Chapter 61
Audience with the Emperor
After that day, Aidan began stopping by our new house more often. He was surprisingly sociable, so he got along well with Julie and Rio too.
“Didn’t you say you liked the Magic Tower the best?”
“I did, but things changed a bit lately.”
I couldn’t understand why Aidan was hanging around someone else’s house like it was natural.
“I mean, I did give you permission, but still. Both you and the young master are being a bit excessive with me, you know that, right?”
“It’s fun being with Coco.”
I had no idea what was so enjoyable about spending time with an ordinary office worker like me.
“Not just me—everyone lives like this. Just watch the servants at the Marquis’ estate for a bit and you’ll see.”
Aidan shook his head firmly.
“Just because things look similar doesn’t mean people feel the same. I’m sure it’s the same for you, Coco.”
“……”
He wasn’t wrong, so I had nothing to say. And as Aidan’s visits increased, Lady Chiara also began showing up more frequently.
“You’re here again? Is this your house now?”
“Sis, come on—”
“I bought this with my money, you know.”
Their sibling bond was definitely strengthening. In my house, of all places…
Still, seeing them often made everything more comfortable, I couldn’t deny that.
If only Rio’s illness would improve now.
Money was one thing, but since Lady Chiara’s advice had gotten me into the Chancellor’s Office, I was seriously considering becoming a noble with some actual influence and making a formal request to the Temple. I didn’t need to reach the upper nobility—if I could at least get to First-Class Secretary, I might receive a title with land. Then my options would widen.
“But before that, let’s survive this group project first.”
I let out a long sigh, thinking of my three department members with their very strong personalities.
“I believe the Noble Asset Registration Act proposed by Second-Class Secretary Cornelia is our most viable option. If anyone has objections, speak freely.”
The Duke opened the morning meeting with an unusually heavy tone. The colleagues who had looked horrified last time had regained their composure. Simon, the diplomat, spoke first.
“I’m in favor, assuming the Magic Tower agrees to cooperate.”
Oh? That easily?
The quick support made my lips form a surprised ‘o’.
“But.”
Ah. Of course. My rising hope deflated like a balloon with a puncture. Leila, the treasury officer, narrowed her sharp eyes at me.
“The nobles will fiercely oppose this.”
“That’s true.”
The Duke nodded.
“They can’t exactly oppose the purpose of preventing crime. But honestly, how many nobles don’t have a little dirt on them? Even I, who pride myself on living cleanly, would probably want to tidy up my assets a bit before this law is enforced.”
This woman… what a colorful life for someone in the Treasury.
“But His Majesty will be pleased. Under the guise of ‘protecting noble assets’, he can fully grasp their wealth. And for the Treasury, this is perfect. Tracking funds will be much easier.”
“We should give them time to clean up before enforcement. Otherwise, there’ll be innocent casualties.”
Even so, Sean wore a worried expression.
“But the moment this is announced, the backlash will be intense. Many were tied to former Chancellor Marcus and Secretary Dorian. And once reported, there’s no easy way to hide slush funds anymore. If caught, everything goes to the state. That’s even more reason for them to resist.”
The Duke turned to me.
“Then, Cornelia—the one who proposed this measure—what do you think?”
I thought carefully before answering.
“In the end, the success of this law depends entirely on His Majesty’s will. Shouldn’t we first determine how committed the emperor is? If he has no intention of enforcing it, then this entire discussion is pointless.”
Everyone nodded at the logic.
“Then we’ll report to His Majesty and continue after that.”
Where am I? Why am I here? What exactly is happening?
I was standing before the Imperial Audience Chamber.
The Duke had gone to report to the emperor—and then suddenly came back and told me to accompany him.
Why was I summoned?
If the emperor liked the proposal, he could approve it. If he didn’t, he could reject it. Why drag me here just to terrify me?
“Don’t worry. Just observe the proper courtesies.”
That’s exactly the problem…
I had learned noble etiquette just enough to get by, but imperial etiquette? Never. Why would a mere clerk ever meet the emperor? And I’d only been in the Chancellor’s Office for a few months!
