The Emperor Who Was Chapter 74 : Chapter 74

Chapter . 74

It wasn't that Father was calling for

from dawn either. But Michelon harassed , saying I had to dress up as if going to a banquet.

“What becos of my reputation if my aesthetic sense seems inferior to your father's subjects?”

“I have never complained about your aesthetic sense.”

“That's because you have no aesthetic sense yourself, so your opinion is aningless. If you don't know, shut up and do as you're told.”

It wasn't true that I had no aesthetic sense. I just didn't see extravagant attire as beautiful, but many, including Michelon, did not respect my taste. If I beca Emperor and taxed every extravagant outfit, the treasury would burst.

“Stop saying the treasury will burst. Do you think you're saying it internally? I can hear everything, everything.”

“…It's a monologue, but it's a sound beneficial to the country.”

“You sound like a tyrant!”

This was not just a lie, but abusive language unacceptable even between friends—no, even more unacceptable because we were friends. I was so angry that I didn't even mix words with Michelon for a while.

“Well done. You're listening well today, unlike usual.”

But because I didn't oppose Michelon's excessive taste like usual, I ended up dressed overly extravagantly.

When I went to Father's quarters like that, people waiting from the morning to even catch a glimpse of the faces of the powerful looked at

all at once.

“As expected of the most favored Prince…….”

“Truly an outfit befitting Armatia's favorite subject…….”

“Since he flaunts His Majesty's favor like that, who wouldn't look up to him.”

Then I wanted to crawl into a mouse hole, but Michelon walked with his chin held high.

When we arrived at Father's quarters like that, Father's subjects watched

from the mont I entered. With eyes flashing with vigilance even while bowing.

“Your Majesty, it is ti to wake up.”

The Royal Chamberlain lifts the fabric draped over the bed and wakes Father. Father wakes up, drinks water or another beverage, washes his body, and dresses. For each procedure, there is a separate person in charge of attendance, and even dressing is divided into upper and lower garnts, shoes, hair grooming, etc.

Since the order must be strictly followed, it was because it was a mont of solicitation to greet and speak to Father while performing their respective duties.

“Your complexion looks good today, Your Majesty. If Your Majesty would give my son, whom you honored with your attention last ti, a chance, I would be truly grateful.”

“You are full of energy from the morning, Your Majesty. Would you bestow rcy on the matter of a certain Baroness I ntioned the other day?”

When greetings, flattery, and solicitations are done smoothly like flowing water during the performance of duties, the Emperor receiving the attendance either nods or ignores them. Even if rejected, once it moves to the next procedure, one must step back without saying more.

Otherwise, it is considered inelegant conduct and obstruction of another's duty, receiving glares from the sa Emperor Faction. Along with the criticism that they were ignored by His Majesty because of that.

‘That is why they extrely dislike and guard against others intervening in the morning ritual where they monopolize the Emperor.’

One Royal Chamberlain even claid the right to enter the Empress's bedroom where she had not yet risen from bed, saying he could not yield the duty of waking the Emperor regardless of whether the Emperor spent the night in the Empress's bedroom or not.

I, of course, had not the slightest desire to take away the rights they fought for with their lives.

“Prince Leontes has arrived.”

“Father, I greet you this morning.”

“Welco, Leontes. You resemble your late mother exceptionally today.”

“Thank you, Father.”

However, the very act of exchanging awkward words between a father and son who were originally silent broke that flow.

“How is this outfit?”

Because he even made

speak when the Wardrobe Officer picked out and presented an outfit. If he didn't like it, he should personally fire the officer. Don't drag

into it.

“It suits you well.”

“Why do you think so? Is this outfit your taste? If you want it, I will bestow it upon you.”

I couldn't even dress according to my taste, and now I was misunderstood.

“Rather than that, since Father's physique is so magnificent, any outfit suits you well.”

“Did you hear, Wardrobe Officer? My son is this wise, so keep his words in mind.”

“Those are valid words, Your Majesty.”

What kind of conversation is this?

My tongue got twisted in my mouth, and the Emperor Faction threw sorrowful glances from the front and resentful glances from behind, but Father laughed alone.

When I returned after finishing such unrefreshing business from the morning, courtiers dressed like

were already lined up at my quarters. Even those who weren't there when I went to Father had their attendants watch and co back to report, so they could dress as similarly as possible.

To flatter

by dressing like

and make solicitations. Since I now conversed with the Emperor the most during the morning ritual.

“You are now the leader of court fashion! Rejoice, you even overtook the Empress! You are the winner!”

“…Thank… you…….”

As a test, I granted one truly unjust petition from a petitioner, and it imdiately received the Emperor's approval. Then people set up camp completely in front of my quarters, making it difficult to even take a walk in the garden with Nanette for a mont.

Because they followed closely behind complaining, asking why I only played with commoners, saying if I liked young girls, they would introduce their granddaughters.

“Isn't it a good thing? You are showing off an influence that your brothers have never been able to exert on the Emperor until now.”

The dragon, who was a warmonger but not a politician, said.

“There are two famous favorite concubines in Armatia's history. One was loved for twenty years, and the other bore seven illegitimate children. Which one lived a better life?”

“I wouldn't know? Because I'm not interested.”

It was a trap question, but Michelon skipped over it brightly. Indeed, he was a kid who jumped over puddles or fences effortlessly even while riding a horse and holding a spear.

