As we go back to the manor I was busy writing what brother Nicholas will have to do, where, and when he will do it. I did the same thing when going to Uziel by carriage earlier.
"Milady, are you not worried?"
"I would be lying if I said no"
While I am sure that no one would openly attack me, I can't be so sure as life is full of unpredictable events.
The second prince from the Vanifi empire was never really mentioned much in the novel. Even my friend, who is the author of the story only portrayed him as an extra character.
The good thing I can be assure of is that the second prince is your average prince who isn't like Kainston who has weird antics and brother Nicholas who would kill someone on impulse.
"Sir. Emmanuel I have a favor to ask you"
"Ask away and I shall do it flawlessly milady"
"Make sure that to keep tabs on the movements of Baron Carey, Baron Beckett, Viscount Hill, Viscount Kruger, and Count Payne. While I do not know where, I am sure that they have warehouses similar to the count that was killed by brother Nicholas. Your job is to make sure to write down all the location and gather evidence. And to make sure that no one but you will know about it"
"Are you planning on using it on the near future when you return milady?"
"Yes. I am about to give brother Nicholas a new batch of corrupt nobles for my brother to kill. However, those nobles that I've mentioned just now are for my own reasons"
"Understood"
Ah~ Things are unfolding in a different way. Though uncertain, it would be better to do as they say. After all, this is the result of my action.
...
Three days have passed since brother Roman and Dereck have returned.
On the first day, they made their report to the king. On the second day, the king sent letters to high ranking nobles to discuss about the matter regarding the envoy's reports. On the third day, they discussed the matters regarding the 'Hostage' thing.
And now, on the fourth day, I am currently sitting on this luxurious chair with my family, the Deltan family, the Veulad family, as well as the royal family for a luncheon.
It is suffocating. Truly suffocating.
The head of the Deltan duchy, Dereck's brother was sitting there ignoring everyone else. The head of the Veulad duchy was also doing the same thing. While the head of the Emond duchy was shooting daggers with his glare at the two heads and at the king.
Although only father and mother are the ones glaring at them it still makes me want to get the hell out of here and go back to my bed.
"Please calm down, duke and duchess of Emond. Lady Dianna said herself that she was okay with going to the empire as the 'guest of honor' for a while, no"
"Your highness, I do not think it is right to send someone who just woke up from a coma to become a 'guest of honor'. If you can't even think how basic that is then I am worried whether the queen have finally lost some screw in her mind"
Seeing father getting angry is one thing but to think that mother would openly harass the queen in front of all the high ranking family in the country, my respect for her just went sky-high.
Logically speaking, what the queen said is true. There is no problem since I, myself am volunteering to do so. Morally, not so much. Anyone with a decent mind wouldn't just appoint an individual who just woke up from a year long coma who also has amnesia to go to another country. Not to mention I'm still a minor.
I raise my glass and gently rang it with a spoon.
"May I have your attention please?"
They all look at me and placed down their spoon and fork.
"First of all, mother, father, please know that I want to go to the Vanifi empire by my own accord. The reason is simple. I want to read the books in the imperial library. This chance is only once in a lifetime. After all, I will be staying there for quite some time"
"But did you not wanted to have a business?"
"Right, Bea?"
Now you guys are using that card? Seriously...
"Don't worry, nothing bad will happen to me. Secondly, I would like to demand some payment from each of the head of the noble family, of course, this also includes father who is the duke of Emond"
"Why would you demand payment when you yourself have already volunteered?"
The duke of Veulad ask.
"Duke of Veulad, your family is the shield and sword of the kingdom, no?"
"....."
"Crescent sapphire lake"
A single line which means life or death for the executives in the Veulad duchy.
After saying those three words, everyone from the Veulad family became tense and began to release a expression as if they were ready to kill me.
It was the normal reaction for them. They probably thought "How come an outsider knew our family's greatest secret?"
A slang term which means 'I am willing to sacrifice my surname on the line'
While I do not know the specific details, I do know that it has something related to the founder of the Veulad duchy.
Seeing that, brother Nicholas and Dereck stood up and unsheathed their swords in attempt to protect me if any of them were to attack me.
"Sit. That is an order"
The king ordered.
One line from him and the tension in the air somewhat disappeared.
"How do you know that, lady Dianna?"
"How I know it does not matter, actually it does but not right now. Anyway, is the Veulad duchy willing to give payment?"
"....Yes"
Seeing how things unfolded right before their eyes it left them baffled, especially the duke of Deltan.
"Is the king alright with paying a payment? Oh, just so you guys know the payment will be a hundred and fifty gold coins"
It is equivalent to brother Roman's earning worth five months.
"You are amusing for you to be able to beat the duke of Veulad in a conversation so my answer is a yes"
I turned towards Robert Deltan, the duke of the Deltan duchy.
"Well?"
"I am also alright with it"
"Thank you"
I sat down and went back to eat the food that was right in front of me and let the rest to do their own things as I was already finish with earning as much profits on this luncheon.