If You're Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me - Side Story 16

The Emperor gripped her hand more firmly and added, “You seem as pure and upright in nature as your parents, Freya and Marquis Seymour. The same goes for your husband, Count Rivern. They are not here now, but if your children resemble the two of you, I’m sure they are the same.”

The Emperor’s gaze shifted to Locke standing beside her, then returned to Georgiana.

“Leona, I ask you to protect my Empire.”

“Protect the Empire? How could I possibly…”

“If I can no longer hold out, chaos will come to the Empire. I cannot let this nation fall into the hands of the wrong people. I hope that you and your family will safeguard this place. I would like for you to succeed me.”

Georgiana’s pupils trembled violently at the Emperor’s words.

“I did not come here for that reason. I came to protect my grandfather’s honor.”

Georgiana declined the Emperor’s request with a trembling voice.

She could not pretend not to understand the weight behind his request for her to ‘safeguard this place.’

Even Locke’s position as Vice President had weighed heavily on her. She was certain she could not take on something of such magnitude.

“I understand it must feel burdensome. You surely didn’t expect this at all. But if there is one thing I can be sure of, it is my ability to judge people. And I believe you are fit for the role.”

The Emperor gave Georgiana a faint smile as he looked at her.

“I have never once wished for such a position, nor am I someone who belongs there. The same goes for my young children.”

Georgiana lowered her head, hoping the Emperor would withdraw his request.

“Besides, I already have a place I must protect. That place has become my home now.”

Georgiana looked to Locke, standing beside her. She no longer needed power or wealth.

There was nothing more important than spending happy days with the ones she loved.

That was why she had always dreamed of living in a quiet place in peace once her grandfather and Locke finished their terms.

The Emperor listened silently to Georgiana’s words. His breathing grew a little heavier, but after a moment he calmed himself, closed his eyes, and then slowly opened them.

“I understand how you feel.”

The Emperor’s voice was even lower now, yet still resolute.

“I know well that you love your family and wish to raise your children in peace. But sometimes, the wheels of fate turn regardless of our will.”

The Emperor looked far more at ease than before.

“Your arrival here must also be part of that fate. I know you didn’t want this position, and that the responsibility may be too great—but in this situation, if not you, then who else could prevent the chaos?”

Georgiana could not lift her head.

The Emperor’s words struck deep into her chest, but the heavier the weight of those words, the more burdened she felt.

Her mind was in turmoil.

“I…”

She hesitated, then barely managed to open her mouth.

“I don’t have the strength to do it. Even if I were born to a Duke and a Marquis, the fact remains that I grew up in Humblum. Someone like me cannot shoulder the weight of that position.”

The Emperor, hearing her words, smiled with his eyes. “Those who believe they lack such strength are the ones who use power more justly. That is exactly why I believe no one fits the role better than you.”

“But… the nobles and the people of the Empire will surely oppose me.”

“The nobles will choose you over the collapse of the monarchy into a republic. And if the commoners hear your story, they will not oppose you either. On the contrary, people are often moved more by such stories.”

Before he had fallen from his horse, the Emperor had already completed his investigation into Georgiana. Hearing the physician’s verdict that he would never have children, he had looked into all who could potentially succeed him.

Among the resumes of nobles who had lived ordinary lives, Georgiana—granddaughter of Duke Rossmann—had stood out as both fascinating and tragic, so much so that he had spent days studying her story.

To have survived all that and gone on to become the Vice President’s wife, and even run a public school, made the Emperor wish to meet her at least once.

That was why, in case anything happened to him, he had left instructions in advance to summon Duke Rossmann and his granddaughter.

He had been certain that even if the Duke, now head of the New World, could not come, Georgiana would.

And now, the woman he finally met appeared even more beautiful and internally strong than he had imagined.

The Emperor desired Georgiana at once.

But he also realized that if he pushed too hard, she might slip away quietly.

Judging by the dangerous expression on Count Rivern’s face as he stood guard at her side, that possibility seemed very real.

The Emperor began plotting how to keep Georgiana from leaving.

“Then could you stay here only until a successor is decided? You can consider it this old man’s dying wish.”

Georgiana looked to Locke with a troubled expression at the Emperor’s words.

