Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Erich Winb’s posture remained as impeccable as ever, a paragon of etiquette, just as it had always been. Nobles recalled years of lamenting how wonderful it would have been had such a man possessed magical abilities, a sentiment that now felt like a relic from five years past.

He possessed absolute legitimacy, a brilliant mind, political acumen that extended beyond mere displays of knowledge, and flawless manners. Adding to these, he was tall and handsome. Had he only possessed magic, he could have become a legendary ruler, his name eternally etched in history.

His deeply loyal retainers had once mourned his lack of magical powers. However, considering the emperor Erich Winb became after awakening his magic, all those regrets now seemed utterly futile.

“Let all those whose names are called now step forward and receive the Empire’s decree!”

The resonant voice of the attendant echoed above the nobles, who were steeped in a sense of disillusionment.

“I hereby appoint Devon Felport, son of Viscount Felport and Baron Cowell, as Grand Commissioner for Imperial Tax Collection!”

“Yes.”

A man in his early forties with a neatly trimmed beard stepped forward. The Chancellor’s latest achievement was successfully appointing Devon Felport to the position of Grand Commissioner for Imperial Tax Collection.

“Finally!”

Tax officials collectively sighed in relief. The Grand Commissioner position had been vacant for half a year, halting tax collection efforts.

“For the position of Capital Beautification Director, I hereby appoint Evening Flam, eldest daughter of Margrave Flam and fiancée to His Imperial Majesty!”

“Yes!”

At the mention of Evening Flam’s name, the atmosphere within the ceremonial hall shifted. The noble lords who had arrived to observe the changes in the cabinet, along with representatives from influential families of the capital, straightened their postures.

Whispers abounded regarding the circumstances of their engagement, but regardless, she was the Emperor’s new fiancée.

“So that’s the Evening who never leaves the Southern Marches.”

“She’s even more beautiful than I heard. They say she’s quite accomplished.”

Noble lords closer to the dais quietly scrutinized her, while lower-ranking officials further away murmured amongst themselves. Though she was the daughter of an influential family, most were seeing Evening for the first time.

Evening had always considered noble children who flocked to the capital, enchanted by its allure, to be foolish, steadfastly remaining within the Margraviate. ‘I am not like those empty-headed fools in the capital, wasting their magic away,’ she had once thought, using somewhat harsh words, though the people of the capital were unaware of her true sentiments. To them, Evening was a loyal subject of the Empire, dedicated to securing its borders.

“I saw her during our daughter’s debutante season, and she truly was remarkable. Though it was a brief period, there were more than a few men who proposed, claiming they’d gladly live in the harsh borderlands for her sake.”

“Ah, for such a person to be by His Majesty’s side…”

‘By His Majesty’s side…’ No matter how one interpreted it, the sentiment was far from positive.

“Hmm, Capital Beautification Director, then.”

Meanwhile, noble lords from distant regions, who hadn’t even heard rumors about Evening, scrutinized her from head to toe. The Capital Beautification Director was responsible for the overall aesthetics of the capital, focusing on maintaining the cleanliness and beauty of the city, including its roads and public buildings.

While it was rare for an actual practitioner to be appointed to the Beautification Director position, it had traditionally been filled by the Empress’s close confidantes. This implied that, ideally, this role should have gone to Evening’s lady-in-waiting or a relative from her own family, not Evening herself.

“Well, I’ll be.”

Just as someone was about to mutter about how this was truly an unprecedented slight, forcing her to handle practical duties rather than entrusting them to her retinue, the announcement continued.

“For the vacant position of Grand Justice, I hereby appoint Evening Flam and Countess Lenisa Fleck!”

“Yes.”

“Yes!”

Evening’s name was called once more. A light murmur rippled through the hall.

“Grand Justice…”

“She certainly has the qualifications for it.”

Upon being granted the Grand Justice position after the Capital Beautification Director role, a wave of relief, surprisingly, spread through the room. Grand Justice was a crucial and pivotal role. However, due to Erich Winb’s arbitrary actions, vacancies had steadily accumulated over two years, leaving a third of the positions open.

Simply filling these empty seats with new individuals heralded a fresh start, and the fact that it was Evening Flam, a noble, rather than a commoner, was considered fortunate. Though young, Evening possessed the qualifications to hold a junior Grand Justice position, and the Grand Justice role itself was fitting for an Empress. The appointment of a Countess alongside her further alleviated concerns, signifying that all the commoners Erich had attempted to push forward had been thwarted.

In exchange for Evening’s approval, the Chancellor and Speaker had successfully appointed Countess Fleck.

“Next. I hereby appoint Evening Flam as Director of the Royal Household Tax Collection Department!”

“Yes!”

But from this point on, things began to feel distinctly odd.

“No… again?”

“Director of the Tax Collection Department?”

