That Night...
"Did you... did you really say it's none of my business? If you lose, this empire might fall into the hands of that insidious Yohanes! How dare you say such a thing to me?"
Usually, when I returned from work in the early hours of the morning, Theodora would be fast asleep. I had no idea what had gotten into her tonight, but seeing her wide awake and fuming, I spoke in a voice thoroughly drenched in exhaustion.
"Ugh... I'm so tired today..."
Thud.
I collapsed onto the sofa where I always slept.
"Being tired is one thing. Do you think you're the only one who's exhausted?"
At those words, I pulled myself up, looked Theodora dead in the eye, and asked, "What time did you leave the office today?"
"Uh..."
"If my memory serves me right... it was four in the afternoon, wasn't it?"
Theodora flushed, looking flustered. "W-what about it?"
"Do you know what time Lucius left today? He just left with me. You're the Empress, aren't you? You should work with a sense of ownership."
In other words, he had been working alongside me until three in the morning before finally heading home. To be fair, we weren't doing anything grand; we were just organizing necessary documents, which kept us late. We had to compile materials to be submitted for tomorrow's state council meeting. Since there are no computers here, everything has to be processed manually by hand. *Sigh...* I was practically cursing under my breath today. There was a discrepancy in the figures, which kept Lucius from leaving, and by the time I stepped in to help him, it had gotten this late.
"Wait a minute. That's not what I'm talking about! As the Empress and, at the same time, the Grand Duchess..."
I cut off Theodora as she tried to lecture me.
"Exactly. You are both the Grand Duchess and the Empress. So why does the Empress, the master of the empire, leave the office before the Grand Duke and his aide? Isn't that a severe lack of a sense of ownership? And how can I trust and consult with someone who doesn't even have that basic sense of responsibility?"
This was absolutely not me speaking out of jealousy because Theodora got to leave early while I was buried in work, nor was it because I was exhausted and annoyed by her nagging. Probably... hopefully not.
"Ugh..."
As Theodora's red eyes darted around at my words, I turned the tables and began lecturing her instead.
"Even if he's getting paid, Lucius, a citizen of your empire, is working himself to the bone. Do you, as the Empress, have no self-awareness at all?"
Lucius was technically working under a slave contract with me, but for this brief moment, I packaged him as a paragon of imperial loyalty.
"Looking at a loyal subject who works that hard, you should be thinking of ways to make your citizens' lives better."
"B-but you're the one who exploits Lucius every single day—"
As Theodora tried to counter, I glared at her.
"Ah-ah! Exploits? Isn't that a bit much to say about a noble subject working for the empire as a public servant? Lucius is serving the empire out of pure loyalty!"
If Lucius had heard this, he probably would have coughed up blood, but what could he do? There was no way for him to return to the Academy anymore. Ah, come to think of it, I should tell him to start recruiting subordinates soon. Having just Lucius on board had already made things significantly easier. If my previous efficiency was at 100%, I'd say it had jumped to 150% thanks to him. I really need to capture... I mean, hire a few more slaves.
"Ugh! F-fine... I'll work overtime too... so please show me a bit more respect from now on."
Seeing Theodora's momentum completely collapse under my pressure, I smiled inwardly.
"Sure, sure, I got it. I'll consult with you more in the future."
Uttering a promise I had absolutely no intention of keeping, I lay back down on the sofa and drifted off to sleep.
Early the next morning. Before the sun had even risen, I conjured a small magical spark in the dark room. As I lit a candle to illuminate the surroundings, a groggy, sleep-laden voice drifted over.
"Mmm... are you awake already?"
"Yeah. Go back to sleep if you're tired."
Saying so, I grabbed a change of clothes, washed up in the bathroom, and stepped out.
"Yawn... Do you go to work at this hour every day?"
Looking at Theodora, who was lying in bed and locking eyes with me, I replied, "Not every day, but things are going to be a bit busy for a while."
Lately, I hadn't just been managing the affairs of the Grand Duke's Office; I was also overseeing the administration of the entire Grand Duchy, making me feel like I needed a clone of myself just to keep up. Things will quiet down a bit once the war is over, I thought. But as I turned to leave the room...
"I'm coming with you..."
She sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes.
"Aren't you tired? Don't come whining to me later when you're exhausted."
At my words, Theodora covered her mouth with her palm and yawned.
"Yawn... I am tired... but since you and Lucius must be even more exhausted, I can bear it."
Looking into her sleep-filled red eyes, a gentle smile tugged at my lips.
"Alright then. Go wash up. I'll wait for you."
With a soft nod, Theodora grabbed her clothes and headed to the bathroom. I sat on the sofa, waiting for her.
Once she was ready, we arrived at the Grand Duke's Office. A visibly exhausted Lucius looked at us in surprise.
"Oh...? Your Majesty, you're early today."
Seeing Lucius's astonished expression, Theodora replied coldly, "We are the master of this empire. How could We rest when Our subjects are out here working so early?"
Watching her parrot the very words I had said to her yesterday, I thought to myself, Theodora. Your skin is thicker than I thought. With that thought, I headed toward my office.
The war between the Grand Duchy and the anti-Grand Duchy faction had begun yesterday. Perhaps because of that, my son-in-law, who usually had breakfast with us every morning, was too busy to show up.
