The Evil Empress Adores Me-Chapter 51

Antes Margrave was grinding his teeth furiously when—

"...That person?"

"No way..."

A hushed murmur rippled through the crowd, their voices tinged with disbelief.

A woman entered the banquet hall, her steps graceful and measured. She was an elderly noblewoman with an air of elegance, her presence commanding yet serene.

For the past five years, she had not once appeared at any public event.

Lifting her gaze with quiet composure, she addressed the gathered nobles.

"It has been a long time."

At her words, the nobles quickly rose from their seats, each one offering their respects.

"We greet Your Majesty, the Dowager Empress."

"We greet Your Majesty, the Dowager Empress."

Following suit, the Empress bent her knees in a formal bow.

"I greet Your Majesty, the Dowager Empress. I am truly honored that you have graced us with your presence today."

"..."

"..."

A faint tension spread through the room.

The Empress and the Dowager Empress were not on friendly terms.

The Empress was the daughter of a noble family that had supported the current Emperor’s coup, while the Dowager Empress had desperately tried to protect her grandson from being dethroned.

Their gazes met, filled with a mixture of emotions too complex to name.

After a brief silence, the Dowager Empress responded.

"I wonder if it is appropriate for me to attend an occasion where important matters are being discussed. Nonetheless, I appreciate the invitation."

"Please, Your Majesty, it is an honor to have you here."

Meanwhile, the nobles of Antes took note of her words—important matters.

At the very least, it was clear that those attending this banquet were not ignoring Antes' plight.

A moment later, the Antes Margrave, his tone slightly softened, finally spoke.

"I am grateful for the consideration both of Your Majesties have shown for Antes."

Indeed, the expressions of the Antes representatives visibly relaxed.

For the highest elder of the imperial family to break her long seclusion and appear at this banquet—it was a sign of respect for Antes.

"But we did not travel all the way to the capital just to receive hospitality."

The Antes Margrave’s eyes sharpened instantly.

"Antes is facing an existential crisis."

"...Antes Margrave."

"There is a severe shortage of supplies for our soldiers. Not only are they lacking weapons, but they do not even have enough food to eat."

Clenching his fists, the Margrave gritted his teeth and continued.

"Yet His Majesty refuses to grant us an audience."

"..."

"..."

A heavy silence filled the room.

The Margrave, a grand lord in his own right, had cast aside all pride and dignity to plead for help.

That alone spoke volumes about how dire Antes' situation had become.

"'Use the tax exemptions you have received thus far to cover the shortages'—does that even make sense?"

The Margrave’s voice rose in frustration, veins bulging in his neck.

"The reason Antes was granted tax exemptions in the first place was because we had no other choice!"

"Please, calm yourself—"

"No! If anyone were in my position, they would not be able to remain calm!"

Overwhelmed with frustration, the Margrave slammed both hands onto the table.

"It is maddening! It makes me wonder if His Majesty still holds a grudge against Antes!"

His furious outburst sent a wave of unease through the hall, and people scrambled to pacify him.

"Antes Margrave, please, do not let your emotions take over!"

"We understand your frustration. Truly, we do."

Back when the previous Emperor had passed away, the Antes Margrave had opposed the current Emperor's ascension to the throne.

After all, the rightful heir—the Crown Prince—was still alive. How could the Emperor’s younger brother usurp the throne?

Now, the Margrave was all but accusing the Emperor of holding a grudge and enacting political retribution against Antes.

Honestly, His Majesty is the kind of man who would do exactly that...

The Empress watched the heated exchange unfold with a complicated expression.

Meanwhile, the Margrave’s voice grew sharper.

"Otherwise, how could His Majesty treat us like this?"

"Enough, my lord!"

"We are barely holding back the monstrous beasts, yet His Majesty ignores our plight—!"

"Then, Antes Margrave."

At that moment, a calm voice cut through the tension.

It was Matthias.

"Why not escalate the situation further?"

"...Escalate?"

"Right now, you are merely requesting financial aid from His Majesty."

