1616 Fall(September - November)

Westminster Cathedral, London

“I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride, Imperator."

'Clap' 'Clap' 'Clap'

"Long live Imperator!" " Long live Augusta!"

'Sigh'

"I...I'll be loyal to you for the rest of your life, Imperator."

That's what my 3rd wife Hildegard, the eldest daughter of the Margrave of Brandenburg, told me at our 2nd wedding - the first was held in Frankfurt - which took place in London.

'Okay, I may look like Donald Trump or Rudy Giuliani with me being 60 years old - I was born in 1556 and my birthday is in July - while my new wife is only 18 years old - Hildegard was born in 1598. But honestly, I didn't marry her for carnal desires!'

Yes, it was just a political move for a religious conciliation between the Catholic and the Protestant, with me being Catholic and the Margrave of Brandenburg being Protestant.

Also, my father-in-law - the Margrave of Brandenburg - annexed the Duchy of Pomerania into his feud. Since the last Griffin Duke who ruled that region died during the War of 3 Kaisers, without any legitimate heir, I - as an Imperator of the New West Roman Empire and the Kaiser of the Holy Roman Empire(Germany) - deigned that feud to my-father-in-law as a bride price.

'Anyway, she seems nice, although she looks resigned and tired. At least she knows that she has to fulfill her duty as a wife, unlike that late Irish bitch by the name of Anna.'

"Hahaha!"

"...D, did I offend you, Imperator?"

"No, my dear. On second thought, just like you've mentioned, isn't husband and wife should be loyal to one another?"

"It almost slipped my mind, with me being a widower for a long time. Never mind."

And the next morning

"D...did you s, slept well, I...Imperator?"

"Couldn't be better, my dear! And how were you?"

"I...I...I was...o...oh..."

'Blush'

"S, sorry, Imperator. I...I was so nervous last night that....Oh... I'm sorry if I have disappointed you in bed...I...Imperator."

'Muah'

"Now, now, don't be shy, my love."

"Y...yes...I, Imperator..."

Now, why do I get the feeling that I'm currently doing compensated dating?

1617 Winter(January - February)

"C, congratulations, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge! I've heard that you've just become a father of a healthy princess..."

'Barf'

"Thank you, Augusta...?" "Is that...?"

"O...oh, my..."

After the birth of Henry - the Duke of Cambridge, and my grandson - 's daughter, to everyone's surprise, my 3rd wife - and the 1st Augusta of the New West Roman Empire - Hildegard was pregnant.

At first, I thought she had an affair since I thought it would be a miracle to produce another child at my age. However, even after looking at entire Europe's financial and logistics records, with the help of the City of London, Bank of England, and the Revenue & Customs, there were no suspicious records linked with her. In short, I've just become a father of another child, impregnating a girl who's younger than my grandson!

'Clap'

"Wow! Amazing, grandfather! You're more terrific than Zeus!"

'Sigh'

"...Are you sure she didn't have an affair? I had no idea that you'll be following the footsteps of Abraham in the Old Testament, Imperator!"

Just as I expected. While the Duke of Cambridge just expressed his candid opinion, Prince of Wales - my son and Henry's father, Richard - was perplexed.

Meanwhile

"N, no, p, please, believe me, Imperator! I...I'm innocent!"

"I swear to Holy Father, Jesus Christ, and Virgin Mary that I didn't have an affair! P...please, have mercy...!"

Hildegard's face became pale, kneeling before me, crying for mercy.

'Hug'

"Calm down, my dear. How can I suspect you?"

"I...Imperator?"

"Isn't this worth celebrating? Almighty God has blessed me, just like he did to Abraham with Isaac!"

"I hereby declare special pardon to all prisoners in the entire New West Roman Empire! Also, hold a festival, for a month! Now!"

"Yes, Imperator!"

In just a month, 15 million Ducat worth of royal asset evaporated into the air, in exchange for festivals held in every city in the realms of the New West Roman Empire, from London to Palermo.

Of course, it was an excuse to distribute ￡ in entire Europe - just like the mid 20C ∼ 21C USA in original history spreads $ to the entire world - to make it as a world currency.

'Well, I'm surprised by the late child. I wish he's a healthy prince, although healthy princess is not bad.'

"Imperator, the Queen of France - Jeanne/Jane, the 2nd daughter of Edward VII/Eduardo I - just send a congratulation message. Would you like me to read it for you?"

"Yes, go ahead."

"Congratulations, father. I wish that my half-sibling born safely and my stepmother(?) give birth safe and sound. I believe that Holy Father, Jesus Christ, and Virgin Mary have soothed your temper via your late-born child and your new wife."

"By the way, Imperator, I, Jeanne, the Queen of France humbly solicit one thing to you. Don't you dare use Augusta - who's 5 years younger me - as your political pawn, like you did to me, my siblings, and my husband! Once again, congratulations and God bless you and the New West Roman Empire, father."

"..."

"What should I write as a reply, Imperator?"

"Rome wasn't built in a day, Queen of France."

"Yes, Imperator."

She's trying to teach fish how to swim, ha!