I Became the Master of the Empress

27 – Episode 27

Soon, Deviante comes out of the bathroom.

And then, he looks over here once and sits on the sofa.

I watch his actions with a trembling heart.

– Hm…

He lights a candle on the desk… and then takes out a paper from his leather bag.

And reads something, takes notes…

What is he doing?

I watch his actions closely.

Flipping through the paper with a serious face, he transfers something to the notebook.

And…

“Ugh…, what should I do…”

A thoughtful conversation.

Although only his side profile is visible here, his serious manner of making notes… It’s just like a student at the academy.

Or… maybe like my first older brother…

The emperor, as my older brother used to say, is not one who reigns over the people, but rather someone who helps the people reign over the world.

That’s why he was always sincere in learning something new, like a fool.

But now, in this moment… I feel like Deveang and my older brother resemble each other a bit.

What am I… thinking?

There’s no way for my older brother and Deveang to resemble each other, right? My older brother doesn’t threaten others like Deveang and isn’t cruel in his selection.

Comparing him to my older brother would be a huge insult to him.

Deveang, who killed Yifa and cut off his head.

I despise him so much.

-Swish…, Swish…

As I hear the sound of him writing something in his notepad and the sound of paper, drowsiness slowly creeps in.

Is he not going to do it today…?

I think to myself as I glance at the clock.

It’s already past midnight.

I’ve been awake since dawn for the coronation ceremony and preparing for the wedding, so I haven’t been able to sleep much.

Could that be why? I slowly start to lose consciousness.

***

When I first opened my eyes.

At the moment when dawn was just breaking.

-Tap… Tap.

I become aware of the annoying sound of footsteps in my ears.

Perhaps due to drowsiness… my eyes won’t open.

With great effort, I open my eyes half-asleep.

I almost let out a surprised sound at the sight of Devian walking towards me cautiously.

Is he trying to attack me now?

At that thought, fear trembles through my body.

But contrary to my expectations…

-Swish…

Devian covers me with the blanket up to my neck.

Then, he stretches and, with a bag in one hand, leaves the room.

-Zip, Thud…

Confirming his departure, I get up from the bed and blankly stare at the closed door.

He’s not doing it?

A sigh of relief escapes me at the realization that he didn’t attack me.

“Phew…”

Maybe tonight, something might happen between us, but for this moment, I’m grateful that nothing has occurred.

But… where is Devian going?

Come to think of it, I heard that Devian works in his study from early morning until late at night.

“Are you going to work now?”

The holiday started from yesterday and will last until next week. Even on a day like this, are you going to work?

I checked the time, wondering if I should. It’s not even 7 o’clock yet.

Am I crazy to be awake at a time when everyone else is sleeping?

With that thought, rubbing my sleepy eyes, I lay back on the bed and fall asleep again.

Because… I’m really… tired…

It feels like I slept for quite a while.

How much longer did I sleep?

Looking at the clock, it’s already pointing to 10 o’clock.

“Ah…”

I overslept for breakfast.

Breakfast that I have every morning with my mother and Joy.

They’ve probably finished eating by now.

Thinking this, I grab the water bottle next to the bed and pour it into a cup.

And…

*Gulp… Gulp…*

I feel the coolness and freshness of the water.

“Sigh…”

That moment.

*Knock, knock!*

I speak in response to the polite knocking on the door.

“Who is it?”

[Princess Joy has arrived.]

“Please come in.”

As I speak, the door opens, and Joy enters.

“Unnie~ Did you sleep well?”

Joy speaks with a sinister smile.

“Yeah?, Just… it was okay.”

An unwanted married life.

Being forced to live a lifetime with a detestable husband is nothing short of a nightmare for me.

“hehehe~ It seems like your husband couldn’t even sigh properly, huh?”

Seeing Joy brightly calling him ‘husband,’ it feels like my anger is about to explode.

Why did I get married because of someone!

Those words almost burst out of my throat, but I suppress them with superhuman patience.

I’ve already decided to sacrifice for the family.

There’s no greater eyesore than those who complain about it.

“Unnie, it seems like you couldn’t sigh either… was it hot last night?”

Looking at Joy, who blushes as if envying something, I speak as if shooting.

“Not at all, there was nothing like what you’re thinking.”

“Ugh!, You’re married now… Isn’t it better to get along well? The Grand Duke came to pay respects to Mom earlier, you know?”

Unexpected words come from Joy.

Joy is now the first heir to the throne.

I no longer have to speak to her like a child.

“Mother, how long will you keep calling him mother? And did he pay his respects to you?”

“Yes, he came in the morning, greeted me, had a meal with me, and went to work together.”

That scoundrel… who held our family hostage and threatened me… Now, his hypocritical behavior of pretending to be nice makes me sick.

“That despicable scoundrel… I have no intention of getting along with him even a bit! So, don’t mention his name in front of me.”

As I warn Joy, she timidly speaks up.

“B-but, he did come to pay his respects…”

“So what? Just because he paid his respects, am I supposed to suddenly like him, the man I was forced to marry?”

“That’s not it, but… yesterday, Ipah returned…”

Ipah? Ipah returned?

My eyes widen at the news for the first time.

“Ipah… Ipah has returned?”

In response to my words, Joy opens her eyes wide and speaks.

As if she knew something.

“Oh, Unni, she went into the honeymoon suite, and Ipah returned to the palace. I heard that she didn’t get imprisoned, but she ate a lot of delicious food outside the palace.”

My eyes tremble at her words.

“T-then, what about her… her hair?”

“What? What about her hair?”

Joy hadn’t mentioned the news of Yifa’s death as she hurriedly spoke while looking at the door.

