In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 137

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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This Life, I Will Become the Clan Head Episode 137

The sun was setting, painting the sky red, but there were still guests at the Crown Prince’s Palace.

It was the Lord of Baraportga, one of Angenas’s famous vassal families, and Duiji, the heir to the Angenas patriarch and the Empress’s younger brother.

“Phew….”

Duiji Angenas rubbed around his tired eyes with his fingers and let out a suppressed sigh.

The Lord of Baraport sitting beside him also glanced around nervously and moistened his increasingly sore throat with alcohol.

“You two look tired, why don’t we stop for now?”

Astana said to Duiji and the Lord of Baraport.

But Duiji shook his head.

“That won’t do. There are still many agenda items you need to study.”

Duiji Angenas and the Lord of Baraport were currently helping Astana prepare for the council meeting in two days.

No, to be honest, this was practically like giving him the answers to exam questions in advance.

They were telling him beforehand all the general views on important agenda items to be discussed at the council meeting and what the Angenas forces would argue.

“Yaaawn….”

But Astana kept yawning and couldn’t contain his boredom.

He had certainly shown quite a bit of enthusiasm at first, but quickly lost interest when complex political content poured out.

Though he had been sitting face to face with Astana for hours teaching him everything from A to Z at the Empress’s request, Duiji’s patience was gradually running out.

“Your Highness.”

Finally, Duiji called Astana in a stern voice.

“Don’t forget that the Second Prince will also attend the next council meeting.”

Astana frowned at Duiji Angenas’s words.

Then he glanced at the Lord of Baraport sitting beside him and spoke in a sullen voice.

“So? What does that have to do with this boring studying?”

“…The Second Prince is intelligent. You can tell just from the fact that he graduated from the Academy as valedictorian. He’ll probably make a good impression on His Majesty and the nobles at the council meeting.”

Duiji spoke persuasively, gathering his last remaining patience.

But Astana didn’t change his attitude.

“What would change even if that lowborn bastard wins the favor of His Majesty and the nobles with a few words?”

“Well, naturally….”

“Do you think that guy would be a threat to me?”

Duiji Angenas closed his mouth instead of answering.

Because Astana’s eyes looking at him were glinting dangerously.

They were like the eyes of a vicious hunter who had set a trap.

Then the Lord of Baraport, who had been reading the mood, spoke tactfully.

“But if Your Highness makes remarks that accurately target the key points on contentious issues, everyone will look up to Your Highness.”

“Hmm…. That’s not bad.”

Astana rolled his eyes once and said.

“Then don’t try to explain everything tediously, tell me more briefly. What are these contentious issues, and what should I say?”

Astana was only thinking of memorizing the answers and reciting them verbatim.

Duiji Angenas, who had tried to use this opportunity to give Astana proper political lessons, swallowed a deep sigh inwardly.

“…The biggest point of contention at this council meeting will be the story about the Eastern trade routes.”

“The Eastern Region again?”

Astana asked irritably.

“The Eastern Region is always causing trouble. They’re always complaining about something!”

“It’s because it was an independent kingdom until just a few generations ago, so it’s still a region that requires a lot of attention. Moreover, the current land route to the Eastern Region is distant and passes through rough mountainous areas, making smooth trade difficult.”

“Hmph! Then they should work harder to integrate into the Empire themselves. Yet they always want so much despite their position.”

“That’s exactly what we Angenas will argue.”

“Oh, really?”

“The Eastern Region increased trade volume with the central region for smooth cultural exchange by Imperial decree, but they’re raising issues about Empire merchants selling goods at higher prices only in the Eastern Region due to the rough trade routes.”

“What do they want?”

“They want the Imperial Court to provide subsidies to the Eastern Region annually for the next 10 years.”

When Duiji explained in a calm voice, Astana jumped up.

“They’re no different from thieves!”

“The Eastern Region isn’t the only one with difficult trade routes in the Empire, so it’s a very selfish and unreasonable demand. Don’t you have to cross mountain ranges as treacherous as the Eastern Region’s to reach the Northern Region?”

The Lord of Baraport chimed in from the side.

“Hmm….”

Astana already had a confused expression as if something was getting a bit mixed up.

So Duiji Angenas spoke as simply and understandably as possible.

“Your Highness should point out what the Lord of Baraport just mentioned and argue that ‘benefits for the Eastern Region are already sufficient, so it’s right to redirect trade subsidies to the Northern Region.'”

“Why should they be redirected to the Northern Region? Shouldn’t we avoid making enemies with the Eastern Region over this?”

“In politics, you often have to choose one side. When that happens, it’s right to make choices thoroughly for your allies. We Angenas need the help of the Northern Aivan family for development projects, so this time we’re taking care of the Northern Region.”

“Since Aivan’s acting patriarch is also scheduled to attend the council meeting, it’s a perfect opportunity to make a good impression.”

Duiji and the Lord of Baraport explained alternately.

“Then what about the Eastern Region? I heard that I need the consent of all regional representative families to receive the Crown Prince appointment?”

“We can take care of them next time through other matters. Besides, they’re such a closed-off group that they don’t get heavily involved in central affairs. Especially for sensitive issues like Crown Prince appointments. They’ll probably quietly follow His Majesty’s and other regions’ opinions.”

“If that’s the case, well.”

Astana shrugged and said.

“So are we roughly done now?”

“No. There are still several more important agenda items….”

“I just need to know the most important one!”

“No. This time, Your Highness must prepare thoroughly. If you’re too tired, we’ll come again tomorrow.”

Having to do this again tomorrow.

At Duiji Angenas’s words, the Lord of Baraport became gloomy but kept his mouth shut.

“Tomorrow? I’m going to see some ‘business briefing’ or whatever at the Debon Family tomorrow afternoon….”

