Chapter 432: With a Fresh Start (2)

The next morning, I headed to the mansion in the capital as soon as I woke up. I wanted to stay in the territory until the New Year’s Ball, but I couldn’t afford to relax with the academy on break.

It’s obvious the Emperor would come for me if I’m just lounging around at home. His subordinate illegally slacking off while he’s working? Honestly, if I were him, I’d kidnap me and pile on all sorts of work. He can’t let that insolence slide.

Of course, my parents were disappointed I was leaving after just a day, but they let me go without fuss since we’d meet again at the New Year’s audience. It’s fortunate; if they’d asked me to stay a few more days, I might have wavered.

“Welcome home, Master.”

I nodded at the butler’s greeting as he came out to the main gate to welcome me. I’d said there was no need to bring out the other servants, and he complied by coming alone.

“It’s been a while, butler. Have you been well?”

“Thanks to your ever-growing prestige, Master, I’ve been enjoying life as well.”

I smirked at his joking flattery. Indeed, when the master’s influence grows, the servants under them can hold their heads higher too. There’s a saying that even a noble’s dog is treated better than most commoners, after all.

In that sense, the butler’s status has probably risen to match that of a minor noble. It’s embarrassing to think I’m gilding my own face, but who would dare treat a butler serving a dual count and current minister carelessly?

People dealing with the butler might have forgotten his commoner status. If they treated him carelessly and he reported it to me, their chances of being ‘inspected’ would subtly increase.

Status, huh.

I silently observed the butler for a moment. The person who has served Carl the individual, not the heir or civil servant, the longest; the one who has excellently managed the mansion during the owner’s frequent absences.

Yet a loyal servant who hasn’t used my influence for personal gain, but quietly carried out his duties.

It’s a waste to just have him manage the mansion.

Managing the mansion isn’t an easy task, but considering the butler’s abilities and character, he could handle bigger responsibilities. He’s even had experience dealing with various nobles as my butler, so there shouldn’t be any issues if I assigned him immediately.

“Butler, have you ever thought about becoming a noble? I’d like to give you a baron title and have you serve as the chamberlain in Wiridia.”

The butler’s eyes widened at those words. Even for a butler, mentioning a title seemed unexpected, and he showed signs of being shaken. But he quickly composed himself and laughed.

“I’ve already received more grace from you than I could repay in a lifetime, Master. If you bestow even more, even hundreds of years wouldn’t be enough to repay it.”

I felt a bit awkward at his response, declining because it was too much. It’s always embarrassing when the butler talks about grace and such.

The relationship between the butler and me isn’t one-sided grace, but more like a mutual transaction. I employ him with money, and he dedicates his skills to me for that amount. It’s a purely capitalist approach, not really something to call grace.

“I mentioned it because I think you’d do well with territory management too. I’m being sincere, so please consider it seriously.”

So, I urged him once more. He might be refusing out of politeness, or he might have thought I was joking.

“I’m grateful for your words, but I’d like to make managing this mansion my life’s final duty.”

But I gave up at his firm answer. It would be awkward to push further when he’s being so definite.

“Ah, I haven’t greeted the future mistresses yet. My, I must be getting old to be so forgetful.”

Noticing that I’d given up, the butler quickly changed the subject, making me smile again.

Right, it would be hard to find someone who could manage the mansion and servants as well as the butler. Let’s find someone else for the chamberlain position.

“Is it alright to call them mistresses now? I heard you’ll be getting married soon.”

“Call them whatever you’re comfortable with.”

“Then I’ll call them mistresses.”

The butler approached my lovers with a deep smile, and anyone could see he was a servant addressing the lady of the house. My lovers smiled happily in response.

Perfect. No matter how many times I see it, he’s just right for the chamberlain position.

…

Can’t I just slip him the title somehow?

The Retired Emperor and the Emperor were so good at it.

I’m torn. Should I just bestow the title while the butler is sleeping?

I struggled briefly between reason and desire, but managed to suppress it and go to work safely. If I force a title on him and he undergoes a dark evolution out of spite, I’d be the only one in trouble.

Besides, I know better than anyone the anger of someone who’s been saddled with excessive positions and work. Wasn’t I a case of dark evolution myself?

“There’s a saying that people get promoted until they become incompetent. The butler’s abilities might be sufficient for a count’s chamberlain, but staying in his current position might be a good choice too.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. History proves it.”

When I vented my frustration to the Vice Minister, he calmly supported the butler’s decision.

It was sad to have no one on my side, but he wasn’t wrong. If I force the butler into the chamberlain position and he struggles, it would make me sad, the butler sad, and the territory sad. There’s no need to send the butler somewhere unnecessarily.

