Chapter 9

As Latil spoke, the expression on Artaxi Duke's face froze, as if it would shatter with a touch. Latil deliberately turned his gaze away from him. No one else, but he truly felt sorry for the Artaxi Duke. However, the expressions of the other people around were not much different from the Artaxi Duke's. They all stared at Latil with wide-eyed shock. It was clear that no one understood what Latil had said. Latil kindly explained it to them again.

"First, let's bring in about five."

The hall, which had been as quiet as a graveyard, suddenly became noisy. The word 'five' and 'harem' were mixed in with the murmurs. The Artaxi Duke, who had belatedly regained his senses, exclaimed in horror.

"That's absurd, Your Majesty! There have been several empresses, but they all had only one empress. Although there were many men rumored to be their lovers, no one ever openly took concubines. How can you—"

'Wow, he can make dog sounds without barking, impressive.'

"Renowned as a pure romantic, the 5th Emperor Trasch had five concubines, and the 11th Emperor Aint had six, Duke Artaxi. On average, other emperors had about fifteen concubines. Some particularly promiscuous emperors had over twenty."

"But—"

"Why can't I have concubines when everyone else did? I should have at least five, like the emperors of the past."

Latil added with a grin, "I'm somewhat of a romantic too," and the ministers' mouths dropped open. They were in a state of panic. Latil scanned the shocked faces of the nobles and slightly curled the corner of his mouth.

"Didn't the ministers always argue that to maintain a balance of power, the emperor should take other concubines because having only one empress would allow the maternal relatives to gain too much power?"

Latil's words were not exaggerated. Even during the reign of the late emperor, these very people had pushed for various women to be brought to his father's side. The ministers immediately fell silent, as if they remembered. Latil added with a playful smile.

"Wouldn't it be better for you if I had several concubines? That way, you could compete for the position of the emperor's daughter-in-law, right?"

For the first time, the expressions of the nobles, who had been uniformly shocked, showed a difference. The Artaxi Duke's face became even more wrinkled. On the other hand, even the Artaxi Duke's faction showed signs of interest. Despite the serious situation, Latil almost burst out laughing. How could everyone's thoughts be so transparent?

"If you're unmarried, you can volunteer yourself."

Latil said half in jest but with a serious expression. The recipients, however, seemed very serious.

'Are they really going to volunteer?'

The ministers couldn't say a word and looked at each other. Latil, suppressing his laughter, designated the officials responsible for this matter. After the chaotic council meeting ended, as Latil was about to leave through a door behind the throne, he noticed a scribe sitting at a nearby desk. The scribe was recording the meeting with shining eyes, clearly finding it very entertaining. When Latil approached, the scribe stopped writing and jumped up in surprise, looking frightened that Latil had caught him smiling.

'What's there to be afraid of?'

"Ah, scribe."

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty!"

"Let me tell you in advance. If I end up with only five concubines, make sure to record it like this."

"Yes?"

"Emperor Latrasil had 'only' five concubines. If it seems like I have a good relationship with the empress, you can record it as a pure love story."

"Yes?"

Latil winked at the scribe and turned to leave the meeting room. As soon as he returned to his room, Latil clutched his stomach and collapsed, unable to stop laughing at the ministers' bewildered expressions.

***

"How could Your Majesty do this to me!"

As soon as he returned to his mansion, the Artaxi Duke roared and roughly threw off his ceremonial robes. The maids quickly picked up the clothes he had discarded, looking frightened. The duchess, who had attended the coronation but not the council meeting, hurriedly approached the duke.

"How was the council meeting? Did His Majesty preside over it well?"

"He did very well. Too well."

"Well is well, what do you mean by too well?"

"From the first day, he had the ministers in the palm of his hand."

"Is that all?"

The duchess's eyes widened. The Artaxi Duke gulped down the strong liquor on the console.

"Come on, stop drinking and tell me what happened. Did His Majesty treat you harshly? Did he forget all the help you gave him and treat you rudely?"

"He clearly promised me rewards and commendations."

"Then what's the problem? Spit it out. Don't put anything in your mouth."

The duchess asked softly while quickly snatching the bottle from the duke. The Artaxi Duke looked at her in dismay but lowered his hand as he saw her eyes narrowing.

"His Majesty said he has no intention of taking an empress yet."

"Is that why you're so angry?"

The duchess clicked her tongue.

"Whether it's next year or the year after, that issue can be handled slowly. The ministers will keep pressing His Majesty about the successor, and he'll change his mind in a few years."

"If that were the only issue, it would be fine."

"Then what else is there?"

"He said he's going to take concubines, concubines!"

"..."

This time, the duchess couldn't react properly. She stood there, blinking like a wooden doll. Concubines... concubines...?

"Concubines?"

When the duchess finally gasped, the Artaxi Duke nodded gloomily.

