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Chapter 48
After spending such a chaotic yet productive period, the people of the Special Taxation Bureau headed to the Princess’s palace a few days later.
They had the duty to relay eyewitness accounts to the Princess, who hadn’t been present at the scene.
Since the Arman Bank was rapidly returning to normal, they also took the opportunity to bring the Princess the latest news.
“Oh…”
The Princess spoke after hearing the long story.
“So that’s the end of it?”
The tale of entering President Rikel’s mansion had been thrilling, but what happened afterward was so sudden that it didn’t feel entirely clear.
“That’s correct.”
Even they couldn’t do anything about it.
As soon as the President regained his senses, everything had been resolved with remarkable speed.
The President immediately dismissed the Vice President, recovered part of the funds siphoned off and lost due to bad loans, and filed fraud charges against all of the Vice President’s relatives.
It wasn’t enough to cover the losses accumulated over three years, but the fact that the bank’s bankruptcy had been averted was highly significant.
“So, it really was just a matter of meeting the President, huh?”
Wilbrin marveled.
‘When the Team Leader said she was going to barge into the President’s house, I thought there couldn’t possibly be someone that crazy.’
Of course, she still thought that, but seeing the results, she had to admit it had been the straightforward approach.
“Yes. He’s a capable person.”
The President would have a hard time going forward, but he would save the bank.
‘After all, he’s the one who took over a failing bank and turned it into one of the empire’s three largest banks.’
Wilbrin looked at Lianel.
She found it remarkable that Lianel didn’t brag about her achievements.
‘Well, I already knew she was that kind of person!’
At that moment, the Princess asked,
“What happened to that Vice President?”
Was he caught?
The innocent sparkle in her eyes made the Taxation Bureau members exchange glances.
They weren’t sure if this was something appropriate to tell a twelve-year-old Princess.
“He committed suicide.”
“Team Leader, seriously!”
But the mouth of truth was merciless today as well.
“Her Highness is young in age, but not weak in mind or spirit. She has endured betrayal by close acquaintances, so we judge that she is fully capable of handling such facts.”
“Well, that’s something I just had to handle…”
Wilbrin shook her head, but the Princess nodded firmly.
“That’s right. I can accept it.”
A faint smile lifted the corner of Lianel’s mouth.
“Then I will continue. Vice President Dudvan was found dead at home with his wife. There was a suicide note, but there are many suspicious circumstances, so we believe it is highly possible that it was a murder disguised as suicide.”
“Suspicious circumstances?”
“One clue to pay attention to is that the handwriting on the two suicide notes differs from that of the deceased. Also, the notes describe the couple ending their lives together, but the wife Lucy’s time of death was five hours later than her husband’s, which is also suspicious.”
The unvarnished truths continued relentlessly.
‘I don’t know anymore…’
Til stared off at the distant horizon, while Mel quickly changed the subject.
“Anyway, I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. Your Highness only wanted a loan…”
“But I’m glad. After all, it helped the Empire.”
By the Emperor’s birthday, the Princess’s previously pale face now had color.
There was a sense of relief at having solved the problem.
‘And the Bureau’s status has improved too.’
As news spread that the Special Taxation Bureau had helped restore President Rikel’s health, the department’s reputation rose significantly.
In any case, it was a good outcome.
“Um… but…”
The Princess carefully brought her fingertips together.
“Is there something you’d like to say?”
“Actually, I received a letter from President Rikel.”
She took an envelope from her bosom. The high-quality parchment envelope bore the Rikel family crest clearly stamped.
“Was the content problematic?”
“Not exactly… um…”
The Princess hesitated for a long moment.
“To summarize, it was an investment proposal.”
“An investment?”
“Yes. They said my business plan showed potential and made an offer.”
All the Taxation Bureau members’ eyes widened simultaneously.
“What are the terms? Did you look into them?”
Surely they wouldn’t try to deceive a young Princess just to cover the bank’s deficit, right?
The Special Taxation Bureau members watched her anxiously.
