episode_0592
by fnovelpiaAs soon as news of Prince Panos’s visit was delivered, Ethan and I had no choice but to get busy.
Even if you say you came in a hurry, it was still an official visit, so if you skipped the formalities, you might get criticized for nothing.
Of course, we must not hide the fact that it is a ‘formal ceremony’. I have no intention of holding a festival to commemorate the prince’s procession just to welcome him.
“How would you like to prepare the annex?”
“It would be enough to just show you the best room among the guest rooms.”
“Can I prepare Blackwood Raspberry Wine to accompany the meal?”
“Why are you giving me such an expensive drink? Just prepare something suitable from the Auguste Store.”
Still, I’ve been living as a duchess for two years. Of course, Harold hasn’t retired yet, so I’m still a duchess-to-be, but anyway, I know what it’s like to have guests from outside the country.
Even just the lineup of precious guests who frequently visit our territory is such that there is no reason for Prince Panos to be inferior to them. There are three royal family members, including Princess Seraphine, Prince Antonio, and his mother-in-law, Hosoin.
In order to avoid causing too much commotion in the territory, Antonio and Mezlen make unofficial visits, but Seraphine makes official visits about twice a year. It is almost a formality to even hold festivals to welcome the warriors and harem, including Seraphine.
In any case, Seraphine is destined to become the next empress, and the Blackwood family has been in contact with her since before she went to subdue the Demon King. Even if it is a little excessive, it means that we are making it known to the outside world that we have no intention of moving on Seraphine’s side.
‘But you’re saying that a guy who should know that well is visiting and leaving behind such a shameless letter?’
I don’t know what his true intentions are, but he’s still the second prince, so we can’t let our guard down. Even though he doesn’t have much popularity, the fact that he’s still holding his ground in the succession dispute means that he’s capable.
Most of the forces that stick to the 2nd prince know that sticking to him is beneficial, so they stick to him.
I’ll probably start by making a proposal to Amana and Ethan, saying that they’ll benefit from the territory. If they refuse, I’ll use whatever means I have to pressure them into accepting it.
‘First, I need to think of a way to reject it smoothly.’
… In fact, it is almost impossible for everything to end smoothly from the moment the Second Prince approaches.
⁎⁎⁎
The second prince of the empire. Panosroenvaltoria.
Entering the Blackwood estate and arriving at the duke’s mansion, his feelings were not very pleasant.
“Welcome to the glorious visit, Your Highness Prince Panosroenvaltoriaje.”
“Yes, thank you for welcoming me like this.”
‘I expected it, but is it really just a formality?’
I didn’t expect that my younger sister, Seraphine, would be holding such a splendid festival when she visited. It was a trip that had been hastily arranged to avoid her notice, so it would not have been possible to prepare for the festival in the territory for only three days.
However, there would have been ample time to prepare inside the mansion.
Not all of the servants who had been assigned were present, only a few were responding, and apart from the royal patterned carpet stretched out in front of the carriage, no flags or decorations were prepared at all.
Prince Panos was able to sense that the mansion, which could easily employ about 100 servants, was not particularly pleased with his visit, as only about ten butlers and maids came out and bowed their heads.
“You said you were visiting the Pabulon Marquis’ estate in the East. It is a small mansion, but we will prepare it so that you will not be inconvenienced during your stay. Since you must be hungry after coming a long way, we will guide you to the dining room instead of the reception room.”
Even the prospective Duchess Lilith was talking like this.
Although it may seem like he was being polite on the surface, to Prince Panos it didn’t feel much different from telling him to just eat and sleep and then get out of here instead of engaging in useless conversation.
“Okay, thanks for your consideration. Then let’s talk after dinner.”
Of course, Panos could have been as shameless as he wanted to be for his own purposes, so he didn’t really give in.
“… Yes, Your Highness Prince Panos.”
Only the emotions of the release, who had anticipated that something troublesome would happen, began to rot away inside.
⁎⁎⁎
Oh, please turn it off.
These were the thoughts that went through my head as I was called to the drawing room, which I didn’t feel like, after an uncomfortable meal with the Second Prince who intruded on my precious time with Edan.
There was no trace of cheerfulness left in Ethan’s voice as he offered Prince Panos the tea and snacks that Isabel had brought.
