Episode 60

Episode 60: He’s Having an Affair?!

“First, I think we need to build embankments.”

To manage the flowing water effectively, dams or embankments are essential. A modern dam might be unrealistic, but even simple embankments could help save a lot of water that would otherwise go to waste.

“By embankments, you mean the kind of levees that block the water’s path?”

“Exactly. The idea is to block the flow and store the water. But building embankments will cost quite a bit.”

I’d already discussed this with Jerome on the way back. Constructing embankments would require a massive budget; we’d need to build at least half a dozen of them. When I shared this idea with Jerome, he looked troubled because of the cost.

That was why I’d come up with a clever plan.

“For that reason, I’m thinking of holding a party.”

“A party?”

“A fundraising event for the embankment construction.”

“A fundraiser?”

“We’ll basically be asking the nobles to chip in. Those with lands near the river or farmland that depends on irrigation will be strongly encouraged to participate.”

“Do you think they’ll just hand over their money so easily?”

“They won’t have much choice. They’re the ones who need the water the most.”

I flashed a confident smile at the ladies-in-waiting. The larger a lord’s estate, the more desperately they needed water. I might call it a fundraiser, but in truth it was more like blackmailing the nobles with the promise of water.

“Well then, let’s get started.”

At the same time.

“Mother. He… he’s changed.”

Fay was sobbing bitterly as she sought out Antea.

“You told me you’d take care of everything. So what is this supposed to be?”

The Empress had said she was only visiting her family—and yet she’d returned unscathed.

No, she hadn’t just returned safely; somehow she’d even secured the cooperation of the Calus Kingdom to resolve the Empire’s water shortage.

As a result, everyone in the Empire was now praising the Empress in unison.

No, that wasn’t it. Fay didn’t actually care what the people thought of the Empress.

The only thing she cared about was one person.

Jerome.

What broke her heart was how even he now seemed to be paying attention to the Empress.

He’d led the Imperial Knights himself to go and bring her back.

That was something he would never have done before.

How had it come to this?

Where had it all gone wrong?

No matter how hard she thought about it, she couldn’t understand.

“Things have gotten a bit troublesome.”

Antea’s hand tightened until the veins on her hand stood out, so hard she might have drawn blood.

She had acted decisively precisely to avoid this outcome…

Antea clicked her tongue in irritation.

She hadn’t expected even assassination to fail.

The men she’d sent after Helena’s party had made their name in that dark business.

Yet even they had failed.

Who were those two men with her?

Word was she’d only had two companions.

Just two, yet they’d broken through every trap and escaped the assassins?

She had been sure this time they’d succeed.

But in the end, her calculations had gone awry.

Antea cast a sidelong glance at Fay, who was weeping wretchedly.

“If all you can do is cry, how do you expect to hold on to the Emperor’s heart?”

“But… but… I’m scared. The way he looks at me—it isn’t the same as before, Mother.”

Fay pleaded desperately.

“Why? Did I do something wrong?”

“Foolish girl. That’s just how men are. Their heads get turned by the slightest disruption. But don’t worry. Soon enough he’ll be looking only at you again.”

At Antea’s words, Fay’s face brightened a little.

“Truly? Do you really mean that, Mother?”

“Of course. Naturally. That’s how it will be, so don’t worry.”

Antea patted Fay’s back soothingly, offering gentle words of comfort.

But despite the softness of her voice, her eyes as she watched Fay were cold as ice.

Yes. All you have to do is exactly as I say.

The day of the fundraising event for the levee construction.

The event was held in the gardens behind the Empress’s palace.

Because it was a fundraising gathering, it was far simpler than the usual lavish imperial functions.

There were no elaborate table decorations, and the refreshments were nothing more than tea and a few small pastries.

Yet the response to the event was overwhelming.

It had only been ten days since the invitations were sent out, but nobles from every province had traveled long distances to attend.

Every one of them looked unmistakably affluent.

They were large landowners with extensive farmland or lords whose livelihoods depended on water.

