I Became the Master of the Empress - Chapter 283



287

“Aren’t emperors supposed to be really high up? But why did you marry that guy?”

At the bold words of the little one, Theodora looked at me and said.

“What’s wrong with my husband?”

“Hmm… he looks scary.”

At Hector’s words, she chuckled softly.

“Pfft, does he look scary? I think he looks handsome!”

I interjected into the conversation between her and the child.

“I’m at least decent-looking.”

“But you’re super pretty, right? Compared to that guy, he’s just ordinary!”

“Well, that’s…”

To be honest, there aren’t many people who can compare to Theodora in looks, are there?

That’s the trick; I’m definitely not ordinary.

“You’re so pretty that people say I’m ugly, you know?”

As I hugged her from behind, she shivered slightly.

“Oh my, look at this! What are you doing?”

“What do you mean? I’m just hugging my own.”

She gently pushed me away.

“There’s a child here! What are you talking about?”

Theodora’s face turned bright red.

This is the fun of teasing her.

Whatever the reason, she said it was because of the child.

So, I can just separate her from the child, right?

“Hey, golden knight over there. Can you help find this child’s parents?”

I pointed to the nearby golden knight.

“Excuse me? You mean me? Your Grace the Duke?”

I nodded at his words and continued.

“Yeah, this child was crying alone, separated from their parents. Please take them back to their parents safely.”

“No! I wasn’t crying! And it’s my mom who lost me, you know?”

—

Whatever it is.

As Theodora set the little one down on the ground, the child’s face showed a look of disappointment.

I wonder what’s so disappointing.

“I understand. I will take responsibility and find this child’s parents.”

As the golden knight said this, taking the child’s hand and embracing them, he soon disappeared from view…

“Your Majesty. The carriage has arrived. Let us hurry to the palace.”

Thus, Theodora and I returned to the palace.

And that night.

After we came in early, washed up, and lay in bed.

“Honey, isn’t Hector adorable?”

Seeing that he, being so young, already knew pretty women didn’t make me feel he was cute.

Rather…

“No, I found it creepy.”

She made a surprised expression.

“What? You thought that child was creepy?”

“Yeah, I couldn’t help but think that even at such a young age, a boy can blush in your arms.”

“Come on, really? He looked like he was only about five years old!”

Indeed, Theodora doesn’t understand men.

“A man, even just holding a spoon, can’t help but want to try something with a pretty woman.”

Saying this, I brought my lips to her neck.

“What are you saying? The one who first looked at women like a stone… ugh…”

“Ah? Don’t even mention it; I really struggled to hold back.”

I thought I had become a bodhisattva, not a duke.

She had been tempting me all along.

She draped her arms around my neck.

“Do more…”

“Yes, yes, I shall obey your command, Your Majesty.”

As I caressed her neck, the moment began to heat up slowly.

With a sorrowful expression, she said.

“Honey… I want that child.”

—

Let me know if you need anything else!

“Hmm?”

I was subtly surprised by her words, considering I had been avoiding her ovulation days.

Could it be that the plan for having a child was at stake?

As I pondered this thought.

“Do more. Hurry.”

Well… I don’t know. Anyway, today is a safe day.

The next day, after wrapping up the day with her.

From noble mtl dot com

I listened to the report about Hector with Theodora.

“Your Majesty. The child has returned well to its mother.”

“Right, you’ve worked hard.”

Saying this, Theodora stroked her belly.

She seemed to be in a good mood today.

***

Time passed, and one day a month later.

While reviewing the budget at the cabinet meeting, Theodora spoke with a commanding voice.

“We need a tax increase for compulsory education.”

The current budget proposal from the Ministry of Finance for compulsory education includes overall funding for the establishment of schools nationwide, acquisition of buildings, confirmation of teaching materials, and hiring of teachers.

No matter how abundant the finances are, spending such a large sum all at once is not an easy task.

Because of this, I put the brakes on her statement.

“I understand Your Majesty’s words, but rather than simply increasing taxes, it seems better to reduce school construction or real estate acquisitions and opt for leasing.”

The administrative power of the empire is at a high level.

That’s how we can govern this vast land.

Thus, while it is possible to establish schools densely across the nation, the downside is that it means the costs will increase accordingly.

“I believe it is right to prioritize based on the population residing in the empire, starting with schools in those areas and gradually expanding nationwide.”

Currently, while schools are important, I also have thoughts of creating a department for technological development.

So, if too many resources are poured into one place, it will become difficult to manage the technological development department properly for several years.

