Chapter 70: Duke Of Me

Early in the morning, Serus’s expression on Fabian’s bed was dim. At the beginning of the day, his duty was to watch his master being served by the Chamberlain and report his schedule.

“Water.”

“Your Majesty, a special medicinal herb, has been sent for your health from the Southern Palace.”

“No need, water.”

As if familiar with Fabian’s refusal, the Chamberlain put a glass of water on a silver tray.

Serus noticed that Fabian didn’t seem to sleep well, and he approached him. Fabian’s black eyes stared at Serus behind the bed’s curtain.

“…….Sorry.” When Serus opened his mouth first, his black eyes filled with disappointment were still visible.

Recently whenever Fabian opened his eyes in the morning or before closing his eyes at bedtime. He always asked if the black hawk from the Felice Kingdom had brought a letter from him?

“Isn’t it too late?” Fabian’s low voice rang unpleasantly. “Is there any problem?”

“I’ve checked, but there was nothing unusual.”

Fabian, who despised repeating phrases, was particularly troubled by this issue, and Serus felt so tired.

“Is the hawk sick….?,” he asked.

“It’s unlikely that all three of them will be sick. There are also no reports from the spy who went to the Kingdom of Felice for other problems.” Serus was competent, but he didn’t realize it.

Fabian nervously walked over the curtains. For Fabian, Serus was an honest and trustworthy person. But, for the first time when he saw Serus’s expression, he knew that it wasn’t good news.

“The schedule for this morning is……”

“I know. It’s a troublesome day.”

Fabian immediately cut Serus’ words. Today was the day of the grand congress meeting, which took place once a year. The kings and nobles, who normally didn’t take part in parliament, had all arrived yesterday and were ready to attend the conference.

“What’s a big deal, everybody is working hard.”

Fabian, who had been served by Chamberlain, spoke blatantly sarcastically. The black robe he wore added his Emperor’s charisma. Then, the Empire holy sword, which was usually only carried in certain places, hung on his waist. The elegance of the great ruler of this great Empire was radiant today.

“His Majesty, the Emperor, is coming!”

Fabian walked in between the sound of the trumpet and a ton of complex protocols. Without looking at anyone, he sat on the Jade throne on the upper floor, holding his head with one hand. It was clear from his manner that he wasn’t interested in today’s Congress.

“I see you, Your Majesty.”

Those who came to Congress gave an example. Fabian raised his head and told all of them to sit down. The atmosphere in the Congress Hall was tense from the beginning.

“I thought you were all busy taking care of your land, but you seem quite relaxed.”

From the first word, an unpleasant sign was shown. Satin Marquis, who had been in charge of the assembly, said, bowing his head.”The first thing to do is to honor the Empire….”

“So, today’s agenda…” Before the Marquis finished speaking, Fabian raised his hand. Then the Marquis stopped talking without doing anything.

“I’ll leave out the details. I don’t want to waste my time watching you all debate here.” Fabian had disapproved of this convention from the start. Maybe he didn’t really want to listen to them, either.

“Your Majesty, we’ve already planned an agenda, so we’re going to proceed …”

“You think I don’t know what the point of holding a useless congress today? Do you think my head is just a decoration?” His low voice sounded acrimonious.

“”No, Your Majesty’s head is not a decoration.”

Not responding to his words, Fabian stared coldly at them, “Is there any other agenda? Apart from protests about my decision to withdraw the Imperial army and demands to fill the Empress seat. Is there anything else?”

Because Fabian’s words were right on target, Marquis Satin and other nobles could no longer speak. However, they didn’t believe that the Emperor was openly rebelling against the parliament.

“I know everything you want to say. So, let me tell you my opinion.”

“I am very pleased to hear that, Your Majesty,” the Marquis unexpectedly gave a dumb response.

“Everyone is mistaken, and I am not going to reduce any single Imperial Army in the territory.”

What else does that mean? A murmur was heard among the nobles.

“I only withdrew the Imperial Army against the demons, but I didn’t say that I would withdraw them from the territory.”

His words appeared deceptive, but in fact, they were accurate.

“I heard that the Vatican is armed with weapons and has an army of knights to fight demons. Some groups are ready to defeat the demons, and they’re playing their role well. I don’t think the Empire should participate. After all, do we need to compete with the little ones?”

But everyone knows it was a lie. The Emperor, who had always clashed with the Vatican over trivial matters, it was highly unlikely that he would not compete on this matter.

However, Fabian, who didn’t change his facial expression, continued. “Since the Vatican will guard this continent against demons, my Imperial army will only focus on defending the territory. The demons will be exterminated by the Vatican, and my army will only defeat the humans who fight against the Empire.”

That was, in truth, a rational opinion. It was a good idea since the Empire would be freed from the Vatican when fighting against these demons.

After all, the Vatican was currently preventing demons’ damage, so the Empire didn’t have to fight it either. It was a brilliant idea to increase the power to strengthen the territory rather than fell behind in the competition against demons.

“Now, is there anyone who wants to protest against the Empire again? Show up now, or shut your mouth from today, just choose one.”

Obviously, no one dared to oppose this arrogant Emperor. After all, who would want to refuse this efficient and lethal strategy?

“Then, this agenda is over.”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s wisdom.” Marquis Satin managed to say a word. He seemed delighted to host the rare congress.

