Chapter 43: The Governor’s consent

Tess leaned against the wall, her arms crossed over her chest, watching Liv anxiously as she sat at her desk, buried in her writing.

“Liv, are you sure you want to get so deeply involved in the Republic’s internal power struggles?”

Liv replied without pausing her pen.

“Yes. I have no doubt what our fate would be if the Governor is truly impeached and ousted. The elves will once again lose their window for communicating with the outside world.”

“It’s not so much that you’re worried about that, but rather that you’re worried about the people of the Republic.”

Liv suddenly stopped writing and leaned halfway across the desk, staring out the window.

“You know, Tess? Our former neighbor, Auntie Susie, seems to have asked someone to buy a little stock in the Southern Archipelago Company for her. She showed it to me so happily, advising me to save some money to buy a little too. She said it was meant for her niece’s dowry.”

“I didn’t care about those things back then. After all, a single month’s rent ate up so much of my salary. Between that and food, I could hardly save a cent.”

Liv’s point was clear, and Tess understood it well, but that wasn’t what she was worried about.

“Liv. You have to understand, even if you can use that second letter to partially clear the Republic’s suspicions toward the elves, it’s too risky. There is absolutely no need to throw yourself into the fire like this.”

Liv turned back to look at the standing Tess and gave a bitter smile.

“I know. But rumors of the Governor accepting bribes from the elves have already spread. Even if we do nothing and let the gossip run wild, the elves will still lose in the end.”

Tess wasn’t playing deaf; she knew a little about the situation herself.

But her concern had never been about whether the cooperation between elves and humans could continue.

“Liv. Let me educate you first. Don’t look at it like you’re just trying to arrest Mrs. Bauer; you’re still playing a gentleman’s game. You’re still the Queen sitting elegantly at the table playing chess. But if the game truly starts to turn ugly, you could be wearing a triple crown and still be killed just as easily.”

“I know.”

Tess no longer stood there with her arms crossed.

Instead, she approached the desk, leaning down to look at Liv’s profile, speaking one word at a time.

“Right now, you are playing chess. You are the Queen, and I will listen to everything you say. But if the board is flipped over, your safety will always come first. Therefore, you must listen to everything I say.”

Liv turned her face to meet Tess’s light blue eyes.

“Alright. When that time comes, I’ll listen to everything you say.”

Tess said no more.

She had the maid place that parchment map in the most conspicuous spot in the consulate.

Every moment, a maid had to be watching the map to ensure they knew Liv’s exact location at all times.

Just like not long ago, watching Liv’s progress all the way from Julia’s villa back to the consulate.

Julia was also filled with unease regarding this plan.

For the first time, she was placing someone else’s safety above a political objective.

She had never been like this before.

On the way to the Governor’s Mansion, Julia repeatedly emphasized the unnecessary danger this might cause for Liv and the Elven Consulate.

Most importantly, it might not even reduce the intensity of the “Northern Faction’s” counterattack.

Domenico remained silent the entire time, his head tilted to the side with his eyes closed, seemingly taking a nap.

Julia finally realized her father was ignoring her entirely and asked one final question.

“Father, are you really going to take such a risky gamble?”

Her father’s squinted eyes flicked toward her briefly.

“Child. If the Governor is truly impeached, we are finished. The Laguanse family will have no place to be buried. Heh, perhaps it won’t be that bad. We might be able to slip away to our old family estate after all our property is confiscated, grow some vegetables, and walk the dogs. It wouldn’t be such a bad thing, would it?”

Julia stopped speaking and tilted her head as well, waiting for the carriage to reach the Governor’s Mansion.

The mansion was quiet.

There were no guests, no diplomatic envoys, and no noble sons or daughters following their parents for a visit.

Domenico and Julia entered the Governor’s Mansion one after the other.

The butler led them straight to the inner hall.

Governor Carlos Luzni was already waiting in the inner hall.

He got straight to the point with Domenico.

“In three days, they are going to impeach me at the Council assembly. I’m not sure I can pass this hurdle successfully. The ‘Elven Faction’ was already a mix of people who just wanted to follow along for the profit. Once the situation spirals out of control, they won’t necessarily cast their votes for me. Domenico, do you have a way?”

Domenico didn’t reveal Liv’s plan immediately.

Instead, he asked a question in return.

“Your Excellency, what exactly is Bauer’s intention? Is she truly determined to support this impeachment?”

The Governor nodded.

“I took the initiative to send someone to talk to her. But she told my envoy that there is no way to continue de-escalating. She can only pray that I pass the hurdle. If I truly have no confidence, she suggests I resign early for a new general election. She said she could work with me to find a suitable candidate.”

It appeared Mrs. Bauer no longer wanted to play the role of the mediator.

Or rather, she seemed incapable of controlling the situation anymore.

Domenico continued his questioning.

“What if we renege on the elves and raise the funds ourselves to build the Ricardo Dandolo? Could she accept that?”

The Governor shook his head.

“Bauer knows very well that the assembly cannot possibly pass a funding bill to build that giant ship ourselves. With what money? Those hundred thousand gold ducats have long been snatched up by various other expenses. Is Bauer supposed to pay for it out of her own pocket?”

Domenico knew there were no other options.

Only then did he slowly explain Liv’s plan.

“Your Excellency. The elves are willing to cooperate with us to frame Mrs. Bauer, providing proof that she is in collusion with the Elven Nation and has sold out national interests.”

The Governor said nothing after hearing this.

His hand gently rubbed the pearl embedded in his cane, his lips twitching slightly.

Julia was a bit anxious.

She had hypothesized countless responses from the Governor, but she hadn’t expected him not to answer at all.

Finally, the Governor spoke.

“Domenico. I admire you. But that is not the reason I have placed you in such a high position. Many years ago, I also trusted another man like this. His name was Giovanni Grotius. It was he who launched the Southern Archipelago Company project. Many years have passed, and it has indeed brought many benefits to the Republic.”

“However, he himself was sentenced to death by drowning and thrown into the sea for cashing out a massive amount of stock based on insider information.”

“I am old. I truly don’t have much time left before retirement. Since you think this is appropriate, then go do it. If it really doesn’t work, I will resign early. As for the elves you trust, use your own judgment.”

Having said that, he looked toward Julia again.

“Julia, you are young and very talented. In the future, you will take over your father’s position. Do a good job. Perhaps you might even join a new Council of Ten. Emilia is also a talented woman; you can communicate with her more. Including this matter.”

The meaning couldn’t be clearer.

Do it.

No matter what, Mrs. Bauer could no longer remain in Landingset.