The entire world was about to welcome true change.
Yesterday’s meeting had ended successfully, and now only one final step remained — obtaining a Royal publishing charter.
As long as they got that piece of official documentation, the Laval House’s printing press… no, its money press, could start running at full power.
Today, Bernard was shouldering this key mission.
He was taking the carefully prepared “Special Inaugural Issue” of the Lorraine Gazette to visit Princess Charlotte, hoping to apply for the charter through her channels.
Even if the King’s family opened their mouths wide and demanded an astronomical “charter fee,” the Laval House could afford it — after all, this money would ultimately come from the “sponsorships” of various Robe Nobility.
Handing it over would satisfy the King and launder the money at the same time; it was truly killing two birds with one stone.
As Bernard was calculating what to say later, his thoughts suddenly drifted to another matter.
Regarding Allen’s upcoming duel, he no longer had anything to worry about.
He had heard some rumors that Livia seemed to have completely fallen out with the Stern family and her whereabouts were currently unknown.
As if to support this rumor, Friedrich, the Count of the Borderlands, had even wanted to visit the Laval House a few days ago, but he was politely declined by Bernard.
The Laval House currently had no need for a political ally like the Count of the Borderlands, who might bring variables.
Furthermore, the fact that Livia had challenged Allen to a duel was seen by the outside world as an insult to the Laval House.
In both emotion and reason, Bernard could only choose to keep his distance.
“Old Jean,” Bernard suddenly spoke, “Tell me, what do you think the Count of the Borderlands is plotting by wanting to see me? Does he want to pick up the broken engagement again? Or… does he think his daughter is hiding in our Laval House?”
The voice of the old butler, Jean Leclerc, came steadily from outside the carriage:
“Both are possible. The rumors about Miss Livia’s disappearance are likely not groundless. The news leaked from the servants in their manor… it’s even possible that the Lady of the Border Earl herself spread it intentionally.”
Hearing this, Bernard couldn’t help but sigh.
“Alas… every family has its own problems.”
Bernard’s gaze fell upon another young girl inside the carriage.
She sat there so quietly, her back perfectly straight and her posture impeccable.
The slight uneasiness and timidity that once belonged to her struggle to survive at the bottom of society had long since been stripped away completely.
At this moment, she finally did not just look like, but truly embodied that high-and-mighty Princess.
“Deep Sea,” Olivia de Mortemare.
Today, she would be personally delivered to the Princess by Bernard as a special “gift.”
Allen had already fabricated a “background” for her — she was an orphan Bernard had accidentally discovered while doing business abroad, displaced by war and taken in by the kind Viscount.
To repay his kindness, she was willing to