Chapter 120

Empress Lianhua felt utterly lost.

The demand from Alan—to offer both imperial princesses, who were first and second in line for succession—was outrageous.

Setting aside the audacity of the request itself, she wondered if it was even feasible.

Her husband, the Emperor of the Empire, had already begun the process of sending Alan to Chinguk.

“Inform the Foreign Ministry. I will appoint Alan Medoff, the chairman of Medoff Pharmaceuticals, as our ambassador stationed in Chinguk. Begin the necessary procedures. I will grant his appointment tomorrow and send him as a special envoy to Chinguk as soon as possible.”

“Your Majesty, what do you mean by a special envoy?”

“That is in response to the large delegation Chinguk has sent us.”

“Uh, Your Majesty? With all due respect, Chinguk’s delegation hasn’t even arrived yet. How can we prepare a reciprocal reception?”

“Just do it.”

The Emperor was issuing various instructions to expel Alan Medoff from the Empire by any means necessary.

If things continued this way, Alan’s journey to Chinguk was inevitable.

Empress Lianhua hadn’t expected her husband to be so enthusiastic about it.

Recently, the Emperor had been consoling himself with heavily whiskey-laden tea and hot brandy. Yet as soon as a solution to remove Alan appeared, he showed a fervent interest, surprising everyone.

There was no time for clever strategies just yet.

“Your Majesty, I have something to say.”

The Empress approached her husband hesitantly, deliberately not hiding her look of distress. The Emperor, however, paid no attention and merely cleared his throat pointedly as if to say: If you’re going to interfere with sending Alan away, forget it.

Despite reading the Emperor’s mood, the Empress could not remain silent.

‘First, I have to stop this.’

The Empress’s first chosen method was an appeal.

She slowly knelt at the Emperor’s feet and gently placed her hands on his knees, sending him a pleading gaze. She had no time to care about saving face now.

“Please don’t send Alan Medoff out of the country.”

“Hmm, this is unusual. You were the one to initially suggest restraining him. Now it’s a mess because of that, but…”

“…Yes, I admit it’s my fault. But what I asked for was restraint, not expulsion. Sending Alan to Chinguk may feel satisfying now, but it will soon become a blunder. I’m trying to prevent that.”

“What do you mean?”

“What if Alan Medoff shares his knowledge of narcotics with Chinguk?”

“…”

Finally, he’s listening, at least partially.

The Empress felt a flicker of hope as she looked at the Emperor, albeit a depressing one given the situation.

“Alan is sharp, Your Majesty. He probably knows that you hate and fear him. If he decides that returning to the Empire is hopeless, he might compromise with Chinguk’s officials to secure his own interests.”

“That won’t happen.”

“Your Majesty, you’re pushing him into a corner. When a subject loses favor with his ruler, it’s not uncommon for them to turn their backs on their own country.”

“But his family is here in the Empire. How could—”

“Does Alan Medoff look like someone who treasures family bonds? Trying to control him by holding his family hostage might even backfire.”

“…”

Finally, the Emperor’s confidence wavered.

The Empress expected him to hesitate, then ask for advice with a “What should we do?” But this was not something suitable for consultation with officials. In this empire, the only person who could discuss the matter on equal footing with the Emperor was herself.

Surprisingly, though, the Emperor continued.

“Certainly, it is risky.”

He suddenly lowered his voice.

“Your Majesty?”

“Sending him to Chinguk is dangerous. But there are ways. He might encounter… a terribly unfortunate accident on his way to the East, for instance. Frankly, I don’t enjoy it, but who enjoys only good things in life?”

“…”

Perhaps he plans to fake an accident after putting Alan on a boat and have him killed. It was astonishing, considering Alan was seen as that dangerous.

‘This won’t do.’

She had to persuade the Emperor to marry one of their daughters to Alan.

That didn’t seem easy at all.

If she had enough time, it might be feasible. But the Empress only had a day. If she had a week, she might have devised a brilliant strategy, but time was against her. What was she supposed to do now?

With no other option, the Empress decided to involve her daughters.

Victoria. Siena.

Using her stepdaughters was her only recourse.

It wasn’t ideal. At least one of them was likely colluding with Alan beforehand. It felt akin to seeking help from the enemy. But there was no other choice in the current situation.

She had to prevent Alan from going to Chinguk at all costs.

**

“Aunt Empress is in quite a bind, isn’t she?”

Siena reflected as she read the letter delivered by a maid from Empress Lianhua.

The gist was:

[If Alan Medoff goes to Chinguk, something grave will happen. You will lose Alan forever. He’ll live under strict surveillance in a mansion in Nanjing, the capital of Chinguk, unable to even leave the house, let alone produce and sell narcotics. I will ensure this. If you don’t want such an outcome and wish to keep Alan within the state, please help me persuade His Majesty to arrange simultaneous engagements between you two and Alan.]

