Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 467: Office Day

Although she didn’t know what kind of attire the Empire’s new monarch truly desired, even the Regent had to be kept in the dark, the royal dressmakers naturally understood what matters concerning them, and which questions they ought not to ask.

Even if the Empress wished to free herself from the Regent’s influence ahead of time, that was an affair between them. As servants, they merely needed to fulfill their duties properly.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Hearing the attendants’ respectful reply, Amalia continued walking forward expressionlessly. Her pure black glossy leather shoes tapped crisply and rhythmically against the brownish-gray porcelain floor tiles of the tailor’s workshop, sounding like a clear, melodious tune to the ears.

Running her fingers over the textures of various fabrics on the racks, Amalia circled the room and returned to stop before the third piece of silk, then spoke coldly.

"The lining will use this material."

Her fingertips gently caressed the delicate, paper-thin milky-white silk, which delivered a soft, smooth sensation against the skin, the perfect choice.

The maid nodded in understanding, once again confirmed she had heard, then watched as the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Empress left the workshop, walking alone into the dazzling sunlight.

"Did you all hear? Follow the Empress’ orders and prepare more raw materials as backup first..."

Hearing a low female voice echo inside the chamber, Amalia paid no further attention. She casually adjusted her skirt, feeling the scorching afternoon sunlight fall upon her head. A sudden flash of a slightly embarrassing thought in her mind made the young girl’s heart stir even more intensely.

Maybe... My sister would like it...

Returning to the palace, noting that lunch break had already passed, Amalia instantly shifted from a relaxed, leisurely mood into the Empress’s governing state. In her office, she briefly scanned through a supply report. After waiting a few minutes, the four cabinet ministers took their seats one by one, beginning today’s afternoon political meeting, less formal than the regular weekly conference.

"The new Empress’ series of benevolent acts to move the people have deeply touched the capital’s citizens. Just on my way here to the palace, I heard numerous commoners who’d received grain and ale singing praises of Her Majesty, calling the new Empress a truly virtuous ruler."

Chancellor Edmund, who had demonstrated his diplomatic skill and outstanding talent since the beginning of Hibbort’s reign, showed not the slightest arrogance expected of a trusted guardian minister. Facing the newly ascended Empress, he continued to display the utmost respect due from a subject to his sovereign.

Hearing Edmund’s flattering words, Amalia merely gave a slight nod, her tone calm.

"A new Empress’s ascension should allow the common people to experience the vast benevolence of the throne."

Opening the granaries to distribute grain and ale used tax revenues stored in the national treasury, essentially taking from the people and giving back to them. Besides, since these supplies were nominally the Empress’s private reserves, it was most appropriate for her to handle the distribution.

Hibbort had once tested her on a similar topic, asking: if a new Empress, upon ascending, used tax exemptions for the next two years as a method to win public support, what drawbacks would that entail?

Amalia’s answer was: under the current political system of the Valeria Empire, reducing taxes paid to the Empress did not mean that the noble dukes managing the lands would reduce agricultural taxes on each peasant.

This would only grant nobles more room to manipulate their profits. The peasants’ harvests wouldn’t change due to the Empress’s kindness. On the other hand, if laws were fundamentally enacted to specifically reduce peasant taxes, it would harm the interests of a large number of nobles, an approach that would bring millions of harms and no benefits to a newly ascended Empress.

Moreover, the Empire was currently at war. It would be better to first collect taxes, then consider redistribution based on actual circumstances. If the Empire’s military situation became too tense and required a well-filled treasury as support, later imposing heavy taxes after previously promised relief would easily damage the royal family’s credibility, causing both nobles and commoners to grow disloyal and estranged from the Empire.

Judging from the well-stocked treasury Hibbort left behind, it was clear he had approved of her answer and had prepared comprehensive support for Amalia’s ascension.

Having spoken, Amalia’s authoritative gaze swept across the other three ministers. She didn’t linger on the face of Minister of Internal Affairs Gregor, who had once obstructed Charlotte’s magical devices reform, merely giving him a perfunctory glance.

