I’m Sorry I’m Not Qualified to Be Empress - Chapter 29

Chapter 29

“If we use them well, we will have a plentiful labor force, there will be no looting, and we will be able to get taxes. I don’t think it’s going to hurt. In this way, if they make their living dependent on us, they could attract the tribes to pro-Hellavant forces.”

Rose and Maxim flattered each other, and instead of being mocked, the others agreed.

“If you promise to provide only money and food, people will line up and will work for you even if you pay half the original wage.”

As soon as she finished speaking, opinions that were in agreement with her slowly began to appear one by one. Prime Minister Pieri furrowed his brows and dismissed their words at once.

“You don’t know them. How can you trust the barbarians in that lawless area and entrust them with work? These beastly immigrants don’t even know human laws.”

When he finished speaking, Rose looked at Pieri with a strange smile. With a more powerful voice than before, Rose opened her mouth.

“I’m sorry that you think like that. If other people say that, I’ll understand, but I can’t believe Prime Minister Pieri said that.”

“What do you mean?”

Pieri opened his eyes and looked at Rose. Rose was much more relaxed now, even tapping the armrests of the chair she is sitting on.

“I heard the prime minister’s wife was also an immigrant. I didn’t know you were treating and ostracizing immigrants like that.”

“Well!”

His face turned blue in embarrassment and Rose calmly continued with a remorseful smile.

“Think about it. What wonderful care Mrs. Katrina has done while there is no mistress in this castle. She’s an immigrant, but she’s such a talented person. Everyone here won’t be able to argue with that.”

At her words, the hall became silent. People were at a loss for words.

“There are many ways to subdue people. Some are forced to obey. It’s not a very good way to force them to obey you. It’s much more effective to make them obey themselves.”

“You’re telling us to make them rely on us first.”

“Yes.”

Rose smiled softly. There was a slight redness on her face.

“As the Queen said, there is no harm in trying once.”

Perhaps it was at this time that some ministers, who had been opposed to Prime Minister Pieri, began to agree with Rose’s proposal.

“Maybe the tribes are capable enough to work in those tough areas. For them, it’s a lifelong home.”

“You can send someone who can lead the army and has administrative power in case of emergency, maybe Jeremy. He’s out on the east side now. Probably.”

As detailed discussions emerged here and there, Prime Minister Pieri shut up and looked upset. The meeting, which had been noisy since the beginning with Rose’s participation, had now moved on to another topic. It was about the Guagimolia forest between Solstern and the others.

“My Lord Maxim. I’ve heard that you’re going to build a road in Guagimolia. Is that true?” A servant asked Maxim with a concerned look.

“Yes, it’s been planned for a long time.”

“But you don’t know when they will provoke you, so if you make a way there, wouldn’t it be a silky road to tell them to come in?”

Maxim licked his lips and smiled. “Why do you think we’re paving a silk road for them? Do you think we’re going to be a threat to them, or do you not want to do it at all?”

At Maxim’s direct words, the servant withdrew, avoiding his gaze as if his true intentions had been discovered. Maxim continued speaking, making eye contact with the ministers and elders sitting in their seats.

“Until when do you want to live in isolation, listening to barbarians? I’m going to travel all around the world. I plan to make roads all over the east, west, north, and south.”

He seemed determined. Perhaps, it was something he had vowed to do for a long time. So much so that no one can argue. Rose was already well aware of this subject. After all, Maxim Lancert made a huge road through the forest of Guagimolia, which was called the Heavenly Fortress, and through it he mercilessly invaded Solstern. This time, Maxim asked Rosé for her opinion.

“What do you think?”

Rose already knew the consequences no matter what she said, but she wanted to empower Maxim’s will in front of his people. In a slightly intense way. She smiled at him as she lightly placed her hands on the back of Maxim’s, which was resting on the armrest of the chair.

“Your Majesty, if you want to become an emperor, you must do it someday.”

The crowd suddenly became silent. They all looked shocked, as if they had been hit on the head. Satisfied with Rose’s answer, Maxim held her hand, lifted it up, and kissed the back of it. His golden eyes that were looking at her shone more determinedly than ever.

“For your sake.”

