I let out a bitter smile.

“Could it be that you are considering marriage with me?”

“Yes.”

The answer came from Klaus without a hint of hesitation.

It hurts.

To be able to answer everything so easily. Being the protagonist is truly simple and comfortable.

Although I was grateful for his prompt response, in reality, I wasn’t thankful at all.

“Just because we exchanged a few kisses doesn’t mean Your Highness has to take responsibility for my life. I only engaged with you to fulfill your desires, so please consider it as a kind of pastime.”

“…!”

Perhaps because my tone was colder than expected, Klaus’s face turned pale.

A deathly silence settled in.

“…”

“…”

After a while, a frigid voice flowed out like ice.

“Is that your conclusion?”

“Yes.”

I answered desperately, holding onto my heart as if it would burst.

Klaus slowly stood up as if he were going to grab my collar. Like a chilly ice pillar, his voice pierced my ears.

“Fine. If that’s your wish, there’s nothing I can do about it.”

The conversation ended there.

He sat down at his desk with measured steps, like a machine. Then, he began to examine one of the piled administrative documents.

I had no confidence to be in the same space as him any longer. I had to create work or find any excuse to leave this place.

“Well then, I’ll go to the Ministry of Finance, Your Highness.”

“…”

He didn’t say a word.

I politely turned around. Then, I gathered a heap of administrative documents from the desk.

It didn’t matter if I was late; after all, Lumi would visit Klaus in the afternoon.

With brisk steps, I left the office.

I had escaped from the prince’s palace under the pretext of going to the Ministry of Finance, so I headed slowly towards my destination.

“Sigh…”

It felt like a heavy boulder was placed in my chest. Breathing became difficult, so I thumped my chest with my hand.

I had no strength left in my entire body.

Even though I walked slowly, I unexpectedly arrived at the Ministry of Finance. I met Viscount Poirebach.

“Here is the approval for the budget you requested.”

“Oh, it was processed quickly.”

Viscount Poirebach was also surrounded by a tower of documents.

He handed over the documents and stood up briefly, as if trying to cool his head.

At that moment, I asked him sneakily.

“I heard it from Evangelin Youngae. The countess is very angry because of Lady’s social gathering.”

“Whew, that happened. But even if I get angry, there’s nothing I can do. I can only console her in my surroundings.”

The viscount laughed bitterly.

“My head hurts, but it’s more important to focus on state affairs. It’s not worth spending energy on the petty quarrels of the social circle, don’t you think?”

“Yes…”

“So, I decided to step back. I can trust my wife to handle the social affairs somehow.”
I didn’t know if it was a wise decision. When men from each household intervene in the social circle’s fights, the situation tends to get uncontrollably bigger.

I glanced at the clock.

I needed to stall for more time. I wanted to return to Klaus’s office as late as possible.

“Viscount, I suppose the revenue for this year will likely decrease compared to last year?”

“Oh, taxes? Yes, it seems so. The lords in the southern region received a massive exemption from tax payments this year.”

Although tax exemption may seem like an immediate benefit, it was an enormous loss from the country’s perspective.

There had to be another source of income to compensate for the vanished revenue.

“So, how do you plan to compensate for the deficit in revenue?”

“At the moment, there’s no separate way to compensate. We can only reduce next year’s household expenses accordingly.”

“Ah…”

Viscount Poirebach also had an embarrassed expression.

“For now, the Emperor mentioned that the budget for the imperial family’s use would be reduced.”

“What does a reduction in the imperial budget specifically mean?”

“When we don’t have money, what is the first thing we cut down on? Food and clothing. The imperial family is no exception.”

The gaze of Anton, the newspaper company’s CEO, was precise.

The current Emperor was genuinely a righteous ruler. When the national budget was insufficient, he first reduced the money spent by himself and his family.

“The money spent on food and clothing for the imperial family may not be as significant as the taxes in the southern region.”

“Haha, that’s a matter of course. Perhaps the number of servants working in the palace can also be reduced. After all, the expenses going to the staff are not insignificant.”

The viscount stroked his chin as if to appear dignified.

“Actually, I don’t know more details. Since the management of the palace’s affairs is handled internally, you can inquire about the specifics there.”

Nodding cautiously, I tentatively spoke.

“Viscount, what if we collect more taxes from elsewhere?”

“Well, that seems like the easiest solution.”

There was a slight wrinkle on the viscount’s forehead.