Chapter 102

Chapter 102: The Princess’s Visit. (2)

"This is…"

Inside the wooden chest lay a longsword.

The blade gleamed in an extraordinary way, and the craftsmanship on the hilt was anything but ordinary.

Seeing people’s reactions, Lieutenant Benjamin raised the corners of his mouth in satisfaction.

"This is a sword by the dwarven craftsman, Kiehl. The princess chose it with great care, so please make good use of it in a worthy place."

"Ooooh……."

Everyone’s eyes widened.

‘Kiehl? The master said to make swords that can cut even water?’

‘And the princess is giving us something like this?’

Cobalt quickly raised his head and spoke.

"We are honored, but… may I ask what prompted you to give us this?"

"That’s something that arrogant fellow over there should know, so you should ask him."

"By that… do you mean Hardin?"

"Yes."

When Medeia gave a slight nod, Cobalt’s gaze turned toward Hardin.

Hardin shrugged his shoulders and spoke.

"What else could it be? We’re in the same boat now. That’s what it means."

"The same boat?"

"What do you mean by that…?"

The princess and us… in the same boat?

‘I have no idea what that’s supposed to mean….’

‘But why?’

Just as confusion filled the faces of Cobalt and the retainers, Medeia stroked her chin and asked.

"Hardin Daphne."

"…Yes?"

"At this point, there’s something I want to ask."

"Please, go ahead."

"From here on… no, what is your family planning to do?"

Cobalt hurried to open his mouth.

"Well, about that…"

"I asked him."

"Ah… yes, yes."

At Medeia’s interruption, Cobalt closed his mouth and lowered his head.

"What we plan to do, huh… Hmmmmm."

She’s certainly straightforward with her questions.

After thinking for a moment, Hardin slowly spoke.

"First of all, I’m planning to get some ships. Preferably some fairly large sailing ships."

In an instant, the eyes of the Daphne people went wide.

‘Sailing ships? In this situation?’

‘…No, what on earth is he talking about.’

Right now, the harbor isn’t functioning properly, and maintenance costs are already draining our funds. Buying sailing ships—each of which would cost at least several million gold?

Viscount Cobalt spoke with an awkward expression.

"Hardin, wouldn’t it be better to repay the princess’s investment first, rather than… that?"

At that moment, Medeia tilted her head slightly and spoke.

"So, you’re planning to use the ships to extend your influence outward, is that it?"

"Yes, exactly. Whether it’s for trade or for war, given the geography of our family’s territory… we absolutely need ships."

"…A rather reasonable choice."

When Medeia nodded as if convinced, the faces of the Daphne people became even more perplexed.

‘Reasonable?’

‘Does that mean she’s going to allow it?’

Rather than repaying the investment, Hardin intended to use any funds to build ships first.

From the perspective of the family… no, from the perspective of any ordinary person, it would be strange if that made sense.

At that moment, Hardin raised his hand slightly and spoke.

"Your Highness. Since I answered your question, could I ask you a few questions in return?"

"Speak."

When Medeia nodded, Hardin grinned and said,

"That… sailing ship you came on, could you give it to our family? Ah, I’m not asking for it for free. We’ll pay it back later, so I was wondering if you could lend it to us for a while."

"Ha, Hardin?"

"……."

Cobalt turned pale and shouted, while Malion shook his head with a sigh.

No matter how you looked at it, this was going too far…

…or so they thought, until…

Princess Medeia gave a short, scoffing laugh and replied,

"That ship belongs to the Imperial Family, not to me."

What a shame. It looked to be in good condition too.

Hardin scratched his cheek and said,

"Hmmm… I see. Then, could you advance the investment by about another 3 million?"

"Do I look like I have the means for that?"

"You don’t?"

"That kind of talk… should wait until after you’ve repaid the 10 million gold in full."

"Khhhm. Yes, yes, I understand."

When Medeia spoke with a cold expression, Hardin scratched his head awkwardly.

‘P-please, stop.’

‘Just shut that mouth already…’

Sweat streamed down the foreheads of the Daphne people, their faces turning pale as if their bodies had turned to ash.

 All members of House Daphne, sentenced to death for insulting the Imperial Family! Your crimes are clear!

 Aaaaaagh! P-please spare us!

It felt as if their lives were flashing before their eyes, their blood running cold.

But what could they do?

It wasn’t as if they could grab Hardin by the collar and shake him in front of the princess.

‘God Faeron, please… make my brother hold his tongue.’

‘Please… please…’

Just as everyone was praying in their hearts, Hardin asked again,

"Then let’s move on to a more serious question this time."

"What is it?"

"What are your plans from here on, Your Highness?"

"…Plans."

Medeia slowly closed her eyes and then opened them, exchanging a brief glance with Lieutenant Benjamin.

When Benjamin nodded, Medeia spoke slowly.

"My knights and I will soon be taking part in the Northern Subjugation."

"Northern Subjugation?"

At that, Malion adjusted his glasses and interjected.

"By any chance… do you mean you’ll be going on a monster subjugation?"

Lieutenant Benjamin nodded in Medeia’s place and said,

"That’s correct. Recently, beyond the northern front, a large-scale monster wave has occurred, and His Majesty has ordered a preemptive, large-scale northern subjugation. Her Highness will personally command one of the units."

At Medeia’s answer, the Daphne people blinked.

‘But… does Her Highness really need to take part in that subjugation?’

‘After what she went through in Ruslan… she’s going to the front again?’

However, Hardin’s reaction was a little different.

