The Former Empress Roughly Hides Her Abilities - Chapter 48

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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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【Chapter 48】

 

After spending those chaotic days so productively, the Special Tax Bureau members headed to the Princess Palace a few days later.

 

They had a duty to deliver eyewitness accounts to the Princess who couldn’t be present at the scene.

 

Since Arman Bank was normalizing at a rapid pace, they sought out the Princess to share recent news as well.

 

“Oh….”

 

The Princess said after hearing the long story.

 

“So that’s the end of it?”

 

The story leading up to entering President Rikel’s mansion was thrilling, but what followed was so abrupt that it wasn’t very clear.

 

“That’s correct.”

 

But they couldn’t help it either.

 

As soon as the President regained consciousness, everything was resolved in one fell swoop.

 

The President immediately dismissed the Vice President, recovered the funds he had embezzled and some of the funds lost through bad loans, and filed fraud charges against all of the Vice President’s relatives.

 

Even so, it would be insufficient to cover the losses accumulated over three years, but it was significant in that it prevented the bank’s bankruptcy.

 

“But it really was all resolved just by meeting the President.”

 

Wilbrin was amazed.

 

‘When Team Leader said she was going to storm into the President’s house, I thought there was no bigger lunatic in the world.’

 

Of course, she still thought so.

 

But seeing the results, she had to admit that was the right approach.

 

“Yes. He’s a capable person.”

 

The President would have a hard time afterward, but he would save the bank.

 

‘He’s the person who took over a failing bank and built it into one of the Empire’s top 3 banks.’

 

Wilbrin looked at Rianel.

 

It was strange how she didn’t boast about her achievements.

 

‘Of course, I knew she was originally that kind of person!’

 

Then the Princess asked.

 

“What happened to that Vice President person?”

 

Was he caught?

 

As her innocent eyes sparkled, the Tax Bureau members exchanged glances with each other.

 

They couldn’t gauge whether this was appropriate content to tell a Princess who was only twelve years old.

 

“He committed suicide.”

 

“Team Leader, really!”

 

However, the mouth of truth was merciless today as well.

 

“Your Highness the Princess may be young in age, but you are not weak in mind and spirit. As someone who has endured the betrayal of a close acquaintance, I judge that you have sufficient capacity to accept facts of this degree.”

 

“No, that was something I had no choice but to endure….”

 

Wilbrin shook her head, but the Princess nodded vigorously.

 

“That’s right. I can accept it.”

 

The corners of Rianel’s mouth turned up slightly.

 

“Then I’ll continue. Vice President Dudban was found dead at his residence along with his wife. There was a suicide note, but due to many suspicious circumstances, the possibility of murder disguised as suicide is considered high.”

 

“Suspicious circumstances?”

 

“Among them, a notable clue is that the handwriting of the two suicide notes differs from that of the deceased. Moreover, while the suicide notes describe the two ending their lives together, the fact that his wife Lucy’s time of death was five hours later than her husband’s is also suspicious.”

 

Such a string of stark truths continued.

 

‘I don’t know anymore….’

 

Til gazed at distant mountains, while Mel hastily changed the subject.

 

“Anyway, I don’t understand what all this commotion was about. Your Highness was simply trying to get a loan….”

 

“Still, I’m happy about it. It helped the Empire anyway.”

 

Life returned to the Princess’s face, which had been pale even during the Emperor’s birthday celebration.

 

A sense of relief from having solved the problem could be felt.

 

‘Plus the Tax Bureau’s prestige has risen too.’

 

As it became known that President Rikel’s recovery was thanks to the Special Tax Bureau, the department’s reputation rose considerably.

 

Anyway, good was good.

 

“Um… but….”

 

The Princess carefully brought her fingertips together.

 

“Is there something you wish to say?”

 

“Actually, I received a letter from President Rikel.”

 

She pulled out an envelope from her bosom. The high-quality parchment envelope bore House Rikel’s crest clearly stamped on it.

 

“Was it problematic content?”

 

“Rather than that… uh….”

 

The Princess hesitated for a long time.

 

“To briefly summarize the content, I received an investment proposal.”

 

“Investment?”

 

“Yes. He said he saw potential in my business plan and made me an offer.”

 

The Tax Bureau members’ eyes all widened at once.

 

“What are the conditions? Did you examine them?”

 

Surely he wasn’t planning to deceive the young Princess to recover the bank’s losses?

 

The Special Tax Bureau members tensely watched the Princess’s mouth.

 

“In exchange for investing 1 billion gold, he would receive 10% of net profits as returns and requested 25% of business shares.”

 

“That’s within reasonable bounds.”

