Chapter 72

It’s no fun.

The absence of Alan makes the State utterly uninteresting.

‘Would it be correct to say that it lacks any excitement altogether…? Not that it makes much of a difference though.’

Second Princess Siena sighed as she thought about how pathetic her situation was.

At that, there were those who hesitated and observed her mood.

“Your Highness, is there any discomfort in your health?”

These were the nobles who had persistently requested meetings with Siena ever since the ceasefire negotiations with the elves began.

Not only those who had once followed Siena (more like dogs), but even those who had maintained neutrality, and surprisingly, active generals as well.

‘I guess they’re curious about what I’m going to say.’

It was a pointless effort. In front of Siena, they openly revealed their greed.

Specifically, the greed for the territories set to be incorporated into the Empire soon.

Asking Siena for favors was practically self-harm, but they didn’t seem to care about that fact at all.

It signified just how enormous the interests tied to the Great Forest were. After all, nearly half of the vast expanse of the Great Forest had just been opened.

“Our family has been operating tax offices since our days as commoners…! We also have three hundred skilled workers. Please consider us kindly…!”

“Your Highness, I’ve heard capturing elves as slaves is not allowed, but now that the borders are open, elves should get used to economic activities as well. Even if they aren’t slaves, surely there must be ways they can work for the Empire…?”

“My apologies for the tardy introduction. Unlike the others here, I have no desires. I merely wish to serve a wise leader.”

Which ultimately meant asking for a bone to be thrown their way.

Of course, the authority to grant business rights in the newly incorporated territories lay with the Emperor.

However, no one doubted that the two princesses, especially Siena, would claim the largest stake.

That was because Alan Medoff, the knight and partner of Siena, was the one who had brought down Medelin.

The problem was that Siena herself cared little for the potential profits.

‘Of course, I should take my share.’

At the very least, she planned to secure more business rights than her sister, Victoria. Ideally, under the name of Medoff Pharmaceuticals.

That was to strengthen her alliance with Alan.

Upon reflection, changing the name of Medoff Pharmaceuticals didn’t sound bad either. Perhaps something like Medoff Industries or some such thing would fit better.

But she had no intention of using those profits to gather support from the nobles.

“You people eventually came here asking for money, didn’t you.”

“It’s not quite…”

“Let me ask, what are you going to give me in return?… excluding genuine loyalty, which I don’t believe in anyway and don’t even need. People who value such things should go to my sister Victoria.”

At this, the nobles, regardless of age and gender, merely exchanged glances.

Upon closer inspection, a few of them were investors in Health Syrup.

For someone who used to follow Anais, making it this far?

If she were someone from the past, she might have made a mockery of it. But now, she didn’t have the motivation. They would just smile ingratiatingly and grovel. There was no satisfaction in it.

Indeed, there was only one person who could spark her interest…

…

After dismissing the nobles,

Siena headed toward the production facility of Medoff Pharmaceuticals.

A company established not long ago but had rapidly expanded to employ more than ninety people.

Most of the staff were endlessly splitting crude opium, preparing poppy planting, or managing warehouses.

At least, there was former knight Bono overseeing security and his brother Jacob managing raw material procurement.

The most critical part of the process was handled by one person—only the president and 51% shareholder, Alan Medoff.

With Alan currently stationed in the Great Forest—Medoff Pharmaceuticals’ production facility was sitting vacant. It was indeed strange to see assistants bustling around when the chef himself was absent.

Siena felt an uncomfortable tightening in her chest as she looked around the production room.

Even though she had never directly witnessed it, just seeing the equipment set up at regular intervals made her feel as if she could picture Alan making his medicine.

‘If I had known this, I should have watched at least once.’

Three weeks ago, during a magical communication with Alan who was stationed in Medelin, she had heard these words: “Morphine production can’t be shown to others, but heroin is less of a worry.”

It seemed to mean that watching him wouldn’t be of much help in copying his methods.

‘He should have mentioned that earlier. I would have watched him work all night if I knew.’

Heroin.

The drug that had brought down the proud race of elves, who had steadfastly defended their territories amidst the rise and fall of countless nations throughout history.

It was regrettable that she hadn’t been able to witness its historical creation. She was even more disheartened after Medelin finally fell, without ever seeing it.

She hadn’t been able to see throngs of elves smoking heroin in the square, nor had she seen elders relinquishing power while under its influence. It was indeed a source of regret.

However, the most unfortunate fact was something else.

That there was no definite date for Alan’s return.

It seemed like it might never end, with the elves locked in perpetual negotiations. Not that Alan himself wanted it that way.

But what if, even after the ceasefire treaty was signed, Alan didn’t return?

