Episode 11
“Of course, I have been responsible for this country almost as much as the Emperor, but I dare not say that I have worked harder… … . That is a completely different matter.”
The most orthodox method would have been to find a collateral royal family member and bring him in as a successor.
Of course, the royal family has been particularly picky lately, but if you look closely, you’d probably find at least one candidate.
But Lentia didn’t favor that method.
Perhaps it was arrogant of her, but no matter how much she thought about it, a collateral royal didn’t seem capable of becoming a great emperor.
Imagine putting a distant relative of the emperor, who had lived his entire life completely unrelated to state affairs, on the throne overnight.
Would he succeed? Would he not ruin both his own happiness and the safety of his people?
Wouldn’t he be remembered as a pitiful and incompetent tyrant who lacked passion, talent, and preparation?
Lentia bit her lip without realizing it. Her eyes, betraying her otherwise composed expression, revealed her deep worries and anxieties.
Kirta studied those eyes closely, missing nothing. He opened his mouth.
“Then why don’t we follow that example this time too? Her Majesty the Empress remarries and jointly rules the empire with her new husband?”
“No, it’s too far back in time to blindly follow it. And even though I’m a member of the royal family, I wasn’t born as one… … .”
“Haven’t you already received the surname of the Lekeon Imperial Family? I heard that women of the Empire take their husband’s surname upon marriage.”
“Yes, it’s true. But… … .”
“And you are a very capable and devoted empress. Even I, who have only met you for the second time today, can see how deeply you love and work for this country.”
“Of course, its because I am the empress of this country.”
Lentia hesitated briefly, answering almost reflexively.
Kirta’s direct praise disconcerted her. The straightforwardness of foreigners, unburdened by subtleties, still felt unfamiliar.
Somehow, the tips of her ears felt hot, her tongue tickled, and her cheeks burned as if the spring breeze had thickened only where she sat.
“Yes, that’s right. You are the empress of this country. And if some collateral imperial family ascends to the throne simply because they share a few drops of blood with your husband, wouldn’t you become the empress of a past emperor and will be pushed out of the palace?”
Kirta’s sharp observation was so painfully realistic that Lentia couldn’t bring herself to respond.
Her cheeks, which had just been warm, quickly cooled. She suddenly felt cold, as if she had been thrown alone into the depths of winter.
“So, I would rather ask you to remarry. Please remain here, Your Majesty. You do not have to yield to anyone. You can continue to serve Lekeon as Empress and appoint whomever you wish as the new Emperor.”
Kirta’s suggestion was sweet—so sweet that Lentia clenched her fists against the deadly temptation.
“Why do you want me to remarry? What does it matter to you about who becomes the new emperor?”
Lentia’s voice was sharper than she intended, and she immediately realized she had asked a rather naive question.
Kirta smiled broadly, as if amused by her awkwardness. That smile made him look less like a bright boy and more like a mature man—a man exuding the deep, confident scent of adulthood.
“Of course, it matters. We have only just established friendly relations with His Majesty. If someone completely new ascends the throne, wouldn’t it disrupt everything? It is to our advantage to continue working with someone we already know.”
It was a logical response. Lentia, who had momentarily overlooked this simple reasoning, blushed with embarrassment. She tried to regain her composure.
“I understand. I was just a little distracted for a moment and overlooked something so obvious. I’m sorry.”
“There is no need to apologize. I understand, Your Majesty. I
understand your feelings, even if only a little.”
His words, though likely empty flattery, were sweet enough to make her want to believe.
Even though she knew Kirta, a foreign general who had led countless battles against her empire, could never truly understand her heart, she felt an inexplicable urge to rely on him.
Perhaps it was exhaustion from the rapid succession of recent events that made her steely resolve waver.
“Your Majesty, if you choose to remarry, I would like to help you in my own way.”
“Really? What kind of method is it?”
When Kirta began speaking seriously, Lentia responded reflexively without caution.
In hindsight, she should have sensed the impending danger, but at that moment, she was unusually unguarded.
“I would like to propose to Your Majesty.”
The moment the words left his mouth, Lentia’s mind went blank.
“If you wish, I will be your second husband.”
As his words sank in, time seemed to have slowed down. Her ears registered each word clearly, but her mind refused to comprehend their meaning.
“Please accept me and keep your position as Empress.”
Her world felt as though it had come to a complete halt.
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