After all, the technological development department is a place that requires annual funding.

“But the young citizens of the empire will bring a brilliant future to the empire. I cannot give up on those children.”

Theodora looked at me with a serious expression.

“Moreover, I know of your plans. Considering that matter, the current finances will be insufficient, so there is no choice but to increase taxes. Isn’t that right, my partner?”

Theodora’s words are accurate.

For both Theodora and me to achieve what we desire, a tax increase is necessary.

“However, Your Majesty, while implementing compulsory education to enhance the capabilities of all citizens is a good thing, it is a long-term necessity. In contrast, the Development Department can yield results more quickly than the Education Department. Therefore, I believe it is more appropriate to handle matters sequentially rather than raising taxes to secure revenue.”

At my words, Finance Minister Frank stepped forward.

“While the Duke’s argument has merit, there wouldn’t be a significant issue even if we raised taxes within the Empire at this time. The economy has been doing exceptionally well recently.”

I know that too.

The economy has been growing at an unprecedented rate, but my concern is that raising taxes might send a negative signal to the private sector.

We have already reformed the tax system to make it more efficient.

It’s not ideal to raise taxes again so soon after the reform.

Moreover, taxes have just been lowered, leading to active private investment.

It is certainly worrisome that raising taxes might inadvertently reduce investment.

“But it has only been a short time since the tax reform. Currently, revenue is on the rise, so we should avoid raising taxes and risking a decrease in private investment. And…”

I cleared my throat and spoke.

“Once taxes are raised, it is difficult to lower them again.”

Frank subtly averted his gaze.

Typically, raising taxes is easy, but lowering them is not.

That’s because it necessitates reducing government spending.

“But compulsory education is a matter that illuminates the future of the Empire; however, to implement it, a budget is needed, so I will vote for a tax increase to secure revenue.”

I shook my head at Theodora’s words.

“I will exercise my veto on this matter.”

As I finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room turned cold.

“Then I too will exercise my veto over your Development Department; is that acceptable?”

“That is Your Majesty’s right, is it not?”

What can one do when someone insists on exercising their own rights?

It is true that compulsory education is necessary, but everything is moving too quickly.

It makes no sense to allocate an outrageous budget when textbooks have yet to be organized.

Not only schools but also teachers are an issue.

We are not even prepared to select teachers yet, and we must examine this carefully.

Education is the foundation for the nation’s future.

That is why I want to tread carefully and consider all aspects.

Ultimately, the Cabinet meeting concluded with the final discussion on compulsory education.

***

“Are you really going to do that? There’s no reason to exercise a veto, is there?”

“No tax increases.”

The current economic growth is due to the rapid flow of money.

But raising taxes could jeopardize this favorable economic situation.

Here, there is fundamentally no concept of a modern middle class.

There are only the wealthy and the lower class.

In this context, the wealthy primarily refers to the nobility.

In other words, if taxes are raised, it will inevitably provoke a backlash from the nobles.

Not long ago, there was a conspiracy among the aristocrats to rebel, and I want to avoid provoking them further.

So far, I’ve been thinking short-term, but moving forward, I need to look at the long-term.

Right now, Theodora and I are at the peak of our power, but that could waver in the future.

No… to put it bluntly, if I were to die, the future emperor would face a power vacuum.

So, I need to maintain a decent relationship with them.

“Why? You’ve acknowledged that compulsory education is necessary, haven’t you?”

Theodora glared at me as if lasers were shooting from her eyes.

“We’ve pressured the nobles too much. We need to give them some breathing room now.”

She let out a sigh.

“Ha, let’s go through this tax increase once, and for the time being, I’ll soothe and placate them, so don’t exercise the veto at the next agenda.”

“That won’t do. First, let’s find a way to placate them, and besides, we haven’t even established the teachers or textbooks yet. Rushing this could lead to side effects, so I’ll need to examine everything thoroughly.”

Even as I said this, she began to follow me around, nagging incessantly.

– Are you really stingy about money for education?

– Do you know how much I love you? Are you going to keep doing this?

– You said we need a Ministry of Education, didn’t you?

– Stop using the veto!

As she chased me around all day and even nagged me until quitting time, I couldn’t hold back and shouted.

“Enough already!”

As I stood up, Theodora widened her eyes in surprise and said, “Where are you going?!”

“I’m going to sleep in the study! Don’t come in!”

With that, I left the newlywed room and headed to the study.

As I was reading, the clock ticked past eleven.

– Knock, knock.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

Theodora’s voice came from the door.