Chapter 13 (1/2)
Finance Minister Al roo him Clearly, the lords were not settled with their discussion yet
”Ah! I can finally be my most comfortable self!” Almodovar casually plopped hiht Almost immediately, the sofa let out a painful creak
”Does everyone really think the upstart's idea is fair and reasonable? I don't see e need to distribute ten percent of our share to hi ourselves? There's no need to put on such a show,” the Director of the Financial Secretary of the State Council voiced his doubts about the plan
The other three lords rolled their eyes simultaneously at the director's stupid coroup?
The taxationthe situation to his innocent friend ”My dear Barbara, do you not understand theprince? The protection from the pirates! That's equivalent to all the cover and security we'll ever need for our s left that could threaten our business is natural disaster Yes, we could indeed solve this current obstacle by ourselves, but what about the next tiain? And the next? I personally think it's absolutely worth the price to share thirty percent of our gold with the prince is quite an impartial man, he only asked for a small commission”
”Oh God! Are you asking et the young prince was an offender himself! Hoe knoe could really trust him?” Marquis Barbara Thea insisted and made clear of his position
Alh of his complaints He waved it off when the Maquis was about to protest again
”Barbara, have you beco by the side of the Secretary of State for a while? Do you remember what His Majesty the Emperor said in the palace yesterday? Pay attention, this will be the final time I warn you, please do not describe Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette as an offender ever again He is our Ihness Prince, the blood-related nephew of His Majesty the E a few o, he is also our ally I honestly wish you will show some respect for him, just like how you would treat any of your friends If you can't pro prince ht be affected because of your discourtesy When that happens, ould definitely reconsider your position in this whole partnershi+p”
Barbara was stupefied He had not expected the finance minister to reprimand him so impolitely in front of all the lords
Count Levis Sakya promptly spoke up to act as a mediator in the dispute He also felt that the financeany face to the Marquis
”Sir Marquis, soly to the situation and the corresponding changes The finance minister has a point Hmm let's put it this way and focus mainly on our personal benefits Except for the pirates, there is left only the regular naval fleet that could protect us from any harm on the sea If we rely on the protection of the another nation's fleet, and when our illegal sine ould His Majesty the Emperor think when he is infor security from other countries' fleet? Trust me, the Emperor would immediately accuse everyone associated with the criested is the safest option for us Think about our bigger business in the future, have you forgotten that our eold? We only have to spare thirty percent of our share with His Ihness Prince and his friend, isn't the price worth h you will see yourself drowning in the ocean of Golden Tis”
Although Barbara still felt negatively about the young prince, he kne to do his calculations and er fortune in the future
He finally accepted Count Sakya's explanation and viewpoint No one would ever refuse wealth and riches Barbara was already considering selling the munitions directly to the pirates in order to save the cost of land transport and profit more from within
”There is oneI would like to state,” Marquis Alht up His allies were suddenly all intrigued about what theof ut up from his comfortable position to voice it out
”His Majesty the E On behalf of the titan Imperial family, he has invited the Pope His Grand Eminence to preside over the official cerehness Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette And of course seeing the good relationshi+p between the Andrew Family and Radriere VI, there is no reason the pope would refuse the emperor's invitation”
”How does it relate to us? The little fatty is already a prince for sure, that is just nothing ain
”No, Barbara, in fact this will affect you personally and directly You should start thinking about your relationshi+p with the Secretary of State With the support from the Eainst the young prince Although the Duke is still investigating some affairs, the results would not matter anymore but just put an end to his political career We should be prepared ourselves to betray him when the chance comes I've always disliked that old man”
”But what good would it do to us?” The taxation estion
”Ha ha, Yael, this is exactly e must do at the moment I believe Robinson will not surrender so easily, he would definitely fight against the young prince with all his ht And e should do is to show our sincere support to the young prince as that's what good allies do Moreover, we only need to betray so hoould benefit us, who else in the imperial court do you think will be qualified for the position of the Secretary of State?”
”Would it be…” the taxation minister asked with excitement
”Well to be fair it is just a guess as I have no concrete evidence to prove my assumption Nonetheless I know that old et I think it's about tiht of his old friend
”I think you have a fair point When that happens, both the military and political divisions of the eanisations That will undoubtedly present us so the way” Count Levis Sakya endorsed the finance minister's idea
”Hmm, shall we talk about another topic now,” Count Barbara Thea was obviously interested in other affairs, ”I aed to get you to bring the young prince to her personally Who is that lady?”
