Chapter 46 - The Appointment Scheme

Adrian grew up well. And fortunately, there was no news from the Empire until the end of the spring. Evelyn seemed to have erased her ex-husband and returned to her daily routine in earnest.

Arthur went out with Evelyn since it was a meeting day of those who signed a trade agreement with the Felice Kingdom,

“I meet your Majesty King Felice and the Princess.” Examples were given by those who participated in the conference. The duration of the meeting was not very long. All carried books and survey data from the previous year and had a very serious discussion.

“It’s all going well in the south, and there’s nothing to worry about, but if you try to go beyond the Imperial Empire we’re going to be in trouble.”

“It’s because the Empire hasn’t officially signed a trade agreement yet.”

Evelyn nodded to the statement. When she was still an Empress, she had the right to sign the agreement as soon as possible, but the divorce ruined everything.

“Even the Empires need our commodities because they can not be self-sufficient in luxury goods or in many high-end products.”

“If they really need our products, it’s necessary to sign a trade agreement and deal fairly.”

The merchants became distressed since the Empire took only what they needed without signing an agreement. And It was an action that only the closed-door Empire would do.

“Should we have to sell goods to the Empire?”

Everyone’s attention was drawn when Evelyn opened her mouth. Evelyn felt a little burdened, but she continued to keep on talking, “If they don’t treat us fairly, we don’t have to sell our goods to the Empire.”

The conference room became noisy. In some instances, such acts could have been regarded as a rebellion against the Empire and the Emperor. This idea could easily have come to mind, but no one else was brave enough to say it.

“The princess is right, as the head of the Southern Trade Agreement, I have no intention of risking our unilateral losses .” Arthur said he gave a boost to Evelyn’s words.

“I believe so, too. They don’t understand fair trade because they take our goods like stealing. We don’t have to maintain the partnership with them,” said Liam.

After that, voices of support then came from all over the chair in the room. Until now, they had always experienced a fear of the Emperor. But the losses they had suffered as a result of the Imperial attitude were huge.

“Why doesn’t Sir Liam, the Duke of Akshire, collect our opinions and make a petition?”

“It’s a glorious duty.”

From Evelyn’s words, something great was about to begin.

“When the preparation is complete, I will submit this complaint directly to His Majesty.”

Even though Arthur was a small King when he stood before Adrian, his spirit as a King who once governed the Southern Continent remained in his soul. Evelyn’s father looked very different at a time like this.

“As Duke of Akshire, I am going to accompany King Majesty to the Empire.”

People were encouraged by Liam’s speech. Maybe Liam was Rebecca’s bully target, but when she saw him in public, there was no other young man like him. Evelyn now fully understood why he was one of the best grooms on the continent.

“Northern imperial lands are relatively unfruitful. The imperial family is said to be full of luxury but different from luxury in the south. How can we call it fair trade if we give away our valuable resources as if we were paying for it?”

Arthur was right on that. In reality, the princess and the ladies of the southern land each married an Imperial man to solve this problem. But as everyone knew, the result of this method was two divorced women. So now they would choose the standard one.

“I will send a letter to the Empire today.”

As if they all agreed, they gave their trust to the King and saw him with confidence.

“Princess Evelyn, that was a good idea.”

Arthur didn’t bother to call it out and applauded Evelyn, even though she felt strange to be praised by her father after her childhood.

“No, it was a shame that the Empire had taken the precious southern resources so easily.”

Evelyn’s idea was well received by the trade agreement officials who gathered here, as It represented their minds. Besides, their confidence was higher since Evelyn, the person who suggested the idea once lived in the Empire as an Empress.

“Your Majesty the King, it is a blessing to have wise princess.”

Arthur lifted his corner lips, “It’s not that much, but, yeah, she’s smart because she looks like me.”

“Then, I’ll have to wait for the Empire’s answer. So the meeting will be held again later.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

From the highest-ranking nobles to the Duke of Akshire who owned land and trade on par with the Felice Kingdom were all in the same position. They also came to understand that this problem couldn’t be solved by marriage.

On the contrary, it was a relief to see Evelyn stood first and sided with the Felice Kingdom. The same refers to trade agreements which had reinforced each other. And after the conference, they returned to their original positions and were busy with their respective affairs.

“I will escort your Majesty and Princess.” Liam approached and asked in a soft voice. Arthur allowed him to take the lead in leading them back to the King’s room. Arthur sat on the throne, and he offered a seat to the other two.

“Sir Liam, what do you think of Evelyn’s idea today?”

“I thought it was perfect, we should have done it faster.”

Liam was the man who cried all night after hearing that Evelyn would become Empress.