The Director of the Tax Collection Department oversaw tax collectors. It was a harsh position that even nobles rarely wished to undertake, much less an Empress. For this role, no one would complain even if a commoner or merchant were to fill it.

“I hereby replace the Royal Household Treasurer with Evening Flam!”

“Yes!”

“……”

“……”

By this point, even a fool would sense that something was amiss. Evening was now the Capital Beautification Director, a Grand Justice, Director of the Royal Household Tax Collection Department, and Royal Household Treasurer. There was no coherence to her positions.

And then.

“I hereby appoint Evening Flam as Foreign Minister!”

As the Emperor’s fiancée, Evening’s list of responsibilities continued to grow. Though Foreign Minister was a glorious high-ranking position, both in prestige and power, compared to the Director of Tax Collection or Treasurer, this was not the time to applaud her glorious ascent.

“He’s truly dabbling in all sorts of things.”

Duke Elpata folded his arms, observing the unfolding spectacle. When things began to unravel in such a manner, the noble lords no longer bothered to hide their disrespectful attitudes even before the Emperor. Though their exasperated words might not reach the dais, their defiant postures certainly would.

“Is this how the Margrave is to be treated?”

This treatment of Margrave Flam’s daughter, who had long stood against Ailbarn, manipulating her like a mere toy, was Erich Winb’s declaration of war against the noble lords. It was a harsh declaration, signifying that he would disregard long-standing prestige, tradition, and even the courtesy owed to a wife.

The atmosphere in the ceremonial hall, previously a mix of fear and anticipation regarding the new appointments, now settled into a funereal gloom.

“I hereby appoint Evening Flam as Minister of the Royal Household, a pillar of Witerne’s great cabinet!”

“Yes!”

Finally, the attendant appointed Evening to the highest position within the Ministry of the Royal Household: Minister of the Royal Household. Erich Winb himself rose from his throne and pinned the insignia of the Minister of the Royal Household to her left lapel.

“Congratulations, Evening. Everyone has high expectations for you.”

Erich, now close to her as he pinned the brooch, whispered affectionately. His hand brushed her chest, near her heart, and his smiling face was so close she wanted to flee. Erich’s decadent smile clawed at Evening’s heart more fiercely than Prom’s bright and refreshing face.

Below the two figures on the dais, the crowd applauded. The applause was heavy, as if grudgingly welcoming a criminal.

“My, the atmosphere of this long-awaited appointment ceremony has been utterly ruined. The only other time it was this bad was when I replaced the entire Imperial Guard.”

Erich Winb glanced sideways at the nobles gathered in the ceremonial hall. The noble lords displayed distrust and hostility, while the court nobles lamented their own predicament. Unlike the noble lords who could simply oppose Erich Winb, the court nobles had no escape from him.

Though rare, some glared at Evening. These were the commoners and low-ranking nobles Erich had brought into court. The pro-Emperor faction, comprising those who had benefited from Erich, kept a watchful eye on Evening, their political rival, wary of what she might do.

Erich Winb briefly observed these gazes, then turned Evening to face the crowd.

“My Eve, would you like to say a few words to the crowd?”

It was like saying, ‘Since it’s your first day, why don’t you introduce yourself?’

Three hundred nobles awaited Evening’s words. Evening, suddenly tasked with speaking before such a large audience, cleared her throat, unsure how far her voice would carry in a world without microphones.

“Hello, I am Evening, appointed as Minister of the Royal Household and Royal Household Treasurer. I have also been honorably appointed as a Grand Justice and Foreign Minister, and… ah, yes, Director of the Royal Household Tax Collection Department and Capital Beautification Director.”

Evening, now resembling a sole employee in a small company handling HR, accounting, finance, logistics, and secretarial duties all at once, greeted them cheerfully.

“I apologize for being unable to greet each and every one of you individually due to my numerous responsibilities. I wish to take this opportunity to convey my sincerest regards to everyone I will be working with in the future. Though I am to be Empress—ah, not yet, am I? Even as the Emperor’s fiancée, please do not go easy on me, and I humbly request your candid guidance and instruction.”

Her fluent, humble greeting, devoid of any shyness or arrogance, was entirely unlike what people had heard about Evening Flam. It was a remarkably fresh greeting, completely out of character for someone forced into marriage with a political rival and burdened with an overwhelming number of duties.

“While I am worried about the immense responsibilities placed upon me, I will strive not to squander this opportunity given by His esteemed Imperial Majesty and the Ministers of the State Council.”

And somehow, she spoke with the humility of a newcomer.

“Going forward, as Empress, Minister of the Royal Household, and so on, I will do my utmost for the people. Thank you.”

Evening delivered a flawless inaugural speech for an appointed official parachuted into a public institution. However, in Witerne, where ministers were not elected by the people and their positions certainly weren’t about serving the populace, it was an unfamiliar address.

“What was that…?”

A new wave of shock rippled through the ceremonial hall.