The Tyrant Couldn’t Fall Asleep

Not long after Izaya shouted, Melanie entered the drawing room.

"Why did you call me..."

Melanie couldn't hide her surprise.

‘I didn't tell her that the duke was coming today, but how did the empress prepare everything already…’

She couldn't finish her thoughts.

Splash!

Melanie, covered in cold tea water, stared at Izaya.

"How does the tea taste? It's the tea you brought."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Then Izaya twisted her mouth.

"It's your job as a head maid to manage the warehouse. But why did you trick me by bringing a cheap tea instead of a high-class tea?"

The moment she heard that, Melanie had a thunderous realization in her head.

‘You noticed the embezzlement. How did you notice what wasn't in the books among all those supplies? Did you check each and every one by one?’

She was curious, but she couldn’t even ask the empress. In addition, she had to resolve this situation right now.

"What do you mean?"

There was little difference between the lower and the upper teas except for the subtle after taste. And it was rare for those who distinguished that.

So, she pretended not to know about it. She was going to cry…

"My father also said it was the lowest tea. Do you mean my father's judgment was wrong?"

No way, she didn't know the duke would agree.

Melanie hurriedly tried to make up for it.

"I think there was a mistake in classifying teas..."

"It's classification? When I checked the ledger yesterday, only the finest and the luxury teas were clearly listed. But why was there a low-level tea in the warehouse that wasn't in the books?

Melanie's mind went blank.

‘Now that it's done, let's say it’s the tea the Duke gave me.’

Melanie quickly opened her mouth.

"That's not it. The duke..."

"What? Are you going to insist that this was done on behalf of my father?"

Then Duke Lauchen, who was like a bystander, intervened.

"What does that mean?”

"That, that is, I am trying to supplement the Empress according to the will of the duke..."

Even before Melanie's excuse was over, Duke Lauchen threw a teacup at her.

Crash!

Fortunately, the teacup was missed, but Melanie felt a chill in her heart.

"Shut up. Before I pull out that tongue."

After finishing his speech, Duke Lauhen grabbed Izaya's hand.

"It's the person I recommended, and I'm sorry to make you go through this."

"No. Father is always busy with work, so how can he care about my subordinates?"

"No, this father should have paid more attention..."

Izaya smiled.

Melanie's cheeky behavior toward her so far was only valid because of his neglect.

However, when he found out that his henchman had committed corruption, it was funny to cut off a tail like this.

“Don’t worry.”

Despite his daughter's answer, he said stubbornly.

“I think it would be better to hire a new chief maid.”

Melanie was empty and angry. She had been so loyal all this time.

In her anger, she clenched her fists so that her nails dig into her hand.

‘If I’m thrown away like this, I…'

Then, a voice like salvation was heard.

“No, I have no intention of replacing the head maid. Melanie’s ability is as good as it gets.”

"But…”

“And if it turns out that my head maid has been embezzling, it could damage my father's reputation as well as mine."

At his daughter's answer, the Duke smiled contentedly.

‘There it is. This child cannot betray me.’

Soon he glanced at Melanie.

‘You were doing well, you’re running rampant without knowing your place.’

Sometimes there are such things underneath. Silly dogs who are drunk on their power and cannot grasp their means.

And the Duke knew well how to govern such people.

‘From now on, it would be better to use that girl’s weakness to make her listen.’

“Thank you for thinking about it. But her embezzlement is not a light offense, so make sure to correct her habit.”

Hearing those words, Izaya looked up at Melanie and raised the corners of her lips.

"Yes I will. Shall we drink tea again?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

After letting Melanie go, Izaya ordered her maids to prepare proper tea leaves.

Perhaps they were frightened by the sight they had just seen, the maids moved quickly.

The smell of this tea was very fragrant.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, but I’m sorry to show you this.”

"No. It's important to have discipline. But...”

“Take this from me.”

Just when the Duke was about to ask about each room again, Izaya handed him something.

"What was this?”

“You worked hard because of the inspection, but I want to give you a present first.”

