128

Monthly meeting.

Once again, the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the heads of the central ministries—along with high nobles—had gathered.

“Today is an important occasion to settle each department’s year. Department heads must not add or subtract—report exactly as it is.”

By the Emperor’s command, the reports began with the Ministry of Finance. Since the new format was introduced, presenting a summary written on large sheets during meetings had gradually become standard. It stuck largely because the Minister of Finance had been impressed by the handcrafted PPT used during the Black Dia brand launch.

“The Ministry of Finance reports 21 cases detected in this year’s financial audit, 11 nobles selected as exemplary taxpayers… (omitted) … We are striving to reduce the budget but report that more thorough review is necessary.”

Reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the War Ministry followed.

“The biggest achievement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this time is the agreement with Yuno on crimes of hiding overseas assets… (omitted) … Based on this, we are promoting similar agreements with other countries; occasionally other nations propose first, so we expect this will play a major role in eradicating asset concealment by imperial nobles abroad.”

The Emperor nodded as if pleased.

“The delegation did very well. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Supreme Justice worked hard. Of course the Chancellor cannot be left out either.”

“You flatter me.”

Everyone bowed with modesty, and the room warmed with polite approval.

‘He says to report it as is, but if I actually reported it as is, I’d be dead.’

If there were deficiencies, you had to briefly explain why they happened and how you’d proceed, and you had to inflate achievements as much as possible to avoid anger.

‘If they were any kind of leader, they’d have familiarized themselves with the content before presenting.’

Next was the Ministry of Justice. Ren, dressed impeccably as always, reported in a dry tone.

“This year the Ministry of Justice focused on revising old and outdated statutes. We revised in their entirety the statutes regarding the Empire’s public works agency contracts to suit the present era, and the matter is proceeding with Your Majesty’s approval… (omitted) … There are about fifty statutes that were provisionally enacted or added for a limited period.”

“Supreme Justice, are you saying so many statutes were provisionally enacted? If laws change constantly, the empire’s citizens would be confused. It could undermine credibility. What’s going on?”

The Emperor rubbed his chin and asked sharply. There was not a trace of embarrassment on Ren’s face.

“All fifty were orders instructed by Crown Prince Lawrence.”

“Lawrence.”

The Emperor called him softly, anger threaded through the word. The Crown Prince hastily tried to patch things up.

“How could unchanging laws be beneficially applied to the empire’s people? Times change. I issued the order to try implementing statutes in various ways.”

I snorted inwardly. Ren held up the report matter-of-factly.

“It’s regrettable that those statutes all serve to mitigate illegal actions exclusively for the royal family.”

“Supreme Justice.”

Lawrence ground his teeth, lips pressed together. The Emperor skimmed the papers and waved his hand, frowning heavily.

“All fifty are void. There will be no statute changes or exceptions.”

“F-Father!”

“Exclude the cases applied at the time of implementation. The Prince should learn the weight of the law. I will watch to see whether such matters come up in next year’s results.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

“Supreme Justice, you shouldn’t simply heed everything the Prince says.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I watched the scene without emotion.

‘The bizarre statutes were torn to pieces and deleted, but the Crown Prince’s illegal acts are effectively acquitted.’

Whether aware of his father’s defense or not, Lawrence’s expression clearly showed displeasure toward Ren.

“Next is the Chancellery.”

I rose slowly from my seat and moved forward. I had deliberately prepared the materials to match the ones Eldo had passed on so he would gain more trust.

“Chancellery: this year’s central tasks are standardizing central ministry formats and reducing the reporting process.”

The project I had been leading had become the department’s project since it was attached to the Chancellor.

“…(omitted)… We standardized formats so other departments can easily understand them, and training for this has been completed. Currently all central ministries are using this format, and through the Materials Department we have confirmed that paper consumption has decreased by 50%.”

The Emperor nodded.

“Indeed. The Chancellery also made today’s performance presentation format. Seeing how you work, I also prefer this method. That it even reduced material consumption is perfect.”

