After I died, Everything Changed - Chapter 52

“The Imperial Court seems unusually interested in Mergen’s affairs these days.”

Grandfather had been summoned by the Emperor.

Even when Deborah was alive, visits to the palace had been rare—limited to formal events or the occasional banquet. You could count them on one hand.

So, this sudden invitation from the Emperor was enough to cause tension. And the fact that he told me to come with him? That was unexpected.

“The appearance of monsters is spreading. It was only a matter of time before the palace got involved.”

“Do you think they’ll send military support?”

“If needed, perhaps. But it’s not a matter we can assume either way.”

“If that happens, it’ll be… troublesome for Mergen.”

Because “support” from the Emperor always came with a leash.

To receive help was to accept surveillance—an annoying entanglement that would bind our hands and feet.

“Be careful what you say in front of His Majesty.”

“There won’t be much reason for me to speak at all.”

From what I remembered as a child, the Emperor was cold.

Even as a child, I had thought, how can someone with so little interest in others possibly rule a nation? It was probably a disrespectful thought, but an honest one.

There was no doubt in my mind that someone like him had no reason to care about someone like me.

“Don’t underestimate the Imperial Family.”

Grandfather’s tone was sharp.

And he was right.

Lutetia.

The voice of the divine. The keeper of order.

If Mergen and Bahel were the protectors of land and sea, then Lutetia was the enforcer of law and balance.

Their power came from words alone.

Whatever Lutetia declared was the will of the gods.

“I’ll be careful.”

Before I knew it, we had arrived at the audience chamber.

The guards exchanged subtle looks.

“The Lord of House Mergen requests an audience.”

Unlike Mergen’s modest halls, the ceilings here stretched endlessly high, and the corridor gleamed with gold. The knight’s voice echoed through the vast space.

The Emperor sat on the throne—just as I remembered.

“It’s been a while since we’ve met like this.”

“May Your Majesty remain in good health.”

“It is an honor to see Your Majesty.”

I spoke immediately after Grandfather’s formal greeting.

Even with my head bowed, I could feel the Emperor’s gaze pressing on me.

“There’s only one reason not to be in good health these days.”

He was nothing if not efficient.

Straight to the point.

That part of him, at least, I’d always found admirable.

“I’ve received multiple reports about the monsters appearing in Mergen.”

“I made sure they were thorough.” Grandfather replied.

“And yet I still find them incomprehensible.”

I could hear the irritation in the Emperor’s voice.

He wasn’t one to show emotion often, so even a hint of it meant he was thoroughly displeased.

“If there’s no external source, that means the monsters are manifesting from within Hekla itself. How am I supposed to make sense of that?”

“It means exactly that. They’re naturally occurring.”

“And you’re telling me monsters are now being born within our Empire?”

The Emperor’s face hardened.

“And what, pray tell, am I supposed to tell our neighboring nations?”

The backlash from other countries would be swift—and brutal.

And this wasn’t even anyone’s fault.

I found myself wondering again—why did Grandfather bring me here?

If Abel had come instead, he would be the one under this frozen stare right now—not me.

And the Emperor likes Abel. He wouldn’t have been this hostile.

“The monsters have been gone for centuries. And now they’re back—right in our Empire, and of all places, within Mergen’s borders?”

What did he want us to do? Apologize?

Tearing Mergen apart wasn’t going to help the Empire in any way.

“What do you think, child of Mergen?”

And just like that, the fire leapt to me.

I raised my head and met the Emperor’s eyes, speaking calmly.

“Centuries ago, Mergen settled on land where monsters once ran rampant. Protecting that land is our family’s purpose. So, if monsters are to rise again, it makes perfect sense that Mergen would be the first to face them.”

“…”

Was I wrong?

All I had done was state the obvious.

“You’re right. Yes. To question why it’s happening in Mergen is… rather pointless, isn’t it?”

“…”

Maybe I’d spoken too directly.

From the look in the Emperor’s eyes, he had seen right through me—even the displeasure behind my words.

