I Became the Master of the Empress

16 – Episode 16

If he knows me this well, there’s no reason to hide anymore.

Whether I say something or not… it won’t change his mind.

“Hmm… how did you find out?”

Joannes, smiling at my words, speaks.

“Well, didn’t you demand, as a reinforcement condition… to place all government agencies under your control?”

Ha… just that?

“And, by handing over the Emperor’s direct jurisdiction to us, weakened the Emperor’s power…, and finally, entered into a reinforcement to seize the Empire in the future. All for personal gain, isn’t it?”

Smiling at his words, I nod.

“Yes, and isn’t it the same for Lord Joannes? Don’t you want to enjoy the Ephirus and Ezeb I gave you on your own?”

As if my words were the correct answer, he nods.

“Indeed, once I have those two places… it won’t be a difficult task to control the Emperor’s faction.”

Smiling at his words, I reply.

“Rather than the Emperor’s faction, I will offer those two places to Lady Hwang Taeyeon.”

In reality, this is what I wanted. The internal strife of the Emperor’s faction… that way, I can absorb the divided Emperor’s faction.

And… Perhaps Joanes knows too.

“hahahaha! I won’t let that shallow move slide. While I was trying to control the Imperial Faction, you must have been plotting to stab me in the back, right?”

His gaze, as if piercing through me.

I calmly meet that intense gaze and smile.

The reason I can afford to be so relaxed in the face of his piercing gaze is that his thoughts are mistaken.

Therefore, I calmly reveal my plan.

“No, actually, I am in a situation similar to yours… We also need to restore the Imperial Faction.”

In reality, it’s embarrassing to say that now, with the defection of the Imperial Faction, it’s awkward to call it a faction anymore.

Joanes looks at me skeptically at my words.

“Is that so?”

I laugh in response to his words.

“After all, once the wedding is over, I intended to make the defected nobles kneel once again.”

The reason our family has been the leader of the Imperial Faction for a hundred years is that we made each and every one of them kneel in loyalty.

So, I plan to do it all over again.

“Oh…? Is that possible?”

Looking at Joanes in amazement, I shrug my shoulders and say,

“You don’t have to believe it. Anyway, we need to tighten the family’s control.”

Now, deal with the complexity… Whether I should conduct internal surveillance first or absorb you, who are divided…

You’ll have to think about it when you see my actions. Depending on what action I take, your precious time will be wasted.

“hahahaha, I’ve heard it from Alexander, but you… truly aren’t ordinary. Not at a young age, and a highlander, no doubt.”

Joannes grinned slyly.

Changing his expression, he continued speaking.

“Well then, let me ponder the reason I should spare you.”

-Snicker.

I snickered at his words.

Threatening me at this point.

Didn’t you already want me dead since you declared your ambition for the empire?

“It’s not a reason to spare, but a reason why I can’t kill you. If I die, a civil war among the imperial faction will break out to seize power, and as the King of Nikea, you, who lack the strength to overwhelm other nobles within the imperial faction, won’t be able to prevent it.”

As if agreeing with my words, Joannes laughed.

“True. Then, what should we do to mutually benefit each other?”

“Well, that would be forming a secret alliance. I’ll provide Epirus and Ezeb to the kingdom, and in return, you’ll give me time and power when I convey them to the emperor.”

-Clap! Clap!

He seemed pleased, clapping his hands as if my words were correct.

“Perfect, yes… so, I’m handing over all the government institutions to you. Wise as you are, you won’t reveal it to me when I take control of the imperial faction later.”

No, you’re wrong. I have no intention of leaving you completely in control of the imperial faction.

It’s a bit challenging to fight someone who has fully seized the imperial faction and possesses Epirus and Ezeb.

It might not be impossible to win, but the damage would be significant.

The aftermath would be substantial.

“Well… that may be true, but I’d like to propose something else.”

Joannes’ eyes light up at my words.

“What proposal do you have in mind?”

“The Empire possesses vast territories, an expanse that could satisfy both of us.”

Joannes responds with amusement to my words.

“And what does that mean?”

“I suggest you take the west, and let the eastern lands be under my control. What do you think?”

Upon hearing my words, Joannes rolls his eyes and bursts into laughter.

“hahahahaha! You are truly wise…”

The Empire is more developed in the east than in the west. Moreover, to the west, there exists the United Kingdom, a powerful maritime nation.

If they were to reveal their intentions towards the continent, the west would undoubtedly turn into chaos.

But at least during my reign, such a thing won’t happen.

The reason is…

“The king of the United Kingdom is your uncle, isn’t he?”

