Chapter 168

Even though I yielded the most important day of the festival to her, there was no disturbance among the pro-emperor faction. It seemed that they had considerable trust in me because I had been taking care of housework at my family since I was ten. On the other hand, they seemed to feel that Jiun was not competent enough because she was adopted as the duke's daughter only a few months ago.

But I felt pressured when I thought they would be quite disappointed about the results of this competition. Jiun would not lose much even if she didn't do good, but even if I performed well, I would not be able to claim the due credit because of my prior experiences.

"May I suggest one thing?"

"What is it, Earl Whir?"

After thinking hard, Earl Whir of the pro-emperor faction asked for a say. As if he could not let this test work out in favor of Lady Jena, he said with a meaningful smile, "I am not in doubt about the abilities of the two ladies, but I think that they are very much concerned as they will be hosting the banquet for the first time. So, why don't we have them carry out dual roles? In other words, on the second day, Lady Monique focuses on her job as the host while Lady Jena serves as the crown prince's partner, and on the third day, Lady Jena plays the host only while Lady Monique serves as his partner. How about that?"

"Good idea. What do you think, ladies?"

"No problem, sir."

"Sure, I will."

Even before the noble faction balked at the idea, the emperor made the decision with a satisfied smile.

Will I enjoy the same benefits as her then? It's Jiun who will host the last and most important day of the festival, but it's me who draws their attention as the crown prince's partner.

"Then what about the first day? Who should be the crown prince's partner on that day?"

"Of course Lady Jena should take on that role. Didn't Lady Monique already attend lots of parties with the crown prince?"

"What are you talking about? Have you forgotten that the crown prince's official fiance is still Lady Monique? Accordingly, it should be Lady Monique as his partner."

I put my hand on my chest because I felt frustrated, watching them bickering over the matter.

'What's the big deal? I don't understand why they're bickering over such a trifling issue.'

I was more and more annoyed, although I knew that even this kind of little stuff could affect the selection of the crown prince's bride candidate, and that its position was of paramount importance in the empire.

"How about dealing with that matter like this?"

The successor of the Marquis Mirwa family, with well combed honey-colored hair, said with a smile, "As you know, it's very hot this summer, but fortunately it passed without much damage, right? So, how about making a very young girl the crown prince's partner with gratitude to Vita, our main god? I mean as a symbolic sense. I have a five-year-old girl in my family."

"Hmm, a girl from your family?" Duke Lars asked. The Mirwa family belonged to the noble faction. After pondering over his suggestion for a moment, he agreed with a nod.

His consent meant the noble faction was given two days for Lady Jena, but at the same time it was good for the pro-emperor faction because they could stop her from serving as the crown prince's partner for two consecutive days.

"Okay. Let's start the real test then. With respect to the budget of the festival, the money will be divided in half for the two ladies, except for the portion allocated to Duchess Lars. I received their written responses to how they would use the money. As I distributed their replies to each of you, please ask questions if you want. "

Earl Hamel raised his hand first.

While listening to his long question, I took the cup on the table to my mouth. At that moment, my head started to throb, and I felt nauseated.

'Why is this scent so strong?'

Trying to control my nausea, I put down the cut casually. Cold sweat broke out and flowed on my back.

Come to think of it, I experienced similar things before my return. I think it was probably at a party celebrating the one-year anniversary of Jiun's arrival in the empire. But did I feel dizzy because I was pregnant at that time?

"... Lady Monique?"

"Oh, sorry. I momentarily..."

"Hmm. It looks like she is not ready yet, so please ask me first. I'll reply."

Smiling at me sarcastically, Jiun said, with her black eyes sparkling.

"According to your spending plan, you are spending 20 stins of the 50 stins allocated to you on hosting the banquet at the palace and the rest for the festival, right?"

The monetary units of the empire are divided into kana, stin, gold, silver, bronze. One kana equals 100 stin coins, one stin equals 100 gold coins, one gold equals 100 silver coins, and one silver equals 100 bronze coins. These are round coins, each of which is about one finger long and are very heavy because they are made of metal. Kana coins are very difficult to obtain except for by members of the imperial family or the great noble family. The average cost of living for a commoner family of four is about 4 gold coins per month.

"That's right."

"Then, you describe in your reply that you are going to hold an inspection ceremony of the three knights divisions in the central square of the capital. Are you going to hold it in this sweltering weather?"

"Well, we can take up the slack as they might have slacked off because of the heat, and at the same time we can give the people an eyeful. So, isn't it like killing two birds with one stone?"

Jiun replied, smiling brightly at Duke Lars.

I unwittingly let out a sigh. Her opinion as described in her reply was about the allocation of her budget for the festival. With respect to the knights' inspection ceremony, her idea was not bad itself, but it didn't show any consideration for the suffering of the knights who would have to practice for the ceremony in this sizzling weather.

'Well, before my return, I myself focused on caring about the welfare of the crown prince and myself, treating all others as someone who should be taken care and and ruled."

I suddenly made a bitter smile. Although I heard each individual's circumstances, I had no empathy for them back then. I was probably like a doll made only for the status of the 'Empress' and could not be considered a human.

"I think I have to consult with the knights commanders first. You can't decide on your own."

"I see. I apologize for that, Your Majesty. "

When she was done, the participants turned their attention to me.

Duke Jena, who asked for the right to speak, opened his mouth coldly, "It's not always the best policy to save money, but Lady Monique doesn't seem to be able to spend the money properly.

Do you really want to return the remaining balance to the government after you spend ten stins for the imperial banquet and 25 stins for each estate?"

It was a bit annoying to see him finding fault with me often, but I replied silently to his sarcastic question, "Well, I felt like it was abuse of money on my part. I already described how to use the money in my written reply..."

When I sorted out my thoughts and began to speak, I suddenly heard buzzing in my ear.

What is it?

Only

I heard my voice more and more faintly.

My eyes were blurred. Shortly afterwards a voice that left a strong impression rang in my head.

I was amazed by the voice that was ringing in my head. It was the same voice I heard just a few months ago.

Isn't this God's prophecy?

The birth of new buds, the buds to grow into roots and the six roots to be worshiped ... No way!

"Stay alert, Lady Monique!"

I was surprised by Marquis Enesil's voice that deeply but strongly rang into the ear.

Where am I now?