He Who Said Being a Family Head Was Easy

The fire burned warmly in the side hall, filling the air with the scent of expensive spices.

With the maids bowing as they attended her, Empress Dowager Katerina shed the court robes covered in gemstones, so heavy they nearly crushed her shoulders. Wearing only a plain nightgown, she staggered to the bed and collapsed onto its velvet cushions.

She raised a hand and rubbed her throbbing temples, her brows filled with exhaustion that refused to fade.

Once, she had thought that reaching the pinnacle of power would bring her supreme honor and glory. Only now did she realize that the position of Empress Dowager of the Goldflower Kingdom was nothing more than a hot potato.

The royal treasury was empty, and the kingdom was struggling everywhere; the Sauron cavalry of the Northern Territory had trampled across the border and watched them like a tiger stalking its prey; within the Royal Capital, nobles harboring rebellious ambitions stirred beneath the surface, while Bandits rose everywhere, leaving the people in misery.

Just as she was feeling frustrated and confused, the hall doors were gently pushed open, and a tall, slender figure slowly walked in.

The newcomer had an extraordinarily handsome face, though there was a hint of sinister femininity between his brows. The contours of his eyes and features were astonishingly similar to those of the young King from the day before, who was addicted to pleasure and wildly debauched.

He walked straight to the bed and sat down, his gaze falling on Katerina's haggard face. The corner of his mouth curled into a playful, ambiguous smile. "Oh? Our noble Empress Dowager, has that lengthy court session finally ended?"

The instant Katerina saw him, the dignity and coldness she usually wore before the officials melted away completely. Her eyes instantly softened like water,