The Empress Tames the Tyrant - Chapter 67

Ultimately, the Emperor did not appear in the audience chamber until the sun began to set. In the past, Duke Nigel would never have quietly endured such an insult, but today, Blake, now holding the position of Chancellor, was keeping him under pressure.

“A moment ago, the Seneschal brought His Majesty’s royal decree,” Blake stated calmly, causing the corners of Duke Nigel’s mouth to twitch.

“If he had time for that, why could he not simply grace the audience chamber with his presence?”

Although the Chancellor and his faction, who sided with the Emperor, had entered the Council, Duke Nigel’s arrogance did not vanish overnight.

“Is there a problem?”

“It seems disloyal for us subjects to be conducting state affairs amongst ourselves while His Majesty the Emperor is present,” Nigel replied shamelessly.

Blake barely managed to swallow a laugh. “You mean exactly as Duke Nigel did during the reign of the late Emperor?”

Caught in his own logic, Duke Nigel glared at Blake, but to no effect.

“The content of the decree is the appointment of several nobles to the vacant seats in the Council. You may verify it for yourselves.”

The Seneschal presented the decree to Duke Nigel. As expected, the Emperor’s decree appointed a new faction, led by Chancellor Blake, to several seats in the Council. Like the Chancellorship itself, these were positions that had not been used for a while, meaning they were already vacant, which allowed the Emperor’s move to be even swifter.

“Is there truly a need to revive such minor posts? We have done quite well without them until now.”

“The right to appoint Council members belongs entirely to His Majesty. If it truly bothers you, you may offer your counsel to him directly later.”

Cayenne was currently focusing all his strength on turning the blade against Duke Nigel’s influence. Duke Nigel had never imagined that a man he thought was merely a barbarian who only knew how to swing a sword would be able to manipulate the Council. Other nobles felt the same; most of the capital’s aristocracy were in a state of bewilderment, not knowing how to react.

“Furthermore, the Seneschal has brought a message from His Majesty.”

The young Emperor, whom they thought knew nothing, was now sitting atop the heads of the elder statesmen, issuing commands without even showing his face. Duke Nigel’s command over the room had shifted to this man, Blake. It was a change so fast and vast that they could not even find a way to intervene.

“He commands that you be dismissed for today.”

Duke Nigel clearly heard the nobles following him let out audible sighs of relief.

“And he has commanded that you gather again tomorrow morning.”

Something that should never have been allowed to happen was occurring. However, once Cayenne had awakened his imperial authority, there was no way to stop him.

Cayenne paced restlessly inside his quarters. Blake had sent word that the Council had been safely dismissed, but there was a far more important matter at hand now.

“Your Majesty, please do not worry so much,” Emma said softly, offering him warm tea.

“I cannot be at ease until the carrier pigeon sent to the Holy See returns,” Cayenne sighed.

Why did he have to go through such hardships just to reclaim Alicia, who was already his wife? He swore that if he met his past self, he would slap that man’s cheeks repeatedly.

“The mourning period did indeed exist.”

“Yes, it did.”

Emma’s memory was accurate. In July, while Cayenne was in the midst of battle in Rubeo, the Holy See had commanded all believers to observe a period of rest and recuperation. The reason given was that a high-ranking Archbishop had passed away on a Saint’s day, and the aging Pope had heard the voice of God, a nonsensical reason, but that did not matter now.

“To think the day would come when I would rely on the Holy See.”

Cayenne had never cared for such useless mourning periods, but now he found himself seeking help from the very empty formalities he had once despised. Then again, what did it matter? Right now, he would accept help even from a demon if it meant not losing Alicia.

“If we calculate this mourning period or whatever it is, how long is our marriage vow valid for?”

His anxiety caused him to ask the same question repeatedly.

“It is valid until one week from today.”

The timing was truly exquisite. When the Holy See declared a mourning period, no one could receive sacraments or marry, and festivals or parties were implicitly forbidden. According to doctrine, even married couples were supposed to keep their distance, practice temperance in food, and purify their bodies and minds.

“Yes. According to precedent, our Imperial Family has also postponed celebrations during the Holy See’s mourning periods. Several times, in fact.”

Of course, precedent alone could not move the situation. Thus, Cayenne had offered several attractive conditions to the Pope. Though it left a bitter taste in his mouth, he had no choice but to endure everything for now.

“With all due respect, as there has never been such a case, the key is how we apply this to the laws of the Empire and the Palace.”

