Chapter 21: The Emperor
The Imperial Palace garden was originally built and maintained for the royal family’s leisure and strolls.
Naturally, it was far from ideal as a place to discuss state affairs or make decisions on important policies.
“Your Majesty. To discuss the merit awards... in a place like this in the Imperial Palace is rather improper...”
“It’s noisy inside. But so what?”
However, with just that one sentence from the Emperor—lounging under a parasol on a dazzling golden throne, a languid expression on her face—the issue became nothing more than a trivial matter.
“Look at your faces. Every one of you is pale, aren’t you?”
“......”
“That’s because you’re always holed up in that dreary palace, never seeing sunlight. Sometimes, you need a day like this.”
Of course, the reason the gathered ministers all looked deathly pale was not the lack of sun—but rather the shocking appearance of the Emperor, who until a few days ago was rumored to be on her deathbed.
Regardless, in the Empire, what happened on any given day was law. So the most powerful of ministers could do nothing but sit under the sun like they were on a picnic, carefully watching her mood.
“But still, don’t you think it’s time you lifted your head?”
“...Haha.”