Even though she liked Carson so much, she couldn’t just stay in his arms like this.
“Inside.”
“Huh?”
“Go inside.”
Carson smiled at her words as she pushed him away slightly and grabbed Ines’ hand.
Ines took a deep breath and let it out, looking up at the Empress’s Palace. She straightened her body so that her heart wouldn’t sag in front of the literal castle that felt like walls on all sides.
Carson, who noticed Ines’s feelings, held her hand tighter.
Although he acted calmly, Carson was always a little anxious when he thought of Ines.
Was there something uncomfortable, was there something she didn’t like, was she not feeling right here, and what if she wanted to run away?
Whenever such thoughts came to him, he pulled Ines’ body closer to him.
It was a wrong prediction to think that things would get better once he confirmed Ines’ sincerity and confirmed their relationship.
Even in those moments when their warm bodies touched countless times, when they constantly checked each other’s feelings, and when they bit their lips and breathed together, Carson was always out of breath when he thought of her.
At those times, he smiled even more deeply.
When their eyes met, Ines smiled at him as well.
As if she knew his heart. As if she would spend the rest of her life with him as promised.
Carson and Noah entered Ines’ office together. Ines couldn’t sit down right away, and instead, she loitered around the place where she would spend the most time, feeling a little overwhelmed. Soon, Emma came to the office with tea.
“Thank you, Emma.”
Emma smiled slightly at Ines’s unchanging greeting and immediately left her seat. She was scheduled to be appointed as the head maid of the Empress’s palace.
Ines went across from Carson and tried to calm her mind while drinking the tea Emma had brought.
“Is there something you would like to show us as your first step?”
When Ines’ face became much more relaxed and the air around them became more relaxed, Noah asked cautiously.
“Isn’t it a little early?”
It was a natural thing.
Although he had entered the Empress’s Palace by the decision of the chairman, it was a bit early to discuss such a topic.
Instead, the nobles who could attend the meeting held most of the decision-making power, but they did not represent the opinions of all the nobles in the Keynes Empire.
Manisut would soon make a move. If the nobles united and joined forces, no matter how strong the imperial family was, it would be unavoidable to suffer a blow.
For now, all three of them had the same prediction. That was the way Manisut had controlled the imperial family up until now.
Although he was preparing accordingly, the Duke’s position was not established overnight. The privileged class always sought stability. Therefore, it was true that more nobles wanted him to rise again at any time.
“Of course, but it would be good to prepare in advance. If you make a plan, it would be better to show it to him soon after he ascended the throne.”
Ines looked around the Empress’s Palace office.
The first thing that caught her eye was the antique, stylish mahogany desk, but the surroundings were filled with materials that did not match it. There were clear traces of an effort to quickly change the atmosphere.
“This wasn’t... an office, was it?”
Carson nodded at Ines’ question. A faint smile still lingered on his lips.
“The former Empress didn’t do any office work. She used a seal or something, but she liked to move people more than do office work. This room is a reception room and an office, so to speak.”
Ines gently grabbed the handle of the sofa where the three were sitting. The ivory-colored handle had elaborate engravings.
Ines kept her lips shut for a moment and thought. Her body felt tight as if she was wearing someone else’s clothes, and her legs began to swell. There was nothing that could be called her own in this suffocating space.
“I...”
Even so, she couldn’t just bend down like this. Ines looked at the Emperor in front of her.
Then she tightly held the glossy, top-quality ivory handle that had come into her hands. When Ines paused and took a moment to quench her thirst, Noah opened his notebook.
“I want to establish a school.”
Noah tilted his head. The Empress was looking after the internal affairs. So the first thing she had to show off was probably the reorganization of the palace.
Most of the first steps the Empress took to solidify her position were for the high society. Of course, it was also the Empress’s job to personally take care of the people, such as establishing schools or inspecting slums.
However, that was for later. Furthermore, for a very long time, the Empress had never personally observed the lives of the people of the empire.
“I think it is especially at times like this that we need to stick to the basics.”
At a time like this. In other words, a time when she had received forced recognition but had not gained true support.
In this situation where everyone was no different from being enemies, it was meaningless to try to win them over and make them her people.
