The Constitutional Monarchy Proposal
This morning, the four top executives of the Union came directly to Nakyuan (Paradise Territory). We usually held video conferences frequently, but it was rare for them to visit in person. At first, I was startled, thinking some emergency had arisen, and rushed out to meet them—only to find them all beaming with smiles as they greeted me.
When I asked what brought them here, they said it had been too long since they'd paid their respects to me in person. They apologized for not giving prior notice of their visit. It was nice to see them after so long. I gave them a tour of the palace, invited them to the spa, and we enjoyed a meal together with Nakyuan's executives.
"Thanks to what Your Excellency sends us, it graces my table often, but nothing beats eating here."
"Is that so?"
"If I could, I'd abandon my executive position and live here as a citizen."
"The palace is breathtaking too. It's perfect as a king's residence."
The meal continued in a harmonious atmosphere. But something felt off. There was this nagging suspicion, and whenever I got that feeling, something always happened.
"Well, everyone, enjoy the sauna. If you'd like to stay the night, feel free."
"We don't know how to repay Your Excellency's grace."
"No need for that... Rest easy."
Even after I spoke, the top executives didn't leave. They exchanged glances with one another. Im Jui and Han Byeol, standing beside me, sensed the oddity too and gripped their sword hilts, ready to draw at a moment's notice. But what Ham Seong-hoon pulled from his bosom was a bundle of papers.
"Your Excellency. This is a proposal bearing the will of all four top executives. Would you please read it?"
Proposal: Constitutional Monarchy
My gut feeling had been spot on. Whatever was in that document, with all four top executives coming in person, it had to be serious. My guess was a proposal to hunt another named monster. I took the document and sat in a chair.
"Hmm... Huh?"
It was worse than a proposal to hunt named monsters. The Constitutional Monarchy proposal suggested that if the lifelong presidency was burdensome, how about a constitutional monarchy instead. I flipped through the pages silently, reading it.
Having handled so many state affairs lately, I'd gotten a knack for spotting the key parts in documents. Skip the flowery language, read the middle, and the main content emerges.
"..."
Halfway through, I looked up at the top executives. They all wore satisfied smiles, eyes expectant of praise. I was utterly baffled. Had someone in Nakyuan spread false info that I wanted a constitutional monarchy? I had no idea.
"No, this is..."
And the content itself was completely different from the constitutional monarchy I knew. The name suggested limits, but implementing this would make it a de facto absolute monarchy. The draft acknowledged a constitution, but the monarch could amend it at will, wielding superlegal power free of any liability. It granted veto power over all assembly opinions, treated that power as personal property to be inherited by the designated successor. Legislative, judicial, executive, and military authority—all vested in the monarch.
I closed the proposal and glanced around. Nakyuan's executives nodded in agreement, faces saying, "It's finally here." I closed my eyes for a few seconds, then opened them. The scene hadn't changed. This wasn't a dream. Nightmares from the day I was proclaimed Marshal flooded back.
I steadied my breathing and spoke.
"For now... I've read the proposal. But how to put it..."
The Union and Nakyuan executives watched me gravely. I voiced my honest feelings.
"I don't understand what's going on here..."
Ham Seong-hoon murmured softly.
"Please guide us."
"Pardon? Guide you... how?"
Ham Seong-hoon stood and declared loudly.
"Please guide us foolish ones!"
He dropped to both knees and bowed deeply to me.
"Guide us! We shall follow!"
The other three behind him echoed loudly, bowing after him.
"W-Wait! Hold on!"
I jumped up from my chair and looked to Nakyuan's executives. They just watched the scene unfold.
"What are you doing? Stop them ri—!"
Suddenly, Han Seol knelt on both knees, and Han Byeol, Im Jui, Han Eun-ji, and Jeong Su-hwan followed suit.
"If you lead us, we will serve with all our strength until our dying breath."
Han Seol bowed, and everyone bowed to me. Looking around, even the chefs who'd brought the food and the kitchen assistants were bowing toward me.
"Hoo... I'm going insane."
I barely calmed them down and escaped the spa. They resisted at first, but their pleading voices grew louder each time, so I said I'd think about it and left. When I asked the executives why they hadn't stopped it and instead joined in, they just apologized profusely.
Something had gone terribly wrong. Listening to the top executives, I started to understand why they'd acted this way. It stemmed from my repeated negative comments on the lifelong presidency.
My guess: They thought, "His Excellency rejects the lifelong presidency. Why?" → "He must desire monarchy." → "Ah, it might be awkward for him to suggest it first, face-wise." → "We'll step forward." Through this miraculous chain of logic, they'd submitted the proposal.
I tried explaining it was a huge misunderstanding, but they replied with eyes saying, "Trust only us." They seemed to think I was refusing a few times for appearances' sake. It felt like talking to a wall.
