Equal or Above
Marianne was sipping her tea, but what she was savoring wasn't the tea at all.
She had been lost in thought about her husband, who had unexpectedly indulged her whims.
Although his manner was somewhat clumsy, Isaac had praised Marianne with all his heart. At first, it was only things like "she has a good head on her shoulders" or "she's imperial," but as Marianne continued to demand more, he began praising her appearance and figure as well.
Thanks to that, Marianne was satisfied. But what satisfied her even more than the praise was the look on Isaac's face when he spoke.
'He was adorable.'
It was the first time in her life she had felt a man, an adult male, to be cute, whether it was a small animal, a flower, or her younger sister.
If it had been her in the past, she would have denied it even if the feeling of cuteness arose, but Isaac just now was so undeniably cute that she couldn't deny it.
No, the way he had panicked but still done his best to fulfill his wife's demands was beyond adorable...
"I don't know."
From Marianne's lips, who had relaxed her tension to maintain her dignity alone, the words of her heart spilled out unconsciously.
Of course, the brilliant Marianne knew that the feeling she was currently experiencing was love, and that she might have fallen for the person she had distanced herself from as her legal husband until now.
She was at the highest position in the world, but because of that, she occasionally harbored a desire for the ordinary. If she saw it with her own two eyes, her mindset might change.
For example, her husband's broad back that appeared in a life-or-death moment when her life was in danger.
But she couldn't conclude that for sure, as there was no information in her life to compare the current situation with.
Not knowing is uncomfortable. So, she needed to observe. If she kept him close and observed continuously, she could accurately know her own heart, Marianne thought.
"Can't help it. I first saw such a man."
Marianne muttered a self-justification that she didn't even realize she was saying to whom, and what she recalled was, of course, Isaac's appearance.
Even if he had left his hometown with the treatment of a slave or worse, Isaac had smiled. Even if he sat in the place of death instead of the one to be scolded, he didn't mind and smiled.
At first, she had just been puzzled by that smile and had no particular interest.
When he casually dismantled one branch of the Empire's largest criminal organization as a joke about spousal support, or slipped information to the Imperial Intelligence Agency that a massive merchant company he had encountered while chasing women might negatively affect the capital's economy, she had thought it was just flattery.
'Hmm. Honestly, from that time on, I did feel a bit concerned, but...'
In addition, Isaac had brought important information from various places and handed it to the Imperial Intelligence Agency, even after the Duke of Jericho had contacted him and he had practically banned contact with women.
All of these were information that couldn't be obtained unless one had a very intimate relationship with the party involved or the target. Among these, there were some that, if left unattended, could turn into dangerous situations.
Thanks to the Imperial Intelligence Agency and the Capital Defense Force's activities in obtaining the information, they had successfully prevented several incidents in advance.
'Even if I show some favoritism, it should be fine.'
Although they had achieved remarkable feats, only a few people close to the center in Marianne and the Imperial Intelligence Agency knew the fact.
Isaac didn't hand over the information he obtained himself. He had passed it through several routes, so he thought Marianne wouldn't know the fact.
From the way he spoke, there was no sign that he thought his actions had been exposed.
"Seeing that, it seems you're still naive."
Was it because he had lived like he was on the battlefield, as he had said himself? There were times when he acted and spoke naively, as if something was off.
After all, her husband had the power of a Hero-Class, so he could react sensitively to being followed, for example.
But there were other ways to find out about a specific target's actions besides following. Moreover, she was the Empress.
Within the Empire, no one could escape Marianne's gaze. No matter how strong, no matter how carefully they hid their words and actions, it would all be meaningless.
Isaac's eyes never left her.
"According to Haria's report, it seems he hasn't been with a woman recently."
'It's information that helps me,' she knew, but the way was gradually not to her liking.
Among the Hounds, there were those who obtained information by acting similarly to Isaac, so from now on, she could just order them.
After all, he would be sticking close to her side from now on, so it would be fine to observe slowly.
"By the way, it's late."
Placing down the now-cold teacup, Marianne looked at the door that Isaac had opened and left through with dissatisfaction.
She didn't have the fact that it had only been about 10 minutes since he left in her mind.
Even if she recalled it, she would have ignored it.
"I have no intention of returning to active duty, Gilbert says. He's very happy that his wife doesn't have to worry about him doing dangerous things, and he's feeling his strength waning anyway, so he said the Hound work is tough anyway."
The subordinates who heard the news I brought had their jaws drop in surprise and immediately thought the same as me.
If the treatment changed that much, Gilbert didn't need to retire, did he?
Anticipating the subordinates' reactions, before returning to headquarters, I visited Gilbert's new stationery store that he had opened. And, as I said just now, I was rejected.
"I think it's a pity considering Gilbert's combat power, but since it's his choice, I think it's best to respect it. So, don't go looking for him for nothing and say nonsense."
With my clear line drawn, the subordinates nodded and talked among themselves.
"After all, thanks to the Boss, Gilbert can leave with the largest retirement pay in Hound history."
"Not only that, he received a hefty reward for the mad mage extermination."
"He said he opened the stationery store to fulfill his wife's dream and as a way to spend time."
Although the regret wasn't completely gone, the subordinates' topic of conversation, who were cheering on their colleague's new beginning, soon changed to the new Hound.
"I never thought I'd be working in the Imperial Palace."
"The Boss said we have to wear the mask, right?"
"That's what it was originally. And we can eat and sleep in the Imperial Palace; what's the big deal about a mask?"
"That's true."
Boros, Damus, and Derigan, who is usually taciturn, are all showing quite excited expressions. I'm looking at those subordinates too.
