The World Is Mine For The Taking

Chapter 491 - 79 - The Current State Of The Milham Kingdom (2)

what she said about leonamon hit hard. the company raked in massive profits, but only because its branches were confined to the kingdom. this monopoly allowed it to dominate the trade network and funnel cash endlessly. but the second leonamon spread its reach beyond these borders? that grip would loosen, and the monopoly would shatter.

"if you take leonamon beyond the kingdom’s borders, milham’s economy will collapse," she warned, her eyes darkening. "revolts will follow, and the whole country will sink into chaos. honestly, we’re already on the edge. there are insurgencies popping up everywhere. milham’s barely holding on. at this rate, i doubt it’ll survive even ten years. the kingdom will fall."

she wasn’t wrong. ten years? that felt like a stretch. even now, the kingdom was dangerously close to imploding. it was as if it was standing on a cliff, staring down into oblivion.

"by the time my father decides on the next king, the kingdom will probably already be gone," she continued, her tone edged with bitterness. "if i sit back and let that happen, all the blood, sweat, and sacrifices our ancestors made will mean nothing. i refuse to let this kingdom die under my watch."

"so, you’re thinking of overthrowing your father? planning a coup, huh?" i mused, the idea sparking something in me. honestly, it was exactly what i would’ve done in her position. it was a bold move, but not an illogical one. if she waited until her father appointed the next king—likely her eldest brother—the damage would be irreversible.

"don’t throw that word around like it’s nothing, please," myrcella said. "we don’t know who might be listening."

"relax. no one’s eavesdropping," i assured her, my voice low but firm. the shadows were everywhere, always watching. this place, a gift from duke merca, was now mine, and i made damn sure no one dared trespass. anyone stupid enough to try? they’d be dealt with—quickly and quietly.

"well, considering you own leonamon, i suppose you’d have measures in place," she admitted. then, she turned her gaze toward me, her expression tightening, though that faint, confident smile still lingered. "which is why i need you to consider something, sir faust."

here we go...

"what is it?" i asked, already sensing the weight of her next words.

"i can’t stop you from turning leonamon into a global empire. it’s the only thing keeping this kingdom afloat," she said, voice steady but intense. "but without leonamon’s help, milham is doomed. so, i need you to hold off on expansion—for three or four years."

she wanted me to delay expansion? i didn’t need long to mull it over; the answer was clear. but before i agreed, i needed to know—what’s in it for me?

"what’s in it for me?" i asked, letting the words hang in the air, my voice calm but deliberate.

i already knew my answer. of course, i’d say yes—any connection with the royal family was a golden ticket, especially with someone like her. princess myrcella wasn’t just playing; she was dead set on winning this war of succession. i could see it in her eyes: determination, desperation, and a willingness to cross any line. i’d help her, no doubt, but not without squeezing out every drop of value.nôv(el)b\\jnn

"i don’t think simply restricting my company’s expansion to this kingdom is enough to stop the whole place from crumbling, princess," i said, my tone measured but firm.

her brow arched. "oh? pray tell, why do you think that?"

"you’re missing something crucial. no—several components necessary to truly keep this kingdom from being wiped off the map. and it’s not allies or political power. it’s..." i paused, letting the weight of my words sink in. "money."

"money?"

i nodded. "money is the root of everything. even people who wouldn’t normally lift a finger will put their lives on the line for the right price. if you want more power, more influence, more allies, you’re going to need cold, hard cash. and lots of it."

she tilted her head, clearly mulling it over. "i... i don’t fully understand. how does money change anything?"

"i don’t know the specifics yet," i admitted. "but trust me, you’re going to need it. it’s the lifeblood of any kingdom. without it, everything collapses."

her gaze sharpened, but there was a hint of acceptance. "you’re being vague," she said, narrowing her eyes. "but you’re right. if we burn through the royal treasury trying to fix things, the monarchy itself will crumble. and if that happens, the kingdom’s finished."

"exactly. as the saying goes, ’if those at the top can’t maintain their power with wealth, those at the bottom will suffer,’" i told her.

"so... you’re offering to help me financially?"

i smirked. "that’s the idea."

her eyes narrowed, studying me like i was a puzzle she couldn’t quite solve. "it feels like i’m making a deal with the devil."

"ah, well... there’s a saying where i’m from: ’be careful what you wish for.’ it comes from a myth about someone who made a wish that ultimately led to their downfall. but i’m not offering this because i’m a demon," i said, leaning in slightly. "i’m offering because i want something in return. something even your body can’t pay for."

her brow lifted, intrigue softening her suspicion. "and what exactly would that be?"

i locked eyes with her and said, "i want you to make me the king."