Manisut tried to continue, but Ines cut him off.
“But there is no law that says that a woman who is not of the royal family cannot receive a title. So there is no reason why she should not be ridiculed.”
Ines asked Bonifax as if asking for his consent.
“Isn’t that right, Your Excellency?”
“But there is no law that says that a woman who is not of the royal family cannot receive a title. So there is no reason why she should not be ridiculed.”
Ines asked Bonifax as if asking for his consent.
“Isn’t that right, Your Excellency?”
When Ines laughed like a spring breeze, Carson felt as if spring had come to the meeting.
Bonifax nodded, clearly not yet fully awake, but said,
Bonifax nodded, clearly not yet fully awake, but said,
“You are right.”
Ines smiled warmly despite her sharp eyes.
While everyone was shocked by her actions, Carson felt relaxed as if he was being hit by a warm breeze.
“And there is one more thing you should know.”
The woman’s words, like a spring breeze, continued gently. This must also be Carson’s own impression.
“You must know that the system of collective punishment has been abolished. With the abolition of the joint punishment system, the immunity of the nobles has also been greatly reduced.”
Carson was now curious about what she wanted to say next. Ines turned away from Carson for the first time and stood upright facing Manisut.
“Therefore, only the Count himself can be exempted from punishment for killing a commoner. When there is a just cause.”
After she finished speaking, Christian handed out a piece of paper containing the relevant legal provisions to everyone. While the papers were distributed to everyone, Ines stood in her spot without wavering an inch.
It was a place where even the most respectable knights would have a hard time standing properly due to the frosty gazes pouring down on them. However, Ines had no reason to be bothered by such a chilling atmosphere.
At that moment, Carson was immersed in a single sentiment.
Ines Swenden was a woman born with the potential to be an Empress.
Carson received the same piece of paper right away.
The future Empress is very well-prepared.
“As you know, I am now a Count."
“...”
“And besides, I did not kill a commoner myself. I had a just cause. So there is no need for the immunity of the nobility to be exercised for the very small and trivial crime I committed.”
Ines smiled warmly despite her sharp eyes.
While everyone was shocked by her actions, Carson felt relaxed as if he was being hit by a warm breeze.
“And there is one more thing you should know.”
The woman’s words, like a spring breeze, continued gently. This must also be Carson’s own impression.
“You must know that the system of collective punishment has been abolished. With the abolition of the joint punishment system, the immunity of the nobles has also been greatly reduced.”
Carson was now curious about what she wanted to say next. Ines turned away from Carson for the first time and stood upright facing Manisut.
“Therefore, only the Count himself can be exempted from punishment for killing a commoner. When there is a just cause.”
After she finished speaking, Christian handed out a piece of paper containing the relevant legal provisions to everyone. While the papers were distributed to everyone, Ines stood in her spot without wavering an inch.
It was a place where even the most respectable knights would have a hard time standing properly due to the frosty gazes pouring down on them. However, Ines had no reason to be bothered by such a chilling atmosphere.
At that moment, Carson was immersed in a single sentiment.
Ines Swenden was a woman born with the potential to be an Empress.
Carson received the same piece of paper right away.
The future Empress is very well-prepared.
“As you know, I am now a Count."
“...”
“And besides, I did not kill a commoner myself. I had a just cause. So there is no need for the immunity of the nobility to be exercised for the very small and trivial crime I committed.”
Carson saw Ines lift her head and tilt it slightly.
The glittering clown was as pink as when they first sat down in Landhill’s office. Carson’s face relaxed involuntarily at the sight.
“Do you think all words are words?”
But Manisut seemed to have a very different opinion from Carson.
“Do you think there is anyone here who would fall for such a pun?”
“I don’t know exactly where it is, but... you might think it is a pun.”
“...”
“Even so, this one thing is clear.”
Carson realized that no minister in this chamber had ever admonished Manisut in such a way. It was a rare sight that he had never experienced since he first entered the chairmanship after becoming an adult.
“Your Majesty, you will definitely be able to follow my puns.”
Ines turned to Carson. And she smiled brightly like the sun rising from the sea.
“So, Your Majesty, I am no longer a woman who was a sinner.”
Carson finally closed his eyes tightly against the waves that were coming like a tidal wave. Even though he knew that he had to control his expression in front of the serpent-like ministers, he could not even think of lowering the corners of his lips that were loosely rising.
“I, Ines Swenden, am the only daughter of the family of meritorious subjects who enthroned Your Majesty the Emperor before you in this position, and the head of the only central bank directly under the Imperial Finance Ministry, and currently a mere woman with the title of the only person in this empire.”
Carson opened his eyes and looked straight at Ines. Even though he was no longer Ines’s God, he wanted to grant her permission now.
You are no longer guilty of any sin. No, from the beginning, you were never a sinner to me.
So there is no need to suffer anymore, no need to wear the mask of a strong person and breathe weakly.
Ines looked into his firm eyes and thought of the Bible verse that she had held onto as if it were her life.
Since he had forgiven Ines’s sins, no one would ever ask her about her sins again.
