I Wasn't Trying to Seduce with the Male Lead - Episode 76

The Imperial Troyan Council, a major gathering of the Empire’s royalists, was an event watched by the entire world. It was rare in the Empire’s history for an emergency meeting to be called outside of the regular quarterly sessions. Since the current emperor’s ascension, it had only happened once before, for the meeting to recognize Eileen Hascatore as a princess.

The atmosphere at the second meeting was buzzing. As soon as the council began and Zeppelin announced the agenda, voices rose from all over.

“Expelling Count Calabria for slandering the imperial family? What is that supposed to mean?” “Surely it’s not because of that scandal?” “Wouldn’t it be better to find a new consort? They weren’t even formally engaged. Do we really have to get rid of a talent that comes along once in a century…?” “Right now, negotiating with the dukes is more important than a consort. We need to normalize administrative procedures first.”

Everyone’s opinions poured out at once, and the room quickly turned into chaos. Zeppelin, the veteran politician, tried to quell the noise and restore order.

“His Majesty believes that if the authority of the imperial family is restored, order will naturally follow. Please focus your opinions on that point.”

Despite his efforts, the mood remained uncooperative.

“Isn’t cooperation with Count Calabria more effective than confrontation for establishing the imperial family’s authority? The strongest knight with the greatest wealth in the world is an unprecedented human resource.” “That’s right. Losing him would be a huge loss for the Empire.” “He’s the type to fall in love with a widow, so he’s not an ambitious or political type. Isn’t there room for compromise?”

If even the royalist faction, which was almost blindly loyal to the imperial family, was this divided, it was clear that the Empire would be torn apart once word got out. Zeppelin, who had to persuade them, couldn’t take a strong stance himself. He couldn’t even understand the emperor’s reasoning.

If only His Majesty would hear these opinions and change his mind.

But Zeppelin’s wish didn’t come true. As time passed, those who sided with the emperor began to emerge.

“Count Calabria has received the greatest benefits from the Empire. Therefore, he should have gratefully submitted to the emperor’s grace, but instead he’s openly rebelled over a private matter. He must be expelled quickly to set an example.”

This was Marquis Gerald, who was over 70 but still spry. A young nobleman followed up his extremely conservative words.

“Too much blood will be shed just to set an example. Count Calabria is the Empire’s greatest warrior and commands an elite knight order called the Behind Knights. On top of that, he’s the successor to the Duke of Calabria. The risk of punishing him is too great.” “The Duke of Calabria will separate public and private matters. He’ll be the first to punish the count.” “But there is a bond between a parent and child. When the time comes to point a sword at his own son and fight, he’ll falter.”

Other nobles began to join the verbal sparring between Marquis Gerald and the young noble.

“Since this isn’t a war of occupation, if the Behind Knights move around like a special commando unit and strike, an equal number of troops can’t stop them. It’s almost impossible to surround and annihilate them in this vast Empire.” “No matter how strong they are, they have supply issues. They can’t just fight indefinitely.” “He’s also the next head of the Floyd Ducal family. With that many men, they’ll be able to support themselves until the Empire disappears and then some.”

The delicate balance of the sharp confrontation shifted when two nobles stepped forward.

“Repaying the imperial family’s grace is not something you do or don’t do based on how much talent or wealth you have. Even if Count Calabria is a valuable asset, he cannot be more important than the honor of the imperial family.”

This was Marquis Foranche Riccardo, a shrewd old fox from the Central region. Then, a thick, rough voice supported Marquis Riccardo’s opinion.

“I am not afraid of anything for the sake of the imperial family. The Behind Knights will only execute those who rebel against the imperial family.”

He was the young Marquis of Pritchard Bormia from the Southern region.

They never miss an opportunity.

The two marquises’ intentions were obvious. The Bormia ducal family had no heir. And once they lost Lian, the Calabria and Floyd ducal families would be tigers without teeth. They intended to take advantage of the Empire’s division and seize the vacant ducal positions.

The bigger problem is that they aren’t foolish, but ambitious.

The two had power on par with the ducal families and had likely steadily built up their strength to match their ambition. They were clearly individuals who could provide power to the emperor. As soon as they stepped forward, several others were swayed and began to egg on the emperor.

“We have the Imperial Guards, the Imperial Knights, countless infantry regiments under them, and fortified castles and weapons waiting for war.” “His Majesty only needs to make the right judgment.”

Was this how it was going to end? Everyone in the council hall looked to the emperor for a conclusion.

“Can’t we just leave Count Calabria alone?”

A clear voice rang out from somewhere.

“If we start a civil war just because the princess was rejected, we’ll become a laughingstock to other countries.”

The atmosphere instantly turned icy. Someone had spoken the thought that everyone secretly held. Zeppelin looked around in a panic but couldn’t find the person who had just spoken.

“Say that again.”

