Cahirun de Hilic nodded. At that moment, a servant outside announced that the 2nd prince had arrived. With the king’s permission, Prince Eric hurriedly entered the dining room. His attire was slightly disheveled.

“I apologize for being late.”

Prince Eric lightly touched Floria’s shoulder and sat down next to her.

“What matter was so urgent that you had to postpone a family engagement?”

“Ah, well…”

At the king’s sharp question, Eric rubbed the back of his neck. Anyone could see he was hastily squeezing out an excuse. The queen fidgeted, looking back and forth between Eric and the king.

“You were discussing relief efforts for the Hambert territory, Your Majesty.”

As Floria casually brought it up, Prince Eric nodded in agreement.

“That’s right. Yes, Father. They say unprecedented heavy rains are falling in the Hambert territory, causing many victims. So I’m devising a project to help them.”

“Isn’t the flood in Hambert territory something you’re handling, Cahirun?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Cahirun replied calmly, setting down his glass.

“Isn’t it admirable that he’s stepping up, thinking of the suffering subjects? It’s a praiseworthy thing, Your Majesty. He should be commended.”

The queen came to Eric’s defense, but the king’s displeased expression didn’t fade.

That was because when Eric rubbed his neck, rouge stains could be seen smudged inside his loosened collar. When the queen gave him a look, Eric belatedly closed his collar and watched the king’s reaction.

I silently observed Floria, who was sitting quietly pretending not to know anything.

‘It’s about time Eric’s true nature starts to show.’

Until now, Eric had shown utmost care and love for Floria, but in fact, he was as much a womanizer as Gavis Palong. The reason he kept Gavis close was that their tendencies matched well.

Eric would roll around without hesitation with any woman he liked, regardless of marital status, but it never lasted long.

He fell in love easily and quickly lost interest. However, once someone caught his fancy, he would do anything to have her, and Floria was a prime example of this.

The reason Floria wanted to establish her position in the palace as quickly as possible was because she knew this side of Eric well. Though she sat pretending not to know anything, her insides must be boiling with anger.

‘She may not love Eric, but she can’t help but be bothered by her husband turning his eyes to someone else.’

In the original story, Floria was very sensitive around this time, so it was best not to irritate her nerves if possible.

“The damage is more severe than expected, so lending a hand would be helpful.”

Cahirun spoke as if it were no big deal, but interfering without permission in a matter someone else was already handling was tantamount to challenging them.

Hence, the king also gauged Cahirun’s reaction, but the man himself remained nonchalant.

“That’s right, the 1st prince says so too. More importantly, let’s eat quickly. The food is getting cold.”

As the queen hurried to wrap things up, the king glanced at Cahirun and nodded.

“A project, is it. Yes, it’s about time you started doing your part. Take this opportunity to assist Cahirun well and learn a lot. It will be of great help in managing affairs later.”

The royal family valued honor above all else. But they also knew well that financial power was needed to maintain that honor.

Most instances of bowing one’s head to others were related to money. So from a young age, royals would start personal businesses and participate directly in management to gain experience.

Moreover, they maintained their royal honor by being recognized solely for their abilities without receiving undue benefits. Cahirun was the one doing this by the book best of all.

However, Eric, relying on his wealthy in-laws, did not take the initiative to set up businesses. Rather, he was focused on enjoying leisure activities like horse racing and hunting, earning the king’s disapproval.

“Yes, Father.”

Eric answered meekly, hiding his displeasure. After exchanging a few more words about business with him, the king turned to Cahirun.

“How have you been lately? Surely you’re not neglecting state affairs because you’re distracted by a woman?”

Though he said this, the king knew well that Cahirun was not that kind of person. His expression clearly showed that trust.

“It’s true that my heart is unsettled, but I’m not neglecting my duties. Recently…”

As Cahirun trailed off, everyone’s attention turned to him. They seemed curious about what he, who never failed, was planning to do this time.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on a mine.”

