The Wind Calms the Fire - Chapter 67

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 67
‘His Highness seems different lately.’
The sharp edge to his master’s temperament had grown duller somehow.
Not duller in the sense of becoming obtuse—rather, he seemed to have gained a kind of ease.
Where once he’d moved through his scheduled duties with grim monotony, now there was something vital and alive in his bearing.
‘Just as Orbin said… the princess does have an inexplicable peculiarity about her.’
Yet when he thought about it, nothing ill had come from her arrival.
If she hadn’t appeared at the Poemma Garrison that day, what would have happened?
‘His Highness would certainly have ignored the Emperor’s decree and pressed on to the next garrison.’
He might have earned not rewards for distinguished service, but the Emperor’s displeasure instead.
For now, Cedric was withholding judgment and watching to see how things unfolded.
* * *
The moment Carrion appeared, the atmosphere rippled with interest.
‘He’s been showing his face far more often these days.’
‘I hear the Empress is overseeing his betrothal.’
The nobles with daughters of marriageable age cast covetous glances his way.
The thought that they’d let such a prize slip through their fingers made them all the more regretful.
‘We should have sent a matchmaker long ago.’
‘Surely our house is preferable to some small nation’s princess. My daughter has no lack of graces anywhere she goes.’
Carrion’s eyes swept across the crowd, searching for Titus Barel.
The familiar broad shoulders he’d grown used to catching sight of were nowhere to be found.
‘Is he not here? Should I try somewhere else? Ah, but I don’t have the invitation on me.’
As he muttered to himself about bringing both invitations, a middle-aged man approached.
“Your Highness. What an honor that you would grace us with your presence.”
Lucius Maren hailed from the annexed territories, yet through his grain trading enterprises, he’d amassed considerable wealth and wielded no small influence in the Capital.
He was also the master of this club that was hosting the gathering.
Carrion was pleased to see the right person at the right moment.
“Lord Maren. There’s such an air of refinement to this gathering. Tell me—is the Lord Chancellor expected to attend today?”
“Lord Chancellor Barel is expected to be here, from what I understand.”
Now possessed of a certain ease of mind, Carrion plucked a drink from a passing servant’s tray.
“But what brings you to seek out Lord Barel?”
“There’s a matter I need to confirm with the Lord Chancellor.”
“Some official business of his office, I presume? Regarding the betrothal, perhaps?”
“Something along those lines.”
Those nearby who’d caught wind of the exchange began to drift closer, their curiosity piqued.
“I understand it’s a betrothal overseen by Her Majesty the Empress. What an auspicious occasion for the Imperial Family.”
“Your Highness, when shall the betrothal ceremony take place? We should all like to bless the two of you on your glorious day.”
“The ceremony is set for a fortnight hence. However, it will be conducted without guests, so I must thank you for your kind sentiments alone.”
“Without guests? Why such haste?”
“I’ve made a rather pressing request of Her Majesty the Empress.”
“So Your Highness is pushing the matter forward with some urgency, I take it.”
“How enviable. When the blood runs hot, it burns brightest. I’ve heard the lady is quite beautiful.”
“What peculiar fortune led you to meet the Princess of Zephyros?”
Gossip was the province of men of a certain age, and these were no exception.
The moment Carrion released details of the ceremony, they descended upon him with questions.
“Fourth Prince!”
All eyes turned.
Enoch strode forward with such intensity that the gathered crowd instinctively gave way.
“It’s been a while, First Prince. This is our first encounter outside the Palace, or so it seems.”
Carrion offered a measured greeting, and Enoch managed to temper his agitation.
For a moment, he’d been seized by such fury that he’d nearly lost his composure entirely.
“I confess I’m unexpectedly pleased to see you in a place like this. Forgive me for interrupting—there’s something I need to discuss with you. Would you have a moment?”
“Of course.”
The two of them relocated to a quieter corner.
Though there was no one directly nearby, the setting remained quite open.
Enoch composed his features and lowered his voice.
“Fourth Prince. I hear the Ministry of Finance collectors sent to Hekethia are being detained under orders from the Commander-in-Chief. Care to enlighten me as to why?”
“Ah, that matter? I merely exercised Commander-in-Chief authority. It seems they so boldly mobilized troops in the Northeast without the Commander-in-Chief’s permission.”
