At Leo III's reaction, Ariadne opened her eyes wide and questioned.
“Then, are Your Majesty saying that you were going to take it without paying for it?”
Leo III, who realized that preaching 'loyalty' here would only make him laugh, just opened his mouth.
Ariadne, in her own mercy, did not force him to speak, but instead corrected Leo III on the mistakes he was making.
“Of course, I know that Your Majesty can send troops to take my grain at any time.”
But just as a King can grant a title to anyone but must bear the consequences, so grain can be taken away by force at any time but must bear the consequences.
“I am distributing my grain primarily to the Rambouillet relief center and secondarily to the poor quarters of the capital. If Your Majesty the King were to take my grain, who would be the first to receive it?”
Ariadne laughed like a pear blossom.
“The military, I guess.”
The guards were paid in gold ducats, but grain prices had risen to the point where their wages were barely enough to buy food for a family.
The knights, many of whom came from noble families, could probably survive with the financial resources of their families, but the infantry corps was now starting to become too much.
It was necessary to provide grain at a low price only to the guards or to specify rations.
“If the relief centers and slums are left out because the military’s share is being cut out, where will the first complaints be heard?”
The poor who are directly disadvantaged and the religious community that takes the lead in providing relief to the poor will be the first to raise their voices. It would be okay if it stopped there. They are just a handful.
But soon, the next turn will be for ordinary people who consider themselves to be themselves to rise up. It has always been so, in the words of monarchs who have lost sight of their cause.
“In fact, merchants who only chase gold don’t get into big trouble, but they just get cursed at. That’s the nature of merchants. Don’t they get cursed at even when they’re not doing anything? You could say they pay in installments. But your situation is different.”
The King is ultimately responsible for what happens in the country.
Even when peace comes without doing anything, he will be praised, but if the people's lives become difficult through no fault of his own, he will have to bear the brunt of the resentment.
Moreover, when the King intervened and their life became difficult, no one could tolerate it.
“Public power has a weight to bear. It is a responsibility to take the lead in caring for the poorest and the most disadvantaged. That is the price paid for the loyalty of the people.”
In fact, the amount of supplies Ariadne is distributing to the relief homes and slums is tiny compared to the total amount she is carrying.
Even if Leo III confiscated all the food, there was enough left for the relief homes and poorhouses to distribute to the army.
But Leo III doesn't know that. And Ariadne has a skilled bluffing technique that she honed in her past life.
“If I stop sending food to the relief center, that’s fine. The girl worked hard to get by with her own money, but she couldn’t afford to send more. But what if the King takes my grain and stops the rations? Or at least reduces them?”
Her expression was distorted.
“Your Majesty won’t be able to handle it.”
It was a total threat.
She wanted to avoid power and pretense as much as possible, but when it came to showing her teeth, she had to show them.
When power threatened to devour her entire base, it was now.
“Hey, this girl!”
And Leo III was quick to realize that his opponent was blackmailing him.
“Do you think I won’t be able to send troops just because Young Lady says something like that?”
What he hated more than anything in the world was being forced to do something by someone else.
It was ironic for someone who was always forcing things on others.
“You are arrogantly preaching to the King of a country! You are just a mouth!”
But Ariadne did not budge an inch and held her head straight up.
“Of course, Your Majesty the King can imprison me or even behead me.”
Bluffing without a backing is something only a swindler would do. She came prepared.
“But it would be difficult for you to take my grain.”
“How rude!”
“Your Majesty the King was not the only high-ranking official who wanted grain. Others were even quicker than Your Majesty.”
Leo III's expression finally took on a look of alarm.
“The Grand Duke of the Principality of Assereto and the Council of Seven of the Republic of Porto have contacted me.”
She laughed as if it was funny.
“In the Principality of Assereto, they paid 5 ducats per cantaro, and in the Republic of Porto they paid 6 ducats per cantaro.”
"Ha!"
Leo III laughed in vain at the enormous sum he had never even thought of. But then he showed his true colors by growling.
“Young Lady. There is a fundamental difference between them and me.”
Leo III bared his teeth.
“That’s right, Young Lady, and your grain are within my territory.”
Leo III can send troops wherever he pleases, and they cannot move their armies freely within foreign territory.
'Confiscation' was a power that only Leo III possessed. The impudent woman in front of him should know that fact.
