The Former Empress Roughly Hides Her Abilities - Chapter 79

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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 79】

 

“We’ll arrive soon.”

 

Hearing the servant’s voice, Prince Zarban tightened his grip on the camel’s reins.

 

The wind, much cooler compared to his homeland, pierced through his skin.

 

As he slowly inhaled, instead of the dry sandy smell of the desert, the exotic scent of spices filled his lungs deeply. He truly felt that he had left his homeland and come to another country.

 

“It certainly took quite a long time.”

 

The Barnian Empire was far from the Garta Kingdom, and they had to pass through several countries, so it took considerable time to arrive.

 

“Still, once we reach the Imperial Palace, abundant meals and comfortable lodging should be prepared.”

 

“I wonder.”

 

How would it be.

 

Zarban’s lips twisted.

 

The Empire’s people, having luckily occupied fertile land, called that luck their own superiority.

 

‘On top of that, they always call us barbarians and look down on us.’

 

Being ignorant of our customs and practices, it didn’t seem likely he would receive noble treatment at the Imperial Palace.

 

Attendant Karl chuckled.

 

“There are advantages that come from that too.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

Zarban giggled.

 

Being underestimated by the opponent meant he could induce their carelessness.

 

“This time, let’s go devour those Empire bastards.”

 

* * *

 

The Garta Kingdom had dozens of princes. They competed and fought to claim the one and only throne.

 

Not becoming king meant death.

 

The easiest way to stand out was to achieve merit on the battlefield, but Zarban lacked talent as a warrior.

 

So he decided to survive through other means.

 

By establishing trade with various neighboring countries and negotiating to attract talent from foreign countries and expand his influence.

 

In the process, if the kingdom’s finances became abundant, his own reputation would rise accordingly.

 

Among the countries Zarban had visited, the Barnian Empire was the most prosperous, but he had no particular expectations for the country itself.

 

Those soaked in abundance tended to become arrogant.

 

‘I’d be fortunate if they just provide a room to stay in.’

 

But then.

 

‘Water for washing hands came out?’

 

When mealtime arrived, servants first brought down water contained in basins.

 

Looking at the water with herb leaves floating in it, Zarban wondered if the Empire’s people drank water from basins.

 

‘No, this is definitely water brought for washing hands. Otherwise, why would the servant have a cloth draped over one arm!’

 

In the Garta Kingdom, they ate with their hands without using separate tableware, and since desert sandstorms frequently got on their bodies, there was a custom of washing hands before meals.

 

‘Does the Empire have this kind of culture too?’

 

Even though nothing like this had happened at the rough restaurants and inns during the journey to the Imperial Capital, the Empire’s servant brought water as if it were natural, making him think that for a moment.

 

Once the basin for washing hands disappeared, food was brought up one by one. Zarban quickly scanned the dining table.

 

‘Seafood is the main course.’

 

Attendant Karl exclaimed.

 

“Look, Your Highness. There’s no pork!”

 

The pork they considered unclean was completely omitted.

 

Servant Loka, who had gone ahead as a messenger to the Empire to announce the prince’s arrival, said.

 

“When I arrived at the Empire, an Empire person came and asked first. Whether there was anything to be careful about when serving Your Highness, whether there were any foods you preferred. They received information very thoroughly.”

 

Zarban was surprised.

 

“They had a conversation with you? An Empire person?”

 

Because Loka couldn’t speak the Imperial Language.

 

It wasn’t just Loka’s problem. Most people from the kingdom were like that.

 

Unless they were someone like Zarban who had set their course toward diplomacy, people from the kingdom had no interest in learning foreign languages.

 

That’s why when sending Loka as a messenger, he had written a telegram in Imperial Language announcing his arrival and given it to him.

 

“Loka, when did you learn the Imperial Language?”

 

“I didn’t speak in Imperial Language, the Empire person used Garta Language. Almost at native level.”

 

Not even at a negotiation table, but they brought an interpreter for the task of catering to the other party’s preferences?

 

‘The Empire is truly an amazing place.’

 

“Was that interpreter from the kingdom?”

 

Since there was someone who could fluently speak the kingdom’s language in a country far from the kingdom, his suspicion went in that direction.

 

“No, it was clearly a woman of Empire origin.”

 

“A woman?”

 

Attendant Karl snorted.

 

“A serving woman knows Garta Language? What nonsense.”

 

“Watch your words, Karl.”

 

Zarban spoke firmly.

 

“The Empire is a place where women can also become officials.”

 

“Then don’t the Empire’s men work?”

 

Karl couldn’t understand.