When Carrion spoke the word “boldly,” Enoch’s brow twitched visibly.
“Moving the Imperial Army is a natural sequel to conducting state affairs. A commander focused solely on military matters will inevitably lack broad perspective. I’ll handle this matter quietly myself—see that you understand.”
“You’re just handling it on your own?”
Enoch exhaled a short, weary sigh.
“Taxes are like the blood that makes the Empire’s heart beat. Even a Commander-in-Chief can’t compel tax collectors—they answer to the Imperial Decree itself.”
Enoch let his gaze travel up and down Carrion’s frame, then lifted one corner of his mouth.
“Even if you stand outside central politics, you ought to know how the Empire works, Fourth Prince.”
“Don’t overstep your bounds.”
Enoch, who had been turning to leave, stopped short and turned his head.
Carrion tilted his head at an angle as he spoke.
“The Emperor remains in good health. Are you overreaching for his authority?”
Enoch’s eyes widened.
“Choose your words carefully. Are you trying to slander me with baseless accusations?”
“The tax collectors moved my troops without my permission, and I intend to hold them strictly accountable. Only His Imperial Majesty can give orders to the Commander-in-Chief. The First Prince is not my superior.”
Enoch’s brow twisted.
He clenched his teeth and spoke.
“I’m speaking of precedent.”
“Precedent cannot stand above the law.”
“Are you obstructing legitimate tax collection?”
“That’s not my concern. I’m only asking whom to hold accountable for moving troops, and to what extent.”
“Fourth Prince!”
“If my decision displeases you, there is always the option of seeking the Emperor’s wise judgment. Do as you see fit.”
Enoch, who had been glaring at Carrion, spoke coldly.
“Do you think the army can be maintained by turning your back on the Ministry of Finance? You’ll need to worry about feeding the soldiers in the garrisons first.”
“I have no intention of standing against the Ministry of Finance. All that was needed was for the tax collector to come to me first and ask permission. When I was in Hekethia, the troops the tax collector moved leveled swords at me. Should I have overlooked that graciously?”
……
Enoch found himself at a loss for words.
Inwardly, he cursed the tax collector.
‘Idiots. Not a single one doing their job properly.’
He couldn’t fathom why his subordinates had been performing so wretchedly of late.
It seemed he would need to carry out a thorough reshuffling.
He allowed his emotions to settle.
He had thought the Fourth Prince was being obstructive about his work and turning hostile toward him.
Now it seemed the problem stemmed from the frustration of a rigid, principled man.
“I clearly instructed them to obtain the Commander-in-Chief’s permission, but it appears the administrative officials made a serious blunder in their haste.”
In truth, Enoch had never issued any such instruction.
He smoothly shifted the blame onto his subordinates.
“I don’t think this matter needs to reach the Emperor’s ears.”
“I share that view. If His Majesty learned of such a dispute, what would he say?”
“That’s what I mean. Now that it’s come to this, let’s settle it amicably. Release the tax collectors.”
“Very well.”
At the prompt answer, Enoch looked at Carrion with surprise and gave a light laugh.
‘At least he’s not completely unreasonable.’
At the same time, he inwardly mocked Carrion’s naïveté.
Had it been himself, he would have demanded something in exchange.
Carrion watched Enoch turn and leave without even a parting bow, and scoffed softly to himself.
He would release the tax collectors.
Eventually.
‘I’ll release them’ was the answer he gave so that Enoch would refrain from taking direct action and simply wait.
Buying time was the objective.
One cannot afford to clash with the Ministry of Finance, which holds the purse strings.
He needed to make Enoch believe this matter persisted purely because the Commander-in-Chief was clinging to his pride.
If Enoch realized this was a stratagem to evade taxation in Hekethia this year, he would move heaven and earth to squeeze that province dry.
Carrion’s gaze, which had been scanning his surroundings absently, came to a halt.
Chamberlain Titus Barel was entering the room.
He quickened his pace.
* * *
Rhea was too absorbed to hear the knock.
She was in the midst of reading and memorizing the High Society Directory repeatedly.
It was a reference she had compiled herself based on what Veronica had taught her.
“Your Highness.”
She lifted her head upon hearing the cautious voice.
Penny stood there with a bright smile.
“The Prince has arrived. I’ll fix your hair quickly, come along now, Your Highness.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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