Chapter : 137
“Your attribute ability must be transferred to me every day in order for me to use it.”
Whether it was true or just a trick, Theo said that transferring the attribute ability had to happen daily.
It wasn’t that once transferred, he could use it indefinitely—it meant he had to receive it every time he wanted to use it.
‘Seriously… isn’t this the kind of thing you’d only see in an adult novel?’
Ririope couldn’t help but frown at the absurdity of it.
“Ha, but it hurts. It’s difficult, and also…”
If she had to do this every day while already lacking feeling below, her body wouldn’t survive.
Seeing Ririope’s worried expression, Theo lightly kissed her on the head and said,
“I won’t make it painful for you.”
Though it wasn’t entirely reassuring, it wasn’t completely untrustworthy either. Slowly, Ririope nodded.
“Rest today. I’ll go and create the defensive barrier.”
“Can you really use the Everlasting Flame now? Really?”
To Ririope’s question, Theo nodded once and spread his palm.
A small flame flared up from his hand.
It was the Everlasting Flame.
Compared to Ririope’s flame, it burned much thicker and stronger, making her realize the vast difference in magical power between them.
“Wow.”
A sound of amazement escaped Ririope’s lips, and Theo kissed her head again before pulling away.
“So rest assured and take the day off. I’ll complete the outer village today.”
“Can it be done in one day?”
“You prepared it to some extent.”
Though “to some extent” barely covered a fraction of the village perimeter.
‘Well, he’s better than me in speed, quantity, and skill anyway.’
Ririope nodded in understanding and said to Theo,
“Then can I go to the palace? I want to talk to Rose about the children’s dormitory.”
Since Rose Arin would soon become the Empress, it would be good to discuss things with her in advance before the Emperor’s approval.
Theo seemed to ponder her words for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
“Do that. Building facilities in the Empire will be a joint project with the Countess’s daughter, the Empress’s proxy.”
Ririope’s eyes widened as she asked,
“Together? I… will work together too?”
Theo leaned down, lightly kissed her lips, and answered,
“Since it’s your suggestion, of course, you’ll participate in the project.”
The North would naturally be under Ririope’s responsibility, and the Empire would be built alongside the Empress’s proxy. Her lips parted slightly in surprise.
She hadn’t expected to be personally involved in such an important project.
It wasn’t just any task; it was about establishing unprecedented facilities in both the North and the Empire.
As she had told Theo, these facilities would significantly impact the lives of commoners.
Especially the part where only those born and raised in a village could inherit the village’s duties like a family business.
Naturally, Theo entrusting such an important task to her, someone who had never studied household affairs, was overwhelming.
Yet, alongside the shock, she felt a flutter of excitement.
“There is no one better suited than you, given what you’ve seen, heard, and experienced in other worlds.”
Theo’s confident words instilled a new sense of determination in her.
Ririope nodded and replied,
“Yes, I’ll do it.”
“Honestly, I didn’t think there would be so many children living alone.”
Rose Arin said with a worried expression.
She truly hadn’t considered it.
Born and raised in noble families, they naturally had no knowledge of commoners’ lives. Nobles had wealth and power that allowed them to live safely even if attacked by monsters, so it was natural that they couldn’t imagine anything beyond financial support for commoners victimized by monsters.
“Yes, that’s right. I only realized it myself when I went to a northern village yesterday.”
Ririope recounted Miriel’s story and those of children who had lost their parents to monsters, expressing her desire to create protective facilities to ensure these children could be safely cared for.
“We’ll have them live together in a mansion, receiving education. Just like we study attributes at the academy, these commoner children will learn the skills they need to function in society as adults.”
Rose Arin nodded in agreement.
“Children who have lost their parents haven’t even learned basic literacy, so such a place is truly necessary.”
In the Empire, there were no schools or academies for commoners; all education, including reading and writing, depended on parents.
Thus, children who lost their parents to monsters grew up illiterate, and this often passed to the next generation. Essential knowledge like literacy was unevenly distributed among the population.
“Exactly. And when you become Empress, you should also think about education for commoner children separately.”
Rose Arin nodded in agreement.
“I’ve actually thought about that too. Among the Count’s servants, there are quite a few who are illiterate. I thought an academy for commoners would be a good solution. Many of them lost their parents to monsters or were born to parents who lived such hardships, so this issue is urgent.”
“Right? I think so too.”
Ririope nodded enthusiastically, grateful for Rose Arin sharing the same viewpoint.
“First, we must focus on creating protective facilities for children currently living alone. In the North especially, frequent monster attacks and harsh winters leave many children on their own.”
“I see. Then we should proceed as quickly as possible.”
“Theo will get the Emperor’s approval for this, so we should wait. Ah, maybe it would be faster if we tell Prince Kadin?”
Rose Arin nodded at Ririope’s suggestion.
“Soon, Prince Kadin will act as the Emperor’s proxy, so it would be wise to inform him as well.”
“Then you tell Prince Kadin.”
“Yes, I will.”
Rose Arin looked at Ririope intently, a mixture of admiration and awe in her gaze.
“How can you be so wise, Ririo?”
She murmured, genuinely impressed.
“Sometimes, I really think you’re suited to be the Empress.”
“Eh? Suddenly?”
Caught off guard, Ririope looked at her in surprise.
“Originally, Prince Kadin wanted you as his consort.”
“….”
“I fear that by stepping in late, I might have obstructed your path to becoming Empress, Ririope…”
“What are you talking about, Rose?”
Ririope cut her off with a bewildered expression.
“That’s nonsense. Even if you hadn’t been connected to Prince Kadin, I wouldn’t become his consort.”
“…We can’t know that. I never thought I’d end up in this relationship with him either.”
“Rose.”
“No… it’s nothing else. It’s just that, clearly, you have far more qualities suited to be Empress than I do, and I feel like I may have interfered with your place…”
Rose Arin laughed awkwardly, trailing off.
Ririope raised an eyebrow in mild annoyance.
“By that logic, I’ve also taken the place of your Duchess title.”
“What?”
Rose Arin’s eyes nearly popped out.
“W-what are you saying! My Duchess title? I never intended to become a Duchess…!”
“Neither did I.”
Ririope interrupted firmly, her gaze steady, and continued,
“Neither did I, Rose. I don’t care whether you and Prince Kadin become close or not. I never intended to be Empress. And as for qualities… you clearly have far more Empress-worthy qualities than I do. You’re already serving as the Empress’s proxy, aren’t you?”
Rose Arin bit her lip, humbled.
Ririope let out a short sigh, realizing that just as Rose felt guilty for her connection with Kadin, Rose thought she had blocked her path with Theo.
“What I truly want is to be by Theo’s side. You’re by Kadin’s side, aren’t you?”
Rose Arin slowly nodded.
“So stop worrying about useless things.”
“Yes… I just think Ririo is so wise…”
“It’s not just me thinking this. You thought about creating a space for commoners to learn early after seeing your family’s servants. I thought of a solution for the orphaned children only after seeing them with my own eyes. You would have done the same.”
Rose Arin laughed, tears welling, and nodded.
With Ririope by her side, she felt certain that any challenge could be overcome.
And with that certainty, the heavy crown she would bear in the future didn’t seem frightening.
As long as Ririope was there, nothing seemed scary.
