My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 230

230. The Princess and the Saintess (1)

Elena and Aria suddenly shouted.

“What is it?”

Sian was momentarily taken aback.

Beyond just wondering what it was, he was trying to figure out what the situation even was.

“Why don’t you ever give me jewelry as a gift?”

“Why don’t you ever invite me to your house?”

The two women spoke as if in competition.

Jewelry?

Invite to the house?

‘What is really going on?’

Sian was genuinely confused.

A dazed mind and vision.

Leaving Sian behind, Elena and Aria glanced at each other.

“You said that gifts are better than housewarmings… I think you were secretly envious, Saintess?”

“Don’t be absurd. I just wanted to visit once. And you, Princess, seemed to think gifts were better than housewarmings?”

No, it was more accurate to say they glared.

For some reason, the atmosphere became even stranger than before.

Sian quietly watched them.

He had no idea what they were talking about.

‘Jewelry…’

He could somewhat guess what they meant by jewelry.

Sian strode towards Elena.

“Here is the necklace you lent me. Thanks to it, I was able to obtain the information I wanted. Thank you, Princess.”

It was none other than the necklace he had received from Elena earlier.

Since the sudden mention of jewelry could only refer to this.

Sian took out the necklace and handed it to Elena.

But why, though?

“Not that!”

Elena shouted with a seemingly angry face.

More precisely, she looked at Sian with a slightly disappointed expression.

‘Why is she like this?’

Sian was genuinely confused.

Because what did she mean by ‘not that’?

“But this is the necklace you lent me, Princess?”

“Ah, ah. Th-that’s…”

Then Elena seemed slightly surprised.

And perhaps she realized her actions just now.

Elena’s face was slightly flushed.

“I’m sorry…”

Elena carefully accepted the necklace Sian handed her.

Also, perhaps feeling somewhat embarrassed, she didn’t even make eye contact with Sian.

What on earth was going on?

Why was the headstrong Elena acting like this again?

“If not this, what jewelry are you referring to?”

“Th-that’s…”

Elena seemed flustered and trailed off.

But perhaps she was secretly hoping he would ask.

“The jewelry the Saintess is wearing…”

Elena reluctantly gave a soft answer.

And only then did Sian understand what the jewelry story was about.

The jewelry Aria was wearing.

It was the jewelry Sian had found in Muriel’s ruins in the past.

One of the legacies Muriel had left behind.

The jewelry Muriel had used during her lifetime.

“I heard Count Sian gave it to you…”

Sian had given the jewelry to Aria back then.

There was no particular reason.

Because that jewelry had the function of amplifying divine power.

Therefore, even if Sian wanted to wear it, he couldn’t.

If Sian, who wielded mana, wore it, he would immediately feel nauseous.

It was also unsettling to sell it to someone else.

After all, it was jewelry Muriel had used during her lifetime.

Moreover, it was jewelry with extraordinary and tremendous functions.

So, since Aria had suffered a lot back then.

Sian had given that jewelry to Aria.

“And he gave it to you as a gift.”

He even gave it for free.

‘That wasn’t exactly free though.’

But in fact, it wasn’t free.

Because Aria had given Sian about 12 million gold at the time.

The justification was that it was compensation for fulfilling Aria’s request.

Strictly speaking, the price of the jewelry was also included in that amount.

So, it wasn’t exactly a free gift.

“You’ve never given me anything like that…”

But there was no way Elena would know such detailed circumstances.

Well, anyway.

Elena seemed quite upset about it.

‘I guess she could be…’

No, no.

Was it really something to be so upset about?

‘Well… come to think of it, I haven’t given the Princess a separate gift.’

He would take money from her, but he had never given her anything as a gift.

He still wondered if it was something to be so upset about.

“If you want, I’ll make one for you.”

If she was upset, there was no reason not to.

It wasn’t that difficult.

“Really?”

“Yes. Although it won’t be as good as the jewelry Aria is wearing.”

