"The current empress, she's just a temporary one, isn't she?"
"I know that. It was quite surprising that the marriage even took place in the first place."
"His Majesty is already twenty-eight this year. He should hurry up and have an heir…"
The biggest topic of interest at today's regular meeting was the 'empress'. Not Asha, but the position of empress itself.
Before the meeting began, amidst discussions among the nobles gathered on who would become the Empress, Giles sat alone with a discontented expression.
[It turns out she wasn't captivated, right? It was Dorothea's own will to stay in Pervaz.]
[B,but, if a father asks for his daughter to be sent, shouldn't they send her? I'm my daughter's guardian.]
[As your Grace said, she is indeed Your Grace's daughter, not your property. Adult nobles can act independently. Your Grace, who knows all the laws of the empire by heart, surely knows that…]
Giles couldn't argue back against Carlyle's words that sounded like an accusation. He just returned without saying anything more.
Preventing Dorothea from being brought back was seen as Carlyle's intention to signal 'I have no intention of marrying Dorotea.'
However, he couldn't help but feel resentful towards Carlyle for not taking his side.
'How can Your Majesty do this to me? I have devoted everything to make you Emperor…!'
Even trying to make Dorothea the Empress was all for Carlyle.
The daughter of a powerful family, a woman beautiful enough to cause a scandal, a woman with a lot of power, or a woman who is too sociable can all threaten Carlyle's imperial power.
'Dorothea doesn't fit any of those categories, and she's just the right amount of smart and quiet. And if she becomes the Empress, it will be even easier for me to help Your Majesty… .'
He was resentful that Carlyle didn't understand his loyalty. On the other hand, he was already dissatisfied with the family that would take over the Empress' position.
While he was lost in thought, the Grand Chamberlain came running in and shouted loudly.
"His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!"
At that, everyone quickly sat back down and the room became quiet in an instant.
With a creak, Carlyle appeared with the sound of the door opening and walked confidently through the still air to the Emperor's seat.
Then, he sat there without saying a word for a while, looking around the faces of the nobles who filled the conference room, and then smiled and said.
"The sound of your eyes rolling is deafening."
It seemed like the sound of people gulping could be heard here and there
However, Carlyle didn't seem to care and urged the start of the meeting.
"Then, the first agenda item for today is."
The chairman selected important items from the many agendas collected a month ago and brought them up one by one.
There were some items that were hotly debated, and there were also some items that were easily decided with everyone's approval.
And when four or five agenda items were concluded, the agenda item that everyone was waiting for came up.
"This agenda item is related to the national marriage. His Majesty the Emperor is already twenty-eight years old and has no successor yet. It is considered that the formal national marriage should proceed as soon as possible… .
As the agenda items were being presented, Carlyle's face hardened.
And as soon as the chairman finished speaking, Count Perno, a member of the imperial family, was the first to speak
"May I ask when the divorce from Countess Pervaz, who is currently the empress on paper, will be finalized, Your Majesty?"
Before recommending another candidate for empress, the divorce between Carlyle and Asha had to be settled first. Even if it was a marriage of convenience, it was unethical to recommend another woman to a man who already had a wife on paper.
However, Carlyle immediately shook his head.
"I have no intention of getting a divorce.
"Yes?"
Count Perno asked, confused.
"I hate repeating myself, but I'll say it one more time, considering Count Perno's advanced age. I said I have no intention of getting a divorce."
Even Giles was surprised by that declaration.
He stood up without even realizing it.
"Your Majesty! What are you talking about? I know that the marriage between you and Countess Pervaz was a marriage of convenience for mutual benefit! But why won't you get a divorce?"
Carlyle's cold gaze glared at Giles and then scanned the room.
"It shouldn't be a surprise to you that marriages are made for the benefit of both families."
"That's true, it should be for the benefit of both parties. But Countess Pervaz…!"
"Was there any woman who could have helped me defeat those demons and succeed to the throne more than Countess Pervaz?"
At those words, everyone kept their mouths shut and exchanged glances.
The rumor that Asha had played the biggest role in revealing Gabriel's identity and destroying his power had already spread as far as it could.