Since she had decided to retain Hibbort’s existing cabinet, Amalia saw no need to dwell on these officials’ past thoughts or actions. As long as they could guarantee loyalty to the Valeria Imperial family and the new Empress, whether their personal ideologies leaned toward reform or conservatism was irrelevant.

If absolutely necessary, she could later cultivate her own private cabinet, find a new Minister of Internal Affairs, and then simply replace him.

"This morning, I’ve already received the reports about the border situation."

Amalia sat upright at her desk, hands folded beneath her chin, her voice low.

"The specific situation is relatively optimistic. The magical canon has successfully repelled the first wave of invasion by the Church Knights. Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Velys’s forces seem to lack the capability to cross the frontline and sever our supply lines."

So much so that the transport magic flying barges they had prepared in advance hadn’t even had a chance to debut.

"Overall, the magical devices have effectively compensated for the disadvantages of border soldiers’ individual combat strength, or rather, their significant inferiority compared to soldiers from the Kingdom of Velys."

The white-dressed blonde Empress’s gaze was serious, two delicate, smooth white-stockinged legs elegantly crossed beneath the desk. Although her slender, petite frame was hidden within the fabric of her dress, it could not hide the regal aura emanating from her eyes and words.

Finance Minister Florence nodded upon hearing this, seeming to have something to say. Noticing this, Amalia gave an almost imperceptible nod, then gently rested her slender white wrist, emerging from the flared white silk sleeve, against her cheek.

"Your Majesty, thanks to the promoted Rice Law in recent years, the grain and military supplies being transported to the northern border have not experienced widespread shortages. However, various magical devices are already showing their drawbacks. For long-term planning, we need more crystals of various attributes, as well as increased production lines for magical devices."

"Previously, the emergency border stemmed largely from magical devices depleting too quickly, outpacing manufacturing speed. The magical crystals used as power sources have become an unfathomable gap in supply."

"Not only have they consumed a massive amount of magical crystal reserves from the treasury, but the most serious issue lies in limited subsequent production. Merely hunting these magical beasts requires us to dispatch many additional personnel."

As the Empire’s financial officer, Florence cares only about fiscal expenditures each day. An expert in this field, he understood economics far better than the newly ascended Empress Amalia, who needed to manage every aspect, and thus had a clearer grasp of the potential fiscal gaps the Empire might face in the future.

Amalia listened quietly until Florence finished presenting his financial report and war projections, then gave a subtle glance, signaling it was her turn to speak.

"Mr. Florence’s concerns are also mine. Long before my ascension, I discussed how to handle these issues with the previous Valeria Emperor, as well as the current Regent."

"In truth, we’ve always faced only one core problem: the obvious disparity in strength between the two nations’ populations, leading to the Kingdom of Velys’s comprehensive national power trending toward surpassing that of the Valeria Empire."

Amalia herself felt this statement was overly conservative. If not for the emergence of magical devices, the Kingdom of Velys would likely have already broken through deep into the Empire’s heartland.

"The soldiers need magical devices to defend the city. Magical devices need craftsmen to build. Craftsmen need magical crystals as raw materials. Obtaining magical crystals requires hunting, which in turn requires dedicated hunting units."

"What we lack is people, specifically, enough people to support all these endeavors."

...............

After exchanging political views with the four Empire ministers, once the private political meeting concluded, Amalia sat at her desk, gently massaging her temples.

On her very first day in office, she already felt mountains of pressure and problems weighing heavily upon her.

Undeniably, the Valeria Empire’s political system was key to its longevity. Yet such purely aristocratic rule also planted hidden weaknesses deep within the people’s bones, creating endless future troubles.

Another crucial point was the extreme concentration of ruling power, nearly all handed directly to the Empress. This meant the actual ruler had to confront every major and minor lingering issue accumulated since the Empire’s founding.

Every thought, every decision, every move she placed on the chessboard had to be considered with utmost caution. A single offhand remark from her could affect tens of thousands of lives.

Back during her probationary period, Hibbort had been there to support her. This highly experienced old Emperor could promptly point out mistakes and prevent major issues, providing a protective cushion that allows Amalia to relatively confidently demonstrate her abilities and express her political views.

Now, it was different. Every step forward represents the unknown. Simply walking requires immense mental effort.

Those who wish to wear the crown must bear its weight.

