Chapter 26
The chilly atmosphere didn’t end here. Edith was dragged into the solemn meeting hall, where seriousness permeated endlessly, following the orders of the prince.
The Imperial Council, the highest decision-making body in the empire.
In a space as vast as an auditorium, ministers and prominent nobles, including the Prime Minister, were arranged layer by layer. Edith, who had attended several times before, stood at the end of the line.
The only one sitting was Clyde, as everyone else remained standing to report and discuss, creating a solemn atmosphere.
The topic of debate today was the issue of the reserve army.
Nobles advocating for military downsizing argued about the cost, stating, “Your Highness, we currently face no imminent threat of war, yet the number of soldiers is excessively high. What use is there for armies surrounding the capital? It’s all just a waste of resources.”
The officials countered, “The army is Your Majesty’s strength. If the Emperor, the ruler of this empire, leads the army at the level of a noble’s private soldiers, it would be absurd. The reserve army serves not just as soldiers but as a means of governance…”
As the speech seemed to drag on, Clyde lightly raised his hand, causing both sides of the heated debate to fall silent simultaneously.
He entered the Council meeting in a deeply unsettled state, carrying the melancholic conversation from his study. There was no remaining leniency to endure the sharp atmosphere of the chamber.
He glanced around at the nobles and officials lined up around the imperial throne, like flashes of gold, and when his eyes met Edith’s, she felt a chilling gaze.
His unimpressive expression was notorious even among the ministers. Whenever he looked at someone with a tilted head and a stern gaze, it often ended with the person being severely reprimanded.
His stern finger tapped lightly towards the podium.
“I instructed for a certain report to be brought, didn’t I?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Read it on my behalf. Skip the current situation and just read the evaluation part.”
The Grand Chancellor, also known as the chief steward, was the person who supported the policies advocated by the prince at the forefront. He had been waiting with a bag full of documents and found the report requested by Clyde.
After clearing his throat and adjusting his voice, he began to read the report.
“Lord Allen’s militia consists of 500 soldiers, Lord Smith’s militia consists of 400 soldiers, and other noble houses have over 100 soldiers each, indicating a considerable scale. In contrast, the Emperor’s reserve army consists of only 2,000 soldiers, significantly fewer than the total of soldiers from noble militias.”
As she listened to the contents of the report, Edith’s eyes widened. The reading was of the opinion paper she had compiled and submitted.
She hadn’t been asked to organize it systematically, and the report she submitted was nothing more than a roughly scribbled opinion on a piece of paper. She vividly remembered nodding off at her desk while writing it.
Then suddenly, Lord Allen stepped forward.
“That’s a lie! Our household has only a few dozen guards.”
Ignoring the objection, the Chancellor continued reading.
“As the noble estates near the capital are considered a significant threat to the imperial family’s security, private armies are formed under the pretext of managing the security of the estates…”
He even left the word “rebellion” unaltered. It was an extremely strong term.
Edith’s bewildered eyes scanned the chaotic conference room.
She had never expected her written opinion to be used in this manner.
Clyde’s intentions were unexpected, to say the least.
The discussion reached a point where both sides were about to clash like a brawl in a marketplace, and Clyde raised his hand to silence the room.
“The next agenda item…”
Changing the subject so lightly at this point.
“How about we hold an event under the auspices of the palace since the pillars supporting the empire need a break from their toils?”
“An event…?”
The Chancellor seemed to question the unfamiliar suggestion. A faint wrinkle appeared on Clyde’s firm brow.
Resting his chin on his supported hand on the armrest of the throne, he glanced coldly at Edith standing behind the Chancellor.
His intentions were still unclear.
To make such a commotion and then casually change the subject was indeed unexpected.
“How about…”
“Are you suggesting…?”
“I didn’t say we’ll have a dance party in the hall.”
“Then…”
“Let’s organize a marksmanship competition to foster skilled marksmen.”
The nobles showed mixed reactions, with some expressing disappointment at the prospect of not having a formal ball. However, many still held expectations for an event hosted by the palace.
A slightly uplifted atmosphere filled the meeting room.
A keen-eyed duke cautiously acknowledged Clyde’s mood.
“That’s a wise decision. The entire empire will rejoice at the prospect of an event after so long.”
“And one more thing.”
Everyone looked at Clyde, wondering what bombshell statement he would make next.
“I’ll personally oversee the competition.”
The room buzzed with murmurs.
From the beginning, no one expected the prince to only receive reports from his subordinates. The key was how much hands-on involvement he would have in organizing the event, just enough to make announcements during the meeting.
“Your Highness, may I ask in what manner you intend to hold the competition?”
“For now, let’s proceed as usual. However, I want to be prepared for unexpected situations.”
People on both sides, divided between officials and nobles, exchanged glances, trying to gauge each other’s reactions.
Especially, the Grand Chancellor, the prince’s right-hand man, frowned, causing tension to mount in the room. It was evident that the purpose of the event wasn’t simply to host a joyous celebration.
“Let’s consider the kind of event you all strongly desire. We’ll focus on the marksmanship competition but decide whether to hold a banquet based on the progress.”
Clyde half-heartedly permitted the banquet, seeming to give in to the people’s desires.
“We’ll follow Your Highness’s orders.”
Those in the meeting room obediently complied, yet they were unsure of the prince’s hidden intentions.
***
Guided by a palace servant, Edith ventured into an unfamiliar area.
She rarely wandered around the vast palace of the prince, so she was only familiar with a few places where she usually worked. However, this time, she found herself in a completely different area, far from the chambers and rooms she knew.
The corridor had potted plants, and through the open windows, lush ivy could be seen flourishing outside. The small gallery with light curtains fluttering in the breeze seemed like a different world.
The space adorned with landscapes, big and small, echoed with emptiness at the center.
“Welcome, Edith.”
The voice came from only one person.
“Your Highness. What brings me here?”
Since it was broad daylight and the chandeliers and wall sconces were extinguished, the interior was rather dark.
Click. The palace servant who escorted her closed the door from the outside.
In the dimly lit room, Clyde, with his shoulders slumped, approached her.
“Why… why?”
Stammering, she took a step back.
Clyde couldn’t help but chuckle.
“You’re finally speechless. Well, fine. Then just call me by my name.”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
“Clyde.”
“Huh?”
“Try it. Clyde.”
Though she had cursed him countless times in her mind, she couldn’t bring herself to call out his name to his face. This wasn’t reality, it was a world from a novel, and Clyde was the prince.
“I was just surprised for a moment. I never intended to address Your Highness disrespectfully.”
“Disrespect… doesn’t matter.”
Muttering with a hint of regret, he stepped closer. Edith’s skirt brushed against his feet.
Edith had been summoned while she was working alone, so her dress was neat and simple. She wasn’t wearing any corsets or petticoats to cinch her waist or puff up her skirt. Writing reports wasn’t a typical task, so in her anguish, she had torn at her hair and lost all her jewelry.
The tips of their shoes met in an instant.
A large hand closed around her waist naturally. Despite feeling wrong, her body remembered his touch.
Edith was being drawn in by the enchanting atmosphere.
His remaining hand, extended as if in fascination, gradually rose above her hand. She couldn’t understand why she was being led by Clyde without any resistance.
“With such a beautiful face, even I find it hard to resist…”
With a strong pull, she was drawn closer.
“Ah.”
She let out a soft gasp, causing Clyde to flinch in response.
