I Became the Master of the Empress

14 – Episode 14

The time grows darker.

Joy is nowhere to be seen.

So, he goes to the garden where Joy usually takes a walk.

Looking at my younger sister Joy in the distance… and Devian?

Observing those two from afar.

– Sigh…

His seemingly relaxed smile and…

[Well… I’ve only privately requested those who have been closely associated with our family for a long time.]

Devian, who so easily criticizes unlawful acts, comes to mind.

And…

[There won’t be such a thing. I will win.]

The Grand Duke who said so.

Certainly, something is definitely off.

Outside, the massive army of the Imperial Faction is marching towards this place.

But Devian is confident that he can defeat such an Imperial Faction.

I don’t like the fact that the crazy Duke is having a conversation with my beloved younger sister.

As they talk, Joy quickly approaches me.

“What were you two doing?”

Even my tone turns cold, making me feel uneasy.

To think that I would speak so coldly to my sister after losing our father, brother, and younger brother…

As I speak, Joy’s eyes drop to the ground.

“W-well… we were just taking a walk… and we ran into the Duke…”

At her words, I let out a sigh.

“Ugh… then you should’ve just left the place… do you even know what kind of person he is…”

It’s hard to believe that my kind-hearted sister thinks positively of the devilish Duke.

Is it because she was raised with nothing but the best, being the youngest daughter of the late emperor…?

Was she only shown and raised with the good and beautiful things in the world?

I can’t believe she sees that wicked Duke in a good light.

Sure, Devean did a good job in avenging our family and arranging funerals for the bodies displayed in the city square, but…

I feel like his actions were probably to seize this empire.

So, it’s probably because he wants to forcibly marry me.

I have never thought of a strategic marriage like this in my life.

Father promised to wait until I find the person I love, but… I wonder if he knows what I think. Joy timidly speaks up, “But still… He doesn’t seem like such a bad person…” My innocent younger sister, Joy. Right now, she seems clueless about what that sinister Devian is up to. “Devian… The Grand Duke only seeks to plunder the empire.” Joy thinks Devian is a good and gentle man, but I felt it when I talked to him. Ambitious desires… The day I went to confront him after the Supreme Court ruling. Thinking of the man who smiled as if he didn’t know anything naturally makes my face frown. “Unnie, did you hear that song?” I respond hesitantly to Joy’s question, “What song?” Joy’s eyes light up as she says, “I heard it from Ifa recently. They say the song of the Grand Duke Devian is trending in Roman.” I’m curious about the new sound, “What kind of song is it?” “Well, I only heard it once, so it’s hard for me to sing. It’s a song that Devian, the Grand Duke, supposedly fell for and killed a ballerina…” It’s absurd nonsense, and my forehead furrows involuntarily, “Who… dares to sing such a song?!”

“Ddalkkung!”

Joy exclaims in surprise at my tone.

“Uh… Unni, why… why are you like this now… it’s too scary…”

In response to her words, I glare at Joy, then sigh.

“Haah…”

Well… what does she know…

She’s probably giving a bit too much credit to Devian, the Imperial subject who killed Valorang… Soon enough, everyone will see Devian’s true colors.

“Joy, my lovely younger sister… can you refrain from making such creepy remarks in the future?”

Joy vigorously nods in agreement at my words.

“Uh-huh… I’ll do that…”

If… if that song is true… I feel like I’ll get chills all over my body.

That lowly noble, liked by a monster like Devian… How chilling is that?

With that, Joy and I head to the restaurant.

***

A few days after walking with Joy like that.

Agrifa hands me several sheets of paper.

“This is the final strengthening agreement with the Emperor’s faction.”

I accept the papers and read through them silently, one by one.

“Well… this should be satisfactory.”

In a situation where the odds are clear, since we’ve fulfilled all the conditions we absolutely needed, it’s certain that we’ve come out ahead.

Princess Joy wanted, so I was worried there might be something more she desired. Thankfully, besides that, the anticipated agreement has already been reached.

Well, Princess Joy is currently engaged to Prince Johannes, and the wedding is in two years. It was decided that the wedding would take place when Princess Joy becomes an adult.

Originally, it seemed like they wanted to take her away immediately, but the Empress Mother made excuses about her being greatly saddened, so they delayed it as much as possible… Luckily, we were able to buy some time with the two-year period.

Phew… I’m grateful to have the capable Agrippa on my side… Seriously…

If he wasn’t here, I might have collapsed from exhaustion even before the negotiations took place.

I’m not joking, really…

And thanks to Agrippa, I was able to outline the events after the armistice more clearly.

“Don’t speak. You have no idea how difficult it was to demand the appointment of Minister Roman and then refuse. The Duke won’t know.”

