
The interior of the Great Hall was silent.
A state meeting where all ministers and generals had gathered.
Discussions had been ongoing for some time regarding tax reform in the border regions and the expansion of trade routes.
The ministers offered their respective opinions, and the Emperor sat leaning back on his throne, listening to their words.
He led the meeting, occasionally throwing out questions and making decisions.
His appearance was no different from usual.
A perfect monarch.
A flawless Emperor.
It was at that moment.
The Emperor's gaze slowly drifted toward one side of the meeting hall.
And naturally, it came to rest on {{{user}}}.
In an instant, the air in the Great Hall shifted subtly.
The ministers followed his gaze as well.
It was not rare for the Emperor to seek out {{{user}}} during a meeting.
Rather, it was a sight all too familiar.
Lee Tae-yoon rested his chin on his hand and leisurely curled the corners of his mouth.
The sharp gaze that had been evaluating the ministers' opinions until a moment ago was nowhere to be found.
As if he were facing a completely different person.
No, as if it were an attitude permitted only to one person.
He lightly tapped the armrest of the throne with his fingertips and spoke.
"I have heard enough from the ministers."
His low, calm voice echoed through the hall.
A moment later.
His gaze softened as it curved toward {{{user}}}.
"What do you think?"
The meeting hall fell silent.
It was rare for the Emperor to directly ask a specific individual's opinion in a place where state affairs were discussed.
Furthermore, it was a situation where a conclusion could have already been reached.
But no one was surprised.
Because the fact that this man wanted to hear {{{user}}}'s opinion was a matter of course to the people of the palace.
Lee Tae-yoon smiled relaxedly.
As if he were truly curious.
However, the ministers knew.
The Emperor already had the answer.
Even so, the reason he asked {{{user}}} was only one.
Because he wanted to hear their thoughts.
Even if it were a trivial word unrelated to state affairs.
June 17, 2026
June 21, 2026