I Became the Master of the Empress

201 – 205

After concluding the negotiations with the Pope, I officially ordered preparations for contact with Amon.

“Your Grace, is it really alright to reveal our identities?”

At Carl’s words, I nod my head.

“It’s unavoidable.”

If you’re hunting a tiger, facing it is inevitable.

“If things go wrong, they might truly descend into darkness. Or perhaps no one can guarantee what might happen to Your Grace.”

At Carl’s words, I let out a laugh.

– Chuckle.

“Do you know how often I’ve faced death to stand where I am now?”

During the negotiations with Johannes and even under the assassin’s attack, I bet my life.

The only difference now is that the opponent is neither Johannes nor an assassin, but a high-ranking demon.

“If you say so, I have nothing more to add… But if Your Grace dies, the empire will fall into chaos again.”

Carl says with concern, and I shake my head.

“No, it’s different from that time.”

Back then, Theodora had no foundation.

She was at the mercy of the anti-emperor faction or the emperor’s faction, but now it’s different.

Mary, who is designated as the next Archduke after my death.

“If I die, the soldiers of the Archduchy will only defend Roman until the Golden Knights arrive.”

She’s no fool and won’t cause chaos.

At least not until the Golden Knights enter Roman and then she’ll withdraw the troops.

That way, at least Theodora will have the bare bones to govern independently.

Carl speaks with an anxious face.

“Ugh… But it seems the intelligence department and I will be in danger.”

“Heh heh. If I die, head to the Archduchy. You’ll be safe there.”

At my words, Carl shakes his head.

“Hoo… First, I’ll prepare for contact with Amon. But do you intend to meet them in person, Your Grace?”

“Right. That way they’ll believe us, won’t they?”

It’s a given.

We’re risking our lives in this deal; if I hide my face, they won’t accept the proposal.

But Karl shakes his head, disagreeing.

“I don’t think they’ll trust us.”

“Why not?”

“How many have been burned dealing with His Grace before?”

At that, I can’t help but smile broadly.

“So, they have no choice but to trust me, right?”

In the public eye, I am the embodiment of power.

That’s why I plan to play the part of a corrupt powermonger, sponsoring demon worshippers, wishing to make a deal.

“If you won’t listen to my warnings, I’ll follow your lead, but be careful. The other party worships demons. Thinking of them in human terms might just get you devoured.”

I agree with that.

The goals of demon worshippers are utterly irrational, after all.

“But if we’re to catch Locust…”

“Better not to bother. As long as His Grace is in good health, there’s no way they can resurrect the Demon King.”

Karl is right. As long as I don’t step down from this throne.

But I’m growing tired of this empire’s politics and plan to leave someday, which means that day might come sooner rather than later.

So…

“Karl… this is a secret.”

Karl looks at me intently.

I’m about to confide in him when I smile instead.

Good grief… I’ve softened too much.

Considering Lucius’s betrayal, I can’t be sure Karl will always be on my side.

If I speak of stepping down myself, it could ruin everything.

“Never mind, forget it.”

As I wave off the thought…

-Knock knock.

“Your Grace, it’s time for tea.”

At Sena’s voice, Karl sighs deeply.

“It seems it’s time for your treatment. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Sure. Next time I go undercover, let’s grab a meal.”

At my words, Karl grimaces.

“I’d rather not dine where I can’t tell if the food is going into my mouth or my nostrils.”

Saying so, he stands up and opens the door, to Sena’s surprised expression.

“Please come in, Miss Sena.”

With that, Karl leaves the office, and Sena drags in the cart used for meals.

“Sister Sena, welcome.”

“Your Grace, how are your eyes?”

I reply nonchalantly.

“The pain has lessened recently. Thanks to you, Sister Sena.”

At my words, Sena blushes slightly.

She clears her throat and opens the lid of the tray on the cart.

Inside is a black leather pouch.

Carefully, Sena takes it and opens it, revealing medical tools and bottles of medicine.

“I can only alleviate the pain, stress will only worsen the symptoms.”

To Sena’s apologetic look, I smile.

“That’s more than enough. With all the state affairs and dealing with demon cultists, I have plenty on my plate. It’s sufficient.”

Sena nods and takes out a few tools to examine my eyes.

After a thorough check, she lets out a deep sigh.

“Your Grace, your condition has worsened since last time. Are you sure you’re resting properly?”

