# 22
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The method to make the Emperor rush to the nobles' meeting hall was simple.
He is a greedy person no less than these nobles.
All I had to do was send a message saying: “After discussing the nobles’ opinions, we wish to return the rights to administer the Northern Territories to Your Highness, and we would be grateful for your presence.”
Of course after inflating estimates of resources there tenfold.
When the land was under the management of Duke Elmore, it was uess, but with all these resources, the Emperor's outlook would definitely change.
“S-S-Your Highness!”
The pale-faced Marquis of Windsom tried to offer an apology, but the Emperor's eyebrows rose.
While I was watching the pigs fight over food, I signed the document transferring the rights to administer the Northern Territories and presented it to the Emperor.
“Please agree to return my rights to administer the northern lands, Your Highness.”
The Emperor looked at the noble again, then coughed before signing his name.
The resources of the northern lands, even if not in the amount they exaggerated, would help the empire flourish.
“I will remember Elmore's devotion.”
“No need, this is all for your highness.”
But of course not for the current Emperor.
Instead of handing it over to nobles of questionable loyalty, it would be better to have it under the Emperor's name, so that Ethios can easily reclaim it after the revolt.
'In addition, they are non-cashable assets.'
At least until the summer of revolution, it will be difficult to extract resources due to the freeze.
There is also another benefit to the Emperor's interest in the northern lands.
In my plan to drain the Emperor for Ethi, my goal is to drain him of his liquid funds.
Aren't the liquid funds used for the Emperor's military equipment?
But as the Emperor prepares to develop the northern lands, he will be forced to spend his liquid funds, which will reduce his military investments.
Good news for the revolutionaries who will attack the Emperor's army and seize the palace.
“Khhhhhh.”
The Emperor coughed loudly and quickly left, while the nobles raised their heads to look at me.
'Also, the confidence I gained from stirring up discord between the Emperor and those insects will expand the scope of my movements.'
I smiled coldly at them while their faces were full of humiliation and confusion, then turned to leave.
But suddenly, I heard Marquis Regallo's angry voice:
“Do you think you can betray us and live in peace?!”
One day, he could have been my mother-in-law.
Velius's ugly father.
He was breathing angrily.
Then another man approached him as if trying to calm him down.
“That's enough, okay. Also, Duchess of Elmore, we're from the same faction.”
Same faction?
That's right, everyone here is from the Emperor Pavilion.
“If you make your allies enemies, you will isolate yourf. The Emperor’s trust is temporary. Don’t make a foolish decision.”
He continued in an admonishing tone, while some of the nobles nodded their heads.
“That's right, we must unite.”
Of course, these bats are clinging to the current Emperor to survive.
Even their anger at my betrayal quickly faded, and now they consider me one of their own because of the Emperor's trust.
“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”
I couldn't take it anymore and laughed loudly.
The nobles were confused and frowned.
“Ha-ha-ha!”
I continued to laugh out loud for a while before I half-closed my eyes.
“I have many questions about my parents’ death.”
The nobles trembled at these words.
I smiled and continued.
“Why was there an emergency meeting of the nobles held on that very day? And why did the bridge collapse on their way back? There is a lot to investigate.”
The nobleman's tensed expressions were extremely amused.
'I know there is no loyalty between you.'
“I will not investigate this matter further, but you would do well to remember.”
In the end, he had no affection for Duke Elmore, and all the families would eventually be liquidated after the revolution, so there was no need for that.
“I know more than you think.”
It's good to scare them that way.
While everyone was frozen in silence, I quickly turned around.
Even Marquis Rigalo, who was complaining about “women,” shut his mouth.
'Tess, what dirty men.'
* * *
After leaving the nobles' meeting hall, I stretched as I walked down the hallway.
You have succeeded in today's mission: punching the faces of the nobles and strengthening the Emperor's confidence.
“…Catherine Elmore.”
It wasn't long before I heard Etheos' voice behind me.
His deep voice flowing softly into my ears, and his light scent carried by the wind.
I suppressed my desire to inhale like a lunatic, and turned away coldly.
“Ah, how good to see you at the palace, Your Highness.”
Instead of responding, he suddenly approached me and stood in front of me.
His face was in shadow due to the sun behind him.
“You...”
His eyebrows were unnaturally grim.
I wish I could touch it, but I can't.
“You seem determined to torture me.”
His cold voice penetrated deep into my heart.
'Torture you?' You're my favourite!'
There was only one reason for Etheus to frown and show his displeasure now.
"You are wrong."
While I hid my rapid heartbeat, I crossed my arms coldly.
“I am only doing my duty as a loyal servant to His Highness the Emperor.”
A few days ago, I sent a notice in my name to the Etheos address:
[We intend to return the northern lands of Fryslar to His Majesty the Emperor, please retrieve your personal belongings before demolishing the Empress Dowager's hut.]
At the age of five, Ethios lost his mother in the Kampot Palace fire, and never visited the hut his mother adored.
For fear that his heart would weaken.
But now, the hut is going to be demolished, he's bound to react violently.
“The Northern Fryslar Lands were under my mother’s administration before she died. Don’t you know the law that prohibits even touching the property of the Imperial Family, even if it belongs to a deceased person?”
A cold wind played with my hair.
'Understand me, Ethi.'
“But someone from the imperial family can touch it, after I return the rights, His Highness will definitely do so.”
I had a solid reason for my cold attitude.
“This was just a warning. To me, it would be better to clean the place up and give it a proper delivery.”
Because what's there is what Etty needs more than anything right now.
“Okay, I'll go now.”
I passed him rudely.
“Catherine.”
I ignored his voice, which sounded like he was grinding his teeth.
I know that the Emperor's eyes are everywhere in the palace.
If anyone finds out that Duchess Ellemore has feelings for Etheus and wants to help him, it will be a deadly poison to me and, more importantly, to him.
'It's better to look like a complete enemy.'
After walking for a while, I stopped and let out a small exhale.
'Even if it hurts me.'
* * *
〔The Emperor's trust in Duchess Elmore Catherine Elmore breaks through the sky!〕
〔All eyes are on Catherine Elmore's official inauguration as Duchess of Elmore!〕
Articles quickly spread about the possibility of me becoming Duchess.
Now, no one challenges me anymore.
Not noble ladies like Lucia, not even high-ranking nobles.
At least I avoided the fate of Catherine in the original story, who died traitorous and weak in the Emperor's suite.
“We no longer see those who were spying around us.”
Hirose told me as he served morning tea.
After the prospectors captured and detained some of the troops, the others no longer dared to approach.
“Ha...”
Even though everything was going as I planned, I exhaled.
“Ma’am, is there a problem?”
Hirose asked worriedly.
That's why I've been sitting like I've been at a funeral since morning.
“Yes, very big problem.”
I looked at my watch, which looked like a jewel bracelet to him.
⌈Etheus von Clyde⌋
Health Points (HP): ♥♥♥♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
What happened? Ethi.