 

“There was also a condition that once I repay the investment, this contract would end and he would return the shares to me.”

 

“Isn’t that quite favorable conditions?”

 

Mel was impressed.

 

It meant that if the business went well, he would cleanly withdraw without unnecessary lingering.

 

Moreover, it also meant he would protect it under Arman Bank’s name until the business grew, so it was definitely not a loss.

 

“But there was one more condition….”

 

“What is it?”

 

In the anxious tension, one sentence dropped.

 

“He wants a private meeting with Princess Vincenheim.”

 

The Tax Bureau burst into flames.

 

* * *

 

“No problems my foot, it’s completely full of problems!”

 

Til shouted while disheveling her hair, and Wilbrin also covered her face with her hands.

 

“Is President Rikel saying he’ll accept Team Leader’s marriage proposal?”

 

It meant that since Rianel had started the fire first, the President’s side was now setting a counter-fire.

 

“That’s unlikely.”

 

“Why are you giving such an ambiguous answer this time? Please explain with logic like usual.”

 

“Human hearts are not an area that can be definitively determined.”

 

“You’re still going even though the uncertainty is clear?”

 

“Didn’t he say that was the condition.”

 

“Wow. I’m really going crazy….”

 

Til despaired while dry-washing her face, and Wilbrin asked as if placing her last hope.

 

“Can’t you think about this rationally? Anyone can see it’s a strange condition!”

 

But Rianel crushed Wilbrin’s opinion with sound logic.

 

“Even to withdraw the marriage proposal, visiting the Rikel family is unavoidable.”

 

“Well, that’s also true, but….”

 

Unable to stop Rianel’s sortie, the Tax Bureau members presented a negotiation proposal.

 

“Then let’s go together this time too.”

 

“The dictionary definition of ‘private meeting’ means two people conversing without attendants present. Therefore, a third party’s accompaniment-,”

 

“Ah, we can just go secretly! We can follow about a hundred steps behind!”

 

“Um, but at a hundred steps, wouldn’t everything be visible?”

It’s not even that far of a distance.

“And what are you planning to do once you follow?”

 

“I’ll persuade him.”

 

“…You will, senior?”

 

Wilbrin sent her a completely unconvinced look.

 

‘Was this person ever that eloquent?’

 

“President Rikel is elderly and has lived in seclusion for a long time, so it wouldn’t be strange if some limb got broken.”

 

Of course she wasn’t.

 

‘So it was that kind of persuasion (physical).’

 

“Oh my, put that away. Put it away.”

 

Or it’ll end up in tomorrow morning’s newspaper.

 

* * *

 

After various twists and turns, Rianel arrived at President Rikel’s mansion.

 

She had only conveyed her intention to visit without even informing him of the exact time, yet Norman was waiting outside the main gate.

 

“Please come in.”

 

Led by Norman, the butler and servants stood in a line and bowed their heads.

 

“Please come inside. We have prepared a feast.”

 

A delicious aroma was already wafting from the entrance.

 

The wide, gleaming dining table was filled with food without a single gap.

 

“This seems a bit excessive.”

 

Rianel’s gaze swept over the dining table.

 

Only three sets of tableware were placed on the table.

 

It was a setting for only Norman, Ersen, and herself to dine, yet the amount of food was excessively abundant.

 

“What could be too precious to offer to the one who saved my son and me?”

 

Norman’s voice conveyed heartfelt sincerity, but Rianel didn’t even touch the tableware.

 

She hadn’t come to receive hospitality in the first place.

 

She was curious about the essential reason he had requested a private audience.

 

Rianel slowly turned her gaze from her seat to look at Ersen.

 

“Would your son please withdraw?”

 

Rianel dismissed everyone including Ersen to create a ‘private audience.’

 

“I believe you have a reason for wanting to see me.”

 

Her bleak and restrained voice was utterly unfriendly.

 

However, Norman felt his heart tingle with excitement and joy.

 

“A few days ago, I was too flustered to show proper courtesy. So I wanted to greet you again.”

 

Rianel sat silently, watching him rise to his feet.

 

Even her emotionless and cold gaze with her chin slightly raised was so identical to ‘that time.’

 

‘Yes. This is how it should be.’

 

A faint smile spread across Norman’s lips.

 

Originally, you were not someone who defined yourself through words.

 

You distinguish yourself and draw attention through your presence alone.

 

‘Just like the sun hanging in the sky…’

 

Norman recognized who she was the moment their eyes met.

 

It was the same now that they met again.

 

He willingly rose and offered his greeting.

 

“Norman Rikel pays his respects to Her Majesty the Empress of the Great Empire.”

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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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