For an entire week, I spent my time dealing with civil and economic affairs together with Verzhina. With the next month arriving in eighteen days, my thoughts inevitably turned to the state treasury, which was about to run dry.

  “Verzhina, next month our national treasury will be in the red…”

  “If we fail to repay again, our debt will double, you know…”

  I rubbed my temples with my left hand.

  “I am aware of that, Your Majesty,” Lord Verzhina replied. His expression was equally troubled and worried. “The military reforms your father forced through were indeed necessary. However, he should have prioritized reforming our economy first…”

  “What about the soldiers’ wages?” I voiced my concern directly. “I’m afraid they’ll rebel if they don’t receive their pay on time…”

  At the moment, they were calm because I had allowed them to take war spoils as part of their wages. But if I kept doing that, I would be forced to wage war again just so they could get paid.

  My army couldn’t simply remain on standby without producing anything for the nation. While the military reforms led by my father had turned our soldiers into professionals, the monthly upkeep costs were exorbitant.

  The sound of my office door opening slowly echoed through the room. Nate, who was beside me, froze and instantly turned cold when she saw who it was.

  Princess Bertha was standing at the doorway.

  “Are you still busy, my love?” she asked as she walked toward my desk.

  “Yes,” I replied, stopping my work.

  I met her gaze as she sat down across from me. I set my pen aside and folded my arms on the desk. Nate pulled up a chair and sat beside me.

  “You’re not the queen, you know. You shouldn’t be sitting beside him,” Princess Bertha said sharply, glaring at Nate.

  “I’m aware that I am not his queen,” Nate replied calmly and evenly. “But I have sworn to always remain by his side.”

  Princess Bertha glanced at the financial reports spread across my desk. Seeing the negative figures in my calculations, she smiled.

  “So… are you planning to borrow money again?” she said casually. “It’s only natural for a developing nation.”

  She leaned back in her chair.

  “I can send a letter to my father. He would be more than happy to lend you money again,” she added, her expression turning serious.

  I simply smiled at her words.

  “I’ll invest my own eighty thousand gold into your country,” Princess Bertha continued. “But in return, I want you to grow closer to me. I’ll also inform the business leaders of my country to open factories here and establish a new industrial city—so you won’t be overly dependent on Junek City.”

  She smiled triumphantly. The offer was extremely appealing, but I remained silent, merely smiling.

  “And allow our alliance to rise by one level as well,” she added. “Permit us to establish a military base here.”

  So this was her true objective.

  In her date-event storyline, she genuinely loved the MC. However, the brainwashing influence of her father was far stronger, and she often failed to realize that she was being used to advance her nation’s interests. In fact, she would even willingly betray the MC if her father ordered her to do so.

  Still, accepting her offer wouldn’t necessarily be bad for our economy.

  “That is a generous offer, Princess Bertha,” I replied with a sigh. “However, I cannot make this decision on my own. I must discuss it with the other nobles and representatives of the various factions.”

  “I would, of course, welcome an improvement in our alliance,” I added with a smile. “Thank you for your offer.”

  Hearing my praise, she looked genuinely delighted. Meanwhile, an internal battle raged within my mind.

  Foreign investment wasn’t a bad thing. The Filaten people would benefit the most from this deal—artisans and merchants would surely welcome it. But that meant I would need to regulate the flow of Alestrian goods and find ways to improve domestic products so they could compete.

  Damn it… I really regretted skipping economics classes back in school.

  “When you’re free, take me out for a walk sometime,” Princess Bertha said as she stood up and bowed politely.

  “Alright,” I replied, rising from my chair and escorting her out of my office on the second floor of the government building.

  After she left, Lord Verzhina voiced his opinion. “It’s an excellent offer. I believe our people and the Filaten will agree.”

  “Still, discuss it properly,” I replied, leaning against my office door. “Don’t decide unilaterally. Once it’s been deliberated and all representatives agree, then I will approve it as well.”

  “Understood, Your Majesty,” Verzhina replied. “I’ll convene the National Council and deliberate on it.”

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  “Then send me the results by letter so I can sign the agreement later,” I said as I opened my office door and stepped out. “Tomorrow, I have to depart to liberate the Gratels Plains.”

  Nate naturally followed behind me.

  I spotted Princess Bertha chatting with her nation’s diplomats. I approached her, intending to invite her out. I figured I’d try balancing things by raising her affection level—unlocking more date events and additional options to help settle our national debt.

  This woman was literally a walking infinity-money cheat code, as long as the player handled her smoothly.

  “Oh my, King Ezia. Do you need something?” Princess Bertha turned toward me.

  The two diplomats behind her bowed and took their leave.

  “Would you like to take a short walk with me? Or perhaps have lunch together?” I offered.

  “I’d love to,” she said happily, grabbing my hand. “Let’s go!”

  “What’s for lunch today?” she asked cheerfully. “Don’t tell me it’s that bean porridge again.”

  “Not this time,” Nate answered challengingly. “The Laon Household has prepared a proper lunch for us. My king, please allow me to return and arrange today’s meal.”

  “Alright. Do your best, Nate,” I replied, granting her permission.

  She immediately rushed back to the royal residence, located near the southeastern fortress of the city. I held Princess Bertha’s hand and left the White Palace with her.

  “Walking?” she asked, sounding slightly disappointed.

  “If we rode horses, you wouldn’t be able to hold my hand,” I replied with a smile. “Isn’t this better?”

  Her heavy breathing returned—it seemed she was pleased by how I treated her.

  “Answer me honestly, Your Majesty,” she said as we began walking toward the city park.

  “Go ahead. I’ll answer anything truthfully,” I replied, adjusting my longer strides to match her pace.

  “Have you ever thought about our future together?” she asked nervously, her cheeks slightly flushed.

