The Emperor had arranged for Damian and Viscountess Antes to receive a reward.
This meeting with the Emperor would be attended by the dignitaries of the empire, including the Empress, Her Majesty, the Empress dowager, and the Duke of Rochester.
I also attended, following the Empress as her attendant.
‘Oh, it’s him.’
The first person that caught my eye among the gaudy-dressed crowd was none other than Damian.
And next to him…
‘Sienna Antes.’
….ha, seriously.
I hate myself for thinking so much about Sienna.
I quietly bowed my head and concealed my expressions as I stood behind the Empress while she sat.
After a while, the Emperor with a loud voice made an announcement.
“I congratulate the Northerners for their long and arduous work against the beasts, in return I recompense your efforts. Two hundred chests of silver ingots shall be sent and territories in the South shall be granted as your reward.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Sienna bowed, leaning her body inwardly.
This time the Emperor paid little attention to her.
I widened my eyes.
The Southern lands could scarcely be called ‘farmlands’, but they did have granaries and managed to produce crops.
Thus, in other words, it was a fairly valuable reward for the North which was stricken with food shortages.
As far as I know, this scale of compensation no doubt entailed discussion upon discussion before being passed at the national assembly…
‘It must have been incredibly hard for the national assembly to have everyone agree on a worthwhile reward…’
I looked at the Duke of Rochester with a sympathetic look.
The Duke, who noticed me, shook his head with an exhausted mien.
Whoa, it must have been more difficult than I imagined.
While I gazed at the Duke, the Emperor spoke in a tone that was unfitting for the situation.
“Let us also not forget the Crown prince and his contribution in quelling the beasts’ numbers. I and everyone else commend you.”
Oh, you’re rewarding Damian now?
The Emperor asked a question to Damian with a begrudging look.
“Is there anything you want?”
All eyes at the assembly turned to Damian.
‘So that’s how it is, huh?.’
My mood has turned a tad sour.
Not too long ago, Antes was given silver ingots and new lands.
The absurdity the Emperor had to try and wash his hands of Damian’s reward by asking ‘Is there anything you want?’
Damian opened his mouth without hesitation.
“I’m now twenty-one years old, I’ve already become of age three years prior.”
“Well, get to the point.”
“So even if it’s not marriage, I’m thinking of getting engaged sooner rather than later.”
“….engagement?”
In an instant, the Emperor’s gaze became vigilant.
It was only natural for the Emperor to react to threats.
If Damian were to associate himself with a woman from a powerful family, he could be placed in a very disadvantageous situation.
Most importantly, did not he himself only succeed to the throne due to the aid of a powerful family, the Rochesters or to be more precise the previous Duke of Rochester?