"Sister, is brother-in-law doing okay?"
At Joy's question, a tired-looking Theodora replied half-heartedly, "I'm sure he's fine. He's someone who stays up all night every single day anyway."
It was a meal with my daughters after a long time. I needed to give that to Theodora while my son-in-law wasn't around. Having recently learned of my daughter's... unique tastes, I had ordered a servant to procure a certain item, believing that if I didn't somehow curb those inclinations, I would never see any grandchildren. Sigh... To think that at my age, I would have to worry about my daughter's marital relations. With that thought, I stole a glance at Theodora. She was undoubtedly pure, elegant, and beautiful to look at. How on earth did she develop such bizarre tastes?
I recalled her speaking with a chillingly dark expression.
—If I catch him in the act... I'll bind his limbs so he can never leave the Imperial Palace again...
Even though she was my own daughter, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't heard those chilling words from her own mouth.
"Ahem... Theodora. Let us have some tea, just the two of us, after breakfast today."
At my words, Joy put on a pitiful face. "Mother... that's so unfair... I love tea time too..."
"Fufu. You have tea time every day, don't you? Theodora doesn't have much free time because of her work."
At my response, Joy pouted. "It feels like Mother only ever cares about Sister."
At that, Theodora smiled gently. "Oh dear... is our Joy pouting? Then let's have tea together at lunchtime."
Joy's face lit up instantly. "Really? Then can I go to the Grand Duke's Office at noon?"
Theodora nodded with a soft smile.
They were my daughters, but they really were so lovely. Looking at Theodora, who shone as brilliantly and beautifully as a reflection of my own youth, and Joy, who was cuter and more precious than anyone else, I couldn't help but feel a deep swell of maternal affection.
With those warm thoughts, we finished our meal, and Joy tactfully excused herself. Since I rarely had guests these days, I brought out the black tea I saved for special occasions and placed it in the teapot. Once it had steeped, I poured the amber liquid into Theodora's cup and handed it to her.
Clink.
As I poured a cup for myself, Theodora gently lifted her teacup, inhaling the rich aroma. She was so elegant and beautiful that one might wonder if an angel had descended into the world through my womb. I took a sip and broke the silence.
"So... how have things been between you and Deviang lately?"
I asked, recalling how she had returned to the palace alongside Deviang after he had slipped out last time. Theodora looked slightly embarrassed as she replied, "That... I think it was just a misunderstanding on my part. It turns out he had only gone out for an undercover inspection."
That was a relief, at least. Yet, hearing that only amplified the heavy guilt and apology I felt toward my son-in-law for raising my daughter so poorly. My dear son-in-law... I am so sorry... I failed to raise her right. How could anyone have guessed that such a beautiful face hid such deviant, sadistic tendencies? If the shock was this immense for me as her mother, it must be infinitely worse for Deviang. He had married his long-time unrequited love, only to discover she was a sadist who fantasized about tying him up. What a cruel trick of fate. Still, I didn't want to show any of this in front of Theodora. She was fundamentally a good, innocent girl. If I guided her gently, she would surely understand. With that thought, I spoke softly.
"Theodora, I have prepared a gift for you."
I stood up and walked over to the bookshelf. I pulled out a book wrapped in a plain leather cover. The original cover was a striking, deep reddish leather, but the title was so scandalous that I had wrapped it in a separate, discreet cover. It was a book titled Hot Sex Techniques, which I had recently purchased through a maid. It was practically a must-read guide for married nobles and citizens alike. I had heard it detailed various physical acts of intimacy and how to be considerate of one's partner. I never imagined that after my husband's passing, I would end up buying a book I hadn't even laid eyes on during my own marriage—and all because of my daughter. But if I stood by and did nothing, I might never get to hold a precious grandchild. Steeling my resolve, I had made the purchase.
"Mother...? What is this?"
As I handed her the book, I spoke hurriedly. "Theodora... you know that no matter how much you might enjoy something, you must never force it upon your partner if they dislike it, right?"
Seeing her nod with a puzzled expression, a wave of profound relief washed over me. At least she hadn't crossed the point of no return yet.
"Therefore, this book will help... soften the relations between you and Deviang. Make sure to read it when the two of you are completely alone."
Fearing she might open the embarrassing book right here, I urged her, and Theodora gave a small nod.
"But what kind of book is this?"
"T-that... just read it later when you're by yourself."
I answered in a flurry, terrified she would flip it open on the spot. She tilted her head in confusion but eventually nodded, bringing me immense relief. Thank goodness... she didn't open it in front of me. I had questioned whether it was right for a mother to buy such a thing for her married daughter, regardless of how peculiar her tastes were... but I did it out of a desperate hope to steer her away from forcing unacceptable desires onto Deviang, wishing instead for them to have a healthy, normal intimate life. I hope this helps correct her warped inclinations...
As I was lost in thought, Theodora stroked the plain leather cover and asked, "But there's no title on the cover. What is it called?"
"Oh... t-that is..."
The title itself was far too embarrassing to utter, so I quickly made an excuse.
"You'll find out once you look at it alone later."
At my words, Theodora nodded and took another sip of her tea.