"Well, if it’s there, it’s perfect for avoiding the waves."

"……."

Medeia answered only with a heavy gaze.

"Ahem."

At that moment, Benjamin and the other escort knights cleared their throats.

It felt as though Hardin had hit a sore spot.

‘What’s this?’

‘Why that reaction…?’

Avoiding the waves?

While the Daphne people looked back and forth between the two with puzzled expressions, Hardin quickly organized his thoughts.

‘Staying in the Imperial Palace right now… would be hell for her.’

The current Imperial Family must be overflowing with people ready to tear apart a discarded Fourth Princess.

Especially since it seemed she had already drawn the ire of one particular person.

For Medeia, remaining in the capital was no different from having her hands and feet bound.

She must have judged that she needed to get away from there first before she could do anything.

"So then, when are you leaving for there?"

"As soon as I leave this place, I plan to head straight to the north."

Oh, I see how it is.

Hardin nodded and continued.

"Ah, so you stopped by our family along the way, then."

"You could say that."

Hardin curled his lips into a sly grin, rubbing his hands together as he spoke in a fawning tone.

"My, my, Your Highness. Then you’ll be going through quite a hard time for a while."

"What is that expression? It’s unpleasant."

When Medeia frowned slightly and asked, Hardin waved his hands.

"Hey now, that’s harsh. I’m just trying to do something nice while I have the chance."

Turning his head to the side, Hardin spoke.

"Father."

"Hm? What is it?"

"We just received such a graaand gift from Her Highness, didn’t we? And we’ve owed her quite a bit in the past too."

"…That’s true."

"Then can we just send her off like this? She’s about to set off on a long journey."

Viscount Cobalt immediately shook his head and replied.

"Of course not. At the very least, we should show some sincerity…"

"Right? We should, shouldn’t we?"

"…Yes."

Why was Hardin suddenly saying such things…

Just as Cobalt’s eyes narrowed, Hardin clenched his fist and continued.

"Then, let’s hold a social party to commemorate Her Highness’s departure. A very large and grand one."

"A social party? All of a sudden?"

"Suddenly? Our family’s greatest patron is going on a long journey. The least we can do is this. Isn’t that right, Malion?"

"Well… it’s not impossible."

As Malion glanced around nervously, Hardin placed a hand on Viscount Cobalt’s shoulder.

"And the timing is perfect. We’ve just opened our port, so it’s a good chance to let the neighbors know as well. Two birds with one stone. Eh?"

"But… Her Highness must be busy…"

At this, Medeia chimed in.

"I have no hobby of wasting time on something like a party."

"I thought so. Hmmmm… Still, if you were to attend and grace the occasion, it could be an immense ‘honor’ for our family."

"……."

While the family members whispered among themselves, wondering what on earth this was about—

‘So that’s what he means…’

Medeia crossed her arms, frowning for a moment before speaking.

"If we do this, will it benefit you?"

"Yes, greatly."

Benefit? What did he mean by that…

Just as everyone’s confusion deepened, Medeia closed her eyes tightly and opened them again, as if having made up her mind.

"How long would it take to prepare?"

"Malion! Her Highness is asking you."

"Asking me what?"

"How long it would take to prepare the party."

When Hardin looked at him, Malion hurriedly adjusted his glasses and replied,

"That… that would depend on the scale, but if we move as quickly as possible, we could probably hold it in about a week."

"A week? That’s quick. Could you wait that long, Your Highness?"

"……."

Medeia tapped the table lightly with her finger, seeming to think for a moment, before letting out a long sigh.

"Very well. Just this once… I’ll humor you."

At that, Hardin rubbed his hands together, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

"Thank you. I’ll make sure to prepare an exceptionally grand party so you won’t regret it."

And of course… we’ll make sure to profit nicely from it.

Of course…

‘I-is this for real?’

‘My goodness… Princess Medeia actually agreed to attend a social party?’

The faces of Viscount Cobalt and the other family members were filled with shock.

‘C-calm down.’

A sudden social party, and one with Her Highness attending…

Viscount Cobalt quickly gathered himself, erasing all expression from his face before looking directly at Princess Medeia with a calm demeanor.

Then, rising from his seat and placing one arm across his chest, Viscount Cobalt spoke.

"Princess Medeia, are you truly certain about this? If it will cause any disruption to your schedule, you need not attend."

"……."

Though she had made her decision, Medeia seemed unable to immediately speak, her lips parting slightly without sound—until Hardin asked again.

"Your Highness?"

At that, Medeia wore a slightly awkward expression before finally speaking with difficulty.

"Did I not already give my answer?"

"Ah…"

Hearing this, Viscount Cobalt’s lips curved into a faint smile as he replied with the courtesy of a noble.

"Then, we shall consider this an honor and do our utmost in preparation, Princess Medeia."

"Very well."

Medeia gave a slight nod.

"Here, take this with you, Your Highness."

"Hm?"

Hardin held out to Medeia the sword by Kiehl that he had received earlier.

"Why are you giving that back?"

"I’d like you to keep it for a while. Since we’ll be holding the party, I’m sure there will come a time when it can be put to even better use."

Medeia met Hardin’s gaze for a moment before accepting the sword.

"Understood. I’ll hold on to it."

"Yes! I’d appreciate it!"

Alright, with this opportunity…

‘Let’s make sure to get some real benefit from the princess this time.’

Heh heh, ahahaha!

See? If you just wait, an opportunity like this will walk right up to you.

A deep shadow fell across Hardin’s face as he lowered his head.

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