Chapter 83: The Other Side of the Royal City
After lunch, Ella reluctantly returned to her trading company duties. Carol and Phils settled down with their books.
Afra, as always, was the busiest of them all.
Kailun, at Vivian’s request, took Hilna out for a stroll.
Yes, he was literally walking her on a leash.
To spare the former princess some dignity, Vivian had her wear a large mage robe, concealing her entire body except for her delicate hands.
A red rope was tied around her wrist, the other end held by Vivian.
Anyone could tell she was either a slave or a pet. And judging by her small, white hands, she was likely a beautiful woman.
Parading slaves through the streets was a common sight. Lodis often walked his naked male favorites around the city.
This had inspired other nobles to follow suit, flaunting their scantily clad slaves and concubines. It had become a perverse trend.
Kailun’s actions were considered tame and unremarkable.
But if they knew the woman beneath the robe was the once mighty princess, their jaws would drop.
“Sister, if you don’t keep up, I’ll remove your robe and let everyone see how far you’ve fallen.” Vivian tugged on the rope, glaring at Hilna.
“I’m sorry. I haven’t eaten in days…” She was weak and exhausted, barely able to walk, let alone keep up with Vivian’s deliberate pace.
“I told you, apologies require exposed breasts. I’m keeping track. You can show me later.” Kailun reminded her, enjoying her misery.
Hilna: “…”
She would rather starve than humiliate herself like that.
“Let’s go. We have time. Let’s show the princess the true face of the Royal City.” He took the rope from Vivian.
He wanted to see how the “benevolent” princess would react to the city’s harsh realities.
Their first stop was Xiaoyao Street, the border between the slums and the affluent districts.
He noticed that Ella’s clothing store had been sold. Without Ella as its alluring proprietor, its business had dwindled.
And with the city under lockdown, even Xiaoyao Street was deserted. Most shops were closed, their owners hoping to avoid trouble.
Knights patrolled the streets, a constant reminder of the brewing storm.
The nobles who remained in the city had locked themselves in their mansions, terrified. The news of the ministers’ deaths had shaken them to their core. They feared they would be next.
The only ones who seemed unaffected were the beggars, their ragged clothes a testament to their poverty.
“I have a question for you, Princess.” Kailun shortened the distance between them. “Did you ever consider the consequences of your actions?”
She remained silent, refusing to answer.
“Never mind. What’s the point? You’re a defeated dog now.” He tugged on the rope, causing her to stumble.
“Why not make her crawl?” Vivian suggested helpfully.
“I like the sound of that.”
“Just kill me! This is pointless!” Hilna cried out, her voice laced with despair.
“Pointless? Don’t you think it would be entertaining to watch the once mighty princess grovel at my feet? Begging for scraps?” He leaned closer, his gaze fixed on her face, visible beneath the hood of her robe.
[Hilna is disgusted by your sadistic tendencies. Favorability -2. Current favorability: -87.]
He didn’t actually make her crawl. Not out of kindness, but because it would slow them down. He might have even considered riding on her back, whipping her forward.
They soon reached the slums, a labyrinth of dilapidated buildings and potholed roads.
The people here were gaunt and hollow-eyed, their clothes ragged and filthy.
Whenever a child or beggar returned, they were surrounded by hopeful eyes, eager for any scraps of food or coin. But with the city under lockdown, even the children were struggling to steal.
If this continued, some of them would surely starve to death.
“How could this be…” Hilna’s heart sank as she witnessed the city’s poverty.
“Why? You should ask yourself and your father that question. This is a common sight, but I’m curious. Does this scene fill you with satisfaction? If your plan had succeeded, their lives would be even worse.”
“No! If I had eliminated the threats to the kingdom…”
“Such beautiful dreams. Did you ever consider the cost of waging war against my family? Did you ever consider that without us, you wouldn’t be able to defend against the Rose Queen? Even with our wealth, how much could you actually use after those bloodsucking ministers and nobles had taken their share? You would have inherited a broken and impoverished kingdom. You would have been the worst queen in history.”
He had shattered her illusions.
“No!” She tried to cover her ears, but her hands were bound.
“Still clinging to your delusions? Fine. Let’s hear what the people have to say.” He led her towards an elderly beggar, leaving Vivian and the knights behind.
“Sir, I have a few questions. Would you mind answering them?” He twirled two silver coins between his fingers.
