Chapter 246: A Dangerous Plan
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 246: A Dangerous Plan
“We’re going to theme this as a World Expo.”
“A World Expo?”
Theodore blinked, not quite grasping her meaning.
“I intend to expand the recruitment of merchant guilds to include every country bordering the Empire.”
Theodore was stunned. What on earth was she talking about?
Originally, the Imperial Expo was a venue created for the Empire’s nobility to boast about and exchange goods from the merchant guilds based in their respective territories. While there were exhibition areas for neighboring countries, they were merely for show—a formality to fill out the space.
“An expo is a place to showcase the most superior technology and products. Do you truly believe Rondoris or Arsen possess technology that surpasses the Empire’s?”
“That’s why I’m broadening the scope.”
Annette continued calmly. “In terms of pure technology, the Empire might be superior. However, Rondoris is far ahead of the Empire in culture and the arts, and Arsen excels in agriculture and animal husbandry.”
The Grand Duchess was proposing to expand the expo’s focus from simple commercial technology to a comprehensive, all-encompassing event.
“Merchant guilds from various nations gathering to exchange technology and trends across diverse fields—isn’t that the true meaning of an expo?”
Theodore opened his mouth to retort, but he couldn’t find a single flaw in her logic.
If they expanded the recruitment range as the Grand Duchess suggested, they might not reach five thousand, but they could certainly hit their original goal of a thousand guilds.
Just then, the Imperial official sitting next to him shifted uncomfortably, his lips twitching as if he wanted to speak.
“You there. You look like you have something to say. Speak,” the Grand Duchess said, lifting her chin with an air of elegance.
“I beg your pardon, Your Highness, but recruiting five thousand merchant guilds is impossible with our current manpower.”
The official’s voice grew frantic at her nonchalant demeanor.
“Furthermore, promoting the recruitment in Rondoris and Arsen will take a long time… and for countries further away, using the Gates would involve various costs and logistics…”
He droned on and on in front of the Grand Duchess.
‘He certainly has a way of dancing around the fact that he just doesn’t want to work,’ Theodore thought, struggling to suppress his rising irritation.
The Imperial officials were steeped in a habit of helplessness and lethargy.
‘If you’re going to be lazy, at least have the sense to read the room.’
It was embarrassing. What was he doing, acting like this in front of the Grand Duchess?
Watching the Imperial official ramble on with excuses, the Grand Duchess let out a short, sharp laugh. It was a clear scoff of ridicule.
“Do not worry,” she said, tilting her head slightly. “We will handle that on our end. Adem?”
At her clear, resonant call, an official sitting a few seats away answered respectfully. “Yes, Your Highness?”
“Start by drafting the promotional materials for the merchant guild recruitment and place an advertisement in the Northern News. Oh, and make sure to mention that the Blenheim Gate is now open.”
“Understood.”
“There are many nobles from Rondoris visiting the Carmania Theater, so ensure there are plenty of promotional flyers available there. Ah, it would also be good to have a crier read the announcement before the opera begins.”
The aides diligently took down the Grand Duchess’s instructions.
“And Oswick, you have the list of merchant guilds Sir Perel narrowed down yesterday, right? We’ll be sending invitations directly to them.”
“I’ve also narrowed down a list for eastern nations like Beload and Pendrabis. How should we handle those?”
“There are no Gates there, so…” Annette tapped her finger against the table. “It will take them much longer to arrive. Tell them we will subsidize the expedited travel and shipping costs for the guilds and their goods.”
The aides nodded, agreeing that attracting as many international guilds as possible was worth the expense.
Watching the aides react with such agility to the Grand Duchess’s every word, Theodore felt a strange sensation.
‘They’re all so sharp.’
He could feel a strong sense of will from the Grand Ducal aides—a desire to perform their duties perfectly and a deep-seated yearning to meet their superior’s expectations.
The Grand Duchess and her officials had likely built this relationship of trust through numerous shared experiences. The faith in their eyes was unmistakable.
‘I suppose it makes sense.’
Theodore found himself forced to agree. Seeing her issue orders so decisively… it was obvious she already had the entire plan perfectly mapped out in her head. When a leader is that full of conviction, subordinates have no choice but to follow with absolute trust.
“There is only one thing I ask of the Imperial side.”
The Grand Duchess turned her gaze toward Theodore.
“You mentioned that an agreement regarding the Charleyn family’s villa has not yet been reached, correct?”
