I Added D*ugs to Romantic Fantasy

The Great Banquet Hall of the Imperial Palace.

In the afternoon, the esteemed individuals of the Empire began to gather here.

The royal kinfolk, who, though lacking real power, held high ranks within the Imperial Court.

Former and current Vice and Full Ministers from the Treasury and Interior Ministries, among other departments.

And many nobles who had established influence by managing their own enterprises or estates.

They had answered the Heiress Apparent’s summons.

Usually, with rarely seen dignitaries convening, it would be normal to strengthen mutual camaraderie. However…

A sense of tension filled the faces of those gathered in the banquet hall.

“Really, are they going to kill them? My cousin’s son was foolishly following the scholar faction and got entangled in a brawl. His family cries every day now. It’s hard to just stand by and watch… Surely they won’t actually kill him, right?”

“They’re saying they’ll only execute the ringleaders by closed firing squad. At least they’re spared the public execution.”

“At least… That’s somewhat comforting.”

“I’m not sure if it’s comforting. I’ve heard that the survivors will be sent to labor camps?”

The brawl involving the Scholar and Noble factions that had shaken the State and its aftermath.

“Is it true that the Emperor of Chinguk has truly passed away?”

“Hmm.”

“I suppose that means a severance of relations is certain. …Actually, I have something to disclose. Two days ago, I gambled one last time and sent a fleet carrying two tonnes of silver.”

“Pfft, you’d better turn your ship around.”

“Severance indeed. Bankruptcy is my fate now.”

The lamentations of businessmen whose enterprises and families were collapsing due to the new adversarial Emperor.

“Why did Her Highness, the Heiress Apparent, summon us?”

“What do you mean? It’s obvious, isn’t it?”

“…Don’t embarrass me like that.”

“Ah, sorry. Anyway, it’ll be impossible to restore diplomatic relations with Chinguk for a few years. Easterners value face, as you know. And the new Emperor is an unfriendly type towards us. …We’ll be instructed to exercise restraint during these hard times.”

“Ah.”

Even those who guessed the Heiress Apparent’s sudden summoning of the nobles had this in common.

Not a single person was laughing or chattering lightly.

The only ones calm were the current ministers who knew the reason for this abrupt gathering. Though, their expressions weren’t exactly cheerful either.

Given the current state of the Empire, it made sense.

Purges that had become commonplace.

An emperor who had forsaken governance and indulged in alcohol.

And bizarre, indescribable events.

Even the boldest of men needed to tread carefully. Showing too much reaction could easily invite accusations. Considering the number of nobles who had family purged, failed businesses, or an uncertain future, it couldn’t be helped.

After some murmuring continued.

“Her Highness, the Heiress Apparent, has arrived!”

With the butler’s announcement, a chilly silence swept over the hall.

The Heiress Apparent, Victoria.

Though Victoria had assumed the governance responsibilities without an official coronation ceremony, no one dared to question or ridicule her authority.

Minor offenders faced secret executions or labor camps.

Major offenders faced public executions.

Binding people to the stake indiscriminately wasn’t the fear—it was the justified purge of nobility that was truly terrifying.

A little while later.

Victoria appeared.

At the same time, the majority of those gathered turned their faces with expressions clouded by suspicion.

“Her Highness?”

The main cause was Victoria’s attire.

Victoria Carlail, who had always worn a military uniform and even insisted on it during royal events since entering the academy.

But now, she was flaunting her sensual figure in a shoulder-baring dress.

And what was even more surprising than the dress was the presence of the 2nd Imperial Princess, Siena, and the Chairman of the Privy Council, Alan.

Both of them were also in formal attire.

Moreover, 2nd Princess Siena had even donned a veil—black lace that was commonly associated with mourning but was being worn as if it were a wedding veil. As Siena was known for erratic behavior, few dared to whisper.

What could she be thinking?

After a moment of silence following the trio’s appearance, the Chief Steward, speaking on behalf of Princess Victoria, addressed the gathered nobles.

“To the esteemed nobles, pillars of the Empire: Her Highness declares that after much contemplation and in order to maintain the imperial lineage and set the foundations of the state, a significant decision has been made. This decision will be announced here: Princess Victoria and her younger sister Siena Carlail will be betrothed to the Chairman of the Privy Council, Alan Medoff.”

