As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 209

Maxion maintained his usual stoic expression, but if Edward or Luize had been by his side, they would have quickly noticed the change in his mood.

 

“…I need some time to think. Leave your contact information, and I’ll get in touch soon.”

 

“I’ll leave the documents here. Once you sign them, just submit them, and the transfer will be processed based on the date of your signature.” The count’s man hesitated for a moment before adding, “… I’m saying this out of concern, but if you don’t accept the title, the lands and title of Count Kalliod will be returned to the imperial family. In that case, they will belong to the current emperor. The count has decided that he would rather do that than pass the title to a distant relative.” With that, the man left the document, signed by Count Kalliod, on the table and departed.

 

Later that evening, after dinner, Maxion told Edward about what had happened during the day.

 

“What do you want to do?”

 

In response to Edward’s question, Maxion hesitated, his lips moving as if he found it difficult to answer.

 

“Let me say upfront that it’s okay if you don’t accept the title. Things have gone differently from our initial plans, and I’ve secured the position of crown prince with quite a few supporters. Most importantly, Servenia is on my side, and the next steps aren’t far off, so don’t worry.”

 

“…But Kalliod is one of the great northern noble families. If I formally inherit the title, it could strengthen your position.”

 

“I don’t want to gain any advantage from a title you were forced to accept.”

 

“…”

 

“It seems your mind is troubled. Even if Count Kalliod is truly on his deathbed, he won’t pass away immediately. Take some time to clear your head.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“After tomorrow’s scheduled meeting, many changes will be set in motion. I’ll say this now: this situation is highly favorable to me, so I hope your decision isn’t influenced by that.”

 

“When you say ‘that situation’…?”

 

“There are many ears in the palace, so it’s better to be cautious. Let me use a message spell.”

 

This indicated the importance of maintaining secrecy. Maxion nodded quietly, and Edward snapped his fingers. Edward’s voice echoed in Maxion’s mind, and as he listened, his expression hardened.

 

“So that means…”

 

“For now, I’m sharing this only with you and Miss Luize. Even if your family is involved, the outcome won’t change. So make your decision with peace of mind.”

 

“…Understood.” Maxion replied with a heavy heart.

 

* * *

In the meeting room sat the highest-ranking officials of the imperial palace. The chancellor, the finance minister, the chief of palace affairs, the steward, the captain of the First Imperial Knight Order, and Edward, the crown prince who had called the meeting. Soon, the emperor entered the room slowly, seemingly on purpose, with a somewhat bored expression.

 

“The crown prince summons me, the emperor, despite knowing full well how busy I am…” Since everyone in the meeting was on the emperor’s side, there was no reason for him to feel intimidated in this setting.

 

Edward spoke calmly. “Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules. Let’s skip the formalities and get straight to the point. I intend to invoke an ancient right granted to the crown prince by the imperial family.”

 

“A right?” The emperor’s eyebrows twitched.

 

“There is a provision that requires Your Majesty to accept one proposal made by the crown prince. If a majority of the nine most senior officials in the palace, including the chancellor, the finance minister, the chief of palace affairs, the steward, the captain of the First Imperial Knight Order, and four noble leaders appointed by Your Majesty, agree, you must comply.”

 

“What’s the proposal?”

 

“According to the rules, you will hear it in tomorrow’s meeting once Your Majesty has confirmed all the attendees. The proposal will then be made public to the entire empire.” The chancellor responded in place of Edward.

 

The proposal had already been submitted with the meeting agenda, so the five department heads were aware of it. Only the emperor, who hadn’t bothered to look at the agenda out of disinterest, was in the dark.

 

“Hmm, so I just need to finalize it by tomorrow?”

 

“Correct. After that, the nine members will have a week to thin it over before gathering again for an anonymous vote.”

 

“Very well.”

 

That evening, when the emperor met with the empress dowager, he relayed the details of the meeting and was puzzled by her subsequent decision. However, he decided to follow her advice.

 

The next day, during the meeting, the emperor announced the names of the four noble families. “I designate Marquis Servenia, Marquis Edvin, Count Cloette, and finally, Count Kalliod.”

