‘What is his intention?’

Casius couldn’t possibly not know about the Bearmont territory.

Even before ascending to the throne, he had thoroughly investigated all the territories of the empire and was knowledgeable about them.

Moreover, the strengths and weaknesses of these territories were recorded in the data I had investigated for him one by one when I was his aide.

The memories of how much I struggled back then were still vivid, as if they were unfolding before my eyes.

I couldn’t figure out his intention, but after Casius’s question was directed at me, the gazes of the nobles focused on me in unison.

The pressure to answer properly rushed in. My thoughts raced quickly.

Fortunately, Viscount Bearmont is Duke Bashvir’s man.

That means there is nothing strange about me attacking him here in the eyes of Diarob.

“The Bearmont territory is still struggling with massive debt due to the grain they purchased during the grain crisis seven years ago.”

The one who orchestrated the grain crisis at that time was Duke Bashvir.

The bastard bought up all the grain beyond the necessary amount, inflated the prices, and tried to resell it, using his own subordinates in the process.

I put an end to that practice, which had long been successful in filling their bellies.

By opening up overseas distribution channels for grain.

It was a strategy I devised because I couldn’t bear to see the commoners starving due to their antics, and as expected, the issue was successfully resolved.

Viscount Bearmont was one of Bashvir’s subordinates involved in that incident.

And for the same reason, those on Bashvir’s side cannot be selected as tourist sites.

“If they haven’t even been able to write off their debt, where can they secure the investment funds even if they are selected as a tourist site?”

“……”

“Originally, such opportunities should go to those who are prepared.”

There was no one among them who did not understand the thorns engraved in my words.

In fact, the only one among the imperial faction nobles who was not involved in that incident was my father.

He, who had stubbornly lived his own way, considered such things dishonest and didn’t even touch them.

So he was excluded from everything.

Now, those who pretended to be close to my father put forward only other nobles when the issue of selecting tourist sites came up.

‘It means he will only raise those he can keep below him.’

I had no intention of doing so.

Under attack, Duke Bashvir began to corner me, with bulging veins.

“How can Your Majesty the Empress not show mercy to a territory with remaining debt and attack it like that!”

“……”

“If you are moving with other personal intentions rather than the perspective of Her Majesty the Empress, please refrain from doing so!”

It was a simple remark, but the meaning contained within was truly vicious.

It meant that I was attacking Winterdell because I was a ‘Snowfell’.

In an instant, the air froze, and everyone’s gazes focused on me in unison.

“Did you ask me to look at it from the Empress’s perspective?”

I fascinatingly curved my lips, shrouded in a ruthless aura.

“Are you saying that I did so because I am a Snowfell, Duke Bashvir?”

At my precise point, Duke Bashvir flinched.

‘Was the Empress like this?’

The Empress, Vivian, whom Duke Bashvir knew, was somewhat withdrawn, contrary to the rumors of her being vicious.

The girl he saw in his memories from long ago at the debutante ball was just a child overwhelmed by her father.

That’s why he didn’t really pay attention to Vivian even after she became the Empress, and even when he encountered her at banquets afterward.

But.

The current appearance was enough to make even him, who had dealt with people for a long time, feel a sense of intimidation.

Each and every expression and word carried a unique dignity and power.

Only now did Duke Bashvir seem to understand why his daughter said the Empress should be guarded against.

Of course, as a veteran among veterans, he answered without even showing a hint of expression.

“Your Majesty the Empress would never do such a thing… I’m just saying it in case.”

“I see. Then let me give you a piece of advice, Duke.”

The Empress’s composed appearance was like an incarnation that had crossed the river of death, making those who saw her tense.

Soon, a noble voice flowed from her slowly parted lips, cutting through the solemn air.

“Be careful, as sheltering criminals can be considered the same for you as well.”

“Sheltering criminals… What nonsense is that?”

Duke Bashvir’s face was so calm that anyone who saw him would think he was truly an innocent person who knew nothing.

Towards such a duke, a languid voice slowly tightened.

“The grain crisis was clearly a criminal act that deceived the imperial citizens.”

