Chapter 77

The emperor has finally lost his mind.

Everyone in the hall must have felt the same way.

They must be so shocked inside to the point they cant even speak because they dont want to go against the tyrants will, right?

They cant oppose it openly, so theyre keeping this awkward silence, right?

Its a big deal, by the way.

I used to curse inside every time I was with the mad tyrant, but I really didnt know he was this crazy.

When I was thinking hard about how to resolve the situation.

Great idea!

Indeed! Im impressed by your wisdom!

As expected! Its a great decision by Your Majesty who works hard for the prosperity of the empire every day and night.

The ministers who had been still for a while, all of a sudden showed off their flamboyant and sly speaking skills.

What?

Great idea? Great decision?

Did they just sell me because they wanted to live by themselves?

I was looking through the hall to find out who they were, but it seemed like everyone was smiling heartily.

I didnt expect to see so many healthy teeth at once.

I was driven by the urge to pluck out the nose hairs of all the nobles in the hall.

Ha ha, Your Majesty. Thank you very much. I dont think its a place for me.

Cardan rubbed his chin in interest.

Really? I dont think all the other ministers think theres a better person than the Duke. Why do you think so?

It was a good point.

Its hard to find someone as capable as I am.

Ill do a great job in any position.

How do I get out of this?

I bowed nervously.

Im already in charge of being the Prime Minister, so I cant afford to take care of other tasks. Its all because Im far from good enough.

Doesnt the Duke have to get married anyway?

I was going to go to the East and try to date a little.

There is no future for me in an empire that is about to perish. I cant stifle my prosperous future like this.

Haha, I think it would be quite different to marry only a scribe and a great emperor. Its too much for me.

Im sure hes given up by now.

Still bent down, I glanced tactfully at Cardan.

However, Cardans smile became thicker when I looked, far from that of a person who gave up.

It was only then that I realized.

Hes enjoying the situation.

Whats the difference? Marriage is marriage.

Ha-ha, to be a woman suitable for Your Majesty, I should develop more culture, not neglect social activities with the ladies, and dress up according to my dignity. As expected, Im a person who lacks a lot.

The nobles around me began to nod at my fervor.

Certainly there is a point in what the Duke of Baloa says. She could be easily eliminated from society no matter how you look at it..

Thats right. If the duke takes the place of receiving foreign figures as His Majesty, the status of the empire will be shaken. When I think about her dress from the last banquet, its too much.

Dont be like that, everyone. She may be a little lacking in her current appearance, but wouldnt it be possible if she learned manners and attached skilled designers and competent maids?

We were so blinded by the Dukes ability that we hastily approved

They whispered hard among themselves as if they thought I wouldnt be able to hear them, but unfortunately, I had a pretty good hearing.

The corners of Cardans mouth, who was listening to all the conversations, went up more sharply.

Wouldnt it be nice to be excused from all other miscellaneous responsibilities? Whether its culture, decoration, or social activities.

It was no use talking with Cardan anymore.

I glanced at Cardan with a cold face.

You dont have to do that.

Cardan also bit his inner cheek, as if he didnt want to make fun of me anymore.

I will quickly find a woman who will catch your eyes.

Just get wrapped up by the heroine and end this.

Only then did Cardan bend his eyes beautifully and said in a sweet voice.

Yes, Ill look forward to it.

****

The knights guarding the door stepped back with a polite silence when Cardan appeared.

Cardan walked past them into a luxurious bedroom.

At his short gesture, the maid who was taking care of Eleanor in the bedroom hurriedly withdrew.

Cardan cautiously approached the bed where Eleanor lay.

It was their first meeting in years.

However, when he saw his mother, he fell into the illusion that not a single day had passed.

She was the same as the last time he saw her right after his coronation ceremony.

Her calm face which seemed about to wake up suddenly at some point.

Mother.

After several attempts, Cardan managed to speak out.

Im here.

But as expected, his mother didnt move.

Its too late.

Cardan collapsed into a chair next to the bed.

His mother frowned in his dream yet did not blame him.

He held his mothers hand carefully, thinking that this was a dream, but as expected, his mother did not laugh nor cry.

He thought he had a lot to say when he met her, but strangely, words didnt come out of his mouth.

Erina played a prank on me.

It wasnt something that could be dismissed as a prank, but Cardan forced his poorly bent tongue.

So I understand if you dont wake up and forgive me.

It was a cowardly sound.

It may sound like an apology for not taking his mother back sooner.

In fact, only Cardan knew.

