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Turning Chapter 935
🕑 Added 2024-02-25 06:01:22 +0000 UTCChapter 935
"I plan to attend the government affairs meeting myself tomorrow," declared Emperor Keilusa.
Emperor Keilusa had long remained secluded, citing health reasons. Everyone was convinced he was on his deathbed, a belief not far from the truth. Though his ailment wasn't due to a physical illness, his days seemed numbered all the same.
Until now, including Duke Diarca and other nobles, believed the Emperor was near death, so they paid little attention to his actions. Already defeated politically and expected to die without an heir, what did it matter if he engaged in the folly of establishing a Cavalry unit through his brother? How long could such a venture last? While they kept a watchful eye to ensure he didn't gain too much strength, their efforts were minimal. All awaited the posthumous political upheaval, while the Emperor quietly observed their actions.
In a way, being ignored was liberating. It allowed the Emperor to subtly empower his successors. He did everything possible to ensure that even after his death, Kishiar, the Cavalry, and the Empress could safely continue his legacy.
But then, a miracle happened.
Emperor Keilusa awakened his powers and fully regained his health. Only a few in the world knew of this fact.
Even after his recovery, the Emperor deliberately concealed his health, deceiving people into believing his condition had worsened. He made a point to attend a minor meeting during the announcement of the second recruitment for the Cavalry, feigning a severe coughing fit and needing the support of his chief attendant and knights to leave.
Those who witnessed this believed the Emperor, showing himself after years, was nearing death, no longer bothering to hide his frailty. This coincided with the news that Prince Katchian was investigating the Sun Palace intrusion, effectively burying the significant political implications of the Cavalry's second recruitment.
Just as Emperor Keilusa and Kishiar had planned.
Now, the second recruitment for the Cavalry was complete. The Cavalry, free from attack, comfortably consolidated its forces and now braved dangers to protect the south. Prince Katchian, who should have been cautious, inadvertently caused a major incident, and Duke Diarca was busy trying to absolve himself of responsibility.
In essence, there was no longer any need for the Emperor to pretend to be ill.
Watching the Emperor smile slyly, the Empress smiled along.
"Imagine the surprise when they hear of Your Majesty's recovery. I'm quite looking forward to it," she said.
The Emperor gently caressed the Empress's hand, then leaned in to whisper in her ear, "Why do you speak as if you won't be attending? I had intended for us to go together."
The Empress, startled, opened her eyes wide and then cautiously asked, "But... is it really alright? I've been in attendance before, but only as your stand-in, and in truth, I felt quite powerless there..."
"To say you did nothing is an understatement of your role. You don't need any special qualifications. You've presided over the political councils and persevered without giving up. That alone makes you more than qualified," the Emperor reassured her.
The Empress had represented Emperor Keilusa in numerous events. Her presence felt more like a placeholder, enduring until the Emperor's return rather than asserting her own opinions.
Despite people criticizing her background and mocking her as unfit for handling state affairs due to her lack of knowledge, the Empress endured alone against the overwhelming malice and conspiracies. It wasn't because she was immune to hurt; she bore her wounds to protect those dear to her, exhausting all her strength.
Had the Empress not stood her ground, both the Emperor and Kishiar, prior to their awakening, would have fallen prey to vicious predators, with no chance of recovery.
Emperor Keilusa, known as Keilusa La Orr, had never forgotten this fact.
"Truthfully, I'm worried that I may not recognize faces since it's been so long. I'm not even sure if I can speak properly..."
"Nonsense," the Empress chuckled.
"Really. What if someone speaks ill in front of me? I might faint from fear."
The Empress laughed at the Emperor's seemingly absurd whispers.
"Very well. If you're that concerned, we shall go together. Should you fail to recognize someone, just signal me. I'll inform you who they are."
"That's reassuring. I'll rely solely on the Empress."
The Emperor's lips curved into a gentle smile, one so tender it was beyond anyone's imagination.
The next day, at the government council meeting.
Those sitting with bored and frustrated expressions doubted their ears at the unexpected announcement.
"His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress have arrived. Show your respect."