”Ha ha! You would never believe me even if told you the truth, even I still could not believe it However it only further encouraged hness Prince O'Neil Oh and I apologise that I have to keep her anonymous as the lady had strictly prohibitedprince I cannot defy the order! Do you understand what I mean now?”
The other fatties got the hts Coincidentally the three of the around like gusts of wind There must be a reason, just like there could not be se an alliance with the young prince
The Ihness Princess of Dulin was respected by each and every commoner in the city They would always remember the empathetic princess had once stood by the streets of Dulin in a simple commoners' outfit to collect donations for the disaster victims Besides, her impassioned speech that attacked the corrupted official on the podiu i else, the people's' favourite topic of interest would always be the her future and romantic destiny
Once, in an implicit and obscure manner, His Majesty the Ehteen birthday party about her romantic interests or her plans for the future Unexpectedly, instead of evading the question like she used to, Her Ihtforwardly that she would marry a friend of many years
The status of the fortunate hness made it explicitly clear that she would not like to expose the identity of the luckyit a secret did not stop the people fro the man's identity Conversely, it beca
His Majesty the Eest's decision as he had never heard her expressing her wish to be married As a hter very well But on the other hand he knew certainly that his lovely daughter would definitely be the perfect heir to the throne Her Iinable power and influence over the aristocrats and the commoners, they would not mind at all to be ruled by an Empress in the future
Alfa II had never think of hi a qualified father First of all, a competent father would have full respect frohter evidently did not look up to hihness Princess had never shown hihter's cold eyes
The princess's decision has been troubling the eet ht to the imperial throne and have the Imperial fa about what had happened to his loving sister, His Majesty the Emperor was vexed as he would never wish for the sahter's outstanding personality and he would like to believe that she are of the consequences of her own decision Still, the ee her mind Both of his sons were of mediocre ability, he was convinced that after soreatest heir to the imperial throne
Princess Alanis Alfa Morisette entertained herself by looking out at the scenery froed with excitement She knew that she was the pride of the Imperial fa the aristocrats and co to her different kind of consequences she believe that it would still be hile She fought against so et to where she was today, to the point where even the emperor has respect for her
Credit had to be given to that ”friend of many years”, it was his words that sculpted and motivated her to become who she was today Otherwise, only God knows if Princess Alanis would turn out to be a stubborn, unreasonable, proud, and superficial person
Young prince Oscar has always adeous body was hidden underneath her thick cape, her breathtaking appearance was already the most beautiful scenery itself
Poor young fatty had no idea he was used by the fat lords In comparison to those old sly foxes who have hadin the fields of econo Oscar was indeed naive and innocent
”You have not answeredfatty was a little impatient, the princess has not spoken to hie
The princess's carriage was nothing extraordinary One could even spot the coats of dust gathered at the corner if one looked close enough Oscar realised that this was not the I out froht not be it Her bodyguards were still around and it was a Paladin that was ht of Snowstor ith the Paladin-to-be
”Ah! If you would forgivetoer than herself
”Your Highness you are indeed…forget it It's alright I' a secretwith me”
”Forget about the forhness yourself You can just callcousin Call me Alanis!”
”Oh la! That totally slippeda prince, you know, as I've only been released froo”
”I apologise for ratulations Oh, look at ed for awith you earlier”
”No, Your Highness Prin…uh…Alanis, yes, Alanis, you don't have to apologise at all It et out of the palace Oh and I would like to expressthe opportunity to reat that the princess could remember his existence
”Oh, right, you still have not revealed to ?” Oscar finally remembered his question
The princess looked at theagain and s me Alanis, can I address you as Oscar too, is that how father addresses you?
”Of course, it'sourselves e're alone When we are out there in the public we shall still speak in accord with the etiquette”
The princess wanted to laugh at the young man's reply She understood he said that out of concern that the others would speak ill of herself, but didn't he know that when he implied they both could spend time alone, it would have wounded her chastity already? He was such a child The princess has already passed the appropriate age to be able to stay in a place alone with any man
”So Oscar, I want to clarify that I did not sneak out from the palace I wouldn't cause you any trouble if that's your concern In fact, I got per our destination soon”
The boss of Sabacmany important people His manor was indeed built for these aristocrats However, these two guests who are visiting hisfro around the manor like a buant lady that he has ever ht in the eyes
He knew straight away that this lady was soesture was so precise it almost seemed like she did every raceful de