“Yeah, if you don’t want to talk, don’t. It’s not a pleasant memory for me either.”
“...”
“But you really don’t do it anymore, do you?”
“What?”
“Worshiping me like a God.”
Ines bit her lips.
“That’s embarrassing. Why do I like it so much?”
Only then did Ines realize that she had blushed at that.
As he said, when she only considered him the light and chased after him, she had no time to feel embarrassed. She thought it was natural, like a sunflower that turns its face to chase the sun and doesn’t know shame.
“Come here, Ines.”
He tilted his head slightly and pointed to the seat next to him. Ines walked over to him without hesitation and sat down.
“I want to kiss you.”
Ines’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Talking about currency reform?”
Carson laughed and immediately leaned in. Their lips touched quietly. Then he gently swallowed her lower lip. As he gently rolled it in his mouth, her whole body felt like melting. It was not the kind of kiss that he had been pushing forward with, but a polite conversational movement.
For some reason, that made Ines' head spin even more.
He pulled away and stroked her lips.
"Don't try too hard. I don't want you to have a hard time."
Ines shook her head.
"You told me that before. At the time, I didn't think those words would be so comforting. But now I know. I've been holding on to those words so tightly. So now I want to tell you those words."
He frowned and laughed.
"I'll do my best. So, Your Majesty, there's nothing to worry about from now on."
He eventually hugged Ines and burst into laughter.
The words he spoke while firmly holding the woman's hand, which was always shaking anxiously, were both a promise to her and a pledge to himself.
"Yes. Let's do that."
Carson hugged Ines tighter in his arms.
He liked the moment when the body of a woman whose body temperature was lower than his own became the same temperature as his. He continued to rub Ines’s arms to warm her whole body.
Why did you steal my sight from the beginning?
Why did you stop my breathing from the beginning?
Why did you not let me turn away from you from head to toe?
Why was it you?
The one who saved me and called me a savior.
The current administration had no professional bureaucracy or bureaucrats. To be exact, it would be more correct to say that the very concept of a bureaucracy was weak.
Of course, it was not that there were no bureaucrats since the establishment of the Keynes Empire.
The names were certainly different, but there were definitely those who actually did the work. This was why there were ministers in each department, even if only in name.
“How do you see the current situation?”
Ines was sitting across from Count Bonifax, the Minister of Finance.
It had been five months since the currency reform was implemented.
The year had passed, and Ines was in a position where she could meet the prime minister of a country alone.
It was a very unfamiliar thing in a country where women were not allowed titles or positions.
Some might have thought it was impossible. However, in the current imperial family, it was so natural that no one could rebel.
Count Bonifax was the second son of a humble baronial family. With gray hairs growing in patches, he had made great contributions during the reign of the previous Emperor and was given the title of Count.
After enduring for a long time, he eventually rose to the position of prime minister.
He glanced around the reception room where Ines was sitting and rubbed his chin.
“Hmm.”
The old man’s eyes, which were closely watching the situation, sparkled sharply.
He would have different thoughts from those who were born high-ranking nobles. Ines threw away that one card.
The results of the currency reform were dire. Carson was busier than ever as the nobles’ illegal acts were revealed one after another.
Sometimes by coaxing, by setting traps, Carson began to slowly erode the nobles’ power.
Carson’s purpose was clear. Increasing the direct territories ruled directly by the imperial family.
The nobles did not pay taxes in normal times. This required an understanding of the feudal system. Why did the nobles, who did not have tax exemption privileges themselves, not pay taxes? It was because according to Keynes' custom, the tax given to those who owned land was not land tax but military service. In the first place, there was no direct concept of land tax, and the duty that the nobles were responsible for was the duty to participate in war.
However, it was not that there were no taxes at all.
Not only lords but also nobles who did not own land were required to pay taxes at a certain rate when they earned money through business or trade.
However, the nobles were reluctant to pay taxes and tried to avoid it in any way, which was why the underground economy was developed.
Bonifax, the vizier and Count, slowly closed his eyes and opened them. Then he let out a sigh and laughed, shaking his chest.
