Chapter 12

"Lord Greed, I would like to receive your response regarding the candidates for your betrothal soon."

The prime minister whispered.

"Oh, that's right. I need to see their portraits again."

"We need to at least decide on the candidates."

"I'm sorry. I've been so busy with work that I've put it off."

"I humbly request your consideration."

After confirming that the prime minister quietly closed the door, Greed sighed softly.

Reluctantly, he picked up the portraits and scanned them, but there was no lady of particular interest.

The royal family has a history of difficulty in conceiving children, so they want me to marry early and have as many children as possible.

All the ladies are overly adorned and only agree with whatever is said to them. At balls, they all look the same.

As he sighed for the second time, the door was knocked on forcefully and Alexandre entered.

"Brother, I heard that the latest trade report is here. If it's not inconvenient, I would like to borrow it for a while."

"What do you need the latest trade information for?"

"Yes. By knowing what and how much our country is buying and selling with other countries, I believe we can see which industries we should focus on in the future."

When did my brother start to look so enthusiastic, think for himself, and learn?

I thought he had lost hope and become resigned as the second prince, lacking any drive.

"You can return it in three days. Don't take it out of your room. When you leave the room, put it in the safe. Be careful with that."

"Hai. Thank you!"

Watching Alexandre's bouncing steps as he left, Greed rang the bell. A lady-in-waiting promptly entered.

"Alexandre seems to have become quite motivated recently, doesn't he?"

"Yes, that seems to be the case."

"Do you know what triggered it?"

"Yes. It is believed that Alexandre's motivation was influenced by the second daughter of the Landfuria family, Marianne."

"Landfuria. They were on the royalist side. Do you know what kind of lady she is?"

"From the reports of Alexandre's assigned knights—"

"Yes, that's fine."

"She topped the entrance exam at the academy with outstanding scores and has continued to be the top student since then.

Her personality is very free-spirited.

She attended one of Alexandre's tea parties with her sister, but has been absent since then due to illness.

During a visit by the prince, he was inspired by Marianne's future plans."

"Future plans?"

"To marry into a noble family that understands her activities and manage the estate."

"Does that mean she wants to marry Alexandre?"

"No, rather, she does not seem to welcome Alexandre's visits."

Sweat trickled down the lady-in-waiting's forehead.

"Furthermore, she is currently raising chickens with orphans collected from the city.

There are over 20 orphans, and the Landfuria family has bought land for a chicken farm and an orphanage. They also keep goats and have started a goat milk delivery business, known as Marie Farm, which generates considerable income.

Moreover, the leader of the orphans, with Marianne's support, has set up the same system in another location, rescuing about 20 orphans there as well.

For more details, you might want to ask the queen, who has had the intelligence department investigate further."

"Thank you. That was helpful."

"I am honored."

Returning to his desk, he checked the portraits.

Marianne's portrait was not there.

Free-spirited, huh.

My brother really likes this girl.

He's chasing her even though she ran away from the tea party.

Even Mother is interested.

As an older brother, I need to check on my brother's treasure, don't I?

Yeah.

It's my responsibility to see what kind of girl she is.

My gloomy mood lightened a bit.

I wanted to see the face of this lady as a way to change my mood.

□ □ □ □ □

"Why? Why is Brother meeting Marianne? That girl avoids me and runs away whenever I try to meet her."

"Alexandre, calm down. I'm not going to take away your treasure.

I just want to have a chat to see if she is suitable for the royal family."

"Suitable for the royal family? What do you mean? Marianne doesn't seek any connection with the royal family. In fact, it's the opposite. Please stop bothering her."

"Hmm. Is there something inconvenient about me meeting her?"

"That's not it..."

Actually, there is.

I don't want Brother to know about her charm.

There's no one as interesting as her.

But saying that is dangerous.

Marianne is not the type to be a future queen, but Alexandre is not at ease.

If she is recognized for her abilities and taken as a concubine, it will be too late to do anything about it.

The king and queen watched their sons' argument with surprised expressions.

The second prince, Alexandre, had always been a well-behaved child, gentle and lacking drive.

Now, he was desperately trying to stop his brother, raising his voice.

"Both of you, stop this."

The queen, who regained her composure first, spoke.

"Greid, since she dislikes it so much, why don't you refrain from meeting her? Her family is on the royalist side, so there's no need to worry."

"That's true. Alexandre seems to care a lot about her. If the first prince calls her, it could affect her future, especially since he is looking for a betrothal. I don't approve of sowing seeds of discord between brothers."

"Hmm. Aren't you two curious about the lady Alexandre is so attached to? Or do you already know what kind of lady she is?"

The king drank his tea with a blank expression, and the queen smiled gracefully.

"What? You're investigating Marianne!"

Alexandre doesn't want Marianne to dislike him. He thinks that if he loses her, he will never be able to laugh like that again.

Realizing this, his sense of crisis increased.