Chapter 101

“Marquis Roxias.”

Count Schenberg called the noble who was most persistent in investigating the allegations about Peter. The one whose name was called frowned as he turned and saw him. So did the other nobles who were by his side.

“Count Schenberg? Why are you here?”

“It shouldn’t be surprising to see the deputy come to see His Majesty.”

Count Schenberg strode towards him.

“Are you here to see His Majesty?”

“That’s correct.”

The eyes staring at him were cold. He seemed to be aware of the fact that Count Hopewell’s rebellion became possible because of his private soldiers that were trained in the South.

As he could not escape his responsibilities as a descendant of the former southern royal family, he was willing to endure it, regardless if it is never revealed that he was not connected to the rebellion. Therefore, there was nothing more to be bothered about.

“You’ll probably have to wait a while. His Majesty went hunting with Viscount Geisel last night.”

“Hunting? With Viscount Geisel?”

“Yes. He must have gone there because he was tired from taking care of the empire’s affairs and needed some air. Still, I heard that after riding his horse and spending time in the bath, he was rejuvenated.”

“Did His Majesty go to the baths with Viscount Geisel?”

Viscount Geisel was one of the emperor’s deputies and had a bad relationship with Count Schenberg. Marquis Roxias, who was well aware of this, asked without suspicion. Count Schenberg nodded his head casually. His words popped out first, without even thinking of correcting him.

“That’s right. His Majesty allowed it.”

The other nobles murmured in response to his clear answer. Often in the past, emperors allowed their attendants to use the baths in the imperial palace whenever they returned from hunting. However, the current emperor was never like that since his days as the Crown Prince, and this had become evidence to support the recent suspicions about his gender. However, the nobles’ eyes widened when they heard that there was someone who even shared a bath with him.

“Was there nothing strange?”

“What do you mean?”

“Even the Count doesn’t know. So, His Majesty…”

“Ah. Well, there was something strange. I have to be careful talking about this, but from what I’ve heard…….”

“Yes, careful about what?”

Count Schenberg looked around him and lowered his voice, while Marquis Roxias listened impatiently. The other nobles, who were confused, also waited for Count Schenberg’s words with interest.

“I heard that he couldn’t understand how he could be so ‘disinterested’ when he has such a sizable ‘lower body’. As expected of someone who has been taught imperial studies since childhood, he has a detached attitude in everything.”

“……It’s huge? Is that true?”

“Yes, of course. I was so envious just hearing about it.”

When he answered with a mixture of regret, the noblemen looked at the other with reproach.

“See. Didn’t I tell you it was nonsense?”

“What if we get implicated by your useless talk of the past?”

Marquis Roxias coughed awkwardly.

“I simply mentioned it because it was a serious matter, so I thought it was better to verify it accurately.”

“Oh, everyone. Please pretend you didn’t hear what I just said.”

Count Schenberg quickly interjected.

“His Majesty is virtuous, and he doesn’t want anything about him leaking out. As a matter of fact, I also heard that Viscount Geisel made a mistake and asked him about it, still, he was so magnanimous even after the discourtesy.”

“Yes, I see.”

Marquis Roxias nodded his head a little unwillingly. However, the other nobles exchanged glances with each other in response. Sooner or later, rumors about the emperor’s enormous member will be spreading both inside and outside the imperial palace.

‘That should be enough.’

There were many people who were interested in gossip within the court regardless of their status. Men’s mouths tended to be light, so it should work quite well.

“Marquis of Roxias.”

Then they heard a familiar voice. Count Schenberg looked behind him quickly. Golden eyes filled with unknown emotions met his gaze head-on.

Their eyes met for a moment, but that moment felt like a long time. He felt a chill so intense that the fine hairs all over his body rose up in front of the eyes that seemed to pierce him.

Count Schenberg quickly lowered his gaze, bowed his head, and stood aside.

“Your Majesty, how did you get down here?”

Marquis Roxias, who had just been loudly talking, skeptical of the emperor, asked flawlessly.

“I ask for your understanding. I would like to postpone our meeting.”

“O-Oh. Yes, I heard you were tired. Then let’s do that. Please rest assured, we’ve already prepared for the meeting.”

“Thank you.”

Peter turned around. But after taking a few steps, he stopped.

“Count Schenberg, what are you doing?”

“Pardon?”

At the words addressed to him, Count Schenberg asked blankly. The emperor’s fine brows furrowed slightly.

“How can you be called the emperor’s deputy while neglecting government affairs so much?”

“Oh…… My apologies, Your Majesty.”

He hurriedly followed Peter as he walked without hesitation.

“Everyone leave.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As soon as she entered the office, Peter asked the attendants to leave. Soon, the two faced each other in an office filled only with silence.

“Why did you ask for an audience?”

After some time, Peter broke the silence first and asked.

