My Contract Husband is Going Crazy Because of My Iron Wall - Chapter 56.2
Chapter 56.2
John eyed the Empress, who had arrived unannounced in the middle of the night and in this weather, with suspicion. He had nearly lost his head because of the Emperor’s emergency decree just recently, and he was terrified that the Empress might produce another one.
“I grant you permission. Deactivate the barrier.”
Roxanne commanded, but John didn’t obey. Larboris’s purring, softly emanating from the recording device, weakened her magic.
“I apologize, but I cannot do so with only Your Majesty’s permission… Moreover, if the barrier is deactivated, countless Tartars will attack the citizens of the Empire, just like last time.”
Roxanne’s eyes widened in bewilderment.
Why wasn’t this man obeying her? Had she mismanaged her magic? She gathered her magic again and commanded.
“That is not my concern. Just deactivate the barrier.”
“As I just said, that is difficult.”
Once again, Roxanne’s power had no effect. She sensed something was amiss.
Just then, a voice rang out.
“Hmm? Did I mishear? Her Majesty, the Empress, who should be protecting the citizens of the Empire, is ordering the deactivation of the northern barrier? And the safety of the citizens is not her concern?”
Emerging from the shadows was Duchess Erestein, and behind her, like a protective knight, Duke Erestein.
The Duchess held a recording device in her hand.
* * *
“—I grant you permission. Deactivate the barrier.”
“—I apologize, but I cannot do so with only Your Majesty’s permission… Moreover, if the barrier is deactivated, countless Tartars will attack the citizens of the Empire, just like last time.”
“—That is not my concern. Just deactivate the barrier.”
The recording of Roxanne’s voice, which I had just made, echoed throughout the command center. Roxanne’s face hardened.
“This is slander.”
“I haven’t said a word. These are your own words, Your Majesty. What slander is there to speak of? Your Majesty, I offer you this sincere advice: continuing to make excuses in this situation will only make you look like the Emperor.”
Ironically, at the implication that she would appear as foolish and disgraceful as the Emperor, Roxanne immediately conceded.
“…Very well. I won’t make any more excuses.”
“What were you planning to do by deactivating the barrier?”
“Well, what was I planning to do?”
Roxanne maintained a serene smile even in this situation. I wasn’t about to let her slither away from my interrogation like a snake.
“Your Majesty, do you think I’m asking blindly? You were trying to kill Reinhardt.”
“Me? You’re joking. How could I, with this frail body, kill Duke Erestein?”
Roxanne feigned an innocent smile, though I caught the fleeting flicker of unease in her red eyes. She must be dying to know how I figured out her scheme.
“Your Majesty, we have reliable informants. Stop acting like the Emperor.”
Roxanne, with her power of command, might have realized by now that there was a half-demon on our side. She might even suspect it was me, but as Reinhardt’s wife, the Imperial family wouldn’t be able to recklessly apprehend and examine me.
“….”
Discarding her artificial smile, Roxanne glared daggers at me and turned to leave the command center without a word.
Of course, my dependable Reinhardt wouldn’t let her go so easily.
“Where do you think you’re going after putting the entire Empire in danger?”
“Out of my way. Giving an order itself isn’t a crime, so you have no right to stop me.”
“Your Majesty, Reinhardt isn’t trying to stop you but to protect you.”
I gave Roxanne a cold smile and held up the recording device.
“Because once I share this recording with the reporters, the entire Empire will be baying for your blood.”
While Roxanne gritted her teeth in frustration, Larboris’s purring continued to echo.
* * *
Roxanne was confined under the guise of protection. Unfortunately, she couldn’t be imprisoned in a cell, so she was confined to a comfortable bedroom, and we had no choice but to release her if members of the Imperial family came.
Reinhardt, who had gone with his men to interrogate Roxanne, opened the door and entered.
“Did the Empress say anything?”
When I asked, he shook his head.
“No.”
That was to be expected. Confessing to order Larboris to kill Reinhardt or to attempt to deactivate the barrier would be suicidal. It was better for her to remain silent until she was handed over to the Imperial family.
“Every newspaper is buzzing about Empress Roxanne’s actions.”
“The banquet I held for the reporters yesterday was worthwhile,” I said, grinning at Reinhardt.
“I’m so glad this matter has been resolved.”
“It’s all thanks to you.”
“…It wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for me in the first place.”
At my bitter words, his expression hardened.
He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off.
“I’m so sorry that you’ve been threatened twice because of me. I won’t let it happen again… So, let’s end things here.”
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