CH 94

Princess Mia Wears a Smug Smile

After leaving the courtyard, Mia entered the Rudolvon House.

I did it!

Mia was screaming triumphantly in her heart. She could not resist showing a sly smile. In truth, she looked scary with that evil grin.

—

About ten minutes ago

Ugh, I don’t really want to go.

Upon arriving at Rudolvon’s house, Mia was feeling very depressed. Although she understood that she needed to do this, she wasn’t motivated at all. After all, it is the birthplace of Tiona Rudolvon, her enemy of the previous life. So, to speak, it is the enemy’s headquarters.

It can’t be fun.

I wonder if I should wander around first until my mood gets better.

It was about this time when she saw a boy.

Oh, what an adorable child.

It was a boy who was watering flowers. The atmosphere was just ephemeral. Adding the effeminate look of the boy, it looked like a scene out of a fairy tale.

“Hmm… a boy who loves flowers?”

Realization immediately dawns on Mia. This is Cyril Rudolvon. The fact that he was able to produce a new kind of wheat should be because he was familiar with plants. Flowers = plants!

Mia sneaks up secretly, trying not to surprise him as much as possible. She hunched her back, curled her fingers, and carefully walked on the tips of her toes. There was nothing that says the Wisdom of the Empire in the way she is acting now. She was more like a thief breaking in into someone’s home. Nevertheless, her sneaky approach proved to be successful. She was in the perfect spot to talk to the boy.

“Oh my… they’re pretty flowers, aren’t they?”

—

This is the Art of Love that was taught to her by her master strategist, Anne.

“Mia-sama, it seems that men love it when you praise their work.”

“Is that right? That means Prince Abel … what is his work?”

“I wonder if it can also be a hobby. Doesn’t he like equestrian or swordsmanship?”

“I see. Good idea Anne. Your advice is very helpful.”

Just in case anyone has forgotten, Anne has no love experience … but fortunately, Anne’s advice at that time was right.

—

Men love it when I praise the work they do. That means that this child, Cyril will surely be pleased if I praise the flowers he has grown

Mia elegantly knelt beside the flower,

“These are Sweetmoons, I believe?”

Yes, Mia is about to do something very undignified.

She was trying to show off her appeal as a girl. Then, at the same time, she was going to name the flowers. This will make it appear that she was knowledgeable about it and has a real appreciation of what he was doing. This tactic is totally unbecoming of a noble. But not for Mia; she’s a pragmatist. She wouldn’t mind stooping so low if she can achieve her goal of a new wheat, and even more, to escape the guillotine. She’s willing to play dirty.

Hmmm… this is as good as it gets. If all goes well, the new wheat is good as mine!

When she stood up after being called by Anne, Mia was filled with a sense of fulfilment. She turned away from Cyril then wore the smuggest of smiles.

—

“Princess Mia. Welcome to this distant place.”

“Nice to meet you, Outcount Rudolvon. I hope you are keeping well.”

Mia greeted with respectfully and with proper courtesy. Her manners did not carry any of the common arrogance of the capital nobles when talking to poor nobles.

The daughters of the other nobles I have met before always looked down on me. But it seems that the Princess is different.

The Outcount was impressed with the Princess. Even if he could not tell if the Princess was sincere or not, at least on the surface, she was polite.

—

Outland Count or Outcount. That is the title given to the Rudolvons. Being a count is a high title that should have commanded respect within the empire. However, just adding the ‘out’ in the ‘count’, it changes everything.

In the first place, the birth of this title is related to the empire’s land expansion policy. Since its founding, the Tearmoon Empire has been actively expanding its territory. They went out to lands that doesn’t have a ruler and actively expand onto them either by persuasion or by force. Initially, the imperial government gave the newly acquired territory to the central nobles to rule it. However, the reaction of the people who originally lived there was worse than expected, and the policy was changed quickly.

Next, they thought that the powerful people who originally ruled the land would be relegated to the imperial aristocrats, and that the land would be ruled as a territory. This policy worked better than expected. There was no unnecessary confusion due to the change of ruler, and the territorial consolidation proceeded smoothly.

But at one point, a problem arose.

It was when tribal chiefs who were heads of many tribes own a considerable large tract of land. The empire desperately wants to make them under their control. The Imperial Green Moon Ministry, who oversees the negotiations, promised the chiefs of the tribe the title of “Count” in view of the size and importance of its territory. The empire succeeded in swallowing the land brilliantly.

It was good up to that point … But the problem was after that. The central nobles rebelled violently.

“How does a country bumpkin become a count overnight?! That’s outrageous!”

Such complaints were fierce that the Green Moon Ministry had no choice but to respond.  To appease the central nobles, the tribal chiefs must be lower than the count. However, overturning what they once promised to give would affect the empire’s credibility. The high-ranking officials were worried and squeezed their wisdom, and the conclusion that they managed to reach was the title of “Outland Count”.

In negotiations, they would emphasize on the title “count”. However, back in the capital, they would emphasize the “Out” part to distinguish them. It didn’t take long for Outland Count to become Outcount, which is usually seen as an outcast. It was so low that even the barons, who are the lowest in the hierarchy, make fun of them. Little by little, through the years, a rift appeared that will slowly widen. It was a dangerous factor that could break the empire from within.

—

Given such circumstances, it is easy to see how unusual Mia’s attitude is. It made an impression on Outcount Rudolvon that he unconsciously straightened his back out of respect.

“I would like to thank you for your kindness to my daughter at the academy.”

“Kindness? No, I don’t remember giving kindness to be thanked about.”

“Is that so… well… I still would like to thank you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s about the recent incident in the Sealence Forest. Thank you very much for talking with Viscount Berman. Including the members of the Lulu tribe…”

“Oh, I guess that did happen.”

Mia clapped her hands as if it was such a small matter that she wouldn’t have remembered if she wasn’t reminded.

She’s obviously here for that matter. But it seems that the Princess prefers to keep her cards close to her chest.

No way would Outcount Rudolvon ever believe that Mia wasn’t acting but that she really had forgotten about the incident. Mia smiled, and just moved on to another topic. Her voice was light as if she was singing.

“Rather than talking about that, Outland Count Rudolvon, I came here today to offer a proposal for you.”

“… Hmm, a proposal?”

Rudolvon corrected his posture and looked attentively towards Mia.

Her Highness settled Viscount Berman’s grievances the other day. So, I am sure she is here to settle out grievances as well. In that case, she shouldn’t be making us too bad an offer.

However, he has a feeling that it won’t be a simple proposal that she will be offering. He was, after all, dealing with the Wisdom of the Empire. Surely, she won’t let this matter be done with only a letter of apology and a bag of gold coins.

Something tells me I should prepare for something that I am not expecting.

Mia was totally oblivious of the expectations that were placed upon her. She continued to talk in a calm and quiet voice.

TN: I am back! now let’s get this rolling…