DYBAR - Chapter 168 < Preparation as A Future Princess >
Do Your Best And Regret
The garden of Vikander Castle bathed in midday sunlight.
- With love, Ethella, your sister.
I, who carefully read the affectionate greeting, smiled.
The story of Ethella, the rumors that swept through the system, and her rise to a social status higher than that of the Princess.
My heart sank as I read Ethella's letter, which filled three pages. This time, there was no story she had been waiting for. The Duke of Elkin, the Empress, and the Princess seemed to still maintain their noble status.
Although he promised to exact fierce revenge, the Duke of Madeleine did not seem to have drawn his sword yet.
That day, he looked like he was going to do anything, based on his bowed head.
I shrugged my shoulders as my memories blurred.
But, If the real duke had made up his mind and drawn his sword, Dean would have come running with the capital's newspaper full of scandalous rumors even before Ethella's letter arrived.
Dean, who came with an excited look on his face and holding a waving newspaper, probably said something like this.
'Miss! Finally, the drafters are writing a proper article!'
I chuckled at the plausible prediction and looked at Dean, who was standing next to me. Dean, who had no idea what was going on, laughed along with me.
“Have there been any interesting rumors in the system, Miss?"
"Just... Is it to the extent that the good deeds of a donor using the pseudonym Emerald were widely known?”
“Still, it won’t come close to the good deeds of our dear sponsor, Liv Green. At that time, what the Young Lady gave us was not just food. What a big, delicious turkey during the war.”
Dean said with a serious face. Contrary to the content, his face was sincere, as if he was reciting doctrine.
“Not only was you a Saint, but you were also Liv Green?”
After I revealed that I was Liv Green, Dean's eyes popped out in shock and he often acted like a Liv Green devotee.
For example, when eating turkey, when going to eat turkey, or after eating turkey.
At this level, wouldn't he be a believer in turkey cooking rather than a devoted believer?
I, biting my lip to suppress my laughter, eventually burst into laughter as Dean praised the turkey.
“Has anything good happened to our southwestern master?”
A voice as clear as the clear sky was heard.
“Glory to the sun of Vikander.”
Greetings were being offered one after another as the King approached from far away. I also quickly got up from my seat and showed respect. It was not a perfect etiquette for dealing with a monarch, but a simplified etiquette for family members.
“Glory to the sun of Vikander.”
The King swallowed a happy smile and accepted the courtesy.
The King clearly remembered how that child's face sparkled at the word 'family'.
Where did such a pretty child come from?
He looked at the seat in front of Olivia, remembering that his choice was always right.
“Is it okay if I sit down for a while?”
“It is infinite glory. I was just about to ask for an audience with His Majesty.”
“An audience. What kind of accomplishments is our princess-to-be going through with her luck?”
The King trembled sternly. Olivia smiled brightly, showing off her pride that she couldn't hide. The King grinned and looked behind Olivia.
Outside the castle, coniferous trees as tall as six stories were densely decorating the landscape. He could hear the cool sound of the wind rustling the sharp leaves.
People won't know.
The fact that behind those trees, as beautiful and quiet as a landscape painting, large-scale construction for a royal palace painting has begun using the vast, empty land.
I, who carefully read the affectionate greeting, smiled.
The story of Ethella, the rumors that swept through the system, and her rise to a social status higher than that of the Princess.
My heart sank as I read Ethella's letter, which filled three pages. This time, there was no story she had been waiting for. The Duke of Elkin, the Empress, and the Princess seemed to still maintain their noble status.
Although he promised to exact fierce revenge, the Duke of Madeleine did not seem to have drawn his sword yet.
That day, he looked like he was going to do anything, based on his bowed head.
I shrugged my shoulders as my memories blurred.
But, If the real duke had made up his mind and drawn his sword, Dean would have come running with the capital's newspaper full of scandalous rumors even before Ethella's letter arrived.
Dean, who came with an excited look on his face and holding a waving newspaper, probably said something like this.
'Miss! Finally, the drafters are writing a proper article!'
I chuckled at the plausible prediction and looked at Dean, who was standing next to me. Dean, who had no idea what was going on, laughed along with me.
“Have there been any interesting rumors in the system, Miss?"
"Just... Is it to the extent that the good deeds of a donor using the pseudonym Emerald were widely known?”
