Chapter 92

"Big Sister! I heard you were bedridden!?"

Seeing Rain, who had been shown into the reception room, I was more surprised than I had been in a long time.

First Princess Rain, who was about the same age as Mother, was known for her martial arts and her bold personality. Given the recent reports of her serious illness, I was shocked by her appearance.

After all, the Rain who had come to visit was full of energy and did not look like a sick person at all.

"I can't just lie around at a time like this."

"Huh?"

"Thank you, Noah. I came to express my gratitude."

"Gratitude?"

I tilted my head, wondering what she was talking about.

"I heard about what you did for Aileen."

"Oh."

"So, just a moment ago, I drove out all the women that Alan was keeping."

"Alan... Oh."

It finally made sense.

Rain's husband, Alan.

As the husband of a princess, he was, in a sense, the most normal man doing the most normal thing.

The husband of a princess is generally treated as a subordinate unless something extraordinary happens. And because she is a princess, there is not much pressure to produce an heir. If there isn't one, it's just a matter of accepting it.

Therefore, it is very common for these husbands to keep concubines, which is semi-officially recognized.

It's better for the concubines to take care of the lustful desires rather than the princess. As a quasi-royal, the husband of a princess has a certain status, and having one or two concubines is almost expected.

For the men, it's easier to maintain their pride by dealing with concubines they can control rather than a princess who is always in a higher position.

It's rare to have someone like Angus, who wants to be with Aileen for life.

"Thank you, Noah. Thanks to you, I can now boldly fight against those thieving cats."

"Is that so?"

I chuckled.

Just because it's normal doesn't mean the princesses don't feel jealous. They can't openly show jealousy towards their subordinates, and secretly doing so would be even more embarrassing, so they can't do anything.

With the permission to feel "jealous," Rain took immediate action.

What I did for Aileen, though for a different reason, seems to have helped Rain.

"That's good, but Big Sister, don't overdo it. I've read the reports from the medical officers; the illness—"

"It's cured."

"Huh?"

"After I drove out those thieving cats, my body felt incredibly light."

"…I see."

They say illness comes from the mind, and there are also mental illnesses.

I don't know which one it was for Rain, but it seems she was genuinely cured.

"Thank you so much, Noah."

"You're welcome. So, Big Sister, what are you going to do now?"

"Now?"

"After driving out the concubines."

"That…?"

Huh?

What's with this reaction? The rather mature Rain is blushing and fidgeting.

"Big Sister?"

"I remember the words he said on our wedding night."

"Ah."

I was curious about what words, but it was a memory between the two of them, probably from their wedding night.

I decided not to pry too deeply.

"So… with the thieving cats gone, I might forgive him."

"I see. Well, do your best, Big Sister. If there's anything I can do, just let me know."

"Thank you, Noah."

☆

There's a phrase, "unintentionally."

Noah's actions were exactly that.

Until then, the princesses of the empire had significantly shorter lifespans compared to the princes. In the empire's several hundred years of history, only two princesses had lived past 60.

However, from the time of Noah's policy, the lifespans of the empire's princesses significantly increased.

At the time, it wasn't immediately clear, but it was later revealed that the lifespans increased because the princesses were freed from the restrictive customs.

In the history of Noah's reign, it became a small but significant achievement.

☆

The next day, in the study.

I called Henry and Oscar.

We conducted the state affairs in the usual manner: I sat, and Henry and Oscar stood on either side of the desk.

"So, Oscar, I want you to revise the budget related to the princesses who have married. It's not a large amount in the annual budget, but it's to show that I'm serious about this."

"Your Majesty, shouldn't we be more cautious about this?"

"Hmm?"

I looked directly at Oscar, who was objecting.

"A custom that has been continued for hundreds of years in the empire. Isn't it too abrupt to abolish it? Perhaps we can treat Aileen's case as an exception."

"I see."

Oscar's point was valid.

Such old customs, if suddenly abolished, can cause strong resistance. Even the emperor can't do everything he wants, especially when it comes to customs.

Tampering with customs is, in a sense, a challenge to past emperors. The resistance and backlash can sometimes be stronger than expected.

But.

"I've already made my decision, and it won't change."

"Can't you reconsider?"

"…"

"Oscar."

Henry, who had been silent, watching the situation, spoke up.

"What is it, Brother?"

"There's movement in Turbaif."

"Right now, it's about the princesses—"

"The seriousness of the emperor who is willing to reduce the privileges of the princesses to marry them off is being heard within Turbaif."

"…! Your Majesty… Could it be for this reason?"

"Yes."

I nodded deeply.

The moment I heard Angus's direct appeal, I had this plan in mind.

The privileges of the princesses who marry are not limited to within the empire. They are especially significant when they are sent to other countries. Of course, a married princess is a hostage and a guest. If she is treated poorly, it is almost the same as declaring war on the empire.

Therefore, the princesses are treated at the same level even after they marry.

I abolished that.

"Was this your goal from the beginning?"

"…"

I smiled and stood up, looking out the window behind me.

"I hope they behave."

This was a continuation of the words I said when I decided to send the three princesses into political marriages.

"Your Majesty, as expected. With this, Turbaif will surely be moved to tears and submit."

"Still, we can't be complacent. Keep your guard up."

"Yes."

Henry bowed deeply.

I stared at Oscar.

Our eyes met, and we stared at each other for a while.

Oscar finally said, "I understand," and agreed to revise the budget. Henry and Oscar left together.

"Phew…"

"It's not going well, is it?"

Don, who had come in, said.

"Huh?"

"His Highness didn't accept Your Majesty's intentions."

"…You noticed well."

"Your Majesty, as expected."

Despite Don's praise, I sighed again.

Revising the budget was just a procedural matter, a simple document to be sent through the Fourth Chancellor to the relevant departments. Yet, I called Oscar, the Minister of the Interior, to speak to him directly.

It was to send him a message:

"I will do whatever it takes for the governance of the empire."

Following in Father's footsteps, I am building an intelligence network. Not just the Box of Fuffa, but also people who blend into the shadows.

Reports of suspicious movements—though not to the extent of rebellion—have been coming in from various sources about Oscar.

If he gets in the way, even if he is a prince—

I sent that message, but Oscar didn't receive it. He noticed it but chose not to accept it.

Will I have to take action someday, or can I hope that such a day never comes?