The Evil Empress Adores Me

Just then when Margrave Antes gritted his teeth.

Who is that?

It cant be.

Commotion spread among the astounded guests.

The person who had just entered the banquet hall so casually was an old lady that displayed the elegance of a noblewoman with her very being.

For the past five years, she has never made an appearance at any event.

The old lady calmly met the gaze of the astonished guests, greeting them politely.

Its been a while, everyone.

The nobles stood up from their seats, each paying respect to the Empress dowager.

We meet Empress dowager.

The Empress gave a curtsy as she greeted her.

Im really happy that youve taken this difficult step, remarked the Empress.

There was faint tension for a moment.

Apparently, the Empress dowager and the Empress were not on good terms with one another and avoided looking at each other directly.

The Empress was the daughter of a family of collaborators who contributed to the current emperors coup while the Empress dowager struggled to protect her grandchild during and in the coups aftermath.

The two women looked at each other in a way that expressed a whirlwind of complex emotions.

After a while, the Empress dowager dismissed her personal feelings and responded to the Empresss greetings.

I didnt know whether I would ever attend a meeting concerning important issues again. Thank you for inviting me.

Dont mention it. Its an honor to have the Empress dowager attend.

Meanwhile, Antess people paid attention to the word important issue.

To them, at least those who attended this dinner seemed genuine. The people here didnt intend to turn a blind eye to Margrave Antess plight.

After a while, Margrave Antes opened his mouth with a rather relaxed voice.

I appreciate the consideration and the respect shown by Her Majesty, the Empress, and the Empress dowager for me and my people.

Antes people had also calmed down by now, judging from their relaxed expressions.

Because it meant that Empress Dowager, the eldest member of the imperial family, respected Margrave Antes to the extent that she came to attend this event.

But we did not come here to be treated, my lands are in danger.

In a blink of an eye, the Margraves eyes constricted sharply, making his gaze intense.

The frontier, my people, and lands are in a desperate crisis.

..Our provisions.

There is absolutely no end to the shortage of supplies for the soldiers. The soldiers are left in a situation where they dont even have enough food to eat, let alone maintain or replace their weapons

The Margrave of Antes bit his lips in frustration and anger as he clenched his fists tightly for the words he said, a painful reminder of his powerlessness in the worsening crisis.

His Majesty, the Emperor did not even allow for an audience, said the Duke in a bitter and anguished voice.

Heavy silence enveloped the banquet hall.

The great lord held nothing back, making his appeal with his head hung low and disregarding his pride.

This means the situation is dire and Margrave Antes is truly desperate.

Does it make sense to think that I can cover for the shortage of goods by simply having taxes on my lands reduced? Does his Majesty consider this measly attempt at support to be sufficient enough that he leaves us to fend for ourselves?!

Margrave Antes raised his voice to such a point that one could see the blood vessels in his neck.

The reason my lands received a tax reduction in the first place was because there was no choice but to do so, correct?

Hey, calm down a little bit.

No, no one would be able to calm down if they were in the same situation as me!

Margrave Antes slammed the table with both hands in his outburst.

Its so frustrating that I cant decide whether the Emperor still has a grudge against me!

At that enraged outcry, people began to implore the Margrave to calm down.

Margrave Antes, youre getting too emotional!

We are well aware of your frustration. Why do you doubt that?

When Emperor Seon passed away, Margrave Antes was among those that opposed the current Emperors succession to the throne.

It led to protest against the Emperors younger brother when the throne still had its own successor, the crown prince.

It was clear now that Margrave Antes wished to know whether the Emperor was being vindictive and retaliating politically as payment for the Margraves past actions.

Honestly, I would ask the Emperor himself if I could, alas he is not here.

Despite those around him trying to calm him down, the Margrave remained incensed.

The Empress who had kept quiet, looked around at the banquet hall, looking back and forth as she absorbed all that was happening. To say the situation was complicated would be an understatement but it was something the Empress was no stranger to.

Meanwhile, the Margraves voice was getting sharper.

Otherwise, you cant do this to us!

Uh-huh, look! His Majesty knows the threat posed by these beasts, and yet he just ignores them!

Then, Margrave Antes

But right then.

A calm voice, distinct from the guests, could be heard.

It was the Duke of Rochester.

How about doing more work?

..Doing more work?

You, Margrave Antes are now beseeching for greater funds from His Majesty, the Emperor.

Even though everyones focus was on the Duke, his face did not react or express emotion.

Thats why the Emperor can refuse and has refused an audience.

Thats

It sounds as if his Majesty is in control of the current situation, stated the Duke.

Dark green eyes gleamed coldly.

You have to regain the initiative to obtain control.

Lord, do you want to regain control?

At the unexpected words, people started to murmur.

The Duke continued to speak calmly.

Ill take your silence as a yes. To do so, please formally request the Council of the Nobles to set up an emergency relief fund.

In addition to the fund that the emperor judged and paid, there was one system in the Empire that allowed a fund to be organized at the Council of Nobles.

That was the emergency relief fund that the Duke was talking about.

However, the fund was almost non-existent, its current state abysmal and the reason for that was .

Sir, Duke of Rochester. Do you take me for a fool?!

Margrave Antess blood was boiling. His face was already red and now it was beginning to turn purple.

In order for the emergency relief fund to be approved, it must be passed unanimously by the Council of Nobles!

It was next to impossible to break through the complex interests of the nobles and unify everyones opinions.

However, even with Margrave Antes in front of him, being very excited, the Duke didnt budge or bat an eyelid.

I also dont think youre going to get a unanimous vote from the nobles.

Then what are you going on about! roared the Duke.

You only have one goal. Taking back the initiative held by His Majesty the Emperor.

Are you joking around with me right now?

Margrave Antes took a quick breath and proceeded to stare the Duke down.