Chapter 9.1 (1/2)

The moment after Latil spoke those words, the expression on Duke Atraxil froze as it was like it would shatter with a ‘crack’ if she touched it with a finger.

Latil turned her gaze away from him arduously. She didn’t know about anyone else, but when it came to Duke Atraxil, she did feel really sorry.

But the others were also wearing a similar expression to Duke Atraxil. Everyone was looking at Latil with a reluctant expression. It was clear that no one seemed to have understood Latil’s words.

Out of kindness, Latil did them a favor and made herself clear.

“For starters… five seems like a good number.”

The hall as silent as death once again became loud with commotion. Amid the chattering, the words ‘five’ and ‘harem’ could be heard occasionally.

Duke Atraxil belatedly came to his senses and shouted in astonishment.

“This is nonsense, Your Majesty! All the previous empress regnants have only had a single husband before. While many men have been rumored to be their lovers, no one has officially taken in consorts before so for what reason—.”

‘Wow. So you can spew bullshit without barking. Amazing.’

“The fifth emperor Tracichou of Tarium, who was well-known to be a noble and pure romantic, had five concubines and the eleventh emperor Aintra had six concubines, Duke Atraxil. The others had around fifteen on average. The emperors that were known to be more fickle kept over twenty concubines.”

“However…”

“Why is it that I cannot have the number of concubines that everyone else has had. I shall have a minimum of at least five consorts as well.”

As Latil added ‘I’m a bit of a romanticist, you see’ before winking, the mouth of the ministers fell wide open. They fell into a state of panic.

Latil swept her gaze over the nobility whose expressions were smeared with stupefaction and lifted a corner of her lips in mockery.

“As the influence of the empress’ side may grow excessively, was it not you all who insisted that the emperor take in concubines to prevent the disproportion of power?”

There was not a single bit of exaggeration present in Latil’s words. True to this, they were the exact ones who had thrust all sorts of women next to her father’s side, back in his reign. The ministers fell quiet instantly, having remembered this fact.

Latil playfully curved her eyes into crescent shapes and spoke again.

“It would be better for you all if I had multiple consorts, no? That way, wouldn’t you have a chance to take me, the emperor, as your daughter-in-law?”

Within the sea of expressions of nobility, all in an identical state of consternation, appeared a difference for the first time.

Duke Atraxil deepened his scowl. On the other hand, all the others, including those on Duke Atraxil’s side showed tempted expressions.

It was quite a serious situation in its own way, but Latil almost had burst into laughter. How can they wear their thoughts so clearly on their face?

“For those unmarried, you all may volunteer yourself.”

Latil was joking to a certain extent but purposely spoke with a grave face, although those who were taking in those words looked very serious, contrary to her intention.

‘Are they all really going to volunteer?’

The ministers could say nothing and just continued to steal glances amongst themselves. Latil clenched her jaw tightly to hold back her laughter and designated a few to proceed with the task.

As such, the chaotic imperial conference was now over.

As Latil was about to head out through the door located behind the throne of the conference room, she spotted a secretary seated on a near desk. Perhaps today’s conference was quite entertaining — the eyes of the secretary were glimmering while they wrote down today’s conference on a record.

When Latil approached, they stopped recording and shot up from their seat, surprised. They looked frightened, afraid that she had caught them cracking a smile.

‘There’s no need to be so afraid, though.’

“Ah, secretary?”

“Y, yes, Your Majesty!”

“I’ll tell you this in advance. If I happen to only have five consorts, make sure to take this down on the records.”

“Pardon?”

“Emperor Latrasil had ‘no more than’ five consorts. Well, if I look like I have quite the pleasant relationship with the prince consort, you may also record that I was a romanticist.”

“Pardon?”

After winking at the secretary, Latil turned her body around and headed out of the conference room.

As soon as she returned to her room, Latil collapsed on the floor while clutching her stomach. She could no longer hold back her laughter as she remembered the utterly bewildered expressions of the ministers.

* * *

“How can Her Majesty do this to me!”

Duke Atraxil violently threw off his court suit with a bellow, as soon as he returned to his mansion. The maids quickly picked up the strewn about garments with frightened faces.

The duchess who had participated in the coronation ceremony, but wasn’t able to in the imperial conference quickly approached the duke and asked.

“How was the imperial conference? Did Her Majesty conduct the conference well?”

“Very. In fact, too well.”

“If she’s good at conducting, then she’s good at conducting. What do you mean, ‘too well’?”

“She had the ministers in the palm of her hand and messed around with them from the very first day.”

“That much?”

The duchess opened her eyes wide, while Duke Atraxil guzzled down the strong liquor placed on the console.

“Blimey, this man! Don’t just drink, you have to tell me what happened! Did Her Majesty treat you ungenerously? Like she treated you as if she’d forgotten the deeds of how much you’ve helped her…”

“She had recognized the matter and made a definite promise of a reward about that.”

“Then what’s the problem? Spit it out, instead of drinking away.”

The duchess questioned gently, but promptly snatched away the liquor bottle held in the duke’s hands at the same time. Duke Atraxil looked at the duchess with dumbfounded eyes but awkwardly lowered his hand as he spotted the corner of her eyes rising sharply.

“Her Majesty doesn’t seem to want a prince consort, yet.”

“That’s what you were so mad about?”

The duchess tutted.

“Whether it be this year or the next, that issue can be sorted out slowly. The ministers will just continue to bug Her Majesty about it all the time anyway. In the end, she’ll concede and accept someone in a few years.”

“If only that’s all it is.”

“Was there anything else?”

“She said she’ll take in consorts. Consorts!”

“…”

This time, even the duchess didn’t seem to be able to respond immediately. She stood like a wooden doll while blinking her eyes. Consort… Consort…?