Because that was jewelry Muriel had worn during her lifetime.

So, it was jewelry made by Arnaise and Morcru, who were called divine artisans [master craftsmen blessed by the gods].

Who in the current continent could surpass Morcru’s skills as a craftsman?

If there was anyone close, it would be just one person.

‘I can ask Semir.’

Semir, the chief of the Hammer Anvil Tribe and a descendant of Morcru.

Even if he wasn’t as good as Morcru, he would be able to make jewelry comparable to him.

“Really? Really, really?”

Elena shouted with a bright expression at Sian’s words.

She smiled more happily than ever and rejoiced like a child.

“Of course. More than that, how mu—”

Sian barely managed to block the words near his throat.

That is, he was able to barely hold back from shouting ‘how much?’

He didn’t know why.

But some fatal instinct was warning him.

If you say ‘how much’ here, you’ll die!

Sian desperately managed to cover his mouth.

Fortunately, Elena didn’t hear it and was just rejoicing on her own.

And Aria watched the two of them.

“Me too!”

Aria suddenly stepped forward and shouted at Sian.

“You too? You have jewelry. More than that, jewelry that suits your beauty can no longer be made.”

Because of Aria’s transcendent beauty.

Jewelry that suited that beauty didn’t exist.

It was only possible because of Morcru, who was called a divine artisan.

So, it had to be said that that jewelry was the only one on the continent.

Well, Semir might be able to do it somehow.

‘It would cost twice as much as the Princess’s.’

And it would take an enormous amount of time.

And she wants it for free?

Sian shook his head firmly.

And Aria listened to Sian’s words.

Aria’s lips curled up for no reason.

Because Sian’s words, ‘Jewelry that suits your beauty can no longer be made,’

Wasn’t that the same as saying, ‘There’s nothing prettier than you in this world?’

Aria’s expression became prim without her realizing it.

But she quickly pretended to be nonchalant and said to Sian.

“Not jewelry. I want to go to your house too.”

“Huh? Not jewelry, but my house? Are you talking about Ruben [Sian’s territory]?”

Aria nodded.

And Sian answered without hesitation.

“No.”

“Why!”

“Why do you ask why? If it’s no, it’s no.”

Sian shook his head.

Aria coming to Ruben.

What kind of nonsense was that?

“The Princess is allowed, but why aren’t I?”

“Huh?”

“You invited the Princess to your house, didn’t you?”

What, did you even talk about that?

What on earth were the two of them talking about?

Sian unknowingly made an absurd expression.

Well, as Aria said, Elena had been to Ruben.

“You even invited her yourself.”

Sian even invited her himself.

So, he invited her to Ruben without asking for anything in return.

But in fact, even this wasn’t entirely without a price.

First of all, Sian was embezzling Elan Dure’s budget at the time.

He used Elena as a shield to shake off Elan Dure’s surveillance.

Above all, Sian had already received 20 million gold as compensation.

So, it was in exchange for Elena agreeing to come to Ruben.

“I’m always told no…”

But there was no way Aria would know such detailed circumstances.

It seemed she was quite upset about it.

‘I guess she could be…’

No, no.

Was it really something to be so upset about?

‘Well, come to think of it, Aria has never been to Ruben.’

Aria had said several times that she wanted to come and visit.

But every time, Sian had refused.

So, if she was so upset…

It might be okay for her to come to Ruben once.

“But still no.”

No was no.

This was a bit… like that.

So, it was a little different from making jewelry for Elena.

Elena just needed to have jewelry made and gifted to her.

But coming to Ruben was something to think about differently.

It wasn’t something to dismiss as a difficult task.

There were several reasons for that…

First of all.

‘I have to find the dragon.’

Sian had to find the last dragon.

Dragons have an average lifespan of 1,000 years.

Now that 1,000 years had already passed, he couldn’t afford to postpone the work.

And secondly.

