The fact that Klaus genuinely accepted my opinion could be known from the very next day.

“How can we accurately assess the wealth of the nobles?”

The fact that he asked me such a question was evidence itself.

He had always respected me enough, but this time, it was especially heartwarming. It seemed like he genuinely regarded me as a partner.

I decided to present an idealistic method first.

“It would be most convenient to have each family mandatory report their property size to the imperial family.”

“But if the reason for assessing their wealth is revealed to be for tax imposition, will they honestly report it?”

Klaus’s violet eyes shone sharply.

Indeed, my beloved was not only handsome but also intelligent. A satisfied smile involuntarily appeared on my face.

“Of course, they will likely try to underreport. Therefore, the imperial family should roughly assess the wealth of each family before they submit their reports.”

“Hmm, it won’t be an easy task.”

“Yes. Nevertheless, the financial records of each territory have somewhat alleviated the burden, as they have accumulated data over time.”

Klaus smirked.

“Of course, the main source of income for the nobles is the taxes collected from their territories. However, these days, there is something even more important than that.”

“Yes. It’s the business conducted under the family name.”

I replied smoothly, and Klaus gave me a meaningful smile.

“Well, then, we’ll have to thoroughly investigate all those businesses.”

“That part will be the most challenging and risky, Your Highness.”

Saying such things made me feel somewhat apologetic.

However, I couldn’t just show him the easy way. Facing reality and devising strategies accordingly was essential. Blind optimism would only lead Klaus into a crisis.

“Haah, where should we start?”

Klaus sighed, touching his forehead.

“Additionally, let me add that taxation based on income should not be limited to the nobility alone. Even though the number may be small, there are commoners in the empire wealthier than many nobles.”

“Yes, you are correct. Ultimately, the goal is to apply a fair tax law to all citizens regardless of their status.”

“To start, I think it’s appropriate to begin with a wealth tax. Noble families owning townhouses in the capital won’t they be among the wealthiest in the empire?”

The lifelong wish of common lords who had established themselves in the provinces was to secure a townhouse in the capital. Incidentally, Musele’s family wasn’t affluent enough to venture into the capital.

Klaus stood up from his seat and paced around for a moment.

“Wealth tax, wealth tax…”

It was understandable why he was pondering so much.

A household living well enough to bear a wealth tax meant that they were, in essence, the most powerful aristocracy in the country. If they united in opposition to income tax reform, the imperial family would be helpless.
As witnessed at the cabinet meeting, nobility didn’t necessarily embody dignity, culture, or interest in social justice. If they needed to act like thugs for their faction and family’s interests, they did so without hesitation.

Thinking about it again, bitter laughter was the only reaction. The chaotic scene with all sorts of insults and sophistries flying around, it was quite a sight.

“It would be best to quietly begin the groundwork underwater. First, we need to verify whether the income reports submitted from each territory are correctly prepared.”

“If that’s the case, there are secret investigators, the ‘Shatun,’ who secretly travel and report on the situations of regional territories. We can refer to their reports.”

Klaus, who spoke like that, stood tall in his place.

“But those reports are not in the general section of the Imperial Library. They are stored in a secret archive accessible only to the imperial family.”

“Ah…”

I exchanged glances with Klaus.

To think there were materials needed in a secret archive that only the imperial nobility could read. Was it really the case that Crown Prince Klaus had to handle such a trivial investigation himself?

“Can’t we just take the documents out of the archive?”

“No, it’s not allowed even for me to enter after receiving imperial approval.”

Klaus furrowed his eyebrows.

“The reports in the secret archive are mostly written by the ‘Shatun,’ an intelligence organization directly under the Emperor. So, only the Emperor can freely access the secret archive.”

“Then, isn’t it impossible for Your Highness as well?”

“Fortunately, I have the right to succeed to the throne, so I can access it.”

He said with a somewhat proud expression. Was he bragging about being the Crown Prince right in front of me? Somehow, it felt nauseating.

My pupils rolled up.

“In that case, Your Highness has no choice but to investigate directly.”

“Hmm?”

Klaus asked, looking momentarily dumbfounded.

I smiled slyly.

“Of course, it’s deeply regrettable that Your Highness has to personally handle such a trivial investigation, but I can’t enter the secret archive myself.”

Klaus looked at me with an absurd expression.