Chapter 16 The Emperor's Dilemma

Arthur's POV

*Sigh*

I sighed internally while looking towards the blonde woman.

*Clap* *Clap*

"You look so handsome with that on, Your Majesty," a woman with the same hair color as mine said while clapping her hands.

Yes, she's my mother, and also someone I haven't seen in many months. Now, why is she here?

Well, here's why....

_ _ _ _

It's been a while since our little secret visit to the Commoners District.

While I did leave the palace secretly one more time in between, I didn't manage to do the things I wanted.

About half a year ago, I read a book—a novel—where the main character was a noble who was also an undercover detective and owned lots of refreshment centers like restaurants and bars across the city. These places constantly provided him with information. Using the intelligence gathered from his "base," that noble was able to control his fiefdom completely. All of that was under his undercover identity, so I thought I could do the same if I could find a capable commoner.

But I guess it would be difficult to do. I'll think about it afterward. Now I must focus on the upcoming Founding Festival.

Although I had been to the Commoners District, I haven't been able to inquire about my own affairs while I was undercover there; my indecisiveness and hesitation held me back.

And now, I am about to make my official debut during the Founding Festival.

The hesitation is still fresh in my mind.

What if the people are dissatisfied with me?

Will they show their dissatisfaction during my debut?

Or will they reject me?

Even though I am Emperor, I am still helpless in governing the Empire and helping my people.

Those aristocrats' tyrannical rule is probably making the lives of the innocent civilians miserable.

I heard from Ginny that the Duchy of Aquila and surrounding noble fiefdoms have fallen into an anarchy-like state, with many pirate fleets and banditry on the rise. Although it happened due to the mismanagement of my maternal grandfather, Duke Aquila, the duchy is still under the Empire, and I am its head.

I do feel guilty about the suffering they have endured, and I sympathize with them since the commoners were oppressed by those nobles, which is why many turned to banditry and piracy.

But who is this Pirate Empress? I wonder if I could meet her.

Anyway, because of that trouble, it seems Duke Aquila is not attending the Founding Festival personally but is sending a representative.

While Duke Raul is going to attend the festival in person, he is leaving behind a man named Leopold. Count Ironcrest—he was an experienced general, but, according to Garfield, he's a traitor who betrayed my father and joined hands with Duke Raul.

Apparently, he was a general who was loyal to my father, but the day my father died, he immediately switched sides to Duke Raul and soon became his trusted advisor.

That's why Garfield hates Ironcrest to his core. Honestly, I too feel uncomfortable about him. Was he on Duke Raul's side from the start, or was he forced? I do not know, but I am curious as to why he did that.

Anyway, for now I'll consider him hostile, as he's part of Duke Raul's camp.

_ _ _ _

An unexpected visitor arrived at my abode—or rather, barged in as if she owned it. That person was none other than my biological mother.

She hasn't visited me for the past ten months, and now she suddenly barges in and starts speaking as if we had talked just a few hours ago.

I truly hate her—probably I hate her the most, along with Duke Raul and Duke Aquila, even if they are my relatives.

"Your Majesty, are you doing well? Here, take this Lethragy. It tastes extremely good and you will definitely love it," that damn woman, who unfortunately is my mother, said.

I have to act like a kid, for now.

"Wow! Is it tasty?" I said, faking stars in my eyes.

"Yes, you would love it," she said, forcing a kind smile. Had I not 'seen' her true emotions, I would have been fooled by her.

But this old hag probably needs something that requires my help. I really feel like an idiot, thinking there was a time when I wanted her recognition. Now, I just hope she leaves me alone.

Ha! I can use that.

"But you didn't even come to see me. I was so lonely all these months. Even Ginny left me. If you want me to eat that, then you are not allowed to leave me," I said, pouting cutely.

This caused an unexpected effect on her.

What! Did I see that right? Her emotions right now had a faint rosy red hint. Is it possible that it's genuine maternal feeling?

I don't care—she still doesn't care about me. At least, that's what I want to believe, before she surprised me.

"Please wait, Your Majesty," she said hesitantly before continuing, "I'll bring something even better. For now, will you meet some of your vassals? I'll bring them here tomorrow." She said hurriedly and went away, as if trying to escape.

What was she trying to do?

I was seriously confused. What does she even want? Her emotions are in a slight chaotic rush, as if she is having a hard time forcing herself to act.

Anyway, let's leave her for the time being.

So, the regent faction of Duke Aquila is in chaos. The nobles in the capital who belong to his faction are now leaderless, and that's why this biological mother of mine wants to take advantage of it—to gain recognition from these leaderless nobles and take charge of them temporarily. And to do that, she would need my support?

'Hmm... Although I do not want any relation with her, this is a great opportunity to divide the already fractured regent faction. But my only concern is that the other Prime Minister's faction might take advantage of the split to completely dominate the politics. I'll consult with Ginny; maybe she can provide better insight,' I thought.

But what I want to focus on is how to reduce the impact of the anarchy in the West, under Duke Aquila's influence, from spreading across the rest of the Empire. While the East is under Duke Raul, we are still technically at war with the Nadur Republic in the northeast.

Yes! That's it! How about I get in touch with that Pirate Empress? From what Ginny told me, the Pirate Empress only attacks the nobles who exploit the people. She even captured many noble heirs notorious for their cruelty and arrogance. She executed several of them in front of captured coastal towns, cities, and villages as a show of resistance against the tyranny of the nobles.

She even captured my maternal uncle, the heir to the Duchy of Aquila.

Maybe, just maybe, she would accept my request. But first, I have to get in touch with her. I can't ask Ginny about it; she would definitely be against it. Maybe Garfield would accept it, but it's better to find a way myself.

Perhaps I should recruit some capable commoners for this task when I next sneak out. Their resourcefulness and street connections could help me gather vital intelligence and support to counter the nobles' tyranny. The commoners know the undercurrents of the city better than anyone, and with their help, I might just turn the tide.

Anyway, that's for future me to take care of.

Presently, the festival is more important.

'The Founding Festival will be in three days. Tomorrow and the day after, I'll be busy, while the third day will be full of festivities,' I thought, as I glanced out the window.

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