They are all characters I control.

"Oh, I see..." Elena finally understood.

This is just like the time she deliberately stirred up trouble between Lia and Prince Alvin; she just wanted to make things worse and humiliate Lia even more.

Unexpectedly, Lia flipped the table.

The result nearly sent the entire Rost family to the gallows.

"Of course, we can't just leave Liya like this."

Marquis Rost frowned slightly, not immediately deciding how to deal with Leah: "Let's wait until His Majesty and the Bishop have seen our new taxes before deciding how to handle Leah."

"Yes, that's right. There's no need to worry about Lia now. The key is to see how you perform at the banquet, Elena."

Marquise Mara's gaze fell on her own daughter, Elena.

He had to endure a slap from Lia to get this opportunity.

If Elena can amaze everyone and successfully win the favor of His Majesty and the Bishop, then her sacrifice will be worthwhile.

"I will try my best, Father and Mother!" Elena raised her chin confidently; she had already memorized everything that Lia had written down.

She will then put on a perfect performance in front of His Majesty and the Bishop.

Perhaps His Majesty and the Bishop are so pleased that they will bestow a marriage upon her to Prince Alvin?

Regardless, I'm sure I'll perform better than my sister Lia at His Majesty's banquet this time, and everyone will think it's only right that I stole Lia's opportunity.

"Master, Madam, Miss, we have arrived."

Just then, the driver's voice came.

After calming down, the Marquis Rost, the Marquis de Margrave, and Elena stepped down from the carriage one by one.

Although they were mentally prepared, they were still taken aback when they saw the three arched gates at the entrance to the banquet, which were lavishly decorated, with two rows of royal attendants in silver uniforms and knights in imposing armor standing on either side.

The Marquis of Rost and his family were deeply shocked. The Rost family had not been able to attend the banquet hosted by His Majesty for countless years.

The thought that this dinner party might change my future.

The Marquis de Rost, the Marquis de Marla, and Elena all put themselves on high alert.

They straightened their appearance, nervously forced out standard aristocratic fake smiles, and stepped onto the red carpet with slightly stiff bodies.

Chapter 38 Prince Alvin is a true simp.

The dinner was far more extravagant than the Rothschilds had ever imagined.

Several enormous crystal chandeliers hang from the towering dome, and the light from countless candles, refracted through the crystals, illuminates the entire hall as if it were daytime.

Huge brocades depicting the great achievements of the new empire hung on the walls, and the smooth, mirror-like marble floor reflected the splendid figures of the guests coming and going.

The air was filled with the rich aroma of spices, fine wines, and high-end perfumes, accompanied by soft court music and the deliberately hushed laughter of nobles.

The Marquess of Rost and his family stepped into the lavish banquet, their hearts filled with both excitement and trepidation.

The influx of enthusiastic nobles left them somewhat bewildered.

"Isn't this the Marquis of Rost? I heard that tonight's banquet is held especially for you."

"Yes, yes, His Majesty hasn't held a gathering for quite some time."

"It was our Marquis Rost who solved the problem for His Majesty and the Bishop."

"Marquis Rost, do you remember me? We studied together at the Royal Academy, and I sat in the row behind you."

"Me too! Me too! I sat in the row behind you back at the Royal Academy!"

"..."

Listening to what these nobles were saying, the Marquis of Rost's initial unease gradually turned into ecstasy.

His back straightened, his chin lifted, and his eyes shone.

With a bright smile, the Marquis of Rost responded to the nobles who usually ignored him but were now taking the initiative to greet him.

He had seen this scene many times in his dreams, and now the groundbreaking new tax proposed by 'Lia' had turned his dream scene into reality.

This sudden "attention" brought smiles to Mrs. Mara and Elena's faces, and their reserved smiles now carried a hint of genuine pride.

However, when the tightly closed door at the back of the hall opened...

All conversations immediately fell silent, and the guests all turned in that direction, bowing in greeting.

Emperor Darian of the new empire, dressed in a deep purple robe with gold trim, entered the hall with a gentle smile on his face. Following closely behind was Bishop Simon, who squinted as he scanned the nobles.