“They offered to invest 1 billion gold in exchange for 10% of the net profit as return, and 25% of the business equity.”
“That seems reasonable.”
“Additionally, the contract would terminate if I returned the investment, and the equity would revert to me.”
“That’s a very good condition.”
Mel admired it.
If the business succeeded, they wouldn’t cling unnecessarily.
It also implied the business would be protected under the Arman Bank’s name until it grew, so there was absolutely no loss.
“But there’s one more condition…”
“What is it?”
The suspenseful words dropped like a bomb.
“They want a private meeting with Princess Vinsenheim.”
The Taxation Bureau ignited.
“No, this isn’t fine—it’s completely full of problems!”
Til ruffled his hair and shouted, while Wilbrin covered her face.
“President Rikel wants to accept the Team Leader’s engagement?”
Since Lianel had already stirred the situation first, it seemed the President might be countering.
“That’s unlikely.”
“Why are you giving such a vague answer this time? Explain logically like usual.”
“A person’s heart is not something that can be concluded definitively.”
“But even though it’s clearly uncertain, you’ll go?”
“Wasn’t it a condition?”
“Wow… I’m seriously going crazy…”
Til despaired while splashing water on his face, and Wilbrin asked with a final hope.
“Can’t you think rationally? Anyone can see this is a strange condition!”
But Lianel dismissed Wilbrin’s concern with reason.
“To cancel the engagement, a visit to the Rikel residence is unavoidable.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
Unable to stop Lianel from going, the Special Taxation Bureau suggested a compromise.
“Then let’s go together this time.”
“‘Private meeting’ literally means a conversation without a third party present. Therefore, accompaniment by a third party—”
“Ah, we can just follow secretly! About a hundred steps behind should be fine!”
“Well… wouldn’t they see if we’re a hundred steps back?”
It’s not even a far distance.
“And what are you planning to do while following?”
“Persuade them.”
“…You, Senior?”
Wilbrin gave an utterly distrustful look.
‘Was this person really that skilled with words?’
“President Rikel is elderly and has been reclusive, so it wouldn’t be strange if he had a broken bone somewhere.”
Of course, he didn’t.
‘So that persuasion was… physical?’
“Ah, let it be. Let it be.”
Otherwise, it might make the morning paper tomorrow.
After many twists and turns, Lianel arrived at President Rikel’s mansion.
Though she only communicated her intention to visit and did not give an exact time, Norman was already at the gate.
“Welcome.”
Norman, leading the butler and servants, stood in a line and bowed.
“Please come in. A feast has been prepared.”
No wonder it smelled so enticing from the entrance.
On the wide, polished table, the dishes were set without gaps.
“This seems a bit excessive.”
Lianel’s gaze swept across the table.
There were only three sets of dishes—Norman, Ersen, and herself—but the amount of food was excessive.
“What’s a little hospitality for someone who saved me and my son?”
Norman’s voice carried heartfelt sincerity, but Lianel didn’t touch a single dish.
She hadn’t come to be entertained.
She was curious about the real reason he requested a private meeting.
Lianel slowly turned her gaze from her seat to look at Ersen.
“Would you step aside?”
She had everyone, including Ersen, move aside to form the ‘private meeting.’
“I believe there’s a reason you wanted to see me.”
His calm, restrained voice was utterly unwelcoming.
Yet Norman felt his chest tighten with both excitement and pleasure.
“The other day, I was preoccupied and couldn’t properly greet you. I wished to offer my greetings once more.”
Lianel sat in silence, watching him rise.
Even the emotionless, cold gaze he lifted slightly was exactly the same as ‘then.’
‘That’s right. This is how it should be.’
A faint smile spread across Norman’s lips.
He had never been someone who defined himself through words.
He drew attention and stood out solely through his presence.
‘Just like the sun hanging in the sky…’
At the moment their eyes met, Norman recognized who she was.
And even now, seeing her again, it was the same.
He willingly stood and bowed.
“Norman Rikel greets Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress of the Great Empire.”
