Chapter 2. So I became an Emperor (2).
Edwin, despite being surprised, nodded and agreed with me.
“Well, you’re old enough to marry. All right. Leave it to this brother.”
Sure, sure.
Twenty-four is the time to get married. Although I avoided it under the pretext of being busy working as the Countess, I was actually not interested in marriage. It’s the same as now that I don’t really like that idea, but it’s not the right time to think about it.
For now, I’ll take in an Emperor Consort, and add three concubines one by one…
No, wait. Did he just tell me to entrust it to him?
I looked up and saw Edwin pondering about something with a face burning with enthusiasm. I calmed down my anxious heart and asked carefully.
“Eddy? What do you mean by, ‘Leave it to me’?”
“I’ll find a man who suits you! To become my sister’s partner, he should be at least the strongest in the continent. Okay, I’ll make a list right away, and meet them in person to check their skills.”
“What?”
“There is a famous knight in the Soltaire Empire. I will see him first.”
“What bullshit are you talking about, Eddy? Why would you go all the way to Soltaire to find my husband? I’m in a hurry.”
“Oh, no foreigners, sister?”
“No, if he’s good at work, nationality doesn’t matter. But, that’s not the problem, he doesn’t need to be the strongest in the continent.”
“Then, we’ll have to look within the Seven Hills Empire. Hmm, there are a few people that come to mind…”
“You bastard, listen to me!”
I threw a grape towards Edwin, who was rambling endlessly.
Edwin, who is known as the best knight in the empire, showed off his quick reflexes and ate the grape this time as well. I filled his mouth with grapes and snapped at him before he could say anything.
“Listen, Eddy. I need someone who understands what I say, who listens well, who does what I told him to do, who is healthy and is trustworthy. Okay?”
“Well, then. If that’s what it takes to be my sister’s husband.”
Edwin nodded with a serious look and got up.
“Don’t worry, I’ll prepare your wedding.”
“No, Eddy. I feel uneasy about this. I will take care of it myself.”
“You said you were busy. Don’t worry, don’t worry.”
Waving gently, Edwin went out of the office.
I should have ordered him to be caught, tied to a bed, and be watched to prevent future accidents, but I missed the timing because Caleb, who will be appointed as chief secretary tomorrow, came in with a pile of documents.
And again, I forgot about the paperwork.
The next day, an official notice was posted across the Seven Hills Empire announcing the hosting of a National Tournament.
I yelled at the former butler, who was now the grand chamberlain, to get Edwin right away, only to be told that he had left the palace early in the morning saying he was going to see my husband.
And, he didn’t come back for over a week.2
The empire was very engrossed with the tournament, and I held my aching head as I struggled again through the mountains of documents.
By the time I started to think that it doesn’t matter if he can read or write the imperial language or even be the strongest or whatever, my brother came back.
Then, the registration for the participants of the national tournament began.
***
Caleb put the papers down in front of me.
Browsing through the tax-related documents, I looked up at him and his gentle brown eyes, like that of a baby deer, stared down at me.
“Caleb. I told you not to be scared.”
“T-thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”
“What kind of nonsense. Is this it?”
“Yes, this is the list of participants of the tournament.”
“Why is there so many?”
“A total of 178 people.”
I knew this would be the case, but it was good news that there were 178 candidates. I’m sure there is one or two of them worth using.
I was motivated to read the list.
“Every noble family in the empire was listed down in this document. What’s this? Even Count Gefantra’s name is here. Doesn’t he have a wife?”
“She passed away not too long ago.”
“Still, isn’t he over 40 years old?”
“He’s not in his 40s. He’s already 52.”
“Is he crazy?”
Unbelievable. I looked at Caleb and he trembled as if he had done something wrong. The new chief secretary, who was recently promoted, is very good at his job but he is too scared.
Do I look like I will eat him? He’s always shaking like that.
As I lowered my head again, Caleb’s explanation came.
“I think they thought that if they didn’t participate in the tournament, you might get suspicious of their loyalty.”
“Having a 52-year-old Count, who wants to be my husband, is a question of loyalty?”
“I don’t think there was a son in his marriage.”
If he doesn’t have one, then…
Edwin, you rascal. I have this large amount of work for no reason at all. While kicking my tongue, I scanned through the list and found an unexpected name.