She demanded that he take responsibility for securing permission.
“Even if you have to use the names of His Majesty the Emperor or Her Highness the Crown Princess, you must secure that expo site at all costs.”
Theodore felt a bit disgruntled at being given orders, but since the Grand Ducal House was handling everything else, it was difficult to complain. Besides, if the expo site wasn’t secured, the Imperial side would be the ones in real trouble.
With a dazed expression he couldn’t quite hide, Theodore nodded his agreement.
* * *
The Empress pressed a hand to her throbbing forehead. “So, you’re saying there’s a livestock plague spreading through Ravenlore?”
“I am deeply sorry, Your Majesty.”
A vassal from the Ravenlore family—the Empress’s maiden home—bowed his head low.
“The internal situation is dire as we are currently disposing of thousands of sheep raised within the territory.”
The vassal pleaded for leniency, explaining that they needed to conserve funds this winter.
“The Lord asked me to humbly seek Your Majesty’s understanding, as it will be difficult to provide the funds you requested immediately.”
“Are you telling me a great house like Ravenlore cannot send that much money just because a few thousand sheep died?”
“The harvests have been poor for several years now, and the situation in the territory is truly precarious. The commoners are worried they will starve to death this winter.”
The vassal emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that they hadn’t fully eradicated the plague yet and other livestock were continuing to die.
Trembling with rage, the Empress finally waved her hand, dismissing him.
“I see. I have lost my father’s confidence.”
While her lady-in-waiting nervously brought fresh tea, the Empress clenched her fists so hard her nails dug into her palms.
It seemed the news of the Crown Princess receiving investment from the Grand Duke had already reached her father. Her father, Count Ravenlore, was a man who always calculated profit and loss with cold precision. To think he would cut off the discretionary funds he had always sent so abruptly.
‘It means he thinks I am not proving my potential sufficiently.’
What Count Ravenlore desired was the position of grandfather to the next Emperor. Having a son-in-law whose power was waning was doing little to increase his own influence.
“Your Majesty, it is true that the situation in the territory is difficult,” a lady-in-waiting from a vassal family spoke up cautiously.
“Why? Did your father tell you to say that?”
“N-no, not at all!” She waved her hands in a panic, insisting that the livestock plague was real. “I heard the territory is in an uproar because quite a few people fell ill after eating the dead sheep.”
At such a critical time, her family should have been supporting her firmly, yet here they were with this pathetic noise.
The irritation was too much; the Empress hurled her teacup. It shattered instantly, splashing hot tea onto the ladies-in-waiting and maids.
“This cannot go on.”
She had originally handed over the expo to drag the Crown Princess’s public image into the abyss. But then came the investment from the Blenheim family.
The mere fact of the Grand Duke’s investment would cause the Crown Princess’s standing to soar. If the expo succeeded on top of that?
‘I must stop it at all costs.’
She had to find a way to prevent the expo from happening. The Empress gripped her neatly styled hair as if she were about to tear it out.
What reason could there be to force the cancellation of the expo?
As she agonized over it, a plausible idea flickered in her mind.
‘It’s a dangerous plan, but…’
If things went according to her plan, not only would the expo be canceled, but the responsibility would naturally fall on the Crown Princess.
‘It will also plant the perception that the Crown Princess is unfit to be the successor.’
Most importantly, public sentiment would turn against her.
The Empress rose slowly and walked to the window. As the now-cool breeze hit her face, her mind began to calm.
‘Who should I have do this?’
Ferdin, the Young Marquis Frais? No, not him. He was an important piece she needed to keep for a long time to solidify Valentin’s position. Besides, a clever man like him wouldn’t readily agree to something that could cause fatal harm to his own house.
‘In the end, there is only one man.’
Someone who was both dull-witted and greedy. Someone who wouldn’t hesitate to commit a foul deed for the sake of his own and his family’s profit.
Gazing out at the peaceful scenery, the Empress spoke.
“Summon Marquis Frais.”
* * *
Loik watched with a satisfied smile as Annette busily ate her strawberry pudding.
They were at Sendore, the most famous restaurant in the capital. The Grand Ducal couple was seated at the table with the best view. Since it was a secluded area, it was the perfect spot for an intimate conversation.
Annette, having first eaten the pudding around the edges where there was no fruit, had just taken a large spoonful from the section topped with strawberries.
Watching her, Loik couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“Why are you laughing?”
Annette looked up, her eyes wide, spoon still in hand.