I looked at him with trembling eyes before reaching for the rolled paper.

It was a single sheet.

What could be in it? Thump, thump, my heart was beating.

“This might not only be a birthday gift for you, Arinel…”

Duke Siegfried’s voice continued.

“…It might also be a gift for the empire.”

The man known as the Iron-Blooded Duke, the villain from the novel, was looking at me with gentle eyes.

A gift for the empire? His words suddenly made me think.

“…No way?!”

I hastily unrolled the paper.

Remembering that letter that had come to me under Uncle Amrus’s name.

He had said he was going to distant lands for geological surveys.

“….”

My eyes widened at the paper’s contents.

It bore the title ‘Geological Survey Report’ along with the official seal of the Department of Economy.

‘Geological survey’.

Though it seems simple at first glance, conducting a geological survey requires enormous costs.

You need to insert hundreds of long magic-conducting rods into the ground and channel magical power through them, with both the mages’ wages and the amount of magic stones used being quite substantial.

That’s why I always used to lament to Uncle Amrus in Galnem.

Saying if only we could do geological surveys, we could prevent famines.

When I received Uncle Amrus’s letter, I knew northern geological surveys were being conducted, but results already?

“Since this is largely Arinel’s achievement,” Uncle Amrus’s voice was heard.

“Arinel should report directly to His Majesty the Emperor. This result is Arinel’s achievement after all.”

I flinched at those words and looked at Parmes.

The corner of Parmes’s lips twisted.

With strength in my hand holding the paper, I walked toward him step by step.

Everyone’s eyes were on me.

My heart trembled with each step closer to him.

‘My lady, stay strong.’

Briton, whose eyes briefly met mine, seemed to have an encouraging expression.

“Whew…”

Standing before Parmes again, I held out the paper I had just received from Duke Siegfried.

Parmes, wearing white gloves, took it and unfolded it again.

His red pupils wavered slightly.

The results I had seen earlier were recorded like this:

[Survey results for Shatewing Sectors 12-42.

Soil nutrient content is 2 Lier, far below the normal nutrient content of 10 Lier.

Soil resilience measurement for Lier recovery shows below the threshold.

Low-grade grain cultivation is possible for 2 years, afterwards farming is impossible until soil resilience recovers.]

The size of land Uncle Amrus surveyed wasn’t very large.

But what made this survey significant was that it was from the Shatewing sector, the empire’s largest grain-producing region.

Located in the east, the region was mostly plains with mild weather, favorable for growing grains like wheat.

That’s why it’s called Albreon’s breadbasket.

No one predicted grain production would stop there, and anyone who did would have been considered insane, but…

Uncle Amrus, no, Duke Siegfried, who had listened to my words, conducted what would seem like a useless survey to anyone else and produced meaningful results.

“This is truly shocking.”

Parmes lowered the paper with cold eyes.

Lady Alens looked at me with surprise, exclaiming ‘No way?!’

All the nobles present exchanged confused looks at the suddenly chilled atmosphere.

They probably couldn’t imagine why Parmes would stiffen his brows like that over a paper meant as my birthday gift.

“Lord Siegfried.”

At Parmes’s call, Duke Siegfried stepped behind me.

“Your command, Your Majesty.”

The two men had a strong trust built over long years together since Galnem.

“Lady Alens.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Lady Alens also came and stood beside Duke Siegfried.

“Lord Guermont.”

“Your Majesty.”

A heavy metallic voice and breath were felt from behind.

‘This feels strange…’

Here, the neighbors from Galnem village were present.

Aunt Piolet, who had eagerly learned to make sugar beet slices from me, was now Lady Alens, the Minister of Palace Affairs and at the pinnacle of social circles.

Uncle Famel, who could overturn a field with one thrust of his pitchfork, was now Famel Guermont, the Minister of Military Affairs who made the whole country tremble.

Uncle Amrus, who had an amazing library and loved talking with me, was Duke Claude Siegfried, the Iron-Blooded Minister of Finance.

“Indeed, Arinel is still my favorite person in the world.”

And Uncle Zimmer, who had innocently and shamelessly requested my treatment, was Parmes Aslet, the ruler of the Albreon Empire.

His lips moved.

“Through the geological survey report of the Shatewing region submitted by Arinel Mylar, heir to Marquis Mylar, it has been revealed that the empire’s food productivity is in crisis.”

“…!”

“!!!!”

The nobles gasped at Parmes’s cold, low voice.

Behind me, Duke Guermont could be heard drawing in a surprised breath.

Then came a low sigh.

“To think I would lose even to Siegfried…”

No, uncle, is that really the reason for your sigh?!

Anyway, the impact of the document I received from Duke Siegfried and submitted to Parmes seemed enormous.

With poor geological test results from the breadbasket region that fed the empire’s people, a famine was clearly approaching.

When soil resilience is normal, Lier refers to the nutrient content stored in the soil, but when resilience is abnormal, it indicates the number of years crops can be harvested from the land.

This matched exactly with the timing of the great famine I had seen in the original work.

“To address this imminent crisis, I order the three ministers. First, Lord Guermont.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Guermont straightened his posture and placed his hand on his chest with a thud, showing military courtesy.

“There are no horses faster than the military’s steeds in the empire. Provide soldiers and war horses to Duke Siegfried. Also, organize security forces for the granaries to be built across the regions.”

“By your command!”

Ugh, while Guermont’s booming voice gave me goosebumps, my heart was swelling.

Granaries! The first necessary measure to prepare for the great famine.

“And Lady Alens.”

Parmes continued.

“When it becomes known that the empire’s farmlands are in danger, public sentiment will become unstable. Reorganize and calm public anxiety, focusing on schools and public facilities in each region.”

“As this is my specialty, I will gladly comply.”

Lady Alens accepted the order while showing a lady’s courtesy by slightly lifting her skirt.

Maintaining public order and morale will prevent looting.

Soon, Parmes’s cold red eyes stopped on Duke Siegfried.

“Also, Minister of Finance Siegfried, with Lord Guermont’s horses’ support, shall swiftly conduct additional geological surveys of all granary regions. Calculate and report the necessary food supplies, and take charge of all aspects of the food planning for the upcoming famine.”

“I will carry out Your Majesty’s orders.”

Duke Siegfried responded politely with an elegant demeanor.

I watched Parmes with trembling small fists clenched.

It was my first time seeing him give such serious directives about state affairs.

To be able to give such perfect instructions to three ministers in this short time… Even in the midst of tension, I couldn’t help but be impressed.

In <I will no longer be the Tyrant’s lover>, he was so obsessed with Amelia that he had no interest in state affairs and simply cut down anything that stood in his way…

The Parmes before me was more of a charismatic and capable monarch than a tyrant.

“And, Arinel Mylar.”

“…Y-Yes?!”

I, who had been spacing out briefly, flinched and looked at Parmes. He slightly bent his upper body toward me, towering over my small frame.

Then, meeting my eyes, he smiled faintly.

“I should give Arinel her birthday present first.”

His gentle low voice flowed into my ears.

Earlier during greetings, Parmes had said he had prepared a birthday present for me.

The birthday presents from the three ministers were already more than enough… As I was thinking this, someone appeared behind Parmes.