“I’ll entrust the Crown Prince to you again tomorrow, Duiji.”

Empress Lavinia walked in with an elegant smile.

However, the Empress didn’t look at Astana.

She continued speaking to Duiji Angenas, her younger brother.

“The Crown Prince won’t be going to the Debon Family’s banquet tomorrow. How about coming early in the morning to start lessons again?”

“Uh, Mother!”

Astana called out in protest, but it was no use.

Empress Lavinia still had a smiling face but looked at Astana with somehow cold eyes and said.

“I hear it’s a gathering of lower nobles who lack the ability to obtain what they want directly, and lowly merchants. There’s no need for a prince to go there and elevate such a place.”

In fact, preventing Astana from attending the Debon Family’s business briefing was Ceral’s request.

“But I want to go.”

“Crown Prince, do you intend to ignore this mother’s words?”

It was the mother’s appearance he had always feared.

But rebelliousness suddenly raised its head within Astana.

Why should I listen to Mother’s words?

Why do I need Mother’s permission for everything?

The Crown Prince of this Empire is me, not Mother!

Astana nodded weakly as if he understood.

Then he watched the Empress’s stern expression soften a bit and asked.

“Then you won’t be attending either, Mother?”

“Of course not. I’m planning to hold grand luncheon and dinner banquets after a long time. It’s my duty as Empress to help nobles get along and harmonize.”

“…You’ll be busy.”

Astana said, forcibly suppressing the laughter that naturally came out.

That little briefing, I’ll just sneak out to see it.

Slipping out of the Imperial Palace without being noticed by the guards was an easy task he could do with his eyes closed.

He’d get scolded later, but what could Mother do about it?

Astana was no longer afraid of the Empress.

“That’s right. So shouldn’t the Crown Prince study hard and make me happy?”

At Empress Lavinia’s words, Astana smiled obediently and answered.

“Yes, Mother.”

* * *

The Debon family’s manor was wide open to all visitors.

This business presentation that was being held was a completely unfamiliar concept to everyone.

However, many nobles made their way there upon seeing the words written at the end of the invitation: ‘A banquet introducing a completely new purchasing method.’

And what was different about this business presentation was that among the visitors arriving one after another, there were many merchants mixed in who were not nobles.

Nosier, who attended in his capacity as the head of Monark trading post, was one of them.

There was his relationship with the Second Prince he served and Pirenthia Lombardi, who was said to be leading this new business of Lombardi Transportation, but above all, what drew Nosier’s steps was curiosity.

He wanted to know what exactly this ‘courier service’ was.

As Nosier and others got out of their carriages and entered the Debon family’s banquet hall, Lombardi Transportation employees greeted them with bright smiles.

“Hello, welcome!”

“Simple refreshments are prepared here.”

“This way. Please come in!”

At this appearance that was different from typical banquets, Nosier entered with a curious expression, taking a drink in hand.

The atmosphere of the banquet hall, where cheerful music that naturally lightened one’s steps could be heard, was very lively.

It was a completely different atmosphere from other banquets that were mainly held late at night.

With all the curtains drawn back, sunlight filled the banquet hall, and combined with the bright lighting illuminating the large space, the interior was exceptionally bright.

As Nosier looked around, another group of Lombardi Transportation employees approached him.

“Please take a booklet.”

What they politely placed in people’s hands was a fairly thick small booklet.

And this booklet had three prominently marked bookmarks.

“Lombardi Scholarship Foundation, Lombardi Guild, Pellet Trading House…?”

I thought this was the Debon family’s business presentation?

As Nosier tilted his head in confusion while flipping through the booklet, a gentle voice spoke to him.

“Hello, I’m Pirenthia Lombardi. Do you have any questions?”

“Ah…”

This person is Pirenthia Lombardi.

Nosier stared blankly for a while at the beauty with attractive dark brown hair and green eyes.

Then, coming to his senses, he barely moved his mouth that seemed to have stiffened and asked a question.

“What is this booklet? From what I can roughly see of the contents, it seems to contain descriptions of artworks and products.”

“You’ve seen correctly. What’s written in the booklet is indeed a list of products. It’s a list of items that only those who use ‘Lombardi Courier’ can purchase.”

“Only… through Lombardi Courier?”

Nosier’s wavering eyes scanned the booklet’s contents again.

To him, Pirenthia added an even more detailed explanation.

“That’s the case for Lombardi Guild and Pellet Trading House, and for the Lombardi Scholarship Foundation, it contains a list of works by new artists who have just started their artistic activities.”

“What… exactly is this courier service?”

“Courier service is a new purchasing method that delivers ordered items right to your doorstep anywhere in the Empire.”

“Right to the doorstep…”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Seeing Pirenthia’s brightly smiling face, Nosier’s heart pounded.

It wasn’t because her appearance was pretty.

It was because Nosier’s blood as a merchant was boiling.

His instincts were telling him.

This courier business would be a huge hit!

And he felt an impatience uncharacteristic of a merchant with years of experience.

“I am Nosier of Monark trading post. I’d like to learn more about this courier business. What should I do?”

“Ah, Monark trading post…”

A different gleam flashed in Pirenthia’s eyes as she looked at Nosier.

And she smiled politely again, pointing to another room on the opposite side of the entrance.

“There’s a separate space prepared for trading company representatives. Please come this way.”

Pirenthia led the way and Nosier followed behind her.

And the two sat facing each other at a small table prepared on one side.

“Um… Lady Lombardi must be busy. Perhaps another employee could help me…”

“No.”

Pirenthia shook her head.

“For some reason, I’d like to explain it to you personally, Mr. Nosier.”

As she said this with a smile, her green eyes shone particularly brightly.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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