I Got Engaged To The Blind Duke - Chapter 165
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I Got Engaged to a Blind Duke Episode 165
“My apologies, Your Majesty.”
“Enough with the apologies! Apologies! I promised the 7th Imperial Consort that I would soon build her the Diamond Palace, yet you’re still only laying the foundation?”
“Well, there have been disruptions in the diamond supply…”
“So why are there disruptions, I ask!”
Bang!
The Emperor struck his desk loudly. The Emperor, who would be sarcastic but rarely raised his voice, suddenly shouted in anger.
The startled Finance Minister’s shoulders shot up high before quickly dropping back down.
Lately, the Emperor’s mood had been like a summer typhoon. It was impossible to predict, making every encounter feel like walking on thin ice.
“W-well, to buy more diamonds we need to collect more taxes, but as you know, the Eastern Region has had some taxes postponed due to drought…”
“Is the Eastern Region still in drought?”
The Emperor asked coldly.
“N-no, it’s not.”
“Right. It ended last year, so why haven’t the taxes come in yet?”
“The damage from the drought has lasted until this year…”
Bang!
The Emperor struck his desk once more, erupting in fiery anger.
“Are you calling that an excuse right now!”
“…My apologies, Your Majesty.”
“What about the Western Region?”
The Emperor brought up the Western Region with a cold tone.
“All taxes have already been collected.”
“Aren’t the Western Region’s taxes too low? The Western Duke has money overflowing to the point he even made a carriage out of diamonds. So he must have the capacity to pay more taxes.”
The Emperor wore a twisted smile.
“Your Majesty. The Western Region already pays twice as much in taxes as other regions due to desert trade.”
The Finance Minister pleaded while bowing his waist.
The Emperor’s golden eyes flashed.
“Right. Then that goes against fairness.”
The Finance Minister was too afraid of the Emperor’s next words to dare lift his head.
“Collect as much from the other regions as you do from the Western Region.”
The Finance Minister squeezed his eyes shut while keeping his head bowed.
The Western Region could be taxed double due to desert trade, but other regions had no suitable excuse.
“Your Majesty. Doing so would cause extreme backlash from everyone.”
“Finance Minister.”
“Yes. Please command me.”
“What is your role? Do you think the Finance Minister position is that easy? Do you think only one or two people covet your position?”
The Emperor clicked his tongue as if pitying him.
The Finance Minister bit his tongue to hold back from saying he wanted to quit this position right now.
Who was the Emperor?
He was the 4th Prince who had been fourth in line for succession, who purged his other brothers with blood to reach the Emperor’s throne.
Countless lives were swept away in that process.
The Emperor had a nature that did not forgive those who went against his will.
He was afraid of what consequences might follow if he quit his ministerial position before the Emperor could dismiss him.
“Minister, you understand what I’m saying, don’t you?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will work hard to try.”
The Finance Minister hid his despairing heart and spoke out of habit.
Even now the people’s resentment was widespread, yet he was being told to collect more taxes for the Diamond Palace.
Complaints from the nobles were pouring in like rain, but the Emperor only blocked his eyes and ears to enjoy luxury and pleasure.
“Just trying isn’t enough. Show me results quickly.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Now withdraw.”
The Finance Minister left the Emperor’s Office with careful steps while keeping his waist bent.
After the Finance Minister left, the Chief Attendant quietly entered the office and bowed his head.
“Your Majesty the Emperor.”
The Chief Attendant’s face could be seen hardened stiff.
“What is it?”
The Emperor frowned.
“It’s a report that the Western Duke’s eyes can see again.”
“What?”
The Emperor’s expression hardened like ice.
The Western Duke’s eyes can see again?
The noble annual meeting held in the Solar Hall flashed through his mind.
His teeth ground together as he recalled that insolent display of military force before him.
The Emperor grabbed and crumpled the report in front of him with his hand.
