Two handkerchiefs were dangling on Ett''s nose; half an inch of it was already wet with blood that was plunged into her nostrils.


    "Next."


    Ett breathed in her mouth as she finished the thirty rims of papers on her desk. She continued another rim, still far from entirely sweeping onto her table.


    Man, just as she arrived and rested, now there was tons to do.


    Why did she even have this child-like body? The other manhwa with weak characters would concentrate on romance and some scheming. Ett just delayed planning as a mourning ritual for her soon-to-be working-hard life. Now she''s back.


    "I''m so sad."


    "Aiya, what troubles your heart, Your Ladyship?"


    Shut it with the troubles in your heart.


    "Hush."


    Akan sighed helplessly, reposing on his chair and watching Ett.


    "You dare gaze at me so openly? Leave."


    Ett doesn''t like someone staring at her when she''s concentrating on her task as an Empress Dowager.


    Akan chuckled, having the urge to tease Ett, something he hadn''t done before. This all started when Her Ladyship discovered his intention. "It seems Your Ladyship has stirred boldness within me."


    "..."


    Let''s just not talk with this guy. Thank goodness there''s no clock in her study chamber, or she''ll always look at it impatiently and won''t do her task well. Sadly, there''s no alarm clock to manage her time efficiently.


    Caw. Caw. Caw.


    Hm? That crow sounds again. Ett looked at her wide window only to squint her eyes from the sun''s brightness.


    Gahh.


    Etta blinked her eyes; what was that?


    Zzzzt.


    Was that some glitch? Ett rubbed her eyes.


    Is it time for another break? Hold on; she''s not done with the signing and proposals yet. The reports are about to get finished. She sipped from her water, continuing her work.


    This should lessen that child''s burden. She had emphasized that Akan should get most of Guren''s work to give to her study, saying she is bored and doesn''t want to go out in the garden. So what if she complains? That''s just it.


    "Oh."


    Interesting.


    Ett glanced at Akan, who had double the amount of what she had. Huh. This bored guy has so many things to do, yet he still has the time to stare at her. Tsk.


    I''ll just give it to him later.


    "I''ll take a look, Your Ladyship."


    "...here."


    "Ah yes, the Ostenian Duchy has recently uncovered a new mine and seeks to present it as a gift to the Emperor."


    Ett pursed her lips. "I presume they are well aware of the insult hidden within their flattery, though admittedly, the discovery itself is quite remarkable."


    "They said it''s for the sake of the people."


    Just what are they planning?


    The gems that Ostenian Duchy discovered were within Ett''s expectation, as said in the novel. This gem was the second rarest material next to the one found, bringing a new war tool for the era. In the story, the Ostenian Duchy discovered this secretly and didn''t sell it.


    They did as was in the novel, but Guren rejected it and said they could do it independently. The reason they''ve done so is not in their own volition.


    The nearby territory where they had found it in their neighboring land. Where it belongs to the forefathers of the Emperor, meaning it doesn''t belong to any noble or was granted by an empty plot of land that belongs to the Emperor.


    As they were mining the cave, the pathway went through their territory, and every land of the Emperor would have his men or the one that guards.


    If it slips through the eye of the Emperor''s people, then it is a risk to get twice the profit.


    "What do you think we should do, Your Ladyship?"


    "What do you think should you do?"


    Ett asked back.


    "That''s a smattering thing to say, Your Ladyship."


    "Hm?"


    "Indeed, this gem is truly of a rare sort. If the Ostenian duchy claimed it entirely for themselves, their wealth would swell even further. Yet such treasures are fashioned for ornamenting finery, not for aiding the middle or lower classes, nor for easing the burdens of the poor."


    "Go on."


    "Then they ought to consider offering something of true meaning, a gift that would genuinely benefit those in need rather than mere adornments."


    "Akan, have you considered the Emperor''s thoughts?"


    "Well, the Emperor is not one to concern himself with wealth or dividing treasures, even when such a rarity is involved. He would likely bestow the entire gift upon them without hesitation."


    Ett''s lips twitched, hearing Akan''s opinion. It might seem like the Emperor is generous to his people, treating everyone who gives benefits a large offer.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    In truth, Guren doesn''t like to do this small task as it''s bothersome.


    Well, using Guren''s name to use the land is not a bad idea.


    "Do so."


    Akan felt that he must be hearing things, "Pardon?"


    "They may possess this plot of land, provided they offer in exchange those other territories abundant in Dolomite."


    "Dolmite?" Akan was confused.