“Of course, Master. Anything you want to know.” The beggar swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the coins.
“Tell me, have the princess’s policies improved your life?”
His question was loaded. The answer was already predetermined.
He was a master manipulator, far more skilled than Hilna.
The beggar hesitated, torn between his conscience and the lure of wealth. He glanced around, then lowered his voice. “Master, to us commoners, it doesn’t matter who’s in charge. Our lives are always miserable. The ministers exploit the merchants, the merchants exploit us. A single copper coin, enough for a piece of bread, is a cause for celebration. As for the princess… well, our lives have only gotten worse since she took over.”
His words, blunt and honest, were a heavy blow to Hilna.
She swayed, almost collapsing.
“Excellent answer. You deserve this.” He tossed the coins to the beggar and led Hilna away.
“Aren’t you going to help them?” she asked, blocking his path.
“Why would I? They’re your subjects, not mine.”
“But you control the kingdom now!”
“Exactly. And I should exploit them, just like you did.”
“You’re heartless! You’re a monster!”
“I might be a monster, but you’re definitely a dog. Come on, let’s go find a place to feed the dog.” He chuckled and led her away from the slums.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the most expensive restaurant in the city. It was past lunchtime, but the owner wouldn’t dare refuse his request.
He had ordered a table full of food in a private room on the second floor.
Hilna, starved for days, couldn’t tear her gaze away from the feast before her.
Vivian, seated by the window, watched intently, knowing her sister was about to be humiliated.
Kailun placed a steak on a small plate and then set the plate on the floor. He then poured a cup of tea and placed it beside the plate.
“Come, let’s eat. The princess will feel uncomfortable if we don’t join her.” He gestured for Vivian to sit beside him.
“Oh~” She understood. As she walked past the table, she “accidentally” kicked over the cup of tea.
“Oops! Sorry, Sister! I didn’t mean to!” She clasped her hands together, her face a picture of innocence.
Hilna glared at her, refusing to acknowledge her apology.
“Come now, Princess. Kneel and eat. We can discuss how to help the commoners while we dine. If you’re not interested in talking, you can just ignore me.” He cut a piece of steak and savored it, the aroma filling the air, making Hilna’s mouth water.
“My sister is a hypocrite. She wouldn’t sacrifice her pride for the sake of the commoners.” Vivian sneered.
“Swear you won’t lie to me!” Hilna clenched her fists.
“I swear.” He held up four fingers.
“Thud!” She knelt beside him, her pride in tatters.
He hadn’t provided any cutlery. She had to pick up the steak with her hands, her teeth sinking into the juicy meat. The flavor filled her mouth, reviving her weary spirit.
[Hilna’s favorability has decreased due to your humiliation. Favorability -3.]
He reached out and patted her head. “You actually believed me? You’re so naive.”
“Thud!” She froze, the steak slipping from her grasp.
“I didn’t lie this time. But how I help the commoners depends on your effort.” He generously offered her his half-eaten steak.
She ate the steak, tears streaming down her face. “What do you want me to do?”
“Tutor Phils and me. Teach her about governance.” He set down his cutlery.
“Why Phils? You think my methods are flawed.”
“I don’t deny that. I just need you to teach her the basics. She’s much smarter than you.”
“…then what about you? Potions?”
“No. You misunderstand. I just want to play a little… teacher-student game.”
She wisely chose not to inquire about the nature of this game.
She took a bite of the steak, the warmth spreading through her body.
She devoured it, her fingers lingering on her lips, savoring the flavor.
She glanced at the steak she had dropped on the floor.
Could she still eat it?
She bit her tongue, suppressing her hunger. “Can you tell me how you plan to help them?”
“I’m increasing taxes on the nobility and reducing taxes on the commoners. Simple and effective, wouldn’t you say?” He held a piece of apple to her lips.
“You’re mad! The nobles will kill you!” She gasped, but still took a bite of the apple.
“Want to hear the details? Bark twice and I’ll tell you.”
“…Woof! Woof!”
“Go fetch. With your mouth.” He smiled, picking up a banana and tossing it into the corner of the room.
She felt like a dog, her dignity trampled beneath his feet. But she wanted to hear his plan. She endured the humiliation.
Just as she was about to retrieve the banana, he picked up another one and tossed it towards Vivian.
Vivian: “？？?”
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