The demon beast’s roar echoing and the fear he felt then. The helplessness. The devastation.
Under the sunlight pouring into the Solar Hall, he should have been the one shining brightest.
That place was stolen from him.
By a mere Western Duke, how dare he.
“His eyes can see? Since when?”
“It seems like it’s been several weeks. The report was delayed because the Western Duke dealt with all the spies.”
“Then you should have sent in more spies!”
Bang!
The enraged Emperor struck his desk.
The Chief Attendant bowed his waist and silently endured the Emperor’s wrath.
“My apologies.”
“Now that his eyes can see again, he’ll act even more willfully. As if he were the Emperor himself. Isn’t that right, Chief Attendant?”
The Emperor, who had been seething for a while, squeezed his eyes shut as if trying to suppress his anger.
A moment later.
The Emperor opened his eyes and looked at the Chief Attendant with an annoyed expression before asking.
“Chief Attendant, what’s the matter?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m asking why you came.”
“…!”
The old Chief Attendant’s wrinkled eyes trembled.
Recently, the increasingly angry Emperor often acted as if he had lost his memory.
Fortunately, he hadn’t shown such behavior in front of the ministers yet, but if the Emperor’s symptoms became known, the Empire would surely shake.
“…It’s a report that the Western Duke’s eyes can see again.”
“What? His eyes can see? Since when?”
“It seems like it’s been several weeks. The report was delayed because the Western Duke dealt with all the spies.”
The Chief Attendant suppressed his anxious heart and gave the same report again, then endured his anger.
“Find out immediately how he was cured.”
“Yes.”
The Emperor, who had given the cold command, rose from his seat.
“I’m going to the 7th Imperial Consort.”
“Yes. I shall follow.”
The Chief Attendant watched the Emperor’s retreating figure with complicated eyes.
Should he inform the Imperial Physician about this matter, or should he not?
His worries deepened.
* * *
Gerald spent his days frantically busy handling the work that had been postponed while he was away from the Duke’s Castle.
Whenever he had a brief moment, he would follow Marine around, but those times were very rare.
“Did you call for me, Your Grace?”
Sebastian the Butler, who had knocked and entered the office, bowed his head respectfully.
“My thanks are late. I’m grateful.”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
Sebastian the Butler, who had raised his face, shifted his gaze to Oliver standing beside him with an expression of confusion.
However, Oliver also just shook his head, not knowing what it meant either.
“The Butler’s advice was excellent.”
Only then did Sebastian the Butler understand what he meant, and a pleased smile appeared on his lips.
“Did your Love Confession go well?”
“Yes. I did it right away upon meeting her, just as you advised.”
“Ah… I see.”
Sebastian the Butler’s wrinkled eyes deepened as he hid his bewildered feelings.
Surely he didn’t really confess right away without considering the surrounding situation at all?
The Butler’s lips twitched before closing.
Right, let’s trust His Grace the Duke.
Meanwhile, Oliver listened intently to their conversation with sparkling eyes.
“From now on, prepare for the wedding.”
Sebastian the Butler’s face immediately brightened.
“Did you also make a Proposal?”
Suddenly, the Duke’s face hardened stiffly.
The Butler’s eyes drooped downward as he quietly observed that expression.
“Don’t tell me, you’re thinking by yourself again this time…?”
“We are already engaged.”
“That’s right.”
“We love each other.”
The Duke spoke confidently as if making a declaration.
“That’s wonderful news.”
The Butler answered politely.
“But was I supposed to make a Proposal too?”
The Duke frowned as if he had encountered an unexpected challenge.
“Of course. My Wife still boasts to our Daughter about the Proposal I made to her. Even though it was already 40 years ago.”
The Duke’s expression immediately became serious.
“Is a Proposal that important?”
Oliver also took a deep breath as if learning something he didn’t know.
Sebastian the Butler clicked his tongue inwardly.
What should he do with these romance novices?
“Yes. It’s very important to women!”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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