However, it was also foolish to actively support the new powers. To declare it like that was no different from declaring a new war between the old and new powers. So this was the method Ines chose.
“We need many talented people to properly establish the bureaucracy.”
Looking into the distant future.
People might laugh at her if they heard that she was going to establish a school. They would say that she was building a bridge in an invisible place while standing on a shaky foundation.
But Ines decided to do so. Those who have lost everything know well where and what went wrong.
Even if it seemed foolishly stubborn and frustratingly long and winding.
Ines decided to walk slowly again so that she could stand up again if someone threw her into the mud again.
“You want to train professional administrative personnel?”
“That’s right. The reason the new officials currently handle administrative work is very simple.”
“...”
“Because they can read and write.”
For a moment, Noah felt as if he had been hit on the head.
The basic administration was handled by the priests. It was something he had taken for granted since he was born. He had never thought about why it was that way.
As a smart person, he realized that this was not such a simple matter.
The reason the writing system was difficult to read and write was that it was intended to solidify the privileged class. Noah felt as if he had actually encountered an obvious proposition that he had only encountered in print.
“Inside.”
“Huh?”
“Go inside.”
Carson smiled at her words as she pushed him away slightly and grabbed Ines’ hand.
Ines took a deep breath and let it out, looking up at the Empress’s Palace. She straightened her body so that her heart wouldn’t sag in front of the literal castle that felt like walls on all sides.
Carson, who noticed Ines’s feelings, held her hand tighter.
Although he acted calmly, Carson was always a little anxious when he thought of Ines.
Was there something uncomfortable, was there something she didn’t like, was she not feeling right here, and what if she wanted to run away?
Whenever such thoughts came to him, he pulled Ines’ body closer to him.
It was a wrong prediction to think that things would get better once he confirmed Ines’ sincerity and confirmed their relationship.
Even in those moments when their warm bodies touched countless times, when they constantly checked each other’s feelings, and when they bit their lips and breathed together, Carson was always out of breath when he thought of her.
At those times, he smiled even more deeply.
When their eyes met, Ines smiled at him as well.
As if she knew his heart. As if she would spend the rest of her life with him as promised.
Carson and Noah entered Ines’ office together. Ines couldn’t sit down right away, and instead, she loitered around the place where she would spend the most time, feeling a little overwhelmed. Soon, Emma came to the office with tea.
“Thank you, Emma.”
Emma smiled slightly at Ines’s unchanging greeting and immediately left her seat. She was scheduled to be appointed as the head maid of the Empress’s palace.
Ines went across from Carson and tried to calm her mind while drinking the tea Emma had brought.
“Is there something you would like to show us as your first step?”
When Ines’ face became much more relaxed and the air around them became more relaxed, Noah asked cautiously.
“Isn’t it a little early?”
It was a natural thing.
Although he had entered the Empress’s Palace by the decision of the chairman, it was a bit early to discuss such a topic.
Instead, the nobles who could attend the meeting held most of the decision-making power, but they did not represent the opinions of all the nobles in the Keynes Empire.
Manisut would soon make a move. If the nobles united and joined forces, no matter how strong the imperial family was, it would be unavoidable to suffer a blow.
For now, all three of them had the same prediction. That was the way Manisut had controlled the imperial family up until now.
Although he was preparing accordingly, the Duke’s position was not established overnight. The privileged class always sought stability. Therefore, it was true that more nobles wanted him to rise again at any time.
“Of course, but it would be good to prepare in advance. If you make a plan, it would be better to show it to him soon after he ascended the throne.”
Ines looked around the Empress’s Palace office.
The first thing that caught her eye was the antique, stylish mahogany desk, but the surroundings were filled with materials that did not match it. There were clear traces of an effort to quickly change the atmosphere.
“This wasn’t... an office, was it?”
Carson nodded at Ines’ question. A faint smile still lingered on his lips.
“The former Empress didn’t do any office work. She used a seal or something, but she liked to move people more than do office work. This room is a reception room and an office, so to speak.”
Ines gently grabbed the handle of the sofa where the three were sitting. The ivory-colored handle had elaborate engravings.
