Chapter 42
‘I was too young back then to understand anything.’
But the damage was huge, and it spread so fast, I could never forget it.
Years into the plague, the emperor who had invited us spoke kindly:
“I couldn’t just stand by and watch Vesford suffer so much from the plague. If the Archduke agrees, I’d like to offer financial support to help restore the land.”
“But Your Majesty, that’s far more money than we need. It’s too much.”
Even though the Archduke looked worn out after losing his wife, his dignity hadn’t disappeared.
The Archduke tried to politely decline, but the emperor insisted again:
“For the blood Vesford has shed, this is nothing. Please don’t refuse.”
Even though, during the actual plague, he hadn’t helped at all.
He even cut off supplies, and rumors spread that staying in Vesford meant certain death.
So, why now?
Still, it was an offer of help.
“I’ll send support directly, so every household can receive gold coins.”
“Think of it as the royal family comforting the people in place of the late Archduchess.”
He said so much that it was hard to refuse.
It was suspiciously generous, but also hard to point out anything wrong.
Besides, the Archduke didn’t have time to think it through properly back then.
Then, once gold started filling people’s pockets, unexpected problems began.
“Prices shot up. Grain cost twice as much in one day. Then doubled again the next.”
I sighed as I remembered that time.
Of course, things were different now.
We stopped the plague early, and Marquis Doitun was supplying grain steadily, so it shouldn’t get as bad as before.
‘But… if too much money goes around, it’ll still cause trouble.’
But how could we refuse the emperor’s offer that seemed so generous? And if so, how?
My head was spinning with worry when I suddenly heard Ian’s voice beside me.
“Don’t worry. I’ll explain it to you.”
“Huh?”
Ian thought I was feeling down because I didn’t understand the book.
But strangely, his comforting voice calmed me down.
Like nothing could shake us anymore.
He pointed to a page in the economics book.
“There’s an example on the next page.”
Since the book was for kids, it had cute illustrations.
It told a story of an ancient emperor.
“He loved his wife so much, he put her face on gold coins. After she died, he ordered that more coins be made so she’d be everywhere in the world.”
There was a picture of the emperor hugging her spirit, looking sorrowful.
“The amount of food didn’t change, but people suddenly had a lot of money. So what do you think happened?”
“Um…”
“What if there’s still the same amount of tea leaves, but now everyone has more money?”
“Then I’d pay more to buy it than the others!”
“Exactly. That’s how prices can skyrocket unnaturally.”
Ian smiled as he pointed to the next illustration.
The world was filled with gold coins showing the empress’s face, but people were crying between them in pain.
“Even I didn’t understand this easily, but you got it quickly. You’re smart.”
“Hehe~”
I proudly put both hands on my waist, grinning from his sudden compliment.
“But… that emperor’s a bit weird. No matter how much you love someone, how could he think that was a good idea?”
He was still a ruler of a country!
I sighed at how crazy that emperor seemed, and then Ian replied casually:
“But… I kind of understand how he felt.”
“…What?”
I stared at him, confused. My head tilted as I blinked at him.
A bit of my hair, tied half-up earlier by Seri, slipped to the side.
“…No, never mind.”
Ian waved his hand quickly and looked out the window.
With one large hand holding his chin, his small face turned away, and I couldn’t see his expression.
‘He said he understands… the emperor?’
That must mean he understands the feeling of wanting to fill the world with someone you love.
I thought over Ian’s words, still puzzled.
But… the Archduchess is alive now. So what exactly did Ian relate to?
As I tried to guess his thoughts—
“So… live longer than me.”
I saw a flash of red in his eyes through his fingers.
His voice was soft, almost like a whisper meant only for my ears.
But it felt like someone made sure I could hear it clearly.
Then Ian, still watching me with those intense eyes, added firmly:
“…Because I don’t want to be remembered as a crazy tyrant.”
My face turned bright red at those words.
I quickly looked down, almost as if I was going to kiss the book, just to hide my face.
Wh-What is with this Archduke!?
✦✦✦
Everything I saw was dazzling and grand.
This was the Imperial Palace of Karsat.
If the Vesford estate felt noble and elegant in a quiet way, the Imperial Palace was the complete opposite.
Gold decorations and red silks drew the eye everywhere.
It was no surprise the emperor’s throne glowed with golden brilliance.
“I’m so glad to see the Archduke and Archduchess of Vesford, and their future—the young Archduke couple—all together.”
“Thank you for inviting us, Your Majesty.”
“It must’ve been tiring for the Archduchess to come all this way.”
“Not at all. It’s always a joy to see Her Majesty the Empress.”
Ian and I stood behind the Archduke couple, bowing as they spoke politely with the emperor and empress.
Even while showing proper manners, the Archduke and Archduchess naturally carried themselves as equals to the emperor.
Especially the Archduke—his presence was like a sturdy rock.
‘In my past life, he was broken after the plague and the death of the Archduchess. But now, it’s different!’
Back then, the Archduke was falling apart, and Ian kept his distance from me.
This meeting had been full of tension and unease.
‘But now, I can really feel everything’s changed.’
I silently thanked the heavens as I waited for what the emperor would say next.
“The young Archduke and Archduchess must’ve had a hard time coming to the palace. You’re still quite young.”
As the emperor turned his gaze to us, Ian and I slowly lifted our heads.
“Not at all, Your Majesty. Coming at your call could never be difficult.”
Ian’s voice sounded calm and mature—far beyond his age.
The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly.
It was clear he didn’t like how sharp and clever Ian seemed.
The emperor had always been wary of Vesford being nearly equal in power to the royal family.
So of course—
“I heard the young Archduke did something truly great recently. At such a young age… The Archduke is lucky to have two sons grow up so well.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
There it is.
It sounded like a compliment, but bringing up Joseph was no accident.
The emperor knew exactly what it meant for Vesford to name a new heir.
Ian’s face stiffened.
I gritted my teeth inside.
How dare he mess with my husband?
Even if he’s the emperor, I won’t forgive him.
But I smiled brighter than ever.
After all, I was ten years old, and I had my parents’ adorable looks to help me!
“It is an honor to meet the Sun of the Karsat Empire!”
I said the line clearly and brightly, in the best pronunciation a ten-year-old could manage.
The emperor smiled oddly at my display.
Just like in the past, he looked down on me while watching Vesford carefully.
He had even said this to me before:
“Ah, the young Archduchess was the daughter of a mere baron’s house, wasn’t she?”
Well, before he says that again, let me give him a little warning.
Don’t mess with Vesford like you did before.
“I am Amelia Vesford, the Archduchess!”
“Haha! Just as I heard—so clever!”
I nodded proudly at his praise and added cheerfully:
“I’m flattered. I hope to follow in the footsteps of the First Princess!”
“…”
“…”
Suddenly, the room went silent like someone had poured cold water on it.
But I just smirked widely.
I know the future, so handling this is easy.
Mock Ian for no longer being heir?
Fine. Let me return the favor… with a smile. 😌