  “When I’m awake, yes,” I answered casually.

  “And when you’re asleep?” she asked again, genuine happiness evident on her face.

  “When I’m asleep, I rest,” I replied jokingly. “Being a king already gives me headaches. Sleep is the only time I can rest.”

  Two of Princess Bertha’s guards began following us at a distance—it seemed she had instructed them to do so. Eventually, we arrived at the city park, where the citizens were clearly surprised by our presence.

  “Is something wrong?” I asked the stunned onlookers. “Your ruler also wants to take a short break in the park.”

  “No, welcome to the city park, Your Majesty,” one citizen replied.

  I held Princess Bertha’s hand and sat on a park bench, gazing at the artificial lake at the center of the park. Swans swam peacefully across its surface.

  “You can take shelter under the trees, you know,” I said to her guards.

  “Thank you, Your Majesty, but we’re accustomed to standing in the sun—it’s our duty,” one guard replied.

  Princess Bertha rested her head against my shoulder. Our hands remained tightly clasped.

  “May I ask about the future again?” she suddenly asked.

  I felt her grip tighten.

  “I’m worried that you only care about me because of my money,” she whispered.

  “Tell me… how do you see our future together?” she asked more loudly.

  With a gentle smile, I answered softly. “To be honest, Princess, I don’t really know. I struggle to imagine my own future—my thoughts are filled with how to save my kingdom.”

  “But I am certain of one thing,” I added, resting my head lightly atop hers.

  “Wherever I am in the future, you’ll be there too—perhaps even closer than you are now.”

  She remained silent. Her hair covered her face from my angle, making it impossible to read her expression.

  “You’ll remain an important person to me in the future as well,” I continued gently. “Not because of money or national affairs. That’s all you need to know for now. The rest will become clearer once I save my kingdom.”

  Hearing my words, she hugged my right arm tightly. I soon felt moisture seeping into my sleeve.

  “Thank you…” she whispered softly.

  Why was my heart pounding too?

  We spent a long time there. Eventually, my stomach growled, prompting her to giggle.

  “In that case, let’s go back and have lunch.”

  On the way back to my residence, she didn’t let go of my arm at all. When we arrived at the two-story building that served as my residence, Nate was already waiting outside.

  Jealousy was clearly written on her face. It became even more obvious once we entered the house. I escorted Princess Bertha to the dining room before meeting Nate outside.

  “Hmph… this is annoying,” she muttered softly.

  “Don’t be jealous, Nate,” I whispered, taking both her hands and kissing the backs of them.

  Lunch with Princess Bertha turned into a nightmare. Nate and Bertha exchanged verbal blows relentlessly. Bertha mocked Nate for coming from a barbaric tribe.

  I finally couldn’t stand it anymore.

  “Enough. Eat first!” I snapped, trying to mediate.

  “Ah… I’m sorry,” Nate said quietly, falling silent.

  “You’re siding with a servant? Why is she even sitting at the table with us?” Princess Bertha glared at me angrily.

  “Servants are equals here,” I replied, slamming the table. “Besides, the food in front of you wouldn’t exist if Nate hadn’t made it.”

  Damn it—I saw tears welling up in Princess Bertha’s eyes.

  “Ah—sorry!” I quickly stood and rushed to her side. “I’m sorry!”

  “Hwaaa!” she burst into loud sobs.

  “So childish…” Nate muttered mockingly. “How do you expect to become queen if you’re such a crybaby?”

  I pulled over an empty chair and sat beside Bertha, gently rubbing her back to calm her down. This was one of the reasons I disliked her—she was a crybaby, fragile like glass, like dealing with a walking emotional landmine.

  I refilled her glass with water and helped her drink. Then I noticed something strange—she was enjoying my embrace, clinging tightly to my clothes.

  The dark red–haired princess rubbed her head against my chest, clearly taking advantage of the situation. In the end, I gave in, fed her until she finished her meal, and escorted her back to her hotel.

  [Nate]

  Affection Lvl: 105

  Aggressiveness: 35

  [Bertha Aurora]

  Affection Lvl: 10

  Aggressiveness: 50

  After leaving the hotel, Nate and I headed to the headquarters of the 1st Regiment of Skradings inside the city fortress. The banner of the Alestrian Imperial Guard fluttered alongside my own.

  My troops were chatting amicably with their allies. I asked one of my soldiers, “Is General Vidin here?”

  “He’s in the officers’ building, along with Lord Valde and the others,” the soldier replied.

  I headed to the three-story building that also served as the officers’ barracks. On the first floor, the meeting hall was filled with officers from both Alestria and my own army, listening as General Vidin instructed them.

  I quietly took a seat at the back and gestured for silence. He seemed to be explaining Alestrian troop composition and tactics.

  “King Ezia—ah, I was so engrossed in teaching that I didn’t notice your presence,” General Vidin said. The elderly man, with thick mustaches reminiscent of Otto von Bismarck, smiled at me.

  “Hahaha,” I scratched the back of my head. “I’m just here to inform everyone that tomorrow we’ll be departing for the Gratels Plains.”

  I moved to the podium and stood beside him.

  “I’m quite impressed that the heir of Skradings managed to win his first battle,” General Vidin said. “I still remember your father complaining during military exchange visits about his lazy son who rarely appeared in public.”

  Oof—that hit straight to the heart.

  “Not anymore,” I replied with a laugh. “Jasper, Yadzi, Hilxa, Valde, Bari, General Vidin—I want all of you to prepare our forces for mobilization to the Gratels Plains tomorrow. I may arrive a bit late due to a national council meeting.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” they replied in unison.

  “General Vidin will take command until I arrive,” I added. “I want the five of you to learn as much as possible from him.”