“…You are right. Whether it's the number of years receiving the Emperor's favor or the number of illegitimate children doesn't matter. What matters is the fact that the first woman received a castle. Although it was taken away after the Emperor's early death, she received another castle instead.”

“Did the second woman not receive one?”

“So she went to a convent. Both were kicked out of the Imperial Palace, but the one who died in her own house was the first woman.”

“You will beco the Emperor, so what are you worried about?”

“I am ultimately a Prince with no house, no castle, and no estate, so if I rely too much on Father, I will only be swayed by his whims. If I lose Father's favor, my power will vanish overnight. If I am kicked out of the Imperial Palace, I have nowhere to go. Others know that too.”

Perhaps the mory of being exiled before the regression remained as a trauma, making

worry excessively. But my current position was certainly unstable.

“Indeed, your brothers might form an alliance against you as your influence grows.”

“That is expected, so it is not surprising. The bigger problem is that Father is making

a symbol of the Emperor Faction like this. Originally, to show off power, the best way is to instantly make soone who had no power into a powerful figure. Because people captivated by that steep rise compete, dreaming that they want to be like , that if I could do it, maybe they can too. Father is ostentatiously showing his favor towards , naturally absorbing , who succeeded on my own, into the Emperor Faction.”

Actually, apart from people like the Royal Chamberlain, many of the Emperor Faction, including Chancellor Cuaron, rejoiced at the favor I received.

-While His noble Majesty was detached from everything, other factions ran wild without knowing their place. But now, Your Highness personally shows that His Majesty's favor is the greatest goal we all must aspire to and compete for.

It was maddening. But I couldn't tell him to stop favoring

either.

“However, the number of those wishing to beco Your Highness's vassals is increasing day by day.”

Sir Rolf said.

“Then shouldn't I give them positions? Even if we all live in the Imperial Palace now, I must give them duties under the roof I rule, whether as a steward of my estate or a gakeeper, for them to stay by my side for a long ti. Instead of only doing good things for Father like now.”

Even a favorite concubine who received favor and wielded power all her life, once she died, her attendants were the first to rush in like a pack of wolves to steal jewels. The body was imdiately taken out of the palace. Those who lost favor and retired to a convent before that rather died peacefully.

Father claid to love

but had placed

in a very precarious position.

“So buy an estate.”

“Too late. Now no one will sell.”

It was actually true. I tried proposing to sell estates to those whose requests I granted. While there were many guys asking for small estates just for free in exchange for loyalty, even when I offered to pay the full price for mortgaged estates anyway, the reaction was consistent.

“Pe, perhaps it is unknown but… I fear… His Majesty the Emperor might be angry with ……. Of course, he would not be angry with Your Highness and still favor you, but for that very reason, he might be more angry with ……. I will give you anything else, so please, just the estate… buy it from another lord…….”

When an elderly noble trembled and bowed his head, saying more would be extortion.

At this point, even I, as a regressed Emperor, couldn't co up with a sharp idea, when Grimiati poured oil on the fire.

“Since my estate is vast, I intend to sell a suitable place to Prince Leontes. Please look at the map. This manor has many people and fertile land, so its asset value is very high.”

“…I am impressed by your sincerity, but regrettably, I decline.”

The manor he proposed was indeed a good place. If only it weren't right in the middle of his estate.

“What point do you not like?”

“I do not like the location conditions.”

“Impossible. In terms of conditions, it is much safer than the Imperial Palace. It is the safest place.”

Duke Grimiati was truly a man who constructed his own logic, no, his own world, in believing that what he committed was helpful to . The main culprit who made

unable to inherit even my mother's dowry estate!

“I have no intention to do so for now.”

“If you change your mind, please tell

anyti, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Duke.”

I barely refused, but this ti Michelon was dissatisfied.

“The heart of the enemy camp is the stage to show my true worth.”

“…It's not Armatia……. I don't even have an estate in the country, so what am I supposed to do buying an enemy's estate where armies were sent every ti there was a war for succession? That would look truly suspicious.”

It was right then that Rhiannon invited .

“Welco. They say you make noblewon's hearts race and blood boil? Renowned Knight of Purity.”

Seeing the enemy doing her utmost to be sarcastic, laughter ca out naturally. To , for whom a single glance of indifference used to be enough.

I have grown a lot too; I felt even prouder than at Father's expression of affection.

“Thank you for inviting , Your Majesty.”

“I heard that while I was away before, you ca to find . And then you ended up visiting Desmond. I was waiting for you to co find

again since then, but since you did not co, I had no choice but to call you.”

“Desmond has been so devoted to

recently that I could not help but respond.”

I beca the Knight of Purity thanks to your son becoming my personal bard.

Rhiannon's eyebrow rose subtly. She was soone who must have already scolded Desmond severely for that matter. But rather than arguing over a fact anyway, the Empress got to the main point.

“His Majesty the Emperor favors you greatly these days, does he not?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“So perhaps he will bestow an estate upon you soon?”

The Empress stabbed right at the sore spot.

“…Perhaps.”

“Indeed, you are truly a filial son. So you must be counting the days waiting only for the day His Majesty bestows an estate like a good child. Then, even if I were to bestow an estate before that, would you refuse? For instance, right now?”

I looked at the Empress in surprise.

“…Are you serious?”

“It depends on you. I wish to bestow upon you the great reward I promised you before, but I wonder if you can handle it.”