Since the change of power, it had been common to eliminate the ruling factions and fill those positions with his people.
However, seeing the Emperor increasingly focused on territorial expansion, he gradually let go of his suspicions.
He considered it a favorable time for him to spread his wings, even more so than during the reign of the previous Emperor.
‘But why now?’
It was a question why the Emperor suddenly apprehended him.
Moreover, Viscount Zalt, through generations, was at the pinnacle of the underground economy of Basuker.
Even the astute former Emperor suffered headaches due to Viscount Zalt’s influence.
Viscount Zalt, who held a position that not even the former Emperor could easily control, couldn’t fathom how a young Emperor could wield power over him.
“Huh, I wonder how long you can behave arrogantly like this.”
Viscount Zalt chuckled to himself as if muttering.
Far away in the dark underground prison, a shadow approached.
Viscount Zalt squinted his eyes and observed the giant shadow cast by the lantern light.
As the shadow got closer, an inexplicable unease crept up.
So, Viscount Zalt shouted with all his might, as if using all his strength to dispel his fear.
“Who’s there?!”
Soon, Emperor Icarus’s face was revealed in front of the lantern light that illuminated the underground prison.
Feeling a chill down his spine at that moment, Viscount Zalt opened his mouth.
“…Your Majesty?”
“Is arrogance something you can afford to do to me?”
The Emperor twisted his lips slightly, and his thick and low voice exuded intimidation.
Viscount Zalt unconsciously shrugged his shoulders a bit.
However, he soon realized that there was no need to cower like that and opened his mouth.
“Your Majesty seems to have a severe misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding? You can see it as a misunderstanding… Yes, you can indeed see it that way.”
At Icarus’s meaningful expression, Viscount Zalt hesitated for a moment. But soon, he fiercely retorted.
“Even if you are His Majesty the Emperor, you cannot treat me like this. Without a trial, locking me in an underground prison!”
“Even if there is a concern about escape or destruction of evidence, there is imperial law that allows imprisonment.”
With a confident attitude as if asking if there was any problem, Icarus momentarily lost his words, closed his mouth, and then found a gap.
‘Destruction of evidence…’
That meant that after imprisoning him, they would look for evidence.
“What is deeply worrisome is whether Your Majesty has legal evidence.”
“If I have legal evidence, what will you do?”
Viscount Zalt furrowed his brows.
‘Legal evidence?’
It was not even clear what the evidence was about.
‘Gambling den? Or loan sharking? Or…’
After a moment of contemplation, Viscount Zalt soon found the answer.
‘Either way, there can’t be any evidence.’
The imperial spies had been on Viscount Zalt’s payroll for a long time, thanks to the bribes he gave. This made it easy for Viscount Zalt to avoid surprise inspections.
Moreover, it was not easy to find someone who would testify against Viscount Zalt, especially with a disadvantageous testimony.
No matter how much I think about it, I could only see that the Emperor is manipulating public opinion.
“If you have legal evidence, please show it. You’ve subjugated and imprisoned me by force without even telling me what crime I’ve committed.”
“Viscount.”
“….”
“Have you heard the story that Princess Solti has gone missing?”
Viscount Zalt, faced with an utterly unexpected and absurd topic, had an expression that relaxed a bit due to its absurdity.
But soon, he judged that the Emperor was simply boasting.
It seemed that he intended to detain and search his mansion for evidence after keeping him here by force.
“I am genuinely curious. Where has the princess disappeared to?”
Since the end of the peace treaty and until the princess returned to Solti, Viscount Zalt had firmly decided to maintain a solid relationship with the princess.
Solti’s king had a son, but he was still young and weak. On the other hand, the king of Solti already had a head of white hair.
Because of this, Princess Adria of Solti was mentioned as the next heir to the throne.
Since Princess Adria was somewhat intelligent, it seemed easy to manipulate Solti if handled properly.
In such a situation, the person most interested in the whereabouts of the missing princess was Viscount Zalt himself.
Moreover, Viscount Zalt had absolutely no connection to the disappearance of Princess Solti.
‘He must have randomly pinned something on me.’
It was when Viscount Zalt was convinced that he would be released soon.
“In addition to the princess’s disappearance, you have countless crimes. It’s beyond counting, to the point where I can’t even enumerate them on my fingers.”
Viscount Zalt’s face twisted a bit, but Icarus, unfazed, added.
“Conspiracy to murder Lady Siren of the House of Viscount, inciting discord between Paradion and Solti, causing harm to the country.”
Viscount Zalt was momentarily dumbfounded.
There was a way to get out of the affair with Lady Siren of the House of Viscount on his own terms.
However, if the Emperor intended to accuse him of inciting conflict between nations, he was in a significantly unfavorable position.
“…”
“In fact, there are more crimes, but even with just this, it doesn’t seem excessive to have you imprisoned. What do you think, Viscount Zalt?”
Those associated with Viscount Zalt were quickly entangled like sweet potato vines, and the underground prison soon became crowded.
Even though it was before the trial, the evidence accumulated during this time was sufficient. The imprisoned prisoners willingly opened their mouths to expose each other for leniency.
Moreover, the Viscount’s wife of Terrenburg, who relied on the rotten lifeline of being a fake princess, could not escape from charges of tax evasion.
This news quickly spread throughout Basuker through the Imperial Gazette.
Amber was amazed and opened her mouth wide.
“The Emperor of Basuker is truly remarkable. Despite being so young…”
Renève seemed to know why Amber didn’t finish her sentence.
‘She must be comparing him to the current Emperor of Paradion.’
But criticizing the ruler of my own country would ultimately be like spitting on my own face, so she seemed to be careful with her words.
Cold Male Lead Became My Clingy Husband (Female-Dominant)
Feng Bai Su transmigrated into a matriarchal novel, becoming the sister of the female protagonist and the Seventh Princess of the Feng Ling Kingdom.
After working herself to death in her previous life, finally reincarnating as a princess, she only wanted to be a lazy fish who could eat, sleep, and play.
Until she met the male protagonist from the book, Wei Jing Mo, and he took a liking to her!
Wei Jing Mo is the top young man in Feng Ling City, talented in both appearance and ability, from a prestigious family, with a cold and otherworldly appearance, a figure like the bright moon in the hearts of noble ladies. It was thought that only the most powerful and talented noble lady in Feng Ling City would be worthy of such a brilliant young man. Who knew that this young gentleman would secretly admire the infamous Seventh Princess?
Short scene 1:
Feng Bai Su looked at the young man crying like a pear blossom in the rain before her, and couldn’t help but doubt her life.
Wasn’t the male lead described as a cold and otherworldly figure in the book?
Then who was this poor little thing crying with swollen red eyes and tear-stained face?
Short scene 2:
Wei Jing Mo stared intently at Feng Bai Su who was about to go out, wanting to say, “Be careful on the road.”
Before he could speak, Feng Bai Su suddenly bent down and bit his cheek.
Her peach blossom eyes were full of disdain: “Tsk! You’re so clingy!”
Wei Jing Mo: “…”
A talented fox spirit female lead with a flirtatious appearance but actually abstinent VS A cold-looking but actually naive and clingy little jealous male lead
