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Chapter 25

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Monopolies weren’t built in a day. Free commerce promoted the development of the market and made merchants rich, but it facilitated the monopolizing of goods and the tyranny of the rich.

The merchants and nobles began to mingle, and the aristocrats who wished to profit invested in businesses. The rich became richer, and the poor, poorer.

Cahir clenched his fist.

“There will be a lot of opposition from the nobility. Our relationship with the merchants is already strained.”

Everyone nodded.

“Judge, is there any case where the freedom of merchants is restricted?”

“None, Your Majesty. The basis of imperial law is the rights and equality of the people. Merchants gain unfair profits from monopolizing, essentially denying people their rights to fair trade. There will be no problem legislating laws restricting monopolies.”

Rosaline smirked.

It wasn’t that they were wrong, passing laws against monopolies was a step in the right direction. However, the ‘the rights and equality of the people’ part was just funny. There was definitely a caste system in the empire, and ‘equality’ was relative to one’s status.

“It’s simple, at least legally. What do you think?” Cahir concluded.

Derek pushed up his glasses to scan the relevant data. “I don’t think it’s going to be easy.”

The emperor grinned. “It’s fun to do difficult things. Prepare the materials thoroughly and meet with the Duke of Pasita in advance to share some opinions. Rosaline has a list of aristocrats who will likely be in opposition.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Cahir dismissed everyone. His judgments were always quick and his orders direct. The administrators left the office to do other things.

“Oh, Rosaline. Did you get the pink diamond necklace?” He organized the remaining data.

Rosaline stopped his hand and faced him. Cahir fiddled with a plain diamond on his crown.

“Your Majesty, as you know, there are very few diamond mines, and among those, pink diamonds might not even appear even if they are mined all year round. I’m looking into it, so could you wait for me?”

Cahir smiled gently at Rosaline’s articulate remarks. “That’s right. I didn’t realize it was that precious because I have a lot on my crown. I’m sorry that it got kept all to myself. Rosaline, let’s try this out.” He tried to remove the plum-sized diamond from his crown.

Rosaline snatched it from him, as quick as lightning. “Your Majesty! What are you doing?”

“Why? I want to give one to you, but it’s hard to acquire, so I’m giving it directly. Is there a problem?”

If it wasn’t the crown, there wasn’t a problem. If it wasn’t a national treasure, there wasn’t a problem. But it was both, and that jewel was called the Tears of Eteusis.

Rosaline nearly cried. “Please give me until tomorrow.”

“Are you sure? Can I trust you?” Cahir’s eyes were smiling. His lips didn’t look any different, but his eyes were smiling!

He was delighted to see her in distress, probably. Rosaline nodded reluctantly.

‘As secretaries, we must protect the treasures of the imperial family.’

She smiled awkwardly, thinking about who to contact among the jewelers she knew.

***

The day after the attempted mutilation of the national treasure, Rosaline got her hands on a pink diamond the size of her pinky nail, and two days later, she was able to receive the finished necklace.

The pendant was shaped like a flower bud, made of gold thread, and fixed tightly so that the diamond didn’t fall off.

She didn’t like flashy designs that could obstruct her work, but it would be a crime for a pink diamond to be used haphazardly. It was a modest design, but the value of the delicate work and the gem itself was great enough to attract attention.

Rosaline gasped as she was handed the necklace. She wouldn’t call herself greedy, exactly, but she did love elegance.

“His Majesty designed it himself.”

“…”

No… way. He did? Even if it wasn’t a pink diamond, she would’ve loved the design.

Her heart trembled.

Anyway, following Cahir’s desire to give it as a gift, Rosaline personally wrapped the necklace and went to him with the small box in hand.

Cahir was currently watching the knights train in the moor. To be selected as the imperial representative of the competition held during the dawn festival, the knights were determined to increase their training. The emperor had visited them to provide encouragement.

A wide range of appearances greeted Rosaline, along with the smell of perspiration. Cahir’s eyes were cool and laced with disapproval.

“Your Majesty, is everything alright?”

He knew she had arrived from the scent of flowers. She always smelled so good that he could sense her even if she wasn’t visible.

His face relaxed. “They’re all so weak.”

“That’s because Your Majesty is too strong.”

“Obviously, yes. It might be too much to ask them to do as much as I do. But still, they should at least be like Hamburg.”

“Your Majesty, Sir Hamburg has been holding a sword since he was five years old. He’s one of the best knights in the continent!” Rosaline shook her head. Geniuses really couldn’t understand ordinary people.

Cahir murmured, “Is that so?” He crossed his arms and directed his attention to the knights. “Let’s make a hundred concessions and say that Hamburg is one of the best knights in the continent. Isn’t it too embarrassing to have only one such knight in the entire empire? Hamburg.”

Hamburg, who was silently standing nearby, heeded the emperor’s call.

He was the best knight on the continent, no concessions necessary. He was the object of envy of all knights, and the line of those who wanted to be his student could wind around a mansion thrice over. Each of his movements was disciplined, and his stern face spoke of extensive training and experience.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Let’s raise the intensity of the training and hold a ranking match once a month. Duel format with wooden swords. I’ll give the directions.”

His Majesty’s own directions!

Hamburg’s eyes gleamed.

Cahir was the greatest genius of swordsmanship this empire had ever seen. He familiarized himself with the different swords and styles from across the continent, eventually developing his own style. He was leagues away from basic knight training.

To be guided by him…

Every knight dreamed of bringing honor to one’s family. However, it wasn’t so easy, and many lost the pride and confidence they had in the beginning.

“Rosaline, please discuss the schedule with Hamburg.”

His schedule was already timed to the minute! Her head throbbed at the thought of having to adjust it again. However, his intentions weren’t bad, and that was also why he gained the reputation of being a hands-on emperor.

The knights were beginning to tire. Hamburg went down to watch them more closely, and Cahir and Rosaline were left alone under the awning.

“Oh, Your Majesty, here’s the pink diamond necklace. Do I just leave it to you?”

The situation was hilarious. She couldn’t believe she chose a present for herself and even wrapped it up beautifully. Rosaline held out a box the size of her palm.

“Give it to me. Open it yourself.”

Rosaline loosened the pink ribbon.

Cahir opened the lid. “Oh, that’s not bad.” He took out the necklace, the diamond shining colorfully in the sunlight. “Rosaline, turn around.”

“What? Why?”

“I’ll put it on you.”

“I’ll do it, please give it to me.”

It’s been a long day, and there were a lot of people around. But it was a shame… No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. This wasn’t right.

Rosaline reached for the necklace. Cahir raised his hand to avoid her. Even on her tiptoes, she couldn’t get it.

“If you’re going to give it to me, then just give it to me now, Your Majesty.”

“The giver has the right to choose how to give the gift.”

“Your Majesty, you’re so mean!”

“You only know that now?” A low voice hummed by her ear.

After several attempts, Rosaline gave up, realizing she couldn’t get it from Cahir.

“Come here, Rosaline. It’s an order.”

“You’re so mean.”

He laughed. She blushed.

“Rosaline, move your hair.”

‘I guess he’s really serious about doing this here in this crowded place.’

“Rosaline, if you keep avoiding it, I’ll tell everyone to look here.”

His threats worked. She swept her lavender hair forward with one hand, the scent of lilacs filling the air. Cahir involuntarily took a breath.

“Rosaline, I want to use the same scent of soap as you.”

“I don’t use scented soap.”

“Then I want to use the same perfume as you.”

“I don’t even use perfume.”

“Hmmm.”

Cahir’s hands slipped over her shoulders, making her breath hitch.