The Pce of Roses was the heart of the imperial residence, where Empress Cecilia Sierre presided.


    Arge number of nobles gathered in this secluded space, all of them loyal members of the imperial faction.


    "What brings everyone here?"


    Empress Cecilia Sierre asked softly, holding a porcin teacup with elegance. She had been in a good moodtely, particrly because the luxurious goods from the Carriers Duchy were delivered to her first.


    This tea set, in particr, was a one-of-a-kind item, and she had set up this gathering partly to show it off. She wanted everyone to see the teacup that so many nobledies were coveting.


    Soon, a middle-aged nobleman with a stern expression bowed and spoke up.


    "May I speak first?"


    "Yes, go ahead, Viscount Hubert," the Empress replied.


    "I regret to inform you that there are acts of barbarism taking ce in Deliat," he began, his tone serious. "The native nobles are celebrating, but we, the imperialists, are facing a cold reception."


    "Huh?"


    The Empress looked around the room with interest. Theirints werepletely different from what she had heard. Her brow furrowed slightly.


    She had expected them to discuss thetest trends among thedies, but instead, they were droning on about boring politics andining about their own interests.


    Cecilia Sierre was furious but maintained a warm smile. Showing her displeasure would only turn her into the subject of gossip.


    "So, you''re saying that the Governor is causing harm to the pro-imperial nobles?"


    "Yes," Viscount Hubert confirmed.


    "How?" she asked.


    "They are harassing us by implementing something called the Labor Standards Act. They even expelled all the private soldiers who were meant to guard the farms," he exined.


    "Oh, that?" the Empress responded, recalling the Labor Standards Act initiated by Duke Abel Carriers.


    The act had sparked intense debate in the Imperial State Council, but ultimately, Deliat had stabilized rapidly.


    Most of the people there were now overjoyed, and the Governor had promised to transform the country into a paradise.


    The Empress spoke with a dreary look in her eyes, the corners of her lips curling upward.


    She saw no need to hear moreints.


    "Do you know something?" she asked.


    "What are you talking about?" the nobles asked, puzzled.


    "I mean the Labor Standards Act," she continued. "It''s truly an evilw of the highest order."


    "His Majesty the Emperor made that," she added.


    "...What?" the nobles stammered.


    "Didn''t you hear what the Governor said when he promulgated thew? He dered it was dedicated by His Majesty, the benevolent Emperor, out of a desire for the good of Deliat."


    The imperialist nobles of Deliat, including Mason Hubert, were left speechless.


    They had ignored the Governor''s words at the event, and now fear filled their minds.


    They realized they had been attempting to undermine what was, in fact, the Emperor''s own achievement.


    "We''ve made a terrible mistake. We should leave immediately," Viscount Hubert said hastily, bowing and trying to make a quick exit.


    However, a pure white smile appeared on the Empress''s lips. She wasn''t about to let these insolent nobles go so easily.


    "You know there are no secrets in the pce, right? There are many ears that hear and eyes that see," she warned, her voice eerily sharp, like a dagger cutting through the air.


    The imperial nobles of Deliat left the Pce of Roses with pale faces, deeply shaken by the Empress''s words.


    * * *


    Able was relieved that Deliat''sbor standardsw had been established quite smoothly. While there were still shes here and there, the resistance was not fierce.


    This was because everyone had panicked as soon as they heard that the emperor had created thew.


    ''I really, really didn''t want to sell my cousin''s name, did I?'' Able thought to himself.


    But what choice did he have when there was nothing more powerful than the emperor''s decree? His opponents were imperialist nobles. Wouldn''t it be easier to resolve things by involving the highest authority?


    *Knock, knock.*


    "Your Excellency the Governor, may Ie in for a moment?"


    A voice called out as Able lounged around in his office. Quickly, he opened thew book and put on a solemn expression. He knew very well who that person was.


    "Yeah, Kuro Allegan, Pleasee in," Able said.


    "Are you stillpiling thew code? It must be really hard work," Kuro Allegan remarked as he entered.


    "Don''t mention it. This is all for Deliat," Able replied.


    "As a citizen of this country, I am so embarrassed that I don''t know where to put myself," Kuro said, his tone polite and respectful.


    It was truly remarkable how much Kuro Allegan had changed from the noisy traveler of old. As the saying goes, a ce makes a person.


    "But what''s going on?" Able asked, sensing that Kuro had more to say.


