Chapter 087………………………………….
“The captain of the Casca Kingdom, who was taken hostage, admitted that he was able to launch a preemptive strike on the Cobentin Empire because of a tip from Marquis Volain. The Volain family should be severely punished for endangering the Empire.”
The audience reacted with such vivid shock, as if rehearsed.
Well, it was understandable. Marquis Volain, despite being a noble, had used Peredil’s reputation to appear approachable to the Empire’s citizens. Behind the scenes, he schemed to enrich the nobility, yet everyone still viewed him favorably.
Even when the news of Vivian’s broken engagement spread, people defended both her and Marquis Volain. He was exceptionally skilled at keeping the Empire’s citizens blind to his actions.
Like the citizens, I had also been stunned when I heard news of the Volain purge in advance. But my shock was for a different reason.
Though it differed from the original story, in the original he had met his end for causing a war in the Empire. I thought the story had changed because this time it was a war against an external force rather than a civil war. Yet, in the end, he still caused a war in the Empire and was purged.
Though it was the result of his own actions, seeing him like this made me think that “destiny is fixed” might actually be true. Anyway, the complete downfall of the Volain family was the one piece of information I knew in advance that I actually liked.
It was the kind of thing I wanted to bookmark and revisit over and over.
“The Duke’s idea to join forces with the senior nobles and drive out the rising noble faction was brilliant. Thanks to that, while my brother sweated on the battlefield, I wasn’t left idle.”
After the coronation, Noah had persuaded me to head to the palace with Peredil to celebrate Theo’s ascension.
Noah casually shared the behind-the-scenes story of the war with the Casca Kingdom in front of me.
“You flatter me, Your Highness. I simply made good use of the connection that the senior nobles approached you with.”
“Made good use of the connection?”
A real behind-the-scenes story existed? The thrilling revelation made me react instinctively.
“So, is it not true that Marquis Volain orchestrated the war?”
“No, that’s true. But no evidence was found that he actually instigated it.”
“However, Duke Seymour saw this as an opportunity to contact the senior faction and think of a plan to eliminate the rising noble faction.”
“All the evidence was fabricated.”
“What? And Volain just let it happen?”
“All the noble factions turned their backs and gave false testimony. His close aides revealed all of his past misdeeds in detail. Volain must have realized he could no longer turn the tables.”
As expected, it’s always those closest who betray you.
In the end, all the misfortune Volain accumulated was real—but to come up with a scheme to sink him? Perhaps even Peredil has a writer’s imagination.
Why did such a clever man fall in love with me in exactly the way I intended?
Peredil seemed to notice my gaze and looked my way. I asked a question hastily to hide that I had been staring.
“It’s good that the Volain family has been dealt with, but what if the senior nobles become too arrogant?”
“It’s fine.”
That voice answering my question came from a distance.
Looking up, Theo was walking toward us with a smile.
As everyone bowed in unison to the new Emperor, he gestured for them to lift their heads. Despite having spent a long time outside the palace, he looked natural receiving their greetings.
“I chose the tiger over the puppy for a night. Unlike a reckless puppy, a seasoned tiger knows when to step forward and when to hold back. That they accepted our proposal means the seniors now prefer giving life rather than taking it.”
Though they pretended to be aloof and uncooperative with the royal family, the senior faction actually wanted to work with the palace.
“In my empire as Emperor, bureaucrats’ tyranny for personal gain will no longer exist. I will be a better Emperor than my father.”
Seeing Theo up close after a long time, his face looked much more relaxed. He had lost a bit of weight from all he’d been through, but his expression was calm.
Living officially in an Empire where Theo is Emperor still feels strange no matter how much I try to adjust.
“Congratulations on your ascension, Your Majesty.”
“Shall we continue as usual?”
When I expressed my desire to speak with Theo privately, everyone stepped aside. On the balcony where he had received the crown, we shared a refreshing breeze and smiled happily. Standing together on stage, and now in the palace—it was surreal.
Life truly is unpredictable.
“Can I see you again now?”
“Now that all the messy affairs are settled, I should rest too. The idea that an emperor doesn’t need rest is entirely wrong.”
“You used to say I was the Empire, and the Empire was me. But that’s not true! Today is the day.”
At my teasing, Theo covered his ears and went inside the office, then casually flopped onto the sofa.
He needs to break that old habit. I watched him from the balcony with worried eyes. He crossed his long legs and closed his eyes.
Seeing him relaxed like that made me not want to disturb the moment.
“Joyce.”
Even with his eyes closed, I heard him call my name.
“I broke our promise first, so I’ll forgive you.”
“What promise?”
I asked for clarification, but he didn’t open his eyes. Perhaps he felt my sharp gaze.
After a long pause, he spoke in a husky voice:
“The promise to go to Bria together. I broke it first, so your promise is null too. Don’t fall in love with the Duke.”
“Why is it null?”
“You already fell in love with the Duke.”
“That’s… impossible.”
Theo chuckled softly, his laughter carrying a sigh.
“You think I wouldn’t notice your eyes? The way you looked at the Duke. Unlike him, I can distinguish between your true gaze and the acting one.”
I didn’t respond. But I trusted Theo, perceptive as he is, already knew the answer.
A strong denial can be a strong affirmation, and strong silence can also be a strong affirmation.
“You don’t want me to return to Bria?”
“No.”
“Then do you want me to return to Bria?”
“No.”
“Then what do you want me to do!”
I shouted, and he sat upright, looking me straight in the eyes.
Now ready to talk, he said calmly:
“I want you to make the choice that will make you happy. That’s enough for me.”
“Wait, Joyce!”
After greeting her, he was alone in the office.
As if remembering something left behind—like he would lose it forever if he didn’t act—he rushed to open the office door.
He turned, but no trace of her remained.
The moment he closed the door, he collapsed.
It was a heart he had never confessed, even jokingly.
He knew well that trying to cut it out only made it stronger.
If she had been there when he opened the door, could he have said it? Told her he loved her, wanted her by his side, wanted her to be Empress?
Shaking his head, he denied his own thoughts.
Sitting on the floor, tears soaking the carpet, he realized the change that came from going to the battlefield to protect the Empire—and perhaps her.
Having always followed her gaze, he immediately noticed how her beautiful eyes looked at the Duke. It was completely different from before.
Ignoring the slight blush on her cheeks was impossible.
He couldn’t bear the thought of her sacrificing her happiness because of a promise. He had promised to give her a happy ending.
Having decided to follow her choice, all he could do was watch over her.
He spent a long time purging her image from his mind with tears.
“Joyce, goodbye completely.”
The choice that would make me happy…
Even after leaving Theo, on the carriage, during meals, before sleep, the thought lingered. The choice that would make me happy was obvious.
Going to Bria and continuing my acting life.
What other choice could I possibly make?
A faint alternative tried to surface, but it felt absurd, so I decided not to waste time considering it.
Early on a weekend morning, I gathered the Woodville family.
“I finished the manuscript: How to Get Dumped by a Duke in 100 Days.”