 

Edward’s lips curled into a faint smile. It was clear that this was the empress dowager’s decision, not the emperor’s. Although the majority would likely side with the emperor, she had included Count Cloette and Marquis Edvin as a safety measure. Meanwhile, Servenia was now clearly on Edward’s side. In other words, if there was a vote in favor, it would undoubtedly be Servenia’s vote, indicating that if Edward didn’t secure more than one vote, he hadn’t convinced anyone. Additionally, Count Kalliod was from Maxion’s family. If even his aide’s family didn’t support him, it would be a significant humiliation.

 

The empress dowager seemed to have chosen the four, anticipating that Edward might secure one, at most two, votes.

 

“Then I’ll present the proposal.” Edward looked directly at the emperor and spoke. “If I gain the majority support, the day after the vote, I propose that Your Majesty confirm before all the citizens and nobles of the empire, using the imperial magic stone, the legitimacy of your bloodline.”

 

“Didn’t we just do that at the recent founding festival?”

 

“Yes. Since it’s something you’ve done repeatedly, I don’t believe it will be difficult.”

 

“I’ll do it. But what’s the reason behind this proposal?” The emperor asked, suspicious.

 

“I’ll reveal that on the day of the announcement.”

 

“Very well. Then I consider this meeting adjourned, as I have urgent matters to attend to.”

 

“Yes.” Edward replied with a gentle smile.

 

The emperor stood up and began walking briskly toward the Imperial Palace. His pace quickened as he walked. No, there’s no way…

 

Back in his bedroom, the emperor immediately entered the secret space and checked the cabinet containing the blood. Everything looked the same as when he last saw it. The small vial around his neck was still full.

 

“I got nervous over nothing.”

 

The emperor laughed as he turned and left. Even if Edward had figured out the truth, he couldn’t be deposed without evidence.

 

After the meeting, as Edward and Luize walked through a deserted corridor toward the crown prince’s palace, Luize spoke. “Edward, what did you mean by confirming the emperor’s blood? What are you planning?”

 

Edward answered with a bitter expression. “He’s not the legitimate son of the late emperor.”

 

“What? No way… How did you find out?”

 

Edward, with a slight smile, leaned toward Luize and whispered quietly. As he explained what he had discovered in the emperor’s secret space, Luize’s face hardened in shock.

 

Edward straightened and looked at Luize. “I’ve kept it a secret until now to prevent him from doing anything reckless during the selection process.”

 

“Then… could it be?”

 

“Yes, it’s exactly what you think. The empress dowager conspired with the emperor to disgrace the empire and the imperial family. Anyone who aided them should be charged with treason.”

 

As soon as Edward finished speaking, they heard the sound of someone quickly retreating from a nearby corner. After the presence vanished, Luize and Edward exchanged glances.

 

“It starts with the head servant, it seems. Miss Luize, your acting has improved greatly.”

 

Edward smiled elegantly, and Luize nodded.

 

“I learned a lot from Ellisian. In society, this level of acting is considered basic. He’s really incredible—not only is he knowledgeable about gossip in the social world, but I also learned a lot about how to deal with people.”

 

“I may have assigned him as your tutor, but it feels a bit strange to see you praising him.” Edward’s smile faded slightly as he spoke.

 

Seeing this, Luize slowly began to speak. “…But even Ellisian can’t compare to my fiancé.”

 

This was another technique she had learned from Ellisian. Watching Edward’s expression carefully, she noticed the corners of his mouth twitch slightly.

 

“… You’ve learned well from him.”

 

“The joy of the one I love brings me great happiness.” Luize concluded with another line she had learned from Ellisian.

 

Edward laughed softly. “I’m considering appointing him as a court painter.”

 

Luize looked at Edward in surprise. Officially, only nobles or close relatives of noble bloodlines could hold positions in the imperial palace. Although a few outstanding commoners had been temporarily employed, it was unprecedented for one to be given an official position aside from Lensia. Lensia was a special case because she was from Eldran Academy, known for being attended by the children of the noble families in the capital. Even Fillio, who was from a distant countryside noble family, couldn’t stay in the Imperial Palace after Edward was dethroned, despite his exceptional skills.

 

“From now on, the empire will allow those with talent to rise according to their abilities, regardless of their birth or gender. In time, even the position of emperor might be filled in this way.”

 

“…”

 

“At first, I was furious at having been played by the empress dowager and the emperor. Their schemes have disrupted the peaceful empire, leading to the disgraceful deaths of the late emperor and my mother. But as time passes, my mind has become clearer.”

 

Edward met Luize’s eyes, and she waited quietly for him to continue.