‘I also have to wage war with Elan Dure.’

Sian had declared war on Elan Dure, saying he would strike first.

Currently, Ruben was a territory on the verge of war.

Was it even possible for a saintess from another country to come to such a territory?

In many ways, Aria shouldn’t come to Ruben.

But there was no way Aria would know such circumstances.

“Why only me… why only me…”

Aria’s face, looking at Sian, was distorted as if she was about to cry.

In Aria’s clear and transparent eyes, something clearer and more transparent began to form.

And just before it formed into droplets and flowed down.

“Fine!”

Aria turned away from Sian.

Aria turned her back on Sian like that.

Aria felt truly, truly upset.

Why do you only hate me? Why do you only dislike me?

Why only me… why are you so disgusted with only me?

What did I do? What’s so wrong with me?

I came all the way from that distant country to congratulate you on your knighthood.

I even took care to choose pretty clothes.

I even tried makeup, which I never do.

I was even kind to the men who were hitting on me at the banquet.

Because I was afraid of causing trouble for you.

Because I was afraid of causing trouble and ruining the knighthood ceremony again.

I really held back my temper.

He… he doesn’t even know that.

Why do you hate me so much…

Why are you so kind and friendly to the Princess?

Why only me… why do you only hate me and keep me away…

Aria was really too sad.

Really too, too sad.

So, she knew very well that she shouldn’t.

She knew very well that she really shouldn’t.

Aria couldn’t hold back the rising tears.

Aria’s slender shoulders began to tremble.

“Are you, by any chance, crying?”

At that moment, Sian’s voice came from behind.

And why did those words feel so heartless?

“Shut up…!”

Aria shouted, almost without realizing it, in a tearful voice.

And perhaps it was because of Aria’s appearance.

Both Sian and Elena wore greatly embarrassed expressions.

A heavy silence descended.

Only Aria’s quiet sobs could be heard softly.

And after some time had passed.

“Hey.”

Sian’s voice was heard again.

And this time, Aria didn’t answer.

She didn’t really want to answer.

And if she opened her mouth now, the tears she had suppressed would well up again.

So, she just stood there with her back turned.

“If you want to go that badly, let’s go together when I return this time.”

Sian’s voice was heard once more.

For a moment, Aria’s body froze.

Aria slowly turned around.

“Go… together?”

“You said you wanted to go to Ruben. Let’s go together when I return this time.”

Sian shrugged his shoulders once.

“Re… really? Really…?”

“Yeah. But instead—”

Sian managed to block the words that were about to come out naturally near his throat.

So, he was able to hold back from shouting, ‘How much?’

He didn’t know why.

But this time, some fatal instinct was warning him.

If you blurt out ‘how much’ here, you’re dead!

Sian desperately managed to cover his mouth.

Fortunately, Aria didn’t seem to hear it and was just happily enjoying herself.

‘The situation is a bit like that, but…’

She wanted to come this far, so stopping her unconditionally was a bit much.

More than anything, Aria had been a great help to Sian, hadn’t she?

Thanks to Aria, he was able to update the quest content this time as well.

‘She even came all the way from that distant country to congratulate me.’

Of course, she said she would come on her own.

Still, coming such a long way was not an easy task.

So, she wanted to come this much.

Inviting her once wouldn’t be so bad.

‘More than that, Lea and Aria will meet…’

Of course, there were many problems in many ways.

Lea and Aria, who had met at the Arnaise Hall last time.

At the time, Lea had dismissed Aria while talking about Muriel.

I wonder what will happen when they meet this time…

Why does my head already throb?

Besides, there’s the war with Elandur.

And I have to find the last dragon.

Should I tell her not to come even now…? But…

“I have to tell Laura as soon as she comes. I’ll use up all my vacation this time. And also…”

Aria, smiling brightly as if she had never cried.

How could I take back my words when she likes it so much?

Well, the war will be a preemptive strike within Elandur’s territory anyway.

