Chapter 281 - My Only Wife (1)
Chapter 281 – My Only Wife (1)
At the Imperial Palace hall.
As usual, a large group of nobles gathered in one place to discuss the small and large happenings of the Ruford Empire. There had been a recent increase in the number of meetings, due to the actions of the Duchy of Lunen.
“They keep spreading rumors about His Majesty. We need to swiftly take action.”
“Yet the Grand Duke appears credible, and the rumors of treason spread among the people will not easily die down.”
Carlisle was sitting on the throne and staring wordlessly at the restless nobility. He had planned to invade the Duchy of Lunen as soon as he assumed the throne, but Paveluc had cleverly spread malicious rumors about Carlisle, preventing an attack. Although Carlisle was far more powerful in terms of military force, trampling on the Duchy of Lunen would only confirm the rumors in the peoples’ minds. Presently, Carlisle’s position was paralyzed, and several other nobles were opposed to military action as well.
‘He might have predicted me to not strike Lunen, but does he intend to wage an all-out war with me when I’m already the emperor?’
Carlisle was determined to kill Paveluc after hearing about him from Elena’s last life. The Grand Duke had finally bared his claws, as he had no reason to hide his ambition any further.
Carlisle couldn’t exactly pinpoint when, but since he claimed an overwhelming victory against Ophelia, he knew that Paveluc must also be planning meticulously. Carlisle had the upper hand at the moment, and it would not be easy to beat him. However, that didn’t make the young emperor’s situation any less difficult.
‘…It would have been convenient if he had just died quietly.’
Carlisle tried to immerse himself in his own thoughts for a moment, but there was a constant stream of voices that distracted him. He opened his mouth to speak.
“Stop.”
The room suddenly fell silent at once. Carlisle looked down at the nobles.
“Let’s stop arguing outside the topic. No matter what the Duchy of Lunen does, what is unchanged is that a disastrous collapse may happen sooner or later.”
The nobles seemed alarmed by Carlisle’s grim remarks, but he wasn’t finished yet.
“The only thing that’s important now is deciding when, where, how and when to bring them down.”
The method would still be decided on, but the end result did not change. Carlisle intended to erase Lunen from the continent. Paveluc’s life had to be taken, of course, and Carlisle did not want to leave traces of the state.
The reason was simple—he had no reason to leave a name that would bring upon his wife bad memories. Upon the execution of Paveluc, the Duchy of Lunen would be renamed.
“We do not need discussion on how to undo the false rumors spread by Lunen. We need to talk about taking it out in the quickest and cleanest way possible.”
Smith of the Casey family spoke up carefully.
“But Your Majesty, if you start a war without dealing with the false rumors, there will be some people who will end up believing it. It will later bring stigma to future generations.”
“I don’t care what anyone says after my death. I’ll not allow anyone to say a word against me while I’m still alive.”
It was the height of arrogance, yet the powerful charisma he emanated caused the hall to turn quiet again. Evans, who had been silently listening to the proceedings until now, spoke up for the first time.
“Your Majesty, there is still reason for faith. Why don’t you take this opportunity to take a second wife?”
The noble’s turned their eyes towards him at his suggestion. Evans continued his explanation.
“The Count Max family is situated on the periphery of the Duchy of Lunen. Paveluc will not move if you grow your current troops with them.”
At this point, several nobles began to nod in agreement with the plan.
“If you take a second wife, you will be able to turn the peoples’ attention to the wedding, and well as gain the powerful military strength of the Max family.”
When Evans finished speaking, words of admiration poured it from the nobles. It was a well-conceived plan, and Carlisle marrying into the Max family would solve several problems at once. Moreover, since there was no successor to Carlisle yet, there were growing calls among the nobility for him to produce one.
“That’s great. Count Krauss, how did you think of that?”
“Your Majesty, I believe you should do as Count Krauss suggests.”
The nobles gave their encouragement, but Carlisle’s face was as cold as a stone. The nobles gradually began to hold their tongue when they sensed something wrong and Carlisle did not speak.
A hush fell over the hall, and the emperor gazed at the crowd with darkened eyes.
“…I have been asked that several times lately. I already gave my answer, but it will make it clear once and for all, so listen.”
An aura of bloodthirst seemed to hang in the air, and the nervous swallow of the nobles was audible.
“I have no intention of having anyone else on my side save the Empress.”
Everyone’s eyes widened at Carlisle’s declaration. So far, no emperor has had one wife in the history of the Ruford Empire. Smith finally shook himself to his senses and spoke.
“Y-Your Majesty, about the issue of succession…if anything happens to Her Majesty…”
“What’s the problem? There is a flood of people wanting to take the throne.”
The nobles were shocked at Carlisle’s dismissive attitude. The Ruford Empire’s lines of succession was a hereditary one. If the parents were nobles, it was only natural that they would pass on their wealth, title, and territory to their children. Therefore, the more wealth people had, the more important it was for them to have a successor.
However, the young emperor did not seem to care whether he died without a successor. It was, indeed, beyond anyone’s imagination. Carlisle continued on in a casual voice.
“I won’t tell you twice, so remember it well. As long as I’m the emperor, she is my only wife. If she dies…there will be no other empress.”
Everyone’s mouths were open, but no one had the courage to refute him. Carlisle, who remained calm despite the bombshell announcement, grinned.
“But Count Krauss’ suggestion is not a bad one. Even if it’s not by marriage, we should win the support of Count Max.”
Carlisle rose from the throne, a signal for the end of the meeting. He stepped outside, leaving his last words for the nobles who were still in shock.
“You are all dismissed.”