"You're were saying?"
"His Majesty is resting. Butler Xiwen suggested that by rule, you can be of assistance."
Ares put the papers on her table.
Skimming through it Ett knitted her brows. Fons Honorum was written in the paper along with the Emperor's signet."
"Why is that guy so adamant?"
Every noble who wants to take a title would have two approval. One for the current head and one for the Emperor. The Emperor held the Fount of Honor as the highest. If by chance, the Emperor did not sign it, then the noble or commoner wanting to have a higher title would be void.
"Shouldn't heirs apparent be enough for now?"
Seriously, that Cashim is to eager to take on the role of the Count. And… the current Count just have his signature in it, accepting Cashim to take the title of a Count.
Ett scoffed. After making a ruckus to expose his family's wrongdoings, splashing dirty water in their families name he didn't even relax and wanted to be the Count now. What was his father thinking when he signed this? Sure, he owns the famous Isolet, had tons of money that personally owes and worked his brain, and gain reputation speedily as if chasing for something. But…
Ett ushered for Ares to take the paper along with the signet.
"There's no need to be hasty. "
Ares bowed taking everything back to look for Butler Xiwen.
Of course, she knows the Butler was anxious and she also had the authority to do it but it's still not time yet.
"You think I don't know what you're planning?"
Ett muttered under her breath. Right now, the best way is to delay Cashim in gaining his title as the Count. As long as he is delayed in a day, two days, three days or so on. Let the gossip die down a bit.
His 'siblings' of Count Montecraso must be seething in rage right now. Not only were there secrets revealed it was even exaggerated by their own youngest brother. Before he becomes a Count, Ett needs to talk to him first. A crucial role in knowing where he would stand.
"Thank goodness, I don't often as I did before."
She can now have additional time resting and know more about this world and what she can take advantage for her Project Life.
Saying so, Ett took a look at her list. She skimmed her note ignoring the third on her list: For the Final Boss to lessen his tyrannical ruling.
Alright, this one: Improving the positive ratings of the citizen's toward him.
In order to do that, she'll also have to take the next bullet on the list: Improvement of the empire. Under the Improvement of the Empire there's 5 things to do.
"Trade and Treaty? Akan still hasn't collected enough resources yet."
"Military power, hm the commander and his men are still too cautious."
"Infrastructures, unattainable ATM."
"Oh. Then Workforce."
With the last being the Class of People, it would be helpful to do so bit by bit.
"Geez, should I just promote democracy."
Ett snorted pulling up a blank paper and started to draft her thoughts.
Thud.
After being immersed and frustrated for a few hours she fainted yet again. Ares who as if knows when will Ett faint entered her study room and sighed. He carried her to the settee and brought out two Laur leaves he held it half inch away from Ett's nose. Soon enough, the frown Ett had faded and her whole body relaxed.
"Matriarch, are you competing with the Emperor's duty?"
Both were beast in handling affairs. There were less time he sees them being alone and leisurely strolling, unwinding from the brimming rims of papers spreading in their study table.
Ares peeked at the draft his Matriarch has been doing so feverishly and smiled. Who would have thought, these two people were always thinking about the Empire and their people. The people that are afraid and despise them. Oh, yes they don't know the Matriarch. People that despise the Emperor. Seeing them day to day and living in this kind of place, although His Majesty is colder than winter he doesn't mind now. Not like before. Somehow, he is getting used to their temperament and of this palace. Besides, this is a better home for him rather than staying in Count Shubert.
His eyes narrowed. That abominable man.
Sensing he's becoming emotional, Ares calmed down and silently walked away closing the door carefully to not wake his Matriarch sleeping peacefully.
"Oh, Sire Ares. Good Afternoon."
Ares was back to his usual façade.
He smiled, "Tori are you here to deliver the Matriarch's snack?"
It was one of the servants that brings the Matriarch snack in a timely manner. She nodded, "Is Her Majesty resting?"
"Yes. You can come back after three hours she will be awake by then."
The made Tori nodded. "I'll return once she's awake then. Thank you sire."
"No need. Ah right! Aren't you the Head Maid now? I hadn't had the time to congratulate you."
Tori smiled humbly saying, "I'm still far from the previous Head Mistress. I'm still learning."
"That's all what we have to go through. Don't fret about it. Then you must have gone out when you bought our palace supply."
Tori stiffened it is true that she goes out once a month to venture out what the palace needed, buying one month supply for everyone and that is needed yet it should be said that it shouldn't be asked and she cannot wherever or where she'd gone unless if it's the Butler or higher standing than her.. This expression didn't go beyond Ares.
"Aiya, I don't mean any ill will. It is because I don't know what's happening lately and I'm worried about my mother."
Ares showed a sad and worried expression, sighing deeply with longing to the outside coupled with his handsome face that soften's a maidens heart how could Tori a not be touched when she herself felt the same way when she first came here.
She patted Ares' shoulder, "Worry not. It's just some rumors about a noble that's all."
Ares smiled stopping himself to ask more or else she'll grow suspicious. This is enough for now, there will be more times later to get close to the new Head Maid and get some information about the outside of the palace. As it is hard for subjects like him who had just rose a rank and hadn't have enough connections he needs to bid his time. Cultivating a human relationship aren't so easy and readily to be swayed, he must work hard so that in the future it won't backfire when something goes wrong. After all, you can't be slow-witted and ignorant if you're living in this palace.
"I see that's a relief. Then I won't be bothering the Head Mistress then. Thank you for telling me this news, it lightens up my heart."
Tori beamed in return, "Again worry not, understood you're feeling."
It's good to see a warm person in this place after a long time.
"Then I won't trouble you no more."
"No trouble at all."
The two quickly walked the opposite direction. Now that Ares had spoken for the first time with their new Head Maid there will be plenty of times in the future to cultivate their relationship to be warmer and more advantageous in his part. If he doesn't have any companion to talk to that knows what happens to the outside how could he make preparations in the future. It's still unreachable to talk closely with the Butler much less the Advisor of the palace. They're both cunning and may find something wrong with him. Not now, it's still too early.
He must be patient for now. As long as he's alive and makes progression every now and then, surely it will bear fruit.
"Wait, that's all I can do for now."
Ares mumbled resuming his work.