"Did I say something wrong?" Manuel, still in shock, asked, "Besides killing the father of those two Giray children, have I done anything to wrong them?"
"Isn't that enough of a wrong? Don't you also have a father?" Barbara felt she was on the verge of being utterly shocked.
"Haji Giray became my complete enemy the moment he refused to cooperate, and it's already very merciful of me not to harm his wife and children. Besides, can my father be compared to their father?" Manuel, still lost in his own world, continued to argue eloquently.
At first glance, it seemed true, but what kind of twisted logic was that last sentence? Thinking of this, Barbara couldn't help but ask him, "This, isn't this a double standard?"
"Yes, of course, it's a double standard. One must have a double standard when dealing with friends and foes. Last time, I wasn't using a double standard, and as a result, no sooner had I arrived in Lithuania than those rebels caused a civil war." Saying this, Manuel gritted his teeth. Although the final reckoning was very cathartic, the process of suppressing them, including his own brother, was not a memory he cherished.
So that's how it was? Barbara's gaze towards her beloved Little husband shifted from speechless to one of sudden understanding, and a touch of pity she hadn't even noticed herself. Driven by this emotion, she instinctively rested Manuel's head gently on her lap and comforted him, "It's alright, it's all in the past. Now, change your mood and get a good night's sleep."
Soothingly comforted by his beloved wife, Manuel slowly calmed down, then fell into a deep sleep in her arms…
That night, Manuel had a strange dream of a "court" where he was on trial. After shooting himself in the temple with a revolver in the dream, he immediately woke up from this bizarre dream.
Barbara was startled awake by his sudden movement and asked with concern, "My Little husband, what's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"
"Not really a nightmare, just a bit strange," Manuel said, stroking her body and subtly changing the subject. "Speaking of which, I seem to have said something quite remarkable around dusk." Exceptionally clear-headed after waking, he recalled his outrageous remarks and felt a little dumbfounded; he thought he had been too direct. Thankfully, only his wife had heard it. If his subordinates and subjects had heard it, it would have been troublesome.
"Why dwell on that now?" He quickly dismissed these unnecessary fantasies and instead threw himself into a passionate "battle" with Barbara…
The next day, waking up in the Bangup Palace office in the morning—
"Your Majesty, your complexion seems… are you alright…?" Looking at the pale face of his respected Caesar, Arno, whom he had summoned, was utterly shocked.
"It's a small matter, nothing to worry about." Manuel waved his hand, indicating that his complexion was harmless. Though inwardly he was secretly complaining: "I should have known not to do it with Barbara for so long; now I'm truly drained."
"Let's talk about the matter I entrusted to you earlier," Manuel said, casually changing the subject. "How are the preparations for drafting the Troop Restriction Order coming along?" The Troop Restriction Order he referred to was the decree he had issued to limit local private armies and fortresses when he was a Theodosia dignitary before his ascension. Shortly after the civil war, having suffered greatly from such forces, he intended to extend this decree restricting noble private armies to his direct territories.
"Reporting, Your Majesty, it is ready. Including the details." Arno bowed respectfully. Before the Chief Secretary of the Bosphorus Despotate was confirmed, the general framework for drafting laws was temporarily handled by Caesar Manuel and the Finance Minister Arno. The specific details and filling in of gaps were then entrusted to the scribes responsible for legal matters.
"Sigh, I still need to find the most suitable candidate for Chief Secretary soon." Just providing the legal framework, Manuel felt like his hair was almost falling out. Although, in reality, he had no symptoms of hair loss whatsoever.
However, complaining was useless, so Manuel regained his composure in less than half a second. "Very good, bring it up. After my review this afternoon, it should be stamped, signed, and approved." With this decree restricting troops and fortresses, at least the noble factions would have no basis to openly or secretly oppose him for several decades. And because he deliberately adopted the form of a decree rather than a law, this Troop Restriction Order could quickly be implemented nationwide without needing to go through council discussions, even if only nominally.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Arno immediately saluted upon hearing this. After he left the room, Manuel thought of something with interest, "Should I make the civil officials also shout 'Loyalty' to me like the military?"