"Moreover, from the way he talked about the emperor's daughter-in-law, it seems he plans to choose an empress from among the concubines."

"Good heavens. Among the female emperors, no one has ever said they would take concubines..."

"There hasn't been."

The duchess covered her mouth with one hand and had a complicated expression.

"While it's sad for our Lanan family, personally, I find it interesting."

"Interesting?"

"Yes. It will be the first time male concubines are born."

The duchess looked like she was feeling a mix of emotions, unsure if she was crying or laughing.

"Anyway, with things like this, it will be difficult for our Lanan family to become the empress."

"That's true."

The duke sighed, thinking of his son's proud and arrogant nature.

"He won't enter a harem with that strong sense of self-respect."

* * *

It was the first morning after becoming emperor. As soon as Latil woke up, he opened the window wide and basked in the morning sunlight. The slightly damp, fresh air filled his lungs, and he couldn't help but smile. He had a dream. The dream of the day Hyacinth left him, saying to wait for five years. The dream that often tormented him couldn't be dispelled even by his imperial status.

'Of all things, to dream of Hyacinth on the first night as emperor...'

Latil grumbled to himself, but the aftereffects of the dream weren't as severe as usual, thanks to yesterday's coronation. The excitement from the ceremony still lingered in his heart. Declaring the harem also stirred strange feelings in his chest. He had declared it for various emotional and political reasons, but it meant that at least five men would be his.

'It might be awkward...'

Latil scratched his forehead awkwardly and suddenly paused. Hyacinth. Yes... Hyacinth. Latil's lips twisted coldly. Perhaps dreaming of Hyacinth today was a sign that the opportunity for revenge was approaching. Coincidentally, he also remembered a distasteful anecdote he had momentarily forgotten. When Latil was a princess, a delegation from Carisen came to request that Hyacinth send a concubine to her. They spoke of diplomatic relations and goodwill, but the important point was that Hyacinth had the audacity to send such a delegation to her own country. While it was natural for powerful countries to exchange hostages and concubines, Latil was furious. A satisfied smile appeared on Latil's lips. Back then, she just left it at that.

"What can we do, Hyacinth? Now I can return the favor."

* * *

"The tax system needs some revision. Although it's only half a year, the supply in the capital has not circulated properly, and there have been continuous small-scale battles nearby, causing the prices in the capital to be abnormally high compared to other regions."

"If we only lower the taxes in the capital, there will be strong opposition from other places. If we lower them across the board, the taxes from other regions will decrease. If we align them with other regions, it will be a burden on the citizens of the capital."

"Yes, it seems we need to find a good balance."

"How long will it take for the prices to stabilize?"

"Since the influx of visitors and foreign merchants increased around the time of Your Majesty's coronation, circulation has already become active, so it shouldn't take long for prices to stabilize."

"What do you think, ministers?"

"Lowering taxes can immediately boost the support of the common people, but dissatisfaction will arise when we try to return them to the original level. Since the economy can recover quickly, it might be better to maintain the current status."

"But, Your Majesty, maintaining the current status is a burden on the common people. Even if recovery is fast, it will be tough for at least one or two months. If we continue to make excessive demands, dissatisfaction will arise immediately."

The conflict between Latil and Prince Tira was not a long period compared to the average royal succession struggle. However, since the conflict was concentrated in the capital, the affected area was almost limited to the capital, making it difficult to implement uniform policies. Latil suffered from headaches from the first day, as the finance-related officials were divided in their opinions.

'Surely, practical work is different.'

Unlike in books, there are many variables. The lack of a clear right or wrong answer also made the responsibility heavier. When Latil was a princess, if she made a mistake, her father, the prime minister, or her teacher would correct her. Now, there was no such process. If Latil made a mistake, it would directly affect the future of the people. After nearly five hours of discussion on this issue, Latil, completely exhausted, stretched out on the desk, and the head servant, who had been quietly watching, burst out laughing.

"You seem very tired."

"It's more troublesome than I thought."

"You will do well, Your Majesty."

The next decision Latil had to make was about the harem, which she had declared at the coronation. Fortunately, this issue was not difficult. In fact, it was rather exciting. She had already thought about it. Therefore, while the official in charge of the harem was showing her various documents and explaining, Latil smiled comfortably.

"Before entering the harem, they usually sign this document. This is the standard form, but you can add any conditions you want."

As the official put down the document, Latil, without hiding her mischievous smile, revealed what she had prepared.

"Ah, there's nothing else to add. Rather, for diversity and national relations, I want to take concubines from other countries as well."

"Yes, Your Majesty. If you say so, I will send a delegation. To which country?"

The official, unaware of Latil's intentions, clasped his hands and waited for her command. Latil, leaning on the desk, gave her instructions cheerfully.

"Send it to Carisen. To Emperor Hyacinth."