I immediately got on the carriage and headed to the imperial palace.
'I really don't want to go.'
I had just moved into this world and was just trying to get used to it. But what kind of audience with the emperor is this all of a sudden?
"Aren't the royal family members in complete disgrace?"
As I was muttering to myself, Deacon Miller Xavier opened his mouth.
"Originally, you would hardly ever see each other, but you did two big things, right?"
"What did I do?"
"You arrested one person for insulting the imperial authority, and on top of that, the territorial dispute... … ."
"Oh, please refrain from stating the facts."
"Yes?"
Leaving behind the butler's puzzled expression, I became lost in thought. It was to restore imperial palace etiquette. Because it's good not to get caught for no reason.
Meanwhile, the carriage slowly stopped.
Since the Impiral palce was not far away, it was quick to get there.
'Im not making a mistake, am I?' I walked away, hiding my worry.
Then Deacon Xavier bowed his head politely and said, "I wish you luck."
"We're not going to war, so why are you saying you wish me 'luck'?"
"It's probably similar."
"What?"
"Keep in mind. The imperial palace is a battlefield."
For a moment, the butler's eyes flashed.
As I looked at that, I felt even more nervous.
"Oh, there's one thing I didn't tell you. Shall I say it later?"
I'm kind of getting annoyed now.
"What is it?"
"We don't have enough workers."
"You're recruiting workers, right? Isn't 100 people enough?"
"Your Highness the Duke, would you please look at my face?"
I noticed it earlier, but his complexion was different from usual.
The area under his eyes was dark, and he looked gaunt overall. I guess it's because he been asked to do a lot of work recently...
"Aha! Are you saying there is a lack of management personnel?"
"That's right."
"Then, pick someone you can trust. Maybe three or four people."
"Haha! Thank you."
Deacon Miller Xavier smiled with satisfaction.
The workers' salaries were not much.
However, in order to be entrusted with managing the mansion, one had to be somewhat literate.
In this era, most people who learned even a little were nobles. It was bound to cost quite a bit of money.
'What do I think? It's not like I throw a party every day.'
Since I didn't spend much, I didn't have to worry about going bankrupt.
"I'll wait for you over there, so go quickly."
It was probably an annex where guests' attendants stayed.
After thinking about it for a while, I walked towards the inner garden of the imperial palace. Immediately, the drivers followed and offered to guide me.
"Your Highness the Duke, we will serve you from now on. Please come this way."
"Yes."
Following them, a gorgeously decorated garden appeared.
The scale was completely different from the one attached to my mansion.
'The atmosphere is overwhelming from the beginning.'
Extremely gorgeous yet neat and stylish.
No matter where I go, I will not be able to find such a magnificent garden.
Everyone will walk this path and meet the emperor with their souls lost.
'Am I going to give in to something like this?'
I kept my mouth shut and walked looking straight ahead.
How much time had passed? Eventually, when we reached our destination, the knights retreated.
"From here on, you must go alone."
"Great job."
"Then have a peaceful time."
I grabbed the door handle in front of me with both hands.
Then I pushed hard with a serious face.
Swoosh!
"Meet Your Majesty the Emperor!"
When meeting a superior, isn't a strong voice and disciplined movements the best?
I entered with great force and immediately said hello.
It was in exact accordance with imperial palace etiquette.
"… … ."
However, an incomprehensible silence continued.
'What? Why isn't there a response?'
I raised my head with a puzzled expression.
Then a middle-aged man with a white smile came into view.
On the other hand, the atmosphere felt like a snowstorm had arrived.
The corners of his mouth went up, but his eyes were extremely cold. Perhaps he was the Emperor Charon.
"It's been a while, Abel. How have you been?"
"Thanks to your strong protection of the north, the entire empire was at peace. Of course, so was I."
"This is too much praise, your majesty."
Actually, I didn't do anything.
These were all deeds established by Abel, the original owner of this body.
Maybe that's why an insignificant answer naturally came out.
"By the way, you mentioned me often at your courtroom?"
"I just set an example to those who tell lies."
"Not that one. The territorial dispute."
It had finally come.
As if he had a refreshing personality, the emperor got straight to the point.
A typical royal family would spin it while enjoying tea time or dinner.
His eyes that seemed to penetrate deep into my heart.
'I've never seen a guy this strong before.'
Is this what it feels like to be strong in existence itself? It doesn't seem like he's reached a particularly high level.
It felt like if I showed even the slightest weakness, I would be bitten right away. I couldn't even think of opening the personal information window.
That was why I was so overwhelmed by the momentum. I opened my mouth as calmly as possible.
Making a hole to escape somehow.
"I just handled it according to the law."
"Puhuhuh! What is the law on something with such holes in it? I know. What was your mindset when you made that decision?"
To be honest, it was a bit annoying. I just sold the emperor's authority because I couldn't find an answer. Actually, there was no special intention.
But he guessed it?
As time went on, the emperor felt more and more like a monster. But what followed was quite different from what I expected.
"Do you still disapprove of the imperial family?"
No, what does this mean? When did I say that?
'Ah! He's talking about the past.'
Since I'm a member of the royal family, I must have had a chance to talk to the emperor. It seemed like I wasn't feeling well at the time.
"The imperial authority has already been established properly, so there is nothing to worry about. Didn't I come into power...right,?"
It was only after hearing Emperor Charon's last words that the situation was understood.
Perhaps there was a time when the power of the imperial family was weak.
'I understand that I donated land to the imperial family to give them strength?'
This makes the story a little easier.
At least the emperor views me favorably.
If I did this, I didn't think there would be any major censure.