Chapter 339 339-The Extravagant Queen
In the capital of Oungria Kindom, Pist, the culture differed somewhat from the traditional territories of the Empire, but fortunately, the language was not too dissimilar.
Howard, having studied it briefly, could understand the basics of what the local people said.
Approaching an elderly man selling clay pots, Howard inquired, "What do you think of the queen?"
The old man eyed Howard warily and asked, "Why do you want to know?"
Howard simply replied, "Just asking."
The old man huffed, "She's fine."
Howard, sensing a discrepancy between the old man's words and his demeanor, pressed on, "Really fine?"
The man glared at Howard and retorted, "I'm here to sell clay pots. Are you buying or not? If not, get lost!"
Howard, to ease the tension, bought a clay pot, and the old man's attitude softened.
Continuing the conversation, Howard learned that recently, during the blooming of Oungria Kindom's national flower, the queen, who was fond of flowers, had requisitioned all the flowers meant for sale by local merchants without paying for them.
"It was strong-arm requisitioning," the old man complained.
"These were goods we merchants had bought. Not paying for what she took is just outrageous."
Howard wondered aloud, "If the queen likes flowers, why didn't she just buy a few from the market? Why take so many?"
The old man replied irritably, "How should I know? How can we commoners understand the thoughts of such high and mighty figures? I just don't like her."
Acknowledging the man's point, Howard said, "The queen will pay for the flowers soon. Tell the merchants to wait a little longer."
The old man was skeptical.
Howard next visited a blacksmith's shop, where several charred-looking objects were displayed outside.
They appeared to be swords or spears, but all were blackened and seemed substandard.
He inquired about the queen again, but the blacksmith didn't have much to say on the matter.
Howard nodded and left.
Afterwards, Howard spoke with many commoners and came to a conclusion: Catherine often requisitioned the people's daily items, decorative pieces, and elaborate jewelry, but she seemed indifferent towards weapons and bulk goods.
This outcome was still within Howard's tolerance.
Returning to the palace, Howard instructed Vettel to distribute the owed money to the people for the goods Catherine had taken.
Vettel vaguely commented that the people had given those items voluntarily.
Enraged, Howard scolded Vettel, who replied with a sense of grievance, "Paying them back now is pointless; the queen will just accumulate more debts later."
Howard, grabbing Vettel by the collar, demanded, "Whose orders do you follow, mine or hers?"
Vettel replied, "Yours, of course, Your Majesty, but I have to carry out the queen's commands too. If this cycle continues, with her accruing debts and you repaying them, it's problematic."
"First, the treasury will run out of money. Second, it's a waste of time for us to go back and forth, checking and distributing money to each citizen individually. It's treating the symptoms, not the cause."
"So, what do you suggest we do?" Howard asked.
Vettel hesitated, starting to speak several times before holding back.
With a raised voice, Howard pressed, "Speak up, you're the Minister of Finance!"
Vettel fell silent for a long time, struggling with his response.
Finally, Vettel suggested, "Your Majesty, perhaps it's best if you speak to the queen personally. I've tried advising her, but she scolded me and threatened to have you dismiss me. I got scared and didn't dare to persist. But surely, Your Majesty, you have the courage to speak up. Perhaps if you explain, she might understand the need for frugality."
Following this advice, Howard spoke with Catherine about his concerns.
She agreed to be more economical in the future.
Meanwhile, Margaret was preparing for a long adventure, telling Howard not to miss her too much.
Howard asked, "What about your lands?"
Margaret responded, "I don't want them anymore, you can have them back."
Howard tried to persuade her, but Margaret, having purchased a substantial amount of high-quality weapons, armor, and bows, gathered a group of people and formed an adventure troupe.
Howard watched enviously as Margaret embarked on her quest for dreams aboard a large armed warship docked at Lagusa Port, feeling trapped by his throne.
He didn't ask where her adventure would take her, understanding that the thrill of exploration lay in its unpredictability.
However, later, Margaret's father approached Howard, claiming her lands as her next of kin.
But Howard had two reasons for denying this request.
Firstly, Margaret's father was not his vassal, and transferring the lands to him would mean losing two territories from Howard's governance.
Secondly, Margaret had explicitly returned the lands to Howard himself, not intending for her father to inherit them.
Therefore, based on these reasons, Howard declined Margaret's father's request.
Margaret's father, raising his voice outside the door, exclaimed, "What are you doing, Howard? Trying to seize my rights by force? My daughter's belongings are mine by right! Since she has left, it is only proper that I inherit her possessions!"
Hearing this, Howard coldly remarked to Anna, who was seated nearby, "It has always been children who inherit from their parents, not the other way around."
Anna chuckled and said, "Actually, it does happen, especially in the noble world."
Being a member of the Valuva family's Katerina branch, Anna was more knowledgeable about the history of nobility than Howard.
She explained that some kings grant titles and lands to their young children as a sign of affection.
Howard, quick-witted, grasped the gist of Anna's explanation and stopped her from elaborating further.
Changing the subject, he asked, "What do you suggest we do then? Margaret was quite clear before she left that she was returning her lands to me personally."
Anna replied, "I know Margaret, and I respect her wishes. Since she herself said the lands are to be returned to you, you should keep them. With the current internal and external challenges, if we give away these lands, we might not be able to withstand Osland Kingdom. The state has its needs; let her father bear it for now."
Howard found Anna's reasoning sound and in line with his own thoughts, applauding her suggestion.
He then asked Golan to persuade Margaret's father to leave.
However, Margaret's father was adamant, declaring he wouldn't leave unless he was killed on the spot.
Howard found himself in a difficult position and shared his true thoughts with Margaret's father, but the man failed to understand.
He obstinately said, "What do I care about your national grudges? I just want my rightful inheritance! If your kingdom falls, it's none of my concern. I can just as well serve under an Osland Kingdom lord!"
The first part of his statement, Howard could tolerate; he could slowly reason or negotiate, and if it really came down to it, granting the land wouldn't be a problem.
However, the latter part was unacceptable to Howard.
In the face of such a clear-cut moral issue, the man's willingness to serve the enemy, Osland Kingdom, revealed his true character.
Since he wasn't a good person, Howard felt he didn't need to be treated with kindness.
Drawing his sword, Howard spoke with a cold and fierce tone, "Don't push me."
Seeing Howard's serious demeanor, the man, realizing the threat was real, wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and sheepishly left.
He said he would leave his daughter's lands in the capable hands of King Howard, trusting that such a wise ruler would not mistreat his family.
He would await his daughter's return.
In that moment, Howard had indeed felt a brief urge to kill, but he knew it was wrong.
No matter the circumstances, murder was not justified.
He sheathed his sword, covering his face with his hand, reproaching himself for his momentary rage and impulsiveness.
He realized that in dealing with ignorant individuals, education was the key, not harsh punishment.
And in legal disputes, the solution lay in sitting down for a proper discussion, not in coercive tactics.
With a sigh, Howard walked back to his desk and sat down in his comfortable leather chair.
He said to Anna, "Tell Bosiden to meet with Margaret's father. Let him know that I am willing to let him inherit all of Margaret's territories."
Anna, in disbelief, responded, "Howard, what are you thinking? If you give away the land today, Osland Kingdom will see your weakness and come to attack you tomorrow. What will you do then?"
Howard, looking downcast, replied, "Don't worry about it too much. By the rules, these lands indeed should be inherited by him. After all, Margaret didn't sign any documents, and I don't have the authority to arbitrarily cancel or alter the rights of inheritance. Since that's the case, let's proceed according to the rules."
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