I Became the Master of the Empress

22 – Episode 22

It’s been a long time since the family gathered in one place.

“Deviang… you’re finally getting married.”

My long-haired and beautiful older sister, Octavia Ryan, speaks with tears in her eyes.

She’s been taking care of me since I was young.

She is now the queen of the Northern Kingdom.

“Who would have thought that Oppa would marry Princess Theodora, who is considered the most beautiful in the empire?”

Beside Octavia is my younger sister, Mary, with short red hair and a petite figure. She is the heir to the Grand Duchy of Francesco, someone I trust with my life.

“hahahaha, sis, how have you been?”

Octavia nods at my words. “I’m always the same, especially when he treats me well.”

Octavia and her husband are a famous couple known for their affection.

In the original work, I remember that their family was probably executed due to being involved in the rebellion of Balloran. Maybe… it won’t happen this time.

“But… how is Princess Theodora feeling?”

I sigh at Octavia’s question. “Just… okay…”

Although we are soon to be married, our relationship is more like that of enemies. She resents and hates me for killing her father, but… for now, I guess…

I plan to keep her with me until the wedding is over.

“Still… it might be difficult for them to get along, but wouldn’t things ease up a bit if Debbie approaches her first?”

Huh… as if that would happen…

Octavia, I may not know what I did to Theodora, but…

“Huh…? Is that even possible?”

Mary seems to already know everything as she shakes her head knowingly.

“Why? Even though Her Highness Hwang Taenyeo has some level of affection, that’s why she accepted the marriage, right?”

I find it difficult to talk about what I did to our innocent older sister, so I change the subject.

“Oh, right, Mary, you should be engaged now too.”

In response to my words, Mary blushes a little, twists her braided hair with her fingers, and says, “Um… After the wedding, I’m going to the Grand Duchy with Agrippa.”

To think that wild horse-like Mary would blush… It seems like I’ve seen something I shouldn’t have.

“Oh my! Really? Are you really getting married? Both of you?”

Octavia knows Agrippa, whom I used to spend the whole day with before she got married…

I support their relationship.

“But why didn’t you invite Agrippa?”

Looking at Mary pouting slightly as if she’s upset that she didn’t bring her future husband here, I think to myself.

Maybe… Agrippa is…

He’s probably still struggling with paperwork today.

“But, Debbie, you don’t look well. Are you okay?”

Octavia looks at me with a worried expression.

“hahahaha… I just pulled an all-nighter at work, that’s all.”

Work has been crazy lately.

Preparing for the wedding, raising funds, and on top of that, trying to break free from Epirus and Ezhib’s direct control has taken a toll on me.

For now, I’m covering the holes in the national treasury with the funds in the Grand Duchy, but…

It’s true that the tax revenue has decreased compared to the time of the Emperor.

Thinking about it now… It’s a bit painful that Ephirus isn’t here.

“But still, what’s the big deal about the face of a new idol…”

“Yeah, yeah! Agripa’s face was even half gone. Brother, aren’t you eating too much?”

-Snicker.

Is it because I haven’t seen my family in a long time?

It was difficult to have a comfortable conversation here without Agripa… It seems like my heart has eased a bit.

It feels a bit healing.

Every day, grappling with paperwork, engaging in a tug-of-war with Senator Alexander, and discussing various issues.

Dealing with the nobility of the empire was mentally exhausting.

-Knock, knock!

I respond to the sound of someone knocking on the reception room door.

“What’s the matter?”

-Your Grace, Senator Alexander has arrived.

I make a perplexed expression and say to Octavia and Mary.

“I’ll go see what it is first.”

In response to my words, Mary stands up from her seat and says.

“Brother, but where is Agripa?”

“Huh? Probably in the Grand Hall. Do you want to come too?”

Mary, with a gleam in her eyes at my words, shakes her head vigorously.

“Yeah. I’ll wait here for Unni.”

“Cook… cook, yeah, let’s see.”

With a smile behind me, Mary and I walk.

“Mary, thanks for lending me your maids.”

Mary grimaces at my words.