The ministers were speechless at the audacity of Maxim and Rose. Everyone implicitly knew that one day he would clash with Stern for a single throne.

However, they didn’t know when it would happen. No one spoke carelessly the moment it was uttered. It was a visualization that there would be war soon. So everyone was surprised that a woman from Stern made such a bold statement out of nowhere.

Richard, who was standing on one side of the conference hall and watching the scene, exclaimed briefly as if admiring Rose’s wit. He wanted to applaud her because he thought she was different. She gave a big blow to the subordinate ministers who were afraid of change and were only trying to avoid war. Looking at the faces of the ministers who had become blank, Richard coughed a little to contain his laughter. The meeting that day was so noisy from the beginning to the end.

After the meeting, Maxim and Rose were the first to leave the meeting room. The dignified and affectionate couple was a perfect match. Rose definitely made her presence known at today’s meeting.

“That’s enough,” Rose said, gently pulling back the hand she had placed on his arm. It was when the ministers and elders passed through the corridor and reached a quiet place.

Maxim smiled as he watched Rose take a step away from him as if she was measuring the distance between them with a ruler. He was a little worried about how she was doing because he hadn’t seen her for a while since the day she fell sick.

Although Maxim received reports from Janssen every day, he was somehow cautious about approaching her after that day. He felt like she had collapsed because of him, so he took care of her so that she could rest comfortably in an invisible place. But even at this moment, this woman was treating him thoroughly as a means to an end.

It wasn’t that he wanted her to feel anything different, but her blunt attitude towards him every time was offensive to Maxim’s heart.

“Are you feeling well?” He asked indifferently, like how he usually greeted the servants.

“Thanks to you.”

“Yeah. You haven’t seen me, so you look good. You don’t have to stay in an uncomfortable room because of me.”

“Are you worried about me?”

“It’s because people may think it’s weird if we use different rooms.”

“Ah. Also,” Maxim nodded and smiled mischievously. “If that’s the case, don’t worry. It looks more natural here. We’re not really a couple anyway.” There was a subtle sharp thorn in his words.

“I was pretty impressed at the meeting just now. You played the role of Queen very well.”

Rose hastily made excuses. “That’s because I have to help you…!”

“Ah, yes, yes. Of course.” Maxim looked at Rose with very business-like eyes and smiled coldly, wondering why not.

He said while holding Rose’s shoulders slightly and making eye contact with her. “I feel like I got a very strong helper, not a wife.”

“Are you mad at me?”

“Is there any reason for me to be angry? It might be a feeling that comes from sharing special relationships.”

“But, why…!” Rose tried to say something, but gave up and said something else. “There are a few things I’d like to change in the castle. I’d like to discuss it with you, but if you don’t have time, why don’t we have dinner together?”

“It’s okay for you to take care of small problems like that. You will just have to ask for my permission one by one, because I’m not interested in it. If you have any problems, consult Jansen.”

Maxim nodded once.

“…Okay.” Rose replied with a slight nod.

“Bye. I’m busy.” He said, leaving Rose alone, turning coldly and leaving.

His servants, who were far away, quickly followed him. Rose looked at Maxim’s back and suddenly felt exhausted. It wasn’t that… Rose wanted to say thank you for staying next to her when she was sick that night. Rose didn’t know why she kept saying blunt words in front of Maxim. It’s something she didn’t understand at all, but actually, she was kind of glad to see him after a long time.

‘Why do I keep being so mean to him?’ Rose stood still for a while in the empty space he had left with a disappointed face.

***

“Take a light blue and white combination of material. This is neither a prison nor a convent, so don’t be too strict about the maids’ petticoats, as long as it’s not overdone.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“The kitchen is dark and doesn’t seem to be well ventilated, so let’s make another big window. It’s hygienic too.”

“Yes.”

“The gardener’s hut needs to be repaired before it gets cold. And since he recently fell from a tree and was limping, send him to the doctor before it’s too late for a checkup.”

“Yes. I’ll pass it on to Butler Freddy.”

“The silverware piled up in the warehouse has been stripped of old dirt and now silverware is used for all dishes. If you stack it up like that, it’s just a treasure trove that is worse than garbage.”