Chapter 38 - CHAPTER 36. A SIN THAT DESERVES DEATH

“Knight Rafaella? What is the matter?”

The only two people that could approach her like this were Rafaella and Petronilla. Rafaella noticed this, and lowered her pose and spoke.

“I apologize profusely, Your Majesty. I have committed a sin that deserves death.”

“Rafaella.”

Patrizia already had a feeling she knew what Rafaella wanted to talk about when she walked towards her. However, my goodness, to have this kind of reaction. Patrizia spoke to her with a serious but gentle voice.

“I know what you are about to say. But it is not your fault. I was the one that said I wanted to be alone, and it was nearly impossible for you to find me in that kind of situation. If it is about that, then there is no need for you to apologize.”

“But… I should have followed Your Majesty, even secretly. That is what someone should do as your knight.”

“Those words are not wrong. However, I definitely told you not to follow me, and you only faithfully followed my orders. That is why if you try to label your actions as negligence, then you must say that my orders were wrong.”

Actually this was so. That was why she was the one that felt sorry towards Knight Rafaella. Rafaella lowered her head as if she couldn’t even show her face at Patrizia’s words. She then spoke in a low voice.

“From now on… No matter what happens, I will make sure that not even a single hair on your head will be in danger of harm. I, Rafaella Bringstone, swear on the Marquis of Bringstone and my own honor.”

Patrizia raised Rafaella up with a slightly choked up voice. The reason she couldn’t help but be soft to Rafaella especially, was because in both the past life and the present life, was that she had been an honest and loyal friend to her. She had given her all to Petronilla and had eventually been faced with a cruel death…

Would she burn up her body in this life as well, for the daughter of Grochester? Patrizia stared at Rafaella with gloomy eyes over her mood suddenly going down.

Her eyes were clear and bright. Patrizia gave the slightest movement with the nod of her head.

“Maybe… There might be a need for your help in revealing the culprit behind this, Ella. If you truly feel sorry… can you help me at that time?”

“Definitely. With all of my strength.”

Patrizia smiled fondly at her friend.

Advisory council meetings were held every day without fail. Technically speaking, attendance was optional, and historically, there weren’t that many Emperors that had attended every meeting daily. Lucio was one of the few Emperors that had attended.

“The Regent Majesty is entering.”

Along with those words, the council room’s door opened, and everyone stood up to show respect to her, regardless of their station. Patrizia sat in her seat with an expressional face, and the other nobles sat in their seats after her. She began with a short introduction.

“As you all may know, currently, His Majesty is in a state where he has not regained his consciousness. Until His Majesty can regain his consciousness, I will serve as Regent using his authority instead, as the official Empress. If there is any noble that has any objection, please speak up now.”

“…”

Of course, there weren’t any objections. Patrizia quickly moved on to the next topic, as if she had only done it out of courtesy.

“I will deal with the most urgent matters, and the less urgent ones will be pushed back as far as possible. Since we can not know when His Majesty will awaken.”

“Please do it that way.”

“Your Majesty, what do you plan to do about the issue with the Wizus Empire? They are requesting an immediate response regarding the tariffs.”

“Let us push back diplomatic matters as far as possible. If they have ears they should hear about our current situation, and even if they do not, it should be for the best that we use this as a justification in delaying our final decision. If the time to deliberate increases, the result will be of higher quality.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We will do it that way.”

Lucio was a diligent Emperor, and because of that, there weren’t that many “urgent” matters that she had to solve at the moment.

She was amazed at his sincerity towards his work and moved on to the next issue.

“The northwestern part of the country is facing a major drought, and it is said that the damage is extensive. The lords of that region have asked for assistance with relief funds, how much of an amount set would be for the best?”

It was then that someone opened their mouth. It was the Viscount of Philistine who was in charge of the Ministry of Finance.

He proceeded to speak after Patrizia nodded her encouragement for him to continue.

“Your Majesty, it is regrettable to inform you of this fact, but currently, the funds in the Imperial Treasury are not too bountiful. The floods that occurred in the southeastern side of the country, and frequent invasions from northern territories, has cost a lot of money in providing assistance. If we dip into the treasury for this situation, it could put us into a slightly dangerous situation financially.”

“However, even if that is the case, we can not stay still and not provide aid, Viscount?”

When another noble spoke up, the Viscount Philistine nodded his head as if to agree those words weren’t wrong, but he continued to look burdened by the idea of a huge expense.

“The Imperial Treasury currently does not have enough funds. Nobody can say for certain if something might happen, and if we continue on like this, it will become completely empty, Your Majesty. The annual revenue is fixed, but the spending continues to increase, so please grant a wise decision.”

There weren’t enough funds, but actions to provide relief had to be taken. Patrizia was slightly confused about this aspect and slowly opened her mouth.

