78 – 78. Invitation
On the way back after meeting Alan.
Princess Victoria, the first princess, sat in the carriage in a dignified posture.
Straightening her spine, aligning the centerline of her shoulders with the centerline of her waist, she sat upright.
Anyone who sees her would think she’s a troublemaker, but there was no one in the empire who could actually make trouble for her. She was just in the most comfortable position.
However, even though her body was at ease, her mind was complicated.
It was because of what Alan had said that came to mind.
“I’m fine. Please don’t think of them as too insufferable. Restraining and doubting what we don’t know is human instinct.”
…How could she even embrace the people who had belittled her?
Of course, it could be because the aristocrats were right in front of her, so she refrained from speaking, but in her eyes, Alan seemed sincere. If it was an act, then Alan should quit being a knight and become a full-time actor.
Ability.
Adaptability.
And above all, loyalty to the empire.
“It’s not right to keep such talent by Siena’s side.”
Indeed, Alan was too valuable to Siena.
As Alan had said himself, he would soon be awarded a title.
She had a rough idea of what title was being discussed. Since one of the many titles owned by the royal family would definitely be bestowed upon him. There were only nine vacant titles, including viscount and marquis, so he would be given one of them.
But the title wasn’t the problem.
What was more important than the title was helping him demonstrate his abilities and earn the respect of others.
“I can do that better than Siena.”
Come to think of it, Alan’s first career was a bit regrettable.
Alan was a graduate of the swordsmanship department with excellent grades.
He wasn’t going to be immediately assigned to the emperor’s guard, but if he had the determination, he could have come to Victoria herself. So why did he aspire to be a knight in the 3rd Guard Division for Siena? It was truly disappointing.
“No, it’s not too late yet.”
Once Alan receives his title, it would be challenging for him to work as an ordinary critic.
At that point, creating a reasonable excuse to send him to the military was the solution.
There was no need to keep him as a knight.
Although Alan knew that knights were a group bonded by pride, he didn’t seem to belong to that category. After all, a knight carrying a sword everywhere, that’s not his style. Recruiting him into the military wouldn’t be a bad idea.
A bit closer.
To collaborate more efficiently.
It wasn’t a biased decision. Just evaluating his abilities.
“I should find an opportunity soon.”
Persuading Sienna wouldn’t be easy.
He didn’t know the details, but he was aware that Sienna recently visited the Grand Forest to see Alan. Is she that fond of him?
However, if Sienna also had the intention of having a capable confidant, she might eventually accept. Otherwise, there was no choice.
Fortunately, the prospects were bright.
Right after returning to the military headquarters.
“Princess, there’s no need to criticize Alan in front of you anymore. We realized that we viewed him with a narrow perspective.”
Uncle Hayden, who came to visit earlier, said this.
Seems like the warning from before was effective.
Although he didn’t have a pleased expression, he didn’t seem likely to resist her will. Victoria, feeling relieved, sternly warned her uncle, “Be extra careful in the future.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I will be cautious.”
Seeing her uncle obediently agreeing, Victoria could find some peace of mind.
Alan doesn’t smile.
Not even a hint of a smile.
What could be the reason?
Sienna was lost in thought, entrusting her head to the maid.
“Was it because of the silver hair?”
It didn’t seem like it.
Sienna thought that Alan would express his burden by saying, “This is too much.”
It was such a huge privilege, enough to make people in the empire jealous.
Just by giving up the dru*g business and enjoying the glory of silver, Alan could eventually become a symbol of the empire.
But Alan was strangely indifferent.
“What do you want me to do?”
Asking him directly for his opinion was forbidden. It was like giving a gift and demanding something in return. Sienna had never experienced giving a gift to someone in the first place, so she didn’t know what was normal.
The means Sienna came up with in her contemplation, in the end…
“Should I give him more things?”
“Your Highness?”
“Not for you. Touch my head.”
“Yes…!”
The maid made an effort to create natural waves in Sienna’s silver hair. One strand of her playful hair was pulled out, but Sienna didn’t show any reaction.
It wasn’t because she was worried that the maid would be engulfed in the fear of death, but because she had other thoughts.
A gift.
The dilemma of finding a gift that could draw out Alan’s reaction.
Sanatorium? Copper? No, it would be okay to give a different gift without relying solely on algebra.
Just as I was pondering, the person in question appeared.
“I have something to say.”
Alan, who was a head taller than her, with ash-colored hair and a somewhat faded appearance compared to before. He was the despicable person who had reluctantly accepted the gift by suppressing his personality and forcing himself.
