The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 85

85. The Quiet Morning Island

—1189, Ireland—

“Your Highness, Governor Isakios is here to see you.”

“Let him in.”

The sham Parliament had ended. Just as I was about to take a break, a distinguished guest requested a meeting.

As a prince of Great England, I am a valuable person, but if even I consider someone valuable, it could only be one person besides Richard.

That is Isakios, the governor of the Eastern Roman Empire. More precisely, a prominent figure in the military faction of the Eastern Roman Empire—the governor of Bulgaria!

The governor of the Bulgarian region… Is this situation stable?

Originally, there should be riots in this area. But now, there won’t even be resistance, let alone riots, because the Eastern Roman Empire has become ‘strong’.

So, why did the Eastern Roman Empire send someone as important as a ‘governor’?

“Welcome, Governor Isakios.”

“Your Highness, I was deeply impressed by the Parliament.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

‘To offer such compliments knowing it’s just for show…’

There’s no way that high-nosed governor genuinely thought the Parliament was beneficial. After all, capable people would know that the Parliament held earlier was merely a ‘guide’ for future Parliaments. He’s just saying it to make me feel good.

I offered some wine and well-made cheese, a common courtesy among Europeans, and then got to the main point.

“Frankly… I really didn’t expect you to come here, Governor.”

It was a simple question, but it implied, ‘You’re the governor of the Bulgarian region. Is it wise to leave it and come here? Is the security situation stable?’

“Our Roman Empire has that much leeway [spare capacity or resources].”

The governor emphasized the name ‘Roman Empire’ and showed off. Yes, it’s *your* Roman Empire.

Anyway, leeway.

It’s not entirely wrong. Having seized Anatolia, the land of longing, and reclaimed parts of the Middle East, the Eastern Roman Empire has become a phoenix, a bird reborn with new life.

Anyway, that’s your country’s problem. I immediately got to the point.

I could have been indirect, but I’m Wild John, not petty like the French.

“So, what does your country want from me?”

After being reincarnated in the Middle Ages and experiencing various events, one thing I’ve always realized is that there are no coincidences in this world.

Therefore, there must be a reason why such a distinguished person as the governor of the powerful Eastern Roman Empire has come to my territory.

The nobles who attended the Parliament ‘performance’ prepared by Safe John were rarely people of high status.

Richard is my soulmate. It was understandable for such a precious person to come to humble Ireland.

But the governor of the Eastern Roman Empire came simply out of curiosity about the Parliament? I didn’t believe that from the start.

After thinking for a moment, Governor Isakios said.

“Recently, a fake Rome has been causing trouble.”

The fake Rome that came out of the Eastern Roman Empire’s governor’s mouth was obviously the Holy Roman Empire.

Yes, in fact, you Eastern Roman Empire hated the Holy Roman Empire so much. I know that very well.

During the Third Crusade, we joined hands to defeat the satanic and demonic Muslims, but due to issues of ‘legitimacy’ over the ancient Roman Empire, ‘territory’ in Eastern Europe, and ‘trade’, the Eastern Roman Empire and the Holy Roman Empire often had strained relations.

“Hmm….”

But I remained silent.

Even while being noncommittal, I was grasping the core of the issue.

Outwardly, I and Old Man Friedrich are known to be very close. Of course, I’m also close to Duke Heinrich the Lion of Saxony, who was recently reinstated for various political reasons.

Anyway, the important thing is that I am a noble associated with the Holy Roman Empire.

That’s why my Eastern Roman friends attended the Parliament event.

Of course, as a safety-first great noble, I, Safe John, have no intention of becoming a shrimp caught in a whale fight. What does it matter to me, that Rome or whatever?

Of course, I couldn’t reveal these thoughts.

Seeing me reduce my words with a bitter expression, Isakios spoke his mind.

“It is not necessary for Prince John to publicly support us. Our Roman Empire is also aware of Prince John’s circumstances. However, if something happens in the fake Rome… we request neutrality.”

I think I know what the governor of the Eastern Roman Empire is implying, and what they want from me.

Our cute ‘Eastern’ Roman Empire friends. You’ve been bottling up your complaints!

* * *

—Ireland City—

While John was talking with the guests from the Eastern Roman Empire, the people of the Irish territory were properly taking advantage of the tourism boom.

Because making a killing whenever there’s a big event is a truth that doesn’t change whether it’s the 12th century or the 21st century.

There is a grand event called the Parliament, but realistically, the real reason these influential figures are coming to Ireland is to observe the territory of Safe John, a rising figure of the new era.

Not only nobles come, but also many ‘people’ brought by the nobles, so the influx of people visiting Ireland was much greater.

The Parliament special, a bonanza that merchants are going crazy for.

The people in the Irish territory began to raise their voices with kind and warm faces—to sell.

“This is Irish wool.”

“It’s cheaper and more cost-effective than the wool from the home country (Britain, Western French territory)!”

“We have Guinness’s well-brewed wine.”

The cost-effective wool and wine that Ireland boasts are selling like hotcakes.

“This is a restaurant certified by the great lord Safe John. There are many delicious things, so please come and visit.”

Ireland was busy.

As precious people came, they were doing a ‘big score,’ putting everything on the line to do business properly.

Of course, there is no scamming.

Safe John said, “If you do anything stupid here, I’ll sell you to Egypt.”

It’s not slavery, but forced dispatch to the Egypt branch of Safe Guild, with a salary cut.

People who are doing business properly in the Irish workplace don’t want to receive such punishment, so they never rip off customers. There was no such thing as deceiving consumers.