    "Pig iron? Dolmite? Does it not ring a bell?"


    "That…"


    Akan: It doesn''t ring at all, Your Ladyship.


    "Oh, my mistake, Adanite."


    Ett forgot their terminologies are different.


    "Your Ladyship, I don''t understand."


    It must be known that Adanite is only used as refractory bricks, and not much is valuable enough. So, why is Her Ladyship interested in it? There''s no way to use it. It''s not profitable to sell it, either.


    "You don''t have to understand."


    Ett put her pointed finger between her lips like a shush, "Give me the map of all their territory."


    Still confused and bewildered, Akan took some time before giving Ett the Ostenian Duchy''s geographical territory.


    Ett strained to recall the vivid description in her memory, squeezing her mind for every detail.


    "This is all where the Adanite can be found."


    Still, Akan could not comprehend Ett''s intention as she marked all the lands with the Ostenian''s Duchy''s Adanite property.


    "And where is the gem found?"


    "Right here, Your Ladyship."


    "Good."


    Ett wasn''t going for that gem; they can have it as much as they want.


    Hm. "This should be enough."


    "Your Ladyship, what would you do with this Adanite?"


    "Well."


    Adanite has a resemblance to Dolomite from the Earth. It wasn''t that it was discovered by a French mineralogist in the 18th century, but look, they had found it earlier.


    They didn''t know it could be an essential tool to build something more than bricks like limestone. Ah, yes, it''s good that limestone is also present.


    This empire has advanced better than the rest but is still lacking.


    "This would be what we''ll have in return."


    Akan frowned, "But aren''t those gems more precious?"


    "Don''t they want reputation?"


    "Indeed, while it is true we might acquire Adanite from other nobles or lands within the Emperor''s own untapped domains, what tangible benefit do we gain from this exchange?"


    "It''s for the sake of the people, Adanite."


    Really, Akan cannot understand it. The Empress Dowager chose to have the Adanite maybe to expound more roads for the people?


    "..." Does it make sense?


    Seeing her subject''s confused face, Ett didn''t say anything more and just stared at him.


    "Alright, I''ll do that, Your Ladyship."


    Now Akan is much more bewildered but still nods. "To what extent, Your Ladyship?"


    "As much as you can, do it secretly, and find the Adanite that is still unknown."


    "Understood. However, is this intended to construct another road in Adiand?"


    Oh, are you talking about the Roman''s Appian Way? It could be, but no.


    Ett simply waved her hand dismissively. "Let it be done swiftly."


    "Yes..."


    Even though the Adiand Empire has some advanced inventions that could surpass the Dark Ages and medieval times in fast-forwardness, some backward views and potentials have still not been discovered.


    "Is that all, Your Ladyship?"


    "Yes."


    Now, back to the documents again. "Ugh."


    "Handkerchiefs."


    "Your Ladyship, are the two already the last?"


    "Yes."


    Ett measured the handkerchief stuck on her nose and had two inches to add.


    "Your Ladyship, you must take heed; if you persist in this manner, you may find yourself confined to your bed for a month or two."


    Ett ignored his words, pointing at the papers piling on her desk, and said, "I''ll stop and wait for you."


    Akan could only sigh and went to get her another set of handkerchiefs.


    "Then I''ll leave for a moment."


    "Mmm."


    She''ll just have to continue once she has a new one to plug in her nose again, okay?


    I''m practicing how to endure as much as I can while having a nosebleed, and I still haven''t fainted. Look, I didn''t faint even if I bled this much. A good result!


    If she gets used to this, then even if she had blood loss, maybe this body would still have its muscle memory doing the job for her.


    Ett removed the two handkerchiefs plugged into her nose, wiring the blood gently on the edge of her nose. She stretched her limbs and arms, stepped out from her chair, and looked at the wide window behind, seeing nothing but a sea of dark roses.


    "Even Castlevania is brighter than this." For a generation to live in this environment, it''s no wonder the heirs and all the living beings in this palace have such cold and somber temperaments. It''s as if it''s a room full of either schizophrenic or apathetic people.


    Ett wondered how Guren felt when he learned the sun''s rays of light outside the palace and then returned to this dark abode.


    Does the shade of darkness make any difference in relieving oneself even just a second?


    Was it good? What did he first feel gazing at the stars in the sky at nighttime? What was he thinking when the war was over and he could look up at the blue sky? And when Guren was back home, was he genuinely indifferent to the path he was predicted to face?


    "That child had endured so many things."


    "What many things?"