The countless sins she had committed out of her foolishness and innocence, the fragments of pain she had foolishly dragged along, and the other mistakes she had to make to cut them off.
But now Ines could be sure. That she had completely forgiven herself for not being able to forgive herself.
That she had already overcome the delusions that had been tormenting her, along with the self-reproach and fear that had come with them.
Ines bowed slightly to Carson and turned around.
Countless eyes filled with astonishment turned toward her. Ines straightened her chest and put strength into her chin.
“That also means that I have no more disqualifications.”
She looked around the room and then slightly raised her head. Even a small movement was enough to overwhelm the onlookers. The fists clenched tightly between the hems of her voluminous dress were trembling, a sight that only Carson could see.
“So now, do you agree?”
Even the lips of those who were clearly enemies were tightly shut at her confident smile.
“I will become Empress.”
At those last words, Carson raised both hands as if declaring surrender. Then, with his chest heaving and his head thrown back, he laughed heartily.
You come to me like this. You really don’t let me come down even a single step, you don’t drag me down even a single step, you stand next to me on your own strength.
Like a spring flower, and like a blue butterfly that flutters around it.
Like the spring sunshine that colors everything around it without hurting anything.
You come to me with a bright light that makes me squint.
The glittering clown was as pink as when they first sat down in Landhill’s office. Carson’s face relaxed involuntarily at the sight.
“Do you think all words are words?”
But Manisut seemed to have a very different opinion from Carson.
“Do you think there is anyone here who would fall for such a pun?”
“I don’t know exactly where it is, but... you might think it is a pun.”
“...”
“Even so, this one thing is clear.”
Carson realized that no minister in this chamber had ever admonished Manisut in such a way. It was a rare sight that he had never experienced since he first entered the chairmanship after becoming an adult.
“Your Majesty, you will definitely be able to follow my puns.”
Ines turned to Carson. And she smiled brightly like the sun rising from the sea.
“So, Your Majesty, I am no longer a woman who was a sinner.”
Carson finally closed his eyes tightly against the waves that were coming like a tidal wave. Even though he knew that he had to control his expression in front of the serpent-like ministers, he could not even think of lowering the corners of his lips that were loosely rising.
“I, Ines Swenden, am the only daughter of the family of meritorious subjects who enthroned Your Majesty the Emperor before you in this position, and the head of the only central bank directly under the Imperial Finance Ministry, and currently a mere woman with the title of the only person in this empire.”
Carson opened his eyes and looked straight at Ines. Even though he was no longer Ines’s God, he wanted to grant her permission now.
You are no longer guilty of any sin. No, from the beginning, you were never a sinner to me.
So there is no need to suffer anymore, no need to wear the mask of a strong person and breathe weakly.
Ines looked into his firm eyes and thought of the Bible verse that she had held onto as if it were her life.
Since he had forgiven Ines’s sins, no one would ever ask her about her sins again.
The countless sins she had committed out of her foolishness and innocence, the fragments of pain she had foolishly dragged along, and the other mistakes she had to make to cut them off.
But now Ines could be sure. That she had completely forgiven herself for not being able to forgive herself.
That she had already overcome the delusions that had been tormenting her, along with the self-reproach and fear that had come with them.
Ines bowed slightly to Carson and turned around.
Countless eyes filled with astonishment turned toward her. Ines straightened her chest and put strength into her chin.
“That also means that I have no more disqualifications.”
She looked around the room and then slightly raised her head. Even a small movement was enough to overwhelm the onlookers. The fists clenched tightly between the hems of her voluminous dress were trembling, a sight that only Carson could see.
“So now, do you agree?”
Even the lips of those who were clearly enemies were tightly shut at her confident smile.
“I will become Empress.”
At those last words, Carson raised both hands as if declaring surrender. Then, with his chest heaving and his head thrown back, he laughed heartily.
You come to me like this. You really don’t let me come down even a single step, you don’t drag me down even a single step, you stand next to me on your own strength.
Like a spring flower, and like a blue butterfly that flutters around it.
Like the spring sunshine that colors everything around it without hurting anything.
You come to me with a bright light that makes me squint.
He remembered the moment he first met her. Ines Swenden, jumped under the horseshoe without hesitation, the beautiful woman who walked slowly while holding her younger sister in her arms. He also remembered her when he met her again at the temple. Ines Swenden strode out after saving people in the pouring rain. The strong woman was soaking wet but shining brightly.
And then, the alluring figure of her who came to him late at night in the palace not long ago to ask for her necklace back passed through his sight.
She was so beautiful that she took his breath away, but she trembled for a long time.
Carson realized it again.
Right now, at this very moment, he would never forget Ines Swenden’s bright smile, saying that she was no longer guilty.
Even among the darkly angry ministers, she surged like a tidal wave and instantly captivated him, remaining an unforgettable afterimage that would confuse his mind for the rest of his life. He could not hear a single sound of Manisut’s swearing and babbling in front of him.
For a moment, he thought he heard something that seemed to suggest that the Emperor and Ines had conspired to plan this, but... It didn’t matter.
He also saw people trying to calm Manisut down one by one after his excessive remarks.
