Picked Up a Beast, Turns Out He’s an Emperor

CHAPTER 156

Side Story 5. The Empress of Absolute Power

“Where is Her Majesty, the Empress?”

“She must arrive before His Majesty, the Emperor.”

The nobles who had arrived at the Emperor’s meeting room were all asking for the Empress.

“She has just left the Garden of Light. The welcome ceremony for the vassal state's delegation this morning was slightly delayed.”

At the attendant’s reply, the nobles' expressions became increasingly anxious.

If His Majesty the Emperor arrived first...

As expected, their uneasy premonition became reality.

“His Majesty has arrived.”

The copper doors on either side of the meeting room swung open as the palace steward announced the Emperor’s arrival.

The nobles hurriedly rose from their seats to greet the Emperor.

Their eyes were busy trying to gauge the Emperor’s mood.

His lips were not twisted into a crooked smile, nor were his eyes smiling in a menacing way.

Fortunately, the Emperor didn't seem to be in a bad mood, so they all breathed a sigh of relief.

But they still couldn’t fully relax.

His unrealistically handsome face rarely betrayed any emotions.

Of course, the one time they could glimpse his emotions…

Was when he was beside the Empress.

No, when he looked at the Empress, when he talked about her, when he listened to stories about her. In short, when it came to anything related to the Empress, even the Emperor found it difficult to hide his emotions.

Especially the way his red eyes followed the Empress still made onlookers’ hearts flutter, even now.

It had been 18 years since their wedding.

The Emperor, now a father of three, still shone brilliantly.

His body was as lean and toned as it had been 20 years ago, still fitting into the uniform he wore back then.

His muscles exuded a commanding presence that even clothes couldn’t conceal.

His black hair remained thick and glossy, showing no signs of thinning.

The only hint of the passage of time was the deepening crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes.

Even those only added to his mature charm, like a fine, aged wine.

His mere presence still commanded an intense atmosphere. However, instead of the cold, icy demeanor of the past, a benevolent and relaxed demeanor as a sovereign now overlaid his formidable strength.

That didn’t mean his slightly twisted and somewhat cruel nature had changed... not at all.

The nobles, unable to meet the Emperor's gaze as he took his seat on the throne, prayed for the Empress to arrive soon.

One thing the royal family and nobles had come to realize about the enigmatic Emperor was this:

No matter how angry the Emperor became, his fury would subside if the Empress was by his side.

Knowing this, the Empress would often appear in difficult situations to save them.

From the corruption of the exposed provincial nobles to the vassal state’s rebellion plans, the matters that needed to be reported today were more than enough to sour the Emperor’s mood.

Moreover, these were issues the Emperor had already warned them about.

The administrative officials who had failed to handle these matters properly were drenched in sweat.

The nobles anxiously eyed the unopened door, their mouths dry with tension.

***

Despite it being early winter, the air was warm and filled with a delightful fragrance.

The Empress, along with her ladies-in-waiting and maids, was seen leaving the Garden of Light after successfully concluding the event.

“Aren’t you heading to the meeting room?”

Millie asked quietly as she followed behind Empress Arabelle.

Millie, now the head of the first division of the Empress’s personal maids.

No longer the nervous girl who used to anxiously scan her surroundings with braided pigtails.

She was now a seasoned leader, guiding and overseeing more than thirty young maids, poised to become a future headmaid herself.

Arabelle smiled gently and shook her head.

The women following the Empress tilted their heads in confusion, having assumed she would naturally head to the Emperor’s meeting room.

As the event in the Garden of Light was drawing to a close, a messenger sent by the nobles came running in, out of breath.

It was a desperate request, begging the Empress to attend the meeting and calm the Emperor’s anger.

The Empress was no longer the woman who trembled like an aspen tree on an outdoor stage during the Empress competition twenty years ago.

She had developed waterproof fabric production and new agricultural cultivation methods, providing the citizens of the empire with the greatest profit opportunities in imperial history. With the enormous profits, she established free dormitory academies and orphanages, equipped with proper facilities, for the children of the empire.

Moreover, one of the most important duties of the Empress, producing heirs, had also been fulfilled with the birth of two sons and one daughter. No one doubted her qualifications or status anymore.

To be honest, the Empress’s popularity had surpassed that of the Emperor.

Of course, the citizens of the empire followed and respected the Emperor absolutely, but their loyalty was tinged with fear.