“… Please eat, Your Majesty. I don’t know if it will suit your taste since it’s just been eaten. ”
-I beat around the bush and said I had no intention of talking, but now I’m making a fuss about it.
“Thank you, I’ll be happy to receive it.”
-What should I do? If you can refuse, try.
Thanks to Lizzy’s noble young lady conversation style, these days I’ve become somewhat accustomed to the noble young lady swearing style.
So that Ethan and Prince Panos’ words can be heard naturally filtered.
They say they are staying for a day on their way to visit the Marquis of Pavillon in the Eastern Territory, but if that was their purpose, they wouldn’t have made an opportunity to talk like this.
“It’s been a long time since I visited Marquis Pablo’s estate, but this area is definitely well-maintained. This is especially true once you enter the Blackwood Estate.”
“… The convenience of the people of Yeongji will lead to the development of Yeongji.”
“It’s nice to see the roads so well-maintained, even though it’s not that close to the palace. Plus, it’s home to the Auguste Trading Company’s supply branch, which is not easily accessible unless you’re in a trade hub. Maybe the Blackwood Territory will be the future of the empire… .”
Prince Panos, who blurts out the main point with useless words, perhaps with the intention of deliberately distracting you.
After rambling on and on about meaningless stuff for about 10 minutes, the main point about coming to Blackwood Estate finally came out of his mouth.
“So, I would like to make this suggestion to the Duke and Duchess of Blackwood.”
“May I ask what kind of proposal you would like to make, Your Highness Prince Panosroenvaltoria.”
“It’s not much of a request. The imperial family is currently promoting the opening of a trade route in the eastern border region, and I have a small suggestion to include Blackwood Territory as a transit point. ”
“… … .”
“I believe Duke Blackwood knows better than I do what it means to be a transit point on the Eastern Trade Route. The tax revenue will increase, the prestige of the territory will increase, and as you mentioned earlier, the convenience of the territory’s residents will also increase. ”
A transit point on the eastern trade route.
To be honest, the proposal itself didn’t seem like a bad idea.
The creation of a direct trade route to the zodiac will symbolize the fact that the Blackwood family is directly connected to the imperial family, and as Prince Panos said earlier, they will also benefit greatly from the economic situation and convenience within the territory.
… It may only look good on the outside, but in reality, it will be a means for the Second Prince to put a leash on us.
First of all, connecting the 3rd Princess Faction with the 2nd Prince Faction, Marquis Pablo’s territory, by a trade route was a dangerous act in itself. If the trade route index is wrong, it means that it can be used as a territory-only road that the military can invade at any time.
Besides, if he were the second prince, he would certainly dispatch troops to Blackwood Territory under the pretext of managing the trade route, and the imperial troops that entered the territory would soon become the leash that holds our gates.
In the first place, if we make a deal with the Second Prince and gain something, that is a problem in itself. Since we have already firmly established ourselves on Seraphine’s side, it will seem like we have some lingering attachment to the Second Prince.
It’s not a poisoned Holy Grail, it’s just a Holy Grail made of poison. It would be crazy to drink it unless you’re sure that the Second Prince will win the throne.
“Of course, since it is a trade route directly operated by the imperial family, they will dispatch troops directly under the imperial family. They will also provide materials and initial funds necessary for developing the trade route. Originally, I was only planning to support the Marquisate of Pablo, but I cannot help but change my mind when I enter your territory.”
-I’ll lend you troops and money, so come under me like Pablo and bark.
“This must be a business that takes a lot of time and money. Wouldn’t it be better to focus your investment on Marquis Pablo rather than our territory?”
-Don’t worry, just play with your dog.
“Don’t worry, the support I’ll give to Marquis Pablo won’t decrease even if I support you. I’ll be investing the troops and resources I can use personally.”
-I told you to eat and bark when I say nice things to you?
“Your Highness’s personal support, then it would be more appropriate to convey this to His Excellency the Marquis Pablo, who has sworn allegiance to Your Highness the Prince.”
-Make sure to tie your dog’s leash properly.
Prince Panos and Ethan continue their political fight, scratching at each other without saying a single word.
Since the two were not good enough to get involved in each other’s arguments, I just quietly hoped that Edan would win the argument with the Second Prince.
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