‘He’s good now.’
Hallis did not have his previous rude and proud attitude.
‘He changed after the war. In a good way, that is.’
Wars usually ended up damaging people who survived them. It was rare for anyone to have positive outcomes after experiencing war.
“Sir.”
The door opened and Jackson walked in with a very tired look on his face. Hallis fixed himself upright and saluted to Jackson, then he quickly ran out of the room. Joonbum just watched it all and grinned.
“Don’t scare him like that. He’s a cute boy.”
“Huh? What are you talking about, sir? Have you forgotten how rude he was on the first day? Was that cute? I would’ve crushed his sniveling mouth if I had the power to do it.”
Jackson grumbled in reply. Joonbum felt Jackson was serious about how he felt on the first day when they met Hallis.
‘But it’s peculiar.’
Joonbum asked himself why he was so fond of Hallis from the beginning. Even when Hallis was rude and all on his first day, Joonbum never disliked him.
“So, why are you here?”
Joonbum changed subjects as he felt awkward with Jackson staring at him.
“A letter was delivered from the king, sir.”
“Finally.”
Jackson nodded as Joonbum sighed.
“It really did come…”
“It was a matter of time, sir. We have done too many things.”
Joonbum smiled bitterly. Everything he had done before was now affecting him, changing his life entirely.
‘I hope I don’t become like those heroes from world-traveling novels,’ Joonbum thought to himself and scowled. Jackson misinterpreted Joonbum’s expression and asked in shock, “Do you hate it a lot, sir? I can’t understand you. Wasn’t all our work for the king after all?”
Jackson didn’t expect to hear an answer. He shook his head and continued on with the subject.
“I heard nobles from the king’s side are coming, sir.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, sir. But they will visit the count, not you. I’m sure what they are after, though.”
“Corn?”
Jackson nodded.
“Yes, sir. They will ask for the corn and the carriages.”
Jackson spoke grimly.
“I’m sure they will not act rashly in the beginning. They will start asking for small things that you and the countess possess but the demand will increase as time goes on. Sir, you must decide for yourself to protect what belongs to you. You must also remember that there are others who will come for the countess like those Barisman brothers. The empire also will not back off like this. There will be another war after the duke returns home. You must not believe any promises that the empire makes. Promises are for the strongest.”
“Hmm…”
Joonbum sighed. Everything changed so much after he and his mother’s belongings were known to the world.
‘I was dumb. I should’ve expected this.’
He knew the greed of humans was endless; it was very common knowledge on Earth. The people here were the same.
“How strong do I need to be?”
“To be free? To protect everything? You must become the emperor. Then everything will be yours.”
Jackson answered so frankly that Joonbum was dumbfounded. It was so unreal.
‘Emperor, huh?’
Joonbum smiled softly. It just sounded so unreal that he did not even consider it.
“Emperor, eh? Jackson, are you sure that will make me free?” Joonbum asked back.
‘He knows then.’
Jackson smiled bitterly at the thought.
“Emperor… I don’t think so, Jackson. Being an emperor is a very busy job. There will no freedom as I will be buried in all that workload. There will be no time. No time to be free.”
Joonbum then turned to look outside the window.
“I guess I will be happy for the good results of any decision I make, but I will also regret any bad decisions my entire life. Jackson, do you think I will be happy if I become an emperor?”
Jackson could not answer.
“I am sorry, sir. I have been too greedy. It is as you say. You will have no time for yourself anymore, but you will acquire more. All the lands and everything in it will be yours. The seas and anything inside will be yours. All of the treasures of the world and all the beautiful women will be yours.”
Jackson continued for a while and stopped to take a breath. He then bowed deeply towards Joonbum.
“If you become the owner of the world… I’m not sure if you will be happy, but you will have the power to protect what is yours.”
“Is that so? To protect… everything…”
Joonbum fell silent. Jackson stayed for a while before he stood up and walked out of the room. It was time to give him some space.
‘It’s time. It’s the start of the bigger picture.’
Jackson’s eye gleamed ambitiously. Joonbum did not respond to his proposal, but he was sure that Joonbum would act as soon as he understood what he just said. All Jackson needed to do afterward was to help Joonbum carry out his work.
‘I need more people….’
Jackson began pondering and soon came to an answer.
“OH! I forgot about that. Good, that will do since I will have all those nobles…”
Jackson laughed out loud, not paying attention to anyone who watched his irregular behavior.
*
“Is the food ready?”
Hessrah, the head of the maids, bowed at the countess’ question.
“It’s almost done, ma’am.”
“Good. I was worried that we might not make it in time. So, what do you think? Will this do?”
Hessrah looked confused, the countess was always so charming and beautiful. Her hair was always sleek and her black eyes shone brightly like black pearls. But she worked all day out in the fields like a farmer and in the kitchen like a commoner. However, it did not affect her smooth white skin. She especially loved sharing her self-cooked food with her husband and son. It was because of her that the three of them quickly became like a real family.
‘She is just amazing.’
There was more. She was not just beautiful in appearance. Just like her nickname, Goddess of Mercy, she was very generous and sympathetic to all. It was her dedication that saved hundreds from despair. Her love toward kids even made the count jealous.
‘And to think she’s the best cook the world has ever seen.’
Hessrah thought of the countess’ various recipes. She knew so many never-seen-before recipes that no one else in the kingdom knew. They were all so beautiful and tasty. Hessrah turned to a table at the side. There was various food in different, vibrant colors.
‘Magical food that just melts in the mouth…’
The desserts that the countess prepared were more like art than food. What was most amazing was the ice cream; it was loved by people of all ages.
“I think we’ve done our best in the given amount of time. We will prepare better next time.”
Hessrah shook her head as she listened to Sunsook’s regretful words.
“Ma’am, do you not like what we have made?”
“Hessrah, isn’t it lacking?”
“Lacking? No, ma’am. No noble or even the emperor would be treated on such a scale. All they give out is a lukewarm piece of meat, bread, and some liquor. I think we have done more than enough. And they are being served food that was cooked by you! It is much more than what they deserve.”
“You think too highly of me, Hessrah. But I welcome compliments, so thank you.”
“Sure, ma’am. We should prepare then.”
Hessrah quickly changed her behavior to a more formal one and Sunsook nodded. At the signal from Hessrah, maids flocked to Sunsook, changing her clothes and hair to welcome the incoming visitors.