Rude threats, unexpected engagement suggestions, and hastily scribbled handwriting.

It didn’t seem like the Empress, who normally wielded her power with grace as the ruler of a great nation.

‘And so, it is unfolding as planned.’

Siena twisted her silver hair, feeling a mixture of excitement and regret.

Was it regretful that she might have to share Victoria and Alan?

No, it wasn’t that. She preferred sharing if she couldn’t have everything. To be precise, the correct phrase was that she’d let Alan take the lead while deceiving Victoria together—this was still entertaining, of course.

It was only regrettable that the fun might end too soon.

Her father’s efforts to drive Alan away.

The Empress’s frantic struggle as she fell into Alan’s trap.

Victoria’s sister, sitting solemnly considering the letter’s contents.

Her family, the most honored individuals in the Empire, were each cornered in their own way.

It was such a fascinating situation, and it was about to end. Without any unexpected twists, everyone would move according to Alan’s plan, which he had designed meticulously from the start, only known to Siena.

His masterful ability to plan was admirable.

Still, she didn’t like how her family was falling prey to it effortlessly.

‘Still, what can I do?’

If she could go with Alan to the East and spread narcotics, it wouldn’t be bad. However, knowing her father’s character, that wasn’t likely. For now, moving according to Alan’s script was the best course. It was most important for the current Siena.

Determined, she glanced at Victoria sitting across from her.

‘This sister, I bet she’s thinking something obvious.’

Does she believe that Siena is part of a plan to save Alan and should also acquiesce for the stability of the imperial family? Judging by her serious expression, compromising wouldn’t be easy.

Just then, Victoria looked up.

And…

“Why didn’t I think of it earlier?”

Siena blinked.

Victoria’s comment felt unusual. Was the idea of both sisters marrying one man that surprising?

Before Siena could question further, Victoria exclaimed again, “So, this is how it could be done.”

“Wait, what are you talking about?”

“Your tantrum of wanting revenge, Alan managed it brilliantly on the spot. No wonder Empress is so anxious. She’s probably worried that Alan might distribute narcotics in Chinguk. There’s no doubt he suggested I support his mission to Chinguk to heighten the Empress’s concerns.”

“Right…”

Actually, it had all been scripted from the very start.

Realizing it a little late was commendable, but Siena still didn’t understand why Victoria was acting this way. Shouldn’t she be worrying about sharing her beloved with her sister? Siena’s confusion cleared up momentarily.

“Selling narcotics in Chinguk, that’s not a bad idea.”

“Wha—?”

Siena’s face froze in bewilderment.

She never expected to hear those words from her sister.

At this point, too, with such seriousness.

“…Siena, you know trade deficits with Chinguk have been the Empire’s longstanding headache, right? There’s nothing we can do about it since too many people want Chinguk’s goods, while we have little to sell.”

“Sis, wait…”

“Moreover, Chinguk has interfered in our national policies. Supposedly a plea for leniency, but allowing foreign intervention in the treatment of the imperial family is blatant interference in internal affairs, showing that they have the confidence to do so.”

Solving the trade deficit while weakening Chinguk’s dominance? Selling narcotics didn’t sound too bad.

Siena wondered if she was serious, but the Victoria she knew wasn’t someone who joked around.

“Sis, are you hurt in the head?”

“I’m not crazy. I just think it’s worth considering. If we proceed, there will be a lot of preparation needed, of course.”

If it benefits national interests, she seems ready to embark on crazy ventures willingly.

This wasn’t it either.

A moment later, Victoria frowned in discomfort and proposed,

“Siena, to be honest, I was furious when you suggested sending Alan to Chinguk. I wanted to kill you. But right now, reversing the Emperor’s decree is the priority. To do that… sigh. I might consider the Empress’s suggestion.”

“So, what exactly do you want to do?”

“First, stop Alan from being exiled. If Alan leaves, the drug business you love so much wouldn’t last long.”

Siena felt her interest rising. Of course, this “situation” was Alan’s handiwork—not Victoria’s random decision. Though perhaps even Alan didn’t expect this level of brilliance, Siena welcomed it.

“You’re insane, sister.”

“Are you in?”

Yes. Reluctantly, Siena nodded.

…

Let’s protect Alan.

Then, at the right time, we’ll sell drugs to Chinguk.

An hour later, Victoria and Siena reached an agreement and headed to the Emperor.

The sound of quarrels between the Emperor and Empress was emanating from the audience chamber, but the sisters ignored it. They were there to ensure Alan would return to the palace under a different capacity tomorrow morning.

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