The Mad Emperor Comes Calling
“It’s been a while.”
The emperor sat upon the jade throne, looking down at me. I bowed my head in accordance with imperial protocol, then met that arrogant gaze head-on.
“It’s been ages since you last looked at me with eyes like that. Back when you were crown prince, perhaps? You had that same expression the first time you promised to stand by my side.”
“Right before the civil war was about to erupt.”
“Ah, memories of the old days.”
“Your Majesty, to what do I owe the summons?”
The emperor—Ryuclid—gazed down at me for a moment before speaking.
“Do we really need to be so formal between us?”
A mischievous, childlike smile flickered across the emperor’s face as the words trailed off.
“Your Majesty is the sun of the empire.”
“Hah, even you say such things. It wounds me.”
His voice was softer than ever, but the emperor’s blue eyes weren’t smiling. They were cold as ice, scrutinizing my every move.
“You’re a hard one to read. Before I became emperor, you acted like no one was more devoted to me. Now that I am emperor, you’re the coldest of them all.”
“Your Majesty must watch over not just one man, but the millions of your subjects.”
“To me, those millions matter less than the capable few. The empire is built by an elite minority of the talented.”
The emperor gave a wry smile as I held my silence.
“Enough of this dull talk. How is that woman faring?”
“Seria, you mean?”
“Yes. Seria. Ah, doesn’t it have a beautiful ring? Seria Siegfried.”
“The woman Your Majesty subjected to status execution. You know her name can no longer be spoken in this empire.”
“I am the emperor of the empire—who would dare object? Of course, if anyone but me uttered her full name, I wouldn’t let it slide.”
A predatory smile curled the emperor’s lips.
“Seria Siegfried—now a name only I can call.”
The emperor reached out into empty air, as if grasping for some ideal paradise that existed there.
“Your Majesty seems quite fond of Seria.”
“I was, once. But as you know, she and I belong to different factions. And with the current empress in place, I can’t take her just yet.”
The emperor’s face hardened for a split second at the mention of the novel’s heroine, the empress.
“No one would stop Your Majesty from taking a concubine.”
“Hahaha, that’s what I like about you. But I have no intention of making her my concubine. On that point, at least, I’m dead serious. It shines brighter in your hands anyway.”
The emperor chuckled lowly before continuing.
“As I told you before, I want to see her suffer. Hear her scream in agony, thrashing to escape her fate. That’s why I sent her to you.”
“I understand.”
“How were her screams? Beautiful? Or shrill and piercing? Or perhaps she clenched her jaw and held onto her pride like the true noble she is.”
“Not something to recount to the one seated on the throne.”
At that, the emperor rose and descended toward me. The thud of his footsteps. A subtle thrill lit his approaching face.
“I want to hear it. How Seria Siegfried resisted you. How you tormented her. Ideally, she suffered greatly.”
I said nothing. This wasn’t a conversation for the grand audience chamber where imperial business flowed.
“Hah, always like this. Truly a pity.”
He sighed deeply.
“Since you won’t tell me, I have no way to hear what I crave. So I sent that gift of mine—did you receive it?”
“You mean Hongryeon.”
“Hah, how could I endure without hearing Seria’s screams? And I was curious how you’d handle the spy I sent, as a bonus…”
The emperor trailed off, then spoke again.
“A bit disappointing, though. I didn’t expect you to let her be.”
“I deemed her unnecessary.”
“Unnecessary… Then perhaps I should make her necessary.”
“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I won’t accept such an order.”
I met the emperor’s eyes squarely. For an instant, his brow twitched, but he didn’t let it show.
“Fine. I’m no tyrant like my father—why would I give you such a command?”
“My thanks.”
“Still, I’d like to see it once.”
“See what, Your Majesty?”
“You training Seria Siegfried. How you make her scream, what pains you inflict—I want to witness it with my own eyes.”
A feral gleam ignited in the emperor’s gaze.
Does he suspect something?
That I’m not actually tormenting her? How rude.
As I conversed with the emperor, a thought crystallized: the man before me and the novel’s protagonist were entirely different beings. The Ryuclid of the tragic romance might have his cruel side, but he had at least a shred of kindness. This emperor, enthroned, showed none of it.
A single word surfaced in my mind.
‘Tyrant.’
The previous emperor had been one—abusing Ryuclid and terrorizing the empire, Vermut III. Ryuclid claimed he wasn’t like his father, but to me, he brimmed with tyrannical potential more than anyone. If I had to name the man who could drown this empire in blood, he’d be suspect number one. Far more than some dragon lurking in the mountains.
This might not end like the novel’s conclusion after all.
I recalled the original’s happy-ever-after. Did Ryuclid even understand happiness the way ordinary people did?
I need to hurry.
Build my own power base.
That’s when he spoke.
“I’ll visit your mansion tomorrow.”
“My home, Your Majesty?”
“Yes. It’s been ages since I dined at a retainer’s house. Seeing Seria Siegfried’s face would be a bonus. Oh, and her pouring wine into my cup—that’d be entertaining. The haughty lady pulling a sour face would make a fine epilogue.”