And there were many who had come simply to meet the Empress after hearing the stories that had spread from Calus Kingdom.

“Your Majesty, I’ve been following the news about you quite closely these days.”

“I hear you accomplished something extraordinary. However did you come up with the idea to cross the border?”

“Even my husband does nothing but praise Your Majesty lately.”

Even in the separate circle where the noble ladies had gathered, the topic of conversation was still me—and what had happened in Calus.

“Truly, I was amazed by Your Majesty’s decisiveness.”

“Indeed. Not just anyone could have done such a thing.”

“You are the very model of the Empress this Empire needs, Your Majesty.”

All the praise was almost too much to bear; I had to fan my flushed cheeks to cool down.

The ladies-in-waiting at my side took the opportunity they’d clearly been waiting for and raised their voices.

“Indeed—Her Majesty cares so deeply for the people of this Empire.”

“It isn’t only what she accomplished in Calus, you know. Not long ago, Her Majesty undertook a fasting vigil to pray for relief from the drought. We tried so hard to dissuade her…”

“But in the end, she wouldn’t stop until she collapsed from exhaustion.”

“Everyone should have witnessed it… When Her Majesty prayed, she looked just like an angel descended from heaven.”

Who, exactly, was an angel?

“Her Majesty’s devotion was so extraordinary that even His Majesty can no longer look upon her as he did before.”

“Imagine—when His Majesty heard she was in Calus, he personally led the Imperial Knights to go and bring her home!”

The ladies-in-waiting were doing their utmost to promote the Empress’s reputation; I could see how they straightened their necks and squared their shoulders with pride.

They were clearly delighted to boast.

“Oh my goodness!”

The noblewomen gasped, hands fluttering to their chests.

“That is just like Your Majesty.”

“It seems all those nasty rumors were nothing but lies after all.”

“Yes, even that trial from before—clearly Your Majesty was falsely accused.”

They nodded eagerly, agreeing with each other.

Well—those rumors weren’t exactly entirely untrue.

Because Helena really had been a villainess.

It was true she’d caused all sorts of trouble out of jealousy toward the imperial concubine.

But all of that had been before I came into this body.

For now, I could pretend I didn’t know a thing and accept their goodwill.

Once the mood had been properly warmed up by my ladies-in-waiting, I gently brought up the subject of the levee construction.

Fortunately, the reaction was explosive.

“Of course we must take part.”

“It is an honor to join in such a meaningful cause you have organized, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you all for your generosity.”

I expressed my gratitude.

Jingle, jingle.

It felt as though I could hear a bright, pleasant sound ringing by my ear.

What sound?

Obviously—the sound of money coming in.

Nothing else in the world sounded quite as delightful as that.

I barely managed to hold back the grin tugging at my lips.

Of course, despite all their polite words, most of them were probably calculating their own advantage.

Many would likely make a modest donation just to save face and quietly slip away.

Naturally, I had no intention of letting that happen.

I already had a plan for how to deal with them.

Just as the atmosphere of the fundraising event reached its peak, one of the noblewomen, who had been exchanging polite chatter, glanced around furtively and addressed me.

“Come to think of it, Your Majesty… I don’t see Sir Leonard here today. I had heard he was serving as your escort knight?”

Ah—Leonard.

“He seems to be quite busy lately.”

He had sent me a message in advance, saying he wouldn’t be able to visit for some time because of matters with the Knights.

“Did he… say that himself?”

“Yes. He wrote it in a letter.”

“A letter…”

Hm? I tilted my head slightly.

For some reason, the noblewomen’s faces clouded over when they heard my reply.

Why?

Had I said something wrong?

As I wondered about it, another lady spoke up in a hesitant voice.

“Um… Your Majesty.”

“Yes?”

“Forgive me—it feels awkward to bring this up, but…”

The woman looked around, then leaned close and whispered in a low tone.

“It seems that recently… Sir Leonard has been seeing a certain lady.”

“…!”