 

How could they let women who should be protected work outside the house?

 

‘Are the Empire’s men that incompetent?’

 

“Of course, not all women work.”

 

While it was true that the Empire was more tolerant of women’s social participation than the kingdom, that didn’t mean men and women were completely equal.

 

“Then that woman was indeed peculiar.”

 

“That’s why we need to be more careful.”

 

The fact that despite being a woman, she was assigned to receive a foreign prince meant she was capable enough to surpass men of the same rank.

 

“That woman must be of high status and well-educated.”

 

So they mustn’t commit any discourtesy carelessly.

 

“Moreover, she’s probably someone who works meticulously. Just look at that sword stand.”

 

“The stand?”

 

Karl looked in the direction where the stand was placed and realized.

 

“That’s right. The direction of the sword handle…”

 

The stand was placed next to Zarban’s bed, with the blade facing the door and the sword handle facing the bed.

 

Considering that Zarban never let go of his sword except when sleeping, it was positioned so he could grab the sword as soon as he opened his eyes.

 

“The Empire people are truly frightening.”

 

“Right?”

 

There’s no such thing as kindness without reason in this world.

 

Above all, if they put this much care into receiving them, there was a high possibility they would come out thoroughly at the negotiation table too.

 

‘I should indeed be careful.’

 

While at it, he should also find out who the woman who prepared this protocol was.

 

‘She seemed like a talent worth bringing to the kingdom.’

 

* * *

 

However, the information Zarban could obtain was limited.

 

Among the diplomatic mission party, only Zarban could speak the Imperial Language.

 

“The protocol officer is a Princess?”

 

Loka, who had directly communicated with the woman, was impressed.

 

“Then it certainly makes sense. She was a woman with such presence and dignity.”

 

‘Is the Empire a country that has such a woman as its Princess?’

 

Zarban arrived at the banquet hall in a state of extreme tension.

 

However, the Princess he actually faced was.

 

“W-welcome to the Empire.”

 

‘She’s just a little kid?’

 

Zarban exchanged glances with Loka.

 

‘Is this Princess really the Empire woman you mentioned?’

 

‘That can’t be right? She was an adult woman. A fully mature adult woman.’

 

Loka was equally dumbfounded, tilting his head in confusion.

 

‘What’s going on here?’

 

Meanwhile, the Emperor alone was pleased.

 

“The Princess is the Empire’s treasure and my one and only blood relative.”

 

The Emperor seated Zarban across from the Princess, then rambled on with unsolicited information.

 

“Moreover, the owner of the noodle business that the Prince is interested in is none other than the Princess.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

This was somewhat interesting.

 

“She experienced a fire once, but overcame the disaster as an opportunity and rose again. Truly, she embodies the very spirit of the Empire, wouldn’t you say?”

 

Zarban, who had only planned to kill time appropriately, perked up with interest.

 

A young girl who might not even know she was about to be sold off wasn’t his type, but he couldn’t rule out the possibility that ‘that woman’ was one of the Princess’s people.

 

“There was no pork or wine at this meal either. It was a setting where we could see that the Empire is taking meticulous care of us. Thank you for the hospitality. I was impressed by the Empire’s sincerity.”

 

This wasn’t entirely empty words.

 

Zarban had never received this level of consideration in any other country.

 

The Princess’s lips, which had been shyly pressed together, relaxed completely.

 

“That’s right, isn’t it?”

 

Soon she was chattering away in a lively voice.

 

“All the preparations were done by my sister, no, by the Duke’s daughter.”

 

The name he heard was.

 

‘Rianel Vincenheim?’

 

“She’s incredibly amazing and wonderful. Someone who can do anything in the world, you could say…”

 

‘Definitely just a kid.’

 

Zarban had no interest in a young thing who would be of no help to the kingdom.

 

Even if she was quite mature for her age, it was the same.

 

A royal marriage required many considerations, and the Empire would try to sell off their one and only Princess for the highest price possible.

 

Rather than that, he was more interested in the woman who was lower in status than the Princess but supposedly more capable.

 

“I wouldn’t have even thought of the noodle business without the Duke’s daughter. She was also the one who advised building the factory by the waterway… Oh, are you listening?”

 

“Of course. Could I hear more details about that?”

 

* * *

 

Saint Yuna bit her lower lip.

 

‘I need to get rid of that woman somehow.’

 

[Documents have been confirmed showing that the Saint contracted land for the purpose of factory expansion.]

 

That woman who, at the joint funeral, had reduced her from Saint Yuna to nothing more than Shin Yuna.

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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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