My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 262

Years have passed since the Demon King was defeated, and peace settled over the Empire.

The Empire absorbed all the lands of the Demon Tribe, boasting a territory that covered 4/5 of the Fisys Continent—an unprecedented expanse in history.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that it was the golden age of the Great Empire.

Since Emperor Lupin’s death, Seri, as the Empress, hadn’t ceased the Empire’s prosperity and was making it even more solid, both internally and externally.

They were fully accommodating other races, dedicating efforts to minimize conflicts between humans, and the tensions with the Aioum Kingdom were also being eased little by little.

However, one problem still lingered.

“Seri, must you really keep creating conflicts with the Heroes?”

Even now, tensions persisted between Seri and the Heroes, causing their relationship to continue to be rocky.

“It can’t be helped. I’ve simply fallen too much in love with Praus.”

She calmly stated this while sipping her tea, her golden eyes fixated on me.

Though her affection was expressed with such naturalness, the ears that peeked from her tied-back golden hair turned a bright shade of crimson.

“I can no longer live without Praus.”

“Let’s not mix strange misunderstandings into this, okay?”

“It’s true. The reason I can endure being the Empress of this Empire is because of Praus.”

“That’s quite an exaggeration. I haven’t done anything for you in five years.”

This was proof that she could lead the Empire just fine without me.

“You’re doing well on your own.”

“Is that so? I’ll take that compliment gladly. But with Praus by my side, I could do even better.”

The smile that graced her lips shone brighter than ever on her beautiful face today.

Her looks were extraordinary from the moment I first saw her, but it seemed to be improving with each passing day. Is she being pampered now that she’s the Empress?

“I’m not planning to become a diplomatic envoy. I still need to take care of the Heroes.”

“That’s why I said I’d accept the Heroes as my concubines.”

“An Empress taking in men or women is bound to spark strange rumors.”

“Indeed, if I took in the Heroes, they may call me a lesbian.”

“Just as I thought?”

She put down her teacup and placed her finger on her chin, tilting her head for a moment. She maintained that pose for a while before shrugging her shoulders.

“Yet, there might come a day when I must share a bed with Praus and the Heroes, so I can’t dismiss it as mere misunderstandings.”

“Is it common for a legal wife and concubines to share a bed?”

“No, it isn’t. In fact, it may never happen. I certainly wouldn’t allow anyone to interfere with my romance with Praus.”

From her firm voice, I could sense her passionate resolve.

“But don’t you want to show it a little?”

“Show what…?”

“I was just thinking it might not be so bad to let the Heroes quietly watch when I’m intimate with Praus on the bed.”

“W-what…?”

“Wouldn’t it sufficiently indicate that Praus is mine?”

The three Heroes would be watching as Seri and I were intimate. Honestly, if I said that didn’t excite me, I would be lying.

“Ah~ Praus’s face is getting red. Did you imagine it?”

Damn it. I miss Expression Management.

Had I known it would be like this, I should have kept practicing managing my expressions. It was hard to take the lead here when I couldn’t hide the emotions that surfaced on my face.

“Enough! As I said before, I’m not planning to become a diplomatic envoy.”

“But you have… been intimate with the Heroes, right?”

“Pff!”

Trying to hide my flushed face, I inadvertently spit out my drink. I hurriedly set down the cup and wiped my face, which was now damp with tea.

“You, what…?”

Seeing me spill the tea, Seri rose from her seat. She approached the sofa where I sat and gently took out a handkerchief, dabbing my mouth softly, even drying the wet areas.

“Hehe, was that such a surprise? It’s okay. I’m quite generous. However, I can’t stand being completely ignored.”

Seri’s gaze had turned somewhat icy. Though her lips wore a smile, her eyes were intently watching me, as if probing to uncover my every reaction.

“It seems clothes must be washed. May I leave them with you, at the palace?”

“No, it’s fine….”

“Please let me take them. Understood?”

“…I got it.”

I felt as though I was being unilaterally led around.

Seri’s relaxed demeanor stemmed from the high self-esteem I had nurtured, but I hadn’t expected it would come back in this way.

“Indeed, Praus is kind. You listen to me well.”

Her tone was soothing, as if she were gently cooing.

Every whisper beside my ear sent shivers down my spine, teasing my earlobes with her warm breath.

“Now that I think about it, Praus surprisingly has listened to my wishes contrary to how forceful you may seem.”

I averted my gaze slightly as I responded.

“That was because you were hesitant about what you were doing back then. It would have been troublesome if you became demotivated, questioning the meaning of all this.”

That was a story from years ago.