Behind these two supreme rulers of the empire and the church, three other figures also attracted considerable attention.

The young and cheerful Prince Alvin, the tall and handsome Earl Orlando, and Captain Karl, who was still wearing knight's armor even at the banquet and had a cold face, walked in.

Putting aside Prince Alvin, Earl Orlando and Captain Carl did not hold the highest titles among the nobles present.

However, the two of them were undoubtedly His Majesty's and the bishop's confidants.

The nobles who had been surrounding Marquis Rost just moments before now swarmed around Earl Orlando and Captain Karl, clearly all knowing who was the more popular person.

Looking at Earl Orlando and Captain Karl, who were being fawned over by everyone, Marquis Rost couldn't help but feel envious.

However, he did not forget the purpose of this dinner.

Taking a deep breath, the Marquis of Rost, along with his wife and daughter, respectfully greeted His Majesty Darian and Bishop Simon.

"Greetings, Your Majesty; greetings, Your Excellency the Bishop."

Emperor Darian's gaze lingered briefly on Marquis Rost before settling on Elena behind him, a gentle smile spreading across his face: "Lord Rost, is this your daughter, Lia, who devised the brilliant plan for the 'new tax'? Truly exceptionally intelligent."

Upon hearing His Majesty mention the name 'Lia', the Marquis of Rost, the Marquises of Mara, and Elena looked somewhat embarrassed.

Just as the Marquis of Rost was about to explain,

Prince Alvin immediately stepped forward and said to his father, “Father, you have mistaken her for someone else. This is Elena von Rost, the second daughter of the Marquis of Rost.”

As he spoke, his gaze fell gently on Elena, carrying a hint of encouragement.

Elena felt a surge of satisfaction as she sensed the prince's gaze.

She had been fawning over Prince Alvin all day, and the results of her efforts to please him were evident.

With Prince Alvin's support, Elena mustered her courage and greeted him: "Elena greets Your Majesty, Your Excellency the Bishop."

His Majesty Darian did not react in any particular way, but Bishop Simon's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He turned his head slightly to look at Marquis Rost, his voice gentle yet tinged with displeasure as he questioned, "Marquis Rost, I remember you mentioned during your audience yesterday that your eldest daughter, Miss Lydia von Rost, had devised those new taxes. Why is it your second daughter who has come today? Are you perhaps making fun of me and His Majesty?"

The atmosphere in the hall seemed to freeze for a moment, and many nobles who had been listening intently showed amused expressions.

Everyone could tell that Bishop Simon was very dissatisfied.

Despite their earlier efforts to curry favor with the Marquis of Rost, they would much rather see him suffer than have him climb above them.

Seeing her own daughter questioning her, Lady Mara's heart tightened, and she quickly said, "Your Excellency, Your Majesty, there is some misunderstanding."

"Those ideas about taxes were actually first brought up by Elena. But she was shy and didn't tell the master, but she told her sister Lia."

"I never expected that child, Lia... sigh, she probably wanted to bring glory to the family, so she told the Marquis that it was her own idea."

As she spoke, Marquise Mara kept glancing at Prince Alvin.

Prince Alvin didn't quite understand what Marquis Marla meant by her look, but he believed her words.

Prince Alvin responded blankly, saying to his father, "I see, that does seem like Elena's style. She was always humble and kind to everyone at the Royal Academy."

Faced with his son's explanation, His Majesty Darian smiled but said nothing, instead looking at Bishop Simon beside him.

Bishop Simon clearly did not accept this reasoning; he squinted, leaned back in his chair, and did not continue speaking.

At this point, Earl Orlando and Captain Carl, as trusted confidants, came in handy.

"Oh really? It was the second daughter's idea?" A half-smile appeared on Count Orlando's handsome face.

He looked at the somewhat nervous and guilty Marquis Rost and slowly said, "I thought I would be able to see Miss Lia today, but it seems that it will be difficult now."

