The Nobles' Marriage Plot
Edwin’s patience, which had been holding the meeting together out of sheer formality, was rapidly running out.
I don’t want to waste time on this kind of pointless debate.
Edwin had been going out far more often lately. With less time to work and an ever-growing list of tasks, he needed to be ruthlessly efficient if he wanted any time left to see Lina.
He had no patience for nobles whining and complaining.
Still, this is the last item on the agenda.
Swallowing his irritation with a sigh, Edwin gave a subtle nod toward the nobles aligned with the imperial faction. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, catching the signal, smoothly interjected.
“All five candidates are fine young men. Why not let the parties involved decide for themselves whether their hearts align?”
Though each faction had its preferred candidate, the potential consorts for the crown princess had all been selected by the Emperor’s side. No one intended to throw their full support behind any of them just yet; the suggestion was simply to wait and observe. In other words, it was also a polite way of saying the meeting should end for the day.
Those who realized the minister was speaking on the Emperor’s behalf began to close their mouths one by one.
It looks like it’s finally wrapping up. Tight, but I should still make it on time.
As the hall quieted slightly, Edwin’s thoughts drifted to his weekend plans with Lina, and a faint smile touched his lips. It was the first smile he had shown since the grand council began.
Seeing their superior satisfied, the Minister of Foreign Affairs moved to conclude the meeting with renewed confidence.
“Since all the agenda items have been discussed—”
At the minister’s firm tone, Count Harkan let out a disgruntled cough, but quickly fell silent again. He looked like an actor who had become so immersed in his role that he kept performing even after the curtain fell, only to flinch upon noticing the darkened stage.
The minister, briefly startled by the small noise, was about to finish his declaration when a noble from the southern faction spoke up, pretending not to understand the minister’s intent.
“However—”
Meaningful glances darted back and forth. The nobles who had been fighting along factional lines moments ago now exchanged conspiratorial looks, regardless of east, west, south, or north.
Edwin felt a dull ache at the back of his neck. So they’re plotting something again, even after I told them to wrap it up. If a new agenda item came up now, he might end up stuck in his office all weekend.
His mood plummeted.
Whether the southern noble truly lacked awareness or not, he continued.
“While a political marriage with Bellot is important for continental peace, the stability of the Empire itself is equally vital, is it not?”
An eastern noble, who had been subtly opposing the others just moments ago, immediately chimed in as if on cue.
“A strong foundation requires a wise mistress of the house.”
As if a signal had been fired, nobles from every region began adding their voices.
“Frankly, this is already overdue. Your Majesty has long passed the typical age for imperial marriages.”
“We understand it was unavoidable during the war, but the Empress’s palace cannot remain empty forever…”
After building such a grave atmosphere, the topic they finally raised was Edwin’s own marriage.
“Hah.”
Before he became Emperor, they had pretended not to notice to avoid drawing the late Emperor’s displeasure. After his ascension, they had avoided the subject entirely, fearing that if he died on the battlefield, they would lose a valuable piece for political marriages.
So they think things have settled enough to bring this up.
Ironically, Edwin sensed from their shamelessness that the war had truly ended and peace had arrived.
The nobles, interpreting his stunned silence as a relatively mild reaction—or perhaps believing he was leaving room for discussion—began speaking over one another.
“Even in wartime, it is unthinkable for the Emperor of the Regencia Empire to remain unmarried past the proper age.”
“Indeed. We have been unfilial, using the war as an excuse.”
“There are many renowned, virtuous, and noble young ladies in the Empire…”
Though they had started in perfect harmony, they soon began raising their voices again, each pushing their own candidate. Their enthusiasm far exceeded what they had shown for the crown princess’s consort candidates.
They’re quite desperate for the position of Empress.
Members of the imperial family had always been highly sought-after matches in the marriage market. Especially now, when Edwin was the only remaining member of the imperial family, it was only natural for the nobles to swarm him with burning ambition. Unlike Edwin’s exceptional case, it was customary for imperial relatives to be betrothed young and married upon reaching adulthood, so they had plenty of justification.
But that’s their problem.
One had to know one’s place before stretching out one’s legs. There had been a time when Edwin thought he would eventually enter a strategic marriage with a suitable lady from a helpful house. That time was long gone.
Having no intention of entertaining their ambitions, Edwin raised his hand and cut them off.
“Enough.”
Though their voices grew slightly quieter at his rebuke, the nobles’ power struggle continued as if they were making a demonstration against him. The foolish, greedy nobles had grown bold to the point of recklessness. It had not been long since Duke Camelot was dragged out of the grand council chamber after his corruption was exposed and his life threatened, yet they had already forgotten the lesson.
Edwin let out a hollow laugh at their learning ability, which was worse than that of beasts.
Even soldiers who used to farm in rural villages would understand after being drilled a few times.
Perhaps their stiff necks came from the lofty title of nobility. They would cower when he grew angry, only to raise their heads again at the first opportunity—like reeds that bent in the wind but always sprang back upright.
Edwin knew many ways to cut down such reeds that only pretended to submit, but he currently lacked the time to properly deal with these hopeless nobles. The meeting had already taken far longer than expected.
Drawing on the patience he had accumulated over the past month, Edwin spoke.
“I will handle my own marriage.”
It was the last of his scraped-together patience.
Yet the piranhas refused to detach with such gentle methods.
“Of course, choosing a lifelong companion is a matter where Your Majesty’s wishes are paramount. Still, sometimes effort is required to form a connection, which is why we speak.”
When Count Harkan, who had been hanging back as if observing who had noticed their mistake, finally spoke, the offensive intensified once more.
“Count Harkan is correct.”
“One never knows where or how fate will strike.”
Even knowing Edwin’s mood had completely soured, the nobles pretended otherwise and began recommending the young ladies they supported.
“The daughter of the Clonair Marquisate is exceptionally talented…”
“Rather than that, now that the war is over, perhaps holding a grand ball…”
“I hear the second princess of Schmitz is close in age to Your Majesty and quite beautiful…”
These were the claims of the northern, eastern, and southern factions in order. Even the eastern faction, which had little to offer aside from the relatively young Ismail Marquisate, pushed forward with sheer numbers.
Surprisingly, the western faction—which had reignited the dying flames—did not promote any specific candidate. Instead, they seemed content to stir conflict and withdraw, simply tearing down whichever candidate the others supported.
“Surely the princess of Schmitz is not a suitable candidate for Empress of the Empire?”
“She would still be a better choice than the daughter of the Clonair Marquisate, whose family history spans less than fifty years.”
Hah.
At last, Edwin’s patience ran completely dry.
“I told you to stop.”
The final warning came accompanied by the sound of a sword being drawn.
Shing.