I Became the Master of the Empress - Chapter 279



283

“Haah… I really don’t want to go.”

Theodora, half-naked, is soundly asleep in my arms.

The brief two-week respite is over, and I must return to my original duties.

I really don’t want to work.

I’ve already spent a lot of time playing with Theodora, chatting about various things.

Roughly speaking, her vision for governance aligns with the direction I want to take…

“When am I supposed to do all that?”

Currently, I’m only conceptualizing about two departments.

The Ministry of Education, the Department of Technological Development, and the Statistics Department.

As for the Department of Technological Development, merging the existing technology investment fund with the regional development fund won’t take too long.

However… the Ministry of Education and the Statistics Department are a different story.

“Compulsory education…”

Modern compulsory education extends to middle school.

In contrast, while there is a Sunday school here, it operates only 52 days a year.

Since attendance is not mandatory, many children do not go.

Considering that, I feel the necessity to establish elementary schools and introduce a compulsory education system.

But when I think about establishing elementary schools across the empire, along with hiring teachers and providing desks, chairs, and textbooks necessary for education, it amounts to an enormous cost.

And the Statistics Department will be responsible for providing the data needed for efficient system organization.

Originally, I intended to place it under the Ministry of Finance or other departments, but it was concluded that a subordinate agency is necessary to understand the statistics of the entire empire.

Once the Statistics Department is established, I also plan to conduct a new census and systematically gather information on weather and climate across all regions.

Creating these departments isn’t the problem, but…

“We’re short on funds.”

Previously, the Information Department incurred astronomical costs.

Honestly, I believe we’ve gained more than we spent, but the Ministry of Education will likely cost even more than the Information Department.

“Hmm, what are you mumbling about all by yourself?”

“Oh, sorry, did I wake you?”

Theodora rubs her eyes.

“Did you sleep well?”

– Side.

Her lips meet my cheek.

“Yeah, haah…”

From noble mtl dot com

“I gave you a kiss, so why the sigh?”

I replied to Theodora, who sounded sleepy.

“I don’t want to go to the Grand Study… I really don’t want to work…”

At my words, a look of horror and shock spread across Theodora’s face.

“W-wait a minute?! Who… who are you?”

“What do you mean?!”

“You can fool others, but you can’t fool me!”

“Theodora? Stop joking around…”

“My husband would rather die at his desk than say something so weak!”

I whispered as I watched Theodora’s complexion turn pale.

“Do you remember what I said? I’ll kill you miserably and throw your body to the wild dogs.”

At my words, she blinked rapidly and looked at me.

“Is it really you? But you say you don’t want to work?”

With a mix of doubt, she grabbed my cheeks.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, I’m not sick! Who actually likes working in the first place?”

She wore a resolute expression.

“You?”

Something similar had happened not long ago… Was it just my imagination?

“No, I don’t like working either. That’s obvious, right?”

She said with a blank expression.

“Then what about staying up all night working overtime?”

“Responsibility, right? And… ahem… when you’re next to me, I can’t help but think of other things?”

She had been making bold advances even before we mixed our bodies.

I thought of it as a pregnancy assassination and refrained from sleeping with her, but honestly, it was a temptation hard to resist as a man.

So I just stayed in the Grand Study and did what I had to do.

At my words, Theodora furrowed her brows and looked at my chest…

– Smack!

“Wouldn’t it have been better if you had just given in back then? Do you know how much it hurt my pride?”

“I’m… sorry.”

As I said that, she rubbed her face against my chest.

“Well, at least we’re together like this… I’m happy.”

I gently stroked her soft hair.

“I love you, and thank you.”

– Peck.

With that, I kissed the crown of her head.

“But… I really have to go now.”

Theodora said with a pale face as she glanced at the clock on the wall.

“Do you know it’s not even 7 o’clock yet?”

“True, but… I can only imagine how much work has piled up…”

The more authority I have, the more tasks there are to handle.

No matter how capable Alexander is, it would be impossible for him to manage everything alone.

So, I should go now and lighten my workload if I want to enjoy my evening without worry.

“Heh, fine. I won’t stop you from coming in early. But… you know quitting time is 9 o’clock, right?”

I know very well that if I don’t leave, William will come and kick me out himself.

“I know. I’ll just go wash up then.”

“Okay, see you later.”

With that, the steps toward the grand study felt as heavy as lead.

Sigh…

I walk through the corridor I haven’t been to in a while.

The sensation of the blue dawn filtering through the windows.

The sight of golden knights standing guard here and there is quite splendid.

Before I know it, I arrive at my office and look around.