Its to confess his sin of forgiving Erina at will.

Looking at his mother still lying peacefully, Cardan swept his face roughly.

He, too, is a man without answers.

Still.

.

Still, maybe because she lost her memory. She is back to my old Erina.

Making a poor excuse, Cardan rubbed his forehead again.

But he knew, too.

The fact that Duke Baloa lost his memory was not important.

Even if she regains her memory and goes back to the old Duke of Baloa, he realized that he no longer had the confidence to give up on her.

As long as Erina existed somewhere in her, he couldnt give up.

Im sorry, Mother.

****

Perhaps because he had lost interest in the meeting after making fun of me, I ended the meeting on behalf of Cardan, who disappeared in the middle. When I returned to the office, Cardan was taking over my sofa.

What brings you here?

Cardan sighed as he tapped his foot leisurely.

I have nothing else to do.

There, there. He must have come to bother me because hes bored.

Then, rest well and go.

I responded firmly and sat down at my desk so as not to look as lacking as possible.

Unlike someone I know, I had a lot of work to do.

For a while, only the sound of a pen screeching rang out in the office.

These days, I neglected my duties in preparation for asylum.

But I play hard with confidence when Cardan isnt around. It was true that I was trying to do something else in front of my boss, so I was a little self-conscious.

Fortunately, Cardan didnt budge on the sofa.

As I was reading through one account book and ten documents that needed approval, he suddenly opened his mouth.

I meant it.

What?

What is he talking about?

I was tilting my head because I didnt know what to say, but Cardan raised himself.

And added very calmly.

Marriage.

There was no hesitation in his eyes when he said that.

On the other hand, I prayed to myself that my pupils would look as calm as Cardans on the outside.

Cardan tilted his head and spoke with his sleek lips again.

Isnt it good for you, too?

What?

Cardan glanced at me for a moment when my loud voice burst out.

However, he soon walked to the bookshelf and continued to speak in a voice that seemed to be trying to convince me by tapping with his hands on various political and monarchical books that the Duke of Baloa had read.

Youve always wanted power, havent you? Its a great opportunity to stand at the peak of power, so why do you have to refuse it?

Then you shouldve gotten married when the owner of this body is the Duke of Baloa! Its no use holding me back and biting me, who has no interest in power.

And who is Cardan?

The Emperor of the Empire that is about to be destroyed.

Even if I get involved with him as a servant, Ill be executed if Im unlucky, and if I get married because Im crazy, will I be the Empress of a ruined empire?

However, Cardan, who didnt know this, naturally sat on my desk.

Even if the murder of a noble is a felony, it will not be comparable to the murder of the imperial family, so it will be difficult for the Empress Dowager to aim for you.

He rummaged through a pile of papers on the desk.

I held my breath and worried that he might find the document regarding my asylum.

I will exclude other miscellaneous responsibilities, so you will not lose money.

Just before reaching the asylum document, Cardans hand paused.

Ah.

Then a crooked smile hung around his mouth.

Of course, as soon as there is an heir, it is not acceptable for you to try to eliminate me.

I was shocked at the word heir, but I felt wronged for no reason. However, when I thought about it carefully, I finally calmed down because I thought it was a justified concern since its possible if his marriage partner is Duke Baloa.

Cardan leaned his upper body toward me as if telling me a secret story.

He exuded an overly pleasant scent that doesnt suit his poor taste.

Fortunately, Im a Sword Master, so Im quite difficult to kill.

Cardan whispered close to my ear.

I had to keep my eyes off his solid chest that was peeking from his open shirt.

His words and actions dont match.

Ha ha, Your Majestys strength, the chest muscles of the empire, I mean, the strength.

Cardans smile became a little more crooked.

Do you mean youll consider my offer?

What a terrible thing to say.

Thank you for offering me a good position, but I refuse.

I wanted to ask him if he thinks Im crazy to say yes, but I held it in.

As long as I leave for my asylum, I would no longer be teased like this.

Ah

At my firm refusal, Cardan neatly held himself back.

Its a shame.

Cardans eyes, which seemed to be playful, seemed to dim strangely.

I patted my face reflexively. I felt defenseless in front of Cardans eyes, perhaps because I was not wearing my monocle as a shield.

I thought it would be nice if we could go back to the way we used to be.

It flashed across my mind. The fact that Cardan and Erina were engaged for a long time.

And then I realized again. That Cardan still couldnt forget Erina from the past.

Didnt I tell you?

Cardan smiled as if he had read my mind.

I was serious.

Want to read ahead? Read more here