TL: Zimmings

The empress looked into my eyes with a curious expression. When I did not avert my gaze, she slowly opened her mouth.

It seems that we looked very easy to Dubbledes.

Her words are soft, but her eyes are sharp. I got up and waved my hand.

How could it be!

Enough, go back. I dont have a story to share with a nine-year-old.

Really?

Its a great opportunity, are you going to miss me like this?

When the empress, who gave an order, looked at the maid, the maid approached me.

Lady.

Its not easy.

When a person is driven to a cliff, they tend to lose their reason easily. I thought she would grab any help because of 5he rumours. But it seems like its tougher than I thought.

Being a little girl also had advantages in itself. Everyone didnt become alert when they saw me.

The maid said, Lets go.

Just as she was about to grab me, I quickly shouted.

My godmother!

The empress, who had put her hands on her forehead, looked at me.

What?

My aunt said that godmother Camilla can help with the rumours. Godmother adores me. As her foster daughter, she wont refuse my request.

Everyone knew that the emperor controlled the nobles through her.

My godmother cared for me and owed me for finding her grandson and daughter-in-law.

There is no way the empress would ignore me now.

As expected, Empress Yvonnes expression changed.

If its godmother.

The empress murmured as I smiled inwardly.

Yes. But my godmother would never move unless it was my request.

Empress Yvonne raised a hand the the maid who was pulling me away.

But your godmother didnt move even when there were troublesome rumors about you.

At that time, I did not ask her to move. It was even less than four days after the rumors spread, and if things got bigger, maybe my godmother would come forward.

Countess Ariege sent you to me?

Huh?

I said brightly, Yes! And after I said that, the empresss lips went up.

So what did she want of me?

Nothing.

No way.

Because I like the empress. I said I wanted to help the Empress, and my aunt gave me the answer.

As I said so, the empress stared at me with a puzzled expression.

Why?

The empress is so beautiful! The empress is the first lady of the empire. Thats really cool, isnt it? I like cool people, but I think the empress is the most wonderful person!

As I raised my arms and spoke, the empress burst into laughter.

She patted my cheek lightly and said.

Like how you like cool people, I like honest people. Especially a child who doesnt shy away from showing her desires.

Im the greediest kid in the world!

Its the truth.

As I hid my cold eyes and smiled innocently, the empress smiled.

Then we can become close friends.

Can the empress and I be friends?

Yes. And Im a very nice person to my friends.

Thats a good thing.

Me and the empress looked at each other and smiled.

***

I asked my godmother to help with the rumours. She scolded the woodpecker for carrying the empresss rumors at a social party as I requested.

Of course, that alone is not enough to completely subdue the rumors.

So I summoned Blake.

Leave the empire for a while.

No. Things are just getting sorted out, so why should I!

Hide for a while.

Huh?

Do you think the empress will leave you alone when this is settled? Either your father or you, one of them will rise as the corpse of a river.

Blakes face turned pale, and she left the island that afternoon.

People asked Count Arabel about the whereabouts of Blake, who disappeared suddenly, but in an instant, he kept his mouth shut.

The reason Count Arabel acted so was because he had heard Blake explain the situation. As if to prove his daughters words, the money given by hope mercenary guild under the pretext of the empress was cut off, and Count Arabel only understood the situation then.

No one dealt with him because he was out of the eyes of the empress, and he was known to be the scumbag who pushed his daughters into sin.

Realizing that he was completely isolated, he could do nothing but remain silent.

The rumours subsided.

Blakes disappearance made it even more puzzling, but people already have a conclusion at this point.

They thought her disappearance was because of the empress.

Nothing works better than fear to shut peoples mouths.

Rumors slowly subsided, and when the news of a ladys affair broke out, peoples eyes were focused on the bad news, as if they forgot the recent rumours.

A few days later, the Empress Palace.

The empress, whose face was brightly lit, handed me a teacup and said,

How did you come up with the idea of sending Blake Arabel away?

Henry, no, my brother told me. It doesnt matter if people think its the empresss fault that Blake left the empire. Even if someone complains that something is wrong, its not true, right?