“Then if someone becomes incompetent, can they go back down?”

“…”

The Vice Minister firmly closed his mouth at my casual remark.

I’m hurt. Why is he staying silent there? Couldn’t he at least say “It might be possible” even if it’s just lip service?

I’ve already risen to minister, so there’s nowhere higher to go. So if I prove my incompetence, it shouldn’t just stop promotions, but lead to a demotion to balance things out.

The highest punishment a minister can face is demotion.

Right, unless they create a position higher than minister—

…Higher than minister.

Just imagining it for a moment made my head spin. Something above a minister? That’s an evil existence that shouldn’t exist in this world.

Prime Minister?

I almost instinctively shook my head at the heinous word that came to mind.

Even if the sky falls, such a thing won’t happen. This is an imperial family that made even the Minister of the Imperial Household the top-ranking minister to keep the second-in-command in check. They might accept someone leading among ministers, but they’d never allow someone to stand above ministers.

“By the way, are the establishment preparations going well?”

So I changed the subject, pushing the word ‘Prime Minister’ to the back of my mind. If I think negative thoughts at the end of the year when I should be wrapping things up on a good note, I won’t be able to welcome the new year beautifully.

“Yes, it’s progressing smoothly. We might finish by next summer at the earliest.”

“That’s good.”

I nodded lightly at the positive report.

We’re talking about establishing a new ministry-level department. Being able to start this year and finish next year means they’re investing all manpower and budget as a top priority.

“Still, don’t overdo it. Even if we finish early, the official launch will be around the New Year’s audience the year after next.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

I patted the Vice Minister’s shoulder as he bowed. If rushing results in a summer completion, there’s no harm in taking it a bit easier.

“The establishment of the Inspection Ministry is the last imperial order from His Majesty the Retired Emperor. As his child, I intend to brilliantly fulfill his will, so keep that in mind, Minister.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor has already decided to announce the official launch of the Inspection Ministry during the New Year’s audience. That bastard might lack conscience, but he’s not stupid, so he’s surely talking about the year after next.

If he mentions next year’s New Year’s audience, he should be prepared for insubordination. He needs to understand that giving shitty orders can backfire on him.

“Then I’ll be going now.”

“Ah, right. Good work.”

I nodded and let him go as the Vice Minister slightly raised his waist.

I’d been holding onto someone who came out for a smoke for too long.

The plan to match Ainter with Marquis Barandiga’s daughter.

It was a sudden idea, but the more I considered it, the more appealing it became. This would reassure the northern nobles who’ve just been incorporated into the empire and confused, and for Marquis Barandiga, it’s a way to solidify his authority as the only viscount in the North.

While we should discourage Marquis Barandiga from subduing all northern nobles by force, we should allow him to reign with authority. If the counts of nomadic origin start looking down even on the nearby viscount—how would they view the distant Emperor?

So this is the best solution. The viscount strengthens his authority by connecting with the imperial family, and in turn, fervently supports the imperial family. Not a bad outcome.

We’ll need to provide a generous dowry.

I sorted through the imperial assets, picking out suitable items one by one. First, we should grant Ainter the title of Viscount Idrafen, and give him a few buildings in the capital and farms in the metropolitan area.

It would also be good to allocate a decent-sized piece of land in the provinces. Even if it’s officially a non-hereditary title without territory, it’s too harsh for the Emperor’s brother to have no land to live off. Even commoners can manage land if they have money.

Rather than gold coins… it’s better to give mostly goods.

Right, considering that trade with the North isn’t smooth yet, it’s better to give goods rather than currency. What’s the point of giving gold coins if there’s nothing to buy?

I’ll have to discuss the rest with the Empress.

I let out a small sigh while reviewing the list. It would be good to prepare jewelry and dresses for the prospective bride, but it’s better to leave that to the Empress rather than relying on my aesthetic sense.

By the way, it’s strange. I never thought I’d see the day when I’d be preparing my brother’s dowry.

It’s because there are few imperial family members.

Traditionally, when the Emperor’s siblings marry, it’s customary for the previous Emperor’s wives to manage it. It’s almost like a final consideration for the imperial family, in case the current Emperor might handle it carelessly due to resentment towards his siblings.

But the Retired Emperor only had two wives, and those two…

Let’s stop thinking about it. Remembering Mother brings a sense of longing, but thinking of the other one just makes my blood boil.

Damn it.

Maybe I should have dealt with that woman when I was handling the 2nd Prince.

The Minister of Inspection would have handled it well on his own.