    "An envoy has arrived from the Empire."


    "Uh… from the Empire?" Able questioned, his mind momentarily freezing.


    "Yes," Kuro confirmed.


    Able''s mouth hung slightly open.


    Envoys were usually noisy beings, often drawing attention long before reaching their destination. For someone from another country to arrive without notice was unusual.


    Kuro Allegan scratched the back of his head, appearing just as confused as Able.


    "This is my first time experiencing something like this, so I was a bit flustered. I think it might be due to the influence of Your Excellency the Governor."


    "Really? Who''s here?"


    "His name is Count Kadisin."


    "Ah, it''s him," Able said, recognizing the name immediately. It wasn''t that he waspletely unacquainted with Count Kadisin; rather, the connection stemmed from the memories of Abel Carrier.


    Nevertheless, it wasn''t a difficult greeting to manage.


    Kadisin was a typical imperialist nobleman and felt like an elder within the family—distantly rted to Able, in fact.


    "Okay, I understand. I''ll make sure to meet him."


    "Please, Your Excellency the Governor."


    "You must be busy, so take care of your work."


    "Yes," Kuro said before excusing himself.


    Able made his way straight to the reception room of the Governor-General''s Office, where a middle-aged man with white hair and green eyes stood up to greet him.


    "It''s been a while, Your Highness the Duke of Carriers," Count Kadisin said.


    "How have you been, Count Kadisin?"


    "Well, I''m working at the castle today or tomorrow."


    "What are you talking about? I hope you live a long and healthy life," Able responded with a warm smile.


    "Haha! You''ve really changed a lot. That''s a relief."


    "I can''t live in sadness forever, can I? Thank you for your concern."


    Find more to read at м??


    Able nodded respectfully, drawing on Abel''s memories. The old Abel had been quite a wreck, and Count Realf Kadisin seemed like a surprisingly kind person.


    ''I thought all the imperialists were just stubborn fools,'' Able mused, recalling the recent shes with those who had relocated to Deliat in an attempt to block the Labor Standards Act, only to be scolded by the Empress.


    ''Was it effective tounch a gift offensive in advance?'' Able wondered.


    Given the Empress''s position and personality, he doubted she would have supported him outright. Even though she was now a member of the royal family, she originally hailed from the Duke of Sierre.


    Anyway, Able was grateful for her unexpected backing. When something good happened, it was only right to express gratitude promptly.


    "But, what''s the matter up to here? There''s probably nothing so urgent that you need to send a messenger," Able said, sensing that something unusual was at y.


    "It''s not because of anything else; it''s because of this," Count Kadisin replied, producing a sealed letter from his coat.


    Able''s eyes widened as he recognized the paper—it was one of immense authority.


    "This is an order from His Majesty the Emperor."


    "Why all of a sudden?"


    "He said you cane back now. Let me read it first," Count Kadisin exined, his tone cautious.


    Able took the letter, a bewildered expression crossing his face. As he prepared to read, a sudden thought struck him.


    "I don''t think I should kneel. As far as I know, there''s no such requirement in imperial etiquette."


    "Just read it," Count Kadisin urged.


    "I know. I''ve received these in the North too."


    "Phehehe! Now you''re good at joking," Count Kadisin chuckled.


    "So, you''re telling me to go back to the Empire?"


    "Yes."


    "But it says ''I can''e back?"


    "Yes?"


    Count Kadisin tilted his head, confused by Able''s question. It seemed he didn''t fully grasp the implications.


    "Well then, I need to make you aware of it properly," Able said. "Doesn''t that mean this is optional?"


    "If you take it at face value, it''s not wrong, but…"


    Count Kadisin''s voice trailed off. It wasn''t difficult for Able to guess what he was hinting at—only someone daring would interpret the Emperor''s orders as optional.


    But Able was sincere in his stance.


    ''Deliat''s system has not yet been properly established,'' he thought.


    Thebor standardsw was only the beginning. There was no checks and bnces system in ce, nor had there been any reduction in authority.


    If a new governor were appointed now, things would likely revert to the old ways.


    ''With the recent changes, many will be eager to exploit the system for their gain,'' Able mused.


    ''I''ve put in so much work, and now he expect me to return to the Empire and watch it crumble?''


    Able resolved firmly, even if dirt got in his eyes, he wouldn''t allow that to happen.