It had already been a month since Sir Jonathan Kepler of the radical faction was sworn into office as the first premier of the new empire. Since then, the representatives of the Imperial Diet—‘professionally guided’ by Wilhelm and his agents, of course—drafted and voted for a series of laws that would make up Lotharingia’s constitution.

  Accordingly, disagreements and debates in the plenary hall were so common that, at times, Alexa received reports that things got heated. Jonathan and Count Metternich, though officially working together in the new government, frequently debated the matter of keeping the monarchy, and of course, the most heated of debates came on the subject of land reform and noble rights.

  In the end, none of the extreme propositions of the radicals were voted into law. None of the requests of the most hardline royalists also managed to get passed either, most of them being struck down by the moderate royalists. Even Jonathan, when Alexa met her last week at a dinner party, was quite disappointed by the current state of affairs in the government.

  In the end though, three ‘basic laws’ were passed, and by basic law, it meant they were practically going to be near impossible to repeal and amend. Apparently, that was what a ‘constitution’ ought to be. All three were passed with a supermajority, and it would take a supermajority—of three consecutive assemblies of the Imperial Diet voting for it thrice after three elections—for it to be amended or repealed.

  She read all three of them, which were listed on the document in front of her.

  Instrument of Government Act.

  Freedom of the Press and Expression Act.

  Law of Imperial Succession.

  “Is this really all of it?” Alexa asked, as Wilhelm stood on the side of her office with a grin.

  “I’ve made sure to limit the powers of the Imperial Diet and of the electorate as much as possible,” Wilhelm said, as if he had just committed a most ingenious scheme. “But, with the first two up there, I’ve set it up so that the Imperial Diet can pass reforms down the line, whatever they wish. Most likely, you’ll enjoy a lot of power for now, but the next one in line for the throne isn’t going to have a lot of influence.”

  “How amusing,” Alexa laughed lightly. “Kicking the ladder, huh? I must say, I now somewhat feel bad for my future heir.”

  If I ever have one, that is.

  “Don’t be. It’s stressful anyway to deal with all of this,” Wilhelm said, sighing, before taking a seat. “Quite frankly, my advice to you is, as much as possible, step back. Especially to your children. It’s no good for one family to be deeply involved in the rapaciousness and barbarism of those in politics.”

  Alexa grinned. “I feel like you’re somewhat a part of that.”

  “Indeed. I’m deep into this muck, thanks to you,” Wilhelm laughed. “Not that I regret it. This has been quite rewarding, knowing I’m going to be leaving behind something substantial.”

  Alexa then opened the drawer below her table, and then she pulled a glass of fine wine inside. Adele gave it to her earlier when Alexa told her to grab one of the best wines in the Monile Palace’s cellar in anticipation of Wilhelm’s visit, because she wanted to give him a treat.

  And to that, Wilhelm’s eyes immediately lit up. “Alexa?”

  “Take those glasses for me, please?”

  “Oh, right. Of course.”

  He seemed quite excited as he went for a cabinet on the side of Alexa’s room, which contained some cutlery and kitchenware. Alexa, after all, rarely worked in her office without snacks or drinks, so it was handy to have it in there. She also didn’t really like bothering her maids and Adele to do everything for her when she was simply staying in her office.

  Wilhelm placed the two glasses that Alexa requested, and she expertly uncorked the glass of wine. Then, gently, she poured it on Wilhelm’s glass, then on hers. While she still wasn’t used to nor good at taking alcohol, as she still preferred tea overall, Alexa thought it’d be awkward if only Wilhelm would have a drink today.

  When she was done, she placed the glass of wine on the side and sat on her chair. Then, she raised her glass with a smug grin. “Cheers?”

  “Cheers!” Wilhelm clinked his glass to Alexa’s before downing the contents of his glass in one go. Alexa, on the other hand, opted for a slower approach, savoring the fine flavors and warmth of the drink as she watched Wilhelm greedily pour another serving for himself.

  “You’ve done a great job,” Alexa said, smiling. “Sometimes, I wonder where I’ll be without you.”

  Wilhelm continued drinking shot after shot. “Who knows? You really owe me a lot at this point.”

  “I sure do,” Alexa laughed.

  “This shit’s good.” Wilhelm bashed his fist lightly on Alexa’s table, his cheeks turning slightly red. “If you want to pay your debt, you should really consider opening up your cellar more. Whatever’s outside of this palace is garbage in comparison!”

  “Language,” Alexa pouted a bit before shaking her head. “That, and I do not wish to accelerate your alcoholism. You’re already too much of a workaholic, in that no matter how many jobs I place on you, you seem to enjoy it and ask for more.”

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Alexa groaned. “I’m not adding being a full-throated drunkard on that. You hear?”

  Alexa let off a small ‘hic.’ She’d only drunk half of her glass, but she was already quite weak, and she felt a small bout of lightheadedness. She tried her best to drink her glass till it was empty, only for Wilhelm to add another helping, goading her into ‘drinking a bit more’ to ‘build up her tolerance.’

  It was as if her earlier words meant nothing as the two continued sharing the glass of wine, but Alexa relented this time. It’s just for now. She thought as she drank her second glass halfway through. Today is a momentous day. We should celebrate better.

