Evelina paused, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. With the tragedies that befell, Ace was probably afraid of more troubles. But people had a way of dramatizing things.
"The Emperor is a man of the past, Evelina," Not getting a response, Empress Aelia spoke began, her back to the room, "He sees your machines and fears the end of his divine right. But I see them and I see the beginning of an era. An era where Aurelia, as an Empire isn’t just a collection of starving provinces, but a powerhouse that can take over the entire continent."
She turned around, her expression grave, "The rchant’s Guild is terrified of you. The Inquisition is humiliated. You have successfully decapitated the old power structures. But the more you offend such people, the more enemies you gather in the dark. And without protection, you will be no less than an ant that can be crushed anyti. You need a title that matches your influence."
Aelia stepped closer, her eyes locking onto Evelina’s, "I have discussed this with the Emperor. We wish to bestow upon you the title of Grand Duchess of the Empire. You would be the first in three hundred years to have this title. You would have a seat on the High Council, second only to the throne itself."
Evelina’s [rchant’s Eye] didn’t even need to be triggered to see the trap.
"And there would be a parade in the public to establish the prestige you hold," the Empress promised, "A week-long celebration in the Capital. You will ride in a golden carriage. The people will worship you as the bringer of water. You will be the face of the new Empire."
It was the ultimate offer to get Evelina total social validation. A rank that would make her untouchable by any noble in the land. The woman who was once called the ’pauper duchess’ would beco the most powerful woman in history.
The System that had been laying low imdiately shot to action, bursting a series of notifications through the screen.
[Target: Empress Aelia]
[Intent: Dosticate the Host. By giving a title, the Crown owns the achievent.]
[Hidden Variable: A ’Grand Duchess’ is legally bound to turn over all strategic inventions to the Imperial Treasury.]
The Empress watched Evelina, waiting for the expected gasp of gratitude.
"A Grand Duchess," Evelina repeated slowly, "And a parade to tell everyone that I am a loyal servant of the Crown."
"Exactly," The Empress smiled warmly. It was obvious that she did have a decent impression of Evelina from the previous encounter at the Midsumr’s Tea.
But despite everything a person was, they would still be painted in the color of the crown when they were involved in court politics.
"You’ve worked so hard, Evelina. It’s ti you were rewarded for your labor. Let us carry the burden of the patents and the administration for you. You can focus on your future with your husband"
Evelina thought of the hours spent in the mud with Ace. She thought of Victor Thorne’s tears in the cell. She thought of the 15% royalty she had just carved out of the Guild’s throat.
If she accepted the title, she would be an employee. A high-ranking one, but an employee nonetheless.
"The parade sounds lovely," Evelina said, her voice soft, "The people would certainly enjoy the show. And the title of Grand Duchess would look very impressive as well."
"Then it is settled?" Aelia asked, reaching for a ceremonial scroll on the side table.
Evelina looked the Empress in the eye. Her expression didn’t waver in the slightest as she opened her mouth.
"No, thank you," Evelina said.
A silence ensued in the place.
The Empress froze, her hand halfway to the scroll. She blinked, as if she had misheard the words.
"What did you say?" Aelia’svoice had lost its velvet warmth.
"I said no," Evelina replied calmly, "I don’t want the title, and I certainly don’t want the parade. I’m quite happy being exactly what I am."
Evelina stood her guard while the the Empress who had always been deed as an invincible person, witnessed such an audacity for the first ti in her life.
[Global Influence: 50% (The Crown is now officially wary)]
[Bonus: 100 Gold]
[Current Gold: 7,550 Gold]
The silence in the place was so thick you could have cut it with one of Ace’s swords.
Empress Aelia stood frozen, the purple vellum of the royal summons still clutched in her hand.
In the history of the Empire, no one... not a Duke, not a General, and certainly not a woman... had ever turned down a Grand Ducal title.
This was the first ti.
"You are refusing?" Aelia’s voice was dangerously low, "You realize that refusing the Crown’s generosity is often seen as an act of quiet rebellion, Duchess?"
Evelina took a slow sip of her tea, the steam curling around her face like a veil.
"Public praise creates targets, Your Majesty," Evelina said in a gentle voice, "A Grand Duchess is a monunt. And monunts are only useful for pigeons to sit on and for enemies to topple. I have no interest in being a statue in a park."
She stood up and walked toward the window, looking out at the shimring mist of the distant pumps, "If I am the Grand Duchess, then every failure of the state becos my fault. Every thirsty mouth becos my responsibility. But as a re businesswoman... I am simply a woman providing a service. How can I manage such huge responsibilities?"
The Empress stared at her. She looked at the way Evelina’s simple dress moved, the lack of heavy jewelry, and the way she spoke of service made her pause.
To Aelia, who had spent her entire life clawing for every inch of status and watching others do the sa, this was a revelation.
She saw a woman who was so high-minded, so devoted to the work itself, that she considered worldly titles to be beneath her.
"You... you truly don’t care for the glory?" Empress Aelia whispered, her eyes softening with a sudden respect, "You brought water to a dying world, and you want to remain in the shadows so the work remains pure?"
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