“Well, if you’re thankful, tell Agrippa to lay off me. He’s always driving me crazy.”

-Sigh.

“Then, will you stay with Roman?”

At my question, Mary vigorously shakes her head with a contemplative look.

“No way! Agrippa and I work every night. I can’t do that.”

I smile wryly at her words.

“But, for you to need a maid so badly… Her Highness the Crown Princess must be quite concerned?”

I speak to Mary with a slightly stiff expression, as if lamenting.

“Don’t even mention it, this is a secret… I got caught trying to escape last week, you know?”

Boldly, I secretly bought maids and servants and planned to escape the palace with the Empress and Princess Joy… Thanks to Mary’s maids, we were able to prevent it.

“Oh… Crown Princess… How pitiful… If she doesn’t want to marry him that badly, just let her go…”

I say to Mary, with a sympathetic expression.

“If I could’ve let her go, I would’ve…”

It’s already too late to let her go now.

“Sigh… Well, maybe things will change a bit after you get married and treat her well, huh?”

-Sigh.

“After having a child, it’s fortunate not to get poisoned.”

Mary says to me in that moment.

“Could it be that Your Highness thinks I’m planning to assassinate you, Oppa?”

I respond with a voice lacking conviction.

“The possibility is high. From Theodora’s perspective, who doesn’t know about our secret pact, she might think the child will be the next Crown Prince.”

“Hmm… it does seem dangerous.”

“That’s why, let’s borrow some time, just for a year.”

“Hmm… I lend you the maids for 1-2 years, and Agrippa Oppa only lends for two months?”

I’m left speechless at her words and clear my throat.

“Ahem… but without Agrippa… the empire won’t function.”

In reality, Agrippa and I have been managing the empire by switching bodies.

Once the marriage and appointment of high officials are settled, I hope to take a breather.

Well… I hope to survive until then?

Mary cautiously speaks after my words.

“Um… Oppa, do you really have to make my son the heir?”

I shake my head in response.

“Yes, I refuse to bear such a heavy burden.”

There’s an old saying on Earth.

“He who would wear the crown, bear its weight…”

Strength comes with its own responsibility and price, just as the saying goes.

Therefore, when all of this ends, I plan to delegate all the responsibilities to Mary and embark on a journey.

“But still… Oppa might feel sorry for his child later on…”

“No, it’s becoming a part of the imperial family; it can’t be bad, right?”

Of course, these words are a lie.

“If you say that much, there’s no choice… Oh right, Oppa!”

Mary speaks as if she has remembered something.

“I’m going to participate in the upcoming tournament.”

In response to her words, I wear a bewildered expression.

“Uh…?”

However, she says with an excited face in reaction to my response.

“Lately, I haven’t been fighting much, and my body feels sluggish. So, I thought I could do some exercise. Actually, I was so disappointed when the war with the Imperial Blue went south.”

“No… but still…”

“No, the Imperial Tournament is so dangerous, you know?”

In the empire, there is a unique tradition.

During momentous or joyful occasions.

There is a tradition of holding a tournament in the imperial palace to bring joy to the people of the empire.

Group battles, swordsmanship, spear fighting, archery, and magic.

Champions are chosen in five different categories.

And, naturally,

A tournament is held as a momentous and joyous event, commemorating Theodore’s coronation and wedding.

“hehehe, Oppa, do you think I’ll lose?”

Mary smiles as if in a good mood.

“But it’s still not allowed!”

Mary stares at me intently and says.

“Really not allowed?”

“Yeah, really not allowed.”

Mary puffs up her cheeks at my words, getting annoyed.

“Why! I was so looking forward to fighting the Emperor’s faction, and you’re making a fuss like this, ruining everything!”

But some things just can’t be done.

“This is an order as the head, absolutely! Absolutely not allowed!”

I know Mary is strong, but the Empire’s tournament is where the strongest gather from the continent.

In other words… Mary could get seriously injured or even killed, so I firmly say.

“If you try to participate secretly, I know how to tear up your family tree.”

“Ugh…”

***

The grand hall of Alhyun.