The space instantly became brutal and froze.

In particular, the forces on Bashvir’s side, who were involved in the grain crisis at the time, tried hard to contain their burning insides and assess the situation.

Regardless, the Empress’s leisurely voice continued quietly.

“They bought up all the grain for a power struggle, starving the imperial citizens. What crime could be worse than that?”

“……”

“Isn’t that right, Duke Bashvir?”

For Bashvir, who was deeply involved in that incident, there was nothing to say.

Of course, he never directly got involved in that incident, as befitting of him.

In carrying out the plan, he meticulously leaked information to the lower ranks while keeping his name out of the core figures of the grain crisis.

Naturally, he didn’t suffer much damage either.

Because as soon as he heard the unusual news that overseas distribution channels would be opened, he immediately sold off what he had.

He sold off all the grain Winterdell possessed and only after the situation stabilized did he belatedly release the information.

That the flow of grain was unusual.

Those who suffered tremendous losses in the process were Bashvir’s subordinates who followed him.

‘Does the Empress know all of that?’

Even if she knew, it was an issue that ended without evidence, so there was nothing that could be done about it.

But if the Empress was aware of even such things… she was by no means an easy opponent.

Duke Bashvir tried to put on a smiling face.

“My thoughts were short, Your Majesty the Empress.”

It was a plain remark, but it was rare for Duke Bashvir to back down.

Towards such a duke, the Empress added mockingly in the way he often spat out.

“Ah, of course, I’m not blaming you, Duke Bashvir. It must have been just a mistake.”

At the meaningful words, everyone in the hall held their breath and only assessed the situation.

Among them, the nobles involved in the grain crisis pondered the Empress’s words.

Some quick-witted ones among them began to grasp an important fact from the unusual conversation a moment ago.

‘Was Duke Bashvir the mastermind behind the recent grain crisis?’

In fact, the rumors about grain prices that circulated every year when the season came were mainly centered around social clubs.

Those social clubs were all run by Bashvir, and although he participated in the grain crisis, he didn’t suffer much loss.

By selling at the right time.

And now, Duke Bashvir seemed to be backing down, not wanting to mention it further.

What could all of that mean?

Naturally, the gazes of the nobles involved in the incident were fixed on Bashvir.

They had to bear the losses without knowing anything while Duke Bashvir sold everything off.

Those who still maintained their positions at this place had avoided bankruptcy, but like Viscount Bearmont a moment ago, they had a lot of debt.

The invisible cracks formed in an instant.

They had once gained a lot of benefits from Duke Bashvir, but that had long been forgotten.

Being backstabbed naturally makes one forget about previous favors.

The division of power originates from suspicion.

In that respect, the Empress’s stratagem of bringing up that incident, where there were sufficient seeds of doubt, was truly remarkable.

Bashvir was at a loss, focusing on managing his expression.

Diarob enjoyed the winner’s leisure, monopolizing the annoying laughter.

And Casius, who watched this whole scene… once again found someone in her appearance.

Rachel Rosemary, she began to appear again.

In Vivian.

‘Damn it.’

He cursed himself inwardly for being caught up in delusions.

In fact, the reason he asked Vivian about the Bearmont territory was to further fuel the confrontation between the Snowfell and Winterdell forces.

At the same time, he also wanted to reconfirm the Empress’s insight that he had seen before.

Duke Bashvir was a difficult opponent to deal with, and it was an entertaining spectacle to observe who would win.

So when Bashvir portrayed the Empress as a pathetic one who represented the position of a ‘Snowfell’, Casius was honestly thrilled.

But.

To corner Duke Bashvir, who slips away like a fox, with the grain crisis incident.

Moreover, the Empress seized that opportunity and instantly turned the situation in her favor.

However, the person in question didn’t seem to be rejoicing.

Rather, she seemed like she would be happier to receive even a handful of attention from him.

As always… she was a strange woman.

The moment Casius’s eyes glanced up, the Empress’s gaze met his.

Her gaze lingered on him for a moment, as if she was thinking about something.

In her violet eyes, there was only a question, no wavering.

It was an extremely rational and cold face.