Chapter 93

Byron Alan, a merchant, requested an audience. Since it was a private matter rather than an official one, I decided to meet him in the reception room of the detached palace.

I was sitting and waiting in a room where sunlight streamed in just right, making the furnishings shine even more.

Then, Byron was led in by a maid.

As soon as he entered the room, Byron knelt down before advancing.

"Byron Alan. I am honored to be in the presence of Your Majesty."

"That's fine. We have a relationship, so you can be at ease."

"Thank you."

Byron stood up and entered the room, and a woman in a dress, who had been waiting just outside the room, followed him in.

"Hmm."

I couldn't help but let out a sound.

Simply put, she was a beautiful woman.

She wasn't a beauty of the highest order.

However, she had an elegance and grace in her demeanor.

Moreover, this was—acquired.

When I say "inherent" and "acquired" here, I mean "birth."

There is a slight difference between someone born into a noble family and trained from birth to be a certain way, and someone who learns and adopts these qualities later in life.

It's not a matter of good or bad, just different.

Of course, there are some who are literally "inherently" born with grace, but that's a different story.

The woman who entered after Byron had acquired her grace.

While it's not a matter of good or bad, those who acquire it tend to have less experience and a shorter history compared to those who are born with it.

What made this woman interesting was that despite being young and acquired, her demeanor was nearly perfect.

That was—fascinating.

"Today, I have brought Jessica to present her to Your Majesty."

"Present?"

"I mean to add her to Your Majesty's harem."

"Oh... I see."

I was reminded of one of my father's concubines, Ada. Ada was a woman who, after being sent to my father's harem by Byron and me, was eventually noticed and became a concubine.

For merchants like Byron, the way they conduct business can change dramatically depending on whether they have someone in the harem—inside the palace.

After my father abdicated, Ada's influence waned.

This was to compensate for that, and to send someone to me as well.

"Hmm, you brought her directly."

"I apologize, but I couldn't hide her from Your Majesty's discerning eye."

"Well, between you and me."

It's not about discernment; it's because we've worked together before.

"Understood. I'll accept her—"

The moment I accepted her from Byron, without any need to refuse.

---

Name: Noah Ararat

Emperor of the Empire

Gender: Male

Level: 17 + 1 / ∞

HP: C + B Fire: E + S + S

MP: D + C Water: C + SSS

Strength: C + S Wind: E + C

Stamina: D + C Earth: E + C

Intelligence: D + A Light: E + B

Spirit: E + C Darkness: E + B

Speed: E + B

Dexterity: E + C

Luck: D + C

---

The "+" in my status, which is always visible in the corner of my vision, increased.

And—by two at once.

I was surprised and looked at the woman—Jessica.

A woman who, by becoming mine, instantly raised my status by two points.

This... is a rare talent.

"You're not just any woman."

"Your Majesty, your discernment is truly remarkable. To recognize this in an instant."

"What kind of person are you?"

"I can say that she is a woman with qualities that Your Majesty favors."

"Hmm."

When we chose Ada, I talked a lot about my preferences.

This means she is a woman with ambition.

Well, unlike with my father, she is being sent directly to me.

It's natural that she was chosen based on my preferences.

"And—"

"And?"

"She is particularly outstanding in that quality."

"I see."

So, she is the most ambitious woman.

That explains the near-perfect demeanor I sensed.

"Then, I will take my leave—"

Byron said this and left quickly.

Saying "Please take care of her" would be second-rate.

I understand without being told, and I wouldn't feel good if I were told.

Of course, the negative impact is minimal, but removing that minimal impact is what makes someone first-rate.

After Byron and the maid left, the room was left with just me and Jessica.

I stared at her, observing her.

Tension, and excitement.

In the excitement, I felt a slight hesitation.

"Did you volunteer to become my concubine, or did Byron ask you?"

"I will answer. I went to Mr. Byron myself and asked to be trained."

"Hmm... Hmm? You volunteered to become a concubine?"

"Yes."

"So you approached Byron yourself?"

"Yes."

Hmm.

To find this route, she must have been a talented woman even before being trained.

I liked her even more, found her even more interesting—when I thought this.

Jessica gently extended her hand.

She held it out palm up, with something on it.

"Gold?"

"Ten Reen."

"What's that for?"

I couldn't understand the intention.

No one, including when I was a prince, has ever given me ten Reen.

As a fact, it doesn't happen.

That's why I couldn't understand the intention.

"This is what I received when I first met Your Majesty."

"Hmm. Tell me more."

"This is the ten Reen that Your Majesty distributed to the people present when you first met Prince Indra."

"Ah, I see."

To be honest, my memory was vague.

