Chapter 7: Law of Succession

Chapter 7: Law of Succession

Hi, its the Emperor. Im still a puppet today.

Various people have been incessantly trying to indoctrinate me with things that are convenient for their factions since the funeral, and Ive come to understand a lot more.

Brainwashing can be a great way to learn if you can think for yourself. Thanks for all the information.

First, why am I the Emperor (puppet)? I had a hard time getting this information because no one wanted to talk about it.

The Emperor before me was my grandfather, Edward IV. He had only one son; my father, the former Crown Prince, Jean. He was killed in battle when he was commanding the front line. The Emperor died from grief when he had heard that his only son had been killed.

Are you kidding me? He was definitely assassinated.

Thus, in the midst of the confusion caused by the Emperors vacancy despite it being wartime, a miraculous peace was created under the leadership of Lord Aquicurl and Lord Raul. Only the political opponents of the two ceased to be

But those two arent allies or friends; their goal just happened to match temporarily. The two immediately began scheming to enthrone someone who would be convenient for them both, but there was a reason why they didnt start political strife right away. Yes, it was because of me.

To be precise, they werent sure if the child in the belly of the former-Crown Princes wife was a girl or a boy. I dont know much about the laws of succession in this empire yet, but it seems that only direct male descendants are definitely given the highest priority.

Then, a boy was born and the other heirs who the Chancellor and Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies were trying to enthrone were killed, by their own hands.

That way, only those two would have the power in this empire, and of course, what followed was political strife between the two.

Seriously, what the hell are they doing?

Now the question is why didnt the two cause civil war?

One of the reasons is because of the difference in their military strength. Lord Rauls faction has nearly half of the empire under its influence, and they also apparently have the most advanced military region in the empire. Lord Aquicurl would have no chance in a war. I dont know how he feels about Lord Raul being the most powerful man in the empire, but he allows him to be.

Another reason why they dont cause civil war is because theres a good chance that the next emperor will be Lord Aquicurl. This is determined by the law of succession in this empire, and it seems that even Lord Raul cant disregard this. He had killed someone who had an even higher place in the order of succession than Lord Aquicurl. If I were to be assassinated during wartime, then he would become a mere traitor. As long as justice is on Lord Aquicurls side, there may be defectors from Lord Rauls faction. Therefore, Lord Raul had no choice but to overlook the fact that Lord Aquicurl is number two in this empire.

Its simple why Lord Aquicurl doesnt kill me, because the Empress Dowager is his own daughter. He would bear the stigma of being his grandsons killer if he were to assassinate me. Even though he was the closest in terms of succession, it was hard to believe that the aristocrats would support the enthronement of someone with such a stigma.

But thats as long as I stay neutral. If I leaned towards one side or the other, then the other one would use force no matter what.

Well, in brief, Ive been able to survive because Im the perfect balance between the two.

Now, theres been a big chance recently. That old hag has finally come out in public. Apparently, she felt a sense of crisis after I was politicized at the funeral.

Too late.

Well, I would love to see the two factions crush each other, and itll probably create an opportunity for me to escape.

The first thing she said to me when she started to come see me was, Its disrespectful for a maid to talk without the Emperors permission. As a result, the maids wouldnt answer unless I spoke to them first, and they began to feel distant.

Well, I guess shes afraid that Id get attached to the maids and ignore my own mother. I can understand that.

But I hate you.

Mother came into my room again today and the first thing she said was, Your Majesty. You cant trust Lord Raul. Hes definitely planning to do something bad.

Its annoying to pretend to be a pure and innocent child.

Naturally, I reply like a stupid child, Mother, who is Lord Raul?

She means the Chancellor, right? I know.

Its the man who is called the Chancellor. That man intends to take over this empire.

Really?

I thought he wasnt going to touch me at the moment.

Yes. That man married his own son to your aunt without permission. That is unacceptable despotism.

Hmm? Hold on, Father has a sister and shes alive? Ive never heard about this before. Id like to know more about this.

I have an aunt?! I didnt know that

Yes, your father has two sisters. One of them is now the Queen of another nation, and the other was forced into marriage by Lord Raul. Im sure hes trying to dethrone you.

I tilted my head in confusion, pretending not to understand her. Dont act unnecessarily.

That man is trying to make your aunt the next empress.

So, Aunt is going to be the next empress after me?

The old hag? Shes been ignoring the rules because shes my mother. She will probably be insulted through politics tomorrow.

There is someone here to see you, would you like to meet him?

Give me the name.

Okay, let him come in.

Well, since hes not saying his name, its probably

Your Majesty, this is Karl.

the Chancellor.

Now, take a deep, deep breath

HELCK, HES TRYING TO KILL ME!!

Shouting is tiring.

Ah, Im talking in first person? When Im with the old hag I call myself I[1]boku and I use I[2]yo at other times.

Im trying my best to act like the ideal Emperor (good puppet) like Ive been taught at a young age, but I let my guard down when Im in front of Mother and act like a child is how I decided I would act.

I normally use I[3]boku anyway.

Your Majesty, please may I have a word with you?

NO!! WHYD YOU LET HIM IN!?!?

Well, Helck let him in because I told him to.

Your Majesty, thats a misunderstanding.

Oh? You spoke even though I didnt speak to you or give you permission to speak.

I dont believe you! MOTHER TOLD ME!! She told me that youre trying to kill me.

Your Majesty, thats all a misunderstanding. My son and Lady Mary are only engaged to be married. Another kingdom cant take over the Empire if Lady Mary were to marry into another kingdom, so as Chancellor, I acted out of concern for this Empire. Of course, they wont have their marriage ceremony until you get married.

Werent you thinking of enthroning my aunt instead of me? Whether shes engaged or married to your son, youre going to be her guardian, so you will hold the real power and be the sole winner. If you kill me, you can hold the ceremony straight away by saying its for the Empire.

I wont be fooled. Ill act like I am though since Im a baby!

Anyway, when did I bring that up?

Helck. You were eavesdropping when that old hag came, werent you? So, youre pretending to be in the neutral faction when youre really in the Chancellors faction, arent you?

Ah, I see. You get less bribes and wont be able to enjoy yourself as much if the Regent comes here again and again without going through you since Lord Aquicurl and those in the Regent faction can come see me through the Empress Dowager. He must have requested that the Regent and I be prevented from contacting each other for a while in exchange for giving the Chancellor information first.

So, will he criticise the Empress Dowager after this?

Your Majesty, your mother is trying to take advantage of you! You cant let her deceive you. Dont forget that she had a child with her lover without ever seeing you!

Why are you yelling at me? Oh, I see. Children shrivel up when theyre yelled at, right? Then, Ill pretend to be scared.

But, but Mother said she loves me

Your mother is currently having a tryst with her lover. Do you want to go and see?

How sad that I have to do that.

Okay. I understand. Ill believe you.

Haha. Thank you, Im most grateful for that.

Ill make sure you know Im weak.

Are you on my side?

Oh Your Majesty, this is so sad. Of course, I am. This Karl will always be on your side.

Liar. Look whos talking.

The Regent didnt come to my room for a while after that. Well, I guess she was criticised.

Instead, two more maids from the Regent faction were attached to me.

Politics.