“Your Majesty the King’s words are absolutely correct.”
But the smile on the girl's face did not disappear. At first glance, she even looked relaxed.
Leo III was curious as to what on earth the girl believed in to do such a thing.
“However, Your Majesty can confiscate only the grains of Your Majesty’s subjects, not the grains already purchased by the Principality of Assereto or the Republic of Porto. Wouldn’t that be a diplomatic issue?”
"What!"
Leo III struck the tea table with his fist, where his teacups were resting.
The finest porcelain teacups imported from the Moorish Empire clanked and clinked against each other.
“You’ve already sold it! This damn cat...!”
“It hasn’t been sold yet.”
She looked at her watch. It was fifteen minutes short of three o'clock.
“If I don’t leave the palace and give a signal within the next 30 minutes...”
Ariadne turned her gaze back to Leo III and smiled brightly.
“My agent will sign the contracts with the representatives of both countries on my behalf.”
Ariadne pretended to look troubled.
“Your Majesty, I am not a traitor either. Rather than smuggling grain out of the country, I would rather help my people who speak the same language as me. However, if it is a 0 ducat vs. 6 ducat showdown, my range of action is too limited. I also bought and collected this grain. It has a cost price.”
Ariadne thought to herself.
'This is something that CEO Caruso would say.'
Well, if I could be a day laborer and protect the grain, I could do it.
“I too am naturally loyal to my country. I will give you 20,000 kantaros at 4 ducats per kantaro. It is a great bargain.”
It was a bargain compared to the price the Republic of Porto or the Principality of Assereto had agreed to pay for it.
However, Duke Cesare, who had already signed a contract at the beginning of the month, had already signed a contract for 1.25 ducats per cantaro.
'Well, there's nothing we can do about it. Prices are going up.'
Ariadne looked at her watch.
“Of course, assuming I can meet my agent within 30 minutes. If it’s later than that... there won’t be any grain left to drill.”
Leo III's hands trembled.
He approached her thinking she was a group of flower-viewing people, but it was a complete disaster. The reckless thing in front of her set fire to it.
“Oh, if you’re planning on sending the military to seize the goods, whether it’s through diplomatic friction or by a surprise, you should do it quickly. The party I'm handing over the majority of the goods to is the Republic of Porto.”
The Republic of Porto is a country that has dispatched merchants to all continents and constantly operates a large fleet.
“The Porto Republic sales are scheduled to be shipped immediately after the contract is signed. They will be out of our borders before midnight today.”
It was a good decision to contract the warehouse facing the canal, Ariadne thought to herself.
She didn't know that she would have to smuggle out food to avoid Leo III.
Leo III clenched his fists but did not explode in anger.
It was a complex mix of considerations, including the embarrassment of making a fool of himself in front of the young lady, and the worry about whether he should even take the grain that was being offered.
And he had another ulterior motive. Digging multiple tunnels was Leo III's specialty.
“...Is there anyone there?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
A palace servant appeared like a shadow and bowed his head beside Leo III.
“Bring the palace lawyer here immediately. I need to draw up a contract.”
It was a step back to advance, but Ariadne stopped Leo III.
“Your Majesty the King. I don’t think we need it right now.”
She checked her watch again.
“I... I think I need to go out now so I can contact the agent.”
Leo III was now trembling. Seeing that he was at his breaking point, she decided to put an end to her whining.
There was no need to deliberately provoke Leo III in front of his attendants, as the threat was now over.
“As a subject of the Great Etruscan Kingdom, I believe that Your Majesty the King’s word is sufficient, and there is no need to immediately put it in writing.”
She should also take care of the King's reputation.
“Please write it down slowly and send it to me. I will procure and secure the quantity promised to Your Majesty without a contract.”
But she can't stand this.
“Please prepare only 10% of the deposit and send it to me first.”
Leo III barely managed to control himself from throwing his teacup.
Ariadne asked with a smile.
“If Your Majesty permits, I will rise first and take care of business.”
“ Let...see.”
“Then, are Your Majesty saying that you were going to take it without paying for it?”
Leo III, who realized that preaching 'loyalty' here would only make him laugh, just opened his mouth.
Ariadne, in her own mercy, did not force him to speak, but instead corrected Leo III on the mistakes he was making.
“Of course, I know that Your Majesty can send troops to take my grain at any time.”
