I Became the Master of the Empress

299

A strange ceiling comes into view.

“Ugh… where is this?”

-Embrace!

“I’m so glad, truly glad.”

“Waaah! You’re awake.”

My mother hugged me tightly while Octavia cried beside us.

“Where are we?”

I asked in surprise, having never seen this place before, and Octavia replied.

“This is the Grand Duchy’s medical room.”

“Ah…?”

Later, I learned that I had fainted from the pain being too severe.

Now, I was treated with potions, but I thought it was an excessive measure.

Even after that, this kind of life repeated every single day.

If there was any silver lining, it was that my mind, being that of an adult, had an exceptional ability to understand, allowing me to learn without hindrance and to progress.

Thus, the better I performed on tests, the more the difficulty of learning increased, and as that happened, within the Grand Duchy, they began to speak of me as a genius and hold me in high regard.

—

As he grew in power, Balorang’s violence seemed to diminish, and I thought peace had finally arrived.

It was then that I began to devise a plan for survival.

Balorang was to incite a rebellion… I had to change the future where the hero and Theodora would die.

But that hope was shattered in no time.

It happened when Mary began to show her prowess in martial arts at the age of ten.

“At thirteen, you can’t even defeat a ten-year-old girl?!”

“Well, that’s…”

Mary was a true descendant of the Ryan family.

Overwhelming strength and presence.

An innate sense of combat.

Everything about her was the opposite of me.

Perhaps she was the successor he had longed for.

“Darling, but Debi is a genius, right?”

My mother defended me, but Balorang shook his head.

“The successor I desire is not some pathetic scholar but a warrior! A warrior like Mary!”

And from the age of ten, Mary began to train equally with me.

In swordsmanship, military strategy, and various other necessary studies.

Moreover, every week, he made a public spectacle of sparring with Mary, desperately trying to undermine my legitimacy.

As Mary gained more followers, her arrogance grew, and the situation began to worsen.

It must be difficult for someone so young to reject those who flatter and follow her.

But… in the original story, Deviant was Balorang’s successor, right? What happened?

I don’t know the reason.

Was Deviant once a prominent figure in the original story?

Anyway, while I was getting beaten up by Mary every week with great enthusiasm.

My mother cautiously called out to me.

“Debi… my beloved son Debi. It seems it would be best for us to leave the Grand Duchy.”

The expression on my mother’s face was not very pleasant.

“Has Balorang decided to eliminate me?”

At my words, my mother nodded slightly.

For months, rumors had spread throughout the Grand Duchy that he wanted to make Mary his successor.

—

But the heir cannot be chosen at will.

There exists a law of inheritance here.

No matter how much of a lord one may be, the law of inheritance must be followed.

The Duchy of Francesco adheres to the principle of male primogeniture.

In other words… no matter how much Valoran wishes to make Mary the heir, as long as I exist, it is impossible.

And it seems he has ultimately decided to eliminate me.

“First, you should leave this place and go to the United Kingdom. Once Valoran is dead, you can return. So, don’t worry and prepare to leave.”

“Mother, I actually….”

I don’t want to be a duke.

I have no desire, not even a shred, to be Valoran’s heir, who subjects me to daily humiliation and a schedule bordering on torture.

“I don’t want to be a duke. Can’t I just go to the United Kingdom and renounce my inheritance?”

Even if I go to the United Kingdom, would Valoran truly let me be?

I think not.

“Debbie. You are my son, but you are also the legitimate heir of the Duchy. Haven’t I told you time and again? There exists a father who wishes you harm, but do not forget the many nobles and citizens of the empire who place their hopes in you.”

In the duchy, I am called a genius, but in common parlance, I am also referred to as a fool.

The men of the Lyon family have always possessed great strength.

All five previous dukes were sword masters, so that says it all.

“But….”

My mother raised her finger and winked.

“Shh, I can never bear to see my son throw away the rights bestowed upon him by the gods. Do you understand?”

“Yes… I understand.”

What can I do when my mother speaks like that?

“Instead, I hope that when you become duke, you will lead this country splendidly.”

“Yes.”

***

Leon II has little time left to live.

One day, the king of the United Kingdom, gradually losing strength, can no longer rise from his bed.

He senses his own impending death, yet a deep-seated grievance remains in his heart.