Moreover, she was a warrior with skills that rivaled Carlyle's, and the sight of the two of them leading the Knights Order and defeating their enemies had already been turned into a song by minstrels and was being sung in the streets.
Asha Pervaz was more than qualified to be empress, even if her marriage was a bit different from that of previous empresses.
'But to those humans, the position of empress will still seem vacant.'
Carlyle gritted his teeth inwardly.
The reason why the nobles could so easily bring up the topic of divorce was none other than this.
Asha had no one to support her.
It meant that there was no one who would get angry on her behalf if she was openly ignored, and in other words, it meant that there was no way to put her on a leash even if they wanted to.
However, they would not want to give up such a huge pillar of power as the empress.
'They will probably start openly parading other women in front of me from now on. They might even attack Asha directly.'
He could trust the guards around her and her own skills to protect her from physical attacks, but there was no way to stop the harassment of insulting her or ostracizing her.
Even more frightening was the fact that Asha herself was disillusioned with the noble society of Zyro and was demanding a divorce to the end.
'Asha still doesn't have an answer… .'
Carlyle felt like a heavy stone was placed on his chest.
As he exhaled, the nobles did not give up and tried to persuade Carlyle again.
"I know very well that Countess Pervaz's performance was great, but the position of comrade-in-arms on the battlefield and His Majesty's wife are different in nature."
"That's right. If you want to repay Countess Pervaz for his hard work, you might as well entrust her with the Imperial Knights… ."
It felt like I was going to suffocate.
In the end, Carlyle declared, as if throwing a bomb.
"I love the Empress."
Once again, the conference room became quiet as if cold water had been poured over it.
"I love her so much that I can't see any other woman. Is there a more important reason for me to choose my marriage partner?"
Everyone was embarrassed, just muttering.
Usually, the emperor would take the daughter of a family that would be helpful, considering the political orientation, and the woman he really liked as his mistress.
However, no one could say that Asha, who was the empress, should be taken as a mistress.
Then, Giles, who had been thinking about something quietly, asked, his eyes sparkling.
"I understand Your Majesty's feelings. But does Countess Pervaz also agree to… maintain the marriage?"
Carlyle could not answer that question.
Giles smiled as if he had finally found a corner to attack. It was the expression of a teacher trying to gently coax a young and high-ranking student.
"I think we should also hear Countess Pervaz's opinion on this matter. It's difficult right now, so why don't we discuss it further at the next temporary meeting?"
"That's right!"
"I agree."
Voices of agreement with Giles's opinion came from all over the conference room.
Carlyle sighed deeply again, thinking that he would have to drink brandy tonight to sleep well.
* * * *
"Your Majesty. Sir Lionel Bailey requests an audience."
Late in the evening, a maid quietly approached and informed Asha of Lionel's visit.
Asha was happy to receive someone who she could somewhat communicate with.
"Welcome, Sir Bailey."
"I apologize for visiting without an appointment, Your Majesty."
"Please don't do that, Sir Bailey. I feel like I'm suffocating. Just call me Countess Pervaz, instead of 'Your Majesty'."
Lionel felt a little frustrated seeing Asha awkwardly and uncomfortably accepting the position of Empress. Giles would surely aim for this side of Asha as well. He would cleverly create a situation for Asha to leave Carlyle on her own.
Lionel opened his mouth with a heavy heart.
"Then I will speak briefly. I think the Countess should know what happened today."
"Yes? What happened?"
"I think you know that the regular nobles meeting was held today."
"Yes. I heard from Lady Cecilia."
"Did you also hear that there would be talk about the position of Empress?"
Asha paused for a moment and then nodded.
"Yes. I heard."
"Well, then you must be quick to understand."
Lionel told her everything that came up at the nobles meeting.
From Carlyle refusing the divorce to declaring his love for Asha in front of the nobles.
Asha's face flushed as Lionel's story continued. However, from the part where Giles attacked Asha by asking about her opinion, it seemed that the heat had subsided again.
"...So, I'm saying that from now on, you can expect Sir Raphelt or other nobles who are after the position of Empress to approach the Countess with impure intentions."
Asha covered her mouth with one hand and nodded seriously before asking.
"What is His Majesty doing?"