“Alan Medoff, with his unprecedented brilliance and proven loyalty on numerous occasions, remains modest and has never overstepped boundaries. His induction into the royal family has been deemed a divine blessing.”

The announcement of an engagement for the aging Heiress Apparent.

Certainly, it was a cause for celebration.

This had been somewhat anticipated since the moment Alan had been granted the title of Comte of Madeway under the royal family’s patronage. However, the expressions of those receiving this command were full of bewilderment rather than joy.

“Surely… I must have heard incorrectly?”

A gasp of denial emerged from the mouth of a white-haired senior noble, echoed by a few others who nodded in agreement. Because no one had expected Siena to also be included in the engagement announcement.

But they hadn’t heard incorrectly.

“This is a decision made for the continuation of the thousand-year imperial lineage. Moreover, this arrangement has been approved by His Majesty long ago. Though the wedding ceremony itself has not been held, Alan is already akin to my husband and Siena a significant assistant in governance.”

Victoria herself confirmed the engagement.

The nobles stared blankly at the two princesses and the privy council chairman.

**

Since Victoria’s announcement of our engagement.

Even after some time passed, the nobles’ expressions were still filled with confusion.

In truth, this was a normal reaction.

An engagement announcement made right after the death of the most powerful emperor in the world.

Not to mention, the fact that both the direct heirs were being married off to me simultaneously must have greatly surprised them.

Fortunately, Siena seemed pleased.

Her face was unusually bright, her eyes darting around quietly.

She was probably observing the reactions of the guests at our engagement ceremony—most of whom had had no idea they were guests in the first place. After all, this was the very date she had chosen to enjoy their reactions.

Everyone else looked serious, but Siena was smiling happily.

Various responses were evident.

Some stood there with vacant expressions, their arms hanging limply.

Others seemed to have plenty to say but refrained, possibly fearing retaliation.

And then there were those who, having reached a sort of enlightenment, quietly muttered phrases like “Congratulations” or “This is a blessing for the Empire.” Most of these were officials who had been previously informed about the engagement and thus did not appear shocked.

‘Things are quieter than I expected.’

I had anticipated at least one outspoken critic, but everyone was silent, which was a surprise.

The atmosphere remained icy.

Even though they were witnessing a royal joyous event, their faces were stiff. Some tried to force smiles but failed and bowed their heads instead. Considering the tense times, this level of reaction was understandable.

The engagement was announced without incident.

Next, it was time to discuss our policies regarding Chinguk so as to ease their unease.

“Your Highness.”

Unable to contain his frustration any longer, a noble stepped forward.

A middle-aged man with a stubborn appearance and slightly thinning hair, he didn’t wail about the collapse of his business but began to deliver what he considered an official explanation.

Chinguk would view this engagement as a provocation. They would likely sever diplomatic relations to uphold their prestige among the vassal states. They might even escalate to military demonstrations. Therefore, preparations for the worst were necessary—this was his bold statement.

“Forgive me.”

But he wrapped his words in an apology, mindful that he was criticizing on a celebratory day and might invite retribution.

However, Victoria didn’t appear offended, and Siena’s reaction was nonchalant.

It was natural. If I had expected nothing but congratulations, I wouldn’t have accepted Siena’s request in the first place.

Victoria, after looking at me momentarily, stepped forward.

“I understand your concerns, noble ones.”

“No, we must prepare for defense immediately.”

“…However, since the war has already commenced, there’s no need to worry about severed relations. As a matter of fact, at this very moment, we are annihilating our enemies. Although this will cause much hardship, we will do our best to hasten Chinguk’s submission.”

Victoria’s declaration confirmed the ongoing war.

But the nobles’ gaze didn’t linger on her. Instead, it rested upon me, suspecting that I must be the one behind these recent events.

There seemed to be no need to elaborate further on this matter.

**

At the same moment. In the fortress city of Gangjoo, one of the Twelve Garrisons of Chinguk.

“What is this about?”

Wan Ningyi, the Inspector General overseeing law enforcement and espionage in Gangjoo, furrowed his brow involuntarily as he read the report submitted by his subordinate, the Inspecting Officer.

The content was too ghastly and bizarre to ignore.

But it couldn’t be dismissed as mere rumor. Officers and deputy officers responsible for separate districts had submitted similar reports.

Accounts of reanimated corpses with grotesquely twisted joints shambling about.

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