The Minister of Rites, faced with an unexpected task in his old age, bowed his head to the Emperor. In a palace where the Emperor had not returned, the Ministry of Rites had been a minor post, and fortunately, it was a seat Duke Nigel had not bothered to covet.

“If we consider that the national wedding was not properly concluded, the two of you are technically still in the middle of the marriage rites. However, during a mourning period, those rites must stop.”

The Minister of Rites was politically neutral but was a man of great sentiment. Seeing the Emperor, who was around the same age as his own grandson, at risk of losing his wife, he felt pity and found himself taking the Emperor’s side.

“Then, it is only right that the validity of the marriage vow be extended by the length of the mourning period that was halted. Your Majesty intended to continue the marriage rites, but they were stopped because of the mourning period.”

In truth, logic was not the most important factor in such matters. What could resolve this issue was the Emperor’s powerful will; it was not a simple marriage problem but a war with the existing capital nobility.

“Upon checking again, I realized that I, this old man, accidentally omitted Your Majesty’s letter. You clearly commanded in July that the marriage rites be continued. I am deeply sorry.”

The moment Cayenne heard those words, he felt a sense of relief somewhere in his chest.

“After the mourning period ended, I understand there were many events on the battlefields of Rubeo. After that, Her Majesty the Empress suffered from a high fever, making it impossible to continue the marriage rites.”

It was exactly the answer he wanted.

“And since Your Majesty was aware that the validity of the marriage vow remained due to the mourning period, this appears to be merely a misunderstanding by the Council.”

It was a truly absurd sophistry, but if Duke Nigel intended to steal his wife, Cayenne was prepared to be just as despicable. Since his opponent had tried to snatch away his precious person to threaten him after feeling a crisis in his power, this was already a war.

“I can argue against them somehow, but for that, I need confirmation from the Holy See.”

Cayenne cut off his thoughts and stared blankly out the window. Despite having spent his life on battlefields, he had never waited so desperately for a carrier pigeon even in the most urgent situations. His heart was no longer his own.

“The Empress must be worried as well. Are you truly not going to inform her?”

“I must receive a definite answer from the Holy See. It would be a disaster to give her false hope only to fail and hurt her heart.”

“Yes, that is true.”

It was a new realization for Emma, but she was both surprised and delighted to see Cayenne so naturally considering the heart and emotions of another.

“The Holy See is not far, so the carrier pigeon should return within the day.”

“I suppose so. No, it must.”

Out of unnecessary worry, Cayenne had sent five of the finest carrier pigeons. All contained the same message. He had even shown great respect to the Pope in the letter, making it obvious how anxious he was.

“Your Majesty, if the reply from the Holy See is positive, what will you do?”

When Emma asked the obvious question, Cayenne suddenly stopped like a broken doll.

“Pardon?”

“If the Holy See agrees, your marriage vow is valid until next week. Practically speaking, it is the final chance for your marriage to be maintained.”

Cayenne blinked in silence. He had jumped into the fray without hesitation at the thought of losing Alicia, but he had not yet had the chance to think about what came next.

“There is still an Archbishop in the palace with the authority of the Pope’s representative.”

The Archbishop Emma had summoned in anticipation was still staying in the palace at Cayenne’s command. In other words, if the Holy See gave a definite answer and that Archbishop presided over the final rite of the wedding, the two could consummate the marriage.

“I”

Cayenne had already given all decision-making power regarding their relationship to Alicia. Given his upright nature, no matter how urgent the situation, he could not take back what he had once given.

“First, once I receive a definite answer from the Holy See, I must meet the Empress.”

This meant the first night was still on hold. As an observer, Emma felt frustrated, but it was their private business, so she found it difficult to interfere.

“Your Majesty, in truth, the Empress’s palace is a place where not just anyone can approach. If you go while avoiding the eyes of others, no one will know.”

This was the extent of the advice Emma could offer. However, Cayenne shook his head firmly.

“I do not care about the claim that our marriage vow is void, or even the terrible talk that our meeting now would be an illicit affair.”

“Then”

“But if there is even a speck of doubt cast upon the honor and nobility of the Empress, I can wait.”

It was frustrating, but Cayenne was this kind of man. And if he were to break his principles, even if he could solve the problem immediately, it would weigh on his heart forever.

“I was a truly indifferent and bad husband to the Empress.”

Emma had not expected the day to come when Cayenne would realize this for himself. No one would have.

“So, from now on at least, I want to be an honorable and legitimate husband to her.”

In his heart, Alicia was still his only wife. No matter what the world said, or how the Pope replied, that fact would not change.