Sir Karl was even more direct, his cold, hard gaze locking onto Marquis Rost like a hawk: "Your Excellency, I wonder if Miss Lydia von Rost will be able to attend today?"

His words completely ignored Mrs. Mara's explanation, clearly indicating that he did not fully accept her explanation.

It was obvious to everyone that the Marquis de Rothschild and Mrs. Marla favored their second daughter, Elena.

During the day, he personally claimed that the new tax bill was the eldest daughter's idea, but now at the banquet, it's the second daughter's? Although such disputes over primogeniture are very common in aristocratic families.

However, neither His Majesty, the kind-hearted ruler, nor Bishop Simon wanted to let trivial matters like favoring one of his daughters interfere with important business.

"I'm so sorry, today Leah...she..."

Faced with the questions from Earl Orlando and Captain Carl, Marquis Rost stammered, unsure how to explain.

At this moment, Prince Alvin stepped forward again.

"Lord Orlando and Lord Karl, Miss Elena is right here. Isn't it impolite of you to question her in front of her?"

Earl Orlando twitched the corners of his mouth, giving the prince face, and nodded slightly: "Your Highness is right, I misspoke."

But the look in his eyes when he looked at Elena still carried a scrutinizing quality.

Captain Carl remained silent; as a member of the church, he had no need to give Prince Alvin face.

"Alright, since the new tax system was conceived by Lord Rost's second daughter, let me and Bishop Simon listen to what we think."

At this opportune moment, His Majesty, the ever-kind-hearted ruler, smoothed things over.

The Marquis of Rost breathed a sigh of relief, and the Marquise Margrave also patted her chest in relief.

Elena, who had already memorized the entire content while on the carriage, confidently took a step forward.

Chapter 39: Why didn't you include your supervisor's name in the published paper?

"First, there is the 'indulgence.' Devout believers who have committed minor transgressions can donate a certain amount of money to the church as a sign of repentance..."

Elena made a concerted effort to make her voice sound steady and confident; this was her highlight moment.

Opportunities to showcase oneself in front of His Majesty Darian and Bishop Simon are rare, especially with so many nobles present.

Thinking that she would receive praise from His Majesty and the bishop, Elena worked even harder.

After the presentation ended, the venue fell silent.

It's clear that Elena's explanation was quite thorough and clear.

But everyone was waiting for His Majesty and the Bishop's reaction.

"What do you think, Earl Orlando?" His Majesty Darian did not give a reply, but instead asked for Earl Orlando's opinion.

Earl Orlando thoughtfully pinched his smooth chin, then smiled and replied, "Absolutely no problem..."

As he spoke, he paused for a moment, then smiled and looked at His Majesty and the bishop, adding a sentence.

"I just think these tax systems shouldn't be extended only to the new empire, but to all the churches of the Goddess Church in various countries and regions."

"This is a groundbreaking tax system, and its author will surely be remembered in history."

The Earl of Orlando had a very high opinion of him.

Upon hearing his words, the other nobles gasped in astonishment.

"Yes, that's what I think too." His Majesty Daryan nodded with a smile.

The emperor's approval was like a shot in the arm, even making the Marquis de Rost and the Marquise de Marla feel somewhat unreal.

Elena's cheeks flushed with excitement. She could almost see herself being envied by countless nobles and being helped onto the throne by a prince who gazed at her with deep affection.

Prince Alvin then clapped, the applause standing out clearly in the silent hall.

Then the nobles also started clapping.

A murmur of approval and discussion rippled through the hall, and the nobles looked at Elena and the Rost family with envy.

However, just when the atmosphere seemed to be reaching its peak, and the Rothschilds were about to be overwhelmed by glory,

Bishop Simon, who had been listening attentively, slowly turned his gaze to Elena in the audience and asked, "Then let me ask you, who came up with this new tax system?"

Upon hearing this question, the Marquis de Rost and the Marquise de Marla both froze.

I never expected that even though Elena had performed so well, she would still be asked this question.

Elena was also taken aback, but quickly recovered and explained again, "This is what I came up with, Your Excellency. It was my own idea, my sister..."