Chapter 44

With the hunting festival as the starting point, there was a commotion outside the palace.

 

After all, the Emperor was finally holding a woman in his arms for the first time in ten years.

 

Because for the first time in ten years, the Emperor appeared with a woman in his arms.

 

As he was known either for being a p***sless man or gay emperor, the rumor regarding his appearance with Edith at the hunting festival spread in an instant.

 

Now everyone in the capital had known about the rumor involving the Emperor and Edith.

 

Merchants in the market also said to the customers that they met, “What if His Majesty has an eye on Concubine Edith?”

 

It was no different with the nobles, as they gathered at social events and began to speak with each other, “His Majesty must have come to gain interest in women.”

 

The end of the talk about the rumor that had distended bit by bit always said, “I wonder if Her Majesty the Empress will be going to sit down and just watch?”

 

That was probably because of the position she had kept for ten years.

 

People thought that the reason why Viester, who was said to be the Emperor’s lover before, couldn’t snatch the Empress’ seat as he was a man.

 

And then, suddenly a woman, whose former title was also a princess, appeared.

 

“The Empress will not let it slide.”

 

“Will not let it slide? Is Her Majesty going to get rid of Concubine Edith?”

 

“Of course, after all she’s supposed to do that! If I were her, my inside would be burning in anger and I wouldn’t let the rice go into my mouth! If he cheated on his great wife, he should be punished!”

 

“Great wife…? Her Majesty the Empress works hard on state affairs, but ….”

 

“….”

 

The merchant’s raised voice as he spoke for Josephine was silent.

 

There was only one reason why the public couldn’t agree.

 

“She was his brother’s fiancee….”

 

Josephine was the fiancee of his brother, Onderon’s fiancee, until just before she married Carmun.

 

She was in a hurry to marry him as early as possible because she didn’t know the Emperor would die when Idelberg was constantly at war.

 

The reason Carmun was able to ascend the throne and get married was because he was not the crown prince.

 

His younger brother, Onderon, the crown prince and the successor of the country.

 

The people of his country still have not forgotten the rebellion that led to the sudden marriage of him and Josephine, the daughter of Duke Torre who helped the rebellion.

 

People remembered that day as ‘Rebellion Day’ and no one ever brought it up, but it was imprinted in their minds and they refused to leave the memories of that day behind.

 

“What, according to the grade?”

 

Viester, who came to see him after the regular assembly, asked with a glum look.

 

It was not a lie when he said that Viester was competent when it comes to the meeting-related matters even though they have a lot of things to discuss first.

 

“Is that a difference in rank?” What do you mean, the later you go, the more budget you’ll increase? Do you think other concubines would stay still if they knew? I’m sure they’ll stir-fry it.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t stir-fry it.”

Carmen smiled and patted Biesta on the shoulder.

 

“According to the grade, is it true? The lower their ranks are, the bigger their budgets are? Do you think other concubines would keep still when they find out about it? She will surely be harassed by them.”

 

“They won’t get annoyed, don’t worry.”

 

“It’s a problem because I’m the one who will be harassed!”

 

Viester frowned and looked at Carmun, who suddenly acted unexpectedly but didn’t intend to change his mind, with a wry face.

 

What grade is he talking about? Isn’t this simply a discrimination?

 

Viester pressed on his forehead as his head hurt thinking of when other concubines found out about this and pestered him excessively.

 

At the same time, Carmun had a faint smile with a hint of satisfaction lingered on his lips, he wondered what made him seem pleased.

 

He looked so happy for the first time in a long time that he couldn’t even hide it.

 

For the life of him, the discussion they had earlier in today’s meeting bothered him.

 

The fact that he had increased the budget for the concubine from the lowest rank, Concubine Edith, seemed to be the reason why he felt great.

 

“…How about at night?”

 

Viester’s voice spread through the hallway leading to the office.

 

“…I’m sure anyone would misunderstand if they heard you.”

 

“… Does everything sound that way? Why in the world are you fretting about how they could not see you and me as lovers? Do you really like me?”

 

“That’s nonsense.”

 

Carmun replied sternly with contorted eyebrows.

 

“So, what is exactly your problem?”

 

Looking at his sad expression, it seemed that Viester also hated it.

 

“Have I not told you?”

 

Carmun kept walking without stopping his pace.

 

Viester was on his heels, waiting for the words to come out of his mouth.

 

“….”

 

“Whenever you pretend to be either my lover or indulge in an intimate relationship with me, I can keep Josephine away.”

 

The Emperor was obligated to keep Josephine away for no solid reason.

 

Obviously, having an heir to carry on the imperial throne would be a serious matter.

 

However, it was funny enough that he even pretended to be gay, pretending that love has gone and that made him able to escape from his duty for a while.

 

Even he was happy that people took pity on him and didn’t press him about it, and as he postponed it just like that, ten years passed.

 

“I’ve buttoned up the wrong one from the start. I didn’t even realize it until ten years passed by.”

 

“….”

 

“Would you rather put it back in the wrong place again, or just tore it off and put on new clothing?”

 

They finally arrived in front of the office, Carmun opened the door and answered in a calm manner.

 

“I’m just waiting for that button to pop off by itself.”

 

If Josephine had heard them, she would have thrown a fit, but Carmun had no intention of taking the plunge.

 

To start off, he was planning to not accept Duke Torre’s suggestion.

 

‘Even though there were other reasons…’

 

It just took him a long time to realize that the reason was wrong.

 

It’s time to take it back.

 

“Then are you going to set Concubine Edith for that position?”

 

Why does he suddenly mention her name?

