175 – 179
“Your Highness, have you arrived?”
“Yes, let’s start the meeting today.”
I have formed my own faction with talents recruited from outside.
Sabinelli, the talent praised by Gwi and Johannes until their throats went dry.
My great-grandfather, Jens.
Johann, the former Minister of Justice who served my father for a long time.
Cosimo, the head of the academy.
Not present, but the loyal William.
And even the Members Pontifex and Chairman Charles are gathered here.
But it’s not just them.
Although not present, there are many Imperial and Neutral faction Members who support me here.
“The main topic of this strategy meeting is the recent legislation concerning the Emperor’s territories pending in the council.”
Sabinelli speaks as the representative.
“Firstly, many Members have voiced complaints about the previous Duke’s arbitrary grant of the Emperor’s territories Epirus, Ejeop, and the newly acquired Nikea in this civil war, proposing a law that limits the Emperor’s ability to transfer or grant these territories.”
As Sabinelli glances at the former Minister of Justice Johann, he responds with a cough.
“There are ambiguous terms in the current bill. The phrase ‘absolutely belonging to the Emperor’ is present. If interpreted according to the legal terms of the Ancient Empire, it could be seen that even the sovereign power belongs absolutely to the Emperor.”
Although I was briefed on this topic beforehand… legal terminology always seems challenging.
Interpretations can vary depending on the meanings and intentions of the words.
In simple terms, it can be seen as a form where envoys are dispatched to the three kingdoms and the emperor governs the kingdoms directly through these envoys.
In response to Johan’s words, the old man with white hair, Cosimo, speaks as if curious.
“Hmm… Won’t the Duke try to rule as before?”
“You don’t need to worry about that. The purpose of this bill is to blatantly target the Duke. He can’t even appoint envoys, nor does he have any legal grounds to intervene in the three kingdoms.”
Upon hearing this, Jangnae falls silent.
But will Devian easily let it pass?
He is undoubtedly a genius of the century.
With knowledge and wisdom so vast that it’s hard to imagine.
I can’t help but speak, thinking that he wouldn’t easily let a bill that is nothing but a joke pass.
“What I’m curious about is, will he really not exercise his veto power? If he does, wouldn’t the bill become invalid?”
In response, Sabi Nelli steps forward and says, “We must somehow prevent that. If he intends to rule the empire, he can’t rule without us. We must give him what he wants and ensure that this bill passes no matter what.”
Upon hearing this, Johan stands up and says, “Hmm… I apologize for saying this, but I don’t think the Duke will notice the flaws in this bill. Such legal terms are difficult for the common people to understand. He probably won’t have any doubts.”
Everyone, except Sabi Nelli, nods in agreement.
“Indeed, it was thanks to Minister Johan that I learned about it. I didn’t think such meanings were hidden in these words.”
As Grandpa Jens nods and speaks, Sabi Nelli touches his chin, lost in thought.
“The Duke is unlikely to try to pass this bill. Except for the Roman Empire territory, these three kingdoms are the most important areas, and he wouldn’t tolerate losing control over them. So, we need to lure him with the right bait.”
Bait… Is there such a thing?
What I can offer him.
Suddenly, memories of the morning rush into my mind, making my face flush.
No! Why would such a thing come to mind in this situation?
I feel embarrassed for having such inappropriate thoughts and lower my head deeply.
“Hmm… If we have something to offer, significant concessions are needed regarding the Duke and the bill… Currently, the anti-imperial faction has not submitted many bills. How about a monetary reform?”
Monetary reform refers to changing the method of making gold coins to paper notes. Gold kept in the imperial treasury, and if someone wants to exchange it for gold, they can do so at a rate of 1 gold.
“Even if he exercises his veto power on that, it may be difficult to exchange it for the Emperor’s territory bill. The weight of the three kingdoms and the monetary reform bill is different.”
Well… Even I wouldn’t pass each other’s bills.
– Hmm…
As the atmosphere grows heavy, Sabi Nelli continues.
“First, this issue won’t be resolved immediately, so let’s discuss it again at the next meeting. The next agenda is how to deal with the Emperor faction who wants to dethrone His Majesty.”
Upon hearing this, Chairman Charles steps forward and says, “That’s not all. Minister Anthony is about to retire. We need to push for our side’s appointment as the Minister.”
From Noble mtl dot com
And the meeting continues.
***
“Duke… Who is the lady outside?”
In response to Lucius’ question, I reply.