But just as a King can grant a title to anyone but must bear the consequences, so grain can be taken away by force at any time but must bear the consequences.
“I am distributing my grain primarily to the Rambouillet relief center and secondarily to the poor quarters of the capital. If Your Majesty the King were to take my grain, who would be the first to receive it?”
Ariadne laughed like a pear blossom.
“The military, I guess.”
The guards were paid in gold ducats, but grain prices had risen to the point where their wages were barely enough to buy food for a family.
The knights, many of whom came from noble families, could probably survive with the financial resources of their families, but the infantry corps was now starting to become too much.
It was necessary to provide grain at a low price only to the guards or to specify rations.
“If the relief centers and slums are left out because the military’s share is being cut out, where will the first complaints be heard?”
The poor who are directly disadvantaged and the religious community that takes the lead in providing relief to the poor will be the first to raise their voices. It would be okay if it stopped there. They are just a handful.
But soon, the next turn will be for ordinary people who consider themselves to be themselves to rise up. It has always been so, in the words of monarchs who have lost sight of their cause.
“In fact, merchants who only chase gold don’t get into big trouble, but they just get cursed at. That’s the nature of merchants. Don’t they get cursed at even when they’re not doing anything? You could say they pay in installments. But your situation is different.”
The King is ultimately responsible for what happens in the country.
Even when peace comes without doing anything, he will be praised, but if the people's lives become difficult through no fault of his own, he will have to bear the brunt of the resentment.
Moreover, when the King intervened and their life became difficult, no one could tolerate it.
“Public power has a weight to bear. It is a responsibility to take the lead in caring for the poorest and the most disadvantaged. That is the price paid for the loyalty of the people.”
In fact, the amount of supplies Ariadne is distributing to the relief homes and slums is tiny compared to the total amount she is carrying.
Even if Leo III confiscated all the food, there was enough left for the relief homes and poorhouses to distribute to the army.
But Leo III doesn't know that. And Ariadne has a skilled bluffing technique that she honed in her past life.
“If I stop sending food to the relief center, that’s fine. The girl worked hard to get by with her own money, but she couldn’t afford to send more. But what if the King takes my grain and stops the rations? Or at least reduces them?”
Her expression was distorted.
“Your Majesty won’t be able to handle it.”
It was a total threat.
She wanted to avoid power and pretense as much as possible, but when it came to showing her teeth, she had to show them.
When power threatened to devour her entire base, it was now.
“Hey, this girl!”
And Leo III was quick to realize that his opponent was blackmailing him.
“Do you think I won’t be able to send troops just because Young Lady says something like that?”
What he hated more than anything in the world was being forced to do something by someone else.
It was ironic for someone who was always forcing things on others.
“You are arrogantly preaching to the King of a country! You are just a mouth!”
But Ariadne did not budge an inch and held her head straight up.
“Of course, Your Majesty the King can imprison me or even behead me.”
Bluffing without a backing is something only a swindler would do. She came prepared.
“But it would be difficult for you to take my grain.”
“How rude!”
“Your Majesty the King was not the only high-ranking official who wanted grain. Others were even quicker than Your Majesty.”
Leo III's expression finally took on a look of alarm.
“The Grand Duke of the Principality of Assereto and the Council of Seven of the Republic of Porto have contacted me.”
She laughed as if it was funny.
“In the Principality of Assereto, they paid 5 ducats per cantaro, and in the Republic of Porto they paid 6 ducats per cantaro.”
"Ha!"
Leo III laughed in vain at the enormous sum he had never even thought of. But then he showed his true colors by growling.
“Young Lady. There is a fundamental difference between them and me.”
Leo III bared his teeth.
“That’s right, Young Lady, and your grain are within my territory.”
Leo III can send troops wherever he pleases, and they cannot move their armies freely within foreign territory.
'Confiscation' was a power that only Leo III possessed. The impudent woman in front of him should know that fact.
“Your Majesty the King’s words are absolutely correct.”
But the smile on the girl's face did not disappear. At first glance, she even looked relaxed.
Leo III was curious as to what on earth the girl believed in to do such a thing.
“However, Your Majesty can confiscate only the grains of Your Majesty’s subjects, not the grains already purchased by the Principality of Assereto or the Republic of Porto. Wouldn’t that be a diplomatic issue?”
"What!"