If they did something wrong, ‘John’s Club’, which was disguised and watching, would catch them.

Because of this, people’s perceptions were different.

Originally, Ireland had a strong image of being just a remote rural island to Europeans, but the Ireland that was unfolding before their eyes was completely different from what they had heard.

Not the ‘island of rebels’ that was only rumored, but a developing Ireland, a landscape showing Prince John’s abilities.

In the meantime, there was a noble who expressed disappointment.

“Brother Henri, is this right?”

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s about Uncle John. He could at least meet us separately.”

“Isn’t he talking with the governor of the Eastern Roman Empire right now?”

Louis, who became the new Count of Blois after his father, the late Count of Blois, died, felt aggrieved.

No matter what. It’s not because Safe John, his uncle, gave him chicken and he wasn’t among the supreme 10. There were nobles more important than him. Anyway, that’s it!

“That’s too much….”

“He’s not meeting you because it’s you. Uncle John probably already knows, Louis, that you’ve sided with the Duke of Brittany.”

“I’m upset, Brother Henri, but there hasn’t been a big fight yet!”

The Count of Blois was upset by the words of the Count of Champagne, his second cousin.

Well, since his maternal grandfather is different, he may be estranged from his uncle Safe John, but at least the Count of Champagne is saying this in this way.

But Count Henri of Champagne, annoyed by his cousin’s words, changed the subject.

“By the way, Louis, Ireland has developed a lot.”

Count Henri of Champagne looked at the scenery of Ireland.

Of course, this is the center of Ireland, which John directly governs, but even considering that, many people and goods were fluctuating.

“Above all… this road, and the carriage.”

The road maintenance facilities, which can be said to be the pinnacle of the technology of the ancient Roman Empire and the technology of the Eastern Roman Empire, are well-maintained.

The ‘carriages’ based on status that Safe John referred to in the modern French kingdom were also running elegantly with alluring decorations. But what’s even more surprising is Ireland’s unique ‘traffic control’.

Unusual people called traffic controllers controlled the movement of people and carriages in the middle. Red, yellow, and green flags prevented traffic congestion.

Originally, the more you know about people, the more you see.

The Count of Champagne, who carefully observed the sight of the Irish territory people who were bustling but followed the rules, smiled and thought, ‘Our uncle has extraordinary ambitions.’

Next to him, the Count of Blois, who had similar but slightly different thoughts from the Count of Champagne, thought, ‘The owner of this territory… is an enemy of France.’

* * *

When John met the precious guests from the Eastern Roman Empire, and when John’s nephews from France were admiring the scenery of Ireland, the mistress of this peaceful island, the Duchess of Ireland, was also welcoming a precious guest.

It is Margaret (the Hungarian name of Marguerite), the wife of Isakios, the governor of the Eastern Roman Empire, whom John is currently meeting, and a princess of the Kingdom of Hungary.

Isakios’s wife, the youthful and young Margaret, looked at Mary with admiring eyes. She drank a glass of wine and said, “I never thought I would meet such a distinguished person.”

It wasn’t just words; it was sincere.

“Oh, I’m just John’s wife.”

“Why are you saying that? The Kingdom of Hungary and our family ultimately consider it an honor to help Mary.”

“You’re saying flattering words again.”

Mary drank the wine again.

It is a satisfactory wine that is subtle, sweet, and gives a refreshing feeling that is moderately alcoholic and does not get you drunk.

“Ireland was so different from what I expected. I thought it was a backward area like when it was called the island of rebels, but… isn’t it all thanks to Mary’s support? [inner support, behind the scenes work]”

Princess Margaret’s voice, praising with obvious flattery, was bright. Of course, Mary waved her hand like a humble wife and said, “Ireland’s prosperity is all thanks to my husband Safe John’s abilities. I haven’t really done anything. I’ve just been faithful to my family.”

It’s not wrong, but what to think about here is that Mary is a person who protected her family ‘too’ well and cultivated the territory with her mother-in-law. Unlike Safe John, Mary was a prodigy [overly talented person].

“I followed my husband because I had something to tell the Duchess of Ireland.”

“All the way to this distant Ireland?”

Mary, who had a kind face on the outside but hid her annoyance, fiddled with her cheek with one hand.

However, Margaret, who was born as a princess of the Kingdom of Hungary and experienced many things as the wife of a high-ranking official in the Eastern Roman Empire, answered Mary’s words without any hesitation.

“Because I have to. There is a very important reason to tell the Duchess of Ireland.”

“What is it?”

“A heinous criminal wearing an iron mask in the Constantinople underground prison died recently.”

The young Princess Margaret, who said that, looked at the Duchess of Ireland. She is trying to observe her expression.

Then, the Duchess of Ireland answered in a very indifferent voice.

“Oh… did that happen?”

“Mary’s reaction is very different from what I expected.”

It sounds like a gentle word, but if you interpret it, it means that the reaction is more insufficient than I thought. But Mary said plainly even knowing that intention.

“Then did you want me to do this? Oh, that’s too bad.”

“Hahaha. As expected, Mary is the person I expected. Such an indifferent reaction.”

“Isn’t it bothersome to care about ‘other’ people’s affairs, not our Ireland or England? Like my husband, I’m Safe Mary. I only think about the safety of my people.”

“Is that all the Duchess of Ireland’s impressions?”

“Yes, that’s all. By the way, the story you want to tell me wouldn’t be such a trivial story. Now, shall we slowly tell me the main point, Your Highness, Princess of Hungary?”

That was all—Mary’s impression of the heinous criminal with the iron mask.