Chapter 35
Kim Hae-yoon sat at the front of the hall where her throne was seated. She looked over at the nobles who came with undisguised excitement which made her sneered. She didn't think her dismissive approval would result in such a headache.
Everyone bowed and greeted her in a loud tone. "Greetings your majesty, may the gods bless you and may you live for eternity!" They shouted.
Sighing, she opened her mouth. "You may all rise." She ordered that they all soon fixed their posture and demeanor as they sat at the seat prepared next to the grand carpet of the hall. Their gaze remained focused on Kim Hae-yoon with hidden malicious intentions written through their eyes, making her almost laugh in irony.
The same people who had condemned and looked at her in fear for what she'd done years ago were now looking at her directly in the eyes, greediness that they tried to hide was implanted through their eyes as some remained stoic or smiled.
'They're quite laughable.' Kim Hae-yoon thought as she coughed.
"I know that you all came today to discuss the matters of the concubinage of your omega children under the invitations that the imperial Palace had sent throughout the households of every nobles in the empire who's omega child is of age." Kim Hae-yoon spoke as she observed the expressions of everyone in the hall and yes, they're as what she had expected.
"And I thank you for adhering to my summons and as such, I would bestow your loyalty with generosity." She added as she saw glimmers in everyone's eyes while some seemed to be in despair. "I would reward the families of every concubine that would pass the rigorous examinations that would transpire in the Eastern palace for a week with the special title of Archduke and a tax exemption of 20 years."
And as soon as the last words were uttered, everyone couldn't contain their excitement as they all murmured around one another. A reaction that Kim Hae-yoon had already expected.
"Cease your chatter." Kim Hae-yoon shouted as everyone became eerily quiet and looked at her as Kim Hae-yoon smiled coldly. "However, those whose children would fail would have their tax paid doubled every year for the next 20 years." She explained as everyone had a look of shocked dismay.
They knew how greatly the Empress had wanted the royal consort that despite the rumors regarding her being princess yun's lover, she still married her.
"What's wrong? Do my subjects dislike my proposition?" Kim Hae-yoon asked sarcastically as everyone bowed and all opened their mouths uttering the same words.
"These lowly subjects would not dare!" They all respond in unison as Kim Hae-yoon chuckled.
"Why are you all so tense?" Kim Hae-yoon laughed but everyone did not dare to move. They knew what the Empress was capable of and they knew that despite being such a lunatic bloodthirsty murderer, she's still a wise and just ruler so they couldn't dare object to her tyranny.
"Geez, you may all sit down now." Kim Hae-yoon ordered as everyone looked around and awkwardly sat back as Kim Hae-yoon smiled in satisfaction.
She hates these fools who once helped her relatives plot behind her back.
"Now, I am not that cruel." Kim Hae-yoon continued. "So, I would give everyone a choice, you can choose whether to proceed with the arrangements" or not." She explained as some seemed to feel a glimmer of hope.
Half of the Patriarch and young Patriarch were mostly forces to come due to the strict orders of summons daring not to offend the Empress despite their grudge against the current owner of the throne they are the the relatives of the deceased Princes and Princesses who dared to fight for the seat as the ruler of the great Starfall Dominion.
One by one, the patriarch and young patriarch of said families moved forward and bowed, Kim Hae-yoon, expecting this, waved her hand and granted them a chance to speak.
"Thank you, Your majesty." They all shouted in unison as one of them spoke as Kim Hae-yoon didn't even listen nor cared as she nodded. The man with a whitish brown hair and green eyes who seems like the highest ranking noble of the group opened his mouth.
"Your majesty, I know it's quite disrespectful and impolite of me to refuse such a brilliant and generous offer that your majesty has bestowed upon us but…" he paused and sighed.
He really didn't want to deal with any of this and he didn't really expect to receive such command from the the imperial Palace considering the fact that he's not someone of highest status within the noble circle after the sanctions and punishment his family had received for colluding with those royals who tried to seized the throne but alas, it seems like he's being punished and humiliated yet again.
"I believe that I am quite worried for the state of my son who would participate in such an event as I really can't separate from my dearest son." He lied with quite a dramatic performance that made Kim Hae-yoon sneered as she almost laughed but decided to nod her head in solemn understanding.
"I see." Kim Hae-yoon replied with a smile, "That truly is such a heartfelt reason to decline my offer, I almost could see the "lovely bond" you had shared with your "beloved son"." She replied sarcastically.
"I am deeply grateful for your understanding, your majesty. You truly are one benevolent empress." He replied with a cold tone as Kim Hae-yoon dismissively shook her head.
"No need for such empty words," Kim Hae-yoon replied as she waved her hand for him to stand up. "I accept and grant your decision not to let your son participate." She ordered as he bowed down yet again.
"Thank you, Your majesty!" He shouted along with his son as Kim Hae-yoon nodded and waved him off to leave. Soon, another Patriarch came over with the same boring lies in which Kim Hae-yoon granted and one by one, they all slowly dwindled until there's only 7 families who's willing to participate in the selection of the concubine to the empress.
Kim Hae-yoon looked at them and felt a headache. She already did everything in her power to fend everyone off but seeing those eager people, she just felt like the lists of everything she needed to do just got heavier.
"Now, to those who chose to stay despite the consequences, I applaud your bravery and commitment." Kim Hae-yoon replied as she didn't even try to look at those people. "I know the journey here must be tiring so, I wish for everyone to enjoy the banquet that will be held tonight." Kim Hae-yoon spoke in a gentle tone as she stood up and left eagerly without conversing with any of the nobles that remained as she smiled to herself.
It's finally over and she can finally rest now that her tasks in the palace were completed and she didn't have any lessons today from Cha Seo-yoon.
Unbeknownst to her however, was that there's someone observing her every move from a distance. Waiting for a perfect opportunity to have a "chance" encounter but luckily, Kim Hae-yoon was too eager to go back than to wander around the palace for that to happen.