In that case, she would have no choice but to step in herself. After all, Alan’s return would be the one ray of hope in her otherwise boring routine.

With Alan around, they could harass various individuals and organizations together, enjoying life. She could even ask him about the knowledge she had acquired through her solitary research while he was gone.

But…

The situation wasn’t unfolding as she had hoped.

An hour later, Alan sent a report via magical communication:

– “Your Highness. I apologize, but we may need to reconsider our partnership. There’s also a possibility that the business could be dissolved against my will. Moreover, it may become difficult for me to serve as Your Highness’ bodyguard.”

The dispirited mumbling of Alan’s voice came through the communication device.

Siena’s expression instantly turned cold.

*

The quick reaction from Second Princess Siena surprised me.

Though I did expect her to act fast, I wasn’t prepared for just how fast she would be.

“Alan, are you stupid?”

Standing before me was a girl with silver hair reaching to her waist and sharp eyes. Though her appearance was cute, her actions were anything but. This was barely two days after I informed her about the enforced engagement.

Teleportation can save an enormous amount of time, but it seems like Siena didn’t stop there. She managed to find me all the way here in Medelin, in the heart of the Great Forest.

She must have used the elves’ magic portals—a privilege only granted to select diplomatic or military officials. How had she managed this?

Whatever the method, her speed was undoubtedly remarkable.

“Alan, what’s going on?”

“I’m not stupid.”

Upon hearing my reply, Siena tilted her head, saying, “Hmm, but to me…”

She didn’t usually talk this way. Despite often speaking rudely to older nobles, she avoided profanity. She likely believed it was a low form of provocation.

Yet, she was now calling me stupid.

‘She might have a point from her perspective.’

I was deliberately spouting frustrating nonsense in front of her.

“I’m sorry, but His Majesty seems to have made up his mind. He said outright that refusal will not be accepted.”

“So you’re really going to get engaged to Anais?”

A wistful smile appeared on Siena’s face. She even pinched her own cheek, as if it all felt surreal.

No doubt, she couldn’t believe the long-lost half-sibling had returned, let alone that I was supposed to get engaged to her.

“Your Highness, there is no way to change the Emperor’s mind.”

“Sorry, but this isn’t my dad’s doing—it’s probably my mom’s interference.”

“I agree. This makes it a much bigger problem. Her stratagems are deeper than mine. No matter how much I think about it… there’s no means to oppose her.”

“Alan, didn’t you think of the two ideas that came to me while I was on my way here?”

“Yes.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I’m not aware of them.”

By now, Siena seemed to be doubting my intelligence. She might have thought I’d been indulging in heroin with the elves.

In reality, there was a way to escape the engagement.

Summoning Siena was one part of it, just to avoid dealing with the immediate crisis. This was better than me directly confronting the Emperor and Empress—letting Siena take the lead was advantageous. By now, she should have figured it out.

“When I think about the Alan I know… Ah.”

Thankfully, Siena seemed to realize.

This was the reason I summoned her instead of Victoria despite considering Victoria as well initially. There was something I wanted Siena to focus on first.

“You’re not doing this for nothing, are you?”

“…”

“Yes. Mother… No, let me correct that. That Empress isn’t someone trivial. She wouldn’t assume that you’d submit to her authority and willingly become Anais’s husband without resistance. Maybe she’s even hoping you’ll try to wiggle out of it.”

“There’s definitely something she wants, though I can’t say for certain what it is.”

“That’s intriguing.”

Siena’s expression became subtly animated. The irritation she’d exhibited just moments ago had dissipated long ago.

By now, her small head must be brewing with new inspirations and schemes.

Suddenly, as if something struck her, Siena smirked and looked at me.

“But… Alan? In the end, aren’t you just passing a task you don’t want to do onto me? Why should I protect you when you’re the one supposed to be the bodyguard?”

This behavior, enjoying the situation yet teasing me, was typical of her.

I didn’t mind it. She’s naturally that kind of person.

Instead of answering verbally, I pointed to Medelin.

“Your Highness, I single-handedly brought down Medelin. The elves, members of their noble class, right now in the Hoenn Region, must be drunk on heroin. They have seemingly lost all their pride. Now, they just beg for more heroin in some corner.”

“Why the sudden mention?”

“My reliance on you in doing this kind of thing is the essence. You may consider it as a compromise if you’d like.”

At this, Siena fidgeted her fingers for a moment before exhaling a sigh. Her lips curved upward and her eyes narrowed into a soft smirk.

And then she gave her answer.

“Alright, Alan. I’ll step in for you.”

A declaration that she would take on the political maneuvering against my father, the Emperor, and behind him, Empress Lianhua.

Surprisingly, she looked quite cheerful for someone about to confront her parents.

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