Former Crown Prince favors the Villainess

 “And just who is in the front lines, Lady Fiona?”

*BADUMP* *BADUMP*

Fiona...who never expected to hear a voice right behind her froze in surprise.

Any normal person would probably react to this by slashing their hand backward.

But for Fiona, who is more comfortable with using her power…

*FREEZE* 

“Ah!”, Fiona screamed in realization.

That was the voice of Arthur!! What is he doing here?!

“Woahhhhh...that was uncalled for!”, the same man who was supposed to be deep in ice is happily talking behind Kale and Baron.

“What the-”, Fiona said while turning backward. 

There was a huge ice block, but with nothing inside it. She also noticed faint red mana disappearing inside the ice.

“When did he?!”, Kale turned back with surprise.

“Man~ I did tell you to simmer down this morning, kids these days don’t listen to any advice, do they?”, Arthur said while rustling Kale’s head.

“What...are you doing here, Duke Arthur?”, Fiona spoke trying to be as calm as possible.

He was able to escape without damaging the ice...how?

Fiona was trying her best to control her urge to test Arthur and his abilities.

He might take it as an offense. Calm down, Fiona. This man is important to you.

“Me? I am here for Kale.”

“Me?”

“Yep. Your little stunt this morning was much more effective than you think.”, Arthur said while moving towards Fiona.

“What does that mean, Duke Arthur?”, Fiona asked the Black Haired boy who was approaching her.

“Here.”, Arthur said while handing his phone to her.

“Tch…”, Fiona clicked her tongue after reading the message.

Leaning in, Arthur spoke

“Draguel wants him. There’s not much I can do here. Is he important to you?”, Arthur said in a low tone as to not let the two hear.

“I was hoping to use him as an insider for the Lily Dormer group. We need someone on the inside to gather information.”

“What if he turns on you?”

“Oh, he won’t. That’s not the problem...What I am concerned is about the Demon Prince up top”, she said while pointing her fingers upwards.

“Yeah...after all, he is-”

““Ethel’s Fiancee””

Looking at each other, both of them sighed together in unison.

Should I ask Draguel for a favor? Maybe he will let this pass-

“I’ll take care of it.”, Arthur said while looking at Kale.

“I’m sorry?”

“I said I’ll take care of it.”

“But-”

“As you said, we need someone inside there. I can’t afford to waste manpower on something as trifling as this.”

Trifling huh

Fiona thought to herself. 

“Will Draguel accept?”

“Well, what can he do? Other than openly declaring war at this little barony, there’s not much he can do.”, Arthur said.

“Isn’t that more than enough?”

“But, if you look at it in another way...Ethel would probably step in to resolve all of this.”

She probably would...after all, she doesn’t Draguel to see Lily.

“And could you please clean this mess up?”, Arthur said while looking at the whole room.

“Ah…”

Kale and the Baron were looking at both of them in awe.

“And Kale...I don’t know much you’re brainwashed, but I hope this will get you out of it.”, Arthur said while looking directly at Kale.

“...”

“Lily won’t help you...she never will. Trust me, those were not the eyes of someone who would go out of thier way to protect you. And moreover, their family is not all that powerful too-”

“Nobility doesn’t mean anything…”, Kale murmured.

“...”

Fiona and Arthur were both shocked at how worse this situation is.

“I apologize, Lady Fiona. This is not a trifling problem at all.”, Arthur said while moving towards Kale.

“Nobility doesn’t mean anything...says the kid who enjoys the position of a Baron’s heir.”

“...”

“Who do you think you are without your father?”, Arthur said while kneeling to match Kale’s eye level.

“...”

“What achievements do you have...of course, something other than royally pissing everybody off today.”

“...I-”

“Save it...it’s probably meaningless. But get this in your head, this little drama you lot are playing...do you think this will affect the Empire’s current state?”

“...Huh?”

“Can’t you understand? You’re being played...I don’t know what kind of thoughts that Lily is putting in your head...but know this, never step outside the house which such thoughts. You could get yourself killed.”

“Eh...what are you talking about?”, confused Kale spoke out.

“Sigh…”, Arthur sighed while standing up.

“Baron…”

“...”

“I’ll be borrowing your son for the next month”

“Huh?! Why?!”, Kale shouted.

“Silence, Kale!... What do you need him for, Duke Arthur? If it’s for punishment-”

“Not for punishment...I want to show him the nobility he looks down upon.”, Arthur said while turning to Fiona.

“Do you mind?”

“I don’t mind...but I will take him back after a month”, Fiona said while looking at Kale.

I’m not a thing!!

Kale screamed in his head.

“Sure~ I also want to know how bad things are in the Longe Academy.”

“It is far worse than you think. I really want to smash that Academy down.”, Fiona snarled in anger.

“Want help?”

“...”

After looking at each other for a while, both of them started smiling.

