36. Considering Taking a Concubine
“I’m back.”
“Oh, you’re back sooner than I expected.”
Leofric stepped inside the room, parting the curtain drawn across the corridor.
Having entered through a secret passage directly connecting to the Emperor’s office—so no one would know—Leofric now stood before the Emperor, who had been waiting, already informed of his arrival.
If someone were to ask what Leofric would look like in twenty years, one could simply point to the Emperor. The two, father and son, resembled each other so closely.
Their eyes met, and as if on cue, they both smiled.
“Seems like the honeymoon was fun.”
“It was a honeymoon, after all.”
“Unlike your mother and I, so I figured it wouldn’t be much fun.”
“You sound like you were hoping it wouldn’t be fun.”
“Not at all. It’s just that, while you’re a handful yourself, Lady Vermerian isn’t exactly easygoing either. I figured it wouldn’t be simple.”
The Emperor tossed out the comment, half-jokingly, to his son who had just returned from his honeymoon.
It was a tease disguised as consolation—saying that his wife must’ve been just as difficult to deal with.
His tone was far too casual for an emperor.
Leofric chuckled at his father.
“Well, don’t you live with someone even more formidable than my wife?”
“Ahem. Your bold and valiant mother can’t possibly be compared to that cold and prickly wife of yours.”
“Compared? I just meant you’re in no place to talk.”
As his father pretended to scold him with a stern look, Leofric responded with a light tone of his own.
Soon, they both broke into hearty laughter.
“Don’t you dare tell your mother.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, Your Majesty. Naturally.”
Clearly accustomed to such banter, the two sat facing each other on a sofa set in a corner of the office.
“So, what was so urgent that you had to summon your busy son back so suddenly?”
Leofric got straight to the point once seated, still looking at his father—who wore a mischievous smile—with a more serious expression.
Whatever it was, the same father who had told him to go strengthen his relationship with Amelia had now suddenly rushed him back. There had to be a good reason.
And since he hadn’t mentioned it in the letter, it must be something serious—an international issue, or noble faction trouble, perhaps…
“Hm, I wanted to ask if you’re considering taking a concubine besides Lady Vermerian.”
“…Excuse me?”
…Or not.
Leofric could only look dumbfounded.
With that same playful smile, the Emperor had said something completely unexpected.
A concubine?
To someone who had been married for less than a month?
And from someone who clearly knew what Amelia meant to him?
Leofric stared blankly at his father, not even aware of what kind of expression he had on.
“Right. Judging by that face, you haven’t even considered it, huh?”
“Would I? You don’t have one either.”
He blurted that out more sharply than intended, completely flustered.
At any other time, such irreverence would’ve earned him a scolding, but the Emperor just let out a laugh.
“Of course I don’t. I have Verdi—why would I need anyone else?”
“Exactly. I have Amelia—why would I?”
Was that really worth calling me back in such a rush?
Leofric added coldly.
If it had been anyone else who’d summoned him, his expression would have been enough to unleash a fury.
But this was the Emperor—his father—and not someone who would disrupt his son’s blissful time over something so trivial.
That’s why Leofric held his tongue and took a breath.
Emperor Bernard smiled gently at his son.
“Well, the reason isn’t quite enough to bother you—but it was who proposed it.”
Leofric brushed his hair back in irritation, lifting a brow.
Who could’ve said something so absurd?
“I thought I should check in a hurry. My son, who was struggling to even start a conversation with Lady Vermerian, surely wouldn’t accept such a proposal.”
It was about time, anyway.
Bernard’s lips curled into a subtle smile.
Gone was the earlier mischief—this was a measured and restrained smile full of experience.
Leofric studied his father and calmly organized his thoughts.
Talks of taking concubines had been around since before his marriage.
The nobles had long expressed dissatisfaction that the Emperor had no other wives or children besides Leofric.
Even though there was no law saying the Emperor must have concubines just because the nobles did.
Still, they always complained.
And they often insisted the Crown Prince take concubines.
So, it wouldn’t be strange if someone approached the Emperor during his son’s absence.
But for the Emperor to be this flustered, the person had to be…
“Could it be… Marquis Vermerian who suggested it?”
Leofric didn’t need much thought to deduce who.
Someone with enough sway that the Emperor couldn’t ignore them—and someone who could get the newlywed prince summoned back to the capital.
The Emperor nodded at his son’s correct guess.
“Yes. He came to me not long after you two left.”
“Seems like he had this planned before our wedding.”
“He said that while it would be ideal for you to have only a wife like I did, that wasn’t realistic.”
Arthur Vermerian, the Empire’s Chancellor, was a thoroughly practical and honest man.
He would do anything that benefited the Empire and his family.
He had pushed his own daughter to become the Empire’s top woman without a moment’s hesitation.
Leofric figured it was because of his deep affection for Amelia that he’d made such a suggestion.
“He must’ve been worried about Amelia fighting alone in the palace.”
“Exactly. He said the nobles weren’t wrong—but come on, we both know what he really meant.”
Bernard chuckled, shaking his head.
He wasn’t moved by such remarks from nobles thirty years ago, and he wasn’t now.
He didn’t need to be.
They were just going to repeat the same tedious arguments anyway.
But Arthur Vermerian was different.
He wouldn’t bother opening his mouth for some dull noble logic.
“They say he’s the greatest wife-lover in the Empire. I guess he got worried his daughter—who takes after her mother—might suffer, and started scheming.”
“It’s that Vermerian, after all. He wouldn’t want to neglect his loyalty to the crown or his concern for his daughter.”
“He’s ambitious, so he must’ve found a way to protect both.”
“So, did he mention anyone specific?”
Leofric had his suspicions.
The Marquis must’ve tried to make things easier for his daughter—but to suggest a concubine directly?
That was unexpected.
Leofric recalled a certain memory as he asked.
If he was right, the Marquis probably told the Emperor everything he thought. If not…
“He remained tight-lipped till the end. I considered pressing further, but it seemed pointless. He’ll speak when the time comes.”
Bernard added that he’d held off giving an answer, saying he’d ask Leofric upon his return.
“If you want, you can reach out to him first. Or wait—it’s up to you.”
“What do you think I should do?”
“For now, just wait. Marquis Vermerian doesn’t act thoughtlessly.”
“Even if you gathered a hundred nobles, none would compare to him.”
“Watch your words, son.”
Bernard chuckled at Leofric’s blunt tongue.
Still, he didn’t bother to tell him to mind his speech.
He didn’t say it, but clearly agreed with him.
Leofric smiled and stood up.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now. I’m meeting Amelia at the palace gate shortly.”
“Hiding from the public eye, are you?”
“Most of the nobles are idiots—but some are annoyingly persistent.”
“True. They opposed her business even before your marriage.”
“No reason to give them more ammunition.”
Leofric shrugged.
What’s wrong with a woman working?
The nobles opposed their marriage over Amelia’s business.
Despite the fact that everyone knew she was the very model of grace and etiquette in high society and the Empire.
Leofric reminded himself once more that Amelia had made the right decision, then gave Bernard a small nod.
“I’ll see you in a bit.”
“Yes, son. Though I’m not thrilled to hear you’ll come back ‘officially’ later.”
But before that, Bernard grinned and pointed to his desk.
“I didn’t say that was all I needed to talk about.”
“…Sigh.”
And on that desk was a mountain of paperwork.