Although he was a despicable person who deserved to be dead, the context was different this time.
Sienna glanced at Alan for a moment before shifting her gaze.
“Good timing, Alan.”
“Your Highness?”
“If you use your head, we might be able to obtain a natural gemstone. Of course, they might refuse at first. But… it’s a resource that we couldn’t have obtained without you, right? Otherwise, we would have had to sacrifice tens of thousands of soldiers just to get it.”
“……”
“I’ll go and talk to Father. Are you in favor as well?”
Sienna’s words were not sincere either.
The natural gemstone was practically a resource tied to national security. If the Empire was a normal country, they wouldn’t give it to a single private company. Even the weak Emperor, who was particularly weak towards Sienna, would refuse it.
She had just thrown it out to see Alan’s reaction.
If he didn’t show any joy, she at least wanted to provoke annoyance.
‘How will he react this time?’
If he reacted like a stone again, she had actually considered giving up.
Even if Alan didn’t accept it, she had no choice. Once the game was set in motion, she would have to cooperate for her own safety.
If she couldn’t win his favor, she had to keep him by her side, even if it meant that…
“Sienna, Your Highness. There’s no need for you to do that.”
“What?”
“I told you there’s no need.”
Alan informed her with a face that showed no signs of embarrassment.
His calmness made Sienna feel a mix of emotions, almost on the verge of tears.
In her heart, she wanted to pour out all the grievances she had suffered from the Empress onto Alan, but she was worried about the consequences. Considering her relationship with Alan, she had to endure… but was there any meaning in enduring? After all, he wouldn’t understand anyway.
At that moment, Alan suddenly spoke up.
“Let’s go to the laboratory together.”
From Noble mtl dot com
He proposed, offering to escort her.
Sienna found herself rising to her feet without even realizing it.
**
Repaying Sienna’s gift. I pondered over what I should do to keep her living peacefully.
A modest gift purchased with the money earned from selling dru*gs?
It didn’t seem to suit Sienna’s taste.
To be honest, exchanging awkward gifts between us felt strange. Especially considering what we had done together. Above all, what Sienna wanted from me was not something like that.
So, I brought her to the laboratory.
At first, it was a makeshift facility for producing morphine,
But now, it had become a laboratory capable of producing even heroin.
Here, I could produce everything from natural substances, and most synthetic ones as well. Heroin was one of them. To move on to the next stage, it would require a considerable amount of money and a change of location, but it wasn’t entirely impossible.
“Why… here?”
Still, Sienna’s face displayed a discontented expression.
Nevertheless, there was a vitality in her expression that seemed as genuine as her passion for narcotics.
Hence, dealing with her was even more challenging.
A woman who seemed to have a genuine interest in me, but equally cherished the dru*g business. She appeared to have the desire to treat me well, yet there was an estimation that she wouldn’t live a quiet life for my sake.
In the end, the only solution was to gradually tame her.
So, the place I brought her to was none other than the production room.
“Your Highness. It seems someone accessed this place while I was away.”
Sienna openly expressed confusion at my words.
I had hinted at the change in the prime location, and it hit the mark. There was even a guard stationed, but Sienna was the only one who could enter forcibly.
“Alan, are you trying to blame me?”
“I’m not interrogating you. Since this production room is within the Temsgwang grounds, thanks to Your Highness’s consideration, I’m using it for free. It was hastily arranged at first, but upon reflection, there’s no more secure place.”
“…”
“After all, this business could not have started without you.”
Perhaps due to the title ‘Your Highness,’ Sienna hesitated for a moment.
I threw it out to test the waters, and the reaction wasn’t bad. Her expression, which was once filled with discontent, had softened a bit.
“So… I’m allowed to enter?”
“Yes. From now on, you don’t have to argue with the guards. You can just visit.”
“Even when you’re making dru*gs?”
“I apologize, but that’s not allowed.”
The expression became gloomy again.
Of course, I didn’t leave it alone.
“There are many risks during production. You must be aware of the minimum precautions to safely observe.”
“Then…”
“I will teach you. …Slowly from now on.”
Notification that there is no one else but you who is trusted enough to be brought to the manufacturing room. And it was also a notification to listen to my words well in the future.
Sienna stood still for a while.
Does it still not feel real to her? But soon, you could see her lips faintly grumbling. After fidgeting with her messy hair, her expression gradually became watery, staring at me intently.
“Okay, Alan.”
Finally, Sienna nodded with a bright expression.
The moment she realized that the gift got through.
And I could also know how this woman felt towards me.
I don’t know how it happened, but there was no way to turn it back.