"I'm surprised as well."
"Though, when you think about it, it might actually make sense."
"Make sense?"
I turned my gaze toward Zoe, who seemed entirely satisfied with her own conclusion.
She gave a quiet nod and answered.
"You always say that people are treasures, Master."
"Yeah."
"And speaking of treasures, a child is an even greater one."
"...I see."
I chuckled.
I doubted that was truly the mechanical reason behind it, but Zoe's explanation did feel fitting.
People are treasures, and people are potential.
Both applied perfectly to one's own child.
"Good thinking. Here."
I took a 100-Rien coin from my pocket and tossed it to Zoe.
Leaving behind Zoe, who hurriedly caught it and bowed, I turned toward Audrey.
"Audrey. From now until you recover after giving birth, you don't need to do any serving or household chores."
"Understood. Thank you very much. Also..."
"Hm?"
"Word has arrived that Anya will be here shortly."
"...Is that so?"
I smiled wryly.
That was slightly earlier than planned.
It was immediately obvious that they had moved up her arrival after learning Audrey was pregnant.
It was a delicate matter unique to the nobility—and especially the imperial family.
When dealing with royalty, no one would dare say it aloud, but the lingering fear that the man might be infertile was always a concern.
However, Audrey had successfully conceived, proving my virility.
Now they could send Audrey's younger sister here with complete peace of mind.
"I suppose I'll have to bestow a treasure upon your sister as well."
"Thank you very much!"
Audrey beamed, nodding with utter delight.
☆
The following day, I gathered all the household servants and subordinates in the garden.
Maids, eunuchs, and retainers like Don.
I rounded up every person I could possibly muster.
Perhaps unable to fathom the reason for the sudden summons, about half of them wore anxious expressions, and an uneasy murmur rippled through the garden.
That tension lasted only until I appeared.
The moment I stepped out before the assembly and took my place to address them, the murmuring ceased, and every eye fixed on me.
"As most of you likely know by now, my legal wife, Audrey, is carrying our first child. It is a momentous occasion."
"......"
"It's the perfect opportunity, so I've decided to hand out bonuses to reward all of you for your hard work."
At my signal, servants began carrying out heavy boxes from the mansion one after another.
Inside was the one hundred thousand Rien I had received from Byron not long ago.
When the lids were opened, the crowd began to buzz with excitement.
"I will be distributing this among you. I had Zoe evaluate everyone, dividing you into three ranks—A, B, and C—based on your service so far. Rank A receives 300 Rien, Rank B receives 200 Rien, and Rank C receives 100 Rien."
"OOOOOOHHH!!"
In an instant, every ounce of anxiety vanished into thin air.
A massive cheer erupted, loud enough to carry for hundreds of meters.
And with good reason.
An adult man typically earned about 10 Rien a month.
Even the lowest, Rank C, was equivalent to a year's wages, while the highest, Rank A, amounted to a staggering two and a half years of pay.
Seeing that they understood the weight of the reward, I decided to drive the point home.
"Beyond Rank A, two individuals will receive special bonuses. The first is Evelyn. As you all know, she used to be a maid in my mansion, but seeing her potential, I recommended her to become a magistrate. And she has performed exceptionally well at her post."
Pausing for a single breath, I continued.
"The territory Evelyn governs has become so peaceful that people don't even need to lock their doors at night. Because of her success, the phrase 'Wise Appointment' was coined, meaning that any magistrate I appoint is a capable one. To Evelyn, I grant ten thousand Rien."
"Ooh..."
Envy shone in most of their eyes, though some stared as if hearing about events in a distant, unreachable world.
Ten thousand Rien was a sum most people wouldn't earn in an entire lifetime.
To them, it felt like an unattainable fantasy.
Becoming a magistrate was simply too far removed from their reality.
Just as I expected.
"And one more person—Gran, step forward."
"Huh? Y-Yes!"
Startled by the sudden mention of her name, the young eunuch stepped forward nervously.
"I hear that ever since that day, you've kept track of the land prices around the mansion and memorized every single one."
