Chapter 244

A Dangerous Plan

“The theme will be a World Expo.”

“A World Expo?”

Theodore blinked in confusion.

He had no idea what she meant.

“We’re going to expand recruitment to include merchant guilds from every country neighboring the Empire.”

What was she talking about?

The Imperial Expo had always been an event where the Empire’s nobles proudly displayed the merchant guilds based in their own territories and exchanged ideas with one another.

There was a small exhibition area for neighboring countries, but it was little more than decoration.

“An exhibition is supposed to showcase the finest technology and products,” Theodore said. “Do you really believe Rondoris or Arsen have better technology than the Empire?”

“That’s why we’re expanding the categories.”

“Hm?”

“Perhaps the Empire is ahead in technology,” Annette replied. “But Rondoris is far ahead of us in culture and the arts. Arsen excels in farming and livestock.”

She proposed broadening the exhibition so it would no longer focus only on commercial technology.

“When merchant guilds from many countries gather to exchange technology, culture, trends, and ideas from different fields, isn’t that the true purpose of an exhibition?”

Theodore wanted to argue.

But… she wasn’t wrong.

If they expanded recruitment beyond the Empire, they might not reach five thousand merchant guilds, but they could probably reach the original goal of one thousand.

At that moment, one of the imperial administrators beside him spoke awkwardly.

“It seems you have something to say.”

Annette gracefully raised her chin.

“Go ahead.”

“Forgive me, Your Grace, but recruiting five thousand merchant guilds is impossible with our current manpower.”

“Is that so?”

Her calm reply made the administrator even more nervous.

“Besides… advertising in Rondoris and Arsen would take time… and for countries even farther away, using gates would involve many transportation costs…”

He continued making excuses.

He’s just finding polite ways to say he doesn’t want to work.

Theodore barely held back his irritation.

The imperial administrators had become lazy and unmotivated.

At least pretend to work hard.

How embarrassing, making excuses in front of the Grand Duchess.

Annette let out a quiet laugh.

It was obvious she was amused.

“Don’t worry.”

She tilted her head slightly.

“My people will take care of that.”

“Adem?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

An administrator sitting several seats away answered immediately.

“First, prepare an advertisement inviting merchant guilds to join the exhibition and publish it in Northern News. And don’t forget to mention that Blenheim’s gate has reopened.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Many nobles from Rondoris visit the Carmania Theater. Place plenty of promotional leaflets there. Better yet, have the announcer read our invitation before every opera performance.”

The administrators quickly wrote down every instruction.

“And Oswick, Perel sorted the merchant guild list yesterday, didn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“We’ll personally send invitations to everyone on that list.”

“We’ve also prepared lists for eastern countries like Beload and Pendravis. What should we do with those?”

“They don’t have gates…”

She tapped the table with her finger while thinking.

“Tell them we’ll cover the express transportation costs for both the merchants and their goods.”

Even if it cost them extra money, attracting merchant guilds from as many countries as possible was more important.

The administrators nodded without hesitation.

Watching them respond so quickly to every instruction felt strange to Theodore.

They’re incredibly motivated.

The administrators from the Grand Duke’s household were completely different from the imperial staff.

He could clearly see their determination to finish every task successfully and meet their superior’s expectations.

Annette and her administrators had obviously built deep trust through many experiences together.

Their faith in her was visible.

No wonder.

Even Theodore had to admit it.

She gave orders without the slightest hesitation.

It was obvious she already had the entire plan worked out in her mind.

If your leader spoke with that much confidence…

How could those serving under her do anything except trust and follow?

“There is only one thing I’d like to request from the Imperial Family.”

Annette turned toward Theodore.

“You said negotiations for the Charlain family’s villa haven’t been completed yet.”

She looked directly at him.

“I need you to make sure we obtain it.”

“Even if you have to use His Majesty’s or Princess Kathren’s name, you must secure that location for the exhibition.”

Theodore didn’t like feeling as though he was being ordered around.

But since the Grand Duke’s household was taking responsibility for almost everything else, he couldn’t really object.

Besides…

If they failed to secure the exhibition grounds, the Imperial Family would suffer even more.

