The Empress Tames the Tyrant - Chapter 55

The day after the Emperor promulgated his decree, the Parliament convened immediately. The audience chamber was packed as never before. Cayenne, who usually moved alone, appeared in the chamber leading an Imperial procession that strictly followed palace protocol.

“His Imperial Majesty enters!”

Behind the Emperor, who was clad in a black formal uniform, attendants sounded trumpets. The sight of the knights, led by Glenn, radiated a majesty entirely different from the past.

“Is everyone gathered?”

Cayenne cast a sharp glance at those assembled below the steps of the audience chamber and took his seat on the throne. Not long ago, such a scene would have felt disjointed, but now his presence was so commanding it seemed to prove he had been the owner of the throne since birth.

“We greet Your Imperial Majesty.”

Duke Nigel stepped forward to speak, and the rest of the nobility followed suit, chanting their respects in unison. Instead of a verbal reply, Cayenne raised a single hand. Taking the hint, the nobles ceased their bows and stood straight.

“I assume you are all well aware of the decree I issued yesterday.”

Is that truly the Emperor we once knew? The nobles questioned internally. Usually, Duke Nigel led state affairs while the Emperor was regarded as a mere figurehead barbarian, but from the start, the atmosphere today was unsettling.

“Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, may I speak on behalf of those present?”

“Of course. If the Duke doesn’t, who will?”

There were thorns in Cayenne’s words, but the Duke maintained his usual composed expression as he took a step forward and looked up at the throne.

“The Empire is currently at peace. Might I ask why you have summoned the Holy Knights from the Papacy? Furthermore, as this is a matter that has never been discussed in Parliament, everyone must be quite bewildered.”

“Is that so? I thought the Duke, having looked after state affairs for so long, knew everything. It seems being a non-royal has its limitations.”

Now, the thorns had turned into blades, yet the Duke had no choice but to maintain his gentle smile.

“This is merely one of the unique and absolute authorities held by the Seal of the Darius Imperial House.”

“However, Your Majesty—”

“It is an authority that can only be exercised by an Emperor who carries the blood of Darius. Why should I discuss it with anyone else?”

This was a rule established by the ancestors of Darius, a power that even the Ten Great Houses could not interfere with. And unfortunately for them, Cayenne seemed to know this fact perfectly well.

“Historically, summoning the Holy Knights only occurred when the state was in danger. However, since our Empire is so peaceful now, I fear everyone will fall into speculation or anxiety.”

Duke Nigel pleaded earnestly, but Cayenne merely leaned back against the armrest of the throne, looking down at him with indifferent eyes. The steps leading up to the throne were designed precisely for this—to allow the Emperor to look down upon the nobles—and the effect was currently shining in full brilliance.

“Without a justification or reason, the people will be confused.”

“Are you sure it isn’t the Duke who is confused?”

In an instant, the air in the chamber froze. However, Cayenne soon let out a sharp, hollow laugh and waved his hand.

“Was my joke not quite good?”

“Pardon? Ha… haha, yes…”

The Duke’s mask of a smile was reaching its limit. To begin with, Cayenne was never supposed to be a threat; he was driven to near madness wondering what had changed the man so drastically.

“Of course, the Empire is at peace. Therefore, we must do the things that can only be done in a time of peace.” Cayenne continued without waiting for a reply. “I have neglected state affairs while looking after the battlefields of Rubeo. As the late Emperor did not pay much attention to the military for a long time, I found it requires reorganization.”

“Your Majesty, that is already being handled smoothly.”

“With a capable Duke, I’m sure it is. However, to command the whole and reorganize properly to prepare for the next hundred years is no easy task.” Cayenne flashed a grin. “With me being so young, how could I leave such a burden to the elderly Duke? I have a conscience.”

Cayenne hadn’t just grown more imposing; he now possessed the poise to banter in front of the gathered nobility.

“Furthermore, to avoid placing a burden on state finances, I summoned the Holy Knights using the unique authority of the Darius House. This will not cost our Empire anything, so it will actually benefit the state.”

The Duke gritted his teeth while keeping his head bowed. Logically, he could not break through Cayenne’s argument. Ordinarily, he might have gathered the momentum of the nobles to oppose him, but seeing Cayenne’s current majestic state, even that would not be easy.

“Fortunately, the land of Rubeo, which I looked after, is in a state of unprecedented peace and stability. It can sustain itself even without my direct rule.”

It was a lie. Even now, Rubeo was facing nightly raids from barbarians and mercenaries. But the moment the Duke pointed that out, he would be exposing his own crimes. He had no choice but to remain silent.

“That is… truly a relief.”

