The Empror's Trap

Pluvia gave the situation some careful thought.

Kenji might be bold, but not reckless enough to do something like this. Maybe some court ministers believed he was capable of it, but Pluvia knew him better—he might cross a few lines, but barging in and sleeping in her bed completely out of the blue? That wasn't his style, and there was nothing to gain—aside from catching some advantage at her expense.

Since he had no reason to be the driving force behind this, only one person could've orchestrated things so blatantly even with Royal Guards and maids watching…

With that realization, Pluvia stood up and opened her door.

Sonya was standing there, head bowed, almost as if bracing for punishment.

"Your Majesty."

"Bring Empress Dowager here. Tell her it's an order," Pluvia said.

"Eh? Your Majesty, you know…?"

"Who else but she would dare do this? The Celestial Court might add fuel to the fire, but they wouldn't act themselves."

Pluvia's expression grew darker. Honestly, she was deeply annoyed that her own mother had set her up like this. Still, she had to admit that the method was effective. It was forcing her to make a decision she'd been unable to force herself to make.

But just because it worked didn't mean she liked being manipulated—not even by her mother. She wouldn't overreact, but she did want an explanation and to remind the Empress Dowager that there were limits.

"Isn't this a bit much?" Sonya hesitated.

Empress Dowager's letter had explained most of the reasoning behind all this, even if Sonya didn't grasp all the deeper plots. She could sense that it was a risky move with potentially huge benefits to Camelot's power dynamic.

And Empress Dowager had said explicitly: if Pluvia wanted to see her upon waking, to notify her at once.

No surprise then that Pluvia immediately wanted to settle accounts. Still, Sonya worried about any mother-daughter showdown. After all, Pluvia had once confined Prince Yunis, and Yunis' suicide had never been discussed between mother and daughter. What if old and new grudges exploded together?

"That's an order," Pluvia said flatly.

Sonya hesitated, then nodded and left.

...

Kenji woke up to the sound of arguing.

It wasn't quiet—if he'd stayed asleep, he'd have to be deaf.

He instantly remembered where he was and what had happened. Instead of moving, he chose to keep pretending to sleep and listen in.

Sure enough, he heard Pluvia's voice:

"Mother, I get why you did this, but… is it really safe?"

"What's not safe? In the eyes of ministers, this is exactly the sort of thing people expect from the Grand Marshal. They'll believe anything of him, no matter how outrageous. Even if they suspect something's up, they'll talk themselves into accepting it."

Now it was Empress Dowager. Her voice was softer than Pluvia's, but otherwise their tones were similar—Pluvia was crisper, her mother more gentle.

"Fine. But isn't it a little much to force a man on your own daughter?"

"That idea came from the Celestial Court. You hesitated for so long, which only proves you believe the idea might be right. I've heard you still can't bring yourself to decide, my child. That's not good—you're the emperor. You have to think of the bigger picture. I know a rushed marriage like this would upset many people, but—"

"But sitting on the throne means preparing for anything. I know." Pluvia's tone was resigned.

A brief silence.

"By the way—about Yunis. Was it really suicide?" Dowager suddenly asked.

Kenji heard Pluvia take a deep breath. After a moment, he heard her even, composed response from outside the door:

"Yes."

There was a long, long silence, so heavy it seemed time itself might stop. Finally, Dowager spoke:

"If you're telling the truth, that comforts me… at least a little."

"Come on, Mother, why would I ever lie to you?" Pluvia's voice brightened. "But what if I am lying? What then?"

"Silly girl. If that were the case, your late father and I would both be delighted—Camelot has no need for a hesitant emperor."

"I understand." Pluvia's voice trembled ever so slightly.

"So—this is the same. I know you bear many burdens, and you're not happy. I won't ask more. But now, you have to keep going. The ancestors of Camelot are watching."

"I know."

"Good." Empress Dowager's tone softened. "Sonya, when the Grand Marshal wakes up, it's your turn. Remember: the more real your act, the better. Hurt him a little if you must—the more serious he thinks this is, the better."

"I understand, Your Majesty. With all due respect…"

"What is it?"

"I serve as Captain of the Royal Guards… and I'm loyal to Her Majesty."

"I see. Pluvia, the rest is up to you."

Empress Dowager caught the meaning.

"My command," Pluvia said, "is to accept and carry out Empress Dowager's plan."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

Kenji heard it all.

They were careful—talking in low voices outside, and a normal person would never have caught much. But Kenji wasn't normal. He'd commanded soldiers on covert night operations in the jungle, and even without magic, he could make out every word.

Now, finally, he understood what they were after.

This was a scheme orchestrated by the Celestial Court—with him as the linchpin.

Empress Dowager had delivered him to Pluvia's bed, creating a perfect excuse that placed Kenji at a moral disadvantage. It forced the two of them into a marriage alliance…

Afterward? Well, by intruding on Her Majesty's bedchamber to spend the night, he'd lose the support of some ministers, especially those already inclined to oppose Pluvia. They'd focus all their fire on the shameless Grand Marshal. With his honor at its lowest, he'd be their primary target.

And Pluvia? She'd lose a bit of imperial gravitas, but the marriage itself wouldn't cost her much. In fact, it might actually give her cover from other political attacks, at least temporarily.

Of course, the Celestial Court's original strategy probably stopped at suggesting the marriage for the sake of Camelot's stability and consolidation of power. The setup, the scandal, the rest—that was pure Empress Dowager.

To be honest, the Celestial Court's idea was decently sound. But Empress Dowager had definitely sprinkled some extra icing on the cake with her finishing touch.

He'd been drawn into their scheme.

Kenji fully understood it now—he'd walked right into their trap. He'd been cautious at first, but who would have guessed he would let his guard down and actually fall asleep? After living in relative peace for too long, his fighting spirit hadn't faded, but he'd clearly lost some of his old vigilance. In the past, no matter how tired he was, he would have forced himself to stay up all night in this kind of situation.

Huge miscalculation.