Chapter 69: The Palace of Roses

The Palace of Roses.

This was the deepest part of the imperial palace, where the Empress resided.

Yet this secluded space was now crowded with numerous nobles.

Every one of them belonged to the Emperor’s faction—figures sworn to loyalty toward the imperial family.

“What brings you all here?”

Empress Cecilia Sierre asked in a gentle voice.

She held a porcelain teacup with elegant grace.

Lately, her mood had been exceptionally good.

Luxurious products from the Carius duchy always reached her first.

Even this tea set was a one-of-a-kind piece.

In truth, she had arranged this gathering partly to show off.

To let the noble ladies, who coveted her teacups, see what they were missing.

Soon, a stern-faced middle-aged noble bowed and replied.

“May I speak first?”

“Yes, go ahead. Viscount Hubert.”

“I apologize for the presumption, but barbaric acts are occurring in Delriat.”

“Isn’t it doing remarkably well these days? I’ve heard nothing but praise for the governor at state councils.”

“The native nobles are cheering, but we of the Emperor’s faction are receiving cold treatment.”

“Oh?”

The Empress scanned the room with interest.

Their claims were completely at odds with what she had heard.

A faint frown creased her brow.

She had thought they gathered out of curiosity about what the noble ladies were coveting, only for tedious political talk to emerge.

And it was nothing more than whining for favors.

Cecilia Sierre felt irritation rise, but she maintained a benevolent smile.

Showing an ugly side would only provide gossip fodder.

“So you’re saying the governor is disadvantaging the Emperor’s faction nobles.”

“Yes.”

“How so?”

“He created something called the Labor Standards Act and is tormenting us with it. He even drove away all the private soldiers guarding our farms.”

“Ah, that?”

The Labor Standards Act initiated by Duke Abel Carius had caused enormous ripples.

Even at the Empire’s state council, debates raged over whether it was right or wrong.

But in the end, it had rapidly normalized Delriat.

Moreover, most citizens there were reportedly screaming in happiness these days.

Saying the governor was turning the land into paradise.

With the corners of her mouth curling up, the Empress spoke in a chilling tone.

She no longer needed to hear these people out.

“Do you all perhaps know this?”

“Know what?”

“The Labor Standards Act.”

“It truly is a wicked law of the ages.”

“It was made by His Majesty the Emperor.”

“…”

“…Pardon?”

“Didn’t you hear what the governor said when promulgating the law? That it was dedicated with His Majesty’s compassionate heart for Delriat’s sake.”

Viscount Mason Hubert and the other Emperor’s faction nobles in Delriat gaped in shock.

They had deliberately ignored events at the governor’s office.

Their bodies trembled violently.

Terror filled their minds.

To think everything they had tried to obstruct was the Emperor’s achievement.

“We were gravely mistaken. We’ll take our leave now.”

Viscount Hubert quickly bowed and tried to hurry away.

But a pure white smile graced the Empress’s lips.

She had no intention of letting these rude fools off easily.

“You know there are no secrets in the imperial palace, right? There are many listening ears and watching eyes here.”

Her eerie voice felt like a dagger piercing the air.

The Emperor’s faction nobles from Delriat exited the Palace of Roses with faces pale as ghosts.

***

Delriat’s Labor Standards Act took root quite smoothly.

There were still clashes here and there, but resistance wasn’t fierce.

The moment they heard it was made by the Emperor, everyone tucked their tails.

‘I really, truly didn’t want to use our cousin’s name like that.’

But how could I resist when there was no better move?

The opponents were Emperor’s faction nobles.

Then bringing in the highest authority would resolve things most easily, wouldn’t it?

Knock knock.

“Your Excellency, may I come in for a moment?”

I was lounging in the office when a sudden knock and voice sounded.

I quickly opened the legal code and put on a stern expression.

I knew all too well who it was.

“It’s Administrator Allegan. Please come in.”

“Still working on the legal code? Your efforts are truly immense.”

“Not at all. It’s all for Delriat’s sake.”

“As a citizen of this land, I’m so overwhelmed with gratitude I scarcely know where to put myself.”

For Kuro Allegan to act this refined—it was nothing short of astonishing.

His former antics and erratic behavior had vanished completely.

Positions really do shape people.

“But what brings you here?”

“An envoy has arrived from the mother country.”

“From… the Empire?”

“Yes.”

I sat with my mouth slightly agape, frozen for a while.

Normally, envoys make a grand, noisy entrance, don’t they?

They’re supposed to boast from the border that they come from the mother country.

Why appear so suddenly like this?

Staring in bewilderment, Kuro Allegan scratched the back of his head.

“This is my first time seeing something like this too, so I was quite flustered. It must be due to Your Excellency’s influence.”

“Is that so? Who came?”

“He says he’s Count Kadisin.”

“Ah, him.”

We weren’t complete strangers.

Of course, it was someone from Abel Carius’s memories, not mine.

Anyway, he wasn’t a difficult person to deal with.

A representative Emperor’s faction noble, with the feel of a family elder.

