Chapter 65
Excited by Liliana’s reaction, the Emperor prepared a second round.
“Do you know why a certain fisherman suddenly jumped into the sea while eating?”
Don’t do it! I said don’t!
Contrary to her inner thoughts, Helene, pretending not to know anything, asked His Majesty.
“Well… I’m not sure?”
“Because he was full.”
“…Hahahahaha.”
I—I lost!
Just as Helene silently prayed that there would be no third round,
“Pfff… Hahaha!!”
Unlike Helene, who forced a smile, Liliana was genuinely enjoying herself, tears of laughter welling up in her eyes.
No matter how skilled one might be at social interactions, they say those who merely perform well cannot beat those who genuinely enjoy themselves.
Helene threw up her hands completely at Liliana, who truly loved dad jokes.
And there was one more person who felt the same way as Helene.
Angelina had never, in her life, had someone steal the spotlight from her.
Whenever she appeared, people’s attention naturally gravitated toward her, as if guided by the laws of nature.
She had lived a protagonist’s life all her life.
Especially, Angelina had been deeply cherished by the Emperor of the Empire.
He had treated Angelina more lovingly than his own only son, the Crown Prince.
Though he had left the Crown Prince as his sole heir to prevent similar experiences, the Emperor regretted not having another daughter when he looked at Angelina.
That was why he had pinpointed her as his future daughter-in-law from their very first meeting.
Recently, the Emperor had been using Angelina to fill the void left by the Crown Prince.
By plan, today he should have been completely captivated by Angelina, wearing a fatherly smile.
But with the unexpected appearance of Liliana and her stepmother Helene, her presence had become the least noticeable in the room.
It seemed the Emperor had laughed more today than he had since the Empress passed away.
Throughout the meal, he hadn’t looked at Angelina properly even once.
After the enjoyable luncheon ended, with lingering regret, the Emperor told Helene and Liliana that he would invite them again and proceeded to his next engagement.
The Emperor was heading to the banquet hall of Lepia Palace.
Walking down the corridor, he suddenly stopped.
“Y-Your Majesty…?”
A guard muttered softly.
But daring to ask why would be impossible, so the guard simply followed the Emperor’s gaze.
The Emperor was intently observing the banquet hall, which was still under construction.
The ballroom, designed in a dome shape with an elevated ceiling, was destined to be the most beautiful banquet hall in Lepia Palace.
Thirty-one chandeliers were planned for the high ceiling.
The number matched the debutantes at this year’s debutante ball.
Each chandelier, made of tens of thousands of crystals, was larger than an ox.
It was such a massive construction project that not only palace workers but also external laborers had been recruited.
Among the drab construction workers, a neatly dressed man, clearly of noble bearing, stood out.
Whatever the reason, he had his sleeves rolled up and was moving around the site.
Blaine Diark.
The CEO of FM and the world’s wealthiest man.
“…This finishing is completely uneven and awful!”
Blaine, with his hawk-like eyes scanning the site, had finally caught something.
Vain, the construction manager, immediately shouted in response, accustomed to Blaine’s style.
“No, once it hardens, it all evens out!!”
Vain had been a veteran on construction sites for thirty years.
He used to boast that he had built half of the Empire’s buildings if he drank enough.
Though he had known Blaine for over a decade, no one had ever made his job more difficult.
Over ten years ago, the skinny boy who said he would start a real estate business had looked pitiful.
Workers doubted whether he could even pay wages properly.
They had tried to exploit the brash young entrepreneur but ended up being outsmarted.
Blaine boldly faced the rough, even ignorant workers, giving instructions with veins bulging in his neck.
He had never once delayed payments for construction or wages, showing remarkable skill.
Blaine ate, slept, and worked alongside the workers, lifting twenty bricks when they lifted ten, cursing as he went.
The skinny boy had grown into a body stronger than bricks, and though once poorly dressed, he had become the world’s wealthiest man.
Even now, when he noticed the slightest flaw in a building under construction, he would still raise his voice, veins bulging—a trait that had never changed.
Blaine, showing no interest in Vain’s excuses, grabbed the lime mortar and returned to plaster the wall. Vain sighed and took the mortar from him.
Perhaps feeling slightly apologetic, Blaine lingered by Vain’s side.
“…Since we’re doing it anyway, why not redo that part as well?”
…Of course.
One could never forget that Blaine was the most ruthless man in the world and obsessed with his work.
Had he not been well-funded, Vain would have severed ties long ago.
But as a slave to capital, Vain reluctantly moved to the spot Blaine indicated.
Blaine finally smiled, seeing the construction proceeding properly.
Feeling someone’s gaze, he turned and met the Emperor’s eyes.
The Emperor waved at Blaine warmly.
“Looks like the construction is almost done.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It should be completed on schedule without any issues.”
Blaine replied in a businesslike, formal tone, unthinkable in front of the Emperor.
The ministers beside the Emperor looked at him with a “how insolent…” expression, but the Emperor himself was fascinated and didn’t know what to do.
“So well spent, your taxes are!”
The Emperor remarked teasingly, surveying the glittering palace.
Thanks to modern construction technology, Lepia Palace appeared more magnificent than ever.
The taxes from Fly Moon, the world’s top corporation, amounted to half of the Hersen Empire’s revenue this year.
With Fly Moon’s strong finances, the Hersen Empire feared nothing.
No matter how long a war lasted, the Empire had the resources to endure it.
This was one reason Hersen had become the world’s greatest power.
“I’m glad it meets Your Majesty’s approval.”
Blaine replied indifferently, emotionless in every feature.
The Emperor thought that even the steel beams might be more flexible than Blaine.
Seeing his unwavering reaction to provocation, the Emperor understood why he was called the Iron Mask businessman.
Fly Moon had provided enormous funds to the Hersen royal family for over a decade.
If any other noble had given so much money, the palace would have demanded recognition hundreds of times.
Though the world’s wealthiest man, Blaine held no title.
If he wished, the Empire could have granted him a duke’s title. Yet, strangely, he behaved ascetically, never requesting any reward.
Most nobles tried to gain favor and scraps of power, but the Emperor had never met anyone like Blaine.
Perhaps for that reason, the Emperor liked him.
Though a monster who rose above his elder brothers to become Emperor, he imagined that if he had a younger sibling, they might be like Blaine.
Yet, he had no intention of giving anything unasked. The Emperor resolved to give nothing until Blaine demanded it.
As expected, he thought, he must be the worst younger brother and the worst older brother simultaneously.
The Emperor stroked his chin, teasing Blaine again.
“You’re coming to this year’s debutante ball, aren’t you?”
The Emperor knew Blaine disliked social events.
Still, he invited Blaine to every social gathering, even if other nobles weren’t invited.
Though Blaine’s expression was impassive, his slightly furrowed brows and subtle forehead lines were perfect entertainment for the Emperor.