When I first met Prince Indra, the grandfather of Audrey, it was outdoors.

And it drew attention.

I remember being recognized by Indra.

Up to this point, I remember.

And when that happened, I remember distributing gold to the people present.

So, this is the gold from that time.

"When I first saw Your Majesty, it felt like lightning struck through my body."

Jessica's demeanor changed.

Elegance and grace were now mixed with intensity.

"I adore you! I adore you more than anyone in the world! I don't mind being a servant, please, let me be by your side!"

She clung to me desperately.

I understood her feelings—strongly.

I had no intention of letting her go.

"Someone."

A maid came in when I called.

"Bring the Empress here."

The maid bowed respectfully and left, and almost immediately, Empress Audrey came in.

"Did you call for me, Your Majesty?"

"Your speed, you were listening, weren't you?"

"Yes, when a merchant brings a woman, as the head of the harem, I—"

Audrey smiled.

It was a natural reaction.

"Then, this is easy. Her name is Jessica, and she will become a concubine."

"---! T, t, thank you so much!"

Jessica was moved to tears.

"Oh my, are you that happy?"

Even Audrey was surprised by her joy.

I told Audrey about Jessica.

When I first met Indra, I found Byron, and she trained herself to come this far.

"Hmm."

Audrey's eyes sparkled when she heard this.

Then, she turned to Jessica and, as the Empress, took her hand.

"You have a lot of potential."

"Um...?"

"You recognized the greatness of His Majesty and were captivated by it, leading you to come this far."

"---! Yes!"

"Hehe, then you are very welcome. Nice to meet you, Jessica."

"Yes, nice to meet you."

"Then, I'll have a maid show you to your room."

"Wait a moment."

I stopped Audrey, who was about to start as the head of the harem.

"What is it?"

"Her treatment will be a bit different. I will welcome her as a concubine, but I also want to use her as a subordinate."

"Eh?"

"Eh?"

Both Audrey and Jessica were surprised.

"You're quite skilled, right? You've trained yourself this much, and being just a concubine would be a waste."

"Ah..."

Jessica looked pleased, slightly lowering her head.

She was happy to be recognized, especially by me.

"But, Your Majesty, it is customary for concubines to enter the harem."

"I will change that. In the future, there will be more like Jessica. Half the world is women, and many of them have talent. It would be a waste not to use them."

"I understand Your Majesty's desire for talent, but—ah!"

Audrey's eyes widened in surprise.

"The incident with the princesses—was for this...?"

"..."

I smiled.

"Indeed, Your Majesty. You have thought this far."

"I've been thinking about this since Cindy's time. Then, the Arline incident came up. I thought this would be a threefold benefit."

"You are amazing, Your Majesty."

"Eh? What...?"

Audrey explained the situation to Jessica, who was confused.

With the Arline incident, I broke the customs surrounding the princesses.

I made it clear that I would not hesitate to change the customs related to the royal family, especially women.

Using my concubines as my subordinates would not face much resistance now.

"Ah... As expected... Your Majesty is..."

Jessica, after hearing the explanation, looked even more captivated and adoring.

Audrey, recognizing that a woman who adores me is an ally, watched Jessica with satisfaction.

☆

The next day, I called Henry to the garden of the detached palace.

Henry and I were relaxing in a pavilion, and in front of it, Shirley and Jessica were fighting.

They were engaged in a mock battle with blunted weapons.

The two were evenly matched.

Shirley, with her single-minded and powerful swordsmanship.

Jessica, in contrast, with her graceful and dance-like swordsmanship.

Their contrasting styles, combined with their even match, made the fight beautiful to watch.

"There are some noisy people who are causing trouble."

When I told Henry about using Jessica as a subordinate, he calmly said this.

It's helpful that there's no opposition, as it saves the trouble of persuasion.

"Let them squawk. Why did you call me? If it's about this, it's more Oscar's jurisdiction."

"I want to add Jessica to the expedition. That's why I called you."

"Expedition... to the front lines immediately?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I want her to gain experience."

I looked at Jessica.

The woman who became my concubine Jessica last night, now showed a graceful and fierce sword technique that was unimaginable from her bedroom charm.

"She is the best talent I've seen so far. I want her to gain various experiences."

"To do that, you want to send her to the front lines, the harsh battlefield... in other words, favor her?"

"That's right."

"...Indeed, Your Majesty. If you do that, the noise will subside."

"The noise doesn't matter from the start... but I'll leave it to you. I'll make sure she doesn't die. Just put her in a position where she can gain experience."

"Understood."

Henry said this and bowed slightly.

I looked at Jessica and imagined the exciting possibilities for this talented woman.