The Former Empress Roughly Hides Her Abilities - Chapter 34

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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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【Chapter 34】

“I know people like you very well.”

The devil whispered.

“High ambitions and ideals, but your abilities can’t keep up. Always stagnating in that position, yet your gaze is always turned toward the sky.”

The voice that picked apart Torban’s inner thoughts was mocking.

“And then you think like this: ‘That position should have been mine.'”

Those guys over there are just lucky ones with backing. In truth, I’m no different from them.

However, even if you complain like that, no one listens, and reality doesn’t change.

The accumulated dissatisfaction eventually turns toward the easy targets below.

Thus Torban gradually became isolated, becoming an irritating superior and incompetent team leader.

“Your complaints are justified. Most people are ordinary like you. Most of those who luckily seized important positions are nothing but opportunists.”

But there are moments when even such self-rationalization crumbles.

When a ‘real’ genius like Rianel appears, whom no one can deny, forcing you to face your own limitations.

“That’s also why you continue to stay in the Tax Bureau, isn’t it?”

The competent ones leave with ambitions, and those with bright futures don’t come to this department.

“Being in this department is most comfortable for your heart, isn’t it?”

This was a place where people gathered who were satisfied with luckily becoming civil servants and barely scraped by on their salaries.

A department where those with no luck, no backing, and nowhere to go gathered like being caught at the end of a sieve.

Among such people, even incompetent Torban could be treated as a ‘Team Leader.’

He was in that position because he was incompetent, and they were in their positions because they were inexperienced.

“….”

Torban didn’t deny those words.

That was his true face and the rock bottom he had tried to avoid facing.

However, he thought it was ridiculous to be pointed out by Royhum.

“Though my circumstances may be wretched, I don’t think I’m in a position to be mocked by the Minister.”

Aren’t you in crisis of being stripped of even the ministerial position you clung to so desperately?

“Yes, we’re not different kinds of people.”

Royhum readily agreed.

“I’m incompetent, and you’re incompetent too. I was just a bit luckier than you.”

He continued.

“In other words, you too could rise up like me if only you got the chance.”

“If you’re laying groundwork to seduce me, I’ll stop listening now.”

“Is that so? I was just about to make an offer since the vice-minister position happens to be vacant.”

Don’t you have someone unwell at home?

Torban’s smile stiffened.

“Did you investigate my background?”

“I did a background check to see if you could become my person. There’s no need to use such harsh words.”

He should have ignored it.

This was someone who attacked the Tax Bureau whenever he opened his mouth and bit at his subordinates.

To bring down that man, the Special Tax Bureau people were keeping the government building lights on until late at night.

He knew all this.

‘Why can’t I ignore those words?’

“That position isn’t one you can reach through promotion.”

“That’s right. You need connections, networks, and luck.”

Of course, vice-minister level and above were appointed positions, so you had to catch the eye of higher-ups—the State Minister, Emperor, or Empress Dowager.

“But I happen to be on intimate terms with His Majesty.”

Royhum rubbed his hands together and laughed.

Though his appearance was like a fly rubbing its front legs to survive, making him frown, he couldn’t look away knowing his own appearance wasn’t much different.

“I’ll become the luck in your life.”

This was a despicable choice, another leash, and a trap.

But it was also an ‘opportunity’ with his family’s livelihood at stake.

The monthly medical expenses.

The increasingly impoverished household.

The destitute life.

And the anxiety that he might be pushed out even from this position.

All of that pushed Torban’s back.

“…What would I need to do?”

How could he refuse?

* * *

Following the Head Maid and Torban, the third person Royhum persuaded was Vanessa.

“You want me to take the witness stand?”

“It’s not asking you to do anything grand… Just say a few words. Like you saw her wearing luxurious items of unknown origin, or witnessed her meeting with suspicious people.”

You’re good at that sort of thing.

Since Vanessa was the one who had slandered and isolated Rianel to make her leave the Duke’s Estate, Royhum added that it wouldn’t be too difficult.

‘This is my only way to survive.’

The Princess Palace’s corruption had already been discovered.

The Tax Bureau had secured evidence, and he couldn’t prevent them from reporting to upper management. Erasing the evidence was also impossible.

Then he had no choice but to minimize what he would be responsible for and push the rest onto others.

