From the perspective of someone making a request, raising one’s voice will only bring trouble. Franz barely managed to suppress the anger rising within him and moved toward the place he had been trying to reach.
Arghuman Palace, where the emperor’s office and audience room are located. For Franz, this place was both close and distant.
It was a location he always desired to get close to but could never reach—something he wanted but couldn’t possess.
It was also a place that Marina yearned to give to her son but could never manage to do so, despite her desperation. Perhaps this space was more desired by his mother, Marina, than by Franz himself.
In this place, where the emperor spent most of his time except for sleeping, Marina always wanted her son, Franz, to be present.
“Please announce that Archduke Toskur has arrived.”
Stilikov informed the doorkeeper guarding the office of Franz’s arrival. The doorkeeper went inside to report and soon came out to guide Franz and his party inside.
“It’s been a while, my sister-in-law.”
At Franz’s greeting, Monica, who had been waiting seated, frowned.
“Address me correctly.”
Was she bothered by being called my sister-in-law? Franz smiled and knelt on the floor, propping one leg up.
“I greet you, the Imperial Regent, Lady Monica Albrecht.”
Though they were brothers by the same father but had different mothers, the title of sister-in-law seemed appropriate. However, Monica did not grant him that title.
This likely indicated she did not want to acknowledge their connection as siblings.
Franz scoffed with his head bowed. Fortunately, since she could only see the top of his head, there was no worry about this disdain being discovered.
“Do it properly.”
Monica acted coldly, as if she wouldn’t even acknowledge his greeting, yet allowed him to sit comfortably. Was this something to be grateful for?
Franz stood and took a seat directly across from Monica.
“What brings you all the way here?”
“You might have an idea of what it is.”
“Presumptuous. Where do you think you’re twisting your words? Even though I am the Imperial Regent, you are currently meeting with the Emperor.”
“My apologies, Lady Monica Albrecht.”
The surname he inherited through marriage to the Albrecht Imperial House. Although he shared the blood of the emperor, Franz had not acquired that surname, which Monica had gained so easily through one marriage.
No matter how noble the emperor’s blood may be, if it’s mixed with base blood, does it mean one is inherently inferior to noble-born aristocrats? He felt another wave of scorn trying to surface.
“Speak clearly if you have something to say. I have no time for your meaningless jokes.”
Monica’s words to Franz were laced with evident hostility. Had she realized that Franz, or rather Marina, was implicated in her son’s death? Franz blinked slowly.
Well, she couldn’t have caught on so quickly. Karl might be different, but Monica was not particularly perceptive.
“I heard you’ve issued a decree banning all personal commercial transactions in LaHart.”
“Your news travels fast. Are you just now hearing about something that’s already happened days ago?”
And she even dared to taunt him. Though Monica had always acted as if she disliked him, she had never been this openly hostile.
Franz tilted his head slightly, a bit taken aback by her animosity.
Even as a crown princess, she was merely a noblewoman who ascended to a high position due to her fortunate lineage. Like most noblewomen, she relied on her family’s power rather than her own abilities. Even if she was considered sharp, she was still just a somewhat superior woman among the noblewomen.
It was puzzling why Monica, who vaguely dismissed him as a potential threat to her husband, was now so openly confrontational and glaring at him.
Ah, of course, if she knew all the secrets, then this level of anger would be justified.
“I thought the situation would be resolved in a few days. I didn’t expect you to make the people of LaHart uncomfortable for so long, Lady Monica.”
What the regent does is the same as what the emperor would do. The same power is exercised.
Yet, Franz audaciously pointed out that the emperor’s actions had made the people uncomfortable. Monica’s face twisted in anger.
“How dare you…?”
Even in the face of her sharp fury, Franz merely shrugged. Was he being relaxed or arrogant? Or was he simply oblivious?
Monica’s rage intensified at Franz’s nonchalant demeanor, which seemed inappropriate for the situation.
She harbored suspicions towards Franz regarding her son, Emperor Maximilian’s sudden death.
He was only twelve and had no illnesses or accidents; how could he have died so suddenly?
Was all this just coincidence? Was her son simply destined for an early death? Monica didn’t believe so.
Her thoughts weren’t solely influenced by Mrs. Pulcheria, who constantly whispered about a malicious temptress, Marina, being behind all these deaths.
Ever since her husband, Bavaria, had met his demise during his time as crown prince, she had slowly begun to nurture doubts about Franz and his mother, Marina.
Bavaria was frail, but he could not have died so abruptly. This was something she knew better than anyone, having shared a bed and life with him.
The rumors that the sudden death of Bavaria was due to deepening illness are merely fabrications by those who want to attach alternative reasons to it.
When someone dies unexpectedly without a clear cause, it usually indicates that there are people who stand to gain from that person’s demise. At least, that’s what Monica thought.
In the cases of both Bavaria and Maximilian’s deaths, there are only two individuals who benefit: Duke Albrecht and Duke Toskur.
However, isn’t Duke Albrecht a spitting image of his father, who voluntarily left the capital to avoid obstructing his brother from inheriting the throne?
He too, out of fear that his cousin Maximilian would pose a threat to his claim, hid away after leaving the capital. Such a person could not possibly have killed Maximilian.
Thus, there is only one suspect left.
Franz Albrecht Toskur.
“My words and actions were rude. I apologize.”
This arrogant man right in front of her was someone who skillfully navigated the line of propriety.
Despite the underlying arrogance in every move and word, he never crossed the decisive line, leaving no grounds for the other party to reprimand him.
Even now, sensing Monica’s fury directed at him, he immediately stood up and bowed deeply, overly apologizing.
Monica scoffed. Look at this pretentious individual. Having deliberately provoked her, he now offers such an exaggerated apology that lacks sincerity.
“Just state your purpose for coming here.”
“I believe you are exceedingly busy, so I will keep my words brief.”
Seeing Monica indifferently put her glasses back on, Franz continued. He hadn’t expected any hospitality; he was accustomed to such coldness and disregard.
“I request that the ban be lifted.”
Monica’s hand, poised to write with her pen, stopped. Her gaze shot up, piercingly looking at Franz.
“And the reason?”
“It would be because I suffer losses. If it were not beneficial, I wouldn’t bother asking for a cessation.”
“Then you must explain what kind of losses you face in a way that makes sense.”
“I presume you are aware that I own several trading companies.”
Monica looked up, prompting him to continue.
“Since the imperial family has imposed brokerage fees and restricted all commercial transactions, the profits from those companies have plummeted by over half.”
“And what do you propose I do about it?”
Franz tilted his head to the side, still caught off guard by her sharp tone. He quickly realized that Monica would not grant his request.
“I ask that you lift the ban.”
“There must have been a good reason when the ban was imposed. Do you really think it makes sense to disregard decisions made by the imperial court for your personal gain? How arrogant.”
“Is it only for my personal gain?”
“Is there another reason?”
“If this discomfort continues, soon discontent will arise among the nobles who own the guild. I’ve simply listened to their voices and acted first. Lady Monica.”
“To my ears, it sounds like the greedy screams of pigs who have forgotten their place and duty. What do you think, Duke?”
She implied that no matter what reason he offered, she wouldn’t listen. While he expected this outcome, her biting words made him clench his fist tightly.
He was merely someone who got fortunate enough to be in that position… How dare he speak so presumptuously? It was a relief that he could hide the veins bulging in his fist under his sleeve.