“Still, it won’t come close to the good deeds of our dear sponsor, Liv Green. At that time, what the Young Lady gave us was not just food. What a big, delicious turkey during the war.”
Dean said with a serious face. Contrary to the content, his face was sincere, as if he was reciting doctrine.
“Not only was you a Saint, but you were also Liv Green?”
After I revealed that I was Liv Green, Dean's eyes popped out in shock and he often acted like a Liv Green devotee.
For example, when eating turkey, when going to eat turkey, or after eating turkey.
At this level, wouldn't he be a believer in turkey cooking rather than a devoted believer?
I, biting my lip to suppress my laughter, eventually burst into laughter as Dean praised the turkey.
“Has anything good happened to our southwestern master?”
A voice as clear as the clear sky was heard.
“Glory to the sun of Vikander.”
Greetings were being offered one after another as the King approached from far away. I also quickly got up from my seat and showed respect. It was not a perfect etiquette for dealing with a monarch, but a simplified etiquette for family members.
“Glory to the sun of Vikander.”
The King swallowed a happy smile and accepted the courtesy.
The King clearly remembered how that child's face sparkled at the word 'family'.
Where did such a pretty child come from?
He looked at the seat in front of Olivia, remembering that his choice was always right.
“Is it okay if I sit down for a while?”
“It is infinite glory. I was just about to ask for an audience with His Majesty.”
“An audience. What kind of accomplishments is our princess-to-be going through with her luck?”
The King trembled sternly. Olivia smiled brightly, showing off her pride that she couldn't hide. The King grinned and looked behind Olivia.
Outside the castle, coniferous trees as tall as six stories were densely decorating the landscape. He could hear the cool sound of the wind rustling the sharp leaves.
People won't know.
The fact that behind those trees, as beautiful and quiet as a landscape painting, large-scale construction for a royal palace painting has begun using the vast, empty land.
***
“It’s not enough, but I overlooked the land clearance of Jeniv Street and the construction of a waterway in the Tristan granary area. If you give me permission, I would like to proceed with the conversion of the Grand Duke’s palace into a royal palace.”
After the coronation, the King remembered Olivia's first words when she came to him with a determined expression. It was actually Bethanny who was shocked.
"No, Miss. What about the wedding? Just preparing for the wedding must be overwhelming.”
“Even the simple arrangement of the area took several months, but it is a royal palace. There may be a need for expansion after construction begins, so if we look at 10 years, it won’t be too early to do it now.”
Olivia ignored Bethany's dissuasion with a smile. And with a confident look on her face, she quietly began her explanation.
“The current Vikander Castle is not large compared to its territory. On the other hand, the nobles of the territories that have just been incorporated into Vikander, and the nobles of the territories that will be incorporated in the future, still have quite a strong influence in their territories.”
Even if we were to simply build a palace commensurate with the size of the kingdom, everyone would nod their heads.
Olivia's explanation was a little more essential. It's not enough to lay the foundation for Vikander, it's the best way to recruit local lords.
“So, I thought, why not build an overwhelmingly large palace, invite nobles there, remove them from their base, and disperse power? A palace that looks nice is also a sign of powerful dignity and authority.”
The words Olivia had prepared made the King click his tongue. Even though she was nervous, her bright, sparkling green eyes did not give up.
“Of course, the construction will cost a lot of money. So, if we secure as much cost as possible and start construction before the wedding...”
Olivia pursed her lips. As he carefully parted his lips, judging by the considerable sum, the King suddenly spoke of her.
“Edwin will be upset.”
Olivia had her face puzzled. The King smiled trustingly.
“You worry about the budget in this wealthy Vikander. When suggesting such a good opinion, you should hold your head high and speak confidently rather than being hesitant about things like the budget.”
As the King continued, Olivia's face lit up. The King narrowed his eyes at her.
“Just give it a try, Olivia. But don’t worry about the budget.”
Olivia stood up from her seat enthusiastically. And then she walked away.
Seeing her back, the King called Sobel. And the story the two shared in secret was something Olivia would never know.
“Sobel. Keep my command to build a palace behind the main castle secret.”
“What is the reason, Your Majesty? I ask whether the order to rescue architects and workers as soon as possible should be replaced with nothing.”