“Oh, that’s Senna. She joined from the Papal See to capture the demon worshippers.”
As I speak while taking off my coat, Lucius looks surprised and says,
“Vatican… Papacy?”
Seeing the surprised Lucius, I add one more thing.
“Yes, the Papacy. But just in case, if anyone asks, just say you’re a newcomer.”
To guard against any curses or dark magic, the Pope attached a seal to Lucius.
“Ugh… A-alright.”
Looking at Lucius’s puzzled face at my words, I briefly ignore it and focus on the documents.
Minister of Justice’s retirement.
Contemplating who to appoint as the successor.
Upon seeing Mueller last time, his sharp negotiation skills with the Sardignian Kingdom caught my eye, but…
He seems a bit lacking in age and experience for the ministerial position.
“Hmm… What to do.”
It’s a bit regrettable for Mueller to stay in the Grand Office.
Recently, Victor also seems eager to resign as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Seems like he’s reluctant due to the increased workload compared to his time as a parliamentarian.
“Let’s place him in the Foreign Ministry for now and consider moving him to the Minister of Foreign Affairs when the opportunity arises.”
With that thought in mind, I pick up a report on technology investment funds and land development funds.
“Sigh… How much trouble this time.”
Initially, there was an issue of surplus budget during the management of the investment fund, but as soon as the development fund was established, the funds started depleting at an alarming rate.
Especially, the Erren Kingdom, the Bohemia Kingdom, and the Nicaea Kingdom are requesting substantial investment funds.
Particularly, Adriana and Duopol from Nicaea are directly impacted by the war, so there is some consideration for payment from this end, but…
“This is becoming too much, isn’t it?”
With the thought that the funds might soon deplete, I let out a sigh.
“It’s complicated. Between the demon worshippers and the aftermath of the war…”
In frustration, I pull out a poem from the poetry case.
Yes. Even this might help clear my mind.
I cut the end of the poem with a paper cutter.
-Snap.
Holding the poem to my lips, I inhale the smoke and get lost in my thoughts.
Just one last task to handle now.
As long as I prevent the resurrection of the Demon King, it will be over.
-Twitch…
My left eye twitches.
“Ugh…”
Perhaps I pushed myself too hard during the civil war. Honestly, my physical condition is not that great.
During a recent medical examination.
I was advised to take some rest but…
Moreover, with the movements of the demon worshippers and the conspiracies within the rioters, it’s hard to fall asleep.
Being stressed out a lot, I recently dreamt of the revolutionaries taking control of Rome, leaving me trembling on the guillotine.
With the situations like Louis XVI or Nicholas II, who knows what might come my way.
“Phew…”
She puffs out smoke, lost in thought.
First, she needs to find other worshippers of the Demon race. And she also has to catch the Locust hidden somewhere…
Is she fortunate that she can maintain a cooperative relationship with the Holy See through Amon?
And another matter that complicates her mind.
She must find the mastermind behind the aphrodisiac given to Theodora.
It’s fortunate that it was an aphrodisiac; if it were a poison…
The results would have been so dreadful that one wouldn’t want to imagine.
“Seriously… I poured in a huge sum of money, yet they’re still not delivering.”
It’s frustrating that despite pouring a huge amount of money into the Intelligence Department, they haven’t been able to identify the faction that administered the aphrodisiac to the Emperor.
From what has been revealed so far, it seems to point towards the mother-in-law, but even if she covets her son-in-law, it’s hard to believe she would give her daughter an aphrodisiac.
“Hmm…”
The means of administration are also a mystery.
Although she requested an examination of her glass to infer if there was an aphrodisiac in it at the time, the liquid residue in the glass was too minimal to confirm the presence of an aphrodisiac.
In other words…
It’s possible that it was administered through a different route, making her head spin.
That’s why… they say women are terrifying when they get involved.
Even though the Intelligence Department wields astronomical funds, they are not infallible.
As time passes, things might improve, but for now, she believes that the intelligence capabilities within the palace are inferior to those of her mother-in-law or Theodora.
There are many courtiers following the Emperor.
Perhaps even her mother-in-law or Theodora, or even Joy, would attempt to assassinate her…
It’s not entirely impossible.
“No matter how well Mary’s maidservants do their job, I can’t eat every meal.”
Moreover, hasn’t history proven that?
There is no one who cannot be killed.
The stress of not knowing when or where she might die weighs heavily on her.
“I wish to leave the palace as soon as possible…”
With that thought, she reviews the remaining reports, with a poem lingering on her lips.