Chapter 60. He’s a Breeze Now!
“We should start by building embankments.”
To manage flowing water efficiently, dams or embankments are essential.
Building a dam might be too much with current technology, but just setting up embankments could save water from being wasted.
“By embankments, you mean like a levee that blocks the waterway, right?”
“That’s right. The idea is to block the waterway and trap the water. But building embankments will cost quite a bit.”
I had discussed this with Jerome on the way here.
Constructing embankments would require a massive amount of funding.
We’d need at least five or six of them.
When Jerome heard my idea, he looked troubled.
It was because of the financial issue.
So I came up with a clever solution.
“For that reason, I’m thinking of holding a party.”
“A party?”
“A fundraising event for embankment construction.”
“A fundraising event?”
“We’re going to ask the nobles to lend a hand. Especially those who have territories near the river or farmland—tell them to join the fundraiser.”
“Do you think they’ll just hand over their money so easily?”
“They won’t have a choice. They’re the ones who need water more than anyone.”
I gave a confident smile to the maids.
The larger the territory a lord has, the more essential water becomes.
It’s called a fundraising event, but in truth, it’s more of a blackmail event using water as bait to pressure the nobles.
“Well then, shall we begin?”
＊ ＊ ＊
At that time.
“Mother. He… he’s changed.”
Fay came to Anthea, crying sorrowfully.
“You said you’d take care of everything, Mother. But what is this situation right now?!”
The Empress had said she was going to visit her family and returned safely.
No, it wasn’t just that she came back safely.
By some means, she had even secured the cooperation of the Kingdom of Kalus and resolved the water shortage issue.
Thanks to that, everyone in the Empire was now praising the Empress in unison.
No, that’s not it.
Fay didn’t care what others thought of the Empress.
There was only one thing she cared about.
Jerome.
This incident made it seem like even he was paying attention to the Empress, and that broke her heart.
To think he led the knights all the way to the Kingdom of Kalus to bring the Empress back.
Something he would have never done in the past.
How did it come to this?
Where did it all go wrong?
No matter how much she thought, she couldn’t figure it out.
“This has become a bit of a hassle.”
Anthea’s hand tightened.
The veins on the back of her hand bulged from how hard she clenched her fist.
She had taken bold measures to avoid exactly this outcome…
Anthea clicked her tongue.
To think even the assassination had failed.
The people she sent after Helena’s group were infamous in their field.
And yet, they had failed.
Just who were the ones at her side?
She heard there were only two of them.
Only two people broke through numerous traps and assassins?
She had been certain this time would succeed.
But in the end, her expectations were proven wrong.
Anthea glanced at the weeping Fay.
“You’ll never be able to hold onto the Emperor’s heart by just crying like that.”
“But… but… I’m scared. The way he looks at me—it’s not the same as before, Mother.”
Fay pleaded almost desperately.
“Why is it like this? Did I do something wrong?”
“How foolish. That’s how men are. They lose their heads over the slightest commotion. But don’t worry. Soon, he’ll only have eyes for you again.”
At Anthea’s words, Fay’s expression brightened a little.
“Really? Truly, Mother?”
“Of course. Naturally. That’s how it will be, so don’t worry.”
Anthea gently patted Fay’s back, comforting her tenderly.
But unlike her soft words, Anthea’s expression as she looked at Fay was cold and emotionless.
“Yes, you just need to do exactly as I say.”
* * *
On the day of the fundraising event for the embankment construction.
The event was held in the garden behind the Empress’ Palace.
Since it was a fundraising event, it was conducted in a simple manner unlike the usual extravagant Imperial events.
There were no elaborate decorations on the tables, and the refreshments only consisted of tea and simple treats.
But the response to the fundraising event was passionate.
It had only been ten days since the invitations were sent out.
Yet nobles from all over traveled long distances to attend the event.
All of them looked like people of considerable wealth.
Either large landowners owning vast farmlands, or those involved in businesses closely related to water.
And many were gathered after hearing the rumors from the Kingdom of Kalus, hoping to meet the Empress.
“Your Majesty the Empress. We’ve been following your recent news closely.”
“They say you did something remarkable? How did you even think to cross the border?”
“My husband hasn’t stopped praising Your Majesty lately.”
Even among the group of noblewomen gathered separately, the topic was still about me and the Kingdom of Kalus.
“Truly, Your Majesty’s initiative is admirable.”
“Of course. It’s not something just anyone could do.”
“You are truly a model example of the kind of Empress the Empire needs.”
The endless compliments were so overwhelming it was hard to bear the embarrassment.
Feeling flustered, I cooled my cheeks with a fan.
The maids at my side took this as their cue to speak up.
“Of course. Her Majesty always worries so deeply for the people of the Empire.”
“Isn’t the Kalus Kingdom just one example? Not long ago, Her Majesty even held a fasting prayer for the Empire’s citizens suffering from water shortages. We tried so hard to stop her at the time…”
“But still, she didn’t stop praying until she collapsed.”
“Everyone should have seen how holy she looked… When Her Majesty prayed, it was like watching an angel descended from the heavens.”
…Who?
Who was that angelic person?
“Her Majesty’s devotion is so sincere that even His Majesty the Emperor looks at her differently now.”
“Why, I heard His Majesty led the knights himself to Kalus when he learned that Her Majesty was there.”
The maids energetically promoted the Empress.
You could see the strength in their shoulders and necks.
They looked incredibly proud.
“Oh my, oh my!”
The noblewomen were full of admiration at the maids’ words.
“Indeed, Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Seems all the unpleasant rumors that floated around were nonsense after all.”
“That’s right. Even that trial incident — it’s clear now that Her Majesty was falsely accused.”
The noblewomen nodded in agreement.
Well, not all of those rumors were false, though.
Because Helena was truly a villainess.
It was true that she committed various deeds out of jealousy toward the Imperial Consort.
But that was all before I possessed her body.
Now I could just accept people’s goodwill while pretending not to know.
Once the maids had set the tone nicely, I gently brought up the topic of the embankment.
Fortunately, the reaction was explosive.
“Of course, we must take part as well.”
“It’s an honor to join such a meaningful event planned by Her Majesty.”
“Thank you all so much for participating.”
I expressed my gratitude.
Jingle, jingle.
I could almost hear the cheerful sound in my ears.
What sound, you ask?
Obviously, the sound of money rolling in.
There’s no sound more pleasant than a deposit.
I barely managed to keep my lips from curling into a smile.
Of course, contrary to their words, they were surely calculating their own gains and losses.
Most of them were probably planning to make a show of participating, only to quietly back out later.
Naturally, I had no intention of letting that happen.
I had already thought of a solution.
Just as the fundraising event was reaching full swing—
While chatting with one of the noblewomen, she glanced around and asked me a question.
“Come to think of it, Your Majesty, I don’t see Sir Leonard today. I heard he serves as your escort knight?”
Ah. Leonard, right.
“He seems to be quite busy these days.”
He had informed me in advance.
That he might not be able to visit for a while due to work with the knights.
“Did… did he say that himself?”
“Yes. He wrote it in a letter.”
“A letter…”
Hmm? I tilted my head.
For some reason, the noblewomen’s expressions turned grim after hearing my answer.
Why are they acting like this?
Did I say something wrong?
Just as I was wondering—
“Um… Your Majesty.”
One of the noblewomen called out to me carefully.
“By any chance… had you not heard?”
“Heard what?”
“I hesitate to bring this up, but…”
Looking around, she whispered softly.
“Lately… it seems Sir Leonard has been seeing another woman.”
“……!”
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