Ironically, I found one spy while knowing that everyone is a spy, though I'm not certain.
In any case, inviting the Empress to the room tonight will provide cover for any conversation.
I hope she doesn't want to meet me for some trivial reason. If the maids treat her that cruelly, then perhaps she is the piece I need to get rid of her father.
"Well, let's see… what kind of person are you?"
I picked up the report and had no difficulty reading this language.
After sitting at the desk, I began to understand a little about the nature of the report—it covered everything. A girl's childhood in brief, the reason the rumors spread, and why she was labeled evil.
Well, gather everything and put it into a novel, and we could create the villainess before she becomes the heroine.
"It's almost evening."
Time to meet the wronged heroine. Let's say my mood improved about meeting her because of what I read about her. A person whose life turned one hundred degrees—from noble to demon—just because her magic attribute leaned toward darkness.
Since she is a sacrifice and not a wife, I'm even more curious about why she wants to meet me now of all times. The report didn't mention that she wanted to see me or ask about me except during the first month after the marriage.
But regarding the servants' abuse—it mentioned a lot. I know they are here to monitor her, but this wasn't monitoring; it was a prison with executioners. Even the mistreatment was less when she was in her own palace. Here… I don't even want to mention it.
"What do you think of this information, Cube?"
[What kind of response are you expecting from me?]
"Just prove you exist. Since you turned into a ring in stealth mode, you haven't said anything."
A transformation ability—revealed when a shadow approached. It turned into a white ring with a square black hole floating inside it, then entered stealth mode so no one could see it. Useful, but it's been silent ever since.
[Ran ron ran rin]
"And what does that mean?"
[Proof of existence.]
"Better if you stay silent."
One sometimes regrets speaking immediately after saying something. Talking to this cube will only raise my blood pressure. Food might improve my mood a little, so I called another maid and ordered dinner prepared.
"Shall I invite Lady Morgana?"
"Do so."
A maid calling the Empress by name. And how did she even know I invited her? Is she stupid, or does she think I'm stupid? By asking that question, she exposed that she was spying. Then she bowed and withdrew. I suppose she's less skilled than the previous one—she's been watching me since I entered. And I don't think this rabbit is that handsome to stare at. From my perspective, he looks slightly above average at best. "Flower boy" is a fitting title. I hate this—if not for the illness, I would've made a muscle-building plan. They say rabbits can die from shock due to fear, and I fear that might be a third cause that kills me if I don't take care of this body properly.
Anyway, it seems she's arrived. Talking at the table is clearly impossible. There are spies. Historically, private rooms were the only safe places from spies. It might not be so in a magical world, but it's the only option.
"But it feels strange to invite someone of the opposite sex into my room—on top of that, my wife from another world."
[Are you talking to me?]
"No."
[Good.]
I started wishing I had studied programming so I could modify this stupid cube—if that's even possible. Forget it. Treat it like a cheap machine.
"By the way, can't you do anything? Like shoot lasers or create a soundproof barrier or something? Can you even record, calling yourself an advanced phone?"
[I can dance. Want to see?]
"Tell me how to dismantle you."
[Alright, calm down. You mentioned five prime numbers, so I unlocked five features. Scan—you've tried it before. Guidance—answering questions. Communication—responding flexibly to speech. Transformation—taking another form for disguise purposes. And finally, Surveillance Range—extending up to 50 meters.]
"You mean your abilities are limited by the number of prime numbers I know?"
[I know how awesome I am. No need to be shocked. But how awesome are you at discovering prime numbers?]
"Are you challenging me?"
[In addition to discovering a prime number, you must supply energy to the cube. Mana stones or mana crystals will suffice. Any other type of energy is acceptable. The required amount increases with the size of the number you reveal. Existing abilities may sometimes evolve as well—like expanding the 50-meter detection range to detect more things, etc.]
"Etcetera?"
[You can fill in the rest.]
"I know what you mean."
[Then don't ask.]
"Anyway, why is revealing prime numbers a requirement?"
[Please ask the designer.]
"And where is your designer?"
[Dead.]
"Can you respect me a little? As you see, I'm an Emperor."
[I have scanned documents in this room. Based on data, I estimate you have 45 days before you lose your position. I can be your loyal servant if you agree to exchange roles after you are imprisoned awaiting execution.]
"You can estimate that too?"
[I am more amazing than you think.]
"Then do you have a solution?"
[I cannot provide solutions, but I can give advice.]
"Go ahead."
[Wash your neck thoroughly and change your clothes.]