  Soon, however, she stopped upon emptying her second glass. Wilhelm, on the other hand, still seemed quite unaffected in comparison, though he was mildly flushed. Alexa was practically knocked down in comparison. It was simply light alcohol, refined for finer tongues. Most people wouldn’t even be affected by it much, and they would instead savor more of it.

  Alexa knew her limits, though, so she just looked down on the table with a small smile. Whenever she stole glances at Wilhelm with her now strangely fuzzy eyes, he seemed every bit more handsome. Well, ever since he’d stopped fighting the demon horde, it seemed as if each day, the brightness of his skin and his youth returned.

  Probably though, it was just because of Phoebe. She, after all, all but confirmed that somehow, the presence of the saintess slowly drained away demonic corruption. It was, of course, still not an active cure-type of spell that could be used on people like Wilhelm, whose lives and appearances were messed up by demonic corruption, but it was a nice passive ability.

  I’m glad that she’s healing him slowly. Wilhelm deserves more than just being overlooked. Even she back then thought he was mediocre and unhealthy in looks. Now though, he practically rivalled Alfred. It made sense though. They were the Eisen brothers. The only reason Wilhelm fell from grace so badly was years of neglect, hard work, and fighting against the demon horde.

  I don’t want him to ever go back to that hell. She looked down again. He belongs here better. Even if he has to work a lot still, at least he’s now less of a cold, amoral man. He’s alive, and he seems to be doing fine in this line of work.

  Better this than…

  “Hmm, you look downcast?” Wilhelm asked, tilting his head. “Is anything bothering you?”

  “No, nothing.” Alexa smiled again. “I just thought, you’ve come a long way too, huh? You seem awfully relaxed these days.”

  Wilhelm chuckled awkwardly, scratching his cheek lightly. “Is that so?”

  “Mhm. Especially ever since Phoebe managed to vanquish a thousand demons last month while you accompanied her up north.”

  “Well, I probably shouldn’t be too comfortable though,” Wilhelm said, now frowning. “The north still calls our attention. No matter how well we do here, six out of the seven archdemons are still running around, alive, gathering their forces, launching offensives, and pushing us back, inch by inch.”

  Alexa lightly punched her desk with a pouty whine. “I don’t get them. What even is their deal with us?! Haven’t we fought them enough? Why…do they insist on killing us all…?”

  “They’re demons? What do you expect?” Wilhelm chuckled. “They’re like goblins, just worse. Pure evil.”

  “Hmph…” Alexa continued whining. “I don’t want anyone close to me getting hurt by them.”

  “Everyone thinks the same.”

  “But someone has to go there.”

  “Indeed.”

  “I wish I could snap my fingers and make them disappear at once,” Alexa said, before her face bloomed into a bashful, pretty smile that made Wilhelm pause. “Then, I can focus on making everyone happier here. Cake, for everyone! The commoners will all love me once that’s done!”

  Wilhelm chuckled lightly. “Now, I remember you saying that once. That everyone should eat cake. Don’t tell me you seriously consider that?”

  Alexa pouted, and then she bashed her fist on the table again, her face flushed by alcohol.

  “Who said I was just joking? I want to let them all eat cake, Wilhelm! Until that’s done, the work isn’t done. Everyone, even the poorest child in the empire, must have a taste of good cake!”

  Wilhelm nearly stumbled from his seat. “It’s this kind of crazy idealism that you always end up doing in the end, but know this,” Wilhelm leaned close to Alexa. “Read my lips. It’s impossible.”

  “Hmph, all you bitter men say that.” Alexa closed her eyes and looked to the side as she crossed her arms. “It’s possible. You’ll see.”

  He doesn’t know it, but in my original country, everyone must have had cake. Even just once, like on a birthday.

  She wouldn’t budge on this issue.

  I want the same here.

  “We better fix the economy so well that it’s possible,” Alexa said. “That’s how we’ll do it.”

  Wilhelm then shook his head. “That’s going to take ages.”

  “If it doesn’t happen, I will never become Alexa Theresa the Great.”

  “Who said getting ‘the great’ as a historical title is determined by that leader managing to feed everyone with cake?” Wilhelm groaned. “Why am I even considering this? You’re just drunk.”

  Alexa, on the other hand, was so sleepy that she was now just muttering to herself with small laughter as she dozed off in her comfortable sleep. Wilhelm seemed concerned at first as he heard her mutter, ‘I’ll prove you all wrong’ over and over again, before he stood up and placed his hand on her pink hair.

  His face turned slightly red upon doing that, most likely knowing that it was an extremely shameful thing to do to the monarch of the country. But he did it anyway.

  “You did good work too,” Wilhelm smiled as Alexa fell asleep with a content and peaceful grin on her face. Anyone looking at her would think that she was just some pink-haired angel sent by heaven at this point, instead of a smug, overambitious empress. Wilhelm laughed again before retracting his hand. “I better call Adelyn now.”

  Then, he facepalmed as his other hand touched the doorknob.

  “Ah, shit. I let Alexa get drunk. Adelyn’s going to scold my ass again.”

  He looked back at Alexa briefly as she muttered something mindlessly asleep again.

  “...Make…my dream true…Wilhelm.”

  Wilhelm, remembering her talk earlier about everyone having a cake, curled his fist. Then, he gave her a stiff nod before leaving the room.