7.

The next day, thanks to the emperor’s firm resolve, many people became busy.

The council united in strong opposition to breaking the political marriage and the emperor’s return to battle, but Rockfort was exceptionally firm.

“This was a war I should have concluded from the start.”

When Rockfort spoke sternly while seated on the throne, tension filled the audience hall.

“But Your Majesty. Currently, we’re eliminating the remnants in cooperation with the Grand Duchy, so it’s only a matter of time before it completely ends.”

The Prime Minister stepped forward to voice the council’s opinion, but Rockfort showed no change in expression.

“That is so. How could Your Majesty consider going to the battlefield again.”

Even old Duke Belest joined in, but Rockfort still wouldn’t even glance at him. Thus, no other noble had the courage to speak up.

“Because I failed to properly end the war, the remnants have increased their numbers, and we’ve needlessly become indebted to the Grand Duchy, lowering the Empire’s dignity, which I cannot overlook as emperor.”

This was the emperor’s unilateral notification. He had no intention of listening to the council’s opinion from the start.

“Forgive my presumption, but the enemy remnants are hiding in the ravine areas and moving in cell organizations. It’s advantageous to respond with defense forces when they appear, as we’re doing now.”

“That’s right. It would require excessive effort to draw out and eliminate all the remnants.”

This was exactly why they ended the war early and obtained the Grand Duchy’s cooperation.

Though they won the main war and the remnants wouldn’t be a military threat, it would take time to completely annihilate them.

“Without completely annihilating the enemy, it cannot be called a complete victory.”

Rockfort rose from the throne. As the tall man slowly descended the steps, his pressure was terrifying.

“The great Empire needs no one’s cooperation. I will annihilate the enemy with my power alone and bring complete victory.”

His cold purple eyes stared straight ahead.

“If anyone opposes the Empire’s glory, step forward now. Soon, I will make you my enemy.”

The audience hall fell completely silent. The sunlight through the windows made the sword handle at Rockfort’s waist gleam.

“Then, I will issue the imperial decree.”

* * *

The emperor’s decree spread quickly to various places.

The knights led by Jayden had already made full preparations and were reinforcing the army that participated in the last war.

“The entire army will soon complete preparations.”

Jayden reported in the empty audience hall.

“The Papal Office?”

Rockfort asked while examining documents, sitting askew on the throne.

“The archbishop has departed, so once he arrives safely at the Grand Duchy, the divorce should proceed smoothly.”

“With so much money taken as offerings, if the pope has any conscience, he’ll know how to conduct himself.”

Seeing Leticia’s plea, he could guess how the Grand Duke of Ern treated her.

“The Princess…… wrote that the Grand Duke wouldn’t care even if she died.”

Though that was the price of a political marriage, it wasn’t something befitting someone who had been married for five years and even had a child together.

“Even the cold empress dowager would go to the Grand Duchy herself.”

Though the empress dowager and Rockfort had different opinions, it showed how serious this issue was.

“To treat an Imperial Princess this way, it shows how great the Grand Duchy’s insolence has become.”

As emperor, news of an Imperial Princess being mistreated couldn’t be pleasing. Of course, the emotions he felt as a brother were unspeakable anger.

“The Princess’s mind is firm, and the Grand Duke is uninterested, so the Papal Office wouldn’t dare refuse the Empire’s request for divorce.”

“I think so too.”

Though the Grand Duke of Ern wielded the greatest influence in the west, he was no match for the Holy Petrion Empire.

Moreover, the current Empire had its imperial authority firmly consolidated by the young emperor.

“Until now, the Grand Duchy had value in eliminating the remnants of the war, but with my decision to campaign, such things hold no meaning.”

His hand gripped the decorative handle of the throne. Though the remnants were the immediate enemy, he hadn’t forgotten his desire for retribution against the Grand Duchy.

“They made me return to the battlefield, so the price will absolutely not be light.”

Rockfort’s voice was chillingly low as he spoke through gritted teeth. Once he annihilated the remnants, the next arrow would point at the Grand Duke of Ern.

Of course, he also planned to show his authority again to the nobles who opposed him after bringing complete victory.

“It was good to drive the empress dowager and former emperor from the palace.”

Jayden could only nod without answering. If they had remained in the palace while the emperor was gone, they would surely try to gather power by taking advantage of the vacuum.

In some sense, Rockfort’s most fearsome enemies were his own parents rather than those he’d meet on the battlefield.

“But we can’t let our guard down completely.”

