The Lazy Grand Duke
Oh, I'll have some.
A sleek silver spoon approached my lips.
This special imperial utensil was designed to glow bright red the instant it detected any trace of poison or radiation.
Its flawless function was as expected. At the tip, even in its pure silver state, sat a juicy, glistening fruit.
I obediently parted my lips. Sweet juice coated my tongue.
The woman feeding me this fruit is Valeria.
But that name must never be spoken lightly.
She is the owner of the Constellation of Blood and Iron.
The absolute ruler of the empire. My older sister.
In truth, we are distant cousins, but that is how it was decided. My sister does not permit any other title.
She is the Empress of Blood and Iron, the merciless pillar holding up this collapsing space.
Is she the one who looks like the pinnacle of humanity's apex?
No way. The warmth of her affection is almost too much, yet under her protection my comfortable life continues.
No reason to rebel.
I nibbled the fruit in my mouth and casually began.
By the way, sister. This month's allowance.
Is it too little?
No, it seems a little too much.
She tilted her head. The account showed no reduction, even though it was plenty. I asked if we could cut it a bit, but the response was firm.
Compared to the luxury the former royal wasted on things of no use, this is a drop in the bucket. If it remains, there's nothing we can do. Do not worry about it.
She neatly sliced the remaining fruit, still warm from the sterile hydroponic chamber, and replied calmly.
No, now that I think about it, the fact that money remains is also a problem.
Money only makes sense when it circulates. The empire's economy, which turns back due to luxury, was explained in detail.
But I believe luxury has already been spent enough.
Even the lower nobility lives in a gray world where stock is synthetic meat and chemical paste from the factory. Maintaining a life of eating real soil-grown beef steak and actual fresh fruit here is already extraordinary.
It was easy when I was a modern person, but not here. Still, thinking about having to set aside money to eat versus being able to eat freely now, it's actually great.
While I was having a cozy conversation with my sister, the Imperial Guards outside the door stood perfectly still, their expressions unchanged.
They had suppressed even their breathing to avoid displeasing Her Highness.
I kept chewing the fruit and fell into thought.
In my previous life, as a normal modern person, I hated the concept of class.
At the same time, I was worrying about house prices, living in a cramped one-room apartment, and suffering overtime every day at a mid-sized company. I never considered marriage and lived as a lone common citizen.
Yet I mocked the monopoly of power and cursed the sacrifices of the lower classes. Why do they live like that?
But once I sat in a position above all others and truly enjoyed these benefits, I understood. Honestly, it was unbearably sweet.
How did I end up living like this?
Sometimes I questioned myself. How did this absolute ruler of the insane universe receive such overwhelming affection from me?
When I regained my senses, I had been in an unidentified God's library. I learned how harsh this world was, and at the same time reincarnation began. When I opened my eyes again, I was inside the imperial palace of this empire.
The desperate struggles to survive inside there somehow led to this miraculous outcome. The cruel choice I made to survive became, to my sister, an unparalleled act of sublime sacrifice and salvation.
To my enemies, she may be the Empress of Blood and Iron, a merciless tyrant. But she is the absolute ruler who possesses the clearest, most righteous goal of correcting the corrupt empire and supporting humanity. And above all, to me she is endlessly generous and kind.
Living happily in such benefits, I have no choice but to reaffirm my resolve.
Even to protect this sweet white-collar life, I will strive to make this world just a little less ruined. If the universe collapses, my privileges will vanish too. I will do what little I can from here.
This is the story of a worthless grand duke trying to live happily in a space where destruction is already certain.
Oh, sister. Just a moment. The apple is getting a bit soft now. Is there anything else?
Sister...
She rolled the word in her mouth like a soft smile. Deep affection flowed into her cool red eyes.
I love hearing you call me that, no matter when. Alright. If you want anything, anything at all.
She gently brushed my hair and quietly commanded toward the door.
Mango would be good. Bring it at once.
At the short notification from the Empress, the Imperial Guard commander bowed without a sound.