The fact that there were accomplices within the Ministry of Finance was undeniable. Someone was needed to become the ‘accomplice’ in place of Royhum.

‘I can push some things onto dismissed subordinates, but…’

The problem was that a third party was needed to pin the embezzlement that occurred even after they were dismissed.

Royhum chose Rianel as that ‘someone.’

“But Rianel only worked at the Ministry of Finance for a few months.”

Vanessa was anxious.

There would be traces of Royhum’s involvement in the Princess Palace ledgers.

Above all, not knowing how far the evidence the Tax Bureau had secured extended was also frightening.

“Besides, if things go wrong… I could be punished for perjury…”

She disliked Rianel. She wanted her to fail miserably and fall to the wretched bottom.

But not enough to stake her own life on it.

Sending anonymous tip-offs from afar was easy and safe. Even if it failed, there was little risk to bear.

But directly slandering Rianel from the witness stand was different.

If Rianel’s charges were cleared, not only would criticism turn to her, but she would also face punishment.

“So you’re saying you won’t do it?”

“It’s not that… We could do it after the situation becomes more certain. Right now it’s too dangerous and…”

Royhum sneered and suddenly grabbed Vanessa by the collar.

“Do you think you’ll survive by staying quietly in the safe rear?”

His glistening gaze was right in front of her nose.

“Kuk, sa, sam…”

Though she couldn’t breathe, Vanessa couldn’t even say ‘let me go’ out of fear.

His gaze held poison that she herself could never possess.

“Let me tell you a solid truth. If I fall, you die too.”

“!”

“What was the reason you could dream of becoming a Duchess? It was all thanks to me. It was possible because you had an uncle who was the Minister of Finance!”

You as an individual are worthless and meaningless.

Look even now. If I let go, you just sit there sprawled on the floor. You can’t even protest once.

Royhum looked down at Vanessa who had collapsed and brushed off his hands.

Like someone who had caught something dirty and then let it go.

“Of course, whether you take the witness stand is your choice. But you’ll need to judge carefully.”

Royhum’s words were ruthless.

“If I fall, your backing disappears too.”

In the jungle that was the capital social circle.

Did she think she could survive without the Vincenheim family name or the backing of being the Minister of Finance’s relative?

Royhum turned away, leaving behind a reality that was cruelly sharp.

Left behind, Vanessa trembled finely while supporting herself on the floor.

“….”

She was utterly powerless.

* * *

Ten days later.

A hearing was held to reveal the truth behind the Princess Palace embezzlement case.

Even if the Princess’s status wasn’t that significant, she was still a member of the Imperial Family.

Moreover, it was called a large-scale crime involving a minister, head maid, and priest.

Officials from all government departments gathered to confirm the truth and determine the level of punishment.

With the Special Tax Bureau members who reported the case, the Minister of Finance, Princess Palace maids, temple officials, and even spectators gathering, the Hearing Hall was packed without room to step.

Princess Tiren was also present at the head seat of the hearing.

She was maintaining her position with her chin trembling like a walnut, as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

“Please speak.”

The Minister of Administrative Affairs served as the chief judge.

This was because he was a neutral figure with no conflicts of interest with any of the case’s involved parties.

However, since he wasn’t completely unfamiliar with the Minister of Finance either, he felt subtle awkwardness and discomfort.

Meanwhile, Rianel stepped forward as the Special Tax Bureau representative.

This was because none of the department members wanted to come forward as the proposer.

There was also a reasonable justification.

‘Rianel was the first person to notice the Princess Palace embezzlement case.’

“Minister of Finance Royhum Martis and two accomplices embezzled a total of 1,493,510,000 gold from the Princess Palace budget. It has been confirmed that these funds were laundered through the temple’s name and then converted and operated as borrowed-name assets.”

Rianel placed documents on the table.

“This is a list of assets held under borrowed names by the defendants.”

Rianel stacked the document files one by one. As the tower of documents grew higher, the head maid stiffened her shoulders, feeling as if the noose around her neck was tightening.

However, she tried to maintain a dignified attitude.

Her life and future depended on this victory or defeat.

“I object.”

The head maid raised her hand.

“The person I made contact with was not the Minister of Finance, but Princess Vincenheim.”

Til, enraged, spat out curses while slamming the desk.

“This damn…!”

Mel, witnessing that ‘words become seeds,’ hurriedly covered his mouth with his hand.

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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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