If I Disobey the Duke - Chapter 279

Hometown (2)

As Hans’s cautious voice continued, Lily’s head gradually bent downward. She wiggled her fingers, gently resting on her lap. She licked her lips as if to add something, then closed them again several times.

She was clearly a nuisance. She knew it too. She would be going on a journey that most knights struggled with, and her preparation period was several times shorter than usual. Anyone would have a hard time.

But this time, even as she was, she couldn’t overcome her stubbornness. After the royal siblings left, Vlad’s attitude changed subtly. She couldn’t pinpoint exactly, but he was somewhat more obsessive than ever before.

Lily vaguely believed that the imperial siblings had fueled his unrest, but the key cause was something else. She didn’t feel any repulsion at all when she witnessed his reality. Ironically, that attitude was fueling his obsession.

“So after I thought… I’ve done a little.” After hesitating for a while, she opened her mouth, “What if I handle the work movement separately? I’m slow, so if we set a minimum number of people who will move first, the administrators won’t have to worry about me anymore.”

Hans’s expression, reflexively exclaiming, was quite bright. That was a pretty good comment. In fact, it was a method that Hans had thought of earlier, but he was not willing to bring it up because it was his suggestion that was quite disrespectful to her.

“I am only grateful to you for saying that in the first place, Madam. To be honest, that’s the best way for now. But crucially… I am not sure if the lord will allow it.”

Splitting the personnel meant that the personnel responsible for the escort would also be dispersed. As she made the bizarre decision to join in the procession to Ataka, it was clear that he would be more concerned about her safety.

“I should go with Vlad. Then Vlad’s arrival will be delayed because of me, but in that case, the Ataka Mine supervisors will have more time to prepare. I don’t know if Vlad will listen to me either… I will try to convince him that much.”

In the first place, as Vlad said, if she had avoided contact with Ingrid as much as possible, this would not have happened. It was also reassuring that she’d have had a good time with him rather than being left alone. Habitual regret reached out and tickled her back.

Lily shrugged and lowered her head.

Hans couldn’t keep his eyes on one place. Although he was at the center of this project, he was not responsible for Lily. Just as the princess never apologized to anyone other than the emperor, she was also innocent no matter what she did to the citizens. He was also well aware of how inconsistent such rules were with such a mentality.

A light suddenly came into his eyes, which had only bothered the corners of the papers, searching for what to say to her. “It would be really nice if you could help me, Madam. I’m in a situation where I need to organize ahead of time what to do with the jewelry that has resumed circulation in the Isles after you’ve gone away. You probably know the Isles much better than us, so why not give us direct instructions?”

Lily felt cheered up when she found something to do, but her expression wasn’t all that bright this time around. “About that. I have made a decision. I am also there to say it.”

“Oh, you did. How can we deal with it?”

“Please make sure to go to the crown princess first for the best of the items handled at the Isles.”

“…Yes?”

As if she had thought about it quite carefully, Lily’s clear voice continued without interruption, “And the next high-grade items will be mainly supplied to young nobles who have just been awarded their title or young girls who have just entered the imperial capital. Except for all knightly families with long-standing reputations. The poorer the family, the better. I’ll elaborate more on the conditions.”

As Lily’s instructions continued, Hans’s expression became more bizarre. It was a strange instruction the more she heard it. While she decided to reject the princess’s orders, she supplied her with the finest products. Also, those most favored with jewels were those of established families who already had power.

“Are you trying to take the lead before the emerging forces grow further?”

“I have seen His Highness Marius, so I understand. The warriors in the city, especially the more prestigious knight families, will be hostile to Vlad. So Vlad needs the opposite force.”

At first glance, this was a fairly sharp decision. However, as his fundamental question was not resolved, Hans still couldn’t erase his bewildered expression and asked Lily, “As long as the lord lives, he will have no relationship with the royal nobles, right? For what reason are you suddenly paying attention to the royal nobles…?”

“Just… I’m trying to prepare for the future,” she murmured in a small voice. “So, please take care of it without Vlad’s knowledge. So that it is not difficult to handle, I… I will take all the responsibility.”

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