A cold voice flowed from the emperor, who had been silent until now.

“How dare you speak so carelessly in this sacred place? If you truly think that, then come forward and speak with confidence!”

The emperor’s rebuke was like a frostbite. Of course, no one came forward to claim responsibility.

“Haha. When an opportunity presents itself, you’re all so quick to come forward and belittle the imperial family. Hahahaha.”

In the dead silence of the room, only the emperor’s deranged laughter echoed eerily.

“The princess was rejected and I’m angry? Do you think that too?”

“N-no, Your Majesty. I would never have such a disrespectful thought…”

The noble, who was suddenly singled out, was so flustered that he denied it frantically. The emperor turned his bloodshot eyes to another and asked.

“Then you? Do you also harbor such thoughts?”

“I’ve never even considered it! Your Majesty!”

The emperor rose from his seat and began to slowly walk around the council hall filled with nobles.

“Any disloyal movement against the Empire must be uprooted as soon as it’s discovered. And if it’s a high-ranking noble in a position to lead the Empire, the sooner the better.”

The nobles lowered their heads and avoided eye contact, hoping not to be singled out by the emperor walking behind them.

“I must punish Count Calabria’s disloyalty, deceit, and hypocrisy. How can I give the greatest power to someone who shamed the life of the princess who will one day lead the Empire with his disrespectful private life and then abandons his responsibility? How can I trust him to protect her!”

The council hall was silent as if a bucket of water had been thrown over it, only the emperor’s angry roar echoed.

“I will punish him to restore order to the Empire. On this occasion, I will sweep away the rotten evils and pass on a newly reborn Empire to the princess!”

After the resounding roar passed, the council hall was still. The silence was broken by a heavy voice.

“I have a question for Your Majesty.”

Zeppelin looked up at the courageous man who had spoken in such a tense atmosphere. It was Pritchard Bormia.

“Count Calabria’s insolence didn’t come from his own power. It was done with the support of the dukes who have been letting him act as he pleases. What does Your Majesty intend to do about the dukes who are currently siding with him?”

Zeppelin unconsciously swallowed his saliva at the piercing question.

“The ducal families, who have been with the Empire since its beginning, have become so drunk on their glory that they’ve forgotten to be grateful. They’ve forgotten that their power can only exist within the framework of the Empire and the imperial family.”

Though the emperor had lost his composure due to his twisted affection, it seemed he hadn’t lost his innate intelligence. He knew what the nobles gathered there wanted to hear most.

“I intend to take this opportunity to confirm with the dukes if they are worthy of being granted such power. If they come to their senses, albeit late, I will show mercy for their past efforts. But if not, they will fall to a position befitting them.”

The emperor slowly returned to his seat and stood with his hands on the desk. He looked around the council hall with bloodshot eyes and spoke in a significant voice.

“And when they’re gone, there will be empty seats.”

Something began to stir in the rigid atmosphere.

“They will go to those who prove themselves worthy. The talented people who will serve my daughter, who will one day be emperor. To those who show superior loyalty above all else.”

With the clear implication, the nobles’ eyes changed. The ducal title was still an incredibly attractive fruit.

“Will you participate in the history of the new Empire, or will you disappear from here as a loser? The choice is yours.”

As soon as the emperor’s words fell, a cheer erupted.

“For the future Emperor!” “We will dedicate everything for the imperial family!”

Everyone was in high spirits, standing up and shouting loudly. Zeppelin watched the scene with a sense of despair.

An old townhouse on the outskirts of Felicity. After the elderly count and countess who owned it passed away, it was taken over by distant relatives and was now a modest place rented out to lords or local nobles visiting the capital.

Today, a new tenant had arrived as usual. He had just entered the bathroom, a white gown on his body and his glossy black hair draped down. A large marble bathtub filled with hot water was waiting for him.

However, his bath was unexpectedly interrupted.

“Are you just going to keep pretending to be so relaxed?”

The voice bounced off the bathroom walls, echoing chaotically. The person who had entered was Zenith.

“Is that really the conclusion you, the Duke, have reached?”

Sky Fade slowly turned around.

“I didn’t know enjoying a bath was something I needed to be lectured about.” “Don’t pretend you don’t know!”

Zenith raised his voice. His wide eyes were filled with rage.

“What is this all about? Why did you do such a thing!” “Since when have you been able to demand an explanation for what I do?”

Ignoring Sky’s cold response, Zenith strode forward. When Sky saw the black jewel ring in his outstretched hand, his brows furrowed.

“Where did you get that…”

Before he could finish his question, Zenith, who had approached, yanked the cord of Sky’s gown. His graceful, naked body was soon revealed. Zenith boldly reached out a hand to his smooth muscles. As his skin made contact, something invisible appeared. On his lower right abdomen, just above his chiseled abs, the mark of subservience was clearly visible.

Support