Alicia’s confident prediction was slightly off.
She had assumed that after the first meeting, the other side would be embroiled in debate for a couple of days and wouldn’t summon her anytime soon.
As long as the Duchess wasn’t stupid, my speech could only be seen as malicious scheming from her perspective.
For Lemont, on the other hand, my twisting of facts and sowing of discord should have given him plenty to chew on.
That would leave a window of two or three days for herself.
Time to travel on the public dime, eat and drink at public expense, and ride the public horses for private enjoyment—how delightful! Not to mention the more than one hundred Cuini in reserve funds she had pocketed.
Rich lady—she was a rich lady now!
Since she had ascended to the bourgeoisie, naturally she had to plan how to use the money for a little self-indulgence, to enjoy the corrupt life of the bourgeoisie…
No, not enjoy—criticize!
Yes, that’s right, she had to immerse herself in it for a thorough critique!
Should she first secure that patch of wasteland near Lide’an City, then propose to the boss that the city be expanded to accommodate refugees?
That would stimulate domestic demand and, logically, introduce more workshops to boost the economy…
By then, wouldn’t those workshops and residences have to buy land from her?
Roll the capital, acquire more property—maybe even persuade Lai En to go in on a bank, specifically for lending.
‘Heh heh, isn’t this the beginner’s capitalism of money begetting money and interest rolling interest? Am I a genius?’
‘But unfortunately, before the bubble of her wealth dream could fully inflate, reality kicked it to pieces. Lemont’s men came calling, saying that Prince Lemont invited the young lady to a meeting at the mill this afternoon.’
The very next day?
That efficient?
And the location wasn’t the castle—it was the mill?
‘Could it be a banquet with hidden daggers?’
The young lady’s scalp tingled, eight hundred conspiracy scenarios flashing through her mind in an instant.
Archers ambushed along the way?
Or hatchet men hiding in the mill?
Just waiting for her to step inside, then ‘snap’—GAME OVER!
Go, or not?
Even the old master Enlaike had no idea.
After all, Alicia’s performance yesterday was like dancing through a minefield; her intent to sow discord was blatant.
It wouldn’t have been unreasonable for Lemont or the Duchess to want her eliminated.
But… this was a meeting initiated by Lemont privately.
What if he really had been swayed and wanted to dodge his mother’s surveillance for a more in-depth contact?
After analyzing it back and forth, the two concluded: if it was truly Lemont’s own intention, then it was most likely safe, and might even be a turning point; but if the Duchess had set it up in her son’s name… then it would be a one-way trip.
Risk and opportunity coexisted…
“Go!”
Alicia bit her nails in hesitation, then finally slapped the table.
“But we need to have our agent scout the area around the mill thoroughly, and pick a few sharp guards to stay close.”
Life on the line—she was going all in!
…….
Although her nerves were taut the entire way, her eyes and ears peeled, half expecting an arrow or a squad of ambushers to fly out of the roadside bushes at any moment, the young lady reached the mill without a trace of the danger she had imagined.
Pushing open the creaking wooden door, the afternoon sunlight slanted into the room piled with sacks.
Lemont sat alone on a stack of sacks, idly tossing and catching a silver coin.
Alicia knew she had bet correctly.
After a round of pleasantries, Lemont stopped tossing the coin and clenched it tightly in his palm.
He looked up at her, a flicker of wavering in his eyes.
“Miss Alicia, I hope you can set aside your identity as a retainer for now, and simply tell me from the perspective of an observer—in your eyes, what kind of person is my elder brother, Lai En?”
“What kind of person?”
The young lady was a bit confused.
What, had he suddenly realized that his understanding of his own brother was still stuck eight hundred years in the past, completely unaware of his recent transformation?
‘Looks like my speech last time wasn’t a waste of breath!’
“Yes.”
Lemont didn’t look at her.
He gazed past the narrow mill window at the distant, undulating mountains.
“In my eyes, my brother has always been a man lacking in courtesy, devoid of noble upbringing, disrespectful to his elders, and forever associating with vulgar people. Aside from his martial arts and military studies being passable, he’s utterly incompetent—a burden to the family’s prestige, a… useless piece of trash.”
‘Hmm, wasn’t this a popular trope? The trash everyone sees as a failure is actually a genius, returns to the head of the family and shines brilliantly, blinding everyone’s eyes and all that…’
“Let a man like that become the head of the family—the Maximilian Family is destined to decline and become a laughingstock among the entire noble circle. Only I can save the family—I have always believed that firmly.”
Lemont’s voice dropped.
“But since… our last clash, everything has exceeded my expectations.”
He sighed softly, turned around, and fixed his eyes—the same green as Lai En’s—straight on the young lady.
“First, he invested heavily in forming a new army. Then he invented those emergency rations and relief stations. Even Xipuaisi’s betrayal, he handled cleanly and decisively… My brother, he’s like a completely different person.”
Alicia listened quietly, then gradually broke into a polite smile.
