Since I couldn't sleep, I started thinking about the information Aveline had given me.
It was obvious the dukes would refuse; they don't want a king restricting them, since they've ruled their territories as independent kingdoms for generations. But antagonizing me directly? Looks like some people have grown tired of living.
I really wanted to do something slow and methodical, control the noble houses from the shadows. But these dukes aren't giving me a choice. Whatever I do will be bad, but doing nothing would make me look docile, silently accepting everything. That's the opposite of the puppet-tyrant image I want to craft.
I closed my eyes again, trying to fall asleep. I was exhausted after thinking so much and just wanted to drift off as quickly as possible.
I'll think about it better tomorrow…
In a few minutes, I was almost asleep — it was easy with the deep darkness filling the hall.
Steps—Steps—Steps—
Some footsteps echoed through the corridor. They were silent, but thanks to Kael's enhanced senses, they sounded louder than exploding bombs.
The steps stopped in front of the door, followed by a knock.
Knock—knock—
"Enter."
It wasn't a request. It was an order.
I didn't know who was on the other side of the door, only that if it wasn't something extremely important to interrupt my sleep… something very bad was going to happen.
The door creaked as it opened and a tall woman with tanned skin walked in. She wore a tight black leather armor with the emblem of the revolutionary army engraved on the right side of her chest, carrying a dark aura that screamed danger.
Her black hair blended with the darkness, and her red eyes seemed to glow in the dim room. Every step she took was calculated to be as silent as possible, completely inaudible to normal knights and soldiers.
The tall woman knelt before me. This woman was Victoria, one of the generals of the revolutionary army — and my most skilled knight, commanding one of its divisions directly.
"Lord Kael, we're facing a problem in the revolutionary army." Victoria was serious, her half-lidded eyes fixed on the floor at the foot of the throne.
"Tell me, what problems?" I was already expecting another headache.
"As you can see, my lord, we don't have enough food to feed the battalions. If we take resources from the kingdom, the population will starve, but if we don't, the kingdom's military power will weaken."
I almost burst out laughing at Victoria's report.
So that's why the kingdom was declining in the original story. The old Kael had prioritized military power over the population. That was also why he kept expanding his territory recklessly — securing food was the goal.
Luckily the darkness hid my face and Victoria couldn't see my twisted expression, or she would've definitely been scared.
Dealing with the nobles wasn't enough — now I have to fix the kingdom's hunger problem too.
Even without seeing my face, Victoria noticed when the temperature dropped. She lowered her head even more, staring at the floor. She was starting to get nervous.
"Victoria, do we have enough resources to start a war?"
"Y-yes, but I wouldn't recommend i-it, my lord. The consequences would be disastrous for the kingdom. The army would weaken and the people would starve." Even scared and stuttering, Victoria was the voice of reason and disagreed with my idea. This must be why Kael killed her in the story—how dare she defy his authority?
But it was precisely that defiance that brought me back to my senses.
Was I really considering starting a war to deal with a hunger problem? And I also thought about killing Victoria just because she disagreed with me — even though she was right?
Seems I still haven't overcome the dark instincts of this body… I need to control myself or I'll become Kael 2.0.
The temperature in the hall returned to normal, reflecting my calmer emotional state.
I turned my gaze to Victoria, who was still tense and staring at the ground, and said, "Victoria, what do you think of me?"
"W-What?" She blinked, startled by the sudden question.
"What do you think of me, Victoria?" I repeated, unhurried.
"Hm…" She thought for a moment, choosing her words. In the end she decided to be honest. "A contradictory leader… but someone I still believe in and have hope for."
"Ehhh?" A weird sound escaped my lips — impossible to hold back.
This woman is insane. Does she know who I am?
Seeing the shine in her eyes, I had no doubts she was sincere. Looking at her more carefully now, I could see she had many traits that attracted me: a strong body, fierce loyalty, and the courage to challenge me.
I needed someone like her to help with my secret plans. Someone I could trust with my true self — and who could help pull me back to sanity if the dark instinct took over again.
I stood up and said, "Victoria, come to me."
Victoria obeyed instantly, walking with such light steps that they made no sound. A few strides later, she was in front of me. She looked small compared to my 1.98 meters towering over her 1.82.
Then—
I grabbed her chin and forced a kiss.
Victoria didn't resist, parting her lips and separating her teeth, letting my tongue enter her mouth. Her taste was bitter with a touch of sweetness, unique and intoxicating.
I pulled her closer, pressing her against me. Victoria wrapped her arms around my neck as I deepened the kiss, tangling my tongue with hers.
The kiss was wild and desperate, a storm of bottled-up emotions finally bursting free. The hand that held her chin slid to her nape, pulling her closer and eliminating even the smallest space between us. The leather of her armor was cold against my chest, a sharp contrast to the heat of her lips and the fire growing inside me.
Victoria, for her part, was not passive. Her arms tightened around my neck, her fingers digging into my shoulders as if afraid I'd disappear. She answered my ferocity with her own — a warrior through and through, even in a kiss.