“It’s ruined, maid. What can I ask?”
As he skillfully eased the mood, Ines took a deep breath and barely managed to smile. She pulled herself together, but it wasn’t easy to pretend to be peaceful in front of such an experienced man.
“The chaos will continue for a while and the people will groan.”
Even though it wasn’t easy, he calmly acknowledged the results of the currency reform.
“It’s only by His Majesty’s grace that there are no riots in this situation.”
The vizier nodded as if he agreed.
“Anyway, the world has really changed a lot.”
He stared at Ines. The look in his eyes was neither contempt nor curiosity.
“You may feel that way.”
Ines knew exactly what the prime minister was trying to say. And that the man in front of her wasn’t someone who simply established his value by trampling on women.
He was putting Ines to the test right now.
“That’s right. The day has come when a mere maid invites the prime minister to her reception room.”
Ines laughed as if she was truly embarrassed. There was nothing to gain by stiffening her neck.
When she nodded, Emma came over to pour tea. Emma had recently started serving Ines. It was because the Princess no longer needed a nanny.
“That’s why I’m serving you the best tea. It’s a tea that is highly regarded even in Landhill. Anything from Yamanta is good. Guns, tea, even silk.”
Except for Monstera, the Keynes Empire had not been at war for over a hundred years.
In the absence of war, it has been over 100 years since there was no substitute for paying taxes by participating in wars. If it were not for voluntary tributes, there would not be enough taxes to fill the current imperial treasury. It meant that the power of the nobles had grown to the point where their bellies were bursting.
A class with no obligations but only privileges.
That was the support base of the imperial family, including him, that Duke Manisut spoke of.
The prime minister lifted his teacup and sniffed at the scent. Ines did not miss the satisfied smile on his face.
“Why did you invite me today?”
He silently put down his teacup and asked without looking at Ines.
Ines had Emma bring Christian, who was outside, inside. He handed Ines a document. She unfolded it and turned it so Bonifax could see it, pushing it forward.
“You must have heard about the Mondrae Bank.”
He lifted the document without answering.
“As you can see, this is a numerical representation of the current dominance of the Mondrae Bank market.”
Bonifax relaxed his body back. But Ines could tell that he was studying the papers carefully. His forehead crinkled slightly, unable to hide his emotions.
“People are already using the paper that Lord Mondrae makes as money.”
This was the result of Charlotte and Casey’s long and painstaking work.
They had done a much better job than Ines had expected. Now, banknotes are accepted not only in retail stores but also when buying bread. The prime minister looked away from the papers and glared at Ines.
“What is the intention behind giving me this?”
Ines tilted her head slightly to the side, meeting his gaze, and straightened her body.
“Currency has no substance. Credit is money. And Lord Mondrae has already earned that trust from the people of the empire.”
Bonifax put the papers down with a thud. He seemed quite shocked by the current situation. His face hardened completely as if his composure had been a lie.
“But... What connection does the maid have with this bank? As far as I know.”
He glanced at Christian, who was standing beside him.
“I believe that young man has been watching all of Lord Mondrae’s business.”
To the prime minister, Christian was acting more like Ines’ subordinate than Mondrae. Ines smiled softly, the corners of her lips slightly raised.
“I am also one of those who handles Lord Mondrae’s business. You must have heard that he is from Landhill.”
“So you, who are from the same hometown as Mondrae, happened to come to the palace and ask to meet me?”
Ines shrugged.
“Does he really exist?”
The prime minister, who had never shown much emotion until now, finally raised his voice. He no longer used honorifics toward Ines.
Ines instinctively felt that it was time to make a bold move.
“Didn’t I just tell you? It’s not about substance that matters, it’s about trust.”
“So what are you demanding of me by shoving these pieces of paper at me?”
“Lord Mondrae said he would resolve the current crisis facing the empire.”
The prime minister’s mouth tightened. The issue of dismissing Bonifax had already been discussed at the state council.
If the current situation could not be resolved, it would not end with just giving up one position. The economy, which had deteriorated to that extent, was rapidly heading towards further devastation.
“Are you preparing a new currency reform?”
