The Sinful Young Master

Chapter 443: Emperor and Empress

For a moment, they sat in silence, the Emperor sipping his tea and apparently enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. But Mandaqini’s composure was cracking, her fingers gripping her own teacup with slightly more force than necessary.

She had been silent the entire time since the emperor’s verdict, though how she felt about it, she couldn’t hide; it was clearly showing on her face.

”You should have executed him,” she said finally, her voice tight with barely restrained fury.

”Right there in the imperial hall, in front of everyone. He attacked our daughter, killed imperial officials, and destroyed an entire deployment of elite forces. The evidence was overwhelming, the crimes undeniable. Yet you sent him on some ridiculous mission instead of delivering the justice he deserved.”

The Emperor set down his cup with unhurried calm, his expression showing he had been expecting this conversation.

”You’re upset because I didn’t kill the man who defeated Tamna.”

”I’m upset because you showed weakness,” Mandaqini corrected sharply.

”What message does it send when someone can assault an imperial princess and walk away not just unpunished, but with the opportunity to earn a promotion? The nobility will see it as permission to challenge imperial authority. The ministers will question your resolve. Our enemies will interpret it as—”

”As what?” the Emperor interrupted gently.

”As me being intelligent enough to recognize value when I see it? Understanding that sometimes the most dangerous individuals make the most useful allies if properly motivated?”

He poured himself more tea, his movements deliberately casual.

”Mandaqini, you’re thinking like a mother whose child was hurt. That’s understandable, even admirable in its way. But I must think like an Emperor who governs an empire constantly beset by threats both internal and external.”

”So you’re justifying his crimes?” Mandaqini’s voice rose slightly.

”I’m contextualizing them,” the Emperor corrected.

”Jolthar Kaezhlar defeated Tamna in what was, by all accounts, a fight where he had to protect himself. By the imperial laws, no one should be executed without being prosecuted. The ministers were reckless in their schemes, and they have no evidence except for word of mouth. It was the reason that Minister Bahste stayed silent after I gave my verdict. Also, he killed Alden Veyra, who was, by multiple reports, a corrupt official abusing his authority. He destroyed the Shinokishi and Aethar Corps deployment after they were sent to execute him rather than arrest him properly. Are those the actions of a criminal or of someone defending himself against systematic persecution?”

”Your majesty, you seem to take the side with the boy.”

Mandaqini’s jaw clenched. ”He’s dangerous. Unpredictable. I heard that he can transform into a dragon, for heaven’s sake! Keeping someone like that alive and free is foolish.”

”Keeping someone like that alive and providing incentive for loyalty is strategic,” the Emperor countered calmly.

”If he succeeds in the Dreadland Depths—and I admit that’s a significant ’if’—he’ll return having eliminated three major threats that our military has been unable to handle for years. He’ll also return having proven he can accomplish impossible tasks, which makes him valuable. And most importantly, he’ll return owing his freedom, his elevation, and his future to my mercy and judgment.”

He looked at his wife directly, his expression becoming more serious.

”That’s how you convert a dangerous enemy into a useful tool. Not through execution, but through carefully calibrated incentive and obligation.”

”And if he fails?” Mandaqini asked.

”If he dies in those depths?”

”Then the problem resolves itself,” the Emperor said simply.

”He’s removed from the political landscape, the ministers who wanted him dead are satisfied, and I haven’t had to appear weak by executing someone for defending himself against corruption. Either outcome serves imperial interests.”

”Moreover, that boy is from the Kaezhlar clan; even if he had left them, they still haven’t given up on him. That lady wouldn’t be happy if I killed her grandson.”

Her expression changed for a few seconds, going from anger to frustration to despair. She knew who the emperor was talking about, and she was also aware of how powerful she had been in her prime.

”Didn’t he cut his ties with his family? I heard that he is living with a shameless baroness in Tekkora,” She said.

”Yes, he is. But she hadn’t given up on him. I know for a fact that she wouldn’t either. She is a very cunning lady, and she wouldn’t just let him be for a long time.”

Mandaqini was silent for a long moment, clearly wrestling with her emotions versus the logic of her husband’s argument.

Finally, she spoke more quietly. ”Our daughter was hurt. Badly. As her mother, I cannot simply overlook that.”

”I’m not asking you to,” the Emperor said, his tone softening slightly.

”I’m asking you to trust that I’m handling this in a way that serves both justice and imperial stability. If Kaezhlar’s child returns, he and Tamna can settle their differences however they choose—another duel, a formal reconciliation, or whatever they decide. But that’s their business, not ours.”

He reached over and placed his hand over hers.

”You’ve been an excellent Empress for decades, Mandaqini. You understand power and politics as well as anyone. So trust me when I say that sending Jolthar Kaezhlar to the Dreadland Depths was the best possible outcome for everyone involved. We either get rid of a troublemaker or gain a valuable asset. The empire wins either way.”

Mandaqini’s expression remained troubled, but she nodded slowly, accepting if not entirely agreeing with her husband’s decision. Even though the Emperor had several consorts and concubines, he hadn’t stopped showing importance to her and always treated her the same since the time of their marriage, and it was the reason why she was so daring enough to speak her mind in his presence and also listen to his words.

”I still think your majesty is taking unnecessary risks with someone so volatile.”

”Perhaps,” the Emperor conceded with a slight smile.

”But ruling an empire would be rather boring if we never took calculated risks, wouldn’t it?”