I Bought the Villains With Money - Chapter 64

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 64.
“Your Majesty, you’re thinking correctly. I shall teach Imperial Studies.”
I squeezed Cassion’s hand tightly beneath the table.
Imperial Studies—a discipline only the king’s heir was permitted to learn.
The actual subject matter wasn’t particularly special. It was simply education in the disciplines necessary to govern a nation.
The mathematics, history, and foreign languages I’d studied were all part of Imperial Studies.
The level was identical, the content identical.
Only the place of study differed. And people’s gaze upon the student changed.
To study Imperial Studies was to be officially declared the next king.
In Petrola, to avoid pointless succession disputes, they designated a single heir early and opened the Imperial Studies classroom for that one person alone.
In all of history, there had been no exception.
But Karman had shattered that precedent.
“Your Majesty, this is without precedent in history.”
Julia maintained her smile with effort as she requested that Karman reconsider his decision.
“Your Majesty, that something unprecedented occurs is proof of a healthy society. It shows that change is possible. What troubles you so greatly about this?”
What worried Julia was obvious enough.
Dayson falling behind Cassion.
“Your Majesty! Must I study together with these children?”
Just as Julia was about to speak, Dayson couldn’t contain himself and challenged Karman.
Karman, who would normally have responded coldly, smiled with fatherly warmth.
“Age guarantees nothing, Dayson. And if they are mere children as you say, why such worry? The tea will grow cold at this rate. Now then, shall we discuss the Engagement Ceremony?”
Karman had thrown a bomb and moved the conversation forward.
I realized belatedly that it was both a refusal to reconsider his decision to teach Imperial Studies to all his children and a calculated maneuver to proceed smoothly with the Engagement Ceremony discussion.
He was indeed masterful.
Thanks to this, the conversation progressed smoothly and the broad outline of the Engagement Ceremony was set.
The Engagement Ceremony was scheduled for a month and a half hence—in the month when Lipresian blooms were at their most abundant, as Karman desired.
“We shall discuss the remaining details gradually.”
Both the meal and the conversation had ended.
Dayson, Uriel, and Julia—who had not concealed their grim expressions since the Imperial Studies matter was mentioned—offered their farewells and left.
“We shall take our leave as well.”
Cassion and I rose to our feet.
“The two of you, remain seated for a moment.”
Karman didn’t even wait to hear our objections before ordering an attendant to bring fresh tea.
“I said sit.”
No matter how pressing one’s business, if a king commands you sit, you sit.
“I have something to discuss with Diana, but there should be no issue if you listen as well, Cassion. You spoke confidently of loving each other, so surely you share no secrets?”
At the word “love,” Cassion’s shoulders visibly flinched. Karman laughed softly upon seeing his reaction.
He knew about our little theatrical performance and was teasing us for it. Innocent Cassion was taking the bait.
“Cassion, how are your lessons with Guardian progressing?”
The tea arrived, and Karman raised his hand open and wide. The attendants immediately stepped back five paces from their original positions. Karman gave another gesture. Footsteps faded in sequence.
The distance between the attendants and us had grown considerable. As long as we didn’t raise our voices, they couldn’t hear our conversation.
“Yes. They proceed adequately.”
Cassion answered without elaboration, and Karman, losing interest, turned his attention to me.
“Diana, I’ve given you a gift, so it’s your turn now to give one in return.”
“I thought we’d already exchanged gifts. Do I owe Your Majesty a debt?”
Timber, Anti-nausea Medicine—what more could he want? This was pure robbery.
“There are grades of gifts, after all. The one I gave you is far more valuable than what you gave me, is it not?”
I didn’t intend to give anything more, but I was curious what Karman wanted.
“What would you like to receive from me, Your Majesty?”
“The formula for the Anti-nausea Medicine.”
“That’s not possible.”
The refusal tumbled out without a moment’s hesitation.
The instant the words left my mouth, I regretted it. I should have at least pretended to consider it. If he’d been a tyrant, he might have drawn his sword and demanded, “How dare you refuse me?”
“Diana, Brook Kingdom and Donet Kingdom have both placed enormous orders. Mass production is necessary. Wouldn’t it be more advantageous for the nation to handle it rather than the Irenbel Family?”
“Your Majesty, you underestimate the Irenbel Family too much. We are fully capable of mass-producing the Anti-nausea Medicine.”
“Think carefully, Diana. I might offer an even greater gift.”
“All I need now is your consent to marry Prince Cassion. Would you grant it in exchange for the formula to the Anti-nausea Medicine?”
Karman raised one eyebrow and smiled.
“Your appetite is insatiable.”
Look who’s talking.
“Tell me something else instead.”
He negotiated with the determination of a man who would accept nothing less than the answer he wanted.
As I pondered how to escape the situation, it suddenly struck me that this wasn’t something I should be worrying about at all.