And that alternative would be another currency reform.
“...”
“But you really don’t do it anymore, do you?”
“What?”
“Worshiping me like a God.”
Ines bit her lips.
“That’s embarrassing. Why do I like it so much?”
Only then did Ines realize that she had blushed at that.
As he said, when she only considered him the light and chased after him, she had no time to feel embarrassed. She thought it was natural, like a sunflower that turns its face to chase the sun and doesn’t know shame.
“Come here, Ines.”
He tilted his head slightly and pointed to the seat next to him. Ines walked over to him without hesitation and sat down.
“I want to kiss you.”
Ines’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Talking about currency reform?”
Carson laughed and immediately leaned in. Their lips touched quietly. Then he gently swallowed her lower lip. As he gently rolled it in his mouth, her whole body felt like melting. It was not the kind of kiss that he had been pushing forward with, but a polite conversational movement.
For some reason, that made Ines' head spin even more.
He pulled away and stroked her lips.
"Don't try too hard. I don't want you to have a hard time."
Ines shook her head.
"You told me that before. At the time, I didn't think those words would be so comforting. But now I know. I've been holding on to those words so tightly. So now I want to tell you those words."
He frowned and laughed.
"I'll do my best. So, Your Majesty, there's nothing to worry about from now on."
He eventually hugged Ines and burst into laughter.
The words he spoke while firmly holding the woman's hand, which was always shaking anxiously, were both a promise to her and a pledge to himself.
"Yes. Let's do that."
Carson hugged Ines tighter in his arms.
He liked the moment when the body of a woman whose body temperature was lower than his own became the same temperature as his. He continued to rub Ines’s arms to warm her whole body.
Why did you steal my sight from the beginning?
Why did you stop my breathing from the beginning?
Why did you not let me turn away from you from head to toe?
Why was it you?
The one who saved me and called me a savior.
***
The current administration had no professional bureaucracy or bureaucrats. To be exact, it would be more correct to say that the very concept of a bureaucracy was weak.
Of course, it was not that there were no bureaucrats since the establishment of the Keynes Empire.
The names were certainly different, but there were definitely those who actually did the work. This was why there were ministers in each department, even if only in name.
“How do you see the current situation?”
Ines was sitting across from Count Bonifax, the Minister of Finance.
It had been five months since the currency reform was implemented.
The year had passed, and Ines was in a position where she could meet the prime minister of a country alone.
It was a very unfamiliar thing in a country where women were not allowed titles or positions.
Some might have thought it was impossible. However, in the current imperial family, it was so natural that no one could rebel.
Count Bonifax was the second son of a humble baronial family. With gray hairs growing in patches, he had made great contributions during the reign of the previous Emperor and was given the title of Count.
After enduring for a long time, he eventually rose to the position of prime minister.
He glanced around the reception room where Ines was sitting and rubbed his chin.
“Hmm.”
The old man’s eyes, which were closely watching the situation, sparkled sharply.
He would have different thoughts from those who were born high-ranking nobles. Ines threw away that one card.
The results of the currency reform were dire. Carson was busier than ever as the nobles’ illegal acts were revealed one after another.
Sometimes by coaxing, by setting traps, Carson began to slowly erode the nobles’ power.
Carson’s purpose was clear. Increasing the direct territories ruled directly by the imperial family.
The nobles did not pay taxes in normal times. This required an understanding of the feudal system. Why did the nobles, who did not have tax exemption privileges themselves, not pay taxes? It was because according to Keynes' custom, the tax given to those who owned land was not land tax but military service. In the first place, there was no direct concept of land tax, and the duty that the nobles were responsible for was the duty to participate in war.
However, it was not that there were no taxes at all.
Not only lords but also nobles who did not own land were required to pay taxes at a certain rate when they earned money through business or trade.
However, the nobles were reluctant to pay taxes and tried to avoid it in any way, which was why the underground economy was developed.
Bonifax, the vizier and Count, slowly closed his eyes and opened them. Then he let out a sigh and laughed, shaking his chest.
“It’s ruined, maid. What can I ask?”
