"Your Majesty, the Crown Princess has arrived"
The guard at the door announced that Grizel has come, as much as they acknowledge Grizel as their Princess, no one protests against how the guard announced Grizel's arrival by saying 'the Crown Princess' even though she is not legally married to Rex yet.
Unlike the usual visit with a lunatic maid and a puppy-like butler, today she came with Deus and Mammon as her inventor and assistant.
Wearing formal suits, the two of them look incredibly dazzling while walking behind the Princess, the natural charm of the flirtatious Deus who playfully winks at the blushing maids, stroking his red messy hair to get messier, alluring is a perfect word to describe him.
On the other hand, the attraction of the neat Mammon who wears a professional smile as his facade of a businessman is melting the hearts of the servants as well, the Palace became noisy as the maids scream 'kyaa, kyaa' fangirling when they were passing by, it's a good thing that the Emperor has dismissed the maids in his office before they arrive or else it could be annoying.
"Father, you look more exhausted than usual"
Grizel opened the conversation with the Emperor after greeting him, as she requests through her fiance, she wanted to meet the Emperor to talk about business and the upcoming war.
"The disaster in the South region is such a headache, even though it's a miracle to have no casualty of our citizens, the port had been damaged greatly"
The Emperor let out a heavy sigh, repair seems impossible, the port needs a full reconstruction because of the huge waves.
Looking at how big the dark circles under the eyes of Emperor Drake, Rex, and Dion, she could imagine how exhausted they are, especially for the Emperor who was kept in the dark, he knows nothing about Grizel, on the other hand, his son is as calm as usual leisurely sipping his warm tea, but there is something amiss about Dion, he has a huge annoying grin on his face, normally he would show that sulky face of his in front of Grizel.
"Dion collapsed in his office this morning..."
Rex explained as he looked at Grizel's confused face, but that's not the reason why Dion has been grinning creepily with that exhausted face and beggar-like messy appearance.
"He got a letter of diagnosis from the Imperial physician saying that it was due to exhaustion and overworked, we have no choice but to give him a day off at this busy period"
Dion nodded in satisfaction with the prince's explanation, the long-awaited day off finally comes in the most unexpected way, well, a day off is a day off regardless of the reasons, he shall enjoy the fruit of his diligence, a day without the evil prince is worth a year of peace.
"I see..."
Grizel gets up from her seat to reach Dion, looking at him sympathetically, she holds his hand to cheer up the bewildered young man as she gathered her mana.
"Heal"
The sudden light of golden color mana shines through Grizel's hand which is holding the puzzled Dion, all of his fatigue and exhaustion gone like never been here before, but it seems that Grizel has no intention to stop her magic just like that as she continues to cast another magic.
"Low purification"
Dion's beggar-like messy appearance becomes clean and fresh because of the low purification magic which cleans the dirt and smells on his body, the proof of his overworked diligence vanished entirely in such a brief moment, Grizel helped Dion who became as quiet as a mannequin to button his sleeves and tidying up his clothes.
"My Prince, it seems like our healthful Dion doesn't need a day off anymore"
Grizel said as she turned around with a gentle angelic smile making Rex almost burst into tears of laughter while Dion was thunderstruck by her words.
Mammon and Deus couldn't help but look at Dion in condolence, among the victims of the devil's tyranny this man is legendary, if they have a ranking system, Dion's misfortune probably achieved the first rank above them all, both of them just sighed inwardly.
'He shouldn't show his excitement and grin annoyingly in front of the Lord, he could have enjoyed his day off if he just left silently"
And just like that, Dion's annoying grin withered along with his dream.
"Hahaha, isn't it nice to have a considerate master who heals your body and soothes your soul, Dion?"
Emperor Drake laughed not knowing the truth behind Dion's teary eyes fighting against the devil's tyranny, he thought Dion is deeply touched by the Princess's kindness.
"Father, you think too highly of me"
Grizel said acting embarrassed in front of the Emperor who is genuinely praising her, Rex's shoulder is trembling while covering his mouth trying so hard to suppress his laugh at the hilarious scene.
"I will heal Father and Rex as well"
"Oh please don't push yourself, Grizel"
"This is the least I can do to help you, Father"
With grateful eyes, Emperor Drake appreciates Grizel's assistance, only Rex, Dion and her two companions know the true meaning behind her good deed, work hard for me, is what she implied in that kindness implicitly.
"Ah! I almost forgot about the main reason for your visit. Dion, give it to my daughter"
"Yes, Your Majesty"
Dion pulled out a contract that had been approved by the Emperor with his usual cute gloomy expression.
"Princess, please give me your sign and stamp here"
Before Grizel did as instructed by Dion, she looks at the content one more time to check the document, certificate of title, a document that officially grants ownership to the holder of the property, finally, the first land she owned by herself.
"Grizel, are you sure you will take the slums area? I can give you land near the Palace"
Emperor Drake offered, but it seems Grizel insists to take that vile area, the disgrace to the capital city of Azure.
"It's alright, Father. This time, I need quantity rather than quality"
The slums located on the outskirts of the capital next to the market for commoners, this place might be unsightly and not befitting for the Princess but it doesn't hide the fact that the area is vast and larger than the land offered by the Emperor near the Palace, it only needs a full reconstruction.
Emperor Drake satisfied with Grizel's reasoning and didn't ask any further questions but it doesn't apply to Rex and Dion, they look at Grizel with eyes full of suspicion and anticipation, there will definitely be a huge change in the capital and the slums area.