Han Seol and the executives knew best that I didn't want such a position. But I could guess why they'd gone along with it. They genuinely wished for me to reign as monarch.
"This is the situation. There's been a serious misunderstanding."
After escaping the spa, I immediately summoned all the teachers and spilled everything. They nodded as they listened.
"Your Excellency. May I say something?"
"Yes."
"I understand the situation, but you must acknowledge that you already reign as Seoul's de facto monarch."
"..."
"If you vanished or passed away, this system would collapse in an instant. I understand your reluctance, but it's inevitable. Even if you weather this, such proposals will keep coming."
The teachers shared their views.
"Every morning, gazing at this place, the thought sometimes crosses my mind: 'Is His Excellency actually a god?' Even I, who sees your human side closest, think that—imagine how the outside world views you: no different from a deity."
"Monarchy would stir less controversy than lifelong presidency."
"The Union's citizens wish to be governed as 'the people of Marshal Seo Do-hyun'; they don't crave independence."
"Consider their position—always receiving unilaterally from you. That desperation makes sense."
"Haa..."
The teachers subtly urged me to accept monarchy. They offered to help me escape this if I wished, but warned it'd recur soon. Especially in Gangnam, the near-revolutionary "state farms" had elevated me to near-divine status.
They praised me as a leader who doesn't wield power recklessly—overly generous—and assured me nothing would change beyond a title. Ultimately, it was my choice: refuse and order no more such talk.
They were right on all counts. I'd been annoyed at the spa, but now I felt pity and guilt toward them. They'd lived expecting despair until death. In that hopeless existence, I'd given them new hope. They were desperate. "What if Seo Do-hyun suddenly tires of it all and quits?"—thoughts like that daily.
As the teachers said, Seoul's people only receive from me unilaterally. I give without demanding repayment. Understanding their side, I saw why they wanted me on the throne. Like it or not, I'd set this stage. Even if not the charismatic leader they dreamed of, I'd resolved to be a responsible one at minimum.
"Alright. I'll do it."
"Your Excellency!"
"Thank you! Your Excellency!"
I went to the Union and Nakyuan executives waiting at the spa and announced I'd accept the constitutional monarchy.
"But on one condition."
"Yes, anything you say!"
"Even after formally adopting constitutional monarchy, address me as 'Marshal' from now on."
"Yes!"
The title "Marshal" had become familiar; I couldn't handle "King" or "Your Highness."
"Changing the system will take time, so let's discuss the rest slowly..."
Even adopting it meant rewriting the constitution, announcing it, proclaiming the new system—months at least.
"Dismissed for today."
"Yes, Marshal."
After the top executives left, I returned to the palace. Starting tomorrow, we'd summon legal scholars to draft a constitution fitting the new system. Appearances mattered, so preparations for a grand enthronement would take time. The enthronement would be in Nakyuan. The Gangnam president's term still had a bit left, and enthronement needed time anyway.
I decided to think positively.
"Monarchy's better than lifelong president anyway. Lifelong president? The name alone is weird."
Lying in bed, I spun happiness circuits nonstop. If my ascension let millions live in peace, I'd gladly do it.
"Han Seol here."
"Come in."
The door opened, revealing Han Seol and all the executives standing gravely at the threshold.
"We're truly sorry!"
"Sorry!"
They all bowed deeply to me.
"It's fine. I'm not mad."
Tears welled in Han Seol's eyes.
"Huh? Why suddenly..."
"I dared... out of personal greed, fail to heed your will. I'm unworthy to stand by you."
"Same for me."
"We've betrayed your trust. Please mete out fitting punishment."
"Even death, we'll accept gladly."
They all hung their heads, eyes misty.
"Why would I kill you..."
I got out of bed, approached them, and smiled.
"Now that I'm the monarch... I hereby pardon all your sins. Good? This topic's closed. No more apologies."
Han Seol hugged me.
"Sorry..."
"No more 'sorry.'"
"Do-hyun, I'm sorry..."
This exchange reminded me of the day I first met Han Seol.
"Sorry!"
Han Byeol teared up and hugged me too.
"Sor... sor! Sorry...!"
Im Jui hugged me.
"Hngh."
Jeong Su-hwan and Han Eun-ji covered their mouths, tears flowing.
"What kind of comedy is this..."
Then Seo I-rang emerged from the living room and spotted us.
"Wh-Why are s-sisters c-crying?"
"Hic... sob!"
As everyone cried, I-rang suddenly wailed and clung to me.
"D-Don't cry! Waaah!"
Na Hye-won, hearing the sobs, came out from her room, saw us, flinched, grabbed Ra-on and Hae-on, and retreated back inside.
"I just wanted to rest in my room... I'm really not mad..."