Forget My Husband, I’ll Go Make Money - Chapter 399

* * *

The noble attendees of the Grand Banquet looked around the banquet hall, their eyes filled with surprise.

“Wow. I can’t even stop myself from expressing my admiration. This is so beautiful.”

“I heard this Grand Banquet was organized by Her Highness, Grand Princess Yenikarina?”

“To be frank, I was a little worried when I heard that… after all, the Grand Princess is, well, more glamorous than dignified.”

“But unexpecting, it’s quite…”

“Surprising, isn’t it?”

“I think I might consult her for my next party.”

People looked around the banquet hall in awe.

Right at that moment.

“Announcing the arrival of Her Majesty, Emperor Aristine, His Majesty, Emperor Tarkan, and His Highness, Prince Actsion!”

At the proclamation of the herald, the nobles bowed in unison.

Aristine stepped into the banquet hall.

Unlike Tarkan, who was standing next to her as her escort, Prince Actsion stood a half-step ahead.

It was against etiquette for a prince to walk ahead of the emperor.

However, the child who was taking tiny steps in front, looked as if he was guarding Aristine, appearing quite cautious.

His chubby face was filled with a sense of pride that could not be hidden.

Even as they were bowed, the nobles could see his behavior and that caused them to smile.

Finally, after ascending to the highest sear, Aristine opened her mouth to speak.

“As you may already know, today’s Grand Banquet is a gathering to celebrate a joyous occasion. Hence, I want you to all enjoy yourselves today.”

Aristine raised the cup brought to her by a court lady.

The nobles also lifted the cups they had received from the court ladies.

“Glory to the Empire!”

“Blessings to Your Majesty and Imperial Child!!”

With that shout, everyone tilted their glass.

Aristine downed the sweet and sour juice in one go.

The banquet had begun.

* * *

“Hehe, what do you think?”

Yenikarina asked, unable to hide her rising smile.

Aristine chuckled.

‘She’s been hovering around me for a while now.’

She was obviously hoping Aristine would speak first, but it seemed she couldn’t hold back any longer.

“It’s quite nice.”

“Quite nice? This isn’t just nice. Can’t you see their reactions? Everyone’s going nuts, nuts, I tell you!”

Aristine looked around.

As Yenikarina said, people were gushing in awe about every detail of the banquet’s decorations and designs, even down to the fabric.

After the merge of Silvanus and Irugo, it became popular to use interior design that integrated the styles of the two nations, each with their different cultures.

Even among such designers, Yenikarina had quite an impeccable sense of style.

“You’re right, you did well.”

“…! Really? You just said I did well, didn’t you?”

“Mhm, I thought it would be incredibly flashy, but it’s not.”

“I mean, of course, I’d rather it was a little bit more beautiful than this.”

‘…I don’t think anyone will call that beautiful though.’

Aristine thought but kept it to herself.

“Still, since it’s a Grand Banquet celebrating the birth of an imperial child, even I know what kind of decor is appropriate.”

“That’s surprising.”

“What?! I wasn’t the most popular princess among the people for no reason! You can only achieve that with good taste!”

“Alright, alright, you did really well. It seems I didn’t recognize your talent before, Yenika.”

“…As long as you know.”

Yenikarina pursed her lips with flushed cheeks.

Aristine never said empty words when it came to work so receiving such praise from her felt—.

‘Somehow, it feels like I’m losing, but… honestly, I’m happy.’

While Yenikarina was immersed in pure happiness, Aristine was finishing calculations in her mind.

‘Sounds like I can let her handle all the banquets and events from now on. We’re already short on manpower, so this is great.’

She had obtained a new sla…uh, new employee.

Aristine’s eyes sparkled like a hunter before its prey.

“This is really great, Yenika. Then, can I entrust you with organizing another event? You know, the royal charity event coming up soon.”

“Huh? Isn’t that a month away? That’s so soon…Yenika’s smooth skin can’t handle fatigue.”

“Other people are already doing the preparations. You just have to handle the finishing touches.”

“Even for finishing touches, if I’m going to host an event that I’m satisfied with, I’ll need to change everything—.”

“I thought it would be great if you took charge since you are so amazing at it, Yenika.”

“…”

“Even with just a month left, I figured you could handle it. If it’s too much, you can forget it.”

“W-Who said it’s too much?! I can do it! For sure!”

“Really? Then I’m counting on you.”

Aristine smiled brightly.

‘Huh?’

It was only then that Yenikarina realized something was amiss.

“Ask the Chief Steward for the handover details.”

“Um, huh?”

“Alright then, I’ll leave it to you.”

But it was already too late.

The people who had been eavesdropping on the conversation immediately nodded their heads.

‘And…caught.’

‘Another great catch.’

‘A new slave of Her Majesty has been born.’

They were all already Aristine’s slav… uh, employees.

Paellamien felt a sense of kinship with her half-sister despite not liking her very much.

Aristine had swindled her so much.

《You can’t help me, Paella? But you’re the best at this.》

Whenever Aristine said that and looked up at her with those big eyes—

Before she knew it, she found herself working.

And voluntarily staying up all night!

At home, her younger husband, who was fit, gentle, and even a bit mischievous, was patiently waiting!

“Ah, how pitiful. The same person who insists on getting 8 hours of sleep for smooth skin no matter what is now going to live buried in work.”

Paellamien was shaking her head but then someone interjected.

“Pitiful? Not at all, Marquis. If anything, it’s an honor.”

It was Ritlen.

He looked at Aristine with sincere, innocent eyes.

“To be chosen by Her Majesty itself means that your abilities are recognized.”

“But Her Majesty squeezes people.”

“Shouldn’t we be glad to work hard to meet Her Majesty’s expectations? It will also allow us to surpass our own limits.”

Paellamien opened her mouth and exclaimed, “Wow.”

“…As expected of a first-class slave.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Paellamien shook her head.

Yenikarina was already discussing the details of charity event with the Chief Steward.

Judging by her pale face, it seemed she was just realizing exactly how much work awaited her.

‘Hang in there.’