Chapter 148: Princess Flora's Negotiation

(This is from a third-party perspective.)

“Can it be true? Is Lord William Your Highness’s fiancé?” “Yes. Although we have not made it public, I am engaged to William-san.” When the Princess glanced at Edgar II, the King nodded.

It seemed the two had coordinated their stories, and His Majesty also explained to the Prince. “Indeed, there are those among our country’s nobility with conservative views, and voices claiming the Royal Family places too much importance on William‘s Production Skill. That is why we had not yet made it public, but it is true that my daughter Flora is engaged to William.”

“What…” Prince Ernst was speechless. The Prince had argued that refusing the proposal to welcome William as the Imperial Princess’s husband was an insult to the Empire, and he would not hesitate to shed blood over it.

However, following the logic the Prince himself argued, for a marriage proposal to be made to William—who was already engaged to a Princess—would be an even graver insult to the Albion Kingdom. Furthermore, handing over a Princess’s fiancé to another country involves national honor; there is no way it could be accepted.

“Do you understand now?” Facing Princess Flora, who spoke calmly, Prince Ernst could only nod silently.

The logic he himself brought up—that refusing marriage to a Princess was an issue of national honor—had been turned against him. He could no longer insist on the marriage between the Imperial Princess and William.

Princess Flora had completely out-debated Prince Ernst. This would be a fine place to end the discussion. However, the awakened Princess Flora aimed not only to protect William but also to build a relationship of trust with the Empire using this opportunity.

“The Kingdom does not intend to simply refuse the Empire’s proposal.” Princess Flora addressed the Prince in a gentle tone. The Prince, who had been looking down in despair, raised his face.

“If the Vandle Empire agrees to form an alliance with the Albion Kingdom, we shall sell wheat from the Kingdom to you. As for the price, the domestic price within the Kingdom will suffice.”

“What did you say?!” Prince Ernst was surprised, his eyes widening. “The selling price of wheat harvested in our country to your country has risen recently, so I imagine you are troubled.”

“You knew the internal situation of our country? But doing so would mean the Kingdom misses an opportunity to make a profit.” “Rather than short-term profit, we prioritize a relationship of trust with the Empire now that the monster offensive is intensifying.”

Regarding selling wheat to the Empire at domestic prices, Princess Flora had also sounded out her father, Edgar II, and obtained his consent when discussing the engagement story. “It is as Flora says. With the monster offensive intensifying, humans must cooperate rather than fight. That is my belief.”

Edgar II also thought it would be better to offer some support to the Empire rather than simply refusing the engagement to the Imperial Princess, so he had immediately approved his daughter’s proposal. According to the story of the Elf Elder heard from William, the power of Darkness is mighty. Edgar II believed this was no time for humans to be infighting.

Prince Ernst was dumbfounded. However, the anger had completely vanished from his expression.

“There is one more thing we are considering selling from our country if an alliance with your country is established,” Princess Flora said, pressing the advantage.

“You are aware that William-san developed a medicine for tuberculosis, yes?” “Yes, I know. To develop a specific remedy for that terrifying disease… Lord William‘s talent is phenomenal.”

“Yes, I thank you for praising my fiancé.” Princess Flora smiled brightly. To have the composure to smile even though he had threatened war… Prince Ernst felt he could not win against Princess Flora.

“Fortunately, our country has already secured the necessary amount of medicine. Therefore, we shall sell the medicine to the Empire at a fair price.” “What? You would sell us medicine in addition to food?”

“Yes. It would be difficult to sufficiently oppose monsters while an infectious disease is rampant. Furthermore, it is also an apology for causing embarrassment to Princess Silesia because we had not made my engagement to William-san public.”

“You say you are being considerate of my sister? Even though I tried to take Your Highness’s fiancé to the Empire, albeit unknowingly…” Seeing gratitude and trust appear in Prince Ernst‘s eyes, Edgar II broached a new subject.

“Prince Ernst, if we are to form an alliance and oppose the monsters together, there is something I wish to discuss.” The Prince nodded. “May I hear Your Majesty’s story?”