"I see. List everything your territory will need and submit them to Minister Alphonse," Ferdinand said and the count sighed in relief.

Minister Alphonse as the Head Minister of Winter Preparedness and Risk Reduction was tasked with instances like this. However, the other ministers would also help depending on what Count Gallia’s territory needed.

Ferdinand did not need to discuss this further with the other ministers since he already knew in advance the territories that would seek help.

Raymond had already submitted a report about those who suffered losses this year so that they could help those who were in need in the Empire.

Ferdinand had sent more people in disguise to track what was going on in the Empire after Arabella’s visits last time.

He was too mortified after everything Arabella witnessed back then and did not want her to see such things again because he failed to learn about what was going on in the empire.

Thus, while Ferdinand was not around, all of those people reported to Raymond so they were updated about the goings.

It was also why they were able to quickly send knights and soldiers to help in territories struck by natural disasters.

They were already preparing what to send before the letters asking for help even arrived.

Arabella was glad her decision to visit the territories helped in something that she did not even include in her plan.

"Thank you very much, Your Majesty," Count Gallia bowed his head low with heartfelt gratitude.

Ferdinand did not comment on the gratitude part since he simply thought it was simply his job. Thus, he just said, "You may return to your seat."

Alwin returned the report to Count Gallia and the latter returned to his seat.

After that, the other territories that also needed help came forward and stated their report.

Ferdinand approved all of them to receive help from Riva, thus, they were referred to Minister Alphonse.

Arabella stiffened though when she heard something.

[Hehe. Thank goodness it was approved. My family will have more than enough supply until the next harvest. Distributing just a few to the people should be enough. They do not deserve to eat such quality goods from the Imperial Store Houses anyway. They should be grateful I am even willing to share some with them. I’ll give the new weapons just to my men too.]

Arabella frowned when she heard such thoughts from Count Morbal, the ruler of one of the smaller territories that needed help because they had bad harvests.

’He plans to keep it just for his family even when his people barely had enough?! How are they going to have a good harvest next year if he is leaving his people to starve this winter?!’

[Arabella looks angry for some reason. Did I do something wrong?] Ferdinand wondered.

It was not about him though. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"What’s wrong?" Ferdinand asked in a low voice.

"Later," Arabella said in a low voice as well. She glanced at Alwin.

{Alwin, I need a pen and paper, please.}

She needed to write what she heard so she would not forget. There were still other people who would report.

{Here.}

Alwin handed her what she requested and the ministers and rulers wondered why Arabella was writing something.

***

Count Morbal plans on using most of the subsidy for himself and his family.

He plans to distribute only 30% of what he would receive here to his people.

He believes they do not deserve quality food and supplies.

He also plans to hand the weapons only to his men.

I think this needs to be investigated later.

He does not seem to be a good ruler to his people and does not care if a lot of them die this winter due to his actions.

And yet, he was already looking forward to getting a lot of their harvest next year.

If we let this be, the people might think not enough supplies were released from Riva.

***

Arabella could not help but write what she wanted to say on paper since Ferdinand was reading what she wrote.

Likewise, she could not hold back on this since situations like this pile the hate and blame on Ferdinand and her. Instances like these were exactly why years later, the people wanted to get Ferdinand off the throne and replace him with Raymond.

[That bastard. How dare he act all pitiful like he cared so much for his people but he was going to keep most to himself anyway. He needs to be punished.]

Ferdinand grimaced after he read Arabella’s note.

His lips were drawn in a thin line but he maintained his calm. He knew they could not act yet because they needed proof first; it was why Arabella did not blurt everything out and wrote it on paper instead.

They then continued to listen to the next reports as if nothing happened.

On the other hand, while Count Morbal acted all pitiful to get supplies and keep most of them for his family, there was someone who was exactly the opposite and was holding on to his pride even when his people needed help.

[How could they ask like beggars?

Do they have no shame and pride?

I will never beg like that just to get some help.

The supplies we have in my territory are low compared to the previous years but it should be enough if I manage it myself.

One meal a day should be enough for those who stay at home since they won’t do much anyway.

Only the warriors will have three meals a day since they will patrol and fight beasts and monsters.]

’Is he saying the children and elderly will not be fed well?! And what about the nursing mothers?! Is he going to feed them just once a day too?!’

Arabella eyed the person who had such a thought.

It was Marquess Sibruh of a midlevel territory in terms of land area.

Arabella knew from experience that breastfeeding would make one hungry quite quickly. And yet, the Marquess thought of feeding only the warriors three times a day.

’Then what would happen to the mothers and their children? They would be suffering from malnutrition once winter ends.’

Arabella frowned at the Marquess. Was it better to make his people go hungry and suffer than to admit that more than half of their harvest was ruined?