Episode 84. Thrifty and Properly Extracting Useful Points
It was evening Serena and Claude were sitting opposite each other in the study of the Duke of Valois. Candlelight quietly illuminated the room. They had just finished dinner, but neither of them had any intention of rising from their seats.
Claude was the kind of person who would settle down first and wait when he had something to say. Serena knew this, too. Serena confessed everything that had happened at the Imperial Palace that day to Claude. That she had stopped by His Majesty the Emperor's quarters first. That she had told the Empress at her chambers that she had been deceived by her father. That she had dropped a hint that His Majesty the Emperor was watching over the hot springs. That she had shed tears in front of the Empress. That the Empress had sent her out when His Majesty the Emperor arrived. Even the plans she had made alone in the carriage.
Claude listened silently to Serena's story until the very end. However, he noticed her expression change briefly at the part where she mentioned she had shed tears. Serena observed Claude's expression and thought to herself, 'Father must be a little surprised.'
"The Empress's gaze has likely turned toward His Majesty the Emperor. At least for the time being."
Claude said.
"For the time being "
"Yes. Her Majesty the Empress isn't the type to keep looking only at that forever. But that 'for the time being' is exactly the time we need. Time to finish the hot spring construction."
"And we must repay His Majesty the Emperor in some way, too. After all, I essentially pinned the blame on him today. His Majesty bore the brunt of Her Majesty the Empress's wrath without knowing anything. From His Majesty's perspective, he might feel a bit wronged."
Claude said.
"How do you plan to repay him?"
Serena asked, putting down her teacup.
"The hot spring is the first thing that came to mind."
Claude looked at Serena. She leaned forward slightly and said.
"The Golden Lion Merchant Guild is messing around at the construction site right now. The people from the Golden Lion Merchant Guild are in control of the project, but it isn't progressing properly. They must be deliberately delaying it. I plan to use that as an excuse to make a proposal to His Majesty the Emperor."
"What kind of proposal?"
"If His Majesty would contribute a share of the construction costs, we would begin the work on Otto, who had previously agreed to design the waterway. And I would offer a portion of the hot spring revenue as a share. From His Majesty's perspective, it is not a losing proposition since he contributes a small amount to the construction while regularly taking the hot spring income."
Claude looked at Serena for a moment before speaking.
"How do you'plan to get rid of the Duke of Kreuz's men?"
"We can get rid of them after the construction is finished. If we try to get rid of them right now, it will catch the Empress's eye. Once the construction is complete, we will create a pretext to send them away. In the meantime, the Duke of Kreuz's men will benefit from the work, but isn't that better than dragging it out any longer?"
Claude said, crossing his arms.
"You have quite a lot on your mind."
He looked out the window, then back at Serena. Then he patted Serena's shoulder once. It was a silent pat. A person who never directly says praise. Patting the shoulder was the maximum expression Claude could muster. Serena drank her tea, sensing this.
At the same time, the candlelight in the Empress's chambers was flickering. After dismissing all the ladies-in-waiting, the Empress and Duke Kreuz were facing each other. They had rushed over in a panic after receiving word that the Empress's summons were serious. Looking at Duke Kreuz, the Empress said.
"Sit down, Brother."
As Duke Kreuz took his seat, he looked at Her Majesty the Empress. Her Majesty's expression was different from usual. It was cold and rigid. It was the look of someone who had firmly resolved something. However, he could sense that anger was mixed within that resolve.
"I am talking about Karl Ernst."
Duke Kreuz looked at Her Majesty the Empress.
"The new Captain of the Guard. I heard His Royal Highness the Crown Prince recommended him."
Her Majesty the Empress said.
"I still can't believe him. It is even more so because he is someone recommended by the Crown Prince."
Duke Kreuz nodded. Appointing someone recommended by the Crown Prince as Her Majesty the Empress's Captain of the Guard. Someone who had risen to the position of the Empress's closest confidant, untouched by the Empress's influence. And someone who lacks the concrete credibility to be taken under one's own wing yet.
The Empress said.
"Is there anyone capable among the former guard captain's henchmen?"
Duke Kreuz fell into thought for a moment before speaking.
"Yes, there is. There are a few people the former captain trusted and relied on for a long time, but they scattered after his execution. Some remain inside and outside the palace. Would it be good to place one of them as a close aide to the Empress?"
The Empress nodded.
"Without Karl Ernst knowing. And without the Crown Prince knowing."
Duke Kreuz bowed and said.
"Understood."
"And regarding the hot springs."
Duke Kreuz looked at the Empress. He could see her expression change slightly at the mention of the hot springs. The Empress slowly set down her teacup and said.
"It seems the Emperor knows something about the hot springs as well."
Duke Kreuz froze.
"How did he know that..."