A very great grievance.

“Cough, cough. My son.”

—

“Yes, Father.”

The once formidable old king, who had waged fierce diplomatic battles against the empire in his youth, now withers away in his old age.

“Pulvia… Be sure to bring that child here.”

His only regret in life is sending his cherished daughter to marry that reckless Valoran.

Every time Leon II hears news of his daughter from the Grand Duchy, his heart feels as if it might stop.

Thinking of his daughter and grandchildren suffering under indiscriminate violence, he cannot close his eyes in peace.

“Father, don’t worry! I… I will definitely bring Pulvia and the children safely here.”

“Cough… And when I die, make sure to set aside Pulvia’s share from the royal estate.”

“I will do so.”

This is all the help he can offer as a father.

Being a more family-oriented man, he blames himself for his daughter’s hardships, feeling guilt and remorse.

“Thank you… Thank you so much…”

With that, Leon II turned his back on the world.

***

Fleeing to the United Kingdom.

It’s a desperate measure, as staying here would make survival nearly impossible.

Honestly, in my situation, it’s not so bad.

If I leave the Grand Duchy and sign the inheritance waiver without my mother knowing, it will pass to Mary.

I consider my homeland to be the Republic of Korea; I do not see the Grand Duchy of Francesco as my homeland.

If I negotiate well with Valoran under the condition of waiving my inheritance, I might even be able to bring Sister Octavia and my mother to the United Kingdom.

Well, first I should prepare for my escape.

“ Heinrich.”

As I called the attendant beside me, a boy with black hair responded.

Heinrich, whom I met while watching an opera with my mother.

He is a peer of mine, an orphan who had been living on the streets begging.

Feeling pity for his situation, I brought him to the Grand Palace, and he is quick-witted and not lacking in intelligence, so I made him my personal attendant.

“Did you call for me?”

Looking at him, I momentarily hesitated in my thoughts.

Should I take him with me?

He has no family at all, so if I say I’m going, he would likely come.

—

It crossed my mind that going to a completely foreign place might be uncomfortable.

But if I leave it behind, I would inevitably face all sorts of hardships when I disappear.

“Your Highness?”

“Ah? Sorry. It’s not that….”

I glanced around and spoke.

“I’m going to leave the Grand Duchy. What about you?”

“What?! W-What do you mean?”

I covered Heinrich’s mouth in surprise and looked around.

Only after confirming that no one was there did I release him and say,

“I’m going to escape to the United Kingdom. If I stay here, I’ll soon be dead.”

Many renowned families within the Grand Duchy attend the tea party my mother hosts.

Even though Valoran is the Grand Duke now, once he dies, his successor will be the future Grand Duke, so they need to align themselves on both sides.

“Surely not? But he’s still your son….”

Heinrich’s face turned pale.

“Shh! Anyway, I’m leaving. What will you do? Do you want to come with me? Or is it okay if you stay?”

I spoke carefully, wanting to respect Heinrich’s wishes as much as possible.

“I, of course, want to follow you, Your Highness.”

At those words, I nodded in satisfaction.

“Okay, then I’ll consider you going with me.”

***

“A ship will arrive from the United Kingdom next Sunday.”

My mother continued with a stern expression.

“You’ll leave from Wynn in the afternoon and take the ship to Hamsport.”

“That’s quite fast.”

At my words, my mother nodded slightly.

“There isn’t much time.”

I nodded in response.

“I understand, Mother. While I’m gone… you must stay healthy.”

Tears welled up in my mother’s eyes at my words.

“Don’t worry. Even if we can’t see each other, I’m just so grateful that you’re alive.”

—

Seeing my mother’s reddened eyes made my own nose tingle.

“And… here, take this.”

My mother handed me a yellow metal rod.

“What is this?”

“This was passed down to me as an inheritance when my father passed away. If you need money, use this.”

The numbers inscribed on the metal rod my mother gave me.

An astonishing amount was written there.

“Mother, this is too much money.”

I was taken aback by the sum, which was several times the annual maintenance fee provided to the Grand Duchy and our family, but my mother shook her head.

“I’m fine. No matter how much it’s my family, the nobles there won’t like you. Use this to get close to them. They will be a great help to you when you become the Grand Duke later.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good, my son. Let’s have a hug.”

And so, I held my mother tightly.