Book 4: Chapter 24


    Dear Lucia, I hope you have adapted to life in the North. The purpose of this letter is to confess I thought about it for a moment, but my pen never touched the paper again. After thinking it over and over, I decided it was best not to confess to Lucia. Lucia can smell the scent other elves leave behind on me. I trust that my entire body is covered in Lunas scent. Its not that I fell in love with Luna. Its just that I randomly pitied her and went along with her yesterday. What I feel for Luna is sympathy, not love. If Im honest, Lucia might forgive me


    But when I thought about the personality of elves Lucia would fly here, look for Luna and cut her up before taking me back. She would actually do that. After a moment of hesitation, I scrunched up the thirteenth letter into a ball and threw it into the fire.


    Luna knocked on the door, walked in, bowed and said: Your majesty, the people you asked to see have arrived and are waiting for you in the guest room.


    Alright.


    I nodded, picked up my coat by the side and wore it on. Luna looked at me with a smile. She walked up to me and helped me adjust my cor. She tippy-toed up like she was going to kiss me, but she didnt kiss me this time.


    You are ready now, your majesty.


    Luna restored her usual smile the next day and didnt show any odd signs. She greeted people as per usual as if nothing happenedst night. I didnt mention anything either. What happened that night was imprinted in my heart. It was our treasured memory.


    Luna and I left the room and came to the guest room. It was the first time there were so many people seated in the guest room of the outer court. Right now, people dressed in formal robes were seated on both sides of the long table listening.


    Attention!


    I shouted and the voices in the room went silent. All of them rose and saluted me. They respectfully said: We wish you the best of health, your majesty.


    Sit.


    I sat in the master-seat and looked at all the nervous faces. There were young faces, old faces and a few females. They werent high-ranking officials or nobles. They were just merchants, ones that only had one store. However, their stores were located in terrific locations.


    You are all here today for a simple matter.


    Luna bent over and handed me a document. I took it and threw it onto the table. I looked at them and indifferently said: And that is to sell your stores to me. I wont forcefully take them from you. If you can work with me, we will all benefit. I know that its very unreasonable for me to make this sudden proposal, so I will pay you three times the estimated worth of your current store. Oh, youll have to trust thepetence of the royal courts merchants abilities to make estimations. I trust that you can ept this offer, so dont bargain.


    They looked at me with astonishment as if I just told them aliens exist and that the aliens were pole-dancing. I looked at them and said: What are you looking at me for? Youll get your payment once you sign. Are you questioning my ability topensate you? Her majesty is backing me. Do you think I cant afford it?


    One of them looked at me and struggled to utter: No, your majesty, it is just it is a little too sudden Our stores are still operating as usual, so suddenly buying them off us puts us in a bit of a predicament


    Thats why Im paying you three times the price. Something happened and I urgently need your stores. Is three times the price enough for you to find a bigger location to run your store? If you dont wish to continue in business, thats enough for you to retire, isnt it? You wont have to worry aboutnd, will you?


    I chuckled coldly as I looked at them. I continued: Im in a rush. I desperately need thend you currently possess. I can give you time to think, but I cant give you much time. I stand before you as a sincere buyer keen on buying your store. If you dont ept, the next time I stand before you will be as the prince. Think about it. When Ie back from dinner, I hope Ill see your signatures. That way, Ill even be able to give you a few bottles of wine when you leave.


    I then stood up and left without sparing the people behind me any attention. Luna who was behind me, smiled and saluted the merchants before closing the door.


    Your majesty, have you already finished your discussions with them?


    When I arrived at the dining hall, Castell had already finished setting up his napkin and wasnt standing on ceremony. I nodded and sat down. Luna helped me with my napkin and then stepped aside. Castell stroked his smooth chin and then revealed a helpless smile before saying: I never expected you to do this. If you spend money like this, you will spend several months-worth of my ie within two days. Further, there is still the salt to consider.


    Her majesty didnt say anything, so what are you whinging about? In the future, if the prices of goods randomly increase, the empire will have the rights to stand up and punish those who raise the price of goods. This doesnt give the freedom to ruin the market, but allows us to maintain a stable financial system.


    Your majesty, you might make the merchants unhappy like that, wont you?


    The moment they hoard goods and raise prices, theyre no longer merchants but criminals. I cut open the chicken and then looked at Castell and added, I dont think those people will hesitate. If they do, Ill send someone to their stores and stash salt there. When I inspect their stores tomorrow, Ill execute them for the crime of privately selling salt.


    Castell smiled helplessly. He raised his wine-cup and said: Your majesty You now seem to be even more extreme than her majesty


    Yeah? If I could build such arge empire as mom has, I wouldnt have had to watch my friend die in front of my eyes, and I wouldve been able to protect those I wanted to protect. I looked at Castell, clenched my teeth and continued, You think I dont hate my current self? I just have no choice. Only now can I protect my everything. Only now can I protect the people around me from getting hurt. This is the only way. If loathing myself would allow me to keep those around me safe, I wont hesitate.


    Castell looked at me. His eyes contained aplex expression. For a while, the only sound that could be heard in the dining hall was the sound of eating utensils clinking. A momentter, Castell said: Your majesty, look after yourself as you force yourself. Do not overextend. It is not as if it is uneptable for you to sometimes to ask someone to spoil you.


    I looked at Castell and asked: Have you asked someone to spoil you before then, Castell?


    This is how I have always been. Thank you for looking after me, your majesty.


    Castell smiled and dodged the question. He then ced his fork and knife down. Two maids then stepped forth to collect his te. I ced my fork and knife down as well. I stood up and Luna came over. She smiled and bid Castell farewell. She then followed me from behind and opened the door to the guest room once again.


    The people inside had already left. I picked up the document on the table. Every page had been signed. I nodded and left the room. I handed it to Castell and said: Im going to check the results tomorrow. Its best that I can start my n the day after. I dont have much time, Castell.


    As youmand.