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~CHAPTER 69~
The building of the Noble Council carried an atmosphere so solemn and heavy that the white marble seemed almost colorless.
Inside, many people were already milling about, searching for their seats.
Passing through the long corridor, I stepped into the chamber where the session would be held.
Low murmurs filled the grand space as nobles whispered to one another, their voices mingling together.
“You heard, didn’t you? The Duke of Wentworth has high hopes for the new tax reform bill.”
“If this passes, all the hidden money will start surfacing everywhere.”
“I wonder if His Highness the Crown Prince has gathered enough support to counter him…”
“Where do you stand on this?”
“Shh, quiet.”
Their voices dropped as they noticed me.
I stayed composed, careful not to show any expression, even while straining to catch their words.
I was the daughter of the Duke of Wentworth and the fiancée of the Crown Prince.
They would interpret any flicker of emotion on my face. That was why I couldn’t let my feelings show.
Without the right to vote, I walked slowly across the chamber toward the observers’ gallery.
With each step, I could feel the eyes of several nobles following me.
Their gazes were mixed with curiosity and caution.
It wasn’t just surprise at seeing that Amelia here in person. They were wary that the Duke’s daughter might be watching them and reporting to someone — perhaps to the Duke himself, or to the Crown Prince.
Neither was an easy man for the nobles to deal with.
“Lady, this way please. You may sit here.”
When I finally reached the gallery, a steward guided me to my seat.
The observers’ area was on the second floor, overlooking the entire chamber.
All eyes in the hall were directed toward the podium.
The tension was palpable as everyone awaited the upcoming debate and announcement.
From my seat, I quietly surveyed the atmosphere once more.
This was the moment when the Duke of Wentworth’s reform proposal and Vincent’s countermeasure would meet for the first time.
From here on, the conflict between them would only grow — and I would be walking a tightrope.
Crown Prince Vincent sat at the front, on the right side, one of those who held the right to vote.
‘And where’s the Duke of Wentworth?’
The meeting couldn’t begin until the proposer of the reform arrived.
Time had already passed, and yet he hadn’t shown up — a sign of his usual arrogance.
After all, the Crown Prince was already present.
I glanced toward the entrance, wondering if he would ever show, and just then, the chamber doors opened again.
The Duke of Wentworth strode in confidently toward the podium.
The nobles’ chatter quickly faded as everyone settled into their seats.
As the Duke climbed the steps, his gaze swept across the room. Then, his eyes met mine.
Out of habit, my body gave a small shiver.
‘It’s fine. It doesn’t matter.’
This was only the beginning. I steadied my breath.
His look was nothing like that of a father seeing his daughter after a long time.
It carried coldness — a blend of reproach and disdain.
To him, I was a disappointing daughter who had defied his will, someone unworthy of concern.
Even now, his eyes seemed to treat me like a disobedient tool.
After all, I’d ignored his letters three times and sent Aidan back. To him, I was nothing but foolish.
Perhaps he couldn’t even imagine that I might be here to stand in his way — alongside the Crown Prince.
‘If that’s the case, all the better.’
His eyes lingered on me for only a brief moment.
Then, as if deciding I wasn’t worth his attention, he turned away and walked to the podium.
Once there, he bowed with the grace befitting a duke, then began to speak in a calm but commanding tone, as though reciting the opening lines of a play he’d rehearsed many times.
“Honored nobles of the Empire.”
His voice wasn’t loud, yet it carried through the hall — likely due to a magic device acting as an amplifier.
I glanced toward the ceiling, confirming my suspicion, then focused back on his speech.
“Today, I stand before you to propose a new tax reform for the stability of our Empire.
The prosperity we enjoy now is thanks to the dedication and effort of our great nobility.”
The Duke slowly turned his gaze around the hall, as though taking in each noble one by one.
His expression was solemn, filled with the confidence of a man certain his words would be obeyed.
‘He really is remarkable. Duke Wentworth.’
I stole a glance at Vincent.
From where I sat above him, I could see the back of his head — perfectly still, focused.
He looked tense. Who wouldn’t be, after seeing firsthand how skilled his political rival truly was?
But knowing the outcome, I could only think of this as theater.
Even so, unease still crept in.
The deciding vote — Duke Friem — had yet to arrive.
“However,” the Duke continued, his tone steady.
“Our duty does not end here. The pillar of our noble society must remain strong for the Empire’s future.
To achieve this, we must safeguard our traditions and create a system that protects our houses for generations to come.”
His voice grew firmer.
The Duke of Wentworth had a gift for emotional persuasion.
Words like tradition and heritage stirred pride and duty within every noble’s heart.
He went on.
“The reform I propose seeks to reduce property and inheritance taxes, ensuring that the wealth our families have built over generations can be passed down intact to our heirs.”
He paused briefly, scanning the audience.
When he saw several nobles nodding, he continued with renewed conviction.
“This is not merely for our economic benefit, but to preserve the honor of our houses and pass down our roots to the next generation.”
His reasoning was crafted so no noble could easily object.
The Duke was expertly manipulating their sentiments.
I reached for my water glass. My throat felt dry.
Even though I already knew how this would end, I couldn’t help feeling nervous.
After taking a sip, I looked back at him — and for a brief moment, my foresight flickered.
“…Ah.”
After glimpsing what was to come, I relaxed, sitting back to watch the rest of the performance.
Soft murmurs spread across the room — some voices tinged with concern.
Almost on cue, the Duke resumed.
“Of course,” he said with a faint smile.
“The resulting shortfall in the national treasury will be supplemented through goods and income taxes.
This will allow all citizens of the Empire to share in our nation’s prosperity.”
Ah, now that’s a stretch.
I wasn’t the only one who thought so; several nobles’ faces twitched with unease.
His explanation sounded plausible, but everyone could tell it was a policy designed for the wealthy.
Still, his eloquence and composure masked the truth well.
“I am confident,” the Duke declared, “that this reform is essential for the Empire’s future.”
“We nobles carry the pride of preserving the Empire’s history and tradition.
And this reform will only strengthen that pride.”
With those words, his speech came to an end.
A few nobles nodded and began to applaud.
Gradually, the atmosphere in the chamber started to lean in the Duke’s favor.
