Chapter 168 (2/2)

“Oh, sorry. I momentarily…”

“Hmm. It looks like she is not ready yet, so please ask me first. I’ll reply.”

Smiling at me sarcastically, Jiun said, with her black eyes sparkling.

“According to your spending plan, you are spending 20 stins of the 50 stins allocated to you on hosting the banquet at the palace and the rest for the festival, right?”

The monetary units of the empire are divided into kana, stin, gold, silver, bronze. One kana equals 100 stin coins, one stin equals 100 gold coins, one gold equals 100 silver coins, and one silver equals 100 bronze coins. These are round coins, each of which is about one finger long and are very heavy because they are made of metal. Kana coins are very difficult to obtain except for by members of the imperial family or the great noble family. The average cost of living for a commoner family of four is about 4 gold coins per month.

“That’s right.”

“Then, you describe in your reply that you are going to hold an inspection ceremony of the three knights divisions in the central square of the capital. Are you going to hold it in this sweltering weather?”

“Well, we can take up the slack as they might have slacked off because of the heat, and at the same time we can give the people an eyeful. So, isn’t it like killing two birds with one stone?”

Jiun replied, smiling brightly at Duke Lars.

I unwittingly let out a sigh. Her opinion as described in her reply was about the allocation of her budget for the festival. With respect to the knights’ inspection ceremony, her idea was not bad itself, but it didn’t show any consideration for the suffering of the knights who would have to practice for the ceremony in this sizzling weather.

‘Well, before my return, I myself focused on caring about the welfare of the crown prince and myself, treating all others as someone who should be taken care and and ruled.”

I suddenly made a bitter smile. Although I heard each individual’s circumstances, I had no empathy for them back then. I was probably like a doll made only for the status of the ‘Empress’ and could not be considered a human.

“I think I have to consult with the knights commanders first. You can’t decide on your own.”

“I see. I apologize for that, Your Majesty. ”

When she was done, the participants turned their attention to me.

Duke Jena, who asked for the right to speak, opened his mouth coldly, “It’s not always the best policy to save money, but Lady Monique doesn’t seem to be able to spend the money properly.

Do you really want to return the remaining balance to the government after you spend ten stins for the imperial banquet and 25 stins for each estate?”

It was a bit annoying to see him finding fault with me often, but I replied silently to his sarcastic question, “Well, I felt like it was abuse of money on my part. I already described how to use the money in my written reply…”

When I sorted out my thoughts and began to speak, I suddenly heard buzzing in my ear.

What is it?

I heard my voice more and more faintly.

My eyes were blurred. Shortly afterwards a voice that left a strong impression rang in my head.

I was amazed by the voice that was ringing in my head. It was the same voice I heard just a few months ago.

Isn’t this God’s prophecy?

The birth of new buds, the buds to grow into roots and the six roots to be worshiped … No way!

“Stay alert, Lady Monique!”

I was surprised by Marquis Enesil’s voice that deeply but strongly rang into the ear.

Where am I now?