Fabian looked around the other nobles. Among them, he found a familiar face. Liam, Duke of Akshire, who had come all the way here, was looking at him with his shining green eyes.

Huh, Fabian was grumpy for nothing and laughed. “Or… do you have opinions? The Duke from afar?”

Immediately the room fell silent.

“Then, yes.”

Just then did Fabian lift a corner of his mouth with satisfaction.

“Well, Your Majesty. The next agenda is about the Empress’s seat, which has been empty for almost two years.”

Fabian’s eyebrows frowned at Duke Akshire’s words. It was an agenda that he had heard often, but it was also unpleasant to hear.

“I’m sorry you’re very busy, but still pay attention to my private life.”

With that one sentence, the atmosphere of the bloody congress was even more frozen.

“Your Majesty, it is one of the main agendas related to the Empire.” The Prime Minister pointed out the exact meaning. The emperor could never become an individual, as well as the Empress. Regardless of his personal feelings, he couldn’t leave that seat empty for the sake of the Empire.

“You can’t leave the Empress’s seat empty anymore.”

“Yes. You Majesty need someone to keep your comfort up close, and furthermore, you should think about the Imperial successor.”

All the nobles had plenty to say on this agenda. Fabian had to watch each of them speak out with a straight face all the time.

“Please, welcome the wise and noble Empress to the Imperial family.”

Fabian turned his eyes to Marquis Satin’s words. The Duke of Metis, who had almost lost his face since Fabian married Evelyn, stayed in his seat for a long time. He had not yet opened his mouth, but his intention was clear.

“The Metis family has a fine reputation as a very virtuous family.”

“Yes, they are the right choice as candidates for the new Empress.”

This agenda was turned into a battle arena. They put down their faces as if they didn’t want to repeat their previous failures, and blatantly supported Lady Metis.

“The Duke of Metis is a noble family, that has been mentioned as a match for the national marriage.”

“Yes, there’s no better choice than them.”

It was very annoying to hear the nobles, who had kept their mouths shut all this time, talking excitedly.

“The Duke of Metis took that heavy step, then?

Fabian looked straight at Duke Metis. Officially, it was a military relationship between the Emperor and the Duke. Still, in private, they were an uncle and a nephew.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t see Your Majesty because I’m not feeling well.” Duke Metis took a step forward and smiled at him. However, FFabian twisted his lips in a lie that was so obvious.

“So, is the Duke’s idea the same?”

“How could my lacking-daughter be matched to Your Majesty …”

It was an act of modesty that any nobleman should have. However, the main point would appear after this.

“I see.” But Fabian didn’t give the Duke a chance to speak further. “Well, The Duke’s father-in-law said that his daughter is lacking. so it’s impossible to discuss more.”

The nobles’ shocked gazes immediately flowed from here and there towards Fabian. He ended his words and lifted himself off the throne. In anyone’s eyes, the Duke’s words were only the beginning, but for the Emperor, it was a cowardly trick.

“Your Majesty, I don’t think the Duke’s word is over yet.”

“Are you trying to put an unnecessary burden on the Duke Metis?”

“What? That’s not it, the Duke is still….”…….’ What’s wrong with you?’ The Prime minister muttered embarrassedly. Wasn’t Fabian who gave him the burden right now?

“It’s all right. I understand. What a pity, the Duke honestly said that his daughter is lacking.” said Fabian.

The Duke of Metis was trying to maintain his smile. This was worse than an insult.

“Or is there any other reason why we should get married? Is she forced as well, just like me?” Fabian openly brought up a sensitive issue. “Or, do I look old enough that I really need a successor right now?”

If someone wanted to prepare a young emperor’s successor quickly, his intentions could be questioned.

“Well, that’s not true…..Your Majesty is in good health.”

Fabian’s black eyes turned to the Duke. “Why did only Duke Metis answer?”

“It’s because… it’s a fact.” Duke Metis, who struggled to swallow an insult, replied, wearing a gentle, noble mask.

“Everyone thinks so, so there’s nothing to rush.” Fabian ignored the glances toward him and turned away.

“It was a long and tiring meeting, but if there is more to discuss, just continue and talk comfortably without me.”

Fabian, speaking one-sidedly, walked out of the parliament chamber. It was an immediate exit, so there was no time to greet everyone. Only the Chamberlain, who had served Fabian for a long time, played his role calmly.

“······Oh my gosh.”

When Fabian’s figure completely disappeared, the nobles chattered, and complaints popped out one by one.

“Is this the Great Congress?”

“His Majesty is too much..”

“Yeah. If he was going to be like this, he shouldn’t have held a grand congress at all! Why would the noble from far territory gather here for? Isn’t that right, Duke Akshire?”

Only

Liam, who was pointed out, remained silent with a troubled look.

“Since the Imperial Army hasn’t retreated completely, does it make sense to vacate the Empress position for so long?”

“Well, maybe the rumors that His Majesty still has feelings for the former empress is true.”

The crowd of noble immediately got boisterous when they heard those words. But Liam just shook his head silently with an unwavering expression.

“Duke Metis. Do you have any plans?”

The white-haired Duke of Metis smiled quietly. “His Majesty’s will is the most important thing. What do I need to do?” Still, the humiliation he received from the young emperor didn’t go away, but he didn’t seem to lose his calm.

But no one believed his words. Now that Duke Metis had shown up. He would definitely try to push his daughter on the Empress’s throne.