Despite the sudden attention from everyone in the room, Matthias remained perfectly composed.

"That is why His Majesty can refuse to meet you."

"That—!"

"It means that the current situation is entirely under His Majesty's control."

His deep green eyes glinted coldly.

"We must first reclaim that control."

"Reclaim... control?"

Murmurs spread among the nobles, confusion evident on their faces.

Matthias continued in an unshaken tone.

"Yes. To do so, you must formally request an emergency relief fund from the House of Lords."

Within the Empire, there existed a system outside of the imperial budget, allowing the House of Lords to allocate funds in times of crisis.

This was the emergency relief fund Matthias was referring to.

However, there was a problem—

"Duke Rochester! Are you mocking me?!"

The Antes Margrave's face turned red with rage.

"Emergency relief funds require a unanimous vote from the House of Lords!"

It was practically impossible to unify the conflicting interests of the nobles and secure a unanimous decision.

Yet even as the Margrave fumed, Matthias remained unfazed.

"I do not expect you to secure a unanimous vote from the nobles."

"Then what exactly—!"

"My goal is singular—to take back control from His Majesty."

Was he toying with him?

The Margrave glared at Matthias, his breaths ragged.

"A formal request for emergency relief funds signals just how dire the situation truly is."

But Matthias' gaze was unwavering.

"Naturally, it would draw the attention of the press."

"The... press?"

At the unexpected word, many people widened their eyes.

Matthias explained leisurely.

"The Emperor has refused Antes’ plea for aid."

His precise, clipped tone echoed in the hushed room.

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"Thus, the Antes Margrave, unable to endure the worsening crisis, has petitioned the House of Lords for emergency relief."

No one dared to speak.

Everyone was too focused on every single word Matthias uttered.

"This proves just how desperate Antes' situation is. If Antes falls, it is only a matter of time before the monstrous beasts breach the Empire’s borders."

His gaze sharpened.

"And in the end, it is the Empire’s citizens who will suffer from the resulting devastation."

Matthias tilted his head slightly, observing the shocked faces around him.

"Would public sentiment not begin demanding financial support for Antes?"

He gave a light shrug.

"His Majesty is sensitive to public opinion, is he not?"

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"That... That is true."

The Emperor’s reputation among the people was already poor.

After all, he had usurped the throne from its rightful heir.

If news spread that he was neglecting his duty to protect the Empire’s citizens—

"If public sentiment turns against him, His Majesty will no longer be able to ignore Antes."

Matthias concluded smoothly.

"...I-It's brilliant."

"I never imagined such a strategy."

"Indeed, Duke Rochester's insight is remarkable."

Even the furious Antes Margrave found himself nodding in agreement.

As praise poured in, Matthias shook his head.

"No."

"...Excuse me?"

"This solution did not come from me."

The nobles exchanged bewildered looks.

If not Duke Rochester, then who else could have devised such a plan?

Matthias answered without hesitation.

"This was Crown Prince Diamid's idea."

At that, the long-silent Dowager Empress lifted her gaze slightly, her widened eyes locking onto # Nоvеlight # Matthias.

Simultaneously, murmurs of disbelief spread through the hall.

"Th-The Crown Prince?"

"But isn’t he under house arrest...?"

"The Crown Prince is currently under my protection," the Empress interjected.

The nobles exchanged uncertain glances.

Who was protecting whom?

"His Majesty permitted it."

The Empress smiled gently, her tone unwavering.

"Thanks to that, I was able to receive the Crown Prince’s counsel on this matter."

The nobles, caught off guard, subtly glanced at one another.

The Crown Prince, dethroned by his uncle.

And the Empress, the wife of that very Emperor.

They were supposed to be enemies—

...Yet they seem to get along surprisingly well.

As whispers spread among the nobles, the Dowager Empress quietly observed the Empress, her gaze unreadable.

For a fleeting moment, their eyes met.

"Ah."

The Empress gave a sheepish smile.

The Dowager Empress’ gaze softened in response.