CH 114

No matter how immature she was, she knew that it could spread quite quickly if the Grand Duke took issue with what happened the previous day.

“Why did the princess come to the Empire? You have stayed for quite a while simply because you have come as a delegation.”

“That’s…”

“Are you here to find someone to marry?”

At Leon’s right answer, Christine’s eyes widened and she responded curiously.

“Right, how did you know?”

“Because it’s obvious. The reason why a princess of marriageable age travels to another country.”

“…You know everything? I came here for the Grand Duke.”

Leon’s expression was calm even when she said she had come with him in mind.

“It’s already impossible, so you have to go back empty-handed.”

“…I guess so, it’s embarrassing to be here much longer. But even if I go back…”

Princess Christine stepped down smoothly but blurred the end of her speech with a mixed expression.

Leon already knew why Princess Christine came before asking her. If she went back without any prospects in this manner, the prince who was currently in power would call her incompetent and she would be forced into marriage.

And the partner was often in a difficult immigrant country or a nobleman on the outskirts who lacked loyalty.

If Princess Christine was a child of a concubine, she would have been out of interest, but unfortunately, she was the child of the second consort, so she was someone to keep in check for the prince.

“What if it’s a cause comparable to marriage?”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“There’s been a long-cherished desire in the kingdom of Elard.”

“If that’s what you mean… Are you talking about Kesena Port?”

“That’s right.”

The kingdom of Elard was a maritime country and valued the trade industry. However, due to the location of the country, ships departing from the kingdom of Elard had to pass through Kesena Port within the Haschel Empire to go to other countries.

This was because, to go far, they had to stop there for fuel and food supplies.

The empire took advantage of its geographical advantages to demand toll and seat taxes, and the kingdom of Elard was forced to pay for it from its nose.

The amount was considerable and national, but it could not be helped.

If Princess Christine returned with a solution to it, it was an achievement that could never be ignored, and it was clear that it would be a force to protect her.

Leon didn’t like Princess Christine very much, but it didn’t matter whether he hated her or not.

“Why are you making such a suggestion to me all of a sudden? There’s something you want, right?”

“Of course, I’ll ask you a very difficult favor.”

Princess Christine focused on Leon’s words. She was going to accept whatever he asked for. As such, Leon’s proposal was an unconventional and attractive condition.

“You have to testify against Count Rian Felice. It’s…maybe it’s insulting to the royal lady.”

However, Princess Christine’s face darkened due to Leon’s continued explanation. As soon as she testified against Rian, rumors about her would spread to Elard.

It was a condition to carry personal disgrace and national interests together as rumors would spread that she was cold-blooded. However, Leon made such a proposal and showed no hesitation.

“You must be aiming for Rian Felice. Can I ask you why?”

“You’ll find out about that as time goes on. What should I do? Are you thinking of making a deal?”

“Does the Grand Duke’s words alone lower the toll at Kesena Port? Why do you believe it?”

“His Majesty will allow it. Even if he doesn’t allow it, it’s also part of the Tertius territory. They’ll just have to lower the land tax.”

It was a fully understandable explanation. Princess Christine’s face was worried. She hesitated for a moment and eventually spoke.

“… Give me time to think.”

“I hope it’s a quick conclusion.”

Eventually, she would accept this proposal.

The disgrace of private life in the kingdom of Elard may be embarrassing for oneself, but it had nothing to do with public affairs. There were so many things that crossed the line, and there was great reluctance to point out the issue openly because there were many people involved.

Leon was about to get up after talking like that.

“Your Grace! Your Grace!”

Leon and Christine looked at the same time in the direction of the urgent voice. A knight came running and gasping for breath.

Leon, who had been looking at him for a while, jumped up when he noticed that he was one of the knights he sent with Dana.

“Your Highness, on the way to the mountain… The lady disappeared!”

“Say it properly. How does a person in a carriage disappear?”

Leon suppressed the boiling anger and demanded an explanation again.

“I stopped the carriage because she said she had to get off in a hurry. We turned our heads and waited.”

Leon’s red eyes were filled with rage. At the silent urge to say more, the knight continued to speak again.

“She didn’t come even after we waited for a long time, so we turned around and she had disappeared.”

“It means she may have run away or had an accident.”

“That’s… That’s right.”

“Go back.”

Leon walked out of the place without further explanation. Then Princess Christine followed and called him urgently.

“Grand Duke! What about our discussion?”

Then Leon looked at her with a stiff face and firmly spit it out.

“If you make a decision, send someone to the castle. Our promise will be kept.”

Then he disappeared without looking back. Princess Christine felt strange envy as he left but quickly forgot about it at the moment.