Leo III struck the tea table with his fist, where his teacups were resting.
The finest porcelain teacups imported from the Moorish Empire clanked and clinked against each other.
“You’ve already sold it! This damn cat...!”
“It hasn’t been sold yet.”
She looked at her watch. It was fifteen minutes short of three o'clock.
“If I don’t leave the palace and give a signal within the next 30 minutes...”
Ariadne turned her gaze back to Leo III and smiled brightly.
“My agent will sign the contracts with the representatives of both countries on my behalf.”
Ariadne pretended to look troubled.
“Your Majesty, I am not a traitor either. Rather than smuggling grain out of the country, I would rather help my people who speak the same language as me. However, if it is a 0 ducat vs. 6 ducat showdown, my range of action is too limited. I also bought and collected this grain. It has a cost price.”
Ariadne thought to herself.
'This is something that CEO Caruso would say.'
Well, if I could be a day laborer and protect the grain, I could do it.
“I too am naturally loyal to my country. I will give you 20,000 kantaros at 4 ducats per kantaro. It is a great bargain.”
It was a bargain compared to the price the Republic of Porto or the Principality of Assereto had agreed to pay for it.
However, Duke Cesare, who had already signed a contract at the beginning of the month, had already signed a contract for 1.25 ducats per cantaro.
'Well, there's nothing we can do about it. Prices are going up.'
Ariadne looked at her watch.
“Of course, assuming I can meet my agent within 30 minutes. If it’s later than that... there won’t be any grain left to drill.”
Leo III's hands trembled.
He approached her thinking she was a group of flower-viewing people, but it was a complete disaster. The reckless thing in front of her set fire to it.
“Oh, if you’re planning on sending the military to seize the goods, whether it’s through diplomatic friction or by a surprise, you should do it quickly. The party I'm handing over the majority of the goods to is the Republic of Porto.”
The Republic of Porto is a country that has dispatched merchants to all continents and constantly operates a large fleet.
“The Porto Republic sales are scheduled to be shipped immediately after the contract is signed. They will be out of our borders before midnight today.”
It was a good decision to contract the warehouse facing the canal, Ariadne thought to herself.
She didn't know that she would have to smuggle out food to avoid Leo III.
Leo III clenched his fists but did not explode in anger.
It was a complex mix of considerations, including the embarrassment of making a fool of himself in front of the young lady, and the worry about whether he should even take the grain that was being offered.
And he had another ulterior motive. Digging multiple tunnels was Leo III's specialty.
“...Is there anyone there?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
A palace servant appeared like a shadow and bowed his head beside Leo III.
“Bring the palace lawyer here immediately. I need to draw up a contract.”
It was a step back to advance, but Ariadne stopped Leo III.
“Your Majesty the King. I don’t think we need it right now.”
She checked her watch again.
“I... I think I need to go out now so I can contact the agent.”
Leo III was now trembling. Seeing that he was at his breaking point, she decided to put an end to her whining.
There was no need to deliberately provoke Leo III in front of his attendants, as the threat was now over.
“As a subject of the Great Etruscan Kingdom, I believe that Your Majesty the King’s word is sufficient, and there is no need to immediately put it in writing.”
She should also take care of the King's reputation.
“Please write it down slowly and send it to me. I will procure and secure the quantity promised to Your Majesty without a contract.”
But she can't stand this.
“Please prepare only 10% of the deposit and send it to me first.”
Leo III barely managed to control himself from throwing his teacup.
Ariadne asked with a smile.
“If Your Majesty permits, I will rise first and take care of business.”
“ Let...see.”
“I thank Your Majesty for your grace.”
Ariadne stood up refreshed.
***
Things were more or less settled with Leo III, but Ariadne had something new to do.
'You're giving him a title?'
On this point Leo III was right. The title was most likely held by Ippolito.
'That won't do.'
Ariadne had not yet fully discovered the secret of Ippolito's birth.
She sent people down to Taranto to thoroughly dig up the past and obtain evidence, but the outbreak of the plague made physical movement difficult.
'I have to do something with what I have.'
Ariadne didn't really like the idea of beating a snake to the ground, but there is a time for everything.
"Sancha."
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Send my letter to Baldessar.”
“Can I send it to Miss Julia?”
“No, to little Marquis Raphael. I have something urgent to ask of him.”
"All right."
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