Back when my self-esteem was at rock bottom, and I was mired in lethargy and hopelessness, what I could do was desperately boost her motivation.

“I only wanted to motivate you.”

“Motivation, huh? Thanks to you, I’ve made it this far. Without Praus, I might not even be here now.”

“Even if I weren’t here, you wouldn’t be dead. You would still have become Empress.”

Seri listened silently to my words, then made a short, profound sound, “Hmm~.”

“Sometimes it feels like Praus speaks as if you know my future.”

Without realizing it, I flinched at Seri’s remark.

It was true that I knew.

I knew the story right up to, “The heroes who defeated the Demon King lived happily ever after.”

But everything I would experience from now on was completely unknown to me.

“Thinking back, it’s like you acted as if you knew the future completely. From coming to meet me to the series of events that led to me becoming Empress.”

Her extraordinarily sharp observation left me momentarily speechless.

It had been the same during the Nobility meetings, and when achieving accomplishments before rising to the throne; Seri’s perceptive acuity and intellect were on a whole different level compared to the former Emperors.

“No matter how strong Praus is, you can’t possibly see the future. How is that possible?”

“…I don’t know.”

“Won’t you tell me?”

Seri gently held my face and turned it toward her, making me focus on her.

“Well then, let me change the question. What do you think of me, Praus?”

“…A competent Empress.”

“And? Honestly, have you never felt attracted to me? Did you help me purely out of goodwill?”

“Has it been years already…? Are you still not giving up?”

I knew what kind of answer she was hoping for.

If I spoke honestly here, she wouldn’t hesitate.

Seri had maintained her boundary until now because she was afraid of losing our relationship.

I had seen her ruthlessly cut ties with those who didn’t align with her desires countless times over the years.

She never got tangled in human relationships.

Yet, even she had one person who stirred her emotions, and that was me, who had shown her kindness long ago.

“There’s no way I would give up on you, Praus. Don’t underestimate my resolve. When I desire something, I will make it happen. Do you know why?”

She gently unbuttoned my clothing. As the constricting collar loosened, air escaped in a rush.

“Because you made me this way. You turned me into this selfish person.”

“…Is it okay for an Empress to act like this?”

“There’s only you and me here. I wouldn’t feel ashamed to be naked in front of you.”

Seri, who spoke as if seasoned by numerous romantic experiences, hesitated for a moment, then slightly turned her head to murmur.

“…No, that would be a bit embarrassing.”

She corrected herself.

Her face was flushed, resembling a tomato.

“B-but still, Praus, I’d do anything for you.”

She edged closer.

We were close enough to feel each other’s breath.

With just a movement, we could explore each other’s lips.

“If we kiss like this, would you refuse?”

“Every time you come, it’s troublesome if you keep this up…”

“You’re the one who keeps teasing me, Praus. Just looking at you like this is enough to drive me mad. How do I hold back every time….”

Haa, haa.

Her breaths were growing heavier.

Seri was getting excited. Once it reached this point, restraint was difficult.

“Isn’t it more appropriate to praise me for enduring this long? I’ve managed to stay rational while feeling lonely because of you?”

“Seri….”

“Praus, do you care for me as much as you do for the Heroes?”

“I’m always concerned about you. After all, I’m the Emperor.”

“Not that kind of reason! Speak your true feelings. Have you never felt any romantic attraction towards me? Was it purely goodwill on your part?”

Her gaze, staring directly at me, held greedy desire.

Facing Seri, on the verge of losing reason, was incredibly captivating.

“Instead… just slap me. Say you dislike me.”

“I can’t do that.”

Because I don’t really hate her.

Now that I’m involved with the three Heroes, I don’t intend to say I dislike having multiple women either.

It’s just that the position of being a diplomatic envoy is overwhelmingly burdensome for me.

“You’re a bad person, Praus. It’s because you keep leaving room for me that I’m acting this way.”

Peck.

In the end, Seri couldn’t hold back and pressed her lips against mine.

A gentle sensation, exploring my soft flesh.

She slightly parted her lips as if to devour mine, then kissed and slowly pulled away.

“It’s so easy to cross that line… but why won’t you accept it?”

“Seri, you should be marrying someone from the nobility. That way, the imperial authority will become even stronger…”

“That doesn’t matter to me. If you’re still the diplomatic envoy, then the Heroes, our Empire’s greatest asset, will belong to the royal family.”

Is she really considering this?

“Praus… please don’t think of anything else. Just focus on me standing right in front of you. If you dislike it, feel free to say it right now.”

While holding my face, she climbed up onto my lap.

“I love you.”

Seri, gazing down at me intently, leaned in for another kiss.