The Incompetent Emperor Who Changes the World from the Shadows: Iron, Gunpowder, and the Young Maidens of Favor - Chapter 21: The Qualities and Actions of a Ruler

Chapter 21: The Qualities and Actions of a Ruler

Morning arrives, and Gerda enters.

Agnes and Betty are sleeping on either side of the bed, but she pays them no mind.

“Regarding the wedding ceremony in three months, the priest has requested a meeting tomorrow to discuss arrangements.”

She informs me.

Apparently, the emperor is set to take a wife in three months—a decision already made.

As someone newly reincarnated, this is news to me.

But with no real power, an incompetent emperor like me can’t oppose a state event approved by parliament.

“Alright, tomorrow’s free, right?

I’m feeling fine, so I’ll go.”

“Hehe, you certainly seem vigorous.”

Gerda chuckles, glancing at me entwined with the still-sleeping Agnes and Betty.

“By the way, when do I get to meet my fiancée?

It’s not like I won’t see her until the ceremony, is it?”

My bride-to-be is the second princess of the neighboring Novaria Kingdom.

It’s a political marriage to strengthen ties between our nations.

“Princess Iris is quite busy, so it might just be that ‘unlikely’ scenario.”

If this Princess Iris turns out to be unattractive, it’s no laughing matter.

I asked Sopina for information on her, but she said, “I can’t read data on people I haven’t touched.”

Fair enough—if she could see everything in the world, she wouldn’t need me.

“Got it.

Well, I’m not in a position to do much about it.”

Besides, even if it’s a neighboring country, in a world with underdeveloped transportation, frequent meetings aren’t feasible.

Marrying someone without knowing their face—sounds like an old tale from my original world.

“True.

But what Your Majesty’s really worried about is Princess Iris’s appearance, isn’t it?”

“Hm… I won’t deny that.”

“Rumor has it she’s quite charming.

They say she’ll grow into a great beauty.”

Her phrasing catches my attention.

“Will grow”?

“Wait a second, how old is the princess?”

“She said she’ll turn 13 this year.”

That makes me sound like some kind of lolicon!

“Is 13 a bit young for marriage?”

“For nobles and royals, 15 or older is typical, but…”

“That’s way too early!”

“With the war showing no signs of ending, her grandfather, the King of Novaria, must be desperate.

The first princess, Lilith, is in poor health and recovering.”

Given the circumstances, there’s no helping it.

My “strike zone” is pretty wide, so it’s not a dealbreaker… but still.

If she were a single-digit-aged toddler, I’d definitely balk.

“It’s a bit late now, but I’d like to send her a small gift.

Is that alright?”

A sudden idea strikes me—not purely to please her, though.

“Yes, a gift from Your Majesty would surely delight her.”

“I’ll let you know later what to send.”

“Understood.”

“Gerda, how are the nobles reacting to this political marriage?”

Gerda’s lips tighten slightly before she reports.

“On the surface, there are voices of congratulations, but there’s also significant unease and dissatisfaction.

At a recent noblewomen’s tea party, Sabine von Lapis-Danes, daughter of Viscount Lapis-Danes, openly said…”

She continues calmly but clearly.

“She declared, ‘Making a rustic kingdom’s little girl the empress would tarnish the Empire’s prestige.

None of us nobles truly welcome this in our hearts.’

And further, ‘My father has grave concerns about this marriage.

Allowing an incompetent emperor’s blood to take root in the Empire is utterly unacceptable.’”

I unconsciously purse my lips.

“…That bad, huh?”

Gerda nods discreetly.

“The other young ladies and attendants present were reportedly speechless.

But Sabine spoke as if it were the consensus of the anti-emperor nobles, claiming, ‘This will lead to the Empire’s ruin.’”

She lowers her eyes slightly before continuing.

“Such talk spreads as gossip in noble circles and eventually leaks outside.

The notion that ‘Novaria’s princess is unfit’ could become an accepted fact.”

I let out a short breath.

“She’s really sowing trouble, isn’t she?

That family’s always prided itself as the ‘pillar of the Empire,’ which makes them a pain.”

“Any other matters?”

I glance at Agnes, who’s fallen asleep at some point, and give Gerda a wry smile.

“No big tasks today, right?

Can you let them sleep a bit longer?”

“I assigned Agnes and Betty to clean this room…”

“It’s not urgent, is it?

Let them rest a little more.”

“…”

Gerda tilts her head slightly.

“Something wrong?”

“Well, Your Majesty’s demeanor has changed lately.”

“Has it?”

“You’re as… vigorous as ever, but you seem kinder to the maids.”

“Just your imagination.”

That was close…

The original emperor was rough with women, wasn’t he?

But it’s not like I’ve gone mad, so this shouldn’t get me locked away.

Later, Agnes and Betty wake up and hurriedly start cleaning the room.

As they change the bedsheets, they leave with apologetic looks.

They’ll probably get scolded by Gerda.

“Sorry,” I apologize in my head.

“Sopina.”

Now alone in the room, I call her.

What’s up?

“I’m sending a gift to the Novarian princess.

Can you sneak into the package and investigate that country?”

I’ve got a grasp on the Empire, but there’s a lot I don’t know about our ally, Novaria.

Yeah, getting to a neighboring country with my body is a hassle.

Even with wings, Sopina’s flight speed is no faster than a human’s walk.

So, she can hide in the gift, slip into Novaria, touch people to gather info, and return with the princess’s wedding entourage.

“Alright, I’m counting on you.”

Sure.

Gathering info is crucial for my goal too.