“Is the monster extermination proceeding smoothly?”

“We’re doing everything we can. So far, it’s manageable… no major issues.”

“And in the future?”

“…”

Predicting the future was more Lutetia’s job than Mergen’s.

I swallowed a sigh.

“We’ve searched through every old record the palace holds—nothing like this has ever been documented. Everything remains uncertain.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And on top of that, I hear Mergen is still tangled in the matter of succession.”

“…”

So that was the real reason we were here.

“I would like Mergen to resolve that matter soon. And I want the one who leads the monster hunt to be the next head of the house.”

“Choosing the next family head is a matter that determines the fate of our House. We must approach it with full caution,” Grandfather replied.

“But rest assured. Even if this old man cannot carry on, Mergen will never betray the hopes of those who stand upon this land.”

Grandfather’s calm voice carried through the vast chamber.

“A very Mergen-like answer,” the Emperor muttered, the sharpness in his tone finally beginning to soften.

“Now then—there is another matter to discuss regarding the monsters. Summon my aide.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

A knight moved to obey the order.

Meanwhile, the Emperor’s gaze turned back to me.

“Irene Mergen.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Henry has spoken of you. But this is my first time seeing you in person, isn’t it?”

In truth, it was unlikely Irene had never been in the same room as the Emperor before.

But given how little presence she once had, perhaps he simply never noticed her.

“The Lord and I still have more to discuss… Ah, right—you’re here.”

The Emperor’s gaze drifted elsewhere.

From behind a curtain at the edge of the audience chamber, a man stepped forward.

His hair shone golden—the unmistakable mark of imperial lineage—pulled back into a neat, rippling tie.

His cool eyes looked toward the Emperor with no excess expression.

“Why don’t you give her a tour of the palace?”

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”

Crown Prince Matthias.

Even as Deborah, I had found him difficult to deal with.

Unlike Henry, who at least wore a friendly mask, Matthias was the type who made even breathing feel like a restrained exercise.

“What do you think? Will that be alright with you?” the Emperor asked me.

“It would be an honor.”

I curtsied, lightly lifting the hem of my dress.

Listening to the rest of that tense conversation seemed far worse. Escaping with the Crown Prince was the better option.

“Lately, the entire Empire has had its eyes on Mergen. The ritual you led is still the talk of the palace.”

Crown Prince Matthias’s voice broke the silence, blending with the sound of our footsteps.

“I suppose that means things must be quite peaceful,” I replied dryly.

The way people obsessed over a noble house’s succession was strange, no matter how famous the name Mergen might be.

“I’d say it’s the opposite. The more danger looms, the more people turn to Mergen.”

“…”

“All of this needs to be resolved smoothly. His Majesty is deeply troubled by the matter.”

Even if that were true, the Imperial Family couldn’t involve themselves too deeply in Mergen’s internal affairs.

“That’s why I hope you’ll step back.”

At those words, my footsteps came to a halt.

So did his.

He turned to face me, and I met his gaze without hesitation.

“Irene Mergen, you are adding to Mergen’s turmoil.”

“It seems Your Highness is quite invested in our family’s affairs.”

So this was it—he wanted me to back down from the succession.

“If Sir Abel becomes the head of the house, everything will return to peace.”

“Is that because you believe he can defeat the monsters and restore stability?”

To be fair, the timing was in Abel’s favor.

The more chaos there was, the more he stood out.

“Many people are mistaken, you know. They believe people shape positions. But I think it’s the opposite—positions choose their people. Who do you think Mergen’s will favors?”

“Clearly not me, in Your Highness’s eyes.”

There was no point in arguing.

“Time will tell who that seat ultimately chooses.”

“So, you don’t intend to step down.”

“If Abel truly has what it takes to be head of the house, then this is a trial he should overcome.”

“It’s a time of crisis. We can’t afford to take the long road.”

I imagined he and Abel had become close during the war.

So that’s why the Crown Prince was so openly favorable toward him.

“You’re more progressive than I expected, Your Highness.”

“Do I seem so?”

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