"Oh. Leave that name alone. I found it, so you can just give me the list when Olivia orders it.”
All the King could do as he looked at Sobel, who blinked his eyes as if he understood at once, was to squint one of his eyes.
“It’s an achievement. You gave me too much credit. All I can offer you right now is a cup of warm tea.”
“It’s full and overflowing.”
I, whose cheeks were flushed, slowly began to pour tea from the teapot. As he watched the steaming tea coming up, the King said something as if he was watching.
“Anyway, isn’t it cold?”
I grinned.
I knew very well that the King's concern stemmed from the magic stone necklace I gave him. So he pointed at my dress even more exaggeratedly.
"Sure, Your Majesty. Bethanny cast a really powerful spell on the entire castle.”
Even though I was wearing only a thin dress and not even a shawl, my body was warm. The season of midwinter was almost insignificant.
The King looked at my flushed cheeks and nodded his head in agreement. And he leisurely lifted the teacup.
“So, what are you going to tell me?”
"That is..."
I pressed my lips for a moment. As always when I talk about a great start, my heart is pounding
“...It has been done as Your Majesty said. Letters arrived from several of the empire's southern fiefdoms. They must have heard about the recent bandit incident, and they said they would pay tribute.”
“Look at this, Olivia.”
The King burst into laughter. And he said, squinting his eyes filled with kindness.
“If you could send out a hundred food wagons and become a lord without a drop of blood, wouldn’t it be a lucrative business?”
"..."
“Sobel. Keep my command to build a palace behind the main castle secret.”
“What is the reason, Your Majesty? I ask whether the order to rescue architects and workers as soon as possible should be replaced with nothing.”
"Oh. Leave that name alone. I found it, so you can just give me the list when Olivia orders it.”
All the King could do as he looked at Sobel, who blinked his eyes as if he understood at once, was to squint one of his eyes.
***
“It’s an achievement. You gave me too much credit. All I can offer you right now is a cup of warm tea.”
“It’s full and overflowing.”
I, whose cheeks were flushed, slowly began to pour tea from the teapot. As he watched the steaming tea coming up, the King said something as if he was watching.
“Anyway, isn’t it cold?”
I grinned.
I knew very well that the King's concern stemmed from the magic stone necklace I gave him. So he pointed at my dress even more exaggeratedly.
"Sure, Your Majesty. Bethanny cast a really powerful spell on the entire castle.”
Even though I was wearing only a thin dress and not even a shawl, my body was warm. The season of midwinter was almost insignificant.
The King looked at my flushed cheeks and nodded his head in agreement. And he leisurely lifted the teacup.
“So, what are you going to tell me?”
"That is..."
I pressed my lips for a moment. As always when I talk about a great start, my heart is pounding
“...It has been done as Your Majesty said. Letters arrived from several of the empire's southern fiefdoms. They must have heard about the recent bandit incident, and they said they would pay tribute.”
“Look at this, Olivia.”
The King burst into laughter. And he said, squinting his eyes filled with kindness.
“If you could send out a hundred food wagons and become a lord without a drop of blood, wouldn’t it be a lucrative business?”
"..."
“Send the grain comfortably, Olivia. Isn’t this the territory where you sit as a Lord? The more you spend, the longer the queue will be, right? It would be nice to see it. Even if it costs a hundred or so, it is infinitely cheaper compared to what you will own.”
When Edwin transferred the five southwestern territories he had acquired through negotiation into his own name, this was what the King said to me, who was assessing the situation of the territories being plundered by a band of thieves.
At that time, I just thought that those words were similar to the method I used to appease Tristan, who was suffering from food shortages. But now there was one more problem added.
A group of unidentified thieves.
Even so, the southern part, which should have been prosperous, was empty due to imperial exploitation.
At the beginning of winter, when people have to worry about food shortages, what did those who were not protected by anyone think first when they saw hundreds of food wagons moving under the escort of Vikander knights?
I came to my senses after hearing the words of the King and Prince, who had gone two moves ahead. Feeling the sweet feeling of welcoming my new world, emotions that I didn't even know about began to beat along with my heartbeat.
I want to be a better Princess, for example, a princess worthy of a King and a Prince, things like that.
It was then. Sobel approached me with his courtesy and said to me.
