Carson tapped the desk with his fingers, creating a pause in the conversation. After a moment, the certain noise that had tensed the surroundings abruptly stopped, and Carson answered somewhat cheerfully.

“Cliché.”

“…”

“I thought you would be different… But you’re nothing special. It’s so obvious that I don’t even want to answer.”

With an open provocation, Mansuet shouted in anger.

“Even if it’s cliché, you must follow. Even as the emperor, you cannot violate the laws of the empire.”

“Have you ever seen a law stating that a woman with a record of committing a crime, let alone such an ordinary crime, attempted murder, cannot become an empress?”
“Moreover, she cannot even become a maid. It is a sin. It is difficult to say that there is none just because it is not explicitly stated in the law.”

Mansuet seemed desperate at first glance. He was in a state where the core of his power, the Ministry of Finance, had been completely taken away. If he couldn’t secure the position of empress, the balance of power would tilt completely.

Carson deflected Mansuet’s fierce gaze and turned his eyes to everyone.

“Is that so? Do you all really think that way?”

Carson knew too well what the fleeting silence meant. If it were before the Ministry of Finance was taken away, the aristocrats would have opposed vehemently before the emperor could finish speaking.

However, the so-called aristocrats couldn’t speak out recklessly. Having witnessed how the representatives who had been in this position until recently fell apart powerless, they remained silent.

“Well, yes.”

But Mansuet’s power had not completely disappeared yet. The nobles who were watching his attitude began to speak up one by one.

“That’s right. A woman who was a sinner has become an empress. The majesty of the imperial family will not stand for the imperial citizens.”

“It’s an impossible thing.”

At that moment, Vox stood up from his seat. He had been sparing with his words at the recent deputy meetings. When he stepped forward, those who had been holding their mouths started to speak one by one.

“I oppose Duke Mansuet’s words. While it is true that Ines, the daughter of Earl Swenden, committed a crime, we must also acknowledge the merits she has earned, covering up the crime and contributing to the empire.”

“Is that so?”

Carson laughed heartily, even his chest fluttering. It was as if he couldn’t hold back his laughter while watching a well-orchestrated village play.

It was astonishing how such an obvious fact could change so dramatically depending on the political situation. At this point, it seemed okay to think that the people in front of him were reincarnations of bats.

“Already, you saved the life of the princess, and Swenden is a meritorious family. It’s amusing to ask about the crime committed by the woman of the family that established the current emperor. It’s a ridiculous thing.”

Carson once again threw his gaze at the people.

“This seems to be the thought of Prime Minister Vox. How about your thoughts, gentlemen?”

Once again, the answers did not come quickly. Their faces were so pale from intense calculations in their heads that it seemed as if they would turn white.

“My, my thoughts are the same as Baron Vox’s.”

Since when? Carson wanted to ask, but he had to endure the urge to chew on the inside of his mouth.

The one who supported the prime minister was none other than Count Sevignon. It was even more intriguing because he was the one who used to bark even if Mansuet pulled his chair slightly.

“How about that?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Sure enough, Mansuet’s face was so crumpled that it was hard to look at.

“Continue speaking. If you each want to say something, there’s no need to stop you from speaking one by one.”

Even with clear sarcasm, the nobles remained silent, lowering their eyes as if the atmosphere was weighing them down.
At that moment, Noah, who had been sent to convey the message to Ines, entered the conference room again.

Carson, who was about to smile, was taken aback as Noah delivered the message seriously.

“Christian Ollando Kyung is requesting to enter the conference room right now.”

“Who?”

The most surprised person upon hearing those words was none other than Carson himself. If it was Christian, Ines had appointed him as the representative of Monderai.

A while ago, Carson had lain side by side with Ines in bed and asked about Monderai. It was to discuss the possibility of finding a suitable person to stand in front of the public and act as a representative if necessary.

However, Ines did not provide any specific answers, just drawing a small circle with her finger on his chest. In a moment of suspicion, Carson grabbed Ines’s finger, bit it, and narrowed his eyes.

〈Perhaps Monderai is not actually a real person, is it?〉

At those words, Ines jerked her head in surprise. Finding her reaction cute and lovely, Carson teased her more.

And then, he heard a very interesting revelation.

〈Monderai is, in fact, the queen’s castle, Raymond, flipped.〉

Confession-like words accompanied by the reddening of Ines’s cheeks.

It was a name she had made up in the days when she had decided to live solely for him. The cute naming skill ignited a fire in Carson’s heart.

Thanks to that, every time Carson heard the name Monderai, he recalled that night. That night was longer and more sultry than any other day.

“What should we do?”

At Noah’s voice, Carson snapped out of his reverie. Chuckling, he responded with a more dignified expression than usual.

“Let him in.”