“You’re joking right?”, Fiona said while moving towards the door.

“I hope I am~”, Arthur joked while following her.

“Umm...what about us two?”, Kale asked while looking back.

“Oh don’t worry...nothing will happen to you or any of the others down below. As soon as I leave the compound, all of the ice will break down and disappear. Though everyone will feel bone-shaking coldness.”

“And as for you, Kale. Airport. 6 Pm. Sharp.”, Arthur said.

“O…”

“Hmm?”

“Okay…”, Kale murmured.

As both of them made their way downwards, Arthur asked.

“Dinner?”

“...”

“Wait...don’t tell me that you didn’t have anything from morning?”, Arthur asked while leaning in.

“I swear to god...you weren’t this talkative 6 years ago.”, she said while speeding up to the mansion’s door.

“And you weren’t this cold 6 years ago…I mean, look at you and this place...both of them are ice cold~~”

“....are you looking for a fight, Duke Arthur? Cause if you do, I’ll be glad to co-operate.”, she snarled back while chuckling.

“Eh~ No way...I’m just looking for a girl who was so ambitious. I still remember your words back then-”

“Stop. I don’t want to hear it.”

“Your Highness, after we both become the Emperor and the Empress...we will be focusing all our power to help the commoners while ensuring that the nobles don’t-”

“Oh shut it!!”, she snapped.

“Hehe~”

“Gosh...you were never this annoying before!”, she said while rushing to her car.

“I couldn’t help it...I mean, I don’t want to accept...but I was kinda eavesdropping on your conversation earlier...and boy oh boy, did you look cool.”, Arthur said while walking to the driver’s seat.

“There’s a lot of things I want to disagree...but first, where do you think you are going?”, Fiona asked with her hands on her hips, standing in front of the black sedan.

“To eat, of course. And to discuss whatever you wanted tomorrow morning..”

“I’m engaged. Aren’t you afraid of a scandal?”

“I totally do. That’s why we are not going to any fancy restaurants tonight. I know a place where it’s safe.”, Arthur said while getting in the car.

“Sigh...is he the same guy I know?”, Fiona murmured while getting in the car.

“Fine...you win, Duke Arthur. Where are you going to take me?”

Fiona asked Arthur who just started the car.

“To enjoy the night specialty of Plona.”, he said while grinning.

“You do realize I own a plethora of successful restaurants all around the Empire right?”

“Oh, I do. I have in fact crashed into several of them. But tonight is special...these are not food you could get in a perfectly managed restaurant. No...these places are known to not have a consistent taste, but that’s part of their charm.”, he said while humming happily.

“What am I even doing?”, Fiona said while waving to the frightened Baroness and her Daughter.

“So, what do you have in store for me?”, Arthur asked while driving out of the compound.

“The usual. You can expect the same kind of experience as in Ena.”

“Excellent quality at reasonable prices.”

“Bingo~”, Fiona replied.

“I always wanted to know, what product did you first start from?”, Arthur asked.

“I was first interested in technology, but unfortunately...that was too difficult for me to start from. So, I got my foot into logistics.”

“Logistics?”

As far as I know, Luxica doesn’t have any logistics under them.

“I took advantage of the vast market Hastings had. Thousands of products go to and from that land. It really did surprise me to know the number of levels logistics was divided in.”

“Hmm...is that so-”

“Anyways, I wanted to know what you could do for Luxica.”

“No no, that’s not how it works...what can you do for Ellen?”

“...there’s a lot of things I could do.”

“Like?”

“I have a vast network of connections, if there’s not something I can do...you can be sure that I atleast know who can do it for me.”

“...I recently caught wind that Luxica takes contracts for building highways.”

“We do. Well, not technically me...but I have a whole other branch working for those kinds of projects.”

“That’s fine, but how experienced are you?”

“I am confident that I can complete any project you want me to, given proper time and reasonable budget. But why us? You have a whole lot of options.”

“Unfortunately, that requires me to lean on Duke Riol.”

“Not on good terms?”

“Yeah.”

“Isn’t it unprofessional to let emotions play a part in deals?”, Fiona said while smiling.

“Ohhhh...then, I will do as you say, I will head to Duke Riol for the contract. Unfortunately for Luxica, they will be facing a major loss for the next 15 years...all because of a stubborn head.”

“Alright, I was kidding~! God, you can’t take a joke. Alright, then...where do you want me to build the highway?”

“From Plona.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Plona. To Ellen.”

“...”

“...”

“That’s almost like cutting the Empire into two!”, Fiona said while holding her head.

“It is exactly as you say.”, Arthur confirmed Fiona’s dilemma.

“Why would you want something that massive?”

“Switon was previously known for being in the countryside...but that is not how I want Ellen to be.”

“Despite being in the other corner of the Empire, Switon was plenty powerful.”

“That was decades ago...now, it’s just an overlooked Duchy.”, Arthur said gripping the steering wheel tightly.

