The Empress Tames the Tyrant - Chapter 23

Emma had seen Alicia at the Emperor’s wedding. At that time, she had seemed very delicate and fragile, unable to hide her anxiety, but in just one year, she seemed to have become a completely different woman.

“I haven’t been able to look after the palace staff because I haven’t been feeling well. I haven’t even seen the lady who attends His Majesty directly, have I?”

“No…”

There was no need to mention that she had glimpsed Alicia being abandoned by her husband on their wedding night.

“I hate beating around the bush.”

Alicia looked straight at Emma. Indeed, she didn’t look like the pitiful woman from back then.

“I had a wedding, but I’m not a true Empress yet. Also, His Majesty is only interested in Rubeo.”

Even as she recited her fatal weaknesses, there wasn’t a flicker in her blue eyes. There was no wounded pride or sadness either.

“Now that His Majesty has returned, I’ve made some efforts to get his attention. I’m sure you’re already aware of that.”

“You honor me.”

Emma was momentarily speechless at Alicia’s bluntness.

“However, my efforts alone are not enough. I only had a wedding with His Majesty, and I haven’t even had a proper audience with him a few times, and my memory isn’t quite right due to the recent high fever.”

Suddenly, Cayenne’s muttering that the Empress had changed came to mind. Her fair cheeks were flushed, and the way she slightly raised her chin showed the dignity of an Empress despite her young age. At the same time, her soft tone showed respect for Emma, who was an old woman and a maid of the Grand Empress Dowager.

“I am sorry, but I don’t think I dare to tell Her Majesty anything. Her Majesty already possesses such dignity and wisdom.”

Alicia did not deny the words. It was thanks to the lesson she learned in the past when she was ignored by the palace staff due to her overly kind nature.

“Also, I heard that you have been getting along very well with His Majesty recently.”

If the Empress had such skills at the age of only twenty, there would be no worries in the future.

“But it’s still not enough.”

Alicia said firmly. The subtle smile vanished.

“I know that you were a maid of the late Grand Empress Dowager. So, I’m going to ask you for a favor, not an order.”

Unlike other women in the palace, Alicia was very honest, just like her former mistress, Dianne.

“Of course, it’s for my sake, but I hope you’ll also think of it as being for the happiness of His Imperial Majesty.”

Alicia did not embellish her intentions with flowery words.

“How can I help you?”

“I want to know about His Imperial Majesty. Anything I don’t know.”

Emma gazed at Alicia intently, then smiled with her wrinkled lips and nodded.

“Telling stories is the most enjoyable thing for an old woman.”

Cayenne had said that the Empress had become a different person after suffering from a high fever, and he even hummed to himself and smiled from time to time. And the Empress in front of her, the cause of it all, was asking her for help without any pretense or embellishment.

That alone was reason enough for Emma to help the Empress.

“As it happens, His Majesty has gone to the Grand Council today and will not return until midnight.”

Alicia probably knew that fact and called Emma on purpose.

“However, I would be in trouble if I were scolded for neglecting my work, so please keep it a secret that I came to the Empress’s Palace today.”

That was exactly what Alicia was about to say, as expected of the experienced Head Maid.

“I will.”

Alicia smiled faintly again. Her pink lips, without any rouge, were very pretty and fresh. If the sparkling woman in front of her could keep Cayenne in the Imperial Palace, it would soon be Emma’s joy.

“Where should I start.”

“Anything related to His Majesty is fine, no matter how long ago. I have plenty of time today.”

“I see. Well, I still remember the day I entered the palace following the late Grand Empress Dowager.”

The deep wrinkles around Emma’s eyes deepened with longing.

“Lady Dianne, that is, the Grand Empress Dowager was a beautiful and kind person.”

Alicia was fascinated and drawn into the slow, soft voice unique to old women.

❖ ❖ ❖

Unlike the peaceful Empress’s Palace, the Emperor’s Audience Chamber was filled with all sorts of sharp emotions. Cayenne, resting his chin on the handle of the throne, was already looking irritable as he watched the nobles bickering. His eyebrows twitched with annoyance every time he saw Duke Nigel acting up.

“The lords of the distant provinces are already ignoring the Empire! At this rate, it wouldn’t be strange if a rebellion broke out immediately, so please make a decision, Your Majesty.”

The point of the Duke’s story, which he had been talking about for hours, was that imperial troops should be sent to the provinces to collect taxes properly.

Most of the nobles in the capital had never been to their territories and did not know the reality of the people’s lives because they were enjoying luxury in the capital. Duke Nigel was a prime example, and the same was true of the faction of nobles who followed him.

“Your Majesty, paying taxes is the minimum obligation of those who belong to the Empire.”