"What? What did you say?"
It wasn't a mistake. The Emperor and Empress, dressed in similar formal attire, entered the council room side by side. Solemn attendants placed another chair next to the Emperor's usual seat, which had always stood alone.
'What's happening? We weren't informed of the Emperor's attendance.'
'Is this another of his sudden whims, like the last meeting?'
While most observed silently, a few, looking anxious yet hopeful, were the Emperor's supporters. As the Emperor and Empress took their seats, all eyes, knowingly or not, turned to the Emperor.
Emperor Keilusa's complexion was slightly pale, but he didn't appear like a dying man, as rumors suggested. His breathing was steady, and the eyes behind his glasses were clear.
'But I heard he looked fine at the beginning of the last meeting too. A hidden illness, perhaps?'
"Why do you all stare? It's as if I've come to a place I shouldn't," the Emperor calmly remarked, meeting those covert gazes head-on.
"Maxmun, Unscher, Tagarhan. Am I such a surprise here?"
Those he named turned away in shock.
"No, Your Majesty."
Though they had rarely seen Emperor Keilusa in person in recent years, they remembered how he was. The young Emperor, once known as a bookish gentleman behind glasses, had verbally eviscerated many with his sharp tongue on the day he first attended this council after his ascension.
Even during his seclusion, most present had repeatedly experienced the Emperor's sharper-than-a-sword wit through correspondence. Those gathered, capable enough to attend a government council, were knowledgeable in their own right, but against Emperor Keilusa, a man of incomparable intellect and eloquence, they stood no chance.
In healthier times, the young Emperor's nightmarish eloquence, glimpsed through the chill in his eyes behind his glasses, momentarily paralyzed the nobility. Now, the mere illusion of its resurgence caused many to tense their shoulders in a flinch.
"Well, that's understandable. It's been a very long time since I've been here. It's natural to be surprised," the Emperor murmured with an expressionless face. It seemed like a gesture of magnanimous understanding, but it was merely a prelude to the bomb he was about to drop.
"However, you'll be seeing me frequently from now on. It wouldn't do for your composure to falter every time. I hope you'll quickly regain your senses for future occasions."
The implication of his words, 'you'll be seeing me frequently,' plunged the council room into a profound silence. Everyone was momentarily breathless, frantically trying to grasp the meaning behind the Emperor's statement.
Then, cries of astonishment burst forth.
"Your Majesty! Does that mean...!"
"Could it be that your illness has improved...?"
"When exactly...?"
Amidst the chaos, the Emperor simply wore a cool smile.
"A miracle has occurred. That's all I can say."
It was an answer neither clear nor explicit, yet more certain than anything else.
The lazy nobility gasped in shock, while the Emperor's supporters wept tears of gratitude or were overcome with emotion. The most composed among them was High Minister Hebreyina Reiflang.
Though surprised, the High Minister did not lose her dignity. She stood up amidst the near pandemonium, banged the table to calm everyone, and said, "Calm yourselves. It's unseemly for the leaders of the Empire to behave so rashly."
Then she slowly turned and bowed respectfully to the Emperor and Empress.
"I won't say more. We should only be thankful to God that the Sun of our Empire has returned to us in good health. Now, may we proceed with the reports that have been piling up?"
"Thank you, High Minister. That's exactly what I wanted to hear," the Emperor replied.
The High Minister and the Emperor then genuinely resumed the council meeting.
'Can this be real?'
Was that all he was going to say? The faces of those with burning questions turned red with frustration, but neither the Emperor nor the Empress showed any sign of addressing them further.
Immediately after the meeting, the incredible news that originated from the palace spread rapidly throughout the capital and even disrupted Duke Diarca's residence.
Comments
Lulue dans la lune
The emperor to Kishiar and Yuder : "You. Shall. Make. Love"
SchaheraZade
Now proclaim your brother as Crown Prince and the Crown Prince's Assistant as a royally recognized couple tasked with the holy mission to make future royal heirs! 😊 TY
GG
Evil tongue monster v2 aka Emperor Keilusa - Aton