The emperor chuckled darkly.
“And show me. That famous training prowess of yours.”
I bowed my head.
“Understood.”
I returned to the mansion.
“Master, you’re back? Shall I prepare dinner first, or a bath?”
I grabbed Seria’s wrist as she bowed politely.
“Let’s talk for a moment.”
“M-Master. Wait just a—”
Seria pushed against my chest with both hands. I confirmed no one was watching, then spoke.
“O-Outside…”
“The emperor’s coming tomorrow.”
“Pardon?”
Seria blinked, utterly caught off guard. Her expression shifted in real time—shock, horror, panic, disappointment. The clearest emotion? Regret.
Regret? Over what, I couldn’t say. But this reaction was unexpected. I’d half-expected her to beg me to change her status.
“Why is he coming?”
Seria’s voice was devoid of emotion.
“I can’t say.”
“Is it… because of me?”
I nodded.
“I see.”
Her face turned icy at the emperor’s name. I’d seen that look before—the first time she appeared in the novel, glaring at the heroine.
“Is that all?”
“Yes. I was a bit shocked, but I’m fine.”
“Your reaction surprises me.”
“As you said, Minister, the emperor played a part in my fall. So this is only natural.”
“I suppose.”
“Why tell me he’s coming? Is there something I need to do?”
I told Seria straight.
“I called you to warn you ahead. The day he arrives, I might do unspeakable things to you. Steel yourself.”
“Ah… I see.”
An inexplicable thrill lit Seria’s face as she replied.
“Then.”
As I turned to head to my study—
“M-Minister.”
Seria grabbed my sleeve urgently.
“What?”
“Um… there’s something I wanted to ask.”
“About the emperor?”
“No, something else.”
Seria’s lips trembled.
“That is… are you, um, sleeping with Lady Baekseol?”
“Baekseol?”
“Yes, in that sense.”
Seria’s face flushed crimson.
“Didn’t you overhear outside the door? I sensed you there. Focus on tomorrow instead of silly thoughts.”
“Ah…”
Why the disappointment in her eyes just now?
“To answer your earlier question: dinner first. Bring it to the study.”
“Y-Yes, understood.”
I went to the study. Shortly after starting work—
The door opened.
“You’re here? Leave the meal on that table.”
I was buried in paperwork, too focused to check who entered.
“Lord Morris, I’ve brought your meal.”
Not Seria’s voice. I looked up to see Baekseol smiling with a tray.
“I heard you hadn’t eaten, so I made a dish from my homeland.”
The bowl held stir-fried mutton, reminiscent of bulgogi from my old world.
“Baekseol, why’d you bring it? Where’s Seria?”
“I thought I’d handle it this time. Variety’s good now and then, no?”
Baekseol set the bowl on my desk.
“I said the table over there.”
“I’ll feed you.”
She pulled a chair beside me and scooped meat onto a spoon.
“No need. I can eat myself.”
Her sudden boldness threw me. She’d been forward before, but not like this.
I took the spoon and took a bite.
“How is it?”
“Delicious.”
It tasted just like bulgogi—nostalgic enough to evoke my lost home.
“You made it yourself?”
“Yes, hehe. Glad you like it.”
Baekseol’s cheeks lifted with every bite I took, her smile unwavering.
“Thank you.”
“This dish is a tonic where I’m from.”
A tonic. Which explained.
“S-So if it gives you vigor…”
Baekseol fidgeted with her fingers. I knew what she wanted.
Glancing around, she whispered low.
“May I visit your chambers tonight?”
“Tonight?”
She nodded vigorously.
Strange.
Why was Baekseol acting this way? She’d gotten my seed—shouldn’t she be plotting her escape? I’d even set up surveillance.
Unless…
I leaned toward her, gripped her chin, and pulled her close. Our breaths mingled.
“L-Lord Morris… Even if you feel energetic, k-kisses are for the bedroom…”
Baekseol squeezed her eyes shut. Ignoring her, I placed a hand on her abdomen.
“L-Lord Morris?”
“Not yet.”
“Pardon?”
As expected—no modification. Why? The Crui tribe had rituals to ensure conception.
Something hadn’t gone her way. That’s why she sought another night.
“Not tonight. The emperor comes tomorrow…”
Crash!
The shattering bowl broke my focus. Seria stood there, staring at us.
“S-Sorry. My hand slipped.”
“Haven’t seen a mistake like that in ages.”
“I-I’ll clean it. Sorry. Please continue what you were doing.”
Seria fumbled to pick up the shards.
“Leave it. You’ll cut yourself.”
I flicked my fingers. Mana rippled; the pieces reassembled perfectly, good as new, landing in her hand. The spilled food was beyond saving.
“Here.”
“Impressive as always.”
Seria muttered like she was scolding, her tone laced with regret.
“I am the Magic Department Minister. Competence is required.”
“True…”
Then, commotion from outside.
What now?
“Master! His Imperial Majesty has arrived!”
Sebastian flung open the study door, shouting urgently.
“The emperor?”