To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 4

“The children of Count Parden must be very busy. They’re already leaving”

At someone’s comment, the people gathered turned their heads toward the entrance of the hall. A woman in a sky-blue dress was stepping out with a man who had black hair.

“She held her head high when she came in, and now she leaves the same way. How rude… she didn’t even bother to greet anyone.”

“What can we do? No matter how impressive they are now, they were commoners just a hundred years ago. Manners and dignity are still far from them.”

As soon as the two disappeared, the voices grew louder. The sarcasm was obvious, but most of the group laughed in agreement.

“No matter how rich you are, you can’t buy the class that’s passed down from your ancestors.”

“Exactly right. Haha.”

“In the past, they wouldn’t have even been allowed to stand on the same land as us. The world is in chaos, that’s the only reason. Tsk.”

As the conversation crossed the line, a few people in the hall frowned and glanced at the group. Still, while some were clearly uncomfortable, no one stepped forward to stop them.

The people mocking the ones who had left were the central figures of today’s party. Led by Duke Levantus, they were a core part of the capital’s noble society and came from old, central aristocratic families. They were often referred to as the “Old Nobles.”

Even though they had estates in the countryside, the Old Nobles had lived in the imperial capital for generations and held onto power. They feared no one but the emperor and the imperial family. But in recent decades, a new power had begun to challenge their position new nobles who, despite their short history, had great wealth. These were known as the “New Nobles.”

“What can we do? That’s just how the law is. I respected the late Emperor Nicholas I very much, but on this matter…”

“Ahem! Be careful. He was still the previous emperor. If someone else hears this, it could cause serious trouble.”

The rise of the New Nobles began during the reign of Nicholas I, about a hundred years ago. At the time, the empire was focused on trade, and the emperor actively used trade to strengthen both domestic and foreign affairs.

“Merchants who take great risks are the front-line soldiers of invisible wars. I shall reward them accordingly.”

Nicholas I praised merchants and landless nobles who had achieved great success in trade, calling them the ones who filled the empire’s treasury. He granted them noble titles and ranks. It was a shocking move no one, not even the awardees, had expected it.

Though few were actually recognized by the emperor, this bold action had a huge impact. Ambitious merchants poured themselves into trade. Many failed, but some achieved great success and transformed their lives.

“This cloth comes from across the sea, from Lufchen. Such a deep blue is rare! Just wearing it makes a person shine brighter.”

“This is the horn of a Sidiu beast, from the desert lands. Grind it into powder and it cures coughs”

As commerce flourished, the empire became wealthier. The people were satisfied with their better lives, and the royal family’s popularity grew.

“What is this? This shakes the very foundation of the empire!”

“At this rate, street merchants will be sitting above our heads!”

But not everyone welcomed Nicholas I’s policy. The nobles who had been born into privilege especially the Old Nobles fiercely opposed it. They couldn’t accept that lowly commoners or landless nobles could now, at least legally, hold the same status as themselves.

“Your Majesty, please reconsider your decision.”

“Duke, I don’t see what the problem is.”

“People are born into their proper status. No matter how great their achievements, that doesn’t change.”

“If that’s true, isn’t it a problem for you? Long ago, the ancestors of your family were mere leather workers who served alongside the first emperor. It’s written in history. Surely you haven’t forgotten.”

“Your Majesty!”

Despite strong opposition from the Old Nobles, Nicholas I stood firm in his decisions. When the emperor showed no signs of backing down, the Old Nobles began to express their discontent through actions. Over half of them stopped attending court meetings, and on the same day as imperial banquets, Duke Levantus would hold his own gatherings, increasing tensions.

Meanwhile, Nicholas I quietly grew his base. He gathered the merchants he had granted titles, regional nobles who had been oppressed by the Old Nobles, and smart, young nobles without rank. As the term “New Nobles” began to circulate, an incident occurred.

“There’s trouble! A ship that left from Haran sank right after leaving imperial waters. The attacker was…”

A ship from the bustling port city of Haran was attacked and sank just outside imperial waters. It was broad daylight, and many trade ships were nearby dozens of witnesses. People were surprised, but not shocked.

“Oh, come on. It’s obvious. It must’ve been Count Logue again. He’s always been hot-headed. Tsk.”

Such things were not uncommon at the time. Some radical Old Nobles expressed their dissatisfaction with the emperor by attacking trade ships. Since they secretly hired mercenaries and usually targeted small, new merchants, the incidents were often dismissed as pirate attacks.

Even with the emperor’s support, it was difficult for an ordinary merchant to sue a powerful noble. So the incidents ended just as the attackers intended. But this time, the sunken ship had a special passenger.

“Count Logue may be reckless, but at least someone like him stands against injustice. The world needs people like that.”

“This isn’t about that! The third prince was on that ship!”

“What?!”

Prince Cassius, the emperor’s third son, had been aboard. His body was never found. Enraged by his son’s death, the emperor launched a full investigation.

“Do you admit your crimes, Count Logue? You’ve caused the deaths of dozens like this!”

“Y-Your Majesty… no! I… I didn’t…”

In less than a month, Count Logue an important Old Noble was found guilty. It was too easy. Everything fit too perfectly. The Old Nobles began to sense something was wrong, but none dared protest the death of a prince.

“Why was the third prince even on that ship?”

“The emperor ordered it. To learn about trade firsthand…”

“That small trading company? That’s strange. And didn’t the emperor hardly acknowledge the prince? Why did the empress give birth after just seven months…”

“Shh! Are you trying to get yourself executed? Watch your tongue!”

The emperor seemed ready to draw his sword during court meetings. Count Logue was sentenced to death, and his entire family either beheaded or enslaved.

After Count Logue’s death, the Old Nobles laid low. The New Nobles took the opportunity to rise. Wealthy and backed by the emperor, they gained power quickly and became a strong presence in imperial society.

“Well, it seems the duke was right about that matter.”

“Y-Your Majesty…”

Once the New Nobles had stabilized their position, Nicholas I stopped favoring them. Sometimes, he even supported the Old Nobles.

Eventually, the emperor sat on his throne, tapping the armrest, watching the nobles argue. His lazy yawns were clear signs of victory.

“The side supported by the emperor always wins. What are we, pieces on a chessboard?”

With both noble factions competing, the imperial family became the true rulers of the empire. Their children received more honor than ever before.

Even after Nicholas I’s death, the royal family kept control over the noble disputes. Though everyone knew the royal family’s strategy, the Old Nobles lacked the grace to compromise, and the New Nobles lacked the roots to relax.

“Those vulgar people with no class or origin.”

“Leeches who live off inherited blood.”

The two groups were always attacking each other. No one knew what the future would bring, but for now, this was the reality.

“Well… we can’t really blame the late emperor. He only rewarded people with generosity. The real problem is those who take that generosity and flaunt it with arrogance.”

“Exactly. If you’re given such a high reward, you should act with humility not show off your money like that.”

The Old Nobles at the charity party were mocking Aisha and Daniel as part of a power struggle. The siblings were the children of Count Parden, a leading New Noble. To the Old Nobles, they were enemies. Count Parden had also just embarrassed them.

In truth, this charity event to build an orphanage had more attendees from the Old Nobles. The New Nobles were still few in number, and Duke Levantus had ordered his people to participate actively to show their dominance.

“What else can they do but flaunt their wealth? They have nothing else.”

“Haha. Exactly. Without money, they’re nothing.”

But Count Parden made a huge donation, ruining the Old Nobles’ plans. Though the total amount was higher on their side, the recognition for greatest contribution went to Count Parden, a New Noble. Deeply offended, the Old Nobles now glared at his family with fiery eyes.

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