How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 72.2
Considering that, in the original story, the person who first began Eastern Continent trade was none other than Everett, this line of reasoning seemed quite plausible.
At my response, Gehardt and Sir Mildred suddenly paused and exchanged glances. Even Tristan frowned and shook his head.
“Prince Everett does not seem like the type to take an interest in trade, Grand Consort.”
“That is correct, Grand Consort. A prince who was raised so preciously would hardly set out on a harsh overseas voyage.”
“So in the end, it is because he cannot forget you, Grand Consort…”
“That is enough, Gehardt.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“……”
No, of course Everett had only issued orders and had not personally gone on any voyage. Even that would only happen more than a decade from now. Still, it was true that Everett would later develop an interest in long distance sea travel.
Yet why were they all reacting as though I had fabricated some absurd excuse? If not this, then what reason could there possibly be?
❖ ❖ ❖
In any case, since it was an order from the imperial palace, we could not refuse outright. On the day the inspection delegation was scheduled to arrive, Tristan stationed an armed group of knights outside the lodging, just in case. However, inside the reception room prepared to receive the delegation, only Tristan, myself, Sir Mildred, and a single scribe tasked with organizing documents remained. This was to avoid unnecessary friction with them.
Before long, the sound of several carriages coming to a stop outside the lodging reached our ears. Glancing out the window, I saw a golden crest banner fluttering in the wind atop lavish imperial palace carriages. I took a deep breath and quietly clenched my fingertips.
“Your Grace, the inspection delegation has arrived.”
At last, the reception room door opened. With Sir Mildred’s guidance, the inspection delegation members, dressed in full court ceremonial attire, entered one by one. Several scribes followed behind them carrying documents, and once they were all inside, the door closed behind them. Tristan rose from his seat and offered a formal greeting. I followed and inclined my head lightly as well.
However, Tristan’s gaze was fixed on the person walking in at the very back of the delegation.
A man approached slowly and unhurriedly, his neatly groomed brown hair falling across his forehead, a cold yet elegant smile spread across his face. Draped over his dark navy uniform were golden epaulettes marking him as the head of the inspection delegation, making him stand out unmistakably as he came to a stop before Tristan.
“It has been a while, Grand Duke.”
With a frosty expression, Tristan replied curtly.
“Your Highness, the Second Prince.”
Everett van de Rubyere. The empire’s second prince and the only surviving son of the emperor. Though we had run into each other by chance at a glass workshop before, this was the first time I was officially facing him as the Grand Consort of Hezekia. A cold sense of unease crept up in my chest.
Everett gave a light laugh as he surveyed the room. His sharp gaze naturally brushed over my face.
“I have been hearing remarkable news about the Hezekia fleet quite frequently. You opened a long distance route to the Eastern Continent, did you not? And on top of that, you secured an enormous quantity of trade goods from the notoriously difficult Sarr Empire.”
“It was merely good fortune.”
“It certainly seems you were fortunate. That is, if those goods truly are from the Sarr Empire.”
“……There is not the slightest defect in the merchandise.”
“Of course. Since it was a matter handled by the Grand Duke himself, how could there be? It is not that the imperial palace distrusts you. However, as there is no precedent for such a case, many eyes are watching closely. Since today’s inspection concerns a special matter, I have chosen to oversee it personally.”
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When will the new episode be released? Please release it! 🙁