When air became a necessity, we separated. Victoria's face was flushed, her breath unsteady, but the corners of her lips curved slightly upward. The darkness still wrapped around us, and her red eyes glowed like burning embers locked onto mine. There was no fear in them. No confusion. There was… love?
"Why didn't you resist?" My voice came out rough, lower than usual. It was a test. I needed to know.
She took a moment to catch her breath, her lips red and slightly swollen. "Resist an order from you, Lord Kael? Or resist something my heart has longed for?"
My heart skipped a beat at how passionate she looked. I wasn't sure before… but now I am — this woman is insane. And the worst part is that I like it.
I calmed myself in seconds and returned to my throne. Victoria looked disappointed, as if expecting more. I knew what she wanted — but with so many problems, I couldn't afford that luxury.
"From this day on, you are my consort, Victoria."
Her expression lit up with pure joy and ecstasy, washing away all disappointment. A smile crept onto my face before I suppressed it.
"But for now, I have an order for you, Victoria."
Sensing the seriousness in my voice, Victoria returned to her cold mask, asking evenly:
"Forgive me, what is your order, my lord?"
"I want you to acquire potatoes, from sweet potatoes to regular ones. Then instruct the farmers to plant them. Do your best and I shall reward you."
My plan was simple: create potato farms to solve the hunger crisis. Sweet potato leaves grow quickly and can be used as short-term food, while regular potatoes serve as a long-term supply. And they grow in almost any environment.
Sure, there are better options, but this is the best I can think of right now. Besides, I love french fries.
"Immediately, my lord!"
Victoria turned to leave and vanished in seconds. The promise of a reward had excited her more than it should have.
I'm pleased to see my future wife so eager to serve me.
Yes.
I've decided she'll be my wife — after all, what king doesn't have several wives?
Truth is, dealing with Lisa is too troublesome for now, so I want to eliminate the threat of the revolutionary army first.
In the original story, my own army turned against me.
This happened for many reasons, but the main one was Victoria's death — she was practically the uncrowned queen of that army. If I secure Victoria now, it means I'll have full control of the kingdom's military power.
That way, the nobles' threat becomes irrelevant.
"..."
I'm really lucky Victoria has feelings for me. Looks like fortune is finally smiling on me!
I can finally see hope of surviving. Because even if the hero is strong, he is not as strong as ME, especially if I have an army backing me!
Finally, I can sleep in peace.
"..."
"..."
"So sleepy…"
After a few hours, I finally managed to fall asleep. It wasn't easy on that hard throne, but I was getting used to it…
And… it even felt kind of comfortable…
...
My sleep was interrupted by an unwanted presence, but I was in a good mood and didn't mind.
What a beautiful day.
Golden light filled the throne hall, birds sang in the distance, and a chubby Aveline was kneeling and scrubbing the white marble floor.
Her plump butt swayed with each movement, making her black skirt lift and reveal more glimpses of the white panties she wore underneath.
It irritated me to see her scrubbing a perfectly clean floor while deliberately shaking her ass.
How ridiculous — she's trying to seduce me, or maybe she's just tired of living?
Okay, I won't deny it's a nice sight first thing in the morning. Too bad she's a treacherous bitch.
"..."
Wait a second—
I just had an idea… This woman will help me deal with those nobles…
"Aveline… come here. I need your help with something…"
Aveline immediately froze, her curvy body halted in a pose of surprise and barely restrained fear. She stood up and turned slowly, subtly adjusting her clothes, smoothing her black skirt as she walked toward me. Her steps were slow and deliberately sensual, a sharp contrast to the seriousness of the hall.
"My lord called for me?" Her voice was soft, dripping with false innocence and reverence. She stopped at a respectful distance, but close enough to make sure I could appreciate the view. Her green eyes gleamed with disguised seduction.
I leaned forward, resting my elbow on the throne's hard armrest, analyzing this viper carefully.
"Aveline, you're cunning. You have access to information that I, sitting here, don't," I said in a low, authoritative voice. "I know you have an extensive information network. And the list of… special clients."
Aveline swallowed hard, her seductive mask slipping off her face, replaced by something I love. Fear.
"N-No, my lord," she stammered, lowering her head, trying to appear submissive as she avoided my gaze.
"Look at me when I'm speaking." My voice was cold and sharp.
Aveline began to tremble as the air in the hall grew heavy and cold, slowly raising her eyes to meet mine while taking a small step back.
"Aveline, there's no need to be afraid. You haven't done anything wrong… have you?"
Her trembling worsened, shaking like a leaf in the wind. She was cunning enough to realize I knew about her extracurricular activities.
"Being my ally is better than being my enemy. You're a smart woman — you know the right choice."
I stood and stopped in front of her, intimidating her with the brutal difference in our height. I ran my hand along her body, brushing the seam of her uniform before gripping her chin with my rough hand and forcing her to meet my gaze.
"What will you choose, Aveline? Think carefully. I don't want to kill such a beautiful maid."