I’ll have to leave when I go to find the dragon, but…

‘I’ll just tell her to play in Ruben by herself.’

Or I could ask her to go find the dragon together.

Aria has the most powerful divine power in history.

Aria would be a great help.

Well, anyway.

‘It’ll work out somehow.’

Sian didn’t think too deeply.

#

After a commotion that wasn’t really a commotion.

Knock knock.

“Your Highness. Count Sian has come to see you.”

-Come in.

Conrad’s voice was heard from inside, along with the chamberlain’s words.

“Please come inside.”

And the chamberlain continued.

Sian gently opened the door to the office.

With a click, the scenery inside the office was revealed.

The space where the Crown Prince, Conrad, conducts state affairs.

The interior, which is not enough to be called antique.

As befits the space where the second-in-command of the empire resides, a certain aura was felt from the room itself.

But is it because it’s compared to Ruben’s lord’s castle?

Or is it because I’ve come here so often?

Sian didn’t feel any particular emotion.

It was just a familiar landscape, so familiar that it was friendly.

“You came just in time. Wait there for a moment and sit somewhere comfortable.”

Conrad’s voice was heard at that moment.

Conrad was sitting at his office desk, writing something.

Sian sat on the sofa in the office as Conrad said.

Soon, Conrad came to where Sian was and took his seat.

“I’ve been scraping money from here and there, but…”

And then he immediately got to the point.

But for some reason, Conrad had a slightly embarrassed expression.

“But the imperial family’s financial situation is not very good.”

As expected, Conrad brought up the story in a difficult tone.

Well, no matter how much it is the imperial family.

250 million gold is not a small amount of money.

It’s not small.

It was an enormous and transcendent amount.

“Apparently, the aftermath of the famine last time is still lingering…”

Moreover, the aftermath of the famine that hit the entire empire.

It was in a state of considerable recovery now.

But the damage was not completely recovered yet.

Even Elandur suffered the damage.

The imperial family, which had to manage and help the entire empire, had no reason to avoid the damage.

“Besides, the amount given to you was not small.”

Here, the amount that Sian was squeezed… no, spent.

So, 12 million gold obtained in exchange for goods from the North.

And 20 million gold obtained from Elena’s visit to Ruben.

In total, 32 million was spent on Sian.

Only a few months have passed since then.

“It’s not easy to raise 250 million in this situation…”

In this situation, it was difficult to raise 250 million gold in many ways.

Conrad looked at Sian after finishing his words.

And Sian could understand why Conrad brought up this story.

In a word, wouldn’t it be possible to give a little discount?

Conrad was saying that in a roundabout way.

So, the fact is that I feel a little weak.

Conrad had been a great help.

After hearing the above circumstances, there were definitely difficult parts.

So, I was thinking of giving a little discount, but…

“Hey, why are you doing this, Your Highness?”

It was only a ‘thought’ to the end.

Of course, if the finances were really poor, Sian had no intention of insisting.

So, I was willing to give a discount readily.

If a discount was not possible, I was even willing to give an installment plan.

But Sian knew.

“As far as I know, the imperial family’s assets are still large.”

Conrad was testing Sian once now.

As Conrad said, the imperial family’s finances were not very good.

But even considering that, the imperial family’s assets were not so poor.

So, not the imperial family’s finances, but the imperial family’s assets.

In other words, the emperor’s personal slush fund, the imperial family’s assets, was still 건재 [still robust].

“Didn’t Your Highness say earlier that you were rummaging through the privy purse?”

Conrad’s words to rummage through the privy purse.

The privy purse was, in a word, the emperor’s slush fund.

Usually, a slush fund refers to funds used for dishonest purposes.

However, there were cases where slush funds were accumulated honestly.

The representative case was the emperor’s slush fund, the privy purse.

And the privy purse was a slush fund, but its existence itself was not a secret.

Even Sian knew of the existence of the privy purse right now.

