Chapter 22
Getting the emperor to run breathlessly to the noble council room was easy.
He was just as greedy as those nobles.
I exaggerated the estimated resource yield of the Frozen North by tenfold, then sent a letter saying, “We nobles have discussed returning management rights of the Frozen North to His Majesty. It would be most appreciated if you could attend.”
Back when it was entrusted to Duke Elemoer, the land had been deemed useless—but if that much resource was really buried beneath, he’d certainly change his tune.
“Y-Your M-M-Majesty…”
Marquis Winsome tried to explain, his face pale, but the emperor’s brow shot up sharply.
I leisurely watched those pigs scramble over their feeding troughs, then signed the transfer of management rights and handed the document to the emperor.
“Please approve the return of the Frozen North’s management rights that I currently hold, Your Majesty.”
The emperor glared once more at the nobles, cleared his throat, and then signed his name.
Even if the resource levels weren’t as inflated as I’d claimed, they would still help the empire grow in the future.
“I will remember Elemoer’s loyalty.”
“It is nothing. For Your Majesty, always.”
Of course, I didn’t mean it for this current emperor.
If I had to choose between handing things over to the emperor or to those shady nobles, I’d pick the former—because when Etias’s revolution succeeds, the empire’s assets under the emperor’s name will be easier for him to claim.
Not to mention, these assets can’t be converted into cash anyway.
Until summer comes and the revolution begins, the ground in the Frozen North will stay frozen solid—too frozen to mine.
Plus, getting the emperor interested in the Frozen North had other benefits.
The more distracted he was with development plans, the more he’d drain his cash reserves.
And cash is what funds the emperor’s military.
So the more he spends on developing that land, the less he’ll have for the army—and that’s good news for the revolutionaries who will eventually seize the capital.
“Ahem.”
The emperor coughed loudly and turned on his heel to leave, and the nobles slowly lifted their heads to look at me.
The trust I’ve earned by driving a wedge between those worms and the emperor… will give me more freedom to maneuver.
Seeing the bewildered faces of men who knew they’d been had, I grinned and began walking out.
Just then, Marquis Regalo’s furious voice rang out, echoing through the chamber.
“You think you can live in peace after betraying us?!”
My former would-be father-in-law. The father of that ugly Philios.
He was seething, unable to contain his rage.
Another man approached as if trying to calm him down.
“Let it go, please. And Lady Elemoer, we shouldn’t be fighting among allies.”
Allies, he said. Sure, everyone in that room was on the emperor’s side.
“If you make enemies of your own camp, you’ll end up isolated. His Majesty’s trust won’t last forever. Don’t make foolish choices.”
He continued with what sounded like sincere advice, and some nobles nodded along.
“He’s right. We should stick together.”
Exactly the kind of bat-like opportunists who survive by clinging to whoever holds power.
Their outrage at being betrayed had lasted only a moment—now, seeing the emperor’s favor toward me, they were already trying to include me again.
“Ha! Ahahaha!”
I couldn’t hold back my laughter any longer and burst out laughing.
The nobles frowned, clearly confused.
“Aha… haha…”
After a long fit of loud laughter, I opened my eyes slightly and said,
“There are several unresolved questions about my father and mother’s deaths.”
The nobles flinched at that.
I smiled thinly and continued.
“Why was there an emergency noble meeting on that day of all days? And why did the bridge collapse on their way back? So many unanswered things to investigate.”
Their tense expressions amused me.
I know you have no loyalty to anyone.
“I don’t plan to dig further into it. But I suggest you remember one thing.”
I had no particular fondness for Duke Elemoer, and uncovering the truth wouldn’t matter—those noble families would be purged after the revolution anyway.
“But just know—I know more than you think.”
Better to threaten them with words that sound profound.
As they all sat frozen and speechless, I turned and walked out.
Even if the blade is swung carelessly—if it lands, it’s fatal.
Even Marquis Regalo, who used to mutter, “a mere woman,” had his mouth tightly shut.
Tsk. Dirty old men.
I stretched as I walked down the corridor after leaving the council room.
Mission accomplished—punched the nobles in the face and gained the emperor’s trust.
“…Katrin Elemoer.”
Not long after the thought crossed my mind, I heard Etias’s voice behind me.
His deep voice drifted to my ears, accompanied by a faint breeze carrying his scent.
I resisted the urge to breathe it in like a pervert and turned around nonchalantly.
“Oh? Fancy meeting you at the palace, Your Highness.”
Instead of replying, he walked right up to me and stood there, staring.
His face was cast in shadow, backlit by the sun.
“You…”
Etias’s brows were furrowed. It made me want to reach out and smooth them, but I held back.
“You really love tormenting me, don’t you?”
His cold voice pierced deep into my chest.
Torment you? You’re my favorite person.
The reason Etias looked so displeased was clear.
“You’re mistaken,” I said, keeping my thudding heart hidden behind crossed arms.
“I simply carried out my duties as a servant of His Majesty.”
A while ago, I had sent a formal notice to Etias’s address under my name.
We plan to return Presla’s Frozen North to His Majesty. Please retrieve any keepsakes from the late Empress’s villa before it is demolished.
At age five, a fire broke out in Cambiut Palace. Etias lost his mother and never once visited her cherished villa again.
Afraid his heart might waver.
So it was only natural he reacted strongly to the idea of it being torn down.
“Presla’s Frozen North was under my mother’s care until her death. Even if she’s gone, don’t you know the law? Royal property must not be touched.”
A cold wind tousled my hair.
Please understand, Etias—I can’t say things properly right now.
“But a royal may touch royal property, right? And in the end, His Majesty will take control once I complete the transfer.”
There was a reason for my cold words and refusal to yield.
“It was simply a warning. I figured it’d be best to return it cleanly.”
Because what’s in there is something Etias desperately needs right now.
“Well then, I’ll be going.”
I deliberately brushed past him.
“Katrin.”
I ignored the clenched sound of his voice behind me.
I knew the emperor’s spies were watching every corner of the palace.
If anyone realized the Lady of House Elemoer harbored feelings for Etias or was helping him—it would be fatal. For both of us.
It’s better he sees me as an enemy.
After walking for a while, I came to a stop and let out a small sigh.
Even if it hurts.
News Headlines:
His Majesty’s trust in Lady Katrin Elemoer has reached unprecedented heights!
When will Lady Katrin Elemoer officially succeed the Elemoer Dukedom? All eyes are on her!
Soon, articles speculating on my succession to the Dukedom flooded in.
“…”
Now, no one dared to challenge me.
Even noble girls like Lucia, and high-ranking aristocrats, stayed silent.
At the very least, it was clear I had escaped the original ending where Katrin, powerless in the emperor’s faction, was betrayed and killed.
“No more suspicious people lurking nearby,” Heros reported as he served my morning tea.
It seems after beating a few scavengers black and blue, they’d stopped trying to spy on me.
“Haa…”
Everything was going exactly as I planned, and yet—I let out a sigh.
Heros looked concerned.
“Milady, is something wrong?”
The reason I looked so miserable from the morning…
“Yes. A very big problem.”
I looked down at what seemed to Heros like a jeweled bracelet—but I knew better.
It was a watch.
HP: ♥♥♥♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
What’s going on, Etias?
