Emperor's Alternate - Chapter 59
“Leyesha!”
I hated being interrupted while I was working.
‘But even if I said that, he’s not the type of person who would understand.’
I stared at Teiles II as he flung open the door to my quarters. I was so engrossed in my work that I didn’t even realize what was happening around me—it felt good.
But now, everything was ruined. It would take me two or three hours of proper rest and food before I could reach that level of focus again.
Considering that I get most work done when I was in a state of flow, I didn’t look too kindly at the Emperor who so brazenly interrupted me.
“…You must be out of your mind.”
Teiles II slammed the door and stomped towards me.
‘If this man ever studied or worked in his life, he would understand.’
I calmly closed the reference book I was consulting. It was early in the morning. I wondered why he was up so early, when normally he would have been sleeping after a night of drunken revelry with some woman. I stood up and bowed.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
“I, as your ruler, demand a proper explanation.”
Teiles II has scattered the report I worked so hard to submit at dawn into the air. It was a report I had ordered to be delivered to the Empress, so I didn’t understand why it was in his hands.
‘Is there some kind of conflict between the regent mother and her son who wants to regain his power over the crown?’
“…Her Majesty, the Empress is the one who currently rules the empire.”
It was a hint for the young one to know his place and leave, but Teiles II continued to rant.
“So you think you can look down on me just because you’ve gained a little power? Do you take me for a fool?”
Yes.
“If even a servant like you doesn’t respect me as a lord, what do you think that makes me?! Every peasant woman from here to there would receive me with open arms—even go so far as to kill their own husbands! But you, you’ve looked down on me ever since we were children. How can you expect me to put in the effort when you treat me like this incompetent buffoon who can’t even look over some measly document?!”
“Your Majesty…” I said, stifling a sigh. “You don’t have to make the effort at all.”
“Shut up, I’m aware of the situation. I know that the nobles of this country are divided into three factions, and that the ‘neutral’ faction, which follows Lecan, is the strongest!”
Even a four-year-old with his head buried in the sand would know that.
“The reports you submitted are all about getting rid of the ‘neutral’ noble families by any means,” he said. “Yes, I get that Lecan temporarily left the capital. But have you not considered the aftermath? What if Lecan returns and takes revenge? Do you think the ‘Neutral Faction’ will just stand by? When those who stood in neutrality start choosing sides, things might get irreversibly worse. How can you not know this?”
The momentum was shifting—he thought I had lost the upper hand. He raised his chin arrogantly.
‘It seems he just wanted to talk a big game to me.’
Normally, I might have backed off and spared Teiles II’s pride. But this time, I couldn’t afford to retreat. I sighed briefly and handed him a small, crumpled note on the table.
“What’s this?”
“Please unfold and read it, Your Majesty. By doing so, you will understand my intentions.”
I politely bowed my head, clasping my hands together. If I had acted arrogantly before, I planned to be more considerate from now on. Whether it was true or not, the first step was to acknowledge and accept his feelings.
“And I apologize if you felt I was disrespectful.”
“…Wait a moment, this is…”
Teiles II’s expression turned serious as he slowly read the message.
And had to choose between the moon and the sun,
It actually chose the moon.
The sun, jealous of the moon,
Hid all the truth.
When the sun shines, what can you do?
The true meaning lies in the moon.
Now, as the true master,
The moon is said to return.
Welcome, new world.
“This is…”
“It’s a song based on the founding story,” I explained. “Even the children gathering in the plaza are singing it. There’s no one who doesn’t know it. The sun represents the imperial family, the dragon of ancient times symbolizes the legitimacy of the founding legend, and the moon…”
Teiles II’s face turned unusually cold.
“Lecan.”
“Yes, the public sentiment… is leaning towards Lecan.”