But a slush fund is a slush fund.

The privy purse was an asset that was not 잡히지 [accounted for] in the national treasury accounting.

Therefore, the ministers did not know how much the privy purse was.

Also, I had no idea how it was used.

Therefore, I couldn’t 걸다딴지 [raise objections] about it.

In the first place, it was not the country’s money, but the emperor’s money.

What can I do when he says he will use his own money?

Also, is this amount used for bad things?

That’s not the case either.

When holding national festivals, or when personally giving gifts to vassals [loyal subjects].

When a national project had to be carried out, but the ministers strongly opposed using taxes.

Or when the imperial family’s finances are poor like now.

In a word, when the emperor wants to spend money but the official source of money is blocked.

The emperor releases this privy purse and carries out various projects.

To put it simply, it can be defined as a ‘governance fund’ that the emperor can use as he pleases.

And the scale… honestly, even Sian couldn’t grasp it.

The funds accumulated in the privy purse were none other than land business and private loans.

In other words, lending land and money and receiving interest.

That’s how the privy purse’s assets were accumulated and increased.

And according to imperial law, all territories of the empire belonged to the imperial family.

In a word, 고리대금업 [usury] carried out throughout the empire.

What is the point of saying how much the income is?

So, it could be thought of as not very good money.

It could be considered money obtained by 뽑아골수 [exploiting] people’s.

But that’s not the case either.

The privy purse is also a slush fund whose existence is revealed to the world.

In short, the emperor’s name and 체면 [face/prestige] were in the privy purse.

And the emperor cannot play interest games with the people.

Of course, the interest had to be significantly lower.

Interest that is less than half of the general market price.

Moreover, this was only the emperor’s assets and land.

In other words, the exploitation of other nobles could not intervene.

Who would dare to touch the imperial family’s assets?

Well, if you want to have your head cut off, you can touch it.

So, the people 바치다 [dedicated] their own land to the privy purse and become 소작농 [tenant farmers], or.

Even lobbying activities to bribe to 소작 [farm] on land belonging to the privy purse were taking place.

So, it’s just a slush fund in name only.

In fact, it was nothing more than a policy fund for relief.

《Government Sunshine Loan…?》

The Mobile Lord said this about this…

I need to know what Sunshine Loan is.

Well, anyway.

If you use the privy purse, 250 million gold is not an amount that cannot be paid.

“Haha…”

At Sian’s words, Conrad let out a hollow laugh.

The expression that had been 축, 처져있던 [depressed and drooping] regained its vitality as if nothing had happened.

Soon, Conrad seemed unable to beat it.

“Anyway, I really can’t beat you.”

He shook his head 절레절레 [shaking his head from side to side].

Soon, Conrad took out two pieces of paper from his arms.

It was none other than a bill.

One is a bill guaranteed in the name of the emperor.

The other is a bill guaranteed in the name of Rothschild.

“Marquis Egret issued a bill to the imperial family. The marquis earnestly asked me because his financial situation has not been very good lately.”

He said he would pay it back with interest soon.

Conrad muttered the last words and smiled slightly.

In a word, Marquis Egret borrowed money from the imperial family.

To get Elodie’s knowledge from Sian.

That’s a huge sum of 100 million gold.

Well, Rothschild was capable enough to pay it back.

The reliability was also 말할 것도 없었고 [beyond question].

The problem was whether the imperial family could lend that much money…

It seemed that the scale of the privy purse exceeded Sian’s expectations.

Anyway, the amount 찍혀있는 [stamped] in front of the two bills.

The amount earned from Charlotte’s swordsmanship and Elodie’s knowledge, respectively.

[250,000,000 G]

[100,000,000 G]

250 million gold.

100 million gold.

Total 350 million gold.

Ting!

《N, n, no way…!》

The Mobile Lord’s notification sound was heard at that moment.

《There’s no way오오오옷!!!!!》

The Mobile Lord started to faint in shock.