As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover

The emperor was reassured by Lorein’s words, but the empress dowager’s reaction was different when she learned of the situation.

“…So, that’s how it is.”

“Yes. In any case, since Servenia has decided to side with us, it seems there’s no major cause for concern.”

It was an obviously suspicious situation. The simultaneous announcements of Luize and Edward’s engagement, Servenia’s return to the capital, and the revelation of Luize’s lineage were like openly signaling to the nobles to choose their side.

“We’ll need to increase our patient count.”

“Pardon?”

“We need to review the list of moderates. The emperor should inform the temple that more celebrants are needed for the princess’s engagement ceremony.”

“Yes, Mother. I will do as you say.” The emperor nodded simply with a smile.

“

, and one more thing. We need to send an official document to each council member.”

Hearing that, the emperor looked at her with a puzzled expression. “Wouldn’t that be a loss for the imperial family?”

“We’ll see.” The empress dowager smiled as she lifted her teacup.

* * *

Upon returning to the mansion, Edward sent the prepared invitations to all the noble families. As soon as the invitations arrived, everyone except the hardline imperialists moved busily: opportunists, moderates, and those quietly hoping for Edward’s restoration.

The engagement of Edward and Luize also signified the union with the Servenia family. The timing of the engagement, a day before Diana’s ceremony, left little excuse for not attending, making it easy to attend both ceremonies.

“There’s no reasonable excuse for not attending. If the press covers it, it’ll look like a petty ostracism by high society.”

“So what? I’m loyal to His Majesty. It doesn’t matter what they think. No need to discuss further.”

The hardline imperialists, who had benefited greatly from their proximity to the emperor, scoffed. Most of them lacked the ability to enter politics during the previous emperor’s reign or had caused issues leading to their expulsion from the capital. If Edward took power, they would undoubtedly lose all their privileges instantly.

“Well, that’s true.”

“Indeed. We shouldn’t unnecessarily upset His Majesty.”

The nobles nodded hesitantly, knowing the strong influence of the hardline imperialists. Any statement that might upset the emperor would undoubtedly lead to trouble. However, when the hardline imperialists were absent, the conversations were more candid.

“

… I’m in a dilemma. My son is receiving treatment thanks to His Majesty’s favor.”

“I’m in the same situation. My family can only get treatment for the sleeping sickness at the temple or the imperial clinics…”

“If not for His Majesty, it would have been difficult for my family to survive.”

“But aside from the treatment for that disease, Servenia’s medical skills are still the best. It’s strange that the imperial family and the temple don’t share the treatment methods with them. It’s like holding our families hostage.”

“I’ve thought about that for a long time. My acquaintance from the Servenia Academy briefly worked at an imperial clinic. There was no connection among the patients for an epidemic, and the treatment was more about maintaining life than curing the disease.”

“Servenia could manage that. It’s just that the only cases of complete recovery are at the temple and imperial clinics.”

“I’ve heard commoners are well taken care of at Servenia clinics. While there are no treatment cases, their care is excellent.”

The nobles nodded in agreement after considering this. Although there were treatment cases, no one had been declared fully cured for a long time. Despite the severity of the disease’s spread, it was odd that the imperial clinics and the temple didn’t share their methods with Servenia.

“But think about it. Even if His Majesty holds our families hostage, can we make a move easily?”

“That’s true. It’s quite troublesome…”

“There is a way.”

Everyone’s attention turned to the person who spoke. He was Rendallio di Orben, the third son of the late Chancellor Orben and the current Count Orben.

On the day the former emperor died, Chancellor Orben and his eldest and second sons perished in the incident. Having been devastated after parting with Diana, Rendallio did not debut in society and went into seclusion, saving his and his younger brother’s lives. He hesitated to protest to the imperial family after learning that those who died that day were close to the former Emperor.

Meanwhile, his younger brother contracted sleeping sickness and was admitted to the imperial clinic. Since then, he had been lying low to avoid angering the current emperor.

“We should all move our patients to Servenia’s clinics at once. If one person delays, the remaining ones could be targeted.”

“It could be seen as conspiring treason.”

“But the hostages would be gone.”

The nobles groaned. If successful, they wouldn’t need to worry about the imperial family anymore. But upsetting the emperor was also concerning. The emperor was highly emotional and violent. Although he possessed all the traits of a tyrant, his façade kept the public’s opinion from turning against him.

“If we rebel, what’s to stop a repeat of the day the former emperor died?”

The heavy silence that followed that remark was telling. No one had dared to act rashly due to that terrible precedent.

“You know the grand duke wouldn’t move without a plan. This must be an opportunity.”

“We should meet with him on the engagement day and discuss it.”

Though still anxious, everyone nodded in agreement.

“By the way, wasn’t Marquis Edvin absent from today’s meeting?”

“Knights can be quite rigid. Even if they think the current lord is wrong, they consider it their duty to follow the imperial family’s commands.”

“Indeed, unless the grand duke is reinstated through proper means, he will remain as His Majesty’s sword until the end.”

“He could become our enemy if we’re not careful.”

The participants of the meeting nodded with somber faces.

* * *

In the parlor of the grand duchy, Maxion, Hendrik, Robin, and Aiven were waiting for Edward’s instructions.

“Any noteworthy articles in the newspaper?”

“Yes. Another high priest is coming this time.” Robin nodded while reading the article in response to Hendrik’s question.

The article stated that an elderly high priest was being dispatched from the temple to congratulate the princess on her engagement.

“The same man from the swordsmanship tournament who announced the oracle. He seemed particularly fond of Sariel. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but there definitely seems to be something between Sariel and the imperial family.

… So, why did you call us?”

Edward spoke. “The emperor’s strategy is quite simple. He’s holding the families of key political figures and those related to the press and newsletters as hostages to manipulate them. He’ll be assessing those likely to switch to our side.”

“We need to protect the potential targets.”

“Yes. Secretly guard those on this list and rescue them if they’re in danger.”

“Won’t our appearance seem too unnatural?” Robin asked, examining the list.

Aiven responded. “…The important thing is that His Excellency saved them.”

“

, I see. But have you figured out the identity of the black magic?”

“That’s the strange part.” Edward’s expression hardened as he continued. “The magic cast on them was one that absorbs their life force and stores it somewhere. To break it, you need to destroy the vessel containing their life force, just like the orb we smashed during the expedition.”

“There were reports of people being cured. That means the spell was broken, right?”

“The caster must have deliberately broken the vessel related to that person to make it look like the imperial clinics cured them.”

Robin shrugged. “So, we just need to find and break the vessels. Where are they?”

“We couldn’t find any within the capital. Given the number of people being drained, they must have accumulated considerable power.”

“…Wait a minute.” Robin’s face darkened. “I have a bad feeling about this. Your Excellency, you said you couldn’t find them anywhere in the capital, right?”