Ines kept her lips shut for a moment and thought. Her body felt tight as if she was wearing someone else’s clothes, and her legs began to swell. There was nothing that could be called her own in this suffocating space.
“I...”
Even so, she couldn’t just bend down like this. Ines looked at the Emperor in front of her.
Then she tightly held the glossy, top-quality ivory handle that had come into her hands. When Ines paused and took a moment to quench her thirst, Noah opened his notebook.
“I want to establish a school.”
Noah tilted his head. The Empress was looking after the internal affairs. So the first thing she had to show off was probably the reorganization of the palace.
Most of the first steps the Empress took to solidify her position were for the high society. Of course, it was also the Empress’s job to personally take care of the people, such as establishing schools or inspecting slums.
However, that was for later. Furthermore, for a very long time, the Empress had never personally observed the lives of the people of the empire.
“I think it is especially at times like this that we need to stick to the basics.”
At a time like this. In other words, a time when she had received forced recognition but had not gained true support.
In this situation where everyone was no different from being enemies, it was meaningless to try to win them over and make them her people.
However, it was also foolish to actively support the new powers. To declare it like that was no different from declaring a new war between the old and new powers. So this was the method Ines chose.
“We need many talented people to properly establish the bureaucracy.”
Looking into the distant future.
People might laugh at her if they heard that she was going to establish a school. They would say that she was building a bridge in an invisible place while standing on a shaky foundation.
But Ines decided to do so. Those who have lost everything know well where and what went wrong.
Even if it seemed foolishly stubborn and frustratingly long and winding.
Ines decided to walk slowly again so that she could stand up again if someone threw her into the mud again.
“You want to train professional administrative personnel?”
“That’s right. The reason the new officials currently handle administrative work is very simple.”
“...”
“Because they can read and write.”
For a moment, Noah felt as if he had been hit on the head.
The basic administration was handled by the priests. It was something he had taken for granted since he was born. He had never thought about why it was that way.
As a smart person, he realized that this was not such a simple matter.
The reason the writing system was difficult to read and write was that it was intended to solidify the privileged class. Noah felt as if he had actually encountered an obvious proposition that he had only encountered in print.
“An excellent... idea. It is not a subject I dare to judge, but.”
“I will say again that I am not trying to completely destroy the aristocratic order.”
Perhaps Noah’s face had taken on a completely different color than before. Ines kindly added an explanation.
“It would be natural for new positions to be created as the direct territories managed by the imperial family increased.”
As Ines had said, officials directly appointed by the imperial palace were overseeing all administrative work in the newly organized imperial lands.
However, everything had to be started from scratch, and there was always a shortage of manpower. The discontent of the people in the territory who were confused by this grew.
Although they were dealing with it appropriately at the right time, it was not a fundamental solution to the problem. Furthermore, more than half of the nobles were skeptical of what the imperial family was doing. It goes without saying that the nobles who had their lands taken away were uncooperative.
“I can’t easily guess what kind of result you’re talking about now. I’m sure you don’t know it.”
“Of course. That’s why I want to start from the very beginning.”
“I would appreciate it if you could explain it in an easy-to-understand way.”
“We’re starting basic elementary education for commoner children. We won’t start on a very large scale from the beginning. The country has to pay for everything.”
Noah raised his dry hand and rubbed the corners of his lips. It would certainly be less objectionable to the nobles than to train professional bureaucrats at the level of the academy. Surprisingly, the nobles didn’t look far into the future. They were focused on the immediate benefits they could gain by solving their immediate problems.
‘A formal school for commoners.’
It was an idealistic idea, like the imperial museum that Carson had established where anyone could enter. It was so attractive that it was dangerous.
However, a school is not a museum. Noah glanced at the Emperor, who was more complicated than he had thought.
Carson’s face had no particular expression. He was quick and quick to grasp the situation, but he always maintained a cautious attitude.
“I’m not saying that I’m going to completely incorporate them into the noble world and shake it up.”
Ines, who felt that Carson’s silence was a denial, added.
“I just want to give them a little more chance. Then they can live well. They can dream, and I’m sure some of them are more talented than we can imagine.”
