Chapter 10

"Indeed. Do you have someone in mind for the envoy?"

"I'll entrust it to Count Bretta."

The official did not find Latil's request strange even after hearing all of it. When Hyacinth, the emperor of Carisen, was a prince, he had come here to study, and when he got married, Latil had visited as the head of the envoy. Recently, Tarium had even sent a concubine, so Latil's request seemed natural. However, after the official left, the head steward, who knew the backstory between Latil and Hyacinth, couldn't help but ask worriedly,

"Will it be alright, Your Majesty?"

The head steward had been a close confidant since the time of the late emperor and vividly remembered how shocked Latil was when he heard about Hyacinth's marriage. He also remembered how indignant Latil was when the concubine was sent. However, Latil nodded with a weak smile.

"Not really. But I think it will get better now."

"Your Majesty..."

"Hyacinth should feel what I felt by choosing the men himself."

'Will he find it absurd? Will he be flabbergasted? Will he mock me, saying my heart is transparent? Or... will you feel even a little bit of pain? It would be better to see his reaction up close, but that's probably too much to ask.'

"More importantly, Duke Sablé. What do you think about Duke Artax? Will he send his son to me?"

"Do you mean young Lord Ranamon?"

"Yes. The Duke wanted to push him as a candidate for the crown prince. Will he still want to make him a concubine?"

"Surely not to that extent."

The head steward recalled young Ranamon, who had been arrogant even as a child, and shook his head again.

"Even if Duke Artax tried to force him, young Lord Ranamon wouldn't go."

* * *

"I will become a concubine."

However, contrary to the head steward's expectations, it was Ranamon who volunteered to become a concubine. Duke Artax was taken aback and asked,

"Did you hear me correctly just now?"

Knowing his son's personality, Duke Artax had never thought Ranamon would take the position of a concubine. But now he was volunteering to go?

"The emperor has announced that he will take concubines."

"But you're volunteering to become one?"

"Yes."

Ranamon answered calmly, his demeanor unusually peaceful for someone who had just made such a bold statement. However, Duke Artax was even more surprised, his heart racing. Before Latil became emperor, when he was still competing with Prince Tella, Duke Artax had brought up the topic of the crown prince with Ranamon. He had loudly proclaimed that Ranamon would become the crown prince. So when Latil mentioned the concubine, Duke Artax was in a dilemma. His plans had been thwarted, but how could he explain this to Ranamon, who had been promised the position of crown prince? With a son whose pride was as high as the sky, Duke Artax was at a loss about how to break the news. Ranamon was extremely proud. Hearing this would likely turn their home into an ice rink for months. Still, he couldn't avoid it, so he swallowed his embarrassment and delivered the absurd news. Surprisingly, Ranamon volunteered to become a concubine, leaving Duke Artax bewildered.

"Son, do you... not know what a concubine is?"

He knew his son wasn't interested in social circles, but what if he didn't even know what a concubine was? What would he say if Ranamon didn't know? Duke Artax waited anxiously for Ranamon's response. Fortunately, Ranamon answered without hesitation.

"Originally, it was a system in Huayue, but it spread like a trend during the Great Cultural Exchange and became established. Before that, they were called 'the emperor's mistresses.' Unlike mistresses chosen by the emperor to be solely lovers, concubines can be offered without the emperor's consent and can also serve as hostages depending on the purpose. In exchange, they are recognized as members of the royal family and live in the emperor's harem. Their children are recognized as the emperor's, unlike those of mistresses."

"That's right..."

Duke Artax nodded reluctantly. It seemed Ranamon knew the textbook definition well.

"Unlike the empress, they have no official duties and their primary role is to provide the emperor with pleasure and comfort."

He also knew the practical aspects.

"Especially at night."

And the reality.

"Although I have no experience yet, I learn quickly. Once I learn one thing, I can understand ten..."

"Son!"

Duke Artax was startled and covered Ranamon's mouth. Even though he was an adult, he was still his son. He didn't want to have such a conversation with his grown son. Of course, he would have disliked it even more if his son wasn't grown. Ranamon indifferently removed Duke Artax's hand.

"Isn't this reality?"

"Even so, you're going?"

Given your nature?

"Yes."

Ranamon's lips curled coldly. Duke Artax's concerns were valid. Despite his calm exterior, Ranamon's pride was deeply hurt. His decision to volunteer was a sign that his pride was even more damaged than Duke Artax had imagined. Ranamon had never been particularly eager to become the crown prince. To him, the position was something he would take on reluctantly. However, he was not willing to give it up to anyone else. Whether he wanted it or not, it was unpleasant for someone else to take a position he was considered for. He didn't want to bow to lesser individuals just because they were the crown prince. But... what? Not choosing a crown prince? Taking concubines? Choosing the crown prince from the concubines? Ranamon gritted his teeth. The emperor was not a fool. He must have known who the most likely candidate for the crown prince was. Declaring that he wouldn't choose a crown prince was as good as saying he didn't want Ranamon as the crown prince. Ranamon couldn't accept this.

