Chapter 2: I Am the Emperor
"Emily… what happened?"
"Where am I?"
Host, you have been placed in the body of the Emperor of the Kingdom of Eldorey.
Ethan slowly sat up, his gaze sharpening. "Then tell me—what exactly am I supposed to do? And what happened to the original emperor?"
The original emperor awakened to the realization that he was merely a character inside a novel. Upon learning this, he gathered his wealth and fled to another kingdom to live a carefree life.
Ethan went silent for a moment.
"…He ran away?"
Yes, Host. And as you know, governing a kingdom in a novel world is akin to stepping into another realm. You have been placed here as his replacement. At present, you have no assigned mission. Simply rule.
Ethan exhaled slowly.
"…Understood."
Before he could think further, hurried footsteps echoed through the hall.
A eunuch rushed in and collapsed to his knees.
"Y-Your Majesty!"
His voice trembled uncontrollably.
"The Empress… she attempted to flee… with one of your concubines!"
A dangerous glint appeared in Ethan's eyes.
"…Repeat that."
"T-The Empress tried to elope with a concubine, Your Majesty!"
Ethan leaned back slightly, his expression turning cold.
What kind of absurd story have I been thrown into?
He spoke, his tone sharp as a blade.
"What, exactly, is happening in my harem?"
No one dared to respond.
"Summon them. All of them. Immediately."
Not long after…
The entire harem knelt in silence before the emperor.
The Empress stepped forward, her chin raised despite the tension in the air. Beside her stood the concubine.
"Your Majesty," the Empress said, her voice steady, "you may command this palace, but you cannot command the heart. We love one another. Surely, even an emperor cannot deny us the right to choose our own happiness."
Ethan watched her without expression.
His silence was heavier than anger.
"…Is there anyone else who wishes to speak?" he asked calmly, his gaze sweeping across the room.
For a moment, no one moved.
Then, another concubine rose to her feet.
"If Your Majesty insists on controlling even our feelings," she said boldly, "then what kind of ruler are you? Love cannot be bound by authority. We are not possessions."
A ripple of tension spread through the hall.
She continued, emboldened, "And if that is the case, then I demand to be released. I want a divorce… and half the kingdom as my rightful share."
A faint smile appeared on Ethan's lips—but there was no warmth in it.
"Half the kingdom?" he repeated softly.
His eyes locked onto hers.
"Tell me… did you fight for this kingdom? Did you bleed for it?"
The concubine faltered for a moment but quickly replied, "No—but I gave years of my life to you. That should count for something."
Ethan's expression went completely cold.
"I see."
He raised his hand slightly.
"Guards."
The single word echoed like a death sentence.
"Execute the Empress… and the two who spoke."
The hall froze.
The Empress's composure shattered instantly.
"W-Wait! Your Majesty!" she cried out, panic filling her voice. "Is this how you rule? We only asked to live freely! Shouldn't love be—"
Her words were cut short as guards dragged her away.
Her screams—and those of the concubines—soon faded into silence.
Ethan turned back to the remaining women.
"…Does anyone else wish to speak?"
Not a single person dared to raise their head.
Even their breathing seemed to stop.
"…Good."
Later, inside his chambers…
Ethan reviewed the state of the kingdom.
The more he read, the darker his expression became.
"…This is a mess."
The Prime Minister had neglected state affairs entirely, instead obsessing over internal family disputes—favoring a so-called "fake daughter" while constantly scheming against the real one.
Ethan let out a quiet, disbelieving laugh.
"And this man governs the court?"
He turned the page.
The General's report was even worse.
Obsessed with a woman who did not love him, the General had chased her across cities after she fled with a scholar. In his rage, he had destroyed an entire city—reducing it to ruins—just to force her into regret.
Silence filled the room.
Ethan slowly pressed his fingers against his forehead.
"…Am I ruling a kingdom… or a madhouse?"