“I see. Please forgive my impertinence, but allow me to ask Your Highness—suppose you had defeated my lord in that clash and become the head of the family, what path would you have taken to lead the Maximilian Family?”
“Oh?”
Lemont clearly hadn’t expected this question.
He froze, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the silver coin.
“Naturally, I would restore the family’s reputation, mend relations with the neighboring nobles, bring order to the territory’s security, let the people live in peace, and make the family prosperous and wealthy.”
“I see. That is indeed the case.”
The young lady’s smile deepened.
“That is truly worthy of Your Highness. From the perspective of internal affairs and people’s livelihood, it is undoubtedly a steady, bright, and proper path. However—”
“However?”
Lemont’s brows knit sharply, his voice tinged with offended displeasure.
“Miss Alicia, do you mean to say… my path is wrong?”
“That’s not quite right.”
The young lady shook her head.
“A path is not inherently right or wrong. Please allow me to finish.”
Lemont pursed his lips, sat heavily back down on the stack of sacks, and gestured for her to continue.
“The path you describe is beautiful and admirable. But it requires a premise.”
Alicia raised a finger.
“A stable, peaceful era.”
Lemont’s brow furrowed deeper, but he didn’t interrupt.
“Mending relations with nobles? The Empire’s dignity has already crumbled. What is called ‘relations’ nowadays is founded on only one thing—strength! A granary that can supply an army, swords that can repel invaders, and a tough hand that makes others think twice before acting.”
Alicia’s voice rose involuntarily.
“To not make one’s territory strong, and not to submit to the strong—existence like that is itself a crime in this chaotic era! Because it is weak, it is easily bullied—it is carrion that attracts vultures, bringing only disaster to its people.”
“You!”
Lemont was stung by the sharp accusation.
He stood up abruptly, his face flushing red.
“You say my lord has changed? Perhaps he has simply opened his eyes and seen the future he must face!”
Alicia did not back down an inch; words burst from her like a rapid-fire volley.
“You excel at making the granaries fuller, the accounts clearer, the irrigation smoother. That is a priceless talent. But in this chaotic era, when noble warlords all think of expansion, a family’s territory can only be protected by strong soldiers and horses, making other petty men drop their covetous designs!”
“All talk, still just fighting and killing…”
Lemont’s voice was dry as he tried to argue.
But the young lady cut him off mercilessly.
“A person’s choices depend on how far they can see. My lord sees the rotting foundations of the entire Empire, the tragic scene of fires raging on all sides and refugees everywhere.”
She paused slightly, giving the incredulous Lemont time to digest her words.
“What my lord wants has never been merely to defend the Maximilian Family’s own little patch of land. What he wants is to forge a strong army capable of quelling rebellion and restoring order. He wants, one day, the people under his rule to no longer be displaced by war, for merchants to travel safely and farmers to till in peace. When he trains soldiers, stocks grain, and implements reforms, it is not just for self-preservation—it is to accumulate strength, to grasp at that slim possibility of ending this chaotic era!”
“Your Highness, you asked me earlier what kind of person my lord is. I can answer you this.”
She raised her head, straightening her back, meeting Lemont’s eyes without flinching.
“In my eyes, my lord is a man who harbors such great ambition, and has the boldness and ability to lead the Maximilian Family into turning that ambition into reality!”
Lemont’s expression shifted erratically—shock, resistance, bewilderment, deep thought—all kinds of complex emotions clashed wildly in his eyes.
The veins on the hand clutching the silver coin stood out faintly.
The young lady took in his expression clearly.
‘Now was the time to press the advantage!’
“But strength alone, with just swords and blades, cannot turn wasteland into fertile fields, nor bridge chasms into thoroughfares. My lord’s sword can pacify all directions, but he needs you—needs you to wield your great talent of stabilizing the nation on this massive chessboard of the world! Do not let the petty disputes and inherent prejudices of the moment cloud your judgment any longer, Your Highness!”
As her voice fell, a long silence settled inside the mill.
Outside, only the creaking of the waterwheel driven by the river echoed rhythmically.
Minutes ticked by.
Just as Alicia’s heart began to pound, afraid that her words were too heavy, had shattered the young man’s worldview entirely, and sent him down a dark path, Lemont let out a long sigh.
“Miss Alicia, you have truly taught me a lesson today.”
Lemont’s words were sincere.
“But… there were some misunderstandings between my brother and me in the past…”
‘The meaning was clear—’I just fought a battle with my brother not long ago. If I go back now, won’t people talk?’
“No, no, I would never presume to teach Your Highness.”
The young lady hastily played the humble card.
“Your Highness is the lord of Saxon City and my lord’s own flesh and blood brother. You were simply misled for a time. But as I said last time, my lord’s heart is vast, his ambition centered on the world; he absolutely does not intend to dwell on old grievances. Now, with the rebel army at the gates and the Empire in turmoil, the Maximilian Family can no longer afford any division. Where to go from here—I implore Your Highness to… consider carefully.”
Alicia maintained a respectful and earnest expression on her face, but in her heart, she was overjoyed, itching to jump up on the spot.
‘Mission accomplished!’