When I’m here, papers are usually scattered everywhere. The neatness of the place refreshes my heart somehow.

“Alright… shall we get started?”

And so, the day begins.

***

The Duke passed off a bothersome task.

He asked to let Sister Sena stay until she finds a place.

What a heartless person he is.

It’s not that I can’t do it, since I usually don’t stay home long and only have a housekeeper to sleep in a house…

“Haah… what to do…”

Sister Sena, or rather, Secretary Sena, boasts incredible beauty.

With her emerald hair and lovely figure… she lacks nothing.

To be told to spend time alone with such a woman, the Duke really is something.

Does he think I’m a saint like him?

Whatever it is, this time I gave the housekeeper a bonus and asked her to thoroughly clean the house.

Just as my home is starting to come into view.

“Phew… I’m nervous.”

I said today, right?

Having never had much luck with women, the thought of living with someone feels awkward and makes my heart race a little.

Now that I think about it, I confessed to Eia at the academy and got rejected, and since then, I’ve just been focused on studying hard.

It was after that… that I stopped having connections with women…

Maximilian married Princess Eia, and Lucius has something going on with Princess Joy.

In contrast… here I am… the oldest among them.

Tch.

As I grumbled and entered the house, the housekeeper greeted me.

“Mr. Müller, as you requested, the deep cleaning is all done.”

“Thank you.”

I said that and took out my checkbook to note the bonus.

– Sliiip.

As I handed over the check, the housekeeper’s face brightened.

“Thank you, Mr. Müller.”

And just like that, she left quickly.

I also washed up briefly and waited for Sena.

Let’s not get my hopes up for nothing; she’ll probably turn me down again.

I have a feeling that Sister Sena likes the Duke.

—

So if I harbor unnecessary feelings and end up hurt, it’s only me who suffers.

Even a man would say the Duke is quite impressive.

He is the Duke of the Duchy of Francesco, immensely wealthy, the empire’s greatest schemer, and a master of household management…

And he’s handsome too.

No… if a genius is also good-looking, isn’t that a bit of a scam?

On top of that, his physical prowess is quite commendable.

They say he’s weak among the Ryan family, but isn’t he still from the Ryan family?

Even if a lion is weak, it’s still a lion.

His strength must be fairly decent.

And what I envy the most…

His wife is an extraordinary beauty and a pure-hearted one.

Honestly, isn’t he the winner of life?

In comparison, I…

I’m just an orphan, and all I have is the scholarship I received from the top student at the orphanage to enter the academy.

From birth to ability, it’s a world of difference.

“Sigh, what’s the point of comparing myself to such a remarkable person? I’m the only one who feels sad.”

Thinking that, I casually opened a bottle of wine.

It feels like all the money I earn from working late every day goes into drinking.

When I savor the rich and flavorful aroma that can only be born from being aged in an oak barrel for a long time.

– Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door and opened it.

“Hello, Mr. Müller.”

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Sister Sena, or rather, Sena, who is carrying a large bag on her back and holding a big basket in her hands.

“Oh, it’s been a while. Sister Sena, or rather, Sena.”

She smiled brightly at me.

“Thank you for letting me in, and this is a gift for you.”

The basket she hands over is covered with a thin cloth.

“It’s cheese and butter made at the Roman convent, and some wine.”

I nodded at her gift.

“You really didn’t have to do this…”

—

“Still, it feels too rude to come empty-handed without paying, doesn’t it?”

Not paying?

The Duke had agreed to cover the rent while Sena stayed.

Yet, I was puzzled by her claim of not paying.

“That rent is being paid by His Grace the Duke, so you can relax.”

At my words, Sena opened her mouth slightly, as if she had never heard this before.

“His Grace the Duke? I’ve never heard that before.”

“Is that so? But first, let’s go inside. It’s cold out here.”

Indeed, it was late autumn now, and the wind was quite chilly.

“Yes, excuse me.”

– Bang.

I then showed Sena to her room, the bathroom, and the kitchen, among other things.

“Oh? So how do you usually have your meals?”

“Well, usually I eat at the palace…”

I had secured a guarantee for early leave on the condition that Sena would stay at my place.

“Really?”

“I think I’ll probably be able to leave early for a while, so I’m not sure.”

Sena looked surprised at my words.

“Mr. Müller? You can leave early? But you work at the Duke’s office!”

Her words made me feel a bit awkward.

It was difficult to explain that I had arranged for early leave in exchange for letting Sister Sena stay.

“It just turned out that way.”

At my words, she smiled brightly.

“Congratulations! Honestly, when you work at the Duke’s office, everyone worries about your health.”

I felt a strange flutter at her pure smile.