Still looking dazed, Theodore quietly nodded.

“I understand.”

* * *

The Empress rubbed her aching forehead.

“So… you’re telling me a livestock disease has broken out in Ravenlor?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

A retainer from the Ravenlor family, the Empress’s own family, bowed deeply.

“We’ve had to slaughter thousands of sheep in the territory. Our situation is very difficult.”

He explained that the family needed to save every bit of money to survive the coming winter.

“My lord asked me to respectfully apologize. He says he cannot prepare the funds you requested right now.”

“The Ravenlor family is one of the Empire’s great noble houses.”

The Empress’s voice became cold.

“And you’re telling me you can’t even send that small amount of money because a few thousand sheep died?”

“The harvests have been poor for several years.”

The retainer lowered his head even farther.

“The territory is truly struggling. Many of the people are worried they won’t survive the winter.”

He continued explaining.

The livestock disease still hadn’t been eliminated, and more animals were dying every day.

Unable to listen any longer, the Empress waved her trembling hand.

“You may leave.”

As a maid quietly replaced her tea, the Empress clenched her fists until her nails dug into her palms.

So they’ve already heard that Princess Kathren received the Grand Duke’s investment.

Count Ravenlor, her father, always calculated everything based on profit and loss.

He had immediately cut off the financial support he always sent.

He no longer believes in me.

The position Count Ravenlor wanted most was becoming the grandfather of the next Emperor.

Simply having the weakening Emperor as his son-in-law no longer increased the family’s influence.

“Your Majesty…”

One of the maids, whose own family served House Ravenlor, spoke carefully.

“The territory really is having difficulties.”

“What?”

The Empress glared at her.

“Did your father tell you to say that?”

“N-No, Your Majesty!”

The maid quickly waved both hands.

“It’s true. The livestock disease has spread throughout the territory.”

“I’ve even heard that several villagers became sick after eating sheep that had already died.”

“The entire territory is in chaos.”

At such an important time…

Her family should have been supporting her completely.

Instead, they were bringing her nothing but trouble.

Filled with anger, the Empress threw her teacup.

“Ah!”

The cup shattered on the floor.

Hot tea splashed onto the maids nearby.

“This won’t do.”

She had only allowed Princess Kathren to take charge of the exhibition because she expected the princess to fail spectacularly.

But now…

The Grand Duke’s family had invested.

That fact alone would greatly strengthen Kathren’s position.

And if the exhibition actually succeeded…

I absolutely cannot allow that.

No matter what…

The exhibition had to be stopped.

The Empress grabbed her neatly arranged hair so tightly it almost looked as though she might pull it out.

What could force the exhibition to be canceled?

She thought for a long time.

Then…

“…!”

An idea came to her.

It’s a dangerous plan…

But if everything went according to her plan…

Not only would the exhibition be canceled…

The blame would naturally fall on Princess Kathren.

Everyone would begin believing she isn’t fit to become the next ruler.

Most importantly…

The people would turn against her.

The Empress slowly stood and walked toward the window.

The cool autumn breeze calmed her racing thoughts.

Who should carry out this plan?

Ferdin, the young Marquis of Freis?

No…

He was an important piece she intended to keep for strengthening Valentin’s future position.

Besides…

Someone as intelligent as Ferdin would never willingly do something that could destroy his own family.

In the end… there’s only one choice.

Someone foolish.

Someone greedy.

Someone who would happily commit dirty deeds if it benefited himself and his family.

Looking out at the peaceful scenery beyond the window, the Empress quietly ordered,

“Summon Marquis Freis.”

* * *

Loic watched Annette with a warm smile as she happily ate her strawberry pudding.

They were dining at Sendore, the most famous restaurant in the capital.

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess had been seated at the restaurant’s finest table, one with the best view.

The private seating area allowed them to enjoy a quiet meal together.

Annette had carefully eaten the plain pudding around the edges first.

Now she scooped up a large spoonful from the center, where the fresh strawberries were piled on top.

As Loic watched her…

He couldn’t help smiling.

Annette looked up, still holding her spoon.

“Why are you smiling?” she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.