“If we go by the Viscount’s words, that means we should dip into the treasury as little as possible to help… but I only know of one method. Is there something wrong with my way of thinking?”

It was impossible to raise people’s taxes any further. The Marvinus Empire had already imposed the highest taxes on the citizens, but if it was raised any further, this might lead to an uprising.

Even the smallest revolt could have a big effect on the empire. Patrizia’s eyes seemed to seek feedback as they looked left and right around the room, and asked again.

“For my decision as of now, the only choice I have left is to tax the nobility. What are your thoughts on this?”

The treasury had already reached the bottom with overspending, while there were still other expenses. If so, the ones that had the wealth could just pay a bit more? Currently, the nobles of the Marvinus Empire were not paying any taxes, so Patrizia thought that this level of sacrifice was a given. Of course, these people might think completely different about this matter.

Naturally, the perspectives of royalty and nobility couldn’t help but be different. Perhaps if they earnestly cared for the empire, she could be wrong.

In other words, this was where their loyalty to the empire, and to the royals would be revealed. This was because humans were originally the most honest when money was on the line.

“Your Majesty, that seems to be a not so bad method. Instead of one noble taking on all of the burden, sharing it amongst everyone might be best in the long run.”

“I also agree with this, Your Majesty.”

In addition, the nobles were eager to gain favor from her who was newly appointed as Regent. Patrizia smiled faintly and etched in her mind the faces, names, and positions of those who had sympathized with her will. Someday there would be a reason for her to use this. Patrizia calmly spoke on.

“So then, is everyone in agreement?”

“Your Majesty.”

At that moment, someone interrupted her, and she instinctively predicted that this was a viewpoint opposing hers.

When she turned her head towards the voice, she was surprised by the person, who she didn’t expect in the least.

“Duke Efreni.”

“The nobility of the Marvinus Empire has not been paying taxes. Are you planning on breaking this long tradition?”

He did not seem angry, but he spoke in this manner. It was as if there was something hidden in his words instead of actual opposition, it was hard to explain, but Patrizia felt this feeling approach her strongly. Patrizia felt this distinction and asked him for a detailed explanation.

“What do you mean, Duke? To say breaking a tradition. You are being unfair in this assumption. Currently, this Empire’s financial situation is not good, so it is the notion that the nobles that have the financial freedom can help to share the burden. I have no intention of breaking the tradition. However, if we can’t share this level of difficulty, how can we call ourselves subjects to the Empire, Duke?”

“However, if this kind of situation continues to occur, it might become natural to be collecting taxes from the nobility.”

“Duke, the Empire’s financial situation is best known by the nobles in charge of the Ministry of Finance. If something like this happens again, it would be the same as this situation. His Majesty is not someone that does not have the ability to discern these things, so what you mentioned will not happen. What are you so worried about?”

“That this temporary action might become a permanent practice, that is what I am worrying about. I do not know about those in the higher nobility, but those in the lower nobility could possibly oppose this measure.”

“Of course, the taxes will be collected based on wealth. The nobles with a lot of wealth will pay a lot, and the nobles with less will pay a little. I am aware that the Empire’s current tax system collects in a similar manner. Are my words wrong, Viscount?”

“No, you are not, Your Majesty. Your Majesty’s words are correct.”

At the Viscount of Philistine’s response, Patrizia gained more strength and carried on.

“So then Duke, what is your argument? That even if at the cost of becoming unbalanced, the Imperial Family should be the one to be burdened with all of the costs?”

“That is…”

“If so then tell me, Duke. I am someone that dislikes criticism that does not offer any alternatives. If you have an ideal alternative option, I will follow that without any words of opposition. However, if you were blindly opposing without even one alternative, I see that as greatly irresponsible. Does the Duke of this Empire not have that kind of sense?”

“…I apologize, Your Majesty. My thoughts were too short.”

Patrizia briefly stared at the Duke of Efreni apologizing to her and opened her mouth again to speak as if nothing was wrong.

“In the future Duke, whatever alternatives you have, I hope you will share them. I am always prepared to accept if there is an available alternative. However, for this situation right now, if the nobles do not share the burden together, this could possibly lead to the fall of the Empire. Is that truly what you wish for, Duke?”

“Of course not, Your Majesty. As someone who is also loyally serving with my all to the Marvinus Empire… I do not want that kind of outcome. I apologize, Your Majesty. My thoughts were really short.”

“…”

Patrizia once again stared at the Duke of Efreni. Everyone else had not opposed her words, but while it was open for discussion whether their loyalty was really that deep, if the Empire was faced with danger, their status would also not be guaranteed.

Politics was in nature not about good intentions, but fiercely struggling to ensure one’s own personal interests outright.

The reason they were not saying a word, and willing to make the sacrifice was also to look towards the future with a greater perspective.

That was why in this situation, the fact that the Duke of Efreni had brought up these words, and opposed Patrizia’s words without an alternative option, was definitely strange.