But the two, Haria and Selemin, are making very dissatisfied faces.
"Your Majesty, why did you suddenly make such a decision... Did you notice?"
"Then the meaning of deliberately entering the Hounds is gone..."
It was natural for them to be dissatisfied.
Haria had put in all her savings, which ultimately was Marianne's money, to remodel the Boss's office, but suddenly the transfer was decided, so it was a waste.
As for Selemin, there was nothing to say. She had entered the Hounds out of opposition to her sister, and if the headquarters moved to the Imperial Palace, it would be back to square one.
But, perhaps out of consideration for the other Hounds, neither openly expressed their dissatisfaction and rejection.
"Well then, everyone pack your luggage. Even if it's luggage, it's just personal items. Make sure to move all the documents without missing anything."
I had called a few moving vans on the way, but I thought there wouldn't be much to pack besides the documents.
I thought the transfer would be quick, but I realized that was a mistake in just a few minutes.
"Derigan. Where we're going is the Imperial Palace. You can leave those chairs that look like they'll break at any moment."
"Even though I can still use them..."
While speaking, one of his legs broke.
"Garel. I respect your hobby, but you can't bring a cursed sword to the Imperial Palace."
"Is that possible...!"
Is this that surprising?
"Boros. Things like coloring magazines can be bought later after the transfer."
"But Boss. This is a legendary magazine that's already out of print and can't be obtained!"
What legendary magazine is that?
"Gina. Are you planning to swim in the Imperial Palace?"
"Ah, no! There's no way! This is a dress!"
Then it's even more of a problem.
"Damus... What is that huge luggage?"
"It's my personal belongings."
I went to the corner and opened it with them, and inside the bundle were various cute and adorable items.
Since it's personal preference, I'll respect it. At least it's the most normal one.
Thanks to these subordinates who didn't plan to leave anything behind, I unexpectedly had my head hurt, but I suddenly noticed that one was missing.
"Coyle hasn't come yet?"
"Yes. Now that I think about it, he's a bit late."
As I told Marianne, the betrayer who leaked our information to the highest minister or noble would be the one. So, before going to the Imperial Palace, I had told Coyle to lightly investigate and come back.
I had planned to do a proper investigation after getting Marianne's approval, but just to look around, but why hasn't he come yet?
I was starting to worry if he was entangled in something. Just as I was thinking that, the door of the headquarters opened and Coyle returned.
Bleeding.
"Coyle!"
The subordinates and I who were packing the luggage rushed to Coyle at the same time. We brought a towel and water, and Coyle wiped his face and said.
"I'm fine. It doesn't look like I got hurt that badly."
It seemed so. There were traces of wounds and bruises all over, like he had been beaten with fists.
"Who did you fight with and what happened?"
"Yes. That is... But where are we going? Why are you all packing your luggage?"
I briefly summarized the situation of moving the headquarters to the Imperial Palace, and Coyle showed the same reaction as the other Hounds.
"Damn it. We really...!"
"That's already done, so tell me what happened."
Interrupting, with a firm face, we asked Coyle, who scratched his cheek and opened his mouth.
"Ah, that. I was wandering around a place where many noble ladies and wives of imperial ministers gather as usual..."
Coyle's story was this. Following my orders, I was casually looking for information, and a young, pretty noble lady sitting alone caught my eye.
Despite her young and pretty appearance, there was something shadowy about her, and Coyle, who was unconsciously drawn to it, snapped out of it and started talking to her.
I paused the story for a moment.
"Coyle."
"Yes?"
"Was it pulled by the heart or the lower body?"
"Eh... both?"
It seems the story is coming to an end. I'll continue.
"She was a poor woman. She entered as a concubine of an elderly noble, but within a few years, her husband died. After that, her family treated her like a transparent person and she was always lonely, he said."
"You comforted her loneliness?"
"Of course."
Coyle answered boldly and continued the story.
It was good to have a place to sleep and then go to afternoon tea, but the scene was seen by some man who had been stalking the widow.
"From what I heard about the lady, it seems he's a stalker."
The man lost his reason and rushed at Coyle, and they fought, and Coyle lightly beat him.
"He was short and skinny, and ugly, so it was easy."
"The last one seems unrelated to the fight, but let's overlook it. Then who hit you?"
"I was drinking tea when that guy gathered his gang and came back."
So, after safely sending the widow back home, he fought to chase the guys, and as a result, he couldn't help but get hurt, that's Coyle's explanation.
After hearing the entire story, I spoke to Coyle again.
"You've done a romantic adventure in such a short time. So, Coyle. I'm about to ask you something very important."
"What is it, Boss?"
"That woman and the man who attacked you. Just an ordinary woman and an ordinary man, right?"
I hoped Coyle would nod and say yes, but what came out of his mouth was cruel.
"That is, I swear I won't know later. When I checked, it was the Duchess of the Jericho Duchy. Ah, of course, the wife of the previous lord who has passed away. And the guy who attacked me, when I checked, was the secretary of the Imperial Chancellery. His name was definitely James Rector, I think?"
"......"
"......"
"......"
"......"
"......"
"......"
"......"
"......"
Ah. So, my subordinate had slept with the new stepmother who became the widow of the Empire's highest noble, and then stalked her, and then beat up the second-in-command of the Imperial Chancellery and the favorite disciple of the Chancellor who was stalking her, and came back.
And then scratching his cheek as if embarrassed like a kid who got caught playing a prank?
"Damus."
"Yes."
"Bring the hammer and crush that guy's lower body a bit."
"Understood."
I admit it, Coyle. You are at least equal to me.