The love and trust they had for the Empress, however, grew from the love and kindness she had shown them.

The citizens would leap into a fire pit to avoid disobeying the Emperor’s orders, or more accurately, to avoid punishment. But they were ready to throw themselves into the fire without a second thought if it meant saving the Empress.

Yet, despite the Empress being beloved by the people and achieving great feats, she was still the Emperor’s woman.

It was unfair, but such was the position of women in this era. If she did not receive the Emperor’s love, the Empress’s position would inevitably be shaken.

To survive and to ensure the well-being of her children, she would either have to oppose the Emperor or bow down at his feet.

Just like Empress Catherine, the grandmother of Emperor Maxwell, who was adored by the people.

Arabelle’s greatest power was the Emperor.

No one dared challenge the Empress, who enjoyed the absolute love and trust of the continent’s most powerful ruler.

Before anyone could even think of raising their heads, the Emperor would have already crushed them.

Of course, this all happened without the Empress ever knowing.

Arabelle smiled sweetly as she replied to Millie.

“I’m planning to visit Elenia Academy.”

Countess Esther, the first lady-in-waiting and Arabelle’s closest friend, spoke up.

“Is it alright not to attend? According to the nobles’ messenger, His Majesty the Emperor is expected to be very angry.”

“If His Majesty is angry, there must be a reason. There’s no need for me to go and calm him down.”

“But haven’t you often attended meetings in the past to assist the noble officials?”

Marquise Rebelle, the third lady-in-waiting, spoke cautiously, watching the Empress’s reaction.

Her husband was among the officials attending the meeting today.

Arabelle’s innocent and clear eyes, still as round as a young girl’s, curved into crescent moons.

“That was because I was worried that His Majesty might exhaust himself from being angry. But if they didn’t properly carry out His Majesty’s orders this time, they’ll just have to endure His Majesty’s wrath. So they don’t make the same mistake twice.”

Left speechless, Marquise Rebelle lowered her head and followed the Empress.

The Empress, kind as she was, was far from soft or weak.

In fact, it was quite the opposite. She was stronger because she was gentle.

“Go and tell the head maid that I’ll be going out and she should join me. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Dina.”

A young maid quickly made her way to Vera, the head maid, who was likely at the Empress’s quarters.

“Dina is going to be so thrilled, she’ll probably make a fuss.”

Rosa, now the deputy commander of the Empress’s guard, spoke quietly.

She was excited at the thought of seeing her friend who lived in the capital outside the palace for the first time in a while.

Arabelle smiled at Rosa as their eyes met.

“I’ll also ask Willow to make my banquet dress while I’m visiting Dina.”

Ten years ago, Dina had left her position as a palace maid, with Arabelle’s help, and opened a dress shop in the capital.

She was now known as Madame Belair and had become the most popular designer among the women of the royal family and noble houses.

As Arabelle climbed into the five-wheeled carriage, she asked Millie,

“The princes and princess are still in training, right?”

“Yes. Sir Derek, the head of the knights’ academy, is observing, so it’s unlikely to end early. Sir Jacob, the commander-in-chief, and Sir Peter, the captain of the guard, are personally sparring with the students.”

The fact that the Emperor would make a surprise appearance at the end of the training was a secret even from the three siblings.

They would be overjoyed to spar with their father.

Especially Willow, who looked just like her father, and was determined to last 30 seconds in a duel with him.

So far, no academy student had ever lasted 30 seconds against the Emperor, which was what motivated her to train every night.

Their eldest son, Ilipseaon, would probably drop his sword right before the 30 seconds to ensure his sister’s victory.

Meanwhile, their youngest son, Louis, had probably already forgotten about the duel and was immersed in the adventure stories of Count Coralde.

When Timothy gave up his claim to the throne, Count Coralde quietly accepted his son’s decision.

He had to acknowledge that his only son was not suited to be a monster hunter.

These days, Count Coralde’s greatest joy was teaching the art of monster hunting to Louis, the second prince. Though no one knew that when the second prince turned sixteen, he would secretly follow the count outside the palace.

The Empress’s face shone brilliantly as she thought of her husband and three children at the training grounds.

“Make sure tonight’s banquet for the knights and academy students is especially well-prepared.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Countess Esther and Millie bowed their heads toward the Empress, who had boarded the carriage.

The five-wheeled carriage, carrying the Empress, the head maid, and a few ladies-in-waiting, cheerfully crossed the palace gardens.

- The End -

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