Chapter 157

Chapter 157

“We’ve now properly resolved our problems with the waterways.”

“A considerable amount of our funds went into this project, Your Highness. We have to put these non-lucrative and huge projects on hold for quite some time...”

“We’re not in a rush to get back our capital. Amy, what about the stones that you purchased from the Allaui Merchant Group?”

“Yes, all of them have been loaded up and stored in a warehouse nearby.”

“Alright. In three days, we should call for a few royal guards and tell them to start on the next project with the dwarves.”

Since they were done dealing with the underground waterways, it was time for them to pack the ground, the very source of dust, and create stone pathways!

Of course, stone pavements and roads were things that could only be seen in large cities. However, Davey believed that a cleaner territory would lead to better hygiene, which would in turn result in a more beautiful appearance to attract plenty of visitors and tourists. In other words, if the territory’s quality of life increased, then the natural outcome would be a significant increase in population and that would allow them to generate higher revenue.

“I will convey Your Highness’ message right away.” Although something was bothering her, Amy did not pursue the matter anymore since she could not pinpoint what it was. She nodded in agreement.

For a moment, Davey felt like he was a bit too full of himself.

—

It looks like you have already resolved this territory’s biggest disadvantage when it comes to farming, since you can control the weather and the climate. This applies to the nearby lands too.

The Heins Territory was huge—it was not called a vast wasteland for nothing. Even though the land was cracked and dry, if given more time and a larger number of people to manage it, the vast wasteland could turn into fertile and prosperous land. Of course, drawbacks also existed. Although Davey could control the amount of rainfall in the vast lands of his territory, because of a lack of precision, the variety of the crops that they could cultivate was also lacking. Also...

“If I make it rain every time we need it, then it will eventually cause damage to the environment.”

That was actually the most important part. If Davey continued to do that, then it was no different from long-term suicide. After all, this method would kill his surroundings and environment, as well as his goal of living a good life.

“It would be nice to have some elementalists to manage things...”

Elves were the most famous race in this respect, as they produced many elementalists. However, Davey did not have any method to entice them and drag them over to work for him, so that was out of the question. Besides, cooperating with that race was not a very appealing option to Davey right now.

“Just come inside,” Davey said leisurely, his eyes straying away from the documents that Amy had left behind. He watched a man dressed in black military uniform slowly appear as if he had been in the room since earlier. Davey then asked, “What’s the matter?”

“There’s something that I wish to tell you.”

Rinne, who was sleeping while hugging Red Ribbon and Blue Ribbon on the sofa by the side of the room, slowly opened her eyes at the man’s calm answer. She could not help but tilt her head at the sudden stand-off between Jack and Davey.

“Right. You want to say something...”

Jack only wanted to say something to Davey, right? So, why did it sound like this was some kind of big deal? Just to make sure, Davey silently checked Jack’s status window. However, there were no big changes so far. Jack was still the dark elf whose real name was Aina Helishana.

“But before that, let me ask you a question.”

“Please ask away.”

“Do you have a younger or an older sister by any chance?” Davey asked as the atmosphere momentarily turned delicate.

“What do you mean...?”

“Nevermind. Right, you’ve done quite a few things for me during this time. I can, of course, listen to what you have to say.”

Jack only answered Davey with silence. He was seemingly telling Davey that he had to help with this, since he had been slaving over the things that Davey had asked him to do. Jack softly spoke up. “Yes. Then...”

“Huh? Who left this fairytale here?” Davey interrupted Jack, stopping him from speaking any further. He held out a small book in his hands and commented, “The Elf’s Lover? Huh? Isn’t this elven romance novel very famous in the capital these days?”

“That’s right but... I think Miss Winley has brought that here deliberately.”

“Winley? What’s so good about this?”

“Pl... Please stop.”

“Your Imperial Highness, would you like me to give you some advice? There’s a way for you to capture a man without fail.”

“There... There is?” Aeria immediately raised her head, revealing wide-open eyes. It was safe to say that she was seriously considering whatever method it was that Kathryn would say.

‘What kind of guy is that punk to make our dear princess fall this hard for him?’

Kathryn had never met this prince of a small nation that had cured Aeria of her illness, since she had been at the borders doing an imperial inspection when everything happened.

“From what I can tell, that prince is either too considerate or just not interested. If we followed your pace and waited for progress to happen, then we’d both get wrinkles by the time something happened, am I right? Besides, that prince left without any hesitation. And with His Majesty, the Emperor, an extreme daughter-loving father, he will definitely not push for an arranged marriage.”

“Th... Then...”

Kathryn grinned when she saw Aeria’s tearful expression, saying, “If that’s the case, then there’s only one good method that will work for you.”

“Plea... Please tell me!”

Seeing Aeria answer resolutely as if she would willingly do whatever it took to get the prince, Kathryn pulled Aeria out of her arms. Kathryn shook the girl and conveyed her thoughts as they were, no holds barred, “All you have to do is mate with him.”

“Huh?”

A short silence ensued.

“Mate with him, eat him up. It’s better if you can get a baby in your stomach. Will he even throw you away if his child is in your stomach? ‘Course not. What more, a child with an imperial princess?”

“What?!”

“My dear princess, whether they’re men or women, people like that act. The sacred act of union between two bodies is the goal of all living things. What I’m saying is that no one is superior or inferior when it comes down to that. Besides, our dear princess has this cute face, who can deny that? If I were you, I would wear my negligee[1] and infiltrate his bedroom right away!”

“Kathryn!”

“Well, it’s up to you where you want to eat him up. You’ll feel good wherever you are, anyway...”

“Wh... Whaaaa?!”

“Keep this in mind. Those wicked and dirty men? They’ll die when they hear that beautiful voice of yours. In that respect, we can call Your Imperial Highness’ voice a living weapon...”

“S... S-S-S-Stop it!!!” Aeria screamed, her face turning a few shades darker than the shade of red from before.

Who in their right mind would say something like that to a member of the imperial family? However, the problem here was Grand Duchess Kathryn’s free and unreserved thoughts and advice were so intense and forward that Aeria could not accept them at all.

***

A chilly silence hung in the air.

—I think it’s because your expression is too stiff.

Davey immediately shut up when he heard Perserque chuckling at him.

‘I’m serious. I really don’t like those pointy-eared bastards.’

It was not just some petty joke. In fact, what Davey had done was a test of sorts. If Jack had noticed it, then he would get results.

—What’s your reason?

‘Well, just because?’

Just as Davey had mentioned before, those pointy-eared bastards were very snobbish and arrogant. That was why he did not like them. Well, to be exact, he just truly did not like the elves. So, what was his reason? Because they were vegetarians? No, of course not. Was it because they were a very strict and meticulous race? Well, that was one of the reasons, but it was still not the main reason why Davey hated them.

1. A sheer and see-through long gown, intended for wear at night and in the bedroom. ☜