Chapter 100

And a proposal ring? The ridiculous rumors were funny, but Heinz, who was desperate to discredit them, was curious about the reason why he would pair up with the princess of the kingdom. Count Berner, who had been keeping an eye on Dietrich, quietly stepped forward.

“The Kingdom of Honfleur is practically an island because the land route is blocked by the Lironte Valley. However, the remnants of the pirates Highgate, who were destroyed recently, have gone down to the Honfleur waters and are causing trouble for the kingdom. It’s clear that they want help from our Günther Empire. That’s why they must have sent the princess on that dangerous path.”

“Hoo. Our ministers are so well informed about the situation that I have no worries about the future of the empire.”

Unexpectedly, Count Berner’s words were completely correct. The Kingdom of Honfleur, located at the tip of the continent, was the closest country to the Günther Empire, but because of the steep, impassable Lironte Valley, it was also the most distant. The only way to Honfleur was by sea, but that route was currently blocked by the pirate Highgate. Was there really any gain worth the loss? Dietrich opened his mouth with a grin.

“But if the Kingdom of Honfleur is just like an island, as you say, then what good would it do for us to have such close relations with them?”

“Aren’t there good copper mines scattered throughout the Kingdom of Honfleur? In return for lending Brenicke’s navy, they can pay with copper.”

“That’s right!”

Dietrich clapped his hands in admiration at the flawless and perfect answer. He wondered what on earth those who had always interfered with his work were up to and why they were so active. The closest place to the Kingdom of Honfleur was the Brenicke territory.

If the navy led by Heinz wiped out the remnants of Highgate, it would only be a matter of time before Honfleur’s sea route was opened. If they could import good copper cheaply just by lending troops, it would be a huge gain for an empire that was sorely lacking in minerals. The reason they had not done it until now, despite knowing this, was entirely because of the nobles’ concern that Heinz’s power would grow.

But now, they want to connect Heinz and Princess Marie-Jose? As Dietrich quietly looked at them, Duke Sylvester, who had been sitting silently, added a few words.

“Also, since the country is still in turmoil due to the civil war, if we use the good news of the marriage to show that our empire is still alive and well, it will be effective in calming the people’s minds.”

At Duke Sylvester’s words, the anti-Emperor nobles, including Marquis Grossman, nodded and supported him. Dietrich, who tilted his chin at their shameless faces, smiled mischievously.

“But you know… If it’s really necessary good news, wouldn’t it be better if it were a really big one?”

“Yes?”

“What about me? If it’s to calm the people’s minds that are in turmoil due to the civil war, wouldn’t it be better for the rebel who caused the chaos in the country to personally take care of it?”

A deathly silence descended on the noisy conference hall. As the meeting, which had been drawing sharply on the tip of his tongue, ended without reaching a conclusion, the ministers poured out through the wide-open conference room door.

Baron Pallenberg, whose face was relieved just by being free from the suffocating atmosphere amidst the various expressions, hurriedly walked, but an unfamiliar voice called out to him.

“Baron Pallenberg!”

“No, aren’t you Count Greta?”

Baron Pallenberg greeted Count Greta, who he had no particular close relationship with, with a puzzled look on his face.

“Did you have a nice summer vacation?”

“My wife was not in good health, so she couldn’t go far. By the way, I heard you visited the Kingdom of Küsshausen this time?”

“The news is fast. But why is that………?”

When Baron Pallenberg asked the question that he couldn’t guess the meaning of, Count Greta smiled kindly and led the baron to one side of the hallway, continuing to speak indirectly.

“I heard that the Kingdom of Küsshausen is going to import hundred-year-old oak trees. Our Greta Ship is planning to introduce a new cruise ship this time, but we are seriously short on good quality wood.”

Baron Pallenberg’s eyes lit up at Count Greta’s words. When it comes to shipbuilding, the units of wood required were different from those required for construction or furniture. The businessman’s blood in him boiled with excitement at the unexpected opportunity.

“How many cruise ships do you plan to build?”

“Hehe, well. After this welcome banquet for the ambassadors, we plan to launch our new cruise ship from the Berner Port and see how it responds. I think we will build at least two or three? Maybe we will continue to have good business in the future.”

This is a jackpot! Baron Pallenberg cheered inwardly. Since the sea route was opened, the Günther Empire has been enjoying a boom in the maritime industry.

What is the most important thing? Ships!

If he can start with Greta Ship and supply wood to other shipbuilders in the future, his business will be on a roll.

“Haha! Let’s have a separate conversation.”

“That’s great! We’re planning to hold a ball on board our cruise ship at the Berner Port this time, and I would like you to attend, Baron.”

Baron Pallenberg nodded his head and readily agreed to Count Greta’s invitation. Then the Count smiled brightly and patted the Baron’s shoulder intimately and continued to speak secretly.

“I heard that my nephew is having a good meeting with your daughter.”

“Mhm? Ah, I heard it from a distance, but is he Count Greta’s nephew?”

“Haha, that’s right. He’s my nephew , and my wife is very interested in your daughter. It would be nice to have a place for the two of you sometime. What do you think?”

“I can’t keep my grown daughter in my arms forever. Good!”

“Then, I will send the message through your wife later.”

Baron Pallenberg nodded readily and hurried his steps with a smile. He wanted to tell his wife about the good news that came along with the business.

***

Why is this necklace around her neck?

Henelone quietly lowered her gaze and looked down at her neck, doubts that had been rising since she left the mansion. The necklace she had originally chosen in the costume shop was a gold necklace in the shape of a laurel leaf. It was decorated with small, transparent glass beads like dewdrops on grass.

However, what was currently hanging around her neck was a silver necklace with gorgeous diamonds. A gorgeous necklace with two rows of pure white silver, diamonds set at regular intervals, and transparent gems that gradually decreased in size were lined up, creating the illusion of raindrops flowing down her neck.

In the end, she couldn’t hold back her doubts. Henelone tapped Diana on the shoulder.

“Isn’t this the necklace that you secretly bought for your father and fought over?”

“Secretly?”

Diana jumped at Henelone’s whisper, then quietly lowered her voice while looking at the Baron sitting across from her.

“Your father seemed to have completely forgotten my birthday, so I gave myself this necklace……!”

That’s it. Henelone muttered indifferently, sweeping down the long diamonds that stretched over her collarbone. His dull father didn’t seem to notice it yet, but it was the necklace that gave the Baron and his wife, who were famous lovebirds, their first memorable fight. It was also the necklace that her mother, who couldn’t stand it, cried and said she would sell it right away. But that wasn’t the important thing.

“But why me……?”

The important thing was why did you give me such an expensive necklace? Why did you put it around my neck? Henelone’s eyes narrowed in suspicion as Milena suddenly remembered her putting on the dowry necklace while preparing for the first meeting with Adrian.

“It’s because it’s the first imperial banquet you’ve attended in a while!”

“I also attended the debutante ball held in the spring.”

This spring, at the debutante ball, Henelone broke a very surprising record. It was the record of a Young Lady, the first in the history of the empire to attend the fifth debutante ball. Even though she had refused to go and was dragged to the debutante ball, she didn’t take out the diamond necklace, and now she’s putting it around her neck? No matter how much she thought about it, it was extremely suspicious.

“Don’t say anything to Mother. It’s nice to wear something expensive.”

“…Be quiet, brother.”

“But since there’s no gentleman to dance with, it’s a shame to waste the necklace.”

Thud!

A dull impact sound echoed through the quiet carriage. Henelone’s older brother, Declan, who had been hit in the shin by a sharp shoe, frowned and crouched.