I Became the Master of the Empress

297

Tiberius’s mind was in turmoil due to the proposal from the United Kingdom.

The proposal from the United Kingdom was indeed tempting.

He had been making great efforts to explore the vast New World, but had not achieved any significant results.

The reason, it seemed, was the United Kingdom’s relentless interference and the lack of technology to navigate the wide ocean, having focused for so long on sailing the coastal waters.

Knowing this, the Empire had long been pushing for the development of ships, but there was still a long way to go.

In such a situation, the United Kingdom had offered to assist in the exploration of the New World.

Although it was not direct exploration but rather under the control of the United Kingdom, it was like a breath of fresh air for the Empire.

‘But I can’t just dismiss Valoran at will.’

If it became known that the Emperor was executing his own vassals through a foreign contract, his prestige would inevitably crumble.

If things went wrong, the lords might lose trust in the Emperor and plunge into civil war.

‘Could that be what he’s aiming for?’

If he moved to eliminate Valoran, and Valoran revealed the secret pact between the United Kingdom and the Emperor…

Then Tiberius would be the one left in the lurch.

“Daddy? What are you doing?”

A cute little child, looking about three years old, called out to Tiberius from the gap in the door.

“Antony? You little rascal. Did you sneak away from your mother again?”

As Tiberius stood up from his chair and lifted the child named Antony, Antony nodded his head.

“Yeah. I’m so bored.”

Drusus, who usually played with Antony, had recently been appointed as the crown prince and started his heir training, leaving Antony feeling quite lonely.

His only friend and brother in the palace was busy with studies from morning till evening.

“Then should Daddy play with you?”

Though Tiberius was usually a stern and authoritative emperor, in front of the children, he was nothing more than a caring father.

—

“Nana! I want to draw!”

“Really? Then let’s draw together with Dad.”

While Tiberius was drawing with Anthony.

– Knock, knock.

Without thinking much, Tiberius responded to the knock.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, dear.”

– Hiccup.

Startled by the news that Mom had come, Anthony hiccupped.

Tiberius, seeing Anthony trembling and fidgeting, unsure if he would be scolded by his mother, felt a pang of anxiety.

‘He’s probably going to get in trouble, right?’

Though he found his sons endlessly adorable, his wife was quite strict with the young children.

Before their marriage, he had mentioned that she was gentle and kind, wondering if she was being too harsh on the kids, but Eurydice remained resolute, insisting that the children destined to lead the empire must be well-educated from a young age.

“Come in.”

With the emperor’s permission granted, the door opened, revealing the empress of the land.

Long gray hair and blue sapphire eyes.

A delicate face with a prominent nose.

Cherry-like lips.

Eurydice, known as the most beautiful in the empire, entered the room and fixed a piercing gaze on Anthony.

“Anthony, I clearly told you not to go outside the Gold Area, didn’t I?”

Under her icy stare, Anthony trembled and spoke.

“Ha… but I was so bored!”

“Bored? After you turned the guest rooms upside down last time, you still dare to say that?”

Not long ago, Anthony had made a mess of the guest rooms during an exploration of the palace.

As a result, Eurydice, furious that the maids had to work late, had forbidden her young son from leaving the Gold Area, but this little troublemaker had sneaked out anyway and got caught.

“But…”

Anthony tried to say something, but he couldn’t continue under Eurydice’s fierce glare.

“On top of that, you come to disturb your busy father while he’s working? Why aren’t you coming here right now?”

As Eurydice shouted with a twisted expression on her face, Anthony hurriedly moved his legs, trying to escape the emperor’s office, but…

– Whoosh!

—

“What is this? Where do you think you’re running off to?”

Eurydice grasped Antony’s wrist tightly.

“Eek! Witch!”

“What? Calling your mother a witch? Is there no one outside?! Bring me the switch at once!”

Tiberius, witnessing the scene, let out a deep sigh.

“Haah…”

***

King Leon II of the United Kingdom.

Now nearing death, he harbors a great regret.

It is the matter of bringing his beloved youngest daughter, Fulvia, and her children to this United Kingdom.

‘I must bring that child to safety here before I die…’

To that end, he had even decided to make some concessions to the Emperor, easing the policies that had kept the Empire from the sea, and sent a letter proposing a grand compromise.

It was a gamble that he himself was prepared to face the nobles of the United Kingdom and civil war.

