I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 203

“The former Duke Lantia ended his life much earlier than you, didn’t he?”

Duke Liesl, realizing the point, looked foolish with his mouth agape.

In marriageable age, everyone is practically treated like a commodity. To blemish someone’s reputation and snatch them at a reduced price is an all too common strategy. If I really had no relation to Tess or Weathering, their plan might have succeeded.

Especially the involvement of Carin Heights.

“You should have crafted your plans more meticulously. At the very least, you should have ensured your son didn’t mention my name. Or perhaps, blame your own foolishness for failing to notice the nature of my relationship with His Majesty.”

Regan Liesl, who had been smugly smiling before, now glared at me venomously.

“Dare you, a disgraced Hardland!”

He still believes Liesl holds a higher status than Hardland.

“Why was father so eager to marry me off to someone like you…!”

“Even if there are rumors, Hardland is still Hardland.”

Despite Liesl’s decline, Hardland’s power has grown significantly better.

“At least your father had better vision than you.”

He knew that aligning with me could revitalize Liesl. But that was the limit.

The term ‘hopelessly foolish’ must have been coined for Liesl.

Duchy Liesl collapsed in vain, harboring false hopes without recognizing whom the Emperor truly favored.

Unlike Hardland’s downfall, which weakened imperial influence, Liesl’s elimination strengthened the imperial authority.

* * *

“Euseniel, there’s some quite usable land that belonged to Liesl. Should I give it to you? No, I will.”

As Tess rifled through the now-extinct Duchy Liesl’s estate listings, I was reading in his study.

“There was quite a backlash this time. Did everything get sorted out?”

Similar to when our family was exiled, it seems there was considerable opposition from the officials. Liesl deserved punishment, but the sentiment was that it was excessively harsh.

“Duke Hardland had laid out all the charges very well.”

He objectively and clearly exposed the crimes of the Liesl family despite being accused of tarnishing a noble family. Besides what was publicly known, the Liesls were involved in numerous misdeeds, leading to their conviction.

Still, there were many who felt that executing the entire direct lineage was excessive, so it was decided that the eldest son, his wife, and children, who were unrelated to the crimes, would be spared.

The Duke, once a pillar of the Northern Empire, now reduced to a mere Baron.

“That’s fortunate, I suppose.”

I was worried about how this might affect Tess’s reputation. Maybe people would say he was blinded by love to punish an innocent family.

“But the Duke, isn’t he too terrifying? Can’t something be done?”

“My father? Why?”

“He glares at me during every council session.”

Ah, Father.

After coming to his senses in an empty room, he immediately went to look for me. He cried so hard that my dress was drenched, he had cried out in opposition to the engagement.

“Dad,” I called him, and he eventually relented, saying, “For now, I’ll allow it.”

Such a dear father.

Mother seemed to have resigned herself to opposing the act, and Gael, caught in Tess’s grasp, remained silent.

What was Gael thinking, anyway? Was she planning to marry the prince?

“Hmm, that’s something I can’t fix. Just endure it, Tess.”

I couldn’t just ask Tess to let the prince roam free. The imperial power must remain concentrated solely with him, and in this respect, the imperial family is ruthless.

Gradually, the scandal surrounding Liesl was settled.

I expanded my social network, including Carin Heights, while gradually taking on more responsibilities as the emperor’s fiance.

The more time I spent in the palace, the more often I worked in the Emperor’s office.

“When should we hold the engagement ceremony?”

“Tess, I’m busy.”

Though I was active socially, as a future Empress, I had many more responsibilities. I could have used power to enforce my will, but atmosphere and public opinion mattered too.

Especially since my future husband, the Emperor, was so authoritarian, I wanted to give off a gentler impression. I made it a point to attend various gatherings personally and even hosted tea parties at the palace.

….As expected I was really better suited for academics.

Even though it was challenging, I found it enjoyable. But the work I’m doing now, it just feels so pointless!

“Still, the engagement ceremony…”

I smiled as I watched Tess slump his shoulders, seeming deflated.

Just when I thought these peaceful days would continue, my life decided otherwise.

* * *

“What’s this, Tess…”

“You can just lie down, I’ll handle Euseniel’s tasks.”

“That’s not the point.”

I had given in to Tess’s persuasion and crawled into bed during the day. He held me tightly as I tried to get up and whispered soothingly.

“You don’t need to make friends with everyone. If they oppose us, we can just eliminate them.”

“…”

“Euseniel only needs to look at me.”

That’s typical, I thought.

I began to fear that soon Tess might propose to eliminate all the citizens of the empire.

“Don’t you know that’s not acceptable? You’ve accumulated knowledge as the devil.”

“I know, but I’d rather pretend I don’t.”

Tess’s grumbling was adorable, and as I hugged him, he quickly broke into laughter. His laugh was the same as always, but the atmosphere was completely different now, somehow more enchanting.

I smiled softly at the hand wrapping around my body. I was almost tempted to give in.

“Your Majesty!”

Our peace was shattered by the chief attendant’s urgent call, without even a knock.

“Your Majesty! Urgent news!”

Then, the voice of the Chancellor followed.

Our eyes met, both wide with surprise. Tess then reluctantly rose.

“Understood. To the office.”