He’s my uncle.

And I’ve heard that my uncle cherishes my mother.

So, cautiously, I speculate that there’s a small chance they’ll attack me while I govern the western part of the Empire.

“Excellent! I like it!”

As I share a part of my plan with him…

“hahahahaha! Really, you’re a political genius, aren’t you? Alright, I’ll follow your lead. I can already imagine the chaotic Imperial Council; it feels refreshing just thinking about it. hahahahaha!”

Yohannes, who had been laughing heartily, changes his expression and speaks.

“But… if I were to support you, and you were to betray us, our Imperial Faction would destroy Kanghwa, and somehow annihilate you and your family… So, don’t even think about betrayal.”

I smile at his words, refreshing the atmosphere.

“Don’t worry, with 150,000 soldiers here, how could I betray you?”

I won’t do it now, because he has much to offer me.

That was the night we formed a secret alliance. A short-lived alliance.

***

After that, I returned to Roman with Join-sik.

“Phew…”

I loosen my tie roughly and listen to the reports I’ve missed.

“We have a spy gathering information?”

Agrippa nods at my words.

“Yes, there has been a maid focused on finding out the Duke’s whereabouts since his departure from Roman.”

A spy…

A troublesome presence, stealing our secrets and sometimes even inciting trouble.

“Well then, we should catch and hang her immediately, unless she’s been waiting for my arrival?”

I let out a dry laugh at the absurd situation, but Agrippa nods with a serious expression.

“That… is because the mastermind behind it seems suspicious.”

I feel a small sense of curiosity at Agrippa’s words.

“Who is it?”

“That’s… Lady Theodora Hwangtaenyeo.”

I find myself questioning the unexpected name.

“Huh? Theodora still has that kind of influence?”

As far as I know, the only person following Theodora is Chairman Charles…

Does Theodora still have enough power to manipulate spies?

As I inquire, Agrifa nods, explaining, “Although we’ve taken control of all of Rome’s military and government institutions, we haven’t completely secured the palace yet.”

“Ah, I see!”

Finally, I grasp how Theodora has been gathering information.

“Do the courtiers in the palace still follow Theodora?”

“Well, we can’t help it. To His Grace and us, we’re not invaders to the Roman people, right?”

I nod in response.

“That’s true. But how did you happen to catch her?”

In response to my question, Agrifa hands me several sheets of paper from my desk.

I quickly skim through about six pages of content.

The information doesn’t seem as grandiose as I expected.

Soldiers of the Grand Duchy and the palace maids interact a lot, and recently, the maids have been curious about my whereabouts, sharing stories among themselves. Agrifa happened to find out, leaked the information in return, and it eventually reached Theodora’s maid, Ipha.

“Hmm…”

I contemplate as I read the report.

The status of the courtiers who serve in the imperial palace is generally that of ordinary citizens. Despite being referred to grandiosely as imperial subjects, in a conventional sense, they are no different from commoners.

Well… unlike the novels and movies commonly seen, they do enjoy various legal rights.

“Yes, so what about that maid then?”

I furrow my brows in contemplation at the question.

“Well… before we get into that.”

I share with Agrippa the story I heard from Yoannes during the time of the audience.

“He’s insane.”

“I agree…”

Yoannes, desiring to control the empire and place everything under his rule. Although he clearly mentioned dividing the empire, I can understand. If we each establish our own influence, he will surely challenge me.

“Well, it’s not all bad, though. Isn’t it an opportunity to form a temporary alliance with the leader of the Imperial Faction?”

I respond to that statement.

“First, because we agreed to help each other in the Roman Council.”

Agrippa nods as if understanding my words.

“But what does that have to do with the spy?”

“It matters. If we want to pass the bills we desire, the emperor shouldn’t exercise his veto power, right?”

Agrippa nods in agreement with my words.

“Isn’t that right?”

“Then, this is the perfect opportunity to strip the Emperor of all his authority.”

Agrifa responds, looking puzzled by my words.

“Would Princess Theodora easily hand over the Emperor’s privileges?”

I chuckle at that remark and reply, “Doesn’t Theodora cherish her family?”

Agrifa nods in agreement.

Upon hearing that, I stroke my chin thoughtfully.

“Theodora will undoubtedly believe that I wouldn’t dare harm Princess Joy.”

In reality, it would be difficult to do so. If I were to send Joy to prison, the hard-won peace could easily be shattered. However, showing any sign of weakness is out of the question. A calculated sense of fear will resolve this situation.

“So, what do you suggest we do?” Agrifa asks.

We then discuss how to turn this situation to our advantage.