Chapter 341 Chapter 341 War Of Words III
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Candice pretended to be righteous and logical throughout her monologue and she didn't even deign to listen to what George had to say about it.
George felt the princess' obvious disgust, but he didn't mind it at all. He had always wanted to stay out of politics, so he could focus on his business.
But it seemed that the royal family had finally decided to revoke his freedom.
"The capi..." Candice tried to continue her monologue but George interrupted her mid-sentence so he could try and act clueless. He wanted to figure out the princess' motives.
"I don't know how a businessman like me can be helpful to the empire in combat. Even the armed forces of my family are far from the standards of the army that the empire can train. I am not a miracle worker after all. Or is it that the royal family finally can't tolerate my existence anymore."
"I was coming to that had you not so rudely interrupted me earlier." There was a cold glint in Candice's eyes as she stared a hole into George with her frigid eyes.
Still, the cold aura around her vanished after a bit and she began to explain what she wanted George and his family to do.
"Due to the constant need of logistics support at the borders, most of the transportation resources of the capital have been engaged. Even the trucks we received from your family are among those being sent to the borders to deliver weapons and food and to bring back our dead to be buried with their families. As a result, most of them are on the verge of breaking down after several back-and-forth trips and we are still not even close to routing out our enemies."
"I understand how war can be. I am willing to play my part in the empire's efforts to thwart its enemies. Complete logistics for the battle troops on the borders will be carried out through the exclusive transportation network my family has established over the years. The trucks in our possession are still in good condition and with timely maintenance they can be easily used for repeated trips as well."
George offered his help without hesitation because he considered it his responsibility as well. He had been enjoying the privileges of his enhanced status in the empire but had never actually shown any responsibility towards the matter of the state. As such, this was the perfect opportunity to showcase not only the strength of his family but also his willingness to do what was necessary in times of need.
But the princess looked like she was fuming with anger despite the fact that George had taken her up on her suggestions.
"Do you really think it was just the problem of transportation that has the empire so stumped? Or do you doubt the competency of my royal family? The capital of our empire, Rome, is currently in a tattered state after our concerted efforts to root out the traitors and the spies. The rebuilding is taking a long time, and we don't have any excess resources to allocate to this job. Moreover, the trucks that are being operated on a daily basis are in dire need of maintenance. So, we need someone experienced to watch over the entire project. After working it out, we have found the perfect candidate for the job, your daughter, Christina."
Thunder struck George's mind the moment he heard the plan concocted by the princess. Never in his dreams had he imagined that the royal family would try to pull such a scheme even though he was sincere in his offer to provide logistics support to the forces fighting on the borders.
Instead of appreciating his efforts, the royal family was not only casting doubt in his direction but were also using Christina to ensure that he would comply with everything they required of him.
"My lady, Christina has been away from home for some time. She is inexperienced in the technology governing the trucks and would not be very helpful in the reconstruction efforts. I can provide skilled manpower for the maintenance of trucks and for the rebuilding efforts. I can assure you that any truck that fails to continue will be replaced by a truck from my own business fleet so that your logistics network would remain operable the entire time."
"From what I have heard she has been handling the logistics of the expansive sugar business of the recently emerging Windsor family almost single handedly. My sources tell me that she has changed the entire structure of the business ever since she arrived, and the Windsor family couldn't do without her." Candice smiled coldly as she stared at George and then at Christina as if examining their very souls.
George's face fell as Candice spat fact after fact that was antithesis to his intentions. He even wondered if the princess was deliberately targeting their family.
But on second thought, he couldn't understand what Candice could possibly stand to gain from it. Although the rise in his status was sudden, they were far from being a threat to the Imperial family.
"That's not her achievement at all. Whosoever's been giving these statements was probably too kind or owed us a favor. In fact, I sent some of my most skilled manpower to assist the Windsor family after hearing about their business idea. They are the cream of the top and are capable of handling any operation on their own. I only sent my daughter because she wanted to have some fun in a big city. She is just a figurehead for the project in fact."
George did his best to diminish the capabilities of his daughter to the extreme but unfortunately, he couldn't hide or deny her brilliance when it was obvious to all at a glance.
"Are you doubting my intelligence, Marquis George?" Royal demeanor instantly burst out of the previously homely but cold looking girl. Candice seemed to be angered by George's constant denial. She was a princess.
All the people in the Empire had to bow down to her and listen to her every whim as long as they knew of her status but George had dared to stand up against her.
Lillard was inwardly laughing at George's foolishness. He even wondered how George came to be a Marquis with that kind of sentimental approach.
Christina on the other hand was more worried about her father coming to harm than she was about her own fate. At worst she might have to go to the capital for a few years. But her father might have to face severe punishment if he ended up angering the princess.
"It was never my intention to insinuate anything about you. I was just apprising you of the fact that several of my workforce managers are far more skillful than my daughter. I was only thinking for the best of the empire. After all, it is my utmost privilege to be able to work for the betterment of the royal capital. It is an honor, and I wouldn't want my incapable daughter to tarnish it with her lack of knowledge."
George's words were flowery, but they had been carefully wrapped up in a candy of patriotism that even Candice couldn't deny outright. She would have to sidestep it if she wanted to insist on taking Christina away.
George's words were laden with a trap that Candice had to traverse knowingly or unknowingly. The former would only anger her more while the latter would be more beneficial to George. Either way, George didn't care much because he was intent on prodding her true intentions in order to understand what the royals had planned for the Elizabeth family.
He had been cautious when he first received the honor of being a Marquis, but his caution had died down with the passage of time. The current situation was forcing him to revert back to his former self to think whether the price he had paid for this status had been worth it or not.
Candice remained expressionless as if she hadn't figured out what George had planned to do. Whether she did, or if she was only pretending not to notice it, could not be gleaned from her facial expression.
"It's all right. We need someone of noble upbringing like your daughter to take over the project."
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