"I'll become a concubine and try to charm him."

Charm him...? Duke Artax took a step back at his son's radical statement.

"Is that the document related to the concubine?"

Ranamon took the document Duke Artax was about to discard with a cold gaze. He then pulled out a pen from his coat pocket and signed it without hesitation. Duke Artax found himself holding the signed paper in his hands in the blink of an eye. Ranamon put the pen back and coldly predicted,

"Within a year, the emperor will promote me to the position of crown prince, Father."

"...I hope so, I do."

"To achieve that, Father must prepare thoroughly."

Prepare! This word reminded Duke Artax that he shouldn't be so surprised. Yes, now that Ranamon had decided to become a concubine, he needed to prepare a lot. The competition among concubines for the position of crown prince would likely be intense and terrifying. Duke Artax asked with a slightly tense face,

"What kind of preparation? Poison? Aphrodisiacs? Bribing people? Bringing guards disguised as servants? Tell me. I'll prepare anything you need."

Moved by the serious and fierce tone, Ranamon nodded and requested,

"Books on night techniques, please."

"Ah, son!"

How far are you preparing to go! * * * Count Bretta was puzzled. Why did I suddenly become the head of the envoy to Carisen? He had experience as an envoy, but there were many more experienced candidates. To say it was due to a personal relationship, Count Bretta was not particularly close to Emperor Latil of Latrasil. It was impossible to be close, as he had not supported either side during the throne dispute between Prince Tratala and Latil. If he had to choose, he would have probably supported Prince Tratala. Given this distant relationship, he had planned to keep a low profile for a while.

"Still thinking about it?"

The attendant's amused question prompted Count Bretta to respond curtly,

"It's strange, so I'm thinking. I'm worried there might be some ulterior motive."

"Oh, don't worry. The fact that the emperor appointed you as the head of the first envoy is a good sign."

"Is it?"

"Of course."

The attendant's repeated reassurances finally put Count Bretta at ease. Yes, a good sign is a good sign. However, upon arriving in Carisen and mentioning the concubine to the emperor, Count Bretta understood why Emperor Latil had specifically chosen him as the envoy. The emperor of Carisen welcomed the envoy from Tarium with a warm smile, his handsome face beaming. However, the moment Count Bretta revealed the purpose of the envoy, the emperor's radiant smile vanished. It wasn't just that the smile disappeared; Emperor Hyacinth's face turned pale, and he clenched his teeth.

"Who, who, to whom, who to send?"

He asked each word separately, the last one with the force to throw the throne.

"Isn't the current emperor of Tarium Emperor Latil?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Then, Emperor Latil, to his harem, to choose a man, sent you, to me?"

From the looks of it, Emperor Hyacinth and Emperor Latil had a personal relationship, but not a good one. It seemed Emperor Latil had anticipated that Emperor Hyacinth would be furious and had chosen Count Bretta, with whom he had a strained relationship, as the envoy. Still, wasn't that a bit too much? Count Bretta made a grimace. While he thought Prince Tella was more suitable for the throne 'now,' he hadn't openly shown it. A loud noise brought Count Bretta back to his senses. He swallowed and stared at the emperor of Carisen. Now was not the time to feel wronged. Since he had accepted the mission, he couldn't abandon his fief and emigrate. He had to carry out his task properly. Count Bretta spoke as gently and cautiously as possible,

"His Majesty the Emperor of Tarium holds infinite goodwill towards Carisen. Two years ago, Tarium sent a concubine to Carisen. If Carisen sends a concubine to Tarium this time, the two countries will be bound by two ties, making their relationship even closer."

Count Bretta pulled out a letter with the emperor's seal from his coat.

"This is a personal letter from Emperor Latil."

The chief secretary, standing behind Emperor Hyacinth, took the letter and passed it to the emperor. Count Bretta swallowed and looked at Emperor Hyacinth.

"..."

Emperor Hyacinth was just breaking the seal of the letter. His eyes, which had a faint golden hue, scanned the luxurious paper thoroughly. Count Bretta clasped his hands tightly. Please, let the emperor have written only good things. I hope there's nothing like 'kill the person who brought this' inside. However, Emperor Hyacinth's expression remained inscrutable as he read the letter. After some time, he slowly put the letter down. Count Bretta, holding his breath, checked Emperor Hyacinth's expression and gasped. What could the letter have said...? Emperor Hyacinth looked like he wanted to tear Count Bretta to pieces.

* * *

- I need a man for my harem. You know my taste, right? Send someone who fits. Look at my face. That doesn't mean I don't care about personality. Since it's for the harem, intelligence isn't necessary, but I'd like someone who can hold a conversation. Avoid the combination of brown hair and gray eyes. It reminds me of you and makes me feel bad.