"Y-Yes! It was in case you ever needed the information, Your Highness!"
"Well done. You remembered what your master wished to accomplish and took the initiative. You acted on your own accord, not because you were ordered to. To you, I grant 1,000 Rien."
"OOOOOOOOOHHH!!"
The loudest roar of the day shook the grounds.
While they couldn't relate to governing a territory for ten thousand Rien, earning a thousand Rien simply by anticipating my needs and remembering what I wanted was well within their grasp.
The garden erupted in deafening cheers, and their eyes took on the sharp, hungry gleam of people who had found a tangible goal to strive for.
"That is all. Devote yourselves to me, and as long as you work faithfully for my sake, I will never treat you poorly."
"Long live His Imperial Highness the Thirteenth Imperial Prince! Long live Lord Noah!!"
Their triumphant shouts echoed endlessly through the air.
――――――――――――
Name: Noah Ararat
Imperial Prince Minister of Justice
Gender: Male
Level: 15 + 1 / ∞
HP: C + D Fire: E + A
MP: E + D Water: C + S
Strength: C + A Wind: E + F
Stamina: D + D Earth: E + D
Intelligence: D + D Light: E + C
Spirit: E + D Dark: E + C
Agility: E + D
Dexterity: E + D
Luck: E + D
―――――――――――
The "+" modifier on my Agility had risen by one rank.
☆
Once the assembly ended, I returned to my study in the outer court.
The moment Don—whom I had brought along to discuss private matters—stepped into the room, he spoke with palpable admiration.
"That was magnificent, Your Highness."
"Hm?"
"The look in everyone's eyes changed entirely. They were looking at Gran with particular envy."
"Did it look that way to you as well?"
"If you say so, then it went precisely according to your design. Truly remarkable."
"I intend to do this periodically."
"Are you considering punishments as well?"
"Oh, I've thought about it."
I gave a thin smile.
"Ideally, it would have been best to sentence a dormant traitor under internal house law immediately after the rewards. Creating that sharp contrast right then would have been perfect... but unfortunately, we have no traitors."
"You had already thought that far ahead? Truly magnificent."
"More importantly, there is a task I need you to handle."
"Yes, whatever you command."
Perhaps because he had received 300 Rien for Rank A, Don seemed noticeably more energetic than usual.
"I've decided to send Almeria's surplus food supplies north."
"Our grain, Your Highness?"
I nodded and explained the situation regarding Russi Tsari to him.
Though surprised at first, Don gradually nodded with clear understanding as he listened.
"I understand the circumstances completely. However, if we dispatch those reserves, what happens if a natural disaster strikes Almeria and causes a famine...?"
"That is precisely why I summoned you. Have you heard of a place called Dosso?"
"If I recall correctly... that was the land flooded in the past, which Your Highness purchased in its entirety."
"Yeah. It's been left alone since then, but floodwaters always deposit rich, fertile soil."
"...I see!"
"Exactly. We're going to reclaim that land. It's untouched and brimming with fertile soil. If we develop it on a large scale, Almeria's total harvest should increase by ten percent."
"Brilliant! In that case, we will have nothing to fear."
"I want you to oversee it. It's a massive undertaking. Will you take the post?"
"Are you certain I am suited for this?"
"I was debating it until a moment ago, but our conversation just now settled it."
"...?"
Don gave me a puzzled look, clearly wondering what I meant.
"I am funding this reclamation entirely out of my own pocket. Someone like you, who immediately suggested 'making an example of someone' after an event like that, isn't the type to embezzle funds."
"However, there is always the possibility of failure."
"I don't mind failure."
"Pardon?"
Don stared at me, thoroughly taken aback.
"People make mistakes. So long as it's a failure born from acting on your loyalty to me, I have no intention of reproaching you, no matter what happens."
"............"
"What's the matter? Why the strange look?"
"No... I was simply overwhelmed by the good fortune of serving such an incredible master."
True to his words, Don wore an expression brimming with deep emotion.