He was also a very distant relative of mine.

“I understand. I’ll meet him.”

“Please do, Your Excellency.”

“You must be busy—go attend to your work.”

“Yes.”

I immediately headed to the governor’s office reception room.

There, a middle-aged man with thick white hair and green eyes rose from his seat.

“It’s been a long time, Duke Carius.”

“Have you been well, Count Kadisin?”

“I’m just counting days in the castle now.”

“Why say such things? You must live long and healthy.”

“Haha! You’ve truly changed a lot. I’m relieved.”

“One can’t stay drowned in sorrow forever. Thank you for your concern.”

I rummaged through memories and responded appropriately.

The former Abel had apparently been a complete wreck.

Count Realph Kadisin.

He seemed surprisingly decent.

‘I thought only idiots remained among the Emperor’s faction.’

Just look at the ones who came to Delriat.

They’d swarmed to the Empire to block the Labor Standards Act.

Only to get thoroughly scolded by the Empress.

‘Was my preemptive gift offensive effective?’

Given her position and personality, she wouldn’t normally help me.

She was originally from the Sierre ducal house, after all.

Still, gratitude is gratitude.

When good items came in, I’d quickly send them as thanks.

“But what brings you here? It doesn’t seem serious enough to require an envoy.”

“It’s about this.”

Count Kadisin pulled a sealed letter from his pocket.

Shockingly, it was paper bearing immense authority.

“It’s an imperial order from His Majesty.”

“Why so suddenly?”

“He says it’s time for you to return. Read it first.”

I accepted the paper with a dazed expression.

Then a thought suddenly struck me.

“I don’t have to kneel, right? As far as I know, there’s no such rule in imperial etiquette.”

“Just read it normally.”

“I know. I received one in the north too.”

“Pfft! You’re even good at jokes now.”

“So it’s telling me to return to the Empire?”

“Yes.”

“But it says ‘you may return now’?”

“Pardon?”

At my question, Count Kadisin tilted his head.

He seemed unable to comprehend what I meant.

Then I needed to make it clear.

“Doesn’t this mean it’s optional?”

“If taken at face value, that’s not incorrect, but…”

Count Kadisin trailed off.

Guessing what came next wasn’t hard.

You’re the only one who’d interpret the Emperor’s order freely.

Something like that.

But I was serious.

‘Delriat’s systems haven’t fully settled yet.’

I’d only just created the Labor Standards Act.

Checks and balances were absent, and power reduction hadn’t happened.

If a new governor came in this state?

It would almost certainly revert to the old ways.

‘Now that there’s plenty to exploit, they’d eagerly suck it dry.’

After I’d built all this—am I supposed to watch it crumble from the Empire?

Not even if dirt got in my eyes.

“Do you perhaps know why he’s calling me?”

“At the council, the Emperor’s faction nobles were loud. Why keep an outstanding person like Your Grace in such a remote outpost?”

“Not His Majesty’s own intent?”

“He seemed to agree, but didn’t voice it directly.”

Hearing Count Kadisin’s reply, I smiled faintly.

Then this order carried no special meaning.

The Emperor probably didn’t care whether I returned or not.

“Please wait a moment.”

I quickly returned to the office and wrote a letter.

I plastered it with flowery formalities, but the core was simple.

‘I’m not going.’

Hearing the gist, Count Kadisin’s face turned pale.

No matter how close a cousin, refusing the Emperor’s order.

He seemed to think this was insane.

“What on earth are you planning?”

“To finish the work more perfectly. I’ll provide lodging—rest well for a few days. I’m busy with official duties, so if you’ll excuse me.”

I swiftly moved on to the next plan.

“Is everyone here?”

“Yes!”

As I scanned the room and spoke, a vigorous reply rang out.

This was the governor’s office grand conference hall.

Nearly two hundred people had gathered.

Men and women, young and old—all their eyes sparkled brightly.

That meant expectations were sky-high.

I smiled faintly.

“I gathered you all to pursue advancement in various fields.”

“Is it true that if we produce solid results, Your Excellency will become our patron?”

An impatient person shot up their hand and asked.

Our eyes met briefly, and I felt like I knew who it was.

‘Pierce Russo. A promising sculptor, wasn’t he?’

Bushy beard, massive build.

He looked exactly like a bandit, but his fingers were remarkably long and slender.

Renowned for delicate carving, but with one issue.

All his works were grotesque.

Depicting vicious monsters or gruesomely dead corpses—too realistic for comfort.

‘They say genius and madness are separated by a single sheet of paper.’

I nodded firmly and answered.

“The state will provide support too.”

“Ooh!”

“But you must produce faithful results. I think you know better than anyone what I mean.”

“…”

“Krrgh.”

Pierce lowered his hand weakly with a low groan.

He seemed deeply disheartened, but it couldn’t be helped.

I couldn’t allow such abominations in the city.

Soon, I smiled and said.

“Now then, starting from this moment—go all out and kill each other.”

“…”

Ah, that didn’t come out right, did it?