“There is an imperial letter from the emperor regarding the content. If there are no official documents, there’s no need to go through this troublesome matter.”
As William was answering Alicia’s question, he closed his mouth.
It was true that Alicia, who was involved in management at a trading company affiliated with the aristocracy, was consulting on the Sanoa Canal issue. However, something about the content seemed subtly out of place.
“None.”
William, finishing his sentence with a puzzled expression, scrutinized Alicia.
But Alicia, after a moment of thought, smiled when her eyes met William’s gaze.
“Oh, it’s a special service.”
“Special service?”
“Yes. We are very interested in the trade with the Turak Kingdom. We want to offer our assistance by expressing our intention to participate after the trade agreement is concluded.”
“…Is that so?”
William, feeling suspicious, studied Alicia’s expression.
However, Alicia just smiled politely without revealing any intentions, leaving William uncertain about what she truly meant.
“And there’s one more thing I’d like to ask Your Highness. If you could subtly leak it during the negotiations with the Adrian Kingdom. It’s about Princess Valerie of the Valua Empire coming to Britannia for the purpose of discussing the engagement.”
Just like other countries on the continent, the Adrian Kingdom is well aware of the rivalry between Britannia and the Valua Empire.
The Britannian Empire and the Valua Empire had a subtle tension that required caution in their words.
However, if Princess Valerie, the party involved in the engagement with the Adrian Kingdom, were to come to discuss the engagement directly with the Britannian Empire, it would raise suspicions about the sincerity and trustworthiness of the Valua Empire regarding the engagement.
Naturally, they would seek to verify the facts, and if Alicia could delay the process, that alone would be enough for her.
But William, who still didn’t know Princess Valerie’s intentions, had a bewildered reaction.
“Miss Lancaster, that’s an absurd story. Engagements between direct royal families like ours and Valua are considered a taboo.”
“I understand, Your Highness. Princess Valerie also said the same.”
“Princess Valerie?”
Alicia recounted to William the events that had occurred so far.
After hearing the whole story, William was stunned and rubbed his head.
“I never knew there was such a misunderstanding, and I ended up pushing Eric over there. I’m truly sorry to you.”
“You didn’t know either, Your Highness. But even if you did, I don’t think it would have been easy to refuse.”
“I feel ashamed.”
“So, Your Highness, please let the information I requested be leaked to the Adrian Royal Family. It might expedite the signing of the agreement.”
If they didn’t know what would happen with the engagement with Valua, they might quickly accept the proposal from the Britannian Empire for support. Additionally, by having the information leaked by a lower-ranking official, she deliberately reduced its credibility, minimizing the potential issues.
As Alicia, who was preparing for something that could strike the Valua Empire and the Adrian Kingdom from behind, smiled nonchalantly, William stared at her in surprise.
Alicia Lancaster turned out to be a surprisingly bold woman.
“I really like it. Shall I actively take some actions?”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Thanks should be coming from me.”
William chuckled.
In his laughter, there was trust in Alicia and a mischievous anticipation for dealing a blow to the Valua Empire.
Alicia calmly received the gaze of Princess Valerie, who was glaring at her, and raised her teacup.
William informed her in advance that the agreement with the Adrian Kingdom had been completed before arriving at the formal banquet.
In other words, from now on, regardless of the outcome, the Britannian Empire would not suffer any losses.
Thanks to this, Alicia could calmly deal with Princess Valerie.
However, there were still variables.
“Wouldn’t the Britannian Empress be quiet if you behave so rudely to me?”
“If Her Majesty the Empress knows that this engagement is Princess’s personal opinion, she might not be pleased, but…”
“Even so, if Britannia pursues it, Valua won’t easily refuse.”
“That’s a correct observation.”
The one who could overturn this situation was the emperor, the ultimate decision-maker of the Britannian Empire.
But Alicia couldn’t ignore the emperor’s intentions either.
Regardless of Eric and Alicia’s opinions, everything would be decided by the emperor.
So, Alicia also sought an opportunity to talk to the emperor at the banquet.
Fortunately, the emperor had inquired about the intention regarding the engagement first, and Alicia did not miss that chance.
“Your Majesty. If I were to step back, there should be several conditions for this engagement for the sake of our Britannian Empire. So that I won’t feel unjust.”
“Oh? What are they?”
“Firstly, Lord Eric Russell should not be sent to Valua.”
“If it leads to a breakup, wouldn’t it be better for him not to be here with you?”
Alicia just quietly laughed at the somewhat teasing words of the emperor.
“Lord Russell has extensive experience dealing with mages and monsters, so we cannot transfer that experience to Valua.”
“He can be compensated in other ways. Anyway, once the exchange of sorcerers begins, it’s just a matter of timing, whether sooner or later.”
“He holds an important position as the commander of the knights. Suddenly vacating a key position could cause organizational chaos.”
“Lord Russell is competent, and he has built a well-structured system for succession. If the engagement doesn’t happen in a day or two, he can prepare in advance.”
There was no hesitation in the emperor’s response.
If it had come to this point, it would have been enough to surprise anyone, but Alicia seemed undisturbed, and the emperor’s eyes were full of interest.
It seemed like he was waiting to see what reason Alicia would provide next.
“Is there no more convincing reason, Alicia Lancaster? Such a reason that would pique my interest.”
At the emperor’s urging, Alicia hesitated for a moment.
In fact, there was another reason to inform the emperor.
Something that was not directly related to this matter but might catch the emperor’s interest.
“Since you asked, may I venture to estimate Your Majesty’s intentions?”
An Indifferent Woman is the One Men Desire the Most
One-line summary: The female lead is actually cold-hearted and extremely rational. She has stage-by-stage relationships and won’t two-time, but there will always be someone who secretly likes her.
This novel has the following triggers, so if you’re sensitive to these, please don’t read:
1. The female lead has had many relationships, but she treated each one seriously and broke up properly.
It’s just that the men unilaterally pestered her incessantly. For the female lead, when she doesn’t like someone anymore, she simply doesn’t like them.
(This applies to her relationships with Male Lead 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well, but she’s loyal in each 1-on-1 relationship!)
2. In this novel, Male Lead 2 and the female lead kiss in a car, and Male Lead 1 sees it and beats up Male Lead 2.
The female lead calls the police and sends both Male Lead 1 and 2 to the police station! Male Lead 1 begs the female lead not to break up with him.
3. Male Lead 1 has a gentle appearance but an obsessive personality.
Male Lead 2 has a delicate and soft appearance, slightly green tea-like (two-faced).
Male Lead 3 is a youthful college student and a smart person who has secretly liked the female lead for a long time.
Male Lead 4 is the female lead’s father’s special assistant, a business elite with deep, hidden thoughts.
4. At the beginning of this novel, the female lead has already broken up with Male Lead 1 (Chapter 4) and gotten back together with Male Lead 2 (ex-boyfriend).
5. Enter with caution if you have triggers!!!
