The Reason I Made Her My Queen - Chapter 18

“Has she left?”

“Yes, as per Your Majesty’s command.”

“That prince from the other country is quite taken with his new consort. He’ll likely overlook minor matters.”

Today, a young consort from the rear palace was married off to another nation.

As a princess consort. As one who helped arrange this, I sincerely wish for her happiness. But that’s one matter, and this is another.

“Still, Your Majesty can be quite ruthless. Arranging for the consort to be married from the royal family rather than her ducal house.”

“Though it’s a small country, we shouldn’t underestimate it. This is far better than sending her as a duke’s daughter.”

“It is a resource-rich nation, after all.”

“Precisely. Her family was reluctant, though.”

“…Well, I can imagine why.”

The ducal house probably wanted her to bear the Emperor’s child and secure a firm position.

Well, that was never going to happen.

Houses with strong ambitions for power tend to have excessive pride. They enter the rear palace full of unwarranted confidence, yet not a single one has ever achieved their goals.

They’re all arrogance, showing disrespect even toward the Empress.

Most consorts are properly respectful, but some have terrible attitudes.

The consort who just left was particularly awful.

Being a duke’s daughter, she believed without doubt that she held the highest status in the rear palace. She thought she took precedence over everyone, even the Empress, and firmly believed she would become the next empress.

The future empress…

Well, it’s fine if she only thought it. No, actually it’s not fine but still better than saying it aloud.

Truthfully, many consorts in the rear palace think “I should be the one.” They just don’t voice it.

“This should bring some quiet to the rear palace for a while.”

“Let’s hope so.”

“Indeed. Well, I must return to my duties.”

“Oh,” the Emperor said, turning back as if remembering something.

“I plan to propose the abolition of the rear palace at the next council meeting. Understood?”

“As you wish.”

I bowed and took my leave from the Emperor’s presence.

So… the abolition of the rear palace.

If the rear palace is abolished, the consorts will be returned to their families.

The consorts are still young. They should find new marriages quickly.

The brand of being former imperial consorts will undoubtedly increase their value.

“…Perhaps it would be better to have the royal family facilitate their marriages? Or maybe the royal family should take the lead in finding them matches? That might be more appropriate.”

It would put both the consorts and their families in our debt.

For consorts who have been in the rear palace for years, that would be better.

“I wonder which option His Majesty would prefer?”

Well, abolishing the rear palace should take priority.

“Right, I should return to work too.”

I left the Emperor’s office and returned directly to my own.

The abolition of the rear palace is the Emperor’s decision.

There likely won’t be any opposition.

Her Majesty the Empress has several children.

If a consort were to bear a child carelessly, it could become a source of conflict.

Better before any succession disputes arise.

Better before any factions grow stronger.

I must begin preparations.