He was annoyed at the gift talk, but accepted what his daughter had given him.

As soon as he saw it, a look of surprise appeared on his face.

“Hey, this!”

It was a gold mine title that Izaya's maternal grandfather, the former Duke of Lauchen, inherited from his bloodline.

“Father will need money to work. Please accept my sincerity.”

He felt his heart swell at the words of his daughter, which was so peculiar.

“Thank you.”

It was something he had always wanted to get, but he couldn't express it. Duke Lauchen was the former Duke’s son-in-law, and he was in a position to become a duke.

But when her daughter gave the treasure in this way, he felt really worthwhile.

“And when I come of age, I’m going to hold a big banquet.”

“You are having a banquet?”

After marriage, Izaya never held a banquet.

The emperor doesn't like to go out in front of people, but she didn't enjoy banquets either.

Duke Lauchen was just wondering why such a daughter would hold a banquet.

“Yes, because if I build friendships with the nobles, there will be things that will help my father.”

Hearing these words, the duke's face turned white.

‘It will definitely help. If the Empress becomes the center of the social circle and leads public opinion favorable to me...'

At that moment, Izaya hesitated and spoke.

“Father, I know you’re busy, but… I hope you will attend my coming-of-age banquet.”

“You’re talking naturally. Is there anything you would like to have?”

“Oh, I’m fine. If only my father was healthy, would that be enough?”

“Heh heh heh, are you going to turn this father into a savage father who doesn’t give a single gift? Come on, tell me.”

The words she had been waiting for the whole time came out.

Izaya replied with a bright eye.

“Oh, then… Please give me a villa on the eastern Algera lake and the surrounding land.”

At his daughter's answer, Duke Lauchen hardened his face.

Soon he heard an unbelievable voice emanating from him.

“Can it really be there?”

“Yes, there is a flower garden that my mother loved. Occasionally, I think I’ll go and have dinner.”

"Okay. Then I will give it to you.”

Duke Lauchen was going crazy. The moment he was distracted, he was about to laugh.

'It was difficult to dispose of that poor old villa because no one wanted it... What a foolish thing to exchange for gold mines and ask for it!’

She wanted such a useless thing only because of her memories with her mother, isn't she a useful daughter?

‘After all, it was an excellent choice from me to make this child an empress.’

Soon the Duke of Lauchen summoned the lieutenant who had followed him to the imperial palace.

“I need you to bring the right to the villa right now.”

* * *

Meanwhile, Ern was checking the documents while sitting at the desk in the office.

Hans and Grehen were each waiting in the office to escort.

Soon the two began to make one or another speculation regarding the visit of the Duke of Lauchen.

"Wasn’t it his plan to use the same rooms?”

Hans replied to Grehen's words.

"Right. But this is what Her Majesty wanted. Maybe it's because he’s scolding the empress...”

Ern soon got up roughly.

"I checked all the documents today."

"Your Majesty, where are you going?"

Hans and Grehen called urgently, but Ern quickly headed to the empress' palace as if he couldn't hear.

* * *

The townhouse of Duke Lauchen was close to the Imperial Palace. So it didn't take long for the deputy to return.

"Here you are."

Izaya smiled brightly when she received the gift.

"I really like the present. Thank you, father."

For a moment, laughing at his delighted daughter, Duke Lauchen realized that he had forgotten why he had found Izaya today.

"Come to think of it, I haven't heard about the separate room.”

"Yes, I was actually going to tell you that.”

Suddenly, Izaya's expression darkened, and the Duke was very nervous.

‘What's wrong with her?’

The duke had great ambition. When Izaya gives birth to the emperor's child, he’ll remove the emperor and become a regent who has gained all power.

To do so, Izaya must give birth to the emperor's child.

‘I was relieved that she had a good relationship with the emperor, but if her relationship was broken...’

It was when the Duke's eyes subsided. Izaya sighed and said.

"Actually, to His Majesty the Emperor…"

At that moment, Izaya stopped talking and stared toward the bushes.