"As promised, here's the new magic tools to increase the security of the Empire, 1000 units in total"
Grizel handed over a storage ring to Dion, she doesn't purchase the slums with money, but it's a trade for another revolutionary magic tool.
"For further explanation and the installation of the magic tools, my subordinate here, Asmodeus will stay in the Palace for 2 days"
Deus bows down politely as he was introduced to the Emperor, even if he was an illegitimate child of a small noble but he has learned at least the basics of etiquette, he won't be troubled staying in the Palace as a guest for a short period.
Now that her trade with the Emperor is finished, she wanted to talk about another beneficial business, or to be precise, taking advantage of other's misfortune.
"Father, can we discuss the matter of the damaged port in Southern Dukedom?"
As Rex predicted, Grizel mentioning this issue means she has a plan for the port and the Southern region.
Sigh...
The Emperor heaved a heavy sigh, the port is owned by the Southern dukedom or the wealthy Cassius family to be precise, and the head of that family is Judas de Cassius who is currently missing, no wonder the Emperor got a headache over their territorial affair, but she knew that is not the only issue here.
"In truth, the Imperial Family have no right nor responsibility for that damaged port but the vacancy in the Lord's seat makes the Southern Dukedom have a problem with the reconstruction of the port since they don't have an emergency fund"
Emperor Drake explained as he massages his temple, he can't believe such a civilized and wealthy territory has no emergency fund, how foolish, isn't it basic knowledge to save some money in case of emergency? it seems like their lavish way of life prevents them to think about such a fundamental aspect of financial management.
"What a wise way to run a territory, are they going to rely on their treasury every time an emergency occurs? Spending without saving, as expected of the most extravagant noble family"
Grizel reacted sarcastically, that family lived their lives showered by enormous wealth, they won't understand the importance of savings before they reach the bottom line of bankruptcy, like those stupid third-generation young masters/misses of big companies which Angela met in her previous life, they spend money like there's no tomorrow, even though her family, the Samael has a longer history and she was pampered more than those arrogant brats as the sole heiress, Angela was born with a good head on her shoulder.
"That seems to be the case, I heard the Cassius family is desperately looking for a high-class magician to open the barrier on their treasury tower since only the Lord can open it"
Rex who is sitting next to Grizel puts his cup of tea to speak, they are having a peaceful tea time in the office as a facade of the business talk.
Hearing the added information told by Rex, Grizel shamelessly sips her tea, there is no slightest trace of guilty after emptying that tower at her big harvest in the South not too long ago, that treasury seems to be the Cassius family's hope to rebuild their port.
Mammon is trying so hard to keep his grin hidden, he was the one who helped that oh-so-innocent Princess who is calmly sipping her tea to loot the Cassius family's treasury tower, even if they managed to find a talented magician they will find nothing but dust inside the tower, somehow he feels those people are quite pitiful, it's not always good to be wealthy since they got targeted by this little thief and squeezed to dry in one swipe.
"Right now the other nobles are making a fuss to offer a loan for the Southern dukedom to rebuild the port, but they demand a share of the port's ownership"
Grizel just listening to the Emperor's problems, those greedy nobles surely act fast, the port is the main source of income for the South region.
Moreover, they couldn't proceed with the construction before they have the funds, the economy of the duchy may crumble beyond safe if they postpone the construction any longer.
The only option left is to take a loan for the construction while searching for a way to open the barrier of the treasury tower, it's either to find a high-class magician or Duke Judas himself to open the treasury.
Well, they have no idea that neither of those solutions will be any help to them since both the Duke and the treasures have been snatched by the same culprit.
"The problem is that the Cassius family wanted to maintain their full authority of the port and refused to share the ownership, now they want the Imperial Family to lend the money since they know I can't ask for a share of the port's ownership neither refuse to lend the money"
Emperor Drake said in frustration, the Cassius family pushing all their problems to the Empire to minimize the loss.
'Oh?'
For a brief moment Grizel looks surprised, those morons unexpectedly got a brain, they know that the Imperial Family couldn't ask for a share of their authority because of an old pact, thus they inquired the Emperor to lend them money.
'How sly, as expected of Judas's family'
Unlike the Non-orthodox faction which consists of the fallen kingdom conquered by the Azure Imperial family, the Orthodox faction which leads by the Cassius Family are the exact opposite of them, their ancestors are the first ones to submit themselves willingly as the vassals of the Imperial Family in exchange for the full authority over their territory, it's an old pact between the Imperial family and their loyal vassals, and asking for a share of the port ownership means breaking the agreement.
The Imperial Family might have no responsibility to give them a loan but unfortunately, this port town is the trade center between Azure and the other continents, this issue will affect the economy of Azure in general not only in the Southern region, regardless of his will, the Empire needs to help them rebuild the port town to prevent more economic issue to occur.
"Haaa, I don't want to help the family of that traitor but I need to, moreover, we are tight on funds because of the approaching war"
Emperor Drake leans back on the couch, his eyebags seem to be darkened because of the lack of rest, Grizel had informed him briefly about the Westerner's plan to speed up the civil war and the Emperor is already making a preparation secretly, money is crucial right now and that Cassius family wishes for a loan from the Imperial Family, who would want to lend them a penny?
"Father, about the port..."
"The Fortuna Merchant will give the Cassius Family a loan with no interest and 30 years payment term"
"WHAT?!"
To be continued...