NOVEL NEXT Chapter 78
“Dried vegetables and boosting morale are all well and good, but let’s not forget the main issue at hand.”
Belfry, who had been silently observing from behind, interjected with a sigh.
Carl Lindbergh flinched at his disapproving tone, while Adrian merely commented, “Is there something more important than the morale of our soldiers?”
Adrian, noticing the coldness of Carl’s hand, began gently massaging it, prompting Carl to snap out of his thoughts and touch his flushed cheeks in embarrassment.
‘What a perfectly matched pair they are.’
Belfry suddenly felt a pang in his chest, as if a forgotten wound had been reopened.
‘This is… probably just a headache.’
Between the prince who charmed everyone unknowingly and the Crown Prince who expressed his affections so openly, Belfry’s life, already complicated enough thanks to the ever-so-close Emperor and his own parents, seemed destined for further turmoil. Just the thought of it made his head spin.
His troubled heart calmed slightly at the thought.
‘Right, because it’s not like I’ve developed some sort of saintly crush on the future Empress.’
“As you expected, they were all being controlled by magic stones. Though, we’re baffled by the strange formulas inscribed on them, we can’t decipher their purpose yet.”
James lifted a heavy sack brought in by one of his knights.
“Please take your time to examine them. And if you discover anything, contact the Heineken Imperial Palace immediately.”
Carl Lindbergh nodded and took the sack, intending to study it later when he was alone. Although he could read the magic formulas, it felt too soon to flaunt his abilities in front of so many people.
“Will you be returning to the border immediately?”
Carl asked, and James nodded.
“There is still much to do on the border, we cannot afford to linger in the capital.”
He glanced around.
“Besides, wouldn’t things get a little too… lively here soon? I wouldn’t want to intrude, so I’ll be on my way back to my duties.”
Carl Lindbergh watched as Leia Lindbergh meticulously reviewed the reports detailing the status of each territory. A wave of anxiety washed over him as he rubbed his chest.
Leia had another major task ahead of her, even before dealing with Parman.
She had to interrogate the Lindbergh officials, including the King and Queen, and discuss their punishment. They planned to confiscate their assets, holding them accountable for the exorbitant taxes levied on the territories and the unaccounted flow of funds.
Moreover, there were numerous cases of lords abusing their authority and exploiting innocent commoners, so the investigations were expected to be lengthy.
While the crimes might seem similar at first glance, the severity varied greatly, so it was crucial to examine each case thoroughly.
The perpetrators must be punished, and the victims must receive their due compensation.
It seemed like a straightforward task, but for Leia, who had spent most of her life sheltered within the castle walls, even grasping the sheer scale of it all would be a daunting task.
Adding to Carl Lindbergh’s worries was the fact that the King and Queen, the primary culprits, were Leia’s own parents. He couldn’t help but worry about the emotional toll it would take on her.
Leia, sensing his gaze, looked up and mouthed, “What?”
As Carl hesitated, unsure what to say, Leia paused for a moment and then offered him a small smile.
Her smile, attempting to reassure him that everything would be alright, only made Carl’s expression more pained. James, who had been observing the silent exchange between the siblings, spoke up again.
“If I may, Your Highness, I found it rather curious that the commoners on the border expressed no discontent with the monarchy.”
“Is that so?”
Carl Lindbergh tilted his head, while Leia turned her attention towards James.
“It’s not so much that they weren’t discontent, but rather that they were unaware and unconcerned. From what I observed, their lives seemed better than those of commoners living closer to the capital or within larger domains.”
Leia and Carl exclaimed in unison,
‘Ah!’
“The border region, prone to frequent demon beasts’ attacks and somewhat isolated, wasn’t heavily influenced by the lords. It functioned almost autonomously. Since the lords didn’t provide much protection, the villagers had taken it upon themselves to train and defend their communities. They welcomed us with open arms. It felt almost festive.”
Adrian stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“It sounds like their indifference, in a way, contributed to a better quality of life. Am I correct, Young Count Hoegaarden?”
“Yes, Your Highness,” James confirmed.
“While poverty is inevitable due to the harsh conditions, their lives seemed better than those of commoners residing in the capital or larger domains in many other aspects.”
Carl Lindbergh quickly grasped the reason behind James’ words.
Blood is thicker than water
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