Chapter 77

Why does everyone misunderstand Alan?

‘Even those who have volunteered to follow me are doing this.’

Victoria felt a bitter feeling rising within her as she sighed.

Managing her faction was originally the responsibility of her maternal uncles, Hayden Wolphall and Ian Wolphall. Both were currently brigade commanders.

Had they wanted, they could’ve been promoted to regional army commanders or become Chief of Staff. But they chose instead to support her, their niece, and live gratified lives.

However, right now, these maternal uncles were bad-mouthing Alan.

“Medoff Pharmaceuticals has monopolized the Kobivah silver vein mining rights! We cannot stand by and do nothing!”

It was more like this.

Through Granby, a viscount and major general of the Army, they were attacking Alan while only observing from the sidelines. They must have incited this.

“…In case General, you happen to be seeking interests in the Great Forest territory, there’s no need to inform me. I have no intention of brokering such deals.”

“What I mean is, it’s not about that.”

“Then what is it?”

“Her Majesty the Empress appears to be supporting Princess Siena. This is a significant issue.”

“…”

It ultimately boils down to this.

It does seem suspicious. Siena met with the Empress and immediately secured the silver mining rights afterward. Silver is a tradable commodity in the exchanges with the Chinguk Empire.

It was a situation that could lead one to infer some sort of agreement between the two. Maybe the Empress will even offer more privileges in the future.

Viscount Granby suspected that Alan was behind this.

“Isn’t Alan Medoff the one who single-handedly dismantled the elves? Moreover, it’s well-known that the Empress can’t live without psilocybin! Naturally, Alan Medoff must have incited Princess Siena to meet the Empress!”

This seemed less of a suspicion and more of a certainty.

Victoria sighed as she looked at him.

“What are you getting at?”

“Your Highness…?”

“Perhaps the Empress supports Princess Siena as a potential Heiress. Regrettably, it’s not an issue for me to interfere with.”

This left Viscount Granby dumbfounded. The same bewildered expression was on the faces of Victoria’s maternal uncles who were standing nearby.

“The Empress has the Chinguk Empire as her backing. Haven’t you heard? Wasn’t she originally their princess?”

“What did you say?”

“Your Highness, do you know how arrogant the Chinguk Empire is? I visited there nine years ago as a military attaché within an embassy delegation. When we were introduced to their Emperor, we were immediately instructed to kneel…!”

“Viscount Granby.”

“No, it wasn’t just kneeling. We had to bow so low our foreheads touched the ground… I followed out of reflex, but it was incredibly demeaning. Not only that, but they refer to their Emperor as the ‘Master of the Heavens.’ They don’t even believe in the gods!”

Just bowing…is it really that significant?

‘Well, honestly, it is somewhat demeaning.’

At this moment, Victoria thought of Alan once more.

Alan Medoff had knelt before her to supply morphine to the military.

It wasn’t for supplying it either, but rather to request that he could freely offer morphine samples.

As a result, wounded soldiers were freed from pain, and currently, terminally-ill elderly veterans were being provided morphine on a trial basis.

‘…There are people who kneel for faceless soldiers.’

To act so repulsed about merely bowing to the Chinguk Emperor for national advantage…

Even more concerning, treating Empress Lianhua, who had lived as Empress of the Empire for almost 19 years, as a foreign force simply because she’s of Eastern origin.

Victoria found it disconcerting how someone who normally seemed sane could behave this way. Nevertheless, resolving this misunderstanding should come first.

“…Viscount Granby. Sir Alan’s victory over the elves was absolutely crucial. Finding fault in his securing just the silver mining rights isn’t reasonable.”

“Are the silver mines trivial? With 10 tons of silver, you can procure so many goods from Chinguk. Should Medoff Pharmaceuticals grow in influence, it will also disadvantage Your Highness!”

“Sir Alan has earned his laurels.”

“Even if he’s accomplished much, what good is it if his heroin has worsened our diplomacy? Even the Turu Republic….”

“If the Empire’s diplomats are competent, they can even weaponize the fear around heroin in diplomatic discussions.”

“…”

With Victoria drawing the line, Viscount Granby seemed slightly deflated. However, before long, he began protesting with an aggrieved expression.

“Why must Your Highness defend Alan Medoff rather than those of us who work for you? Do you know how many people have been killed or maimed by that man’s Morningstar?”

Is this resentment just because I didn’t side with you? Seriously?

Victoria found this lack of composure from a middle-aged army general of the 40s to be quite inappropriate.

‘Discussions won’t resolve this; this requires something else.’

Victoria decided to clamp down on the faction busy maligning Alan, her expression hardening.

Of course, it was still unsettling.

Her support base came down to her uncles, her aunts, her uncle-in-law, her cousins, and, through them, connections within the military that had rallied behind Victoria.