"…"
Yes, I expected something like that. It seems the designer wanted to raise the blood pressure of whoever uses this thing. I'm starting to feel hungry. Let's put the cube aside for now. It's good to know an estimate of the empire's fall, but it's based only on the documents here—not the real situation.
It could be shorter or longer, but let's say there are 45 days.
So what do I do? Where do I begin reform? I have ideas—many of them implemented in my world—but the problem is I don't know where to start.
"Alright, let's analyze first."
[What would you like to analyze?]
"I'm talking to myself. Shut up for a bit."
I took paper and a pen. It's good that I know how to use a quill. Writing is the best way to dissect ideas—that's what I've always done. Since I'm writing in my world's language, it won't matter even if this paper is found—unless I forget to burn it.
"So let's list the problems first."
I put down a dot and stopped. How can I analyze the problems more precisely based on this rabbit's memories? Perhaps his perspective overlooked something—or maybe I forgot something important.
"No. First, review the documents."
Is it because of being reborn? Or fear of death approaching? I found myself following my impulses immediately without laziness or boredom. I grabbed the first document about the external situation and immersed myself like never before.
When I became aware of reality again, someone was knocking on the door. I had written many notes without realizing it. But my temperature had risen further. I think I really need medicine now.
I don't know if it's because of poison or the transfer, but there's truly no time to rest. I followed the maid to the dining hall. There, not only was Morgana present, but also four of my father's concubines, a second wife, and a third wife. Only the first wife and the fifth concubine were absent from the table. As for the children or half-siblings from the same father—I don't even remember their names.
Man, I feel like I'm about to faint. I don't even want to think about why they came. Suddenly, the second wife stood and approached me anxiously.
"Leonardo, are you alright? You look ill."
Are we close enough for her to call me by name?
Forget it. It seems she's doing it intentionally.
"I'm fine."
I wanted to stop her from touching my face, but this woman was surprisingly fast. Then she pulled her hand back in shock.
"Oh my God, your temperature is high."
"Everyone, sit down."
I cut her off. Does it matter if my temperature is high? What then? Send me back to my room and call a doctor to prevent me from meeting Morgana? Sorry, but I lived in a world where even children wear masks. I heard sweet talk from phone scammers every day. Do you think I'd let you do as you please?
The ring trembled—the cube wanted to say something. Not possible now. Besides that, isn't Morgana supposed to sit beside me? Why is she the farthest person at the table?
After sitting at the head of the table, I ignored the chatter around me and looked at the seat to my right—the rabbit's father's second wife. To my left—the third wife.
Did he marry them by mistake or what?
The seating should go from highest authority to lowest gradually—the highest closest to the Emperor. It's been a while since the rabbit hosted a group dinner, but I know they always gather here since they all moved to the main palace.
Only my father's first wife didn't move. And the fifth concubine as well.
Look now: two wives in order, then concubines, then princes and princesses, and finally Morgana.
Does that mean she's the lowest rank among them all?
The worst part is—I can't say anything.
My mother was the fourth wife. Any word I say could turn into drama I don't need. Let's ignore this. Problems outside the palace and inside it. Outside the empire and within it.
Just kill me.
But I don't want to die. I need help. I can't do everything alone. My closest advisor shows more loyalty to the duke than to the Emperor. He's absent today because the rabbit sent him to demand an explanation from the Duke of the West for declaring—
As for the Prime Minister—he is the duke, Morgana's father. Half the nobles are loyal to him, the other half neutral, and the rest have split off. But even the neutral ones show favor toward the duke.
In short, I have only the family treasury protecting my life so far—and the Shadow Unit that cannot abandon the Emperor.
By the way, they've been talking nonsense since morning. Did they forget I'm here? Or are they deliberately ignoring me? I thought imperial dinner tables were quiet and elegant. What is this?
Why are they talking about clothes and jewelry now? Are they serious? I know they're using the Emperor's personal wealth, but are they really ignoring the fact that they might be eliminated too if I die?
No… maybe not. The first and second wives might be protected by their families. But the concubines may have received some kind of promises.
What about the first wife and the fifth concubine?
I remembered—the fifth concubine is a princess from one of the subjugated kingdoms, and that kingdom has declared rebellion. The first wife is the daughter of the Duke of the East. Their positions may be different… but let's not rush.
I finished my food quickly, then left the hall under the pretext of illness. I left behind someone whose face had also turned red after I said I would wait for her. It was just a reminder—so no one would try to use my illness as an excuse to send her back to her palace.