“Is there anyone outside?”

[Yes, Your Highness. What are your orders?]

“Tell Yifa to come here right away.”

[Yes!]

After saying that, she couldn’t believe it and asked Joy,

“Is Yifa really alive?”

Joy vigorously shook her head.

“Huh? Alive? Of course, he’s alive, isn’t he? After all, His Majesty wouldn’t casually kill someone, would he?”

Truly… such innocence.

Joy’s pure demeanor was always so lovely, but now, at this moment, it irritates me.

“He’s not as kind as you think he is!”

As I shouted, Joy flinched.

“B-but…”

“Enough, anyway, I’ll leave now. I want to be alone.”

As I issued the dismissal to Joy, who I couldn’t stand to look at right now…

“Ugh… I… then I’ll go first…”

Seeing Joy leave the room pitifully, like a puppy with no spirit, I sighed.

“What on earth has happened?”

Carriage heading towards the tournament.

I and the royal family are all riding in the same carriage.

Inside the carriage, an awkward air lingers.

Theodora, looking at me strangely.

Not the usual hostile gaze she always gives me…

What shall I say? A gaze that seems curious?

Her expression is hard to pinpoint, something difficult to express directly.

And my mother-in-law, who looks at me as if I’m uncomfortable.

And squeezed between them, Joy, making an awkward face.

-Dakdak…

It’s so quiet; you can even hear the sound of the carriage wheels.

Maybe finding this atmosphere hard to endure…

“Ahem… Are you tired, my dear? Are you okay?”

My mother-in-law seems to be trying to ease the mood with a fake cough, and I respond.

“hahahaha… I’m fine. Did you sleep well last night, mother-in-law?”

But whether something doesn’t sit well with her or she’s thinking something else.

Theodora speaks with a strange look different from usual.

“You left at 7 in the morning. Where did you go?”

Feeling a bit pleased at her words, I respond.

“I went to the study to work.”

Joy seems curious about my words, as if questioning.

“Well… then, how many hours did you sleep?”

Upon hearing that, I ponder in my mind.

Yesterday… I went to bed at 2, so…

“Maybe not even five hours?”

It’s not exact.

At my words, Joy, Mother-in-law, and Theodora all show surprised expressions.

“You… aren’t you tired?”

I respond with an awkward smile.

“A little tired, but it’s okay. I have a lot to do. I’ve gotten used to this lifestyle recently.”

“Still… I’m worried that you might overwork yourself.”

I laugh and say, “Don’t worry, I’m still young.”

While we talk, the carriage comes to a stop.

“Oh… looks like we’ve arrived.”

Soon, the carriage door opens, revealing the entrance to the round stadium.

At the entrance, hundreds… no, it seems like thousands are welcoming us?

-Emperor! Your Majesty!

-Congratulations on your marriage!

-Kyaaah! Grand Duke, you’re so handsome~!

Amidst the fervent cheers of Imperial citizens, as I extended my hand toward the stadium, aiming to enter.

Something tugged at my sleeve, causing me to turn around.

Theodora spoke to me in a hushed tone, “Wait, just a moment.”

With only those words, I blankly stared at her as she swiftly passed by.

What’s going on? I’m a bit busy today.

After the match, I have to meet with Johannes…

Joy and negotiations related to Epirus and the Ephesus family require my attention.

Hmm… Let’s think about it later.

With that thought, I entered the stadium.

***

Theodora briefly addressed the audience in the stadium.

Well, the simple speech thanking everyone for coming and urging the participants to bring glory to the Empire concluded, and now the tournament officially began.

Starting with the group battles, the tournament progressed.

And there was the formidable contender, Duke Francesco.

Originally, our Ryan family has been generations of martial enthusiasts, the foremost martial family in the Empire.

In group battles and swordsmanship, we always secured the expected first place.

However, since no one from the Ryan family participated in swordsmanship in this tournament, we must secure the first place in group battles.

Only then can we seize the opportunity to demonstrate the power of the Grand Duchy to nobles who have left the Imperial faction and those who still doubt me.

In reality, the military of the Grand Duchy can be considered the best in quality compared to the Empire.

So, I had Agrippa participate in this group battle.

It’s a match where 30 people are freely armed and fighting.

It may seem like a simple group fight, but the most important thing in this tournament is leadership.

Before fighting, analyzing the enemy’s tactics, arranging troops accordingly, and engaging in a high-level psychological battle with the opposing commander – that’s the tournament.

In other words, Agrippa, who held out against the demon army, stronger than the allied forces in the original work, should have enough leadership to win in a group battle. So, despite the exhaustion, I had no choice but to make him participate.

– Wow!

– The Grand Duchy of Francesco! The Grand Duchy of Francesco!

– Golden Knights! Golden Knights!

And as if to confirm my thoughts, he easily made it to the finals.

[The final match between the Grand Duchy of Francesco and the proud Golden Knights… will finally begin!]

The Golden Knights are a knightly order loyal to the emperor and can be considered the empire’s finest knightly order.

Originally banished from Rome,

they were allowed to enter Rome only as participants because they expressed their desire to participate in the tournament.

– Golden Knights! Give the Grand Duchy a proper beating!

– Death to the peasants!

The battle began amidst fervent cheers from the imperial citizens, and as I, feeling tired, was zoning out, I regained my composure and looked at the battle.

But who is that knight?

Why do we have someone with such a small stature in our army?

Is he barely 160cm tall?

Perhaps even less. Yet, the man, clad in heavy armor and a helmet, wielding a large spear in both hands, stands tall with an imposing presence.