“How many lanes do you want the highway to have?”

“It depends on the area...but about 20 lanes in some areas and generally 16 lanes in the general area.”

“...”

“It’s huge, I know.”

“Y...yeah. How long would the whole highway be exactly? 20,000km?”, she asked, struggling to speak.

“22,000...give or take.”

“This could take years.”

“It could...without my help.”

“Huh?”

“We will discuss that at a later date. Will you be able to do it? This isn’t as simple as anyone thinks it to be.”

“I...I can do it...that’s not a problem. But, money...that’s a huge hurdle. This project could easily empty my whole vault. We are talking about millions...no, tens of billions of gold coins. Not to mention the labor, we also have to take into consideration the materials. Some sellers might overprice their goods, knowing ghat we need it badly. The climate and weather too... it could play a huge role in the construction. And if I’m right, we might have to cross 3 mountains on the way. We could build it around the mountain, but that would be such a waste, so drilling through the mountains is an option. But will the Emperor allow it? After all, all the mountains belong to the Empire and not the lord. Coming back to the money...should I take a loan? That could be viable...but how long will it take for me to complete the project?! And when will I get the money I spent back?! Of course, the turnover could be massive...but so is the effort and the time-”

“I’ll chip in...the profits from my territory are left untouched. That will be a good source.”

“And we can split the profits.”

“Exactly. Oh and, this is not your everyday highway...I have a design in my mind. I’ll share it with you after I get home.”

“Cool. And I’ll send you the approximate.”

“I’ll have one of my geniuses contact you. He is a bit annoying, but do deal with him.”

“A bit of annoyance is nothing in comparison with the profit we will have. And how much percent will I be allowed to charge after the initial investment is recovered?”

“60%. And we won’t have it that way. The contract is for 20 years. We could also extend it in the future.”

“Holy-”

“But it’s not going to be easy. You will be making Riol a competitor.”

“I will...won’t I?”

“Scared?”, Arthur asked.

“Nah...I’m rather excited. It’s been a long time since I got something this interesting. Though Lianne might not agree with me.”, Fiona said while stretching her arm out.

Lianne Bohum...the daughter of Duke Riol.

Her fiance...James Arden of the Arden Duchy, son of Duchess Cosima Arden.

A couple with whom Arthur has trouble on both sides.

“Father is probably not gonna agree though.”, Fiona said while leaning back.

“And why might that be?”

“He wants me to concentrate on the problems in the Academy.”

“In other words, he wants you to take care of Lily Dormer.”

“Yeah, but I don’t really want to. So, I will be taking the offer, Duke Arthur.”

“There will also be extra projects, like a Ring road to the capital Ellen. But, I haven’t really thought about it much yet. There’s so much that’s going to change inside that capital, that I can’t say anything for sure.”, Arthur said.

“Was this highway across the Empire by the Empress?”, Fiona asked.

“Haha, and what made you think that?”

“Mainly because of your speech this morning.”

“Nah...mother didn’t have any thought like this. She was not a businesswoman...there is a thin line separating a businesswoman and an Empress. She leans more on the other side. People above money.”

“And you?”

“Money above everything else.”

““Because that is the only thing we can trust.””

Both of them said in unison.

Other noble children of the same would never have the conversation these two had, atleast not for another decade.

This plan, despite seeming a simple one... could very well shape the future of Luxica and Ellen.

“We are here.”, Arthur said while parking the car.

“Here?”

“Yeah, right here.”, Arthur said while unbuckling his seat, ready to get out.

“Art...Duke Arthur, is it hygienic?”, Fiona said while looking at the scenery in front of her.

A thin street brightened up by a light atop of a building. 

A small cart had a middle-aged lady busily preparing dishes for the dozen or so customers. There were no tables nor chairs, all of them were standing...but each and every one of them had this delightful expression every time they take a bite. There were also two other workers serving the customers.

*GULP*

Fiona unconsciously started craving for such food...being born as a princess of the Hastings ensures that she had no such experience.

“You stay in here…”

“But-”, Fiona was too curious to even consider the reaction the Empire would have if these two were seen together.

“I don’t know about you...but you being out of the car is a spell for disaster. Thank god this car has such dark tints. But even so…”

*SNAP*

After Arthur snapped his fingers, the windows grew even darker.

“You can see from the inside, but the same can’t be said for the outside. Anyway, what do you want?”, Arthur said while going through how wallet.

“Wh...What would be nice?”, Fiona asked.

“This is based on a foreign cuisine...you might not really know it though. I’ll get you some dosa...various varieties of dosa, it tastes great when taken in hot.”

“Ye...yeah, I’ll have that.”

“Coool~”, Arthur said while getting down the car.

*SLAM*

“I swear to god...if a day like today were to become the norm, I don’t think I will be able to take it.”, Fiona said while feeling weirdly excited for the future.