“Your Majesty, this is Second-Class Secretary Cornelia from the Chancellor’s Office.”
The chamberlain smiled gently at me—completely unaware of my internal screaming—and opened the door. After hesitating, I stepped inside.
The emperor, in full ceremonial attire, sat at the head with overwhelming dignity. Mimicking the Duke, I bowed as best as I could.
“Raise your head.”
It was my first time kneeling on one knee before anyone. For the first time, it truly hit me that I was living in another world.
“Yes, I’ve read your proposal for the Noble Asset Registration Act.”
The emperor had the same silver hair and golden eyes as the crown prince, with a broad, sturdy build. His gentle yet sharp gaze made him impossible to take lightly.
So the crown prince takes after the empress.
“I like it.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
He smiled, satisfied.
“I hear you’re the famous beginner clerk who uncovered the deep-rooted corruption of the Chancellor’s Office.”
“You flatter me.”
I tensed, wondering if my actions had displeased him.
“With this proposal, I no longer have any reason to doubt your loyalty to the Empire. To see such a promising young official serving the crown—truly gratifying.”
…What is this man talking about.
Outwardly, I bowed even deeper.
“I only fulfilled my duty to the citizens of the Empire.”
Ah yes, the corporate instinct—professional social-life lines slipping out automatically.
“I have high expectations for you. Normally, I wouldn’t dare enforce something that would anger the nobles. But if the Magic Tower takes part, it changes everything. They can mediate and provide legitimacy. Yet convincing them won’t be easy.”
“I understand.”
I thought of Aidan, with whom I’d grown unexpectedly close lately.
“I won’t give up without trying. I’ll persuade them.”
“I like your spirit. What do you think, Vespera?”
Vespera?
It took me a second to remember—that was the Duke’s name.
“You had a phase like this once. You were quite adorable back then.”
“We are discussing serious matters. Please refrain from jesting.”
The Duke’s icy expression did not soften even when the emperor spoke to him. The emperor clicked his tongue.
“Boring fellow… Now then, Secretary Cornelia. One more question. Even if the Magic Tower cooperates, the nobles will still resist fiercely. How do you intend to handle that?”
He wasn’t asking out of trust—he was testing me.
So I chose to show him something decisive. I wanted to see what kind of man he was, judging by how comfortably he joked with the Duke.
“In truth, there is an important aspect of this proposal I haven’t yet mentioned.”
I felt the Duke turn toward me, but I kept my gaze locked on the emperor.
“And that is?”
“The greatest persuasive force for this law… is Your Majesty’s will.”
“My will? Haven’t I already expressed it clearly?”
“The best way to make people quietly accept something they dislike… is to set an example. Meaning—
If Your Majesty, who supports this law, publicly discloses the royal family’s assets, nothing would be more persuasive.”
“……!”
“Secretary Cornelia!”
The emperor’s eyes sharpened instantly. The Duke tried to stop me, but it was too late.
Without the emperor’s genuine commitment, this law was meaningless.
“Thanks to former Chancellor Marcus’ corruption, we already have the justification. Even if the nobles protest, the law can still be enforced. But Your Majesty wishes for this system to take root. Only then can you clearly grasp noble assets, collect taxes, and manage the Empire’s budget.”
I bowed deeply.
“And for that, setting a precedent is the strongest option.”
A heavy silence fell over the chamber.
“Your loyalty… is rather difficult to bear. It almost feels as though you’re testing me.”
Of course—an emperor with years of political experience wouldn’t be fooled easily.
“Vespera, as Chief Justice, what would you do?”
The Duke answered flatly, as if this weren’t even something to ponder.
“Register them. It is the royal family’s duty to the Empire.”
“…I shouldn’t have asked. What a stubborn man. Hmph.”
He clicked his tongue again, then looked at me.
“Secretary Cornelia.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I wish my son, Lawrence, were at least half like you. What do you think?”
“……Pardon?”
The sudden shift in topic left me genuinely speechless.
Why on earth bring up the crown prince now?!