-Snickering.

“What? You even made such a request? It’s the Emperor’s exclusive authority, and you’re trying to encroach upon it?”

Ironically, the Emperor’s faction is the one encroaching upon the Emperor’s power…

Well, maybe I shouldn’t be one to talk, considering I blatantly encroached upon it.

“Did Join Sik tell you to bring me?”

Agrippa raises his head in response to my words.

“Once again, I must advise against it… There’s no need for you to go. It might even be an enemy trap…”

Interrupting Agrippa’s words, I speak up.

“No, I will go.”

“Your Majesty…”

Agrippa looks worried.

The reason he’s so concerned is the issue of where to meet Join Sik.

In the end, I had to sign the strengthened negotiation document. Normally, someone under my command would go and sign it, and that would be the end of it. However, the Imperial Faction suggested that I visit their territory personally for the signing ceremony.

If I were to visit their territory, surviving would become challenging if they harbored ill intentions.

Well, I could refuse…

But if I refused, they might demand something else. So, I expressed my willingness to go willingly.

And I don’t find their demands unreasonable.

After all, if Theo and I were to marry, even the Imperial Faction would have to enter Roman with just their bodies to congratulate us on our wedding.

Considering the reversed situation at that time, I willingly made up my mind to go.

“What if a man in his early twenties pretends to know nothing but love? Would that make you less cautious?” Agrippa says, shaking her head at my words.

“Isn’t now the time to speak so casually? Your Highness… If something happens…”

Before Agrippa can finish, I interrupt.

“If something happens to me, take care of Mary… Ensure the new Grand Duchess is well-guarded. And take this.”

I hand Agrippa an envelope.

“This is…”

An emblem, formed by the crossing of the Lion family flag and the flag of the Duchy of Francesco, is engraved on the red wax.

It’s a seal that only the Grand Duke can use.

In other words, it can be considered my will.

Inside, it states that if I die, Agrippa will be brought into the Lion family and given command over all the forces in Roman.

Perhaps I left this letter in anticipation that if I die, the nobles would likely fight each other for my position.

If I die… Agrippa, not being a noble, would undoubtedly be overlooked here.

The nobles don’t like to share power with commoners.

That’s why, just in case I die, I’ve prepared in advance, thinking that Agrippa, who comes from the commoners, might be blamed.

But when Agrippa takes the envelope and smiles…

– Tsk! Tsk!

He tears it open and throws it away.

“You shouldn’t have thought about preparing this and coming back alive. When the Duke passes away, I might die from overwork.”

I chuckle at his words.

“Yeah, I’ll try my best to stay alive.”

– Knock, knock!

[Duke, we’re ready.]

As it’s time to slowly head to the Emperor’s camp…

“Well then, I’ll be off. If… things don’t go well… please take care of Mary for me.”

Agrippa weakly nods at my words.

And so, he leaves my chamber.

He walks through the long corridor towards the main gate.

Knights mounted on horses in front of me, and a white horse without anyone on it.

I approach the white horse and speak.

“Well, Basilisk, shall we ride after a long time?”

And thus, I mount Basilisk and head towards the meeting place.

“Oh, really? Deviung left the palace?”

Eepa raises her head in surprise.

“Yes… I don’t know the details, but they say that he hastily gathered ten knights and left the palace.”

It bothers me to hear that Deviung, who was always stuck in the office, went out with knights.

Why did he leave?

“The reason?”

“Well… I don’t know… but he says he will return in a few days.”

I’ve heard from Chief Charles that the Imperial Army of the Emperor’s faction is stationed a few days away from Roman.

Could it be… he ran away? Where did he go?

I heard that the Imperial Army is heading towards the Grand Kingdom.

So… there shouldn’t be anywhere for him to run, right?

As I think about it, I become convinced that he didn’t run away.

What on earth… is going on? Where is he heading?

The war will start soon.

If that’s the case, it won’t be easy for him to come back to Roman, right?

But why…? Why did he risk such danger, leaving his post for several days in this situation?

“Then… who is the acting regent now?”

Eepa touches her chin with her finger, pondering at my question before finally speaking.

“He is known as Agrifara.”

Agrifara?

I remembered. Devean’s right arm is now known as the Second Prince of the Grand Duchy.

“Hmm…”

Strange… This is the most crucial situation right now… to leave the seat.

There is undoubtedly something strange about this behavior.

There is something… something…

But I can’t guess what it is.

First… I’ll have to wait and see.

Since there’s nothing I can do right now.

“Ipha… It might be difficult, but could you look into it a bit more?”

“Yes, Lady Hwang Taenyeo.”

Ipha says that and leaves the room.

Something seems to be happening.