I Stole the Emperor's First Night - Chapter 107

Atlan regained its daily life.

Following Leopold’s orders, they repaired the courtyard that had collapsed due to the battle and quickly restored the ruined White territory.

They buried the corpses trapped under the debris of the collapsed castle walls one by one. And for three days, they observed a period of national mourning.

During that period, even the meals served to His Majesty the Emperor were made simple. All leisure activities of the common people were halted.

After the mourning period ended, Leopold summoned the nobles who owned estates to the imperial palace.

“We will begin a thorough inspection.”

Leopold’s heavy voice echoed through the conference room.

“What do you mean by that?”

“An inspection?”

Some nobles looked around in surprise, glancing at each other.

“Do you mean inspecting the territories?”

When someone voiced their dissatisfaction, Leopold sharply turned his head toward the direction of the sound.

“If you have been managing your territories well, there should be no reason to be alarmed by a sudden inspection.”

His low voice growled as he spat out the words.

Having witnessed firsthand the massacre of the White territory residents at the hands of Noah Diaz, he regretted deeply.

He blamed himself for not paying attention and checking in sooner.

“We will check the infrastructure and economic conditions of the estates and gauge the public sentiment of the residents.”

Silence ensued.

Many lords had been exploiting their residents. Households that couldn’t pay taxes due to lack of money were forced to sell their daughters to other territories to pay.

Most nobles couldn’t even meet Leopold’s gaze. No, they stared only at the table, fearing their eyes might meet his.

Seeing their reactions, Leopold let out a hollow laugh.

“Judging by your reactions, I can see that my decision was not wrong.”

“What do you intend to do after the inspection?”

The questioning voice was tinged with fear.

Granting someone a territory meant that person had the qualities of a leader.

Leopold did not entrust territories to just anyone.

He appointed them as lords those who would take good care of the people, those who were quick-witted and capable of managing a territory.

And yet, they betrayed him like this.

‘They must be asking because they fear punishment. I should meet their expectations.’

He raised his head and lowered his gaze.

“Anyone who has committed illegal acts must receive a fitting punishment.”

“What-?!”

The hall was in an uproar.

“Do you mean to kill them?”

“No. How can you do this all of a sudden?”

Are those who usually stay silent now squirming because they’ve been stepped on?

Have they forgotten who stands before them…?

Leopold’s eyebrows twisted in displeasure.

Bang-!

He slammed the table with mana-infused fists. Red mana flickered over the massive table around which the nobles were seated, and soon it cracked with a loud sound.

The nobles, feeling his power, were startled and opened their eyes wide. Cornered, they had forgotten who was standing before them.

“If anyone hears, they might think all of you have committed illegal acts. Why are you so defensive?”

Leopold sneered and spoke sarcastically. The nobles, struck by his sharp question, could only glance at him without answering.

Ariel, sitting beside him, shook her head.

“This inspection is being conducted because Noah Diaz, the lord of White, massacred all the inhabitants of the White territory, who were citizens of the empire.”

Ariel began to speak in a calm voice.

“We hope for your cooperation… The imperial family promises that there will be clear rewards and punishments through this inspection.”

“……”

Why is it?

Even the face of Empress Ariel, who seemed calm, felt equally intimidating.

The eyes of the nobles looking at Ariel trembled strongly.

***

A month after Leopold sent special inspection teams across the nation, the inspections of all territories in Atlan were completed.

Most territories were operating without major issues, showing financial independence. Although the residents had minor complaints about their lords, these were not significant problems.

However, in some territories, long-festering issues surfaced one by one.

Some lords forced residents to participate in labor without pay, and others lived lavishly by squeezing the residents dry.

The very things Leopold had feared were happening.

Enraged, he stripped the titles from the tyrannical lords and removed them from their positions. Furthermore, he imprisoned the truly vile ones in the imperial palace’s dungeon.

The estates taken from them were given to lords who managed their estates exemplary, and they were also awarded commendations from the imperial family.

Marquis Louis Clark, Ariel’s father, was among them.

The prestige of the Clark family, which had produced three loyal sons of the emperor and a daughter who became the Empress, grew even greater.

Fortunately, there was no envy because their prestige was well-deserved.

Who could save Atlan from the attacks of dark mages like Empress Ariel Diaz?

Who could help the poor and weak with powerful holy power like Liese Clark without any reason?

Not only the nobles but also the common people acknowledged this, and the imperial family of Atlan grew more respected day by day.

***

After wrapping up all matters and catching their breath, the intense heat had also subsided.

Ariel and Leopold would cross swords in the evening after finishing their work.

For him, this was training.

Having a beloved wife with unmatched abilities as a teacher, he had to strive hard to catch up with her, that kind of training.

Just a moment ago, Leopold had been focusing on creating sword energy. Sweat beaded on his forehead and trickled down his sideburns.

“Now, I can properly create overlapping sword energy. It seems it took quite a long time to master compression.”

“Quite a long time? You managed overlapping sword energy in just a few days.”

Ariel said, dusting off her training clothes.

“But now, where will you use it?”

“Perhaps more bad guys will appear?”

Because this world is like a novel where the law of conservation of villains exists.

She couldn’t say the last part out loud and just smiled awkwardly.

Leopold found even that face beautiful and mischievously tousled her golden hair. Ariel’s golden hair fluttered under his touch.

“An invitation came from Macglier. They want to honor the hero who saved the world. How cheeky.”

It seemed Macglier’s King Kaiser had heard of Noah Diaz’s tyranny and Ariel’s cleverness in subduing him and sent a letter.

He tempted Leopold to come before summer ended, boasting about the royal villa by the sea.

“That’s wonderful news.”

Ariel sheathed her sword and handed it to the waiting attendant, then wrapped her arm around Leopold’s.

“Remember your promise. We agreed to go back to Macglier once everything was settled.”

“I remember. Shall we go right now?”

A warm smile spread across her face. Even if they couldn’t go immediately, his words alone made her happy.

Ariel clung to his arm. Should she boldly suggest they leave right now? She was curious about how he would react.

“What if I really say let’s go right now?”

Her playful green eyes looked up at him lovingly. Leopold felt a twinge in his heart and kissed her eyelids.

“I don’t suggest doing things we can’t.”

They needed rest. Time to relax completely without any worries. Moments where they could focus solely on each other. He felt this need desperately. And he wanted to do what they couldn’t last time… He really wanted to this time.

“Really? No regrets? Then let’s go, right now.”

Could this be the start of a peaceful life? Having lived in tension all his life… Even if it was boring at times, he wanted to enjoy life without worries now.

By his side.

“Alright. Let’s leave right away.”

As Leopold took a step, Ariel, still leaning on his arm, walked beside him.

“Without washing?”

“Hmm…”

Leopold’s lips curled up beautifully as he pondered for a moment.

It would be better to wash first.

Since it would take some time to get to Macglier. Who knows what might happen in the carriage?