If the palace was completely empty, he wouldn’t have worried so much.

But Elia was already here, and Leticia who would return soon would also stay.

“I plan to leave the Crimson Knights—the emperor’s personal guards among the knights, at the palace.”

“They are the most excellent and largest force.”

“That’s why they must remain. To keep this palace as mine.”

The emperor’s personal knights served only the current emperor as their master. Even the former emperor couldn’t command this solid group once he had passed down the throne.

“When I’m away, the empress dowager or former emperor might try to return to the palace. No, they definitely will.”

Grr, Rockfort ground his teeth. Though his parents bore and raised him as emperor, they were also now the greatest threat to his imperial authority.

“Tell the Crimson Knights. Though I give the orders, their primary protection targets are Lady Elia and Leticia.”

“……Is that acceptable?”

“It must be so. Also, I plan to leave a decree that they follow Lady Elia’s orders and directions while I’m away from the palace.”

Jayden was momentarily speechless at the emperor’s too radical intention.

To entrust the Crimson Knights, the most excellent among the emperor’s personal knights, to Elia who was still just a lady despite their engagement ceremony……

“Though Your Majesty’s orders are absolute, whether Lady Elia would have…… such power……”

Jayden expressed his concern in the most roundabout way possible.

“There is a way. I’ll issue a decree giving her status equivalent to empress, and appoint her as acting empress.”

“B-but…… isn’t the empress dowager currently the acting empress?”

When the empress’s position was vacant, someone needed to fulfill that role.

After Rockfort’s ascension, the empress dowager’s influence was too great, so the position naturally went to her, and after Cecilia’s death, it was customary for the empress dowager to be the acting empress again.

“If there’s someone more suitable, there’s no reason not to change it. Having already completed the engagement ceremony, it’s right for Lady Elia, who will become my empress, to be the acting empress.”

Worrying about who would remain in the palace before a military campaign…… He was certainly not the Rockfort that Jayden knew.

Moreover, he used to hate conflicts with the empress dowager. The fact that he was willing to go through such trouble to solidify Elia’s position showed his clear intention.

“How is the construction of the empress’s quarters progressing?”

“Pardon? Ah…… the demolition work is complete, and they should be starting on laying the foundation now.”

Rockfort nodded. With completion scheduled for a year later, it was natural that they were just laying the groundwork, but he felt somewhat disappointed.

He wanted to show the completed palace to Elia—who didn’t even know about the demolition and rebuilding of the empress’s quarters—and see the surprise in her blue eyes as soon as possible.

“I understand. Convey my decree to the Prime Minister and tell him to promulgate it immediately. He should still be waiting.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Marquis Heren, the Prime Minister, was old but the most neutral noble.

“Tell the Prime Minister to take care of his health as he is elderly. It would be troublesome if he couldn’t hold on now.”

“Yes.”

He was the right person for this task, having prioritized and protected the emperor’s will even when powerful nobles in parliament argued and competed for their own benefits.

“Your Majesty, is your cold any better?”

“Who has a cold.”

Rockfort immediately denied it, but his voice was rougher than usual. This change wouldn’t go unnoticed by Jayden, who had served him all his life.

“You drank too much. Besides, you got damp from the night dew and insisted on climbing that tree……”

Hmm, Rockfort cleared his throat forcefully. It was a sign to stop.

It seemed he knew it was embarrassing that he had impulsively visited Elia, which was fine, but then climbed a tree to enter her bedroom while palace people were watching.

“With your upcoming campaign, we must ensure Your Majesty is in good health and fighting spirit.”

Jayden gave a reason that he could accept.

Rockfort reluctantly nodded. The imperial physician would be tactful enough to mix in remedies for a cold when offering tonics.

“Then, I shall withdraw. I’ll have the imperial physician come right away.”

Rockfort nodded. He wanted to go see Elia, but since issuing the campaign order, he had mountains of work and could hardly find time.

“I wonder how long she’ll keep saying she hates me.”

He recalled her flushed cheeks from the previous night and muttered to himself.

When they kissed and their tongues intertwined, that intense heat wasn’t his alone.

“Yet that fair face can’t hide emotions.”

That made him want to see her more. Even if those lovely lips said she hated him, he wanted to see that elegant woman who occasionally blushed.

“Your Majesty, the imperial physician has arrived.”

But an emperor couldn’t live as he pleased. He exhaled a short breath and nodded to the head chamberlain.

“I am here to see Emperor Rockfort.”