But, what could he do now?
Even if the Emperor had conspired with his maid, even if God had been angry as Manisut had said and a great disaster had befallen the empire, nothing would change now.
A bird flying on the wind could never change direction and fly, and no matter how sadly and loudly a frog croaked, the deep blue dawn would come.
Carson stood up. As he pushed the chair back, the noisy surroundings quickly became quiet.
Ines, who was standing across from him, was clearly thinking the same thing.
The eyes that focused on Carson still had a look of awe for him as a God. But in addition, there was the foolish faith of a woman who believed in her only man.
The two of them remained quiet throughout the tumultuous storm.
Carson reached out his hand to Ines.
Although he didn’t say anything, Ines felt as if he was saying, “Come here, Ines.” Ines smiled at his gentle voice.
Her heart had always raced whenever she heard those words, but it had never been as noisy as it was now. Whenever Carson reached out, Ines always approached him half-enchanted. She always boasted that she would come to him, but it had never been easy.
But he always waited for her, and like an unshakable tree, he made a place for her to rest.
As Ines approached, he extended his arm and led her to his side.
She turned around the table and strode toward him.
“I told you I’d come to you wherever you are?”
Ines whispered softly, smiling.
Carson couldn’t help but smile as he looked at Ines’ bright voice that didn’t match the atmosphere and her slightly excited face that only Carson knew. Feeling embarrassed, he looked around and saw Manisut staring at the two of them with a tired face.
He put his arm around Ines’ waist. Then he whispered in her ear.
“I didn’t know your final destination would be the Emperor’s Palace Hall.”
Instead of answering, she gently intertwined her hand with Carson’s. Locking eyes with hers as she smiled softly, he turned his gaze to the congregation.
“Ah, ah.”
Carson cleared his throat and gave the ministers the most brilliant smile he could muster. It was a beautiful smile that momentarily buried what had happened.
“Given the circumstances, my dear subjects should listen to me, shall we?”
“...”
“I, the Emperor of Keynes, will take Ines... Countess of Mondrae Swenden as Empress of Keynes. Any further objections are hereby demurred.”
There was a brief silence, which was quickly broken by Bonifax.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I hereby congratulate you on your engagement.”
And then, the alluring figure of her who came to him late at night in the palace not long ago to ask for her necklace back passed through his sight.
She was so beautiful that she took his breath away, but she trembled for a long time.
Carson realized it again.
Right now, at this very moment, he would never forget Ines Swenden’s bright smile, saying that she was no longer guilty.
Even among the darkly angry ministers, she surged like a tidal wave and instantly captivated him, remaining an unforgettable afterimage that would confuse his mind for the rest of his life. He could not hear a single sound of Manisut’s swearing and babbling in front of him.
For a moment, he thought he heard something that seemed to suggest that the Emperor and Ines had conspired to plan this, but... It didn’t matter.
He also saw people trying to calm Manisut down one by one after his excessive remarks.
But, what could he do now?
Even if the Emperor had conspired with his maid, even if God had been angry as Manisut had said and a great disaster had befallen the empire, nothing would change now.
A bird flying on the wind could never change direction and fly, and no matter how sadly and loudly a frog croaked, the deep blue dawn would come.
Carson stood up. As he pushed the chair back, the noisy surroundings quickly became quiet.
Ines, who was standing across from him, was clearly thinking the same thing.
The eyes that focused on Carson still had a look of awe for him as a God. But in addition, there was the foolish faith of a woman who believed in her only man.
The two of them remained quiet throughout the tumultuous storm.
Carson reached out his hand to Ines.
Although he didn’t say anything, Ines felt as if he was saying, “Come here, Ines.” Ines smiled at his gentle voice.
Her heart had always raced whenever she heard those words, but it had never been as noisy as it was now. Whenever Carson reached out, Ines always approached him half-enchanted. She always boasted that she would come to him, but it had never been easy.
But he always waited for her, and like an unshakable tree, he made a place for her to rest.
As Ines approached, he extended his arm and led her to his side.
She turned around the table and strode toward him.
“I told you I’d come to you wherever you are?”
Ines whispered softly, smiling.
Carson couldn’t help but smile as he looked at Ines’ bright voice that didn’t match the atmosphere and her slightly excited face that only Carson knew. Feeling embarrassed, he looked around and saw Manisut staring at the two of them with a tired face.
He put his arm around Ines’ waist. Then he whispered in her ear.
“I didn’t know your final destination would be the Emperor’s Palace Hall.”
Instead of answering, she gently intertwined her hand with Carson’s. Locking eyes with hers as she smiled softly, he turned his gaze to the congregation.
“Ah, ah.”
Carson cleared his throat and gave the ministers the most brilliant smile he could muster. It was a beautiful smile that momentarily buried what had happened.
“Given the circumstances, my dear subjects should listen to me, shall we?”
“...”
“I, the Emperor of Keynes, will take Ines... Countess of Mondrae Swenden as Empress of Keynes. Any further objections are hereby demurred.”
There was a brief silence, which was quickly broken by Bonifax.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I hereby congratulate you on your engagement.”
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