She turned over the Emperor’s request in her mind. Refusing a request of that level wasn’t easy. However, knowing how heavy that responsibility was, she couldn’t accept it lightly either.

“Your Majesty…”

Georgiana opened her mouth again with difficulty.

“I need some time. I’m sorry, but I can’t give you an answer right now.”

At her response, the Emperor smiled quietly. “If you say you need time, I’ll wait. But please remember that my health isn’t good.”

The Emperor leaned back against the bed, showing signs of sudden exhaustion. His breathing grew noticeably more irregular.

“For now, go on. Don’t worry about me.”

Georgiana looked at the Emperor’s weakened form and slowly stood up.

***

Though once said to be in critical condition, the Emperor’s illness gradually improved.

Rumors spread that the Vice President of the New World was scouring all the best remedies and sending them to the Emperor to prevent his wife from being taken.

There were even baseless rumors that he was collecting weapons to start a war if the Emperor wouldn’t let her go.

Contrary to such concerns, the palace heard children’s laughter for the first time in decades.

“Your Majesty.”

“Call me Grandfather.”

The Emperor beamed as he patted Theo’s head, who had come to pay a formal visit.

It was a bit disappointing that he looked more like Count Rivern than Georgiana, but the child’s innocence and bright personality quickly won over the Emperor.

He finally understood why ministers talked about their grandchildren so much.

“What are you studying today?”

The Emperor subtly asked if his instructions were being followed through the child.

“I have governance and diplomacy lessons today.”

“You’re learning very important subjects. They’ll be essential for you in the future, so study hard even if it’s difficult.”

The Emperor smiled in satisfaction.

But at his words, Theo tilted his head. “Father said I don’t have to learn them. He said running around is the best.”

Hmph.

The Emperor clicked his tongue inwardly at Count Rivern’s intent.

But did he think he’d give up that easily?

Under the guise of diplomacy, the Emperor was secretly blocking President Rossmann from visiting.

It was obvious he meant to take Georgiana and Theo back.

But he couldn’t stop Count Rivern, Theo’s father, from coming.

Even though the sea route was long, the Count continued to visit the imperial palace without fail. He claimed to be the Vice President—how did he have so much free time?

The Emperor even considered starting a war to keep him in one place.

“Your Majesty, Count Rivern has requested an audience.”

Again?

At the attendant’s report, the Emperor tightly shut his eyes and opened them again.

***

“When did you arrive?”

Surprised by Locke’s sudden, unannounced appearance, Georgiana’s eyes widened.

“Father!”

In the meantime, Theo ran into Locke’s arms.

With Theo held in one arm, Locke strode straight to Georgiana.

Chup.

His lips pressed to her forehead burned hotter than ever.

Georgiana blushed, forgetting even Theo was present.

“Is it really okay for you to visit this often?”

“Of course not. If a civil war breaks out in the New World and the country collapses, it’ll all be the Emperor’s fault.” Locke pouted as he responded.

Finding him adorable, Georgiana rose on her toes and kissed his cheek. “His Majesty has gotten much better. Among the candidates recommended by the nobles, there are quite a few suitable heirs. I think we’ll be able to return soon.”

“I doubt it…”

Having just finished his audience, Locke could bet his entire fortune that the Emperor would not let Georgiana go so easily—but he swallowed those words.

“I’ll definitely come back, Locke. I can only be happy if I have you.”

At Georgiana’s words, the fatigue of Locke’s long journey melted away all at once. He gently set Theo down and embraced Georgiana tightly.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Locke.”

***

Several years later.

Despite being severely injured from the fall, the Emperor lived on healthily for a few more years, eventually abdicating under the pretext of retirement.

And as everyone expected, the woman of royal blood took the position he left behind.

The nobles who had looked down on her due to her upbringing were pushed away from the center of power.

Even those who hated royalty were won over by the woman who insisted she was just a member of the imperial family, while the nation belonged to the people. They kept delaying the establishment of a republic, saying they wanted to watch her a little longer.

In the end, contrary to her original intentions, Georgiana remained in the Empire for a long time.

Thus, the first empress regnant of the Empire was born.

—End of “If You’re Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me” Side Stories