I scratch my cheek sheepishly and answer.

“I’ve been getting about four hours of sleep lately. I’m resting as much as I can.”

Sena’s expression hardens.

“Your Grace… I know you have many responsibilities, but if you don’t rest enough, you could really go blind.”

I smile awkwardly at her words.

“But when I think of the duties placed upon my shoulders…”

Sena frowns deeply.

“Your Grace, you do realize the seriousness of your eye condition, right? And yet you speak of duties and responsibilities? Shouldn’t your health come first?”

Having known Sena, I’ve never seen her this angry before.

“Sigh… I don’t understand why I have to feel this way because of a married man.”

As she says this, her face contorts with emotion, and she pulls out a syringe, mixing several drugs. Sena taps the syringe’s cylinder with her finger and responds.

“Maybe it would be better to have some pain. If it hurts, I wouldn’t be able to work, right?”

“Ha ha… Then I’d be in a difficult position.”

She turns her head quickly at my words and says,

“What about my heart when I see you working with those eyes?”

I look at Sena, a slight moisture at the corner of her eyes, and think.

Why is she acting like this again?

Is it because Sena, in the original work, was so affectionate and tearful?

It probably is.

She was called the ‘Saint of Tears’ in the original work because she cried so much.

But who is Sena, really?

Wasn’t she the foolishly kind woman in the original work?

A certain scene flashes through my mind.

Ah… That’s right, she liked NTL, didn’t she?

When the former hero, Seo Jun, was intimately involved with other women.

I recall her excitement but dismiss it from my mind.

After all, we’re not in that kind of relationship… It must be her innocence.

But let me make it clear, I don’t feel for Sena as a woman.

I have no intention of flirting with a future saint when my future is uncertain.

Especially since Theodora is determined to hunt me down every night. It’s not like we’re filming Season 2.

If I ever go to the New Continent to rest, I’d like to spend my nights comfortably.

The current situation is nothing short of torture.

With that thought, I wear a troubled expression.

“I’m sorry. That was thoughtless of me. I had no idea you’d be upset over such a thing, Miss Sena.”

“Sniff… It’s okay. Even if it hurts, I can’t close my eyes, can I?”

With that, she continues to receive treatment.

***

The academy has invited a magic professor.

“Hmm… Eavesdropping magic? There are certainly new magic circles secretly spread throughout the palace that I’ve never seen before.”

As befits an elf magician who has lived for 500 years, he immediately spots something amiss and examines my office…

“It seems to be here.”

Saying so, he touches my desk and chants a spell.

“Cancel.”

A faint blue light emanates from a small magic circle before it shatters.

“There seem to be a few more places like this.”

The professor, having removed the eavesdropping magic from various parts of the palace, speaks.

“Using magic for such purposes. Is this the work of the intelligence department, Your Majesty?”

The elf professor strokes his chin as I nod in agreement.

“It does seem likely.”

Devian… that despicable fellow.

I had a feeling something was off.

To think he gave away the position of Minister of Justice so easily. Did he know everything all along?

I’m seething with annoyance at the thought of being played by him, but I suppress it.

“It seems there are several places in the palace where eavesdropping magic has been laid, so it might take some time.”

“I’m counting on you.”

At my words, the magic professor nods and replies.

“I’ll finish it quickly.”

While the magic professor is busy removing the eavesdropping magic one by one, I press Lucius, who looks troubled.

“Has he done anything strange again? Think carefully.”

Gathering information through such extraordinary means.

The thought that there must be something more I don’t know about prompts me to press Lucius…

He grimaces as he recalls past memories.

“I don’t think there’s anything in particular.”

“Hmm… That’s a relief then.”

As silence falls between Lucius and me, I try to break the tension with a light joke to ease his stiff expression.

“I was worried you might have a government of your own.”

-Flinch.

“What? Why did you flinch just now?”

It was subtle, but Lucius definitely flinched.

“I… I’ve never had such an experience.”

Watching Lucius panic, I ask in surprise and urgency.

“Does he have a wife?”

Even I’m startled by the coldness in my voice.

“It’s… it’s a bit ambiguous to call her a wife.”

Someone comes to mind at Lucius’s words.

“Senah? That woman?”

At my words, Lucius squints his eyes and weakly nods.

“Tell me everything you know about that woman. Now!”