The empress laughed when I spoke innocently.

I heard that the second young master of Dubblede is extraordinary. Yes, It would be more beneficial for me that way.

Yed. Then people who know that will think that the previous rumors are false rumors.

It would be even better if the emperor was swayed by rumors and tried to drive the empress back.

Blake Arabel was just studying abroad, and she never threatened her.

Then the arrow of condemnation will be directed at the emperor.

Of course, the emperor will not come forward.

The empress wants the emperor to step in, but the emperor is being held down by my dad. He wont do it.

Im glad the empress is happy!

The lady worked hard.

The empress gave me a cookie with a very friendly face.

Yvonnes maid smiled when they saw me eating the cookies.

The child is truly magical.

Thanks to you, laughter returned to the Imperial Palace.

Then, we stared at the nobles who gathered in the garden outside the window with scared faced.

Today was the day when the empress and the nobles met as a winter festival, and many people who talked about the empress were scared that they might be like Blake too.

Its fair to rule them with fear since they chatter away mindlessly before.

[Its something tyrants do. Even in the world I lived in. Be sure to close the mouths of grasshoppers like that in times of crisis!]

As Chul-soo started talking, I grabbed etwal tightly in my pocket.

Yes. There are tyrants in our world as well. Wait, no, be quiet.

[Theyre not tyrants. Can someone from the imperial family rule the people with such fear? Huh?!]

Chul-soo was excited and cheered. I thought as I tossed the remaining cookie into my mouth.

Of course not.

[You will help them?]

The people under the land I ruled will be able to have a warm winter this year by helping me.

The noble gives them money every year for the winter festival. Because it was customary.

The amount of money to be paid is fixed, but this years situation was difficult due to the aftermath of the drought.

I had the most money as Dubblede had secured a lot of suwon.

The people in Dubbledes land will pass this winter safely.

In addition, if they do well, I can give a few acres of fields for each people.

I can do even more.

Dad said that authority comes with a price.

My family enjoyed living like this with the people under our lands taxes.

So, we have to make sure they eat to the fullest and live comfortably. Even through immoral ways. That is Dubbledes belief.

Of course, there is also a personal desire to survive.

Were human after all, its natural right?

I thought brazenly and shoved the etwal deep into my pocket.

The empress gently wiped the corner of my mouth covered with cookie crumbs.

Would you like to go to the meeting too?

Is that okay?

Of course.

Its good that only the aides of the empress are invited! Instead of my aunt, who was away because of the contest, I should listen closely to what happened today.

I went out to the garden with the empress.

The nobles who were waiting for the empress bowed their heads as soon as she appeared and shouted at once.

Glory to the Empire!

Glory!

Some of them brought their children for the purpose of educating them.

Those who had criticized me for the previous rumors turned their heads in discomfort.

They came to my mansion to apologize, but theyre like this now?

I snorted inwardly.

Then, the empress took my hand. She gestured at the maid, and said,

Make a place for the child next to me.

The seat next to the empress always belonged to the secretary of the empire, the Marquis of Orston.

The marquis looked at the empress with a bewildered expression.

E-empress.

The empress moved to her seat without listening. After she sat down, she pointed at the seat next to her and smiled at me.

Here, child.

I looked around the venue.

Everyone was visibly confused.

Changing seats meant that she would replace her aides who failed to properly support her.

And the seat next to the empress is mine. It was the moment when my rank among the nobles rose rapidly.

Wait a minute, then this

I quietly looked at the empress, who had a very kind expression to me, and thought.

Does that mean that from now on, shes really on my side?

There is an empress behind me, what am I afraid of?

The nobles gulped and sat down as the empress opened her mouth.

How about leaving this years winter festival to Dubblede?

The nobles once again looked at the empress with a bewildered expression.

The winter festival is an event to purify the cursed land. It is customary for the cursed land to be given by the event organizers after it was purified.

Oh my God. I guess I can really own the land.

I covered my mouth with an ecstatic expression.

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