He wanted his daughter that much.

If he were to die like this, he would have no face to meet the Queen in the afterlife.

Thus, with sleepless eyes, King Leon II finally received the Emperor’s reply today.

With trembling hands, Leon II opened the letter.

– Szzzz.

With his wrinkled hands, he scanned the letter.

Gradually, a sense of despair rose in his expression.

The content of the letter was a polite refusal.

“Ah… Oh God. You are so cruel.”

Leon felt a deep sorrow.

***

Alfred met Fulvia with a stern expression.

He had not anticipated that the Emperor would reject this proposal.

A tremendous amount of gold, the resolution of hostilities, and assistance in exploring the New World.

He had not expected the Emperor to refuse all three of these.

If this secret pact were to be revealed, it was such a shocking proposal that Leon II would have to step down from the throne, so he naturally thought the Emperor would agree.

At the very least, he had expected negotiations to begin based on this, but it was something he had never anticipated.

—

—

Anyway, Alfred, who had confidently spoken to Pulvia, found himself in a difficult position, having to take responsibility and report on this matter…

“I’m sorry, Your Highness the Grand Duchess. The plan we prepared this time has fallen through.”

“W-what then?”

Alfred spoke, taking the lead, to the bewildered Pulvia.

“Still, we will do everything we can to protect the life of Prince Debian. For now, we have received orders to negotiate directly with the Grand Duke from our homeland, so please don’t worry too much.”

At those words, Pulvia nodded with effort, but she couldn’t remember how she had ended up in the bedroom.

‘What should I do? Is there no way?’

“Mom?”

‘Should I write a letter to His Majesty the Emperor? Asking him to save Debian? Or perhaps asking for permission for Octavia and Debian to live in Roman…’

“Mom?! Debi is crying!”

– Waaa! Waaa!

Pulvia’s thoughts were interrupted by Octavia’s words.

“Ah? What’s wrong with me? Was our Debi hungry?”

Saying this, she hurriedly loosened her front and nursed Debian.

Lovely Debi.

This child must be protected at all costs.

No matter what…

***

Alfred arrived at the Grand Duke’s office.

Valoran asked Alfred.

“So, what brings you here? It’s not about your wife again, is it?”

Alfred nodded slightly, and Valoran spoke with an indifferent gaze.

“You’re having a tough time, aren’t you? A so-called ambassador busy because he met the wrong hostess.”

“Haha, isn’t that just part of being an ambassador?”

At Alfred’s words, Valoran took a sip of coffee.

– Slurp…

“So, what’s the matter?”

“First of all, on behalf of our King, I congratulate you on the birth of your son.”

Valoran’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“I dislike diplomats, you know. They just beat around the bush.”

—

Alfred cautiously opens his mouth at the urging to get to the point quickly.

“As you know, His Grace the Grand Duke is troubled by the unfortunate events concerning Prince Rohan and Prince Roden, which has caused much concern for His Majesty the King.”

He continues, compelled by Valoran’s unyielding gaze, which demands he elaborate.

“Thus, I worry that perhaps our sincerity has been lacking, leading to your displeasure, my lord. It is not easy for such tragedies to occur twice.”

“Sincerity, you say?”

Valoran’s eyes glimmer with curiosity.

“So what do you propose?”

“We intend to increase our support in terms of funds, food, and weapons for the Grand Duchy. Additionally, we have decided not to impose tariffs on goods produced in the Grand Duchy.”

Valoran is taken aback by the unexpectedly generous offer.

“Wow? That’s quite a substantial gesture, isn’t it? So what is it that you want in return?”

At those words, Alfred smiles.

“We do not seek anything from His Grace the Grand Duke. We only wish… for you to protect Prince Debian.”

“To protect him, you say…”

Valoran closes his eyes, pondering Alfred’s words.

“However, if any harm were to befall Prince Debian… whether intentional or not, whoever it may be, our United Kingdom will not stand idly by.”

Alfred and the United Kingdom warn against any further madness.

Valoran grins and replies.

“Well, if my father-in-law is showing such sincerity, shouldn’t the son-in-law respond accordingly? I share the same sentiment as you, father-in-law. Although our relationship has not been good and you have faced punishment from the gods, now that we are able to be so close, it is a good thing.”

Watching Valoran speak so nonchalantly, Alfred gritted his teeth inwardly.

—