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Chapter 55
“Hm.”
At first, the Emperor looked indifferent, but his gaze gradually turned serious and then grave.
Though weak in demeanor, the Emperor was not someone who neglected state affairs.
“What do you think, Your Majesty?”
“I had no idea the Priem region was struggling this much.
I thought no one in my Empire starved to death.”
“The report sent by the Priem Duke’s aide left out those details.
This is information we obtained through our own investigation.”
“I see, I see. Then why did the Priem Duke not speak of this?”
At the Emperor’s disgruntled muttering, the Empress answered.
“Most likely because of pride.”
“And I found that once, during the previous reign, they requested help but were refused. To the central government it was a trivial matter, but for them it must have been a bitter wound.”
“Oh, I see.”
The Emperor read through the report once more before setting it down.
“So, Vincent, are you saying we should provide support to the Priem Duchy?
By principle, the lords are supposed to manage their own lands.”
“Yes, that is true.
Which is why we cannot directly provide financial aid.
If we did, other nobles would demand the same.”
“Then what do you suggest?”
“The central government must do what is naturally its responsibility.”
Vincent rose from his seat and walked to the map standing in the corner of the wall.
It was a map that displayed the entire Empire at a glance. He picked up the rod placed beside it and drew a line between the Priem region and the capital.
“Right now, there is only one road leading to Priem.
The path is narrow, and since it passes through high mountains, it cannot be used when the weather turns bad.”
“Hm.”
Confirming that the Emperor was listening intently, Vincent continued.
“So I propose opening a new road connecting the capital and that region.”
“That would be quite a long distance.”
“Yes.
But it is something that will be needed eventually, and it is a project only the central government can handle.
For now it is quiet, but enemies still remain along the Empire’s borders.
If they chose to invade from the north, we would need another road to quickly send reinforcements.”
It seemed his argument was persuasive.
“I also suggest assigning the project to the Priem Duke.
The timber and ores from that region can be purchased by the central government, and the workers can be recruited locally, paid wages, making it not a one-sided subsidy.”
“And what if other nobles wish to participate in the project?”
“We’ll take an open bidding approach.
I’ll discreetly tip off the Priem Duke beforehand, but if we follow proper procedures, it will be fine.
Besides, the people of Priem know the geography and environment best.”
“Good, that is an excellent idea.”
“But Vincent.”
As the Emperor voiced his agreement, the Empress calmly called him. Vincent met her gaze.
“There must be a reason you suddenly grew interested in the Priem Duke.”
“…”
Vincent, struck right on the mark, suddenly fell silent before exhaling.
“Yes, that is correct.”
“You expect something from him, don’t you?”
“Yes. In the upcoming vote on the tax reform bill, I wish to secure the Priem Duke’s support.”
“I see. So while trying to win his favor, you came to learn more about that region.”
“Yes.”
“The Priem Duke rarely even visits the capital, but if you do secure his vote, it would indeed be a great advantage for you. Well thought out.”
The Empress lightly praised him, though Vincent’s expression was far from bright.
“What troubles you?”
“In truth, it was Lady Wentworth who first led me to this idea.”
This time, even the Empress blinked in surprise, and the Emperor let out a small exclamation.
“Oh. So that’s how it was. The Empress mentioned Lady Wentworth earlier as well.”
Vincent returned to sit beside the Empress from the map.
The Empress, wearing a thoughtful expression, remained silent for a while before finally speaking.
“Vincent, the more I see Lady Wentworth, the more I realize she is very different from the image I had of her.”
“…”
No one felt that more keenly than Vincent, yet he did not respond. The Empress continued.
“And she is Lady Wentworth.
Doesn’t that mean she stands in opposition to her own father, the Duke of Wentworth?
I imagine you are part of the reason, Vincent.”
At that, Vincent’s eyes flickered.
“Me, mother? What do you mean?”
“I mean that Lady Wentworth might be thinking of you, even at the cost of breaking with her own family.”
“That cannot be, mother. Lady Wentworth once said she did not have much attachment to her family.”
“Even so, it is not something one easily disregards. Why would she go so far as to help you?”
“That is…”
Now that he thought of it, she had.
She said she had little attachment to her family, but it had not sounded like hatred.
For noblewomen, their birth family was extremely important. Especially for Amelia, who was still unmarried.
For her to help him at the cost of her own house’s interests… even if she knew the secret of her birth, it was not something easily explained.
“Vincent.”
While he was still troubled, the Empress spoke to him in a low voice.
“Yes, mother.”
“Such a person is precious. Treasure her.”
“I still do not know what her true intentions are.”
“Even so, she is undeniably intelligent. Seek her counsel from time to time.
As you speak with her, her true feelings will reveal themselves.”
Because it was advice from his respected mother, Vincent answered obediently.
“Yes, mother.”
Watching them, the Emperor burst into hearty laughter.
“Ho ho ho.
Lady Wentworth, you say.
At the time, I accepted the Duke of Wentworth’s request and arranged your betrothal, though I wondered whether the marriage would truly come to pass.
And yet, it seems it will after all.”
“That’s not…”
Vincent, about to deny it, suddenly felt choked, his words faltering.
Having said all he had to say, Vincent rose from his seat.
“Then, I will take my leave.”
“Yes, go on.”
The Emperor dismissed him lightly.
“I should be going too.”
And when the Empress stood up, the Emperor panicked and quickly said,
“Empress, where are you going?”
“The entire palace is the Empress’s residence, is it not?
Why do you ask?
But since it has been so long, why don’t I stay a bit longer?
Perhaps through dinner.”
“Yes, do that.”
Though she looked bemused, the Empress sat back down.
Vincent, noticing the moment, tactfully left the room, leaving the two of them behind.
“They seem like a poor match, yet somehow they fit.”
With that thought, Vincent unconsciously pictured his own future with Amelia. Startled, he shook the idea out of his head.
***
The next morning.
Upon waking and heading to the bath, Vincent spoke to his attendant, Clark.
“Inform me as soon as the lady wakes.”
It was six in the morning when he gave that order.
And at seven, after finishing his preparations, Vincent summoned Clark again.
“Is the lady still not awake?”
“Yes, I was told she asked to be informed as soon as she rose.”
“…She sleeps more than I expected.”
Clark looked at Vincent with a faintly bewildered expression.
Among nobles, a day that started at ten in the morning was already considered fairly early.
Even Crown Prince Vincent, unless burdened with heavy duties, usually began work around nine.
Why was he in such a fuss from early dawn today?
What’s more, Amelia’s chambers were right across from Vincent’s. For a royal, was walking that short distance really so troublesome?
“If it’s urgent, perhaps you should have her woken.”
At Clark’s suggestion, Vincent shook his head.
“No, I cannot.”
And with that, he dropped heavily onto the sofa, though dressed as if ready to head out at any moment.
“…I will ask again.”
Clark gave a small nod and stepped out.