Right now, hundreds of people are gathered here.

Fortunately, it’s large and spacious enough for people to have plenty of space…

The ceremony begins.

-Kuung!

With a loud sound, the door of the Alhyun Chamber opens.

-♪~ ♬

Accompanied by a grand song.

A woman enters.

A giant door opens, revealing a woman walking gracefully on a crimson carpet.

Clad in a crimson mink cloak.

And wearing a white dress, she enters.

The Imperial Princess, or rather, from today, the Emperor of the Empire, Theodora.

Her appearance now…

I always thought she was beautiful, but what about now?

She exudes a noble atmosphere that is hard for people to approach.

A noble-looking face.

A cold gaze and expression.

Soon, she reaches the throne.

As she stands before the throne, a man in a 5-tiered crown speaks.

“Theodora Augusta, the Imperial Princess, kneel.”

Following the Pope’s grand voice, she kneels on the golden cushion in front of the throne, humbly joining her hands.

Seeing her, the Pope places his hand on her head and begins to pray.

“O Almighty Eli, here stands the Imperial Princess you have established. Bless her, guide her on the right path, do not let her be tested, save her from evil, and grant her the things she desires to achieve…”

And so… a prayer that seems like it will never end begins.

I don’t know how much time has passed.

If I had known it would be like this… Should I have brought the documents?

Yesterday, today… I feel like work will pile up immediately upon my return, and my body will feel weary.

“I earnestly pray.”

Finally, the prayer ends…

-♬~ ♪

Majestic music resonates once again.

And soon, Theodora takes her seat on the throne.

“Theodora Augusta, the Crown Princess, do you pledge to maintain the peace of this continent, granted by the gods, to respect the laws of the empire, and to love and care for the nobility and citizens of the empire?”

In response, Theodora answers.

“I pledge.”

Upon hearing these words, the Pope places a golden scepter from the chest held by a servant next to him into Theodora’s right hand.

“Theodora Augusta, the Crown Princess, do you pledge to detest the wicked evils threatening the Miya continent, to punish them, and to exert efforts to establish justice on this land, for the protection of the continent and the eradication of those who torment humans and all species?”

Once again, the Pope’s words, with a voice so beautiful it echoes through the hall, fill the sacred space.

“I pledge.”

Upon her response, the Pope, on her right side, hands her a sword from the chest held by a servant, placing it in her left hand.

It looks heavier than expected… Will it be okay?

It should be fine… It’s for the ceremony… Even though it’s made of pure gold… Still, it’s for the ceremony…

I was worried that she, being a woman, might find it heavy, but it seems she handled it well.

As she rests the sword held in her left hand on her knee, the Pope opens his mouth.

“Princess Theodora Augusta, do you pledge to lead the lost and the needy, govern the world justly and fairly, guide the wandering souls, and rule the five races equally with the authority granted by the gods, the Imperial Council, and the great Gold Dragon, Rike El Sadat?”

“I pledge.”

Upon her response, the Pope from the left side hands the scepter to Theodora’s left hand.

And… standing behind the throne, he speaks.

“Princess Theodora, will you faithfully uphold the pledge you just made?”

“I will uphold it.”

“Finally, as the Empress, what do you swear to do?”

“I, Theodora Augusta, will fulfill the sacred duty and obligation passed down through generations, protect this nation, vanquish our enemies, and stand against those who seek to plunder this empire, ensuring peace and prosperity in the Mu Ya continent for eternity.”

Her own declaration of war.

Upon hearing her words, the Pope places the Imperial Crown, a symbol of the emperor, on her head and proclaims.

“Henceforth, Theodora Augusta is declared the new Empress of this empire!”

At this, Theodora places the scepter on her knees and extends her right hand to the Pope, who kneels and kisses her hand.

“May Your Majesty and the empire be at peace!”

As the Pope exclaims, everyone follows suit.

– May Her Majesty and the empire be at peace!

Thus, she ascended to the throne as the empress.

The people, nobles, and priests celebrate her ascension.

And… soon, our wedding is about to commence.