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Join the ServerTen minutes later, the Snow Princess stood in a corner of the ballroom, swirling a glass of sweet wine. Across from her, Count Gina’s smiling face appeared somewhat distorted by the reflection in her glass.
“So, your family intends to replace our current supplier?”
The Snow Princess remained expressionless.
“No, no, not entirely. We merely wish to partake in a small share of the profits,” Count Gina chuckled. “What I can supply is quite limited, after all. However, I can guarantee a more favorable price.”
Count Gina offered a sheepish laugh.
“I recall the Cauchon family’s trade business primarily involves importing ores from the Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom,” the Snow Princess said, her voice chillingly calm. “Is it truly wise to extend your reach so far?”
The Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom, though desolate, was exceptionally rich in mineral resources. Supported by the Empire’s mining investment and abundant s*ave labor, the kingdom had established numerous mining areas. The ores extracted were then exported to the Empire.
To some extent, this was the fundamental reason why the Empire, which prided itself on being the pinnacle of civilization, turned a blind eye to the inhumane slavery practiced by its neighboring state.
Count Gina’s family business focused on liaising with the lords who controlled the mining areas in the Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom. They would purchase and import ores from them, pay customs duties, and then supply them to clients within the Empire.
Their business did not involve exporting mining products to the Snow Kingdom; that particular niche was already occupied by other merchant guilds.
“It’s quite simple, really. All it requires is your willingness to give us the green light.”
Count Gina’s face was wreathed in smiles.
“You actually have surplus ores to sell us?”
“Just a small amount. Our suppliers occasionally have extra goods that they route to us through special channels.”
Count Gina smiled meaningfully.
The Snow Princess finally understood. The Cauchon family was secretly dabbling in smuggling.
While importing through legitimate channels from the Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom, they were also quietly finding ways to bypass customs and procure ores via smuggling routes. These particular ores would not incur customs duties, but their origins would remain obscure.
If they were sold directly through legitimate channels within the Empire, it would eventually be discovered that the total amount they sold did not match their declared inventory.
Therefore, he intended to sell these ores to the Snow Kingdom. Moreover, he hoped to smuggle them across, avoiding imperial export taxes. This would allow them to attract buyers with a competitive price.
From the Snow Kingdom’s perspective, their expenditures on mineral imports would decrease, and Count Gina’s family would earn a considerable side income. However, the merchant guild originally responsible for this trade would find their orders dwindling.
Simultaneously, the imperial government would also suffer a loss, as a significant quantity of ore would pass through their territory and be sent to the Snow Kingdom without paying customs or export taxes.
The Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom was only permitted to export ores to the Empire. This had been one of the conditions when the Empire supported the Dragon’s Ridge tribes in establishing their kingdom and dominating the north.
The Empire imported ores from the north and then re-exported them to other trading nations, controlling prices through tariffs and export taxes. While reaping immense profits, they also firmly held a powerful lever to manipulate and sanction other countries through resources and economic control.
Yet, the Cauchon family, a subsidiary of this grand enterprise, sought to bypass their own nation through continuous smuggling.
In a way, what Count Gina was preparing to do was akin to stealing profits from his own country and then splitting the spoils with the Snow Kingdom.
“To be so candid with me about such matters, your audacity is quite admirable,” the Snow Princess stated.
“This business offers nothing but benefits for you. Are you truly not interested at all?” Count Gina asked eagerly.
“It does have its merits.” The Snow Princess gazed into her wine glass, then lifted it to take a sip.
While Count Gina was undoubtedly a detestable parasite, one the Snow Princess would readily eliminate if he were a dignitary of her own kingdom, his affiliation with the Empire and the advantages he offered her realm meant she wouldn’t mind exploiting him slightly. After all, the Snow Kingdom’s reliance on metal imports from the Empire had always been absolute.
“That’s wonderful!” Count Gina clapped his hands together with a booming laugh, then lowered his voice once more. “Details are best not discussed in such a setting. When might Her Royal Highness Snow Princess be available for me to have the honor of hosting you for a meal?”
The Snow Princess considered for a moment, then provided a time.
“Excellent! Tomorrow, I shall send someone to deliver the address to you. I eagerly await your esteemed presence,” Count Gina nodded profusely.
“If there’s nothing else, you may leave now,” the Snow Princess suddenly interjected.
“Ah, Your Highness… you are even more unapproachable than the rumors suggest.” Count Gina’s expression stiffened with embarrassment at her words.
“No, someone has already noticed you,” the Snow Princess calmly explained.
Count Gina froze, then quickly understood, turning his head.
Prince Kleiman, the Second Prince, was walking towards them with unhurried steps and a gentle smile on his face.
“Ah, Your Royal Highness Kleiman!” Count Gina quickly bowed in greeting.
“Oh, what were you two discussing so cheerfully?” Kleiman asked with a playful grin.
“We were…” Count Gina stammered, momentarily at a loss for words.
He held little reverence for Kleiman, known as the “Happy Prince.” However, the discussion he’d just had with the Snow Princess was a secret best kept hidden. If evidence were uncovered, both he and his family would face severe consequences.
“…We were discussing the grape harvest of recent years,” the Snow Princess suddenly interjected, her voice remarkably calm, helping him complete his sentence. “It seems the output from the Empire’s three major wineries has decreased lately.”
“Indeed, that’s exactly right,” Count Gina quickly affirmed, smoothing over the situation.
“If you desire fine wine, I possess many excellent vintages,” Kleiman said, warmly patting the Count’s shoulder. “How about we find some time to share a drink, Count?”
“I am deeply honored by Your Royal Highness’s generosity. Another time, definitely another time!” Count Gina, overwhelmed, offered polite excuses while hastily making his departure. “Ah, I haven’t yet greeted the Marquis’s family. Please excuse me.”
Kleiman watched his retreating back, his eyes suddenly sharpening.
Through his “Bishop” ability, he could discern the Count’s unease. Undoubtedly, Count Gina was lying.
“Was it truly just a discussion about the grape harvest?” He turned to the Snow Princess, casually picking up a glass of wine.
As they stood on equal footing, if the Snow Princess deliberately concealed something from him, he could not perceive the changes in her soul.
“What else could there be to discuss?” the Snow Princess replied with an air of nonchalance.
Kleiman remained silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his wine glass with a smile.
“Is something amiss, Your Highness?” the Snow Princess inquired.
“Her Royal Highness Snow Princess is truly a master of feigning ignorance,” Kleiman remarked.
“The feeling is mutual,” the Snow Princess said calmly, also raising her glass.
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