The nobles said that the Emperor only knew about blood and slaughter, but they only knew about money and luxury. They were even trying to legally commit more terrible slaughter than Cayenne for more money.

“Duke Nigel.”

Finally, the Emperor opened his heavy mouth.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Duke Nigel quickly bent his arm and paid his respects. He wanted to show everyone how loyal a subject he was. As if to say that no matter what unfortunate things happened to the Empire in the future, it was the fault of the ruthless Emperor, not his disloyalty.

“Is that all you have to say every time the Grand Council is held, Duke?”

“Of course, there are countless matters to bring to Your Majesty. However, since Your Majesty leaves the Imperial Palace and stays in places like Rubeo and can only be informed at the Grand Council, I am reporting the most important matter.”

“Why, are the taxes of the Nigel Duchy not good?”

Cayenne picked up a wine glass from the table next to the throne and took a sip. His jet-black eyes coldly stared at the abominable Duke below the steps that stretched out in layers below the throne.

“Your Majesty, it’s not such a personal matter.”

“I suppose not. I know very well how prosperous the territories of the prestigious nobles in this Grand Council are.”

They already had overflowing wealth. At least that’s how it looked in Cayenne’s eyes.

“I stay in places like Rubeo. Well, what kind of place is Rubeo?”

The low, cold voice echoed through the silent audience chamber.

“I am sorry, that’s not what I meant.”

“Then what do you mean?”

In the first place, this Grand Council was only following the laws of the Empire, and the distance between the Emperor and the nobles was not narrowed.

“Last year, did you say that the wastelands at the end of the territory, on the outskirts, were vulgar because the people were vulgar?”

“No.”

When the sparks flew, Marquis Seil, who had been silent, quickly came out and bowed.

“No, Your Majesty.”

“Then, are you saying that my memory is wrong?”

Even though he was quite far from the throne, Cayenne’s eyes felt murderous.

“Am I confusing things from just last year? Tell me, Duke.”

Not only his eyes, but also the aura of a warrior emanated strongly from him, and everyone felt overwhelmed.

“That, that’s. As I recall, the Great Sage of Lucan said so.”

Of course, Duke Nigel’s intentions were the same, but now was the time to cut off his tail. Since the Great Sage was not here anyway, it was the perfect time to turn the arrow.

“The Great Sage, who is very close to the Duke, said so.”

Still, Cayenne’s anger did not subside at all.

“I have advised for the loyalty of the frontier lords and the national treasury of the Empire.”

“Is the national treasury insufficient? You reported last month that you were managing the state affairs well on my behalf, Duke?”

Cayenne had never handled state affairs himself. However, as he gradually grew older, it became difficult for Duke Nigel to win against him with words.

The late Emperor, who had lost his beloved wife and gone mad, had taught his son nothing, but he seemed to have a natural sense of politics and a disposition to control people.

“That’s not the reason. If the loyalty of the frontier lords weakens, they may collude with the western feudal states and become enemies of the Empire.”

For the first time, Cayenne laughed. Of course, it was a chilling scene for everyone except him.

“Are you discussing war with me?”

It was the Duke’s mistake. None of them were qualified to talk about force and war in front of Cayenne.

“The war you are discussing is caused by greed, not by disloyalty.”

It wasn’t what Cayenne wanted, but he was the only one among them who had seen the reality of the people with his own eyes.

“The frontier territories of the Empire were not fertile in the first place, so they sent pioneers to barely establish a base. Barbarians, mercenaries and thieves, ferocious beasts, starvation, cold.”

Cayenne, who had been reciting in a low voice, rose from the throne. The shadow of his large frame stretched long on the steps of the audience chamber.

“You will soon be celebrating the harvest and prosperity in your territories, but not all people can do that. Rather, there are more people who are worried about surviving the winter.”

Reality could never be known from above. Cayenne grew up in Rubeo, wandered around the outskirts of the territory, and saw the world from the same height as them.

“But if you send imperial troops to collect taxes, are you saying that loyalty will arise in their hearts? Seriously?”

To the people whose survival was at stake, the imperial troops collecting taxes were no different from thieves. Rather, their resentment towards the Empire would be greater.

“If a rebellion or revolt occurs, it will not be because the frontier lords lack loyalty, but because people like you, Duke, are greedily exploiting the people.”

The Duke could not answer Cayenne’s sharp words and shut his mouth tightly. The Emperor was now twenty-five years old, so he could not be wielded as easily as before.

“If my words are wrong, tell me.”

“How could Your Majesty’s high words be wrong? It is my inadequacy.”

Duke Nigel lowered his pride and bowed his head. Today’s Grand Council proved that his concerns had been true.

He would rather have the Emperor lose interest in all state affairs like the late Emperor in his later years, but the Emperor, who always sided with the lowly things he didn’t even know, was now a complete enemy of the nobles.