"Miss. Baron Stone has requested an audience.”
“I guess that’s it for today’s cup of tea. Hurry up and go. Now that you’re done with your work, it’s your turn to receive your gift, right?”
I smiled brightly at the King's friendly invitation.
The deepest part of the royal castle.
The King returned to his bedroom under the pretext of taking a short rest, took a deep breath, and looked at the top of his home dance desk.
Esmeralda Lowell Vikander, the first Queen of the Vikander Kingdom, was smiling brightly in the portrait Bethanny gave him as a gift.
The King approached it and unfolded a map of the continent on the desk.
Vikander Territory, now the capital of the Vikander Kingdom, starting from this place, the territories occupied by Olivia and Edwin were newly marked in red.
A vast territory spanning more than half of the continent. Looking at the Kingdom of Vikander, which had already surpassed the size of the Franz Empire, the King recalled the Prince's oath during his tour.
“Please wait for three years, father. As you said, I will personally win the crown of glory.”
A happy smile appeared on the King's lips.
It was then. Sobel approached me with his courtesy and said to me.
"Miss. Baron Stone has requested an audience.”
“I guess that’s it for today’s cup of tea. Hurry up and go. Now that you’re done with your work, it’s your turn to receive your gift, right?”
I smiled brightly at the King's friendly invitation.
***
The deepest part of the royal castle.
The King returned to his bedroom under the pretext of taking a short rest, took a deep breath, and looked at the top of his home dance desk.
Esmeralda Lowell Vikander, the first Queen of the Vikander Kingdom, was smiling brightly in the portrait Bethanny gave him as a gift.
The King approached it and unfolded a map of the continent on the desk.
Vikander Territory, now the capital of the Vikander Kingdom, starting from this place, the territories occupied by Olivia and Edwin were newly marked in red.
A vast territory spanning more than half of the continent. Looking at the Kingdom of Vikander, which had already surpassed the size of the Franz Empire, the King recalled the Prince's oath during his tour.
“Please wait for three years, father. As you said, I will personally win the crown of glory.”
A happy smile appeared on the King's lips.
He said to bring a plan to take over the territory, but he didn't say to bring the territory. Because of his chaotic situation, he is taking advantage of the rumors of a band of thieves running amok.
“..Who do you resemble to be so smart?."
'Of course, it's because he takes after me.'
The longed-for voice seemed like an auditory hallucination. The King looked at the portrait with his eyes narrowed.
Her brightly smiling green eyes took the place of an answer that did not come back.
The King still vividly remembered the Queen's bright smile. And he smiled brightly and nodded his head.
"Yes. He must be so smart because he looks like my wife.”
The voice that was choked up was infinitely sad. But soon Sobel's voice was heard along with a knock.
"Your Majesty. The retainers have entered the palace to report on the inspection of the territory.”
The King blinked slowly. And then he smiled and grumbled a little.
"Anyway. That guy looks exactly like Mueller.”
The King had many things waiting for his permission, and these things gave him new energy.
His time spent in sorrow became shorter and shorter. Because he was busy looking at the portrait and talking about how he missed it. It was something that everyone, especially one woman, truly hoped for.
The warm green eyes in the portrait seemed to sparkle with joy as the King
“..Who do you resemble to be so smart?."
'Of course, it's because he takes after me.'
The longed-for voice seemed like an auditory hallucination. The King looked at the portrait with his eyes narrowed.
Her brightly smiling green eyes took the place of an answer that did not come back.
The King still vividly remembered the Queen's bright smile. And he smiled brightly and nodded his head.
"Yes. He must be so smart because he looks like my wife.”
The voice that was choked up was infinitely sad. But soon Sobel's voice was heard along with a knock.
"Your Majesty. The retainers have entered the palace to report on the inspection of the territory.”
The King blinked slowly. And then he smiled and grumbled a little.
"Anyway. That guy looks exactly like Mueller.”
The King had many things waiting for his permission, and these things gave him new energy.
His time spent in sorrow became shorter and shorter. Because he was busy looking at the portrait and talking about how he missed it. It was something that everyone, especially one woman, truly hoped for.
The warm green eyes in the portrait seemed to sparkle with joy as the King
listened to the state affairs report with a solemn expression.
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