Chapter 35

Cahir was now willing to concern himself over his own marriage, entirely because he saw how it worried Rosaline to tears.

“I don’t want to worry you, so I’ll have to be personally involved in the empress selection. I need to show you again how capable I am.”

“What? Oh, yes, Your Majesty! The empire is truly blessed to have an emperor like you, who works diligently for the future—”

He pinched her lips, making them pop out like a duck’s beak. “Stop talking. Your compliments are unnecessarily excessive.”

Rosaline nodded.

‘He’s interested now, but only because of me. I guess it’s a good thing, but the reason is wrong, the process is wrong!’

The thoughts in her head rendered her speechless.

“Call a meeting right now, Rosaline.”

Well, at least he was no longer resigned to a loveless marriage.

***

It went without saying that Rosaline was very busy after that encounter. She telegraphed the nobles, saying there was an emergency meeting and the conference hall needed organizing.

“Rosaline.”

She raised her head, delivering the last telegram.

Cahir was looking at reports.

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Why are you working so hard for my marriage?”

“What?” Her blue eyes widened. She didn’t know what he wanted to hear.

It was only natural for a loyal secretary to be involved in their employer’s marriage. However, that didn’t seem to be what he meant. There must be something he wanted to hear, but she had no idea what it was.

“Your Majesty, can you be more clear?”

“If I get married, you’ll probably have more work, so why are you so insistent on it? Didn’t you want to live a comfortable life?”

She nodded. “But having less work doesn’t mean being more comfortable.”

“You said you wanted to quit because you had too much work as a secretary.”

Rosaline hesitated. It wasn’t precisely that, but…

Cahir sighed. “Never mind. I was just wondering why everyone is so enthusiastic about my marriage.”

It did seem kind of unfair to him.

“…Do you want to try dating, Your Majesty?”

His right eyebrow rose. “Me?” He snorted.

Cahir was just upset at how Rosaline was working so hard even though she said she wanted to quit. If she really wanted to resign, then she should act reluctant and not send mixed messages.

“Rosaline, are you going to retract your resignation if I marry?”

“What?”

“Are you going to retract it?”

“Oh, that’s…” she trailed off.

If she said she wouldn’t, Cahir might not agree to marry at all. But she didn’t want to lie either.

“Fine, I’ll accept that answer for now. I’m thinking, so don’t disturb me.”

What was the point of all this? And he didn’t even let her finish!

Rosaline grumbled and started on the pile of documents next to her.

‘By the way, it seems weird, but it’s probably not that bad to suddenly get married.’

She fiddled with a fountain pen.

***

The atmosphere was suffocatingly serious. Some aristocrats were looking away, others were covering their mouths, the rest were taking deep breaths.

Cahir’s cool presence made everyone nervous.

The only ones who remained calm were Rosaline, Hamburg, and Duke Pasita.

“You’re having a lot of difficulties because you don’t know how to proceed with the selection?”

Rosaline had said that she knew what to do to make the process better, but the rest of the nobles just looked incompetent.

Cahir scoffed. “That’s why I’m trying to help.”

“There is no precedent for the emperor to be directly involved in appointing the empress,” Duke Pasita said quietly.

“Well, I’m not trying to support a particular family, nor do I need what they want to offer.”

Rosaline was proud of his non-violent reaction.

“I’m supposed to have the final say anyway.”

The conference hall became noisy.

Usually, the empress selection started with the nobility choosing three final candidates. Then, the empress dowager picks from those three, and so does the emperor. If they choose the same person, the empress is appointed, and if they choose different candidates, one becomes the empress while the other becomes a concubine.

“Are you saying that you’ll automatically agree with the empress dowager’s choice, Your Majesty?” Hamburg asked. He didn’t exactly like Cahir’s stepmother, who was fierce and arrogant.

“No.”

“Then will you leave the choice to the nobility?” prodded Duke Pasita.

Cahir shook his head, stoking their curiosity.

“Only one person has the right to choose.” His gaze swept over the room. “The empress deserves trust, recognition, and respect.”

“I don’t really understand what you’re saying, Your Majesty.”

Cahir frowned.

These nobles were all incompetent sycophants. Parasites that took advantage of the people. Perhaps he needed to raise Rosaline’s salary again…

He glanced at her, his expression softening considerably. “Rosaline, explain to them what it means.”

It could have been mildly embarrassing for her, but she stood up determinedly. As expected, she could understand him completely. Cahir was saddened by the fact that there was only one such competent person in the vast empire.

“Your Majesty, the process will be fair to the candidates as well, right?”

He nodded happily.

Rosaline smiled and turned to the nobles. She agreed with Cahir’s decision. At least this way, the nobles couldn’t play their usual tricks.

“His Majesty’s opinion is like this. What do you think?”

There was no reason to nitpick. Although it went against tradition, it was still not the emperor who had the most sway. Besides, who would complain against the emperor’s decision? And the fact that the nobles could not choose meant that the emperor could not influence them. It was the most transparent way to select an empress.

“It will be a unique process.”

Duke Pasita fixed his slipping glasses.

Cahir’s eyes shone. “So I hope many young nobles will also participate.”

What did that even mean? This would ultimately repress the nobility and tie them to the public.

“All families with women of marriageable age must join. Although even if I don’t say this, some of you are probably eyeing that marriage.”

There. That would hopefully prevent them from forming alliances.

The nobles groaned inwardly, exchanging glances.

Cahir grinned. “Do you have any other suggestions? I’m a fair emperor, so I want to give everyone an equal opportunity.”

It was silent. To each noble their own.

“Anyone?” asked Duke Pasita.

Hamburg raised his hand. “What about families that no longer have unmarried daughters?”

He was loyal, but he didn’t exactly want any of his loved ones to get exposed to the emperor’s intense moods.

“Of course, they won’t be included. Take care of the rest, and I hope it doesn’t drag on too much.”

Cahir stood up and left, Rosaline following him.

“Well, Rosaline.” He looked back at her.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please speak.” She bowed her head.

“The Verite family is not exempted.”

“Hm? My family? But there’s no lady of marriageable age.”

He stared at her.

“Ah… Oh, do you mean me?”

Cahir nodded slowly.

Yes. You. Rosaline, it’s you.

‘Oh my god. Is he telling me to participate in that bloodbath?’

“No, I’m… I mean…”

She couldn’t join! She had to assist in the process, so she couldn’t be a candidate.

Rosaline clasped her hands, pleading with her eyes. “Please take that back.”

“As the both of us have established, exceptions can be construed as preferential treatment,” he refused lightly. He smiled.

Right. Cahir dreamt of a world that was fair, just, and free of discrimination. Such a man would never consent to preferential treatment.

The nobles’ eyes widened. Apparently, they were still within range of hearing.

“Your Majesty, it’s too close…”

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“Shh, Rosaline. Just participate and do your best. I don’t know who the empress will be, but it would be best if they could learn from you.”

Cahir walked away, leaving her gaping at his back.

‘What are you thinking, Your Majesty?’