"How he knew it is not important. The important thing is that he knows."
There was a look of bewilderment in Duke Kreuz's eyes. It was unexpected that the Emperor was aware of the hot springs. It was also a look of calculating the implications of the Emperor knowing that the Golden Lion Merchant Guild was deeply involved in the construction.
"For now, it would be best to put aside any other activities at the hot springs. Focus solely on the construction. Do not do anything conspicuous. Always keep in mind that His Majesty is watching."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
The Empress looked out the window. The palace garden was shrouded in darkness. It was a garden that appeared peaceful during the day, but it was dark at night. It was a garden where peace and darkness coexisted. Heinrich Moncler. That name lingered coldly in the Empress's mind.
The next morning, Serena stood in the garden, gazing toward the lavender flowerbed. It was after breakfast. When she rose from her seat after speaking with Claude last night, her mind felt full
Serena had developed a habit of coming out to the garden whenever she was deep in thought. Looking at the lavender gave her the feeling that her mind was emptied somewhat.
Just then, Maxim entered with quick steps.
"My Lady, a guest has arrived."
Serena looked at Maxim.
"Who is it?"
"It is His Imperial Majesty."
Serena looked at Maxim again.
"His Imperial Majesty?"
"Yes. Judging by his disguise, it seems he has come to visit quietly."
He has come in person. Then he must have come to claim his reward.
"Advance him to the reception room. Please call Father as well."
It was the reception room. Emperor Heinrich Moncler was sitting there, disguised. It was not the splendid imperial attire. It was ordinary noble attire. However, that disguise could not conceal the Emperor. His sitting posture, the way he held his tea, and the look in his eyes as he surveyed the reception room all revealed that he was the Emperor. For someone who had lived in the imperial court for so long, it was always visible no matter where they were.
Claude sat opposite the Emperor. In the presence of the Emperor, Claude's characteristic taciturnity seemed even more pronounced on his face, perhaps because he was in the Emperor's presence. Serena looked at the Emperor as she entered the reception room. The Emperor looked at Serena.
"You have come, Princess."
Serena said, bowing slightly.
"Your Majesty, you have come a long way."
The Emperor said.
"It is not far. How far is this from the palace?"
Serena said as she sat down.
"It is a long journey for Your Majesty to come in person. It is no ordinary feat for Your Majesty to disguise himself and walk all the way to a subject's house."
The Emperor chuckled at her remark. Then, setting down his teacup, he said.
"I heard about what happened at the Empress's quarters yesterday."
Serena looked at the Emperor.
"The Duke was explaining it to me just moments ago, while sweating profusely."
Claude, perhaps flustered, took out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead. The Emperor looked at Claude for a moment, then turned his gaze back to Serena.
"Princess of Valois, have you seen this audacious one?"
He then burst into hearty laughter. He laughed as unrestrainedly as he had in his quarters. The Emperor's laughter echoed through the drawing room. Claude could be seen stiffening slightly as he listened. His face showed that he could not yet accept the reality that His Majesty the Emperor was laughing like this in his own drawing room. The Emperor stopped laughing and spoke.
"So you want me to take the blame for everything? You turned the Empress's arrows toward me and slipped your way out. I knew it from the moment you winked at me and left the chambers yesterday. I knew this young lady was plotting something."
Serena spoke.
"Your Majesty, the Empress's arrow was destined to eventually point toward Your Majesty anyway. I merely hastened it a little. Besides, it is much safer for the Valois ducal family to have the arrow aimed at Your Majesty rather than at me. You must protect us for Her Majesty to remain steadfast."
The Emperor spoke, looking at Serena.
"Then what are you going to do for me? Since I took the brunt of the arrow, shouldn't there be some reward?"
Serena asked.
"Now, I must negotiate. If I can cut back on anything."
"Cut back. Go ahead and throw it at me."
Serena said.
"I mean the hot spring construction project. Duke Kreuz is currently messing around at the site. The people from the Golden Lion Merchant Guild are in control of the project, but it isn't progressing properly. They must be deliberately delaying it. If we leave them alone, we don't know when the hot spring will be completed. So, I intend to secretly entrust the construction to another contractor. Please include a share of that construction cost, Your Majesty."
The Emperor put down his teacup and spoke to Serena with a look of disbelief.
"You want me to invest a stake? I came here to receive a reward, but you're asking for money instead? What a ridiculous Princess."
[Lucy's Secret Shock Journal - Episode 84]
I realized what the Princess was deep in thought about in the carriage yesterday. It was a plan to repay His Majesty the Emperor. But to think she would try to cut even that. She truly shows the qualities of a great merchant.
And today, His Majesty the Emperor arrived at the mansion. Such a noble person in such a humble place. Princess, stay on your guard.
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