Chapter 43: The Empress

"I come to see His Majesty the Emperor…"

But this time I couldn't go in shouting loudly.

It was not only the emperor who was waiting in the office.

A woman in her 30s with impressive, luscious blonde hair. The Empress shook her teacup slightly with a smile.

As befitting the queen of an empire, she had a dazzlingly beautiful appearance.

But I could see the madness hidden in her eyes.

'She is a true madman with clear eyes. I can tell just by looking at her eyes.'

If the emperor is a madman, how can the empress be normal?

'What are your thinking? Come to your senses!'

In front of the mad emperor.

I couldn't even imagine what kind of strange noises would come back if I showed even the slightest sign of disarray.

I said it as politely as I could.

"It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty."

"How have you been, cousin?"

"Everyone is like Hahae, thanks to your surname. I just put a spoon on the already prepared food."

"Hahaha! Your flattery has increased while I wasn't looking."

Emperor Charon burst into laughter.

The frosty atmosphere was no different than before.

But today, for some reason, it felt a bit softer.

Roughly speaking, how different is it from before?

It's like the hair on the tip of an ant's toe.

It was such a tiny change, it was ridiculous, but I could feel it. Is it because my senses have become sharper?

"I heard that the praise for Carriers is sky-high these days. Your face looks really good."

"…"

I stopped for a moment at the Empress's voice.

This was a tone that made it hard to tell whether it was a compliment or sarcasm.

Isn't the word heaven usually used to refer to the emperor?

My praise reached such a place? It sounded like he was trying to criticize me by saying I was plotting treason.

'No, what did I do?'

I was just selling good stuff at a cheap price, so why are you doing this?

Moreover, it is said that the best quality was even given as a gift to the emperor.

Actually, in some ways, it could have been just my own delusion of persecution.

But isn't the empress the woman who reached the top in the imperial family, where all kinds of intrigues were rife?

I had to give the most flawless answer possible.

"How can that be a compliment to me? It happened on the land you gave me, and it is all thanks to Your Majesty the Emperor's grace."

"Hohoho! How wonderful to have such an idea!"

As expected, the empress's reaction was indifferent.

Even though it was just for a moment, an expression that seemed to suggest something was wrong crossed her mind.

Wait a minute, isn't that what you were secretly telling me a little while ago?

'Wow! She was a scary woman.'

I swallowed dryly, feeling goosebumps rise up my spine.

Then, Emperor Charon, who had been quiet, opened his mouth with a smirk.

"Yes. I received the gift. You sent me something quite interesting."

"I tried to select the best items possible, but I'm not sure if you'll like them."

"It's okay. It'll be perfect for use as a toilet bowl."

"…"

This guy was also the same, and I couldn't tell if it was a compliment or an insult.

But when I saw that serious expression on his face, I wondered if he was really that kind of person. Anyway, it seemed like he liked the gift I gave him.

Even though it's just a bowl, he's going to use it anyway.

Well, I guess that guy has gold dust mixed in his urine. It has to be at least that good for a liquid to be suitable for the listener.

'Now, why don't you reveal your true feelings? Why did you call me?'

In fact, what I've said so far has meant nothing. I wonder if I'm having second thoughts or something, other than what I just said. I tried to slyly change the subject and elicit an answer.

"Thanks to the escort you sent, I have more room to move."

"You were ambushed by a group of bandits, so I can't just sit back and watch. He probably be quite useful. I personally selected him. Besides, if you get killed by a sword, won't you just arouse unnecessary suspicion?"

There was a blade hidden in the words spoken with a single smile. At the same time, it implies that he can kill me whenever necessary.

I continued to answer, keeping my tension in check.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. But for some reason, you seem to have a halo around you today. Did something good happen?"

"Are you planning on playing fortune teller now? I haven't even said anything yet, but you're so right."

"Ha, haha! Doesn't that mean you care about His Majesty… no, you revere His Majesty?"

It was honestly a bit dangerous just now.

I almost blurted out that I was very interested.

This can be interpreted in several ways.

It's like coveting the throne of the emperor.

Fortunately, it wasn't a big problem because it was corrected quickly. The Empress also just looked on as if she found it amusing.

"That's good news. News of victory has arrived." Sёarch* The Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"What region are you speaking from?"

The empire was almost always at war.

Because the borders will be stabilized only when neighboring countries are subjugated and made into vassal states.

Abel Carriers' activities in the North were in the same context. Emperor Charon said with a satisfied smile.

"It's the West. I heard it's finally been completely pacified."

"Ah, I apologize. The Western Desert Tribes have always been a pain in the ass."

"So that's what I'm saying."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Seeing you governing the Midias region, I feel certain."

For a moment, I felt that the atmosphere was ominous. This was because the emperor's voice suddenly became gentle.

As I was looking into those maddening eyes with an anxious expression, a command came down like a bolt from the blue.

"You should go to the West. There's a governor's position opening up."

No, what is this crazy guy talking about?