Carson bit his lower lip. Noah shook his head at him. It wasn’t common for the Emperor’s clown to shine brightly. However, this scene was very familiar to Noah.
“But the nobles won’t think that way. They’ll make a fuss as if their positions will all disappear at any moment.”
The face of the future Empress fell into a shadow at the Emperor’s words.
“Is that so?”
Noah knew that Carson would smile at any moment. However, the Empress in front of him seemed unaware of this fact. The expression the Emperor was making right now was unique to her.
Noah rubbed his knees for no reason and got up from his seat.
“I’m going to go now. I don’t know what documents you need, but I’m going to get them...”
“Go.”
“Yes.”
Noah stood up from his seat after watching the couple flirting with each other, only changing the office name.
He always had so much to do that his throat got sore. He was about to shake off his clothes and turn the doorknob when he heard the future Empress’s voice.
“Sir Noah.”
It was clearly less than ten steps away, but the sound resonated as if it was coming from far away. Noah shook his head to shake off the strange feeling and turned to Ines.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Please don’t call me that yet.”
However, he hesitated for a moment because he had no specific title to call her, and Ines continued speaking.
“Did I say that?”
“I will say again that I am not trying to completely destroy the aristocratic order.”
Perhaps Noah’s face had taken on a completely different color than before. Ines kindly added an explanation.
“It would be natural for new positions to be created as the direct territories managed by the imperial family increased.”
As Ines had said, officials directly appointed by the imperial palace were overseeing all administrative work in the newly organized imperial lands.
However, everything had to be started from scratch, and there was always a shortage of manpower. The discontent of the people in the territory who were confused by this grew.
Although they were dealing with it appropriately at the right time, it was not a fundamental solution to the problem. Furthermore, more than half of the nobles were skeptical of what the imperial family was doing. It goes without saying that the nobles who had their lands taken away were uncooperative.
“I can’t easily guess what kind of result you’re talking about now. I’m sure you don’t know it.”
“Of course. That’s why I want to start from the very beginning.”
“I would appreciate it if you could explain it in an easy-to-understand way.”
“We’re starting basic elementary education for commoner children. We won’t start on a very large scale from the beginning. The country has to pay for everything.”
Noah raised his dry hand and rubbed the corners of his lips. It would certainly be less objectionable to the nobles than to train professional bureaucrats at the level of the academy. Surprisingly, the nobles didn’t look far into the future. They were focused on the immediate benefits they could gain by solving their immediate problems.
‘A formal school for commoners.’
It was an idealistic idea, like the imperial museum that Carson had established where anyone could enter. It was so attractive that it was dangerous.
However, a school is not a museum. Noah glanced at the Emperor, who was more complicated than he had thought.
Carson’s face had no particular expression. He was quick and quick to grasp the situation, but he always maintained a cautious attitude.
“I’m not saying that I’m going to completely incorporate them into the noble world and shake it up.”
Ines, who felt that Carson’s silence was a denial, added.
“I just want to give them a little more chance. Then they can live well. They can dream, and I’m sure some of them are more talented than we can imagine.”
Carson bit his lower lip. Noah shook his head at him. It wasn’t common for the Emperor’s clown to shine brightly. However, this scene was very familiar to Noah.
“But the nobles won’t think that way. They’ll make a fuss as if their positions will all disappear at any moment.”
The face of the future Empress fell into a shadow at the Emperor’s words.
“Is that so?”
Noah knew that Carson would smile at any moment. However, the Empress in front of him seemed unaware of this fact. The expression the Emperor was making right now was unique to her.
Noah rubbed his knees for no reason and got up from his seat.
“I’m going to go now. I don’t know what documents you need, but I’m going to get them...”
“Go.”
“Yes.”
Noah stood up from his seat after watching the couple flirting with each other, only changing the office name.
He always had so much to do that his throat got sore. He was about to shake off his clothes and turn the doorknob when he heard the future Empress’s voice.
“Sir Noah.”
It was clearly less than ten steps away, but the sound resonated as if it was coming from far away. Noah shook his head to shake off the strange feeling and turned to Ines.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Please don’t call me that yet.”
However, he hesitated for a moment because he had no specific title to call her, and Ines continued speaking.
“Did I say that?”
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