830 – I’m on vacation – 3

The domestic honeymoon ended successfully, except for the commotion on the first day.

Of course, it was because the Inspector General and the former First Division Chief had raided illegal gambling dens on the first day of their trip, that the senior provincial governors and lords seemed extremely nervous at every travel destination they visited. However, if we say it the other way around, it also means that any incidents that catch Eri and I’s eye are dealt with at the senior provincial governors and lords level.

Thanks to this, I was able to leisurely tour the tourist sites, taste famous foods, and leisurely pick up gifts for Ferenc and the rest of the family.

In some ways, it was the most peaceful honeymoon I’ve ever been on. Unlike other trips where there was a lot of commotion over several days, this one was only chaotic on the first day.

“Then I’ll go to the palace for a bit.”

So, after finishing my honeymoon with Eri, the next day, I prepared to visit the palace at the Emperor’s request.

“Oh, I’ll go too!”

“Huh? You too?”

“Okay! I also prepared a gift for you, senior!”

I immediately agreed when he said he would go see the empress.

Of course. Since Eri and the Empress are close seniors and juniors, it is not strange for them to exchange gifts. Furthermore, since the Empress is the mother of the nation, it is difficult for her to leave the palace, so she will be able to hear all sorts of stories through Eri, who is relatively free.

“And! We! We’ve also prepared gifts for our cute nephews!”

I burst into laughter at the sight of Eri confidently taking out her pocket.

It is true that Eri is very active and has a personality that you never know where she will go, but she is kind and friendly to those she considers family. She even prepares a gift barrage for her close seniors and their children.

“This is Charlotte’s gift! This is Carolus’ gift! This is Caroline’s gift!”

“They’re all dolls?”

“Originally, you should prepare these things in the same way! If you prepare different things, they’ll fight each other!”

I nodded reflexively because it was perfect logic that could not be refuted.

The crown princess, the prince, and the princess are all siblings living in the same house. If you give them different gifts, the other person’s gift will seem bigger, and they will covet the other person’s gift. Then, won’t the three siblings who were once friendly turn into fierce warriors who fight over gifts?

Besides, the princess is a small and delicate child who was just born this year. If she makes one mistake, she could have her gifts taken away without even being able to rebel. That would be a shame.

‘Dolls are the safest.’

Anyway, the doll is something that can be placed next to the princess lying in the cradle like a pillow.

While he gave his son a toy that would lead him to the path of becoming a Weapon Master, he prepared something safe and proper for his nephew. Should I call this a blessing or a strange thing?

‘It doesn’t matter, as long as Ferenc likes it.’

When I think of Ferenc holding a toy dagger and smiling brightly, it doesn’t matter either way.

What does it mean, whether it’s a doll or a dagger? As long as the recipient likes it, that’s all that matters.

Unlike Eri, who went straight to the Empress’s Palace, I went to the Sun Hall, but I didn’t actually meet the Emperor.

“His Majesty is in a meeting with other ministers. Please wait in the office and he will be here shortly.”

“is it.”

Because the emperor, who usually stayed in his office, rarely went out of his office.

‘Why at a time like this?’

I clicked my tongue inwardly at the words of the royal knight guarding the front of the office. He was a guy I would see right away even if I didn’t want to see him normally, but he disappeared right when we had to discuss something important. How heartbreaking.

But since the Emperor was away on business and not for personal reasons, there was no way to protest. In the first place, protesting would be like yelling at an imperial knight who was silently guarding the door, so how awkward would it be for this knight if the minister himself were to scold him?

“Then let’s go in. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After patting the shoulder of the knight who was bending down, he went into the empty office and sat down in an appropriate seat.

Come to think of it, this is my first time entering an empty office. Up until now, the Emperor had always welcomed me. Meeting the Emperor was usually more of a bad thing than a good thing, so it was just a problem.

“huh?”

As I was looking around the office with a slightly curious mind, I saw a document lying on the desk in front of me.