“I must have told you not to enter the Imperial Palace until I called for you first.”

“I have something to tell you.”

“Then why did you meet Marquis Roxias and talk nonsense instead of waiting as the attendant told you?”

“…….”

You heard.

Count Schenberg wanted to bite his tongue. Peter asked with cold eyes directed towards him who could not easily answer.

“Answer me, Kieran Schenberg.”

“……As your deputy, I just wanted to help Your Majesty.”

“Would a person claiming to help me leave their workplace without permission and act alone?”

Count Schenberg, hearing the sharp voice, firmed his resolve and pulled out the letter of resignation in his arms. He said, offering it with both hands.

“Please forgive me. Whatever punishment Your Majesty may impose, I will accept.”

“……Ha.”

Peter’s lips trembled slightly as she looked down at the resignation letter.

“Is that all you have to say?”

“……Your Majesty.”

“Don’t you have an excuse for tricking me and trying to stick a knife in my back!”

This was not the Peter who always maintained her calm attitude as the successor. Seeing her face glaring at him with her flaming golden eyes was unfamiliar.

“And you’re going to leave and run away? Are you going to escape and hide in the South again? Seizing my lifeline and waving it?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

Schenberg knelt down and said.

“How dare I try to serve you further, Your Majesty? I was just trying to plead my guilt, albeit belatedly. Whether it’s my position as deputy or a count, even if they’re taken away, I have no qualms. I was the one who raised the soldiers, hence I will take responsibility.”

He was sincere.

His purpose for becoming the emperor’s deputy and trying to rebuild the dynasty had long since been lost. The emperor, Peter Trivellian, that Count Schenberg served was a different leader than he had ever imagined.

He would rule the subjugated territories with the same system as the mainland and would not discriminate against their people. He prioritized inclusion, not submission.

If the emperors of the empire had implemented such a policy from the beginning, there would have been no need for the Schenbergs to waste more than a hundred years, nor did Kiana have to be left alone.

“I have no regrets since Your Majesty has promised the people of the South the right to self-govern. Please take action as you please.”

“Even if you die?”

“……If that’s what you wish, I will.”

He left his only family alone for too long. Before and after her death. Count Schenberg nodded his head as he answered lightly and bowed his head, thinking that it was time for him to go and be by her side. So he did not see Peter’s hands trembling and clenching into fists.

“Leave the palace.”

As he had expected, the order to leave came down. Despite having predicted the result, he could not stop the feeling of disappointment.

“You must take responsibility for your actions.”

A thick piece of paper fell on his lap. The emperor’s seal was stamped in red.

“This.”

“The title of the House of Schenberg shall be made Viscount, and you shall be appointed administrator of the newly established autonomous body in the South.”

If his title is demoted, the title cannot be passed down to his descendants. However, if he becomes the administrator of the autonomous region in the South, he will have the authority to directly examine and govern what happens in the entirety of the South, unlike when he was a simple count.

“With that, fulfill your duties and responsibilities.”

“……Your Majesty.”

“If you were born as a royal, don’t try to avoid it.”

That was what Grand Duke Walten once said. At the same time that he(Sch) thought that he was the same as his younger brother, indescribable emotions swirled within, and his eyes were filled with tears.

“……I will.”

In the end, the letter of appointment he received, eventually made him shed the tears he could no longer contain.

“If I were to be given one more chance…… If you put your trust in me, I will obey your command.”

Peter finally loosened her fists when she saw the appointment letter in his arms.

– “Did His Majesty go to the baths with Viscount Geisel?”

– “That’s right. His Majesty allowed it.”

She wanted to think that it was for the sake of Peter Trivellian, not the Emperor, whom he covered up for in front of the nobles.

Even though the position of the emperor was not one who should trust and rely on others…

She wanted to do it at least once. Although impulsively.

While there were a lot of people looking for a chance to stab a knife in her back, it was the first time that someone had protected her.

She didn’t want to lose it.

“This is your last chance.”

Peter said briefly. And turned her back like the emperor she was.

***

“Hello, Your Highness. How are the wedding preparations going?”

As Edith entered his office, she asked cheerfully.

“I heard that this is the first time you’re getting a new formal suit.”

“You know I didn’t call you here to discuss the wedding proceedings.”

As Alexis folded his arms and gestured with his chin, she grunted and sat down.

“I’m just asking, you know. I am still your pharmacist.”

“Since when did the pharmacist take over the maid’s job? It’s our second wedding, so there’s no need to make a fuss.”

“Her Highness the Grand Duchess, no, Lady Usmund seems to have a different opinion?”

“What?”

Alexis’ brows twitched. Obviously, Kathleen had said that she didn’t really care about weddings or anything like that. So the wedding was being prepared without pressure.

“I don’t think the poison is the problem with the Grand Duke.”

Edith sighed. 

***

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