 

Viester’s expression was grim from the moment he subtly said that he would break off the marriage with Josephine.

 

As soon as they entered the office, he couldn’t hide his shaking eyes and exclaimed.

 

“There’s no way it will happen!”

 

Carmun tilted his head in Viester’s stern manner.

 

“What?”

 

He knew this discussion would end if he said he didn’t consider it, but he wanted to know why the man reacted so firmly.

 

Viester contemplated for a moment to answer.

 

“Well.”

 

“Can’t you remember how much the previous emperor lost the hearts of people in the nation caused by the matter?”

 

“About what?”

 

“The fiancee of Emperor Cordelia.”

 

Viester said, staring at Carmun.

 

Carmun took a step back and looked at Viester in a relaxed manner.

 

Because of that matter?

 

He didn’t expect him to think that far, so he secretly smiled and nodded his head, as if signaling him to continue.

 

“The Emperor, who won against Cordelia, brought Queen Ovia, who was the fiancee of Emperor Cordelia at that time, to Idelberg ostentatiously….”

 

“It’s called kidnapping in general.”

 

“Your Majesty!”

 

“What’s the point of being careful with what you’re saying about the dead man? And I think he was insane to do that.”

 

She kidnapped someone who had a well-off background and made her become a queen.

 

After carrying out the extravagant wedding, he chose the son born from the queen, Onderon, as the next emperor.

 

Everyone said the Emperor was crazy. The irrational behaviour of the Emperor made his people change their views of him, and he had to go to war himself before he died so that he could change the hearts of people around.

 

Some of them clamored that the Emperor had found his true love.

 

“Love? What love is so irrational?”

 

Carmun laughed and a cynical smile spread out on his lips.

 

“So, you’re telling me not to take Concubine Edith as an empress?”

 

Carmun asked while rubbing her lower lip.

 

He seemed to consider it seriously as he even mentioned the issue about the previous emperor.

 

“Yes. What kind of scandal are you going to make again this time?”

 

“Isn’t it a half-baked idea?”

 

Viester’s expression gradually brightened at Carmun’s question.

 

It was because he thought the Emperor denied what he said and meant that it was meaningless to make Concubine Edith as an empress.

 

“I don’t think about it at all.”

 

“Oh, was I hasty? Your Majesty had no idea about it and I….”

 

Carmun cut off Viester who answered while beaming.

 

“No. I’m not.”

 

“…What?”

 

“On the other side, Concubine Edith would say no.”

 

“……What?”

 

“She fainted when she saw me. She was fine when she saw the bear, but fainted when she saw me.”

 

Carmun raised the corner of his mouth as if he was imagining something funny.

 

“Such an interesting woman.”

 

Carmun’s mumble broke Viester’s expression to dust.

 

So it’s unsuccessful….

 

Viester’s mouth was filled to the brim with the words he couldn’t say, and his hand quickly rubbed on his forehead.

 

***

 

Helen stuck her head out at Ellie’s call.

 

It was because someone had come to her place to pay a visit.

 

“… You came again.”

 

It was the servant that she met last time. Helen smiled broadly at the familiar face.

 

Since she only lived in the concubine residence, she only got to see the people she saw time after time.

 

In particular, she only knew a few people, and the servant was one of them.

 

“His Majesty sent it to you.”

 

Helen’s face hardened at the mention of His Majesty.

 

The servant brought his lips down, fearing that he might be the one who would be blamed.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Before Helen managed to get the words out of her mouth, she remembered the servant’s words regarding how he did not wish for her to speak formally to him.

 

I wiggled my hands for no reason at all at the awkward bottom. She fidgeted with her hands for no reason at all when she thanked him in an informal way.

 

“Bear….”

 

Ellie, who stood beside her, accepted the coat that was made of bear fur.

 

It was so heavy that Ellie staggered while holding it.

 

“I’ve never seen such a great bear fur in my life! The designer who made this out of the finest leather must be so proud!”

 

The attendant, who had been chattering about why the leather was considered as a fine quality for long, was taken aback by Helen’s tired expression and closed her mouth.

 

Oops.

 

Old habits die hard. She was excited and chattered again.

 

Helen, who had been listening to her without saying anything, opened her mouth only after that as soon as the attendant shut up.

 

“Please tell him I’m really grateful for this.”

 

Helen’s beaming smile made the servant bewildered the whole time.

 

“Yes.”

 

In fact, he was fascinated by Helen’s appearance and wasn’t even aware of what he said.

 

Helen sent Ellie to the room in the back and entered after her.

 

She then turned around and asked with a serious look.

 

“Actually, I’m not comfortable speaking informally, can we make ourselves comfortable when we’re alone?”

 

“Usually it’s the other way around.”

 

“Does that mean no?”

 

“I’m okay with it. However, you have to keep it a secret from His Majesty.”

 

Helen’s face was filled with a smile when she was granted the servant’s approval.

 

“Yes. Sure thing.”

 

The person, who was originally pretty, laughed, and the stone wall was on the verge of collapsing.

 

“You’re a very good man.”

 

When Helen returned to the room, Ellie was examining the bear fur thoroughly.

 

She quietly approached Ellie and examined the bear fur as well.

 

“The bear…. It was really huge and scary.”

 

Now that she was looking at it like this, it didn’t matter anymore.

 

She thought she was going to die when the bear lunged at her.

 

The Emperor saved him, but at that moment what she saw was death throes.

 

‘It reminded me of Mar.’

 

When she recalled that day, the forest and Mar naturally came up on her mind. Mar, who was standing in the forest, looked like a fairy.

 

“I miss you.’