“We adjusted the reporting system so that excessive, detailed implementation plans related to already decided matters are not reported; only separate special issues shall require reporting by department heads and above. Of course, new items are reported without omission. In addition… (omitted)… As a result, the number of cases handled by the Chancellery increased by 30%.”

“Good, very good.”

It was a result anyone could notice. As the Emperor’s pleasure showed, other nobles and department heads chimed in, lifting the mood.

‘If I want to finish this meeting quickly, there’s no choice.’

A gathering like this had to end on a high note to be beneficial. If the Chancellery’s final performance had been poor, it would have been a bed of thorns.

I returned to my seat inwardly pleased.

“Your Majesty truly has an eye. I never expected Chancellor Cornelia to do so well.”

Suddenly the Crown Prince began to join the approving atmosphere. The Emperor seemed not displeased by the praise; the corners of his mouth slowly lifted.

“A ruler should be able to find pearls buried in mud. From the first time I saw Chancellor Cornelia, I sensed she was no ordinary person.”

Although I didn’t agree at all, I offered a shy smile and bowed modestly.

“That’s why.”

‘It’s starting.’

The Crown Prince, wearing a sour smile, began to lay the groundwork.

“How about having the Chancellor demonstrate her abilities in various places? There are reports of a plague outbreak in the eastern region recently.”

“Yes. We are sending clergy and physicians to handle it now.”

The Emperor’s lifted smile faltered. The faces of the nobles and department heads who had been relaxing also went pale. They must have thought it was almost over.

Lawrence, who never showed such consideration, suppressed a smile and continued with practiced tone.

“How about the Chancellor personally leading the operation to handle the situation? Sending Your Majesty’s loyal subject would show that you are paying attention, and this opportunity could establish a plague response system.”

‘Ha.’

I straightened without meaning to. I urgently grabbed Ren’s hand as he was about to spring to his feet.

Nonsense. There was an obvious medical unit—what could the Chancellor, who had no medical knowledge, realistically do? It would be tantamount to disregarding the experts on the scene. The proposal was all gloss and no substance.

“The Chancellery has been well-trained by her, so leaving it vacant for a while shouldn’t be a problem. I hear First-Class Secretary Eldo is very competent.”

‘Goodness.’

The Emperor hesitated.

“It will be a harsh journey for a woman’s body… The plague area is dangerous. We cannot afford to lose such a valuable talent.”

For a moment the Crown Prince’s face contorted, but he quickly recovered.

“Do you think I wouldn’t have thought of that? If it’s difficult, we can burn and seal off the plague-affected area. It won’t be hard.”

He wanted me to go and take the blame.

“I’ll go. That will make it easier for Your Majesty to save face.”

Ren stepped forward but was stopped.

“The Archduke would not let it pass if that happened. You can’t send her to places that are not the battlefield. Besides, the Ministry of Justice doesn’t run properly without its Duke, does it? I said it’s not difficult. If you can’t do it, just order it burned to the ground.”

The assembly hall plunged into heavy silence. A few ministers, including the Minister of Finance, voiced concerns, but they could not stop the Crown Prince. Support from great nobles—Duke Seref among them, a man in his camp—strengthened Lawrence’s case. What mattered most was the Emperor’s visible wavering at the argument of demonstrating “the authority of the royal house.”

‘More than expected…’

Eldo had warned me, but a plague area—this was worse than I had imagined.

It was clear he wanted to intimidate me properly.

I glared at the Crown Prince as he eagerly persuaded the Emperor, then turned my head to Ren.

Others might have said he looked expressionless as usual, but to me it was plain: he was utterly pale, as if ready to draw his sword at any moment.

I moved the arm that had been covering the back of my hand and interlaced my fingers. Only then did his head slowly turn toward me.

“I’ll go to the Duke’s residence this evening.”

Ren’s brow briefly knit, then smoothed. He squeezed my hand hard.

“I’ll go.”

Even then, seeing him trying to keep his promise, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.