“Dalton Pagos? The Pagos in the East also participated?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. The second son of Duke Pagos signed up.”
“The duke doesn’t recognize my ascension, and he’s doing this nasty thing?”
“The rest of the Duchies also participated.”
“Is that so?”
Flipping the papers, I ran through the names. Caleb’s words were true.
Pagos in the East, Delmoy in the South. Skya in the West, Dehart in the North. Everyone was on the list.
Things are getting interesting.
If the dukes joined forces and raised an army, it will be very disadvantageous for me, who has not yet established a firm position.
Edwin will lead the Imperial Army against them, but it will be a tough fight regardless of who will win or lose. And I had no intention of letting my brother do such a dangerous thing.
I was going to keep each other on check and try to coax them, but I can use this tournament as an opportunity.
Such nasty things. You don’t want to recognize me as the emperor, but you want to prevent other families to be the emperor consort?
“Caleb, tell me about the duchies’ participants.”
“Dalton Pagos is recognized as the strongest knight in the East. He is 23 years old. He is the second son but is trusted to become the duke and is known for his leadership. He’s a bit impatient.”
“Next.”
“Japheth Delmoy, 26, is a brilliant man who demonstrated excellent swordsmanship at the Imperial Academy. There are rumors that he has aura, but it has not been confirmed.”
“No, not those. Whether he has experience in managing an estate or is he excellent in economics or politics. Is there anyone with the ability like that?”
You can’t even use aura in cutting fruits. I need a reliable husband who can take care of my work.1
Caleb’s eyes trembled and lowered his head.
“They will have to deal with Sir Edwin, so I’ve mainly chose candidates who have excellent swordsmanship skills.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? Why are they dealing with Eddy?”
“Your Majesty didn’t know? The winner of the tournament will be chosen by having a match against Sir Edwin.”
“What? How can they beat Edwin? Isn’t he the best swordsman in the empire?”
“That’s why everyone is interested in participating…”
Edwin, that bastard? I told you it was urgent.
As I promised I would break that child’s legs and chain him to a chair, I put down the papers.1
I need someone who uses brains, not swords.
With a sigh, I looked at Caleb and nudged my chief secretary whom I favored quite a bit.
“Caleb. Do you want to be the Emperor Consort?”2
“Yes?”
“Why don’t you also join the tournament? You said you know how to handle a sword.”
“Well, I want to live, Your Majesty. I will need to be lucky enough to reach the final if Sir Edwin is there.”
“Oh, don’t worry about him. I will tie him up so he can’t make a fool of himself.”1
I smiled and assured Caleb. His light brown eyes shook and answered in a quivering voice.
“But it’s still too much, Your Majesty.”
“Why? You’re good at your work.”
“The Duke of Dehart is there. Everybody’s expecting him to be on the final round.”
“Why him?”
“With all due respect, Your Majesty, but have you not heard of him being called the ‘Monster of the North’?”
“That’s an exaggeration.”
“But I can’t do it, it’s too much for me. I will assist Your Majesty as the chief secretary.”
“…really? Even if you ran away, I will catch you?”
“I won’t run away.”
After I asked Caleb to write a memorandum, I recalled Haven Dehart in my memory. I’ve seen him once in my past life. He was a good-looking man, far from being a monster.
The people of Dehart family are famous for not leaving the North. Why did the Duke think of becoming my consort?
No, maybe it’s just an arrangement. Dehart might not have a young man to send instead. Just like the brazen Count, who said he had no son and participated himself.
It’s not bad if it’s Duke Dehart.
The basics must be solid, since he ruled the duchy, and if I marry him, it will be difficult for the other three dukes to move recklessly.
It was a good idea.
One of the figures of the four duchies can be selected as the Emperor Consort to prevent civil war, and the courtiers who are good at work can be selected as concubines. Caleb, who is working hard on the documents, would be the top priority.
I felt better and got up from my seat. Caleb raised his head and asked.
“Your Majesty, where are you going?”
“To break Eddy’s leg.”
“Yes?”
“You’re just writing a memorandum. Don’t forget to put your signature on it.”
I left the main palace and searched for Eddy, leaving Caleb nodding absentmindedly.