“Indeed. It is a joyful matter. By next year, we can expect great growth from Rubeo as our Empire’s premier trading hub.”

Several nobles flinched at the mention of a ‘trading hub,’ but Cayenne simply sat back comfortably with a smile. Just how much does the Emperor know? His smile felt more terrifying to the nobles than any display of rage.

“I dare to ask… I understood Your Majesty summoned the Parliament today regarding the Holy Knights.”

“I don’t recall saying that.” Cayenne feigned total innocence. All he wanted was to firmly establish before the nobility that they could not interfere with the unique rights of the Darius House and that they could not demand further explanations. “The reason I summoned the Parliament is to commend Duke Nigel for his hard work.”

“Pardon?”

Even the veteran Duke could not help but freeze at this absurd statement.

“Duke Nigel has devoted his entire being to serving the state, from the time the late Emperor fell ill through the beginning of my reign.”

Is there anything more chilling than the leisurely smile of one’s greatest enemy? Cayenne’s smile enhanced his handsome face, but it simultaneously froze the hearts of everyone present.

“I have thought long and hard, and I concluded that mere wealth or public office would be insufficient to reward the Duke’s contributions.”

“Your Majesty, I am already more than—”

“Well, the Duke already possesses everything, so surely he requires no material reward?”

The answer was already decided.

“Of course. It was all service for the Empire; how could I desire a reward?”

Disgusted by his hypocrisy, Cayenne twisted his lips. The man was not submitting to Cayenne himself, but to the blood of the Darius House, which had maintained the longest history on the continent. That was something the Duke could not change, no matter how much he schemed.

“Right. I read somewhere that for a loyal old servant, the greatest reward is rest.”

The Duke’s face went pale.

“I wondered what that meant at first, but the more I think about it, the more correct it seems. With me being so young, how could I overwork the elderly Duke?”

Cayenne continued without giving him a chance to interject. “I wish to express my utmost gratitude to the Duke, who led the state while I was in Rubeo.”

Contrary to his words, the smile vanished from Cayenne’s face. “Therefore, I have prepared a reward just for you. I hope it is to your liking.”

Cayenne looked down coldly at the Duke and gave a slight gesture. Then, a very unfamiliar face stepped out from among the rows of nobles and bowed.

“Blake of the House of Duke Tiers answers the call of His Imperial Majesty.”

The moment the name Tiers was uttered, whispers rippled through the nobility. Duke Nigel, who had been staring at the throne, turned his head in shock to look at him.

“Thank you for rushing here on such short notice.”

“It is your command, Sire. How could I not follow?”

The handsome man with blonde hair and blue eyes appeared to be in his forties. Many in the audience chamber who saw his face immediately thought of a certain woman, but none dared to say it out loud.

“It has been a long time, Duke Nigel,” Blake said. Duke Nigel managed to give a stoic nod. He was simply astonished that the Emperor had the wit to use such a move.

“Right, you two are already well acquainted, aren’t you? Since the Tiers family is a prestigious house that served as Chancellor during the previous Emperor’s reign.”

“Your Majesty’s praise would surely please my late father,” Blake replied with a smile, placing his right hand over his heart.

“Duke Tiers has lived in a monastery mourning the late Dowager Empress since her passing, but I have summoned him now because I wish for him to assist me directly.”

Cayenne brought up the existence of the Dowager Empress, a topic that was nearly taboo. Blake was Diane’s younger brother. After Diane who was Empress at the time died, he had sought refuge in the Papacy to avoid the wrath of the late Emperor, who had lost his mind.

“Duke Nigel, you have suffered much looking after state affairs with your aging body due to my shortcomings. I shall now appoint Duke Tiers as Chancellor, so you may finally enjoy your remaining years in leisure.”

Since Duke Nigel had seized control of the state, the position of Chancellor had vanished. But Cayenne had brought both the position and his own man back with startling ease.

“I have chosen the best I could. Tell me, Duke Nigel, is my reward insufficient?”

The temperature in the Emperor’s eyes differed drastically when looking at Blake versus looking at Duke Nigel. Despite the height of the steps leading to the throne, Duke Nigel could vividly feel the hatred and murderous intent Cayenne directed at him.

“How could I… say a reward given by Your Majesty is insufficient? However, I have always considered serving Your Majesty and performing my duties as the sole joy of my life.”

Cayenne flashed a lethal grin. “Truly a magnificent attitude for a noble. Befitting the head of the Ten Great Houses.”

Cayenne began to clap, and the nobles had no choice but to follow suit, one by one.

“Duke Nigel is well-deserving of my reward, so do not decline any further.”

It was a command.

“I shall not forget a single thing Duke Nigel has done for this Empire.”

And it was a threat.