Seeing the Emperor like that, Axion smiled and pouted hard. "After all, Your Majesty Father likes Mel too!"
I didn't even think about showing a hidden card today. It meant that I just intended to maintain a moderately close relationship with him. But if this happened, I thought I should make a grandiose and ambitious proposal like, 'Give me the prince!' Of course, I thought to myself, 'I must confront the Duke of Babyloa who touches me, restore the Marquisate of Kinnoa, and make the stationery store a hit!' It was true that I had a big ambition.
However, what I wanted to say to the Emperor today was, 'Protect our alley business district from the Duke of Babyloa!' It was just something similar to an imperial petition.
But, but.
I said, "It took a long time to make caramel," and responded seriously in the same tone as when I was selling medicine.
"Of course, you can look forward to it."
In the first place, a cunning professional makes appropriate use of such unexpected events.
"I can proceed with the plan sooner than expected."
I liked sudden developments very much. This was because they were originally citizens of countries starting with country code 82 (a playful reference to Korea, often implying a fast-paced or "ppali-ppali" culture).
"I'm looking forward to it."
I grinned and raised my wine glass to the Emperor. I was very much looking forward to the private meeting with the Emperor.
On the way to the closed room for a private meeting with the Emperor, I felt that for some reason, Axion's eyes seemed to sparkle playfully. But there was no time to think about anything else. I quickly cleared my doubts and followed the servant into a closed room set aside near the outdoor garden.
After sitting facing the Emperor, I took a short, deep breath inwardly.
I can finally do it alone.
I had to be careful as it was the first stone of revenge. The first person to look at me with a serious face was the Emperor.
"I want to ask you why you asked for a private room." He stared at me with a plump face.
It's definitely Daddy Bear style.
No matter how serious I was, he felt like a bear. He felt like a typical dad. The same went for his belly circumference…
Looking at me, who was silent for a while, the Emperor smiled and said, "Wouldn't it be obvious that you asked for a private meeting, Princess Meldenik Babyloa?"
The gaze that seemed to see through everything was impressive. I couldn't even guess his intentions. If it were another political ploy, it would be a situation where you might be nervous and your tongue might stiffen. However, my feelings were a bit complicated.
It seems that the Emperor was hinting at a weakness, but he didn't know how to point to the empty leg…
No… What the hell are you thinking?
The Emperor, who received my suspicious gaze, responded astutely. "But I can't grant your request or help you. I was satisfied with your gift, but it was too much."
Even though there was a flush on both cheeks of his face, as if he was overly excited than usual, the Emperor confidently rejected me. However, if I had withdrawn from here, I would not have set foot in the Imperial Palace in the first place.
I calmly continued to speak to the Emperor. "Please listen to me, Your Majesty."
"Huh… Yes, I understand."
I took a short deep breath and tried to open my mouth. However, the Emperor spoke first.
"Did you have something to do with Cassian? What is the relationship between the two?"
No, what are you talking about?
At best, I could say, 'I can't help you with the business you're going to do. I'm not an easy Emperor.' I rejected this misunderstanding.
I replied as quickly as I cut a radish with a single knife. "His Highness the Second Prince and I have nothing to do with each other."
Seeing me refusing so decisively, he stroked his sideburns. I noticed that he liked what I said, but it seemed that something was not in the mood.
Is it because I refused?
In this case, a humble way of speaking that elevates the prince and lowers myself would be effective. I pleaded sincerely.
"As you know, His Highness the Prince is not someone like me who would dare to surpass. There is only a single selfless heart of respect."
For some reason, it tasted bitter, but I didn't know if it was a big deal. I had something to gain from the Emperor, and I could flatter him as much as I wanted.
"Hmm… I see. It's a strange statement." The Emperor looked at the hourglass in front of the table and nodded without saying anything. "Tell me why you asked for a private meeting."
He could not completely trust my words, "The prince is selfless." In the first place, the throne of power is a position where you have to doubt everything. But I decided to seize the opportunity.
"I am here to plead for what is happening in front of the Academy." As if surprised, the Emperor's eyebrows rose.
I continued the story as if it were a joke. "The Duchess Hildegard Babyloa is killing small businesses and alley business districts. This is a clear violation of commercial law. Please stop this with Your Majesty's power."
"It's a bit surprising, but it means to help you with your business. I'm sorry, but I can't. I have no intention of getting involved in a family fight."
Apparently, the Emperor didn't do it for nothing. His straightforward words definitely struck a chord with my vote.
"It's not a story about a family fight. Even if this business fails, I will somehow survive. But small business owners are different." Before the Emperor could dig deeper into my words, I quickly took out the petition that I had put in my arms.
"The business of the Duke of Babyloa infringed on the business rights of the alley, and the small business owners who were harmed by it wrote a petition, Your Majesty." The Emperor's eyes widened at the word petition.
"I didn't know you were interested in small business owners." He squinted and was handed a petition.
The notoriety of being a princess who was ruined by Duke Hesmann's obsession tried to hold me back today. But I'm not interested in reputation. We just devote ourselves to our goal step by step. I looked at the Emperor with a trusting face. He glanced at me and then flipped through the petition.
"Hmm…"
I didn't trust the Emperor, but I knew one thing because I was a reader who read the original work. He was close to a warm Holy Army who truly cared for and loved his people.
"I'm sure the common people will be interested if they are having a hard time."
If he were the Emperor of the tyrant cliché that often appears in romance fantasy novels, he wouldn't have bothered to read such a petition. However, this middle-aged Emperor would be a little different. I believed that fact and gambled.
As expected, the Emperor swallowed his breath and began to read the petition line by line.
"No, I didn't expect this to happen…"
My strategy was excellent. The petitions written and posted by the merchants contained various facts of damage. The Duchess of Babyloa had a tendency to treat commoners as insects, as an aristocrat. The thugs she hired forced merchants to work and harassed commoners who complained about the noise of the buildings.
The Emperor's gaze narrowed as he read the petition containing the damage caused by small businesses.
"We will strictly check the facts and take action if there is a violation of the law."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." I nodded.
Thus, a shield was created to properly restrain the corruption of the Duchess of Babyloa. Building work may be suspended for the time being. If the Duchess of Babyloa doesn't stop with a new trick, she will have to find another way. But one thing was certain: I had caught the Emperor's attention.
"Is this the end?"
Originally, this story was the end. Furthermore, you shouldn't be openly angry. But I noticed that in the Emperor's mind, his wariness towards me was going to melt away like margarine on a frying pan.
Shouldn't we take advantage of this unexpected situation?
"I have one more thing to say, Your Majesty."
"What is it?"
"I heard that the Duke of Babyloa's excommunication has arrived at the Imperial Palace."
"Oh… That's right. It was an excommunication that was to excommunicate you from the family and take away your noble title." The Emperor shook his head as if he knew it.
"He, the reason why you came to me must be because of the excommunication."
It wasn't originally.
For now, I was going to spread rumors that I had entered the palace because I was worried about the excommunication.
But since the Emperor had a crush on me (meaning, was favorably disposed towards me), I thought I could move forward with my plans a little faster. I looked at him with confidence.
"You saw it right, Your Majesty."
The Emperor continued with a grin. "Yes, don't worry. The excommunication of a great nobility is unprecedented. I had no intention of excommunicating you either. Well, some of them are shouting to excommunicate you." The Emperor shook his head and smiled gently.
"Excommunicate the direct blood relatives of the Duke family, doesn't this make sense in terms of common sense?"
I looked at the Emperor's calm face and shook my head resolutely.
"No, Your Majesty."
"…?" He looked at me with a puzzled expression.
I said seriously, "Please excommunicate me then."