Chapter 128

Monthly meeting.

Once again the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the heads of central ministries, including high nobles, gathered.

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

By the Emperor’s command the reports began with the Ministry of Finance. Since the new format was applied, presenting a summary written on large paper during meetings had slowly taken hold. It was because the Minister of Finance was very pleased after hearing about 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.”

Following that, reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the War Ministry continued.

“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, and sometimes other countries propose first, so we expect it will play a major role in eradicating crimes of 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, creating a warm atmosphere.

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

If there are deficiencies, you must briefly add why it happened and how you’ll proceed, and you must inflate the achievements as much as possible to avoid anger.

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

Next was the Ministry of Justice. Ren, in perfect attire 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“This year the Ministry of Justice focused on revising old and outdated statutes.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 posed a sharp question. 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 in a tone laced with anger. 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, and Ren matter-of-factly held up the report.

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

“Supreme Justice.”

Lawrence growled with his mouth shut. 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 indifferently.

‘The bizarre statutes torn to pieces were 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. I had deliberately prepared the materials to match the ones Eldo had passed on. That way he would gain more trust.

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

It was a case where the project I had been in charge of had become the department’s project since it became the Chancellor’s.

“…(omitted)… We standardized formats so that 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, and only in case of separate special issues shall department heads and above report. 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 noticeable to anyone. As the Emperor was pleased, other nobles and department heads chimed in, lifting the mood.

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

A guillotine-like gathering like this must end on a good 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 feeling inwardly proud.

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

Suddenly the Crown Prince began to join the atmosphere. The Emperor seemed not displeased by the praise, and 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 responded with a shy smile, shrinking 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 stiffened. The faces of nobles and department heads who had been watching the mood also went pale. They must have thought it was almost over.

Lawrence, who would never show such consideration, suppressed a smile and continued in an acted tone.

“How about the Chancellor personally lead 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 unconsciously straightened my posture. I urgently grabbed and restrained Ren’s hand as he was about to spring to his feet.

Nonsense. There is an obvious medical unit—what could the Chancellor, who has no medical knowledge, do? It was tantamount to disregarding the experts on the scene. A proposal that 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 could hardly make a decision.

“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 wants me to work and take the blame.

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

Ren stepped forward but was not accepted.

“The Archduke would not leave it alone 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 was enveloped in heavy silence. A few ministers, including the Minister of Finance, occasionally voiced concerns, but they could not stop the Crown Prince. It was all the more so as support fire from great nobles, including Duke Seref—his man—joined in. What’s more, the Emperor visibly wavered at the favorite justification of demonstrating ‘the authority of the royal house.’

‘More than expected….’

I had been warned by Eldo, but a plague area… I hadn’t thought of that.

It was clear he wanted to properly intimidate me.

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

Others would say he looked as expressionless as usual, but to me it was clear. He was utterly pale as if about 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 returned to normal. He squeezed hard the hand he held.

“I’ll go.”

Even in the midst of it, seeing him trying to keep his promise, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.