‘It’s Lebert’s medicine. Why am I taking credit for it?’
I’d already extracted everything I could from using Lebert’s formula. This was the limit of what I could decide unilaterally.
Passing on the manufacturing process and handling large-scale production absolutely required Lebert’s permission.
I felt ashamed of the oversight I’d missed.
“Your Majesty, I’m not in a position to make that decision here. It’s not that I’m trying to gain a larger advantage from this transaction. I’ll ask the doctor who created the anti-nausea medicine.”
“Hmm, what if you introduced that doctor to me?”
If that’s what Lebert wanted, of course.
“I’ll ask the doctor about that as well.”
“Then we’ll proceed according to the doctor’s wishes. Diana, I can’t tell if you’re a clever child or a foolish one.”
Karman studied me for a long moment, his gaze deepening.
“Cassion, you’ll need to watch over her very carefully from now on.”
After a long silence, Karman’s final words were directed at Cassion.
***
I’d expected Julia to oppose vehemently, but to my surprise, she remained silent.
Karman had granted Julia full authority to select the teacher for Imperial Studies.
It was painfully obvious what would happen—she’d fill the position with people favorably disposed toward Dayson.
Just thinking about it gave me a headache, so I decided not to think about it.
I’d deal with that later.
Within a month and a half—short though it was—I had to identify trustworthy people among my retainers.
‘And I need to go to Nobel.’
In the past, this period had seen riots break out in Nobel. Yet Nobel remained quiet now.
‘Did it help that I asked Cho to distribute money?’
I’d instructed a welfare official from Nobel, mimicking her manner, to have Cho distribute funds to the people.
If that had worked, then I’d bought myself some time. But it wasn’t a fundamental solution. Nobel was a bomb waiting to explode at any moment.
‘The people of Nobel hold back monsters to protect the Kingdom’s peace. Yet the Kingdom represses Nobel instead.’
Nobel needed genuine support, not just the patronizing subjugation corps sent each spring.
If real support was impossible, they should at least reduce taxes. Instead, they’d raised the very taxes that had been reduced before.
“I need to meet with His Majesty and discuss the tax situation.”
As Acting Head of House, I wasn’t equal to Karman, but I was certainly in a position to propose tax relief for Nobel.
“I thought this position was nothing but an uneasy one, but it’s not so bad. The role of Acting Head of House suits me.”
If I could maintain this position and raise Cassion well, I should marry him off quickly.
Speaking of which, was my Cassion learning his lessons properly?
The thought reminded me, so I opened a drawer and took out some paper.
I still hadn’t sent a reply to the letter he’d sent me not long ago.
I retrieved the finest quality paper, the kind worth three days’ worth of a commoner’s meals, and began carefully pressing my words onto its surface.
[To His Highness Cassion,
My fiancé, are your studies with Guardian going well?
Guardian mentioned recently that it would be good to gradually reduce Lebert’s medicine—are you following through with that?
How is the Southern Dove these days?
Does she visit the palace often?
We’ll discuss the details when we meet.
Though I’m not sure when we’ll be able to meet soon. There are some things I need to attend to before the engagement ceremony.
If anything important comes up, send me a letter.
Diana Viola of the Irenbel Family.]
The Southern Dove was our private nickname for Julia.
Anticipating that Julia’s surveillance would intensify, we’d established several code names: the Southern Dove was Julia, and the Eastern Sparrow was Dayson.
“I wish I could deliver it in person…….”
There simply didn’t seem to be time.
And besides, with Cassion preoccupied adapting to new people, he likely wouldn’t mind if I didn’t visit frequently.
I melted sealing wax and sealed the letter. Before the wax hardened, I pressed the Irenbel Family’s seal firmly into it.
It was the first time I’d ever used the family seal.
***
[To Diana,
A month has already passed since I last saw you.
The Southern Dove has been fluttering about constantly these past four weeks.
Quite a curious dove, it seems.
Ever since I reduced Lebert’s medicine, I haven’t been able to sleep properly.
I don’t know what Guardian did to my body, but it tingles all over even when I’m still.
Still, I’m grateful there’s been no coughing up blood or sudden collapse.
Since three days ago, I’ve been able to eat properly again.
It’s remarkable, really. All I learned were the basic principles of Mana, yet my body has improved.
But Diana, what are you doing out there?
Liam told me there’s a lot to prepare for the Engagement Ceremony.
Since this is our first Engagement Ceremony, shouldn’t we study and prepare together?
When you receive a letter, send a reply right away.
And let me know what you’d like as an Engagement Ceremony gift.
Liam asked me to tell you.
— Cassion
I Bought the Villains with Money (Serialized)
Author │ Lee In-hye
Publisher │ Kim Joo-hyung
Published by │ J Plus Media Co., Ltd. — Tiramisu
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ⓒ Lee In-hye 2021
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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