Great Hall of the Imperial Palace.

Not long after the new empire had settled in, when the ministers gathered, contrary to the solemn dignity of the palace, arguments broke out like those in a marketplace.

Moreover, it had become noisier a few days prior due to the same agenda,
“Your Majesty. If the child is five, that’s at least one year of negligence during pregnancy, is it not? We cannot let this go.”

It was the issue of disciplining Lucia for taking parental leave.

“Indeed. If you’re going to let it slide, you must do the same for the official who neglected their duties not long ago!”

“That’s right. Parental leave after more than five years!”

As Count Lendor began to stir the waters, opportunistic bureaucrats chimed in without exception.

“Goodness, do you all really think this matter is the same as Commander Lucia’s case?”

Emperor Kaius, who had been listening to their complaints, weariedly turned his ear.

This was completely opposite to his attitude when dealing with his favorite, Lucia.

“Your Majesty, even though she is a Sword Master, according to the laws of the royal family…”

“Yes. That Sword Master. Don’t you all know better how much she contributes to national interests?”

He brushed off the earwax on his finger, indifferently dismissing their arguments.

The Emperor had not told anyone that Lucia had approached the Grand level.

He couldn’t know what burdens those who were already envious of her would impose upon her using their status.

‘Tsk… Just accept your titles quietly. What’s so burdensome about managing a fief? Ugh, it’s like I’m dying.’

The Emperor liked Lucia’s lack of ambition but was also greatly dissatisfied with it.

“Enough. I fully understand how hostile you all are to Commander Lucia. Stop the pointless talk and discuss the real issue. For instance, why do I keep seeing the same tiresome faces in this hall?”

The Emperor looked extremely displeased.

Then,

“Your Majesty, it seems they need more time to prepare, as they are not yet fully aware of the situation.”

As if they had practiced together for quite some time, many ministers spoke in one voice.

This was the same opinion, and a strong determination, of the conservative nobles who had been restraining the emerging forces for the past five years.

The Emperor would no longer tolerate them.

Bang!

“It’s already been five years. If that’s the issue, you should have been watching this hall without speaking rights so that no petitions would have arisen! Enough with the power struggle over your feeding bowls. Enough. Tsk.”

Striking the expansive table and finally standing up, the Emperor signaled to the secretary to end the meeting and promptly left.

Silence fell in the meeting hall after the loud sound of the door closing.

“…Will you just stand by and watch?”

Count Lendor, who had worked hard to align the nobles with his opinion, spoke, looking at them.

What could they do when the Emperor had left? They only rolled their eyes as if avoiding his gaze.

“Look at this! Just because His Majesty protects her, will you let a mere knight return to duty without any punishment?”

His reddened face, still furious from the argument with the Emperor, was fuming.

“What do you propose then, Count Lendor?”

A low voice resonated in the momentary silence, as if timed perfectly.

The voice belonged to Leon’s father, Chancellor Federlin Luwins.

“Oh, Your Grace. As I’ve said, this is the opportunity to make her come to her senses by administering a serious punishment.”

“Yes. Strip her of the Commander position!”

“That’s right! We must break her arrogance!”

With the Chancellor showing interest, the previously silent nobles finally raised their voices to add fuel to the fire.

Chancellor Federlin nodded, then,

“Alright. Let’s try to soothe your feelings of inferiority with punishment then.”

It was a bland reprimand to them.

“Inferiority…! How dare you…!”
“And if she becomes angry at this treatment and flees to another kingdom, let the Count hire a sword master just like her.”

“……That, that can’t be!”

As he tried to speak again, the minister, as if annoyed, put down the pile of documents he was organizing and asked,

“Count Lendor. Have you thought about it? What could be the reason she can act so brazenly in the current situation of the empire?”

“What other reason could there be, Your Highness, other than looking down on those who have truly contributed, armed with just one little talent that’s above her station?!”

Unlike the excited Count, the minister quietly let out a snort and shook his head.

“You are wrong. She does so because she can.”

“……!!”

It was an explanation that settled everything, a response filled with many things.

Unable to continue speaking at the sharp retort, Count Lendor rose from his seat.

“Then, let’s discuss the participation of all the nobles at the next meeting. It’s about time.”

With that, the minister left the conference room.

As he left, the previously agitated nobles slowly began to rise, looking around at each other.

“……”