“As wars increase, people lose their lives, reducing the population able to pay taxes. The land that yields produce also becomes barren. Unfortunately, despite sending much money for defense, it seems the defensive power of the North is not as it used to be. The Duke of the North must be having a hard time too. However, unnecessary battles keep happening, and even the enemy’s provocations that could have been stopped… I fear that may be the reason for the decreasing taxes.”
Sion Velpast nearly let out a laugh but managed to hold it back.
The North has never lost a war. Wars that need not be started and unnecessary conquests were always ordered by the Imperial family.
Just like the recent campaign against the barbarians in the South assigned to the Northern Knights at the very north of the Empire.
Yet, Rahert was saying the taxes decreased due to the many wars the North engaged in.
Is it really true that the taxes have decreased?
After hearing Rahert’s words, the Emperor spoke.
“Duke Rahert, why haven’t you reported such a matter to me earlier?”
“Your Majesty.”
Rahert knelt on one knee.
“I apologize. Concerned for Your Majesty’s health and mind, I forgot my official duties. Please punish me.”
“……It’s done.”
The Emperor, looking tired, rested a hand on his forehead.
“That should suffice as an explanation, right? Regardless, the Duke of the South has offered you ‘something very precious’ as a token of apology, hasn’t he?”
Something precious……
Sion Velpast closed his eyes again.
“A gold mine or a pink diamond mine, something like that?”
“No, Your Majesty. I received a person.”
“A person?”
The Emperor frowned, hearing this news for the first time.
“What kind of person would make you refuse a gold mine?”
“The person who came to assist me today is here. If Your Majesty permits, may I present them?”
Sion Velpast gauged the Emperor’s expression.
‘Would you like to see her, Your Majesty?’
The Emperor leaned back deeply in the throne, looking a bit tired.
Suddenly, Rahert loudly opposed.
“Duke! The Emperor is already fatigued from your long meeting. Do you intend to burden him further?”
Rahert’s face, already pale when the topic of taxes was raised, now looked even more stricken.
He flustered, trying to usher the Emperor away.
“It’ll be brief. If Your Majesty dislikes it, I will withdraw.”
Upon Duke Velpast’s words, the Emperor responded.
“Well, I am curious. Let’s have a quick look.”
“Your Majesty!”
Rahert’s voice cracked.
The Emperor gazed impassively ahead, indicating his decision was final.
Rahert, biting his lip, shouted loudly towards the door.
“Bring in those who came with the Duke of the North!”
Sion Velpast turned to look towards the door.
“Come forward.”
The Duke said.
I walked slowly towards where the Duke was.
My heart was pounding as if it would burst through the ground.
Standing behind the Duke, I deeply bowed, following the protocol.
“Raise your head.”
The Emperor spoke.
I lifted my head. The Emperor, looking tired, was leaning back in his chair. But as our eyes met… suddenly, the Emperor stood up.
“Come closer.”
His Majesty, with silver hair just like mine.
I hesitated for a moment.
“Go ahead, Estelle.”
Duke Velpast urged me.
Then, it happened.
“Bella!!!”
A voice, cutting through the air, echoed throughout the hall.
‘…Medea?’
Someone rushed from behind and embraced me with great force. It was indeed Medea.
Startled, I stiffened.
She looked at me with a beaming smile, though her eyes, not smiling, were intensely scanning me.
A scrutinizing gaze, filled with a deadly intent, from my toes to my face.
“Bella! You’ve had it tough! I really, really missed you. Ah… my dear friend, Bella.”
She hugged me tightly again, then glanced at the Emperor.
“Medea, you should greet His Majesty!”
Upon her father’s remark, Medea turned her weeping-like face towards the Emperor and bowed.
“Your Majesty! I came in with joy at seeing Your Majesty and forgot to show the proper respect. I apologize.”
“Do you know each other?”
The Emperor asked, his voice warmer than before.
“Of course. She was my loyal servant.”
Medea replied.
She hugged me once more, then whispered in my ear.
“That’s a new mask. Is it loose?”
She reached for my mask and, in the blink of an eye, untied the strings connecting it to my hair.
The incomplete mask helplessly fell to the ground. She exclaimed.
“Oh, I meant to fit it just right! Are you okay?”
I numbly stared at my silver mask on the floor.
My entirely disfigured left side of the face was now exposed to everyone.
The Emperor murmured quietly, yet his voice echoed throughout the hall.
“A monster. Duke of the North, you need to elevate your tastes.”
The Emperor left as if he had wasted precious time.
Following him like a spring breeze, Medea said,
“See you again. Bel, la.”
In the returning carriage.
Duke Sion Velpast of the North watched Estelle, who hadn’t uttered a word since meeting the Emperor, with concern.
Male lead is reincarnated to save his wife
I’ve also read this one twice already. The female lead is kinda soft and gets embarrassed easily—not really my type, but the plot is definitely worth reading. Hurry up and read it, y’all!
Intro
When Shen Yuan encountered Su Jin again in his previous life, she had already become the Prime Minister of the current dynasty. As for him, the former top young master of the capital, he had long since fallen into the abyss, becoming a singer on a pleasure boat.
After a song ended, he was redeemed and sent to the Su Residence.
Su Jin respected and cherished him, gave him a roof over his head, and bestowed him with warmth. Shen Yuan fell deeper and deeper, but before he could express his feelings, Su Jin passed away.
Shen Yuan died to follow her in death, but instead, he returned to when he was fifteen years old.
At that time, he was not yet engaged, and Su Jin was just a poor scholar.
Shen Yuan gritted his teeth, casting aside all his pride, and thought of ways to coax and entice her every day.
The colder and more indifferent Su Jin was towards him, the more proactive Shen Yuan became.
He was not afraid of being mocked by the world, only wanting to marry his Wife-master early, to hold her hand and never let go for a lifetime.
[Note: This story will not specifically point out the male lead’s reincarnation time point; it’s all in the details. Whenever you feel that the male lead is acting strangely, he has most likely been reincarnated.]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
