate. The more similarities there are to the original, the more I can make the most of the information I know.
Anyway, since the three women are standing side by side, it’s definitely a comparison.
If you ask me what are you talking about, well…… Should I say volume?
While Flora and Mulia are clearly visible, Her Majesty, our empress, is a bit flat…….
While I was thinking a bit obscenely demonic (?), The Empress introduced me.
Mulia still didn’t seem interested, but Flora didn’t.
“Wow! I heard a lot of stories about Mr. Luke.”
“Lou, Mr. Luke?”
Flora really has no qualms…….
It was nice to hear Beauty call me by name, but I was embarrassed.
“Yes! She was a male writer, but she was chosen as the direct secretary. Her Majesty selected her based on her ability…….”
“Flora. Until there.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As she answered, Flora was still smiling. Should I say that she is like a sunshine woman spreading positive energy around her?
“Let everyone go to work.”
After giving her instructions, Cecilia returned to her throne, and her attendants also went to their respective seats.
“This is where we sleep. Follow me.”
Count Milord led me to a seat that had been empty the whole time.
I really felt it when I sat in the chair.
I have to go to work here every day for the next year.
-Continued