Little Pink Starfish

Extra 1

With Duke Superzen’s suicide, his inhumane human experiments—conducted since the late emperor’s death—were brought to light, and the entire Lucheist Empire was shaken.

Ishar identified and prosecuted everyone who had colluded with the duke in these experiments, ensuring that not a single one escaped justice under imperial law.

For the first time in ten years since his ascension, a bloody storm swept through the Imperial Palace again. The nobles lowered their heads, treading cautiously so as not to incur the emperor’s wrath.

Only after months of unrest did peace gradually return to the empire.

“Your Majesty, this is the final inventory of assets seized from the House of Superzen. This section details the estimated compensation cost if distributed as reparations to the victims’ families, while this one outlines the policy-based support plan according to imperial law.”

Blaine, Minister of Finance for the Lucheist Empire, piled stacks of documents in front of Ishar. His hands trembled visibly, and his darkened under-eyes made him look like a patient on the verge of collapse from overwork.

“Just this one last push… and I’ll take a proper vacation.”

He swore to himself. Not even the early days of his career, when he struggled to revive the empire’s economy, had been this brutal. But thanks to Duke Superzen, his second era of torment had begun.

More than 1,000 corpses were recovered from the massive underground laboratory. An additional 300 were found in the “specimen storage” nearby, and at least 400 body parts presumed to be human were discovered at the adjacent “disposal site.”

Identifying the victims was difficult, but thanks to Ober, who worked tirelessly and even bled from his nose in the process, they were able to match names to intact bodies and roughly estimate the total count.

“And this file contains the inheritance allocated to Young Lord Glenn de Superzen.”

A comparatively thin stack was placed before Ishar. As he sipped tea, Ishar glanced over the only member of House Superzen who had escaped execution and then lifted his gaze.

“Do you have a complaint?”

Blaine furrowed his brow at the emperor’s question, his emotions clearly written across his face. Ishar, rather than reprimanding him, nodded as if to say, “Speak your mind.”

“Though the young lord provided valuable testimony, isn’t he still the bloodline of a traitor? Evidence found during the lab search shows that Duke Superzen intended to harm Your Majesty, and his aide Ramsel’s testimony confirms it. It would be better to completely dissolve the House of Superzen.”

“In that case, you’d be the busiest one.”

“I already work 24/7, Your Majesty. If we seize the entire estate, we’d secure ten years’ worth of stable budget. That alone is worth the trouble. …Understood. Just voicing my thoughts, please pay no mind.”

Though Blaine wore his usual stoic expression, he trailed off as he noticed the emperor’s deepening gaze.

Only then did Ishar look away and set down his teacup. Catching a glimpse of its contents, Blaine winced internally.

“How does he drink that without flinching…?”

The tea was Shuzel’s concoction—an unholy blend overloaded with sugar and cream, far more sludge than tea. Ishar had long favored these bizarre drinks, but still, it was… excessive.

Ting.

A small bell rang faintly beyond the door. Blaine tilted his head.

“Is someone else joining us?”

“I summoned the Minister of Law. Stay seated.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Just as Blaine hesitated, Ishar gestured for him to remain. As Law Minister Rewil entered, Ishar gave him a simple glance.

“Your Majesty.”

“Take a seat.”

As Elam entered and began serving tea, Rewil and Blaine exchanged glances.

Normally, when the three of them met like this, Ishar gave advance notice. But this time, they had received none. Which only deepened their curiosity.

Ignoring their unspoken questions, Ishar quietly drank his tea even after Elam left the room.

With the emperor silent, the two ministers had no choice but to sit quietly, eyes shifting.

When his teacup was about half empty, Ishar finally spoke.

“The reason I’ve summoned only you two today is because of an important announcement I plan to make at the next full cabinet meeting, two weeks from now.”

He set his cup down silently and looked first at Blaine, then Rewil.

“I plan to announce the identity of the imperial consort.”

“…Did you say… consort?”

“At last! Congratulations, Your Majesty!”

Blaine, though surely doomed to handle the wedding budget, celebration, and national festival logistics, was genuinely delighted and even clapped.

Rewil was no different. He had personally stamped Ishar’s documents when he received the name D’nemerwyn and when he became emperor. He wept like a grandfather hearing news of a grandson’s wedding.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! I feared I might die before ever witnessing such joy. Truly, my deepest congratulations!”

“I’ll prepare the biggest budget possible for the celebration and appointment ceremonies! I’ll squeeze every other department dry if I have to! This will be the grandest celebration in our empire’s history—I’ll burn myself out for it!”

“If the imperial consort has any legal issues, I’ll wipe them clean, Your Majesty. No need for concern.”

“Calm yourselves,” Ishar said, a faint smile softening his features. “You’re openly declaring your intent to break the law before me—I don’t know whether I should be impressed or concerned.”

Though he was amused, Ishar hesitated. The truth he was about to share was something he had to reveal eventually.

And compared to telling Veloan after this meeting… this was the easy part.

“So, Your Majesty,” Blaine asked carefully, “who is the one to be made consort?”

He was eager to know—so he could research her house crest, birthdate, and titles in order to create the most dazzling ceremony.

“Veloan.”

“…Pardon? The lady’s name is Veloan? That’s the same name as your disciple… Hmm? Wait, I don’t recall any noble lady named Veloan among the 140 families residing in the capital…”

“I’ve also never heard of such a name. Apologies, Your Majesty, but could you tell us which house she belongs to?”

“My disciple Veloan will be my consort.”

“….”

“….”

A heavy silence fell.

Ishar watched their faces slowly contort from disbelief to horror—but he ignored it.

“Lord Veloan… is to be made Your Majesty’s consort?”

“Yes.”

“You mean the Veloan?”

“Law Minister, is your hearing failing? Finance Minister—your turn.”

“Ah… so the one becoming consort is Lord Veloan?”

“Are you both deaf?”

As Ishar frowned, Rewil finally recovered.

“Your Majesty, same-sex marriage is legal under imperial law. The 15th emperor also married a man. There is precedent. However…”

Ishar fixed his gaze on Rewil, urging him to continue.

“That emperor already had ten children. With heirs secured, the nobility did not object.”

“And?”

“Your Majesty has no heirs. It may be best to resolve the matter of succession first—or clearly announce your plans for an heir when you proclaim Veloan as consort. Moreover, Veloan is your disciple. That relationship may be difficult for the people to accept—regardless of who initiated it.”

To Ishar, it seemed Rewil was even more scandalized by the teacher-disciple relationship than the same-sex marriage. His face was red with moral outrage.

“Hah.”

Ishar scoffed. Rewil flinched, realizing his misstep.

“My remarks were out of line. I apologize, Your Majesty.”

“If I were a tyrant, I’d have your head for that—but I know your concern comes from loyalty. I understand.”

“I’m grateful for your mercy.”

“I’d like to ease your worries, Minister.”

“Pardon?”

“There’s no need to worry about an heir. I can have a child with Veloan.”

“…Excuse me?”