However, just because they were relatives didn’t mean she could always trust them.

Sometimes, it was necessary to remind them who their true lord was.

“Your Highness. I truly work for you…”

“Viscount Granby… No, this isn’t just a scolding for the general. My uncles should also heed this.”

Upon hearing this, Hayden Wolphall and Ian Wolphall stiffened momentarily but made no attempt to resist.

“…Yes.”

“Slander against Sir Alan ends here. Furthermore, political attacks against him must cease entirely. This is not a request but an order. If you wish for me to become Heiress and take the throne someday, you will listen without retort.”

This was not a request but an order.

Finally, the complaints against Alan subdued.

“…I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

By reaching this point, they would refrain from frivolous actions. Though their behavior towards Alan seemed somewhat craven, their loyalty was genuine in her eyes.

Commanding her nominal superiors wasn’t easy, but she was willing to endure it to protect Alan.

Truthfully, this wasn’t enough.

‘Alan should at least be offered an apology.’

She hadn’t properly recognized the achievements of such a valiant knight and owed him at the very least a gesture of courtesy. Beyond mere decorum, she genuinely wanted to. Alan had done so much and was unjustly constrained and pitied endlessly.

Without delay, Victoria took action.

Her inner circle, those who had been dismissed, exchanged glances with faces filled with embarrassment.

**

“Forgive me, Sir Alan.”

The beautiful blonde with piercing eyes had suddenly arrived at his home to apologize.

This unsettled him more than it made him happy. After all, she was Princess Victoria.

My home is in a three-story apartment, the sort popular with mid-level bureaucrats. It’s not a place a royal usually visits, but this wasn’t even the first time it happened.

When a riot had erupted at the military hospital due to morphine, Victoria herself had come to offer condolences.

And here she was again, beginning by apologizing.

‘A person unable to bear self-reproach, even though she’s done nothing wrong.’

She was remarkably consistent. One could feel that from even the immaculately worn military uniform that she seemed to cling to. Despite possessing a commendable figure, her attire felt more like a form of self-discipline than self-adornment. For her, both a princess and a ranking military officer, self-control was undoubtedly essential.

There was no need to ask why she had come.

“My apologies are unnecessary, Princess Victoria. Anticipation for scrutiny and jealousy was expected from the start.”

“Even if no rewards are given…”

“Soon, I will receive the title, as per Princess Siena’s request, only briefly delayed. Moreover, my company, where I’m the majority shareholder, has secured the silver mining rights. That’s quite a substantial reward for just a three-month operation.”

“Did you actually seek out those mining rights on your own?”

“…”

Instead of answering, I simply smiled, as if to say, “You already know, so why ask?”

Victoria’s gaze softened further.

Even her brief sigh, her clenched fists, and her trembling pupils revealed her agitation.

She likely pitied me for putting up with being scrutinized and politically manipulated. It could also be because, due to political constraints, she couldn’t actively defend me.

‘But Victoria is the only one who sees me this way.’

At this point, it would be best to send her off.

As I was about to politely conclude, Victoria suddenly averted her gaze and began speaking, sounding almost sheepish.

“Sir Alan, it’s embarrassing, but many people close to me suspect you. It’s my failure to manage them better.”

“I fail to see what this signifies.”

“Nevertheless, don’t worry. I’ve dealt with the situation firmly. They mean no harm; it’s just excessive loyalty.”

Victoria’s followers were restraining me.

Or perhaps they had attempted something and were thwarted by her. It had been uncommon since her maternal uncle approached me earlier, hinting at a distance.

‘Will Victoria’s warning stop them?’

I think it’s more likely that they’ll think, ‘Our princess is naive and unaware,’ and conspire against me secretly.

This isn’t mere speculation; it’s the very nature of overzealous loyalty.

After all, if you’re a retainer serving a legitimate leader with considerable influence who hasn’t yet been officially crowned, there’s bound to be such issues. It’s consistent across nations, companies, or political parties. They may attempt to act against me without regard for Victoria’s wishes sooner or later.

The fortunate part is that Victoria had warned me beforehand.

I shook my head nonchalantly.

And then said:

“I am fine. Please don’t think too poorly of them. People naturally hesitate and suspect what they don’t understand. It’s true that I’ve also committed harsh actions.”

Though I said it was fine, I subtly advised her not to underestimate them, preparing her in case something escalated.

It seemed my intention had been understood as Victoria stared at me with a dazed expression. Knowing the emotion behind it, I offered a faint smile and nodded.

…

After some time had passed, Victoria finally ascended into her carriage.

“Take care, Your Highness.”

“…Yes.”

Her gaze remained on me until the very end.

As soon as she left, I headed toward Siena.

It was to offer her some consideration for her patience and restraint, ensuring her continued cooperation. It was an essential step.

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