Even though he wasn’t a perfect man like the Emperor, he was confident enough to make her happy. Evelyn was a brilliant woman when he saw her today. What a waste if she was only living as someone’s wife.

“I didn’t say anything great.”

“Everyone thought about it, but didn’t dare to say. That’s what you did today.”

The Empire was like the landlords of the entire continent. In particular, the Imperial family acted as if they were a superior race that was different from ordinary humans. So, if there were any valuables goods, they would buy them specially. And trade couldn’t work out well in the Empire in that way.

“The Empire always wants to take priority over the others”.

Evelyn once lived there, so she knew it very well. Then Arthur swept his beard in sympathy, “If we don’t protest, they’re going to use our trade agreement forever. It’s like an exploitation. They usually laugh at us for doing business, but they act like a thief.”

“It’s only natural for our Kingdom to swear allegiance to the Empire. But that doesn’t mean that they can treat us casually.”

“Yes you’re right. If we don’t make it right, they won’t even know what’s wrong. Especially countries like us, that depend on the national economy for trade should draw a line.”

Liam was captivated by the calm and bold words of Evelyn. Earlier, even the upper ranks nobles couldn’t figure it out, so they only praised each other.

But, the beautiful Princess in front of him expressed her mind directly, as if she weren’t scared of the Emperor. That’s why no other woman would be able to enter Liam’s heart. No matter where he went in the world, he wasn’t confident that he could find a woman as brilliant as Evelyn.

“Everyone has to take time and effort to organize it, but… but we can make plans ahead of time. We need to get rid of the bad elements for the future of the Felice Kingdom.”

Evelyn first came up with that idea when she saw Adrian sleeping in her arms. There was no comparison between patriotism as a Princess and the desire to make the world a better place for a child to grow up and live better.

“I know it takes a lot of time and a long wait to do something big. That’s why we have to start now.”

Evelyn wanted to give Adrian a better world. She hated growing up taking the Empire’s privilege for granted, so she tried to teach them not to get used to being taken away. She also wanted to gather people and paint the beautiful future of this Southern land under the Empire.

“What we discussed today will soon be sent by letter through my arrangement.”

“Yes, but that’s one of many problems.”

“What do you mean, Princess?” Arthur asked he focused on Evelyn.

“There’s been a lot of work lately. His Majesty stayed, held banquets, and the nobles came, and I felt many things at that time.” Evelyn said the unpleasant thing calmly.

“In the Imperial family, I was taught to be silent by pretending to see but not see, hear but not hear.”

Then Liam’s eyebrows wriggled. Just imagining Evelyn’s sad life made him very emotional.

“As a result, His Majesty used our palace like a house of a vassal. And the ladies mocked me and ruined the banquet. Because I’ve always endured it, I’m upset to think that all I can see is that I’m so weak that even Felice Kingdom is being ignored.”

“It’s not your fault, Evelyn.” Liam was deeply sympathetic to Arthur’s words.

“I don’t want to be weak and ridiculed again, no matter who is to blame. If we have to respect the Empire, the Imperial people must respect us as well. I don’t want to be insulted by the Imperial people any more.”

Her blue eyes filled with determination. But what Evelyn said was right, “I want to make an alliance with the influential people of the southern lands and to divide the entire continent through trade. I want to do anything for the peace and prosperity of the Felice Kingdom.”

Arthur had already read Evelyn’s mind. How could he not have understood his daughter’s heart? It was a dream for Adrian, not for herself. While in the past, after looking at Evelyn, who was born, Arthur also vowed to make a better country.

Arthur gladly said, “Yes. You were born into the Felice family, so of course you should think so.”

“Sir Liam, what’s your opinion?”

“It’s such a wonderful plan, so I don’t have anything to say. Call me whenever you need my help, I’ll learn from the princess.”

Arthur smiled in front of him with a fairly nice picture.

“Your Majesty, may I venture to say what I said?” Liam stood up from his seat and set an example, and Arthur nodded with a friendly smile, “Akshire is my long-standing close friend …… your advice is always welcome.”

“As everyone who came to the trade agreement meeting today saw the princess is a wise woman, and she has the ability and will.”

“Right.”

Only Evelyn, the topic of this conversation was blinking because she didn’t know what he was talking about.

“However, I’m concerned that the status of a princess may be uncomfortable when it comes to a big job.”

“Ah······!” Arthur slapped his knee and spat out a cheerful gesture after hearing Liam’s opinion.

“Sir Liam, I knew what you were talking about. That was just the advice I needed right now.”

“I’m flattered. Your Majesty.”

Liam sat down again. Both men’s eyes were looking on Evelyn.

“Why are you both staring at me like that?

The appointment scheme, which was unknown to all parties, had begun.