As he skillfully eased the mood, Ines took a deep breath and barely managed to smile. She pulled herself together, but it wasn’t easy to pretend to be peaceful in front of such an experienced man.
“The chaos will continue for a while and the people will groan.”
Even though it wasn’t easy, he calmly acknowledged the results of the currency reform.
“It’s only by His Majesty’s grace that there are no riots in this situation.”
The vizier nodded as if he agreed.
“Anyway, the world has really changed a lot.”
He stared at Ines. The look in his eyes was neither contempt nor curiosity.
“You may feel that way.”
Ines knew exactly what the prime minister was trying to say. And that the man in front of her wasn’t someone who simply established his value by trampling on women.
He was putting Ines to the test right now.
“That’s right. The day has come when a mere maid invites the prime minister to her reception room.”
Ines laughed as if she was truly embarrassed. There was nothing to gain by stiffening her neck.
When she nodded, Emma came over to pour tea. Emma had recently started serving Ines. It was because the Princess no longer needed a nanny.
“That’s why I’m serving you the best tea. It’s a tea that is highly regarded even in Landhill. Anything from Yamanta is good. Guns, tea, even silk.”
Except for Monstera, the Keynes Empire had not been at war for over a hundred years.
In the absence of war, it has been over 100 years since there was no substitute for paying taxes by participating in wars. If it were not for voluntary tributes, there would not be enough taxes to fill the current imperial treasury. It meant that the power of the nobles had grown to the point where their bellies were bursting.
A class with no obligations but only privileges.
That was the support base of the imperial family, including him, that Duke Manisut spoke of.
The prime minister lifted his teacup and sniffed at the scent. Ines did not miss the satisfied smile on his face.
“Why did you invite me today?”
He silently put down his teacup and asked without looking at Ines.
Ines had Emma bring Christian, who was outside, inside. He handed Ines a document. She unfolded it and turned it so Bonifax could see it, pushing it forward.
“You must have heard about the Mondrae Bank.”
He lifted the document without answering.
“As you can see, this is a numerical representation of the current dominance of the Mondrae Bank market.”
Bonifax relaxed his body back. But Ines could tell that he was studying the papers carefully. His forehead crinkled slightly, unable to hide his emotions.
“People are already using the paper that Lord Mondrae makes as money.”
This was the result of Charlotte and Casey’s long and painstaking work.
They had done a much better job than Ines had expected. Now, banknotes are accepted not only in retail stores but also when buying bread. The prime minister looked away from the papers and glared at Ines.
“What is the intention behind giving me this?”
Ines tilted her head slightly to the side, meeting his gaze, and straightened her body.
“Currency has no substance. Credit is money. And Lord Mondrae has already earned that trust from the people of the empire.”
Bonifax put the papers down with a thud. He seemed quite shocked by the current situation. His face hardened completely as if his composure had been a lie.
“But... What connection does the maid have with this bank? As far as I know.”
He glanced at Christian, who was standing beside him.
“I believe that young man has been watching all of Lord Mondrae’s business.”
To the prime minister, Christian was acting more like Ines’ subordinate than Mondrae. Ines smiled softly, the corners of her lips slightly raised.
“I am also one of those who handles Lord Mondrae’s business. You must have heard that he is from Landhill.”
“So you, who are from the same hometown as Mondrae, happened to come to the palace and ask to meet me?”
Ines shrugged.
“Does he really exist?”
The prime minister, who had never shown much emotion until now, finally raised his voice. He no longer used honorifics toward Ines.
Ines instinctively felt that it was time to make a bold move.
“Didn’t I just tell you? It’s not about substance that matters, it’s about trust.”
“So what are you demanding of me by shoving these pieces of paper at me?”
“Lord Mondrae said he would resolve the current crisis facing the empire.”
The prime minister’s mouth tightened. The issue of dismissing Bonifax had already been discussed at the state council.
If the current situation could not be resolved, it would not end with just giving up one position. The economy, which had deteriorated to that extent, was rapidly heading towards further devastation.
“Are you preparing a new currency reform?”
And that alternative would be another currency reform.
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