At this moment, Amalia understood more profoundly than ever the immense energy, time, and pressure Hibbort had endured in this position.

No wonder history recorded more incompetent rulers than wise ones. Valeria’s flaws were exactly like this. If someone like Lucas, a complete scoundrel, ascended the throne, he’d probably spend each day only thinking about how to enjoy the conveniences of power and indulge with beauty, because that path truly was effortless.

Closing her eyes, Amalia heard soft approaching, accompanied by the delicate clink of porcelain. The maid responsible for serving the Empress placed down the prepared milk tea, then spoke.

"Your Majesty, the Regent has returned."

Hearing this, Amalia immediately opened her eyes. Mindful of her current imperial status, the urgent tone that had nearly escaped her lips became calm and detached.

"Is she resting in her chambers, or occupied with other matters?" Amalia asked.

The maid replied gently, "Reporting to Your Majesty, after the Regent returned and heard you were discussing state affairs with ministers in the Office Hall, she went to sit in the adjacent room, saying she would wait until Your Majesty finished before requesting an audience."

"Does Your Majesty need me to summon her..."

Before she could finish, the maid saw the Empire’s Empress rise from her seat, slender legs stepping swiftly toward the outside, showing none of the fatigue from her earlier rest.

"No need."

Hearing Amalia dismissed her with these words, the maid glanced sideways at the newly brewed, still-steaming milk tea on the table. She silently picked it up with the tray, unable to help but marvel at how close the Empress and the Regent were.

In the past, when the Valeria Emperor discussed matters with a Prince, he would issue an imperial summons for the Prince to attend. Never had an Emperor personally gone to see a Prince.

It seemed Empress Amalia truly adored Princess Astrid.

Arriving before the room where Astrid was drinking tea, Amalia habitually knocked on the door, only entering after hearing Elise’s voice.

Warm sunlight bathed the cold, black-dressed, red-eyed princess, making her bright silver hair shimmer brilliantly. The night-sky-colored silk dress perfectly outlines the woman’s alluring figure, revealing only a small section of soft thigh covered in black stockings, glowing with a tender, seductive luster in the light.

Seeing Amalia enter, Astrid set down her half-finished tea, the corners of her lips lifting slightly.

"How did the talk with the ministers go?"

Seeing the blonde girl quickly approach her, Elise discreetly locked the door, preventing anyone from entering.

"Fine, everything went smoothly."

Her arms slipped around Astrid’s waist, gently embracing the silver-haired beauty seated before her. After replenishing her daily dose of Astrid energy by leaning on her shoulder, Amalia sat down on the nearby seat, lightly kicking off her little leather shoes and draping her two delicate, white-stockinged legs onto Astrid’s knees. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Since the entire palace belongs to her now, there was no need to overly concern herself with other rules.

Seeing the honeysuckle trim decorating her skirt gently pressed inward by a pair of delicate white-stockinged feet, Astrid naturally placed her hand on the new Empress’s leg, applying slight pressure as she massaged.

"And you, Sister? Did anything happen at Academy Head Anthony’s place?" Amalia asked.

If it were only about matters concerning Hibbort’s funeral, it shouldn’t have taken this long.

Facing Amalia’s inquiry, Astrid naturally saw no need to hide anything from her.

"Besides the late Emperor’s posthumous affairs, we also discussed some ideas regarding the future development of Elizabeth Academy of Magic."

"The reform of magical devices is extremely important for the Empire, but currently lacks a suitable entry point."

Amalia blinked upon hearing this, then softly spoke.

"Is it related to the subject of magical devices...?"

"Mm, as expected of Amalia. You figured it out immediately."

Astrid looked at her own hand resting on Amalia’s leg, her slender, fair fingers pressing against the leg muscle wrapped in white stockings, as if touching a soft, sweet cream cake.

"My idea is to have Elizabeth Academy of Magic significantly increase faculty investment in magical devices and its subordinate branches, and to raise the subject’s academic weighting slightly."

"In my view, this reform carries profound significance, especially since the Empire currently has too few craftsmen knowledgeable in magic circle carving and urgently needs rapid replenishment."

"It’s perfectly suited to be the first step of boiling a frog in warm water..."