I flinched and looked at Cahirun.

“You mean a gold or diamond mine? There’s nothing better for increasing wealth.”

“No. What I’m interested in is a mineral stronger than iron.”

“Stronger than iron, you must mean mithril. But that’s quite rare, isn’t it?”

“That’s why it hasn’t been commercialized until now. I’ve discovered a mine where mithril is said to have been excavated. Currently, the Hein system is so volatile that war could break out at any moment, so if we time the exports right, we could see profits rivaling diamonds.”

“Ho ho, where on earth do you get such information?”

The king asked with an impressed expression, but Cahirun didn’t answer. He just leisurely swirled his glass.

As he had intended, Floria’s eyes flashed. She clearly had her eye on the mine.

Her expression, which had hardened at the mention of Cahirun having someone in his heart, also relaxed somewhat. I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Thanks to this, it seemed I wouldn’t be called upon.

“How could you say such a thing?”

Eric, who had returned to the 2nd Prince’s Palace after dinner, reproached Floria with a troubled expression.

He was grateful for her help, but he was displeased at having to undertake an unexpected relief project because of it.

Relief projects were just troublesome, spending money without any profit. Eric had no interest in the flood damage in Hambert territory to begin with.

Floria barely endured the sight of her pathetic husband throwing a tantrum.

This man was truly just a pretty face with no brains. He didn’t understand how important it was to imprint his existence on the kingdom’s people right now.

‘Are you going to just let the 1st prince take away this golden opportunity?’

While she was working to worsen the king’s chronic illness to put him on the throne as soon as possible, here he was, coming in sloppily and spouting nonsense.

Floria took a long, deep breath internally at Eric’s disheveled appearance. Though she couldn’t stand the sight of him, she had to endure until he ascended the throne.

‘I was planning to finish things before the 1st prince got married, but that’ll be difficult now.’

She had been relieved to hear that he had no intention of marrying Princess Isola.

Who would have thought he had someone in mind? Judging by Reneola Violet’s surprised expression when she heard Cahirun’s words, she clearly didn’t know either.

‘Useless. Well, at least the information about the mine seems to be true.’

Even Shana Sharasti, who had looked into mines before, reported nothing particularly strange.

As Cahirun said, if they exported mithril at high prices to the war-torn Hein system, there would be no need to curry favor with the queen anymore.

Floria resolved to get her hands on that mine somehow. However, she needed funds for that. Even though it was said to be cheap, being an iron mine, it still cost about a year’s budget for a decent-sized territory.

‘They’ll find it suspicious if I suddenly use a large sum of money.’

Moreover, not only owning the mine but also extracting and refining mithril required money.

“Are you listening to me?”

Lost in thought, Floria looked up at Eric’s shout. Then she covered her mouth with both hands and lowered her eyebrows.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. That was all I could think of.”

“That…”

Eric, who had wanted to press further, softened at Floria’s pitiful expression. He sighed and embraced her.

“I’m sorry for raising my voice. I just feel at a loss. I have no interest in relief efforts or business projects.”

Inwardly, Floria clicked her tongue. Every time Eric spouted such foolish words, her irritation surged. But the words that came out of her mouth were full of flattery.

“My clever prince will do well at anything. I believe in you.”

“Of course, I do well at whatever I do, but suddenly starting a relief project…”

“Then how about this?”

Floria pulled slightly away from Eric’s embrace and looked up at him.

“What the flood victims need most urgently is food. But we can’t keep supporting indefinitely when there are so many people. So why don’t we provide just the minimum amount needed to survive, and then if they need more later, add a small interest? That way, people won’t lie out of greed, funds won’t be depleted quickly, and we can help more people.”

“I see! That way, we can save face and make money too.”

Eric brightened, saying it was a good idea. Floria smiled brightly as if pleased to be of help. But in her mind, she was filled with thoughts of diverting funds from this project to purchase the mine.