What a sloppy kid. How could the Emperor drop a report that was submitted to him on the floor? If it’s something that requires the Emperor’s approval, it can’t be a light document, right?

‘what.’

As soon as I picked up the documents, my body froze.

[ Discussion on establishing a new position of Minister of State Affairs . ]

Because there were ominous sentences written from the beginning.

‘National Affairs, General Affairs?’

What is this? This is an extremely ominous letter. Can such an ugly and bizarre letter exist on this continent?

I don’t understand. I don’t understand the crazy words about overseeing state affairs, the fact that there is a minister in charge of such work, and the fact that a new ministerial position will be created.

‘This is spectacular no matter how you look at it.’

No, in the first place, the one in charge of state affairs is the Prime Minister. How dare you try to beat him up by adding the word minister?

And why, why are you conceiving of this when I am about to step down from the position of Inspector General? Isn’t this a newly created position that is being discussed with me in mind?

‘This crazy kid.’

Before I knew it, the hands holding the documents began to tremble.

This crazy guy wants to throw me a higher position in exchange for stepping down from the position of Inspector General. He wants to create a position that will surpass the existing positions, to match the name of Deputy Inspector General.

The Duke’s Deputy is a person equivalent to a Duke. In terms of the imperial protocol, he is a person higher than the Minister of the Imperial Household. So, by creating a position higher than the Minister of the Imperial Household, they are trying to block the authority of the Duke’s Deputy.

‘no.’

I barely managed to control my blood pressure, which was fluctuating like crazy, and thought rationally.

‘It’s a bluff.’

This is a bluff. If the Emperor were in his right mind, he would never resort to such crazy means.

Even the Minister of the Imperial Household, who is first in the executive hierarchy, is the person who stands at the front of the ministers, not above them. Even the Minister of the Imperial Household, who most closely assists the Emperor, cannot be said to be the clear number two person in the Empire.

The empire was wary of the emergence of a second-in-command. While a certain person could claim credit and gain the emperor’s favor, acting as the second-in-command, the “position” of the second-in-command would never be officially created. If that were the case, the second-in-command would exist until the very moment the empire fell.

‘But if you make it a position lower than the Minister of the Imperial Household, then it has no meaning as the head of state.’

If you are in charge of the state affairs, you are below a minister? From the beginning, it is a position that will not establish authority but will only be ridiculed. It is a crazy result of wasting administrative power and missing out on practical benefits.

So, if you think about it rationally, if you think about it logically, the establishment of the position of Minister of State Affairs is a kind of threat. Perhaps the fact that it was dropped on the floor was intentionally dropped to get my attention.

‘I’m going crazy.’

My head started to spin. Either keep your mouth shut and stay as the Inspector General, or take on the unprecedented title of Chief of State Affairs. A threat telling you to choose whichever is more convenient.

Of course, threats that are unlikely to be carried out can be ignored. You can pretend not to know and step down from the position of Inspector General.

But what if this threat really comes true? Can we be sure that the Emperor will make only rational decisions? Should I stake my fate on that lunatic’s rationality?

‘no.’

That can’t be happening. I can’t trust my fate to that b*stard, of all people.

What on earth should I do…?

***

After hearing the ministers’ reports, I leisurely returned to my office.

“His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Well, you’ve worked hard. Has anyone come looking for you while you were away?”

“The Inspector General is waiting inside.”

And as soon as I got to the office, I got the exact answer I wanted and the corners of my mouth went up involuntarily.

It was expected that the Minister would come first since it was a matter of his own retirement. Also, given the nature of the Minister, it was obvious that he would immediately look at the documents on the floor, so I wonder if he didn’t also look at the agenda regarding the Minister of State Affairs.

By now, the Minister has probably made up his mind as to how to respond to my final proposal. Now, you can go in with a happy heart.

“Minister. Have you been waiting long?”

As I opened the door with great pomp, I saw the minister sitting slumped in his chair.

‘Oh, like that.’

It was heartbreaking to see him become so solemn. It seems he suffered a great mental shock.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I greet you.”

“Just sit down. Why do you have to stand up?”

I sat down at the head of the table to quickly calm down the minister who was in a state of great mental shock. If I leave the minister in this state for too long, his eyes might roll back. That would be a problem.

“Have you seen it?”

“I’m sorry, but what are you talking about?”

“Let’s stop beating around the bush and get straight to the point. Did you see that?”

When I pointed to the documents with my finger, the minister nodded silently.

You know what I’m talking about, so why are you asking me again? You’re annoying me.

“Minister of State. In an empire with only five dukes, this is an unimaginable position. How could a single individual reign as the second-in-command of the empire, and encompass all the nobles and officials?”

“Your words are indeed true.”

“However, considering the Minister’s achievements, abilities, and loyalty, it is not impossible. It would not be a bad idea to create the position of Minister of State Affairs as a temporary position just for the Minister and then abolish it later.”

The minister’s shoulders trembled at those words.

“Of course, I don’t want to create a position that would make me the number two, even temporarily. It’s just that the Minister will become the Deputy Duke next year, so I thought about a position that would be appropriate for his authority and just came to mind.”

“Your Majesty. I am ashamed to report that Duke Jeon Seung-gong is nominally a deputy commander under the Minister of War. However, who in this empire would question his authority?”

‘Hoo.’

I was inwardly amazed. This guy, in the meantime, prepared his own rebuttal.

“What the Minister said is right. That is why I considered giving the Minister the existing title rather than the unusual title of Minister of State.”

“yes?”

“Look at the back.”

Only then did the minister hastily look at the back of the document.

I couldn’t help but laugh at that desperate sight. How much must the words Minister of State Affairs have driven him crazy that he didn’t even think about looking behind him?

“Imperial Council, Chairman?”

“To be exact, he is the lifelong chairman. A chairman who stands above the Imperial Counts. As the Duke’s deputy, he should do that much. Can’t the Duke stand on equal footing with the Imperial Counts?”

The minister’s eyes began to shake violently.

Taking on the newly created position of Minister of State and shouldering the enormous burden of being the lifelong President of the Imperial Diet. What will the Minister choose?

“Minister.”

“…please give your order.”

“You don’t like them both?”

Of course, I have no intention of leaving either of them to the minister.

“Your Majesty, if it is a position you bestow upon me, how could I refuse it?”

In the meantime, I was impressed by the patience of the minister who spoke politely.

At the same time, I felt that if I pressed any further, a disaster would occur. Now, I had to reveal my real purpose.

“Let’s sign a contract. A contract where you promise to reinstate me to my position as Inspector General without complaint if I order the Minister to reinstate me.”

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty?”

“If you just write that, I’ll have you removed from your position as minister today. What do you think?”

In fact, this was the real purpose. To shake two unacceptable disasters before the Minister’s eyes, and then force him to undergo an ordeal he could accept.

‘I have to give in to this much.’

At first, I was going to pretend that the dismissal of the Minister of the Inspectorate never happened, but I was afraid that if I let it slide after giving the Minister too much mental shock, there would be repercussions.

If you tease him too much, you should give him a proper reward. Then, wouldn’t the minister be able to devote himself to the empire for a long time?

‘Anyway, if you have the personality of a minister, you will have to work even if you are a wild man.’

If he is a minister, he will still be looking for all sorts of work even after being relieved of his duties as the Minister of Inspection. He is the only one who does not know this, because the sincerity of a minister is not due to his position but to his innate nature.

If that’s the case, it’s better. Now, even if the minister does something tough in a tough place, he won’t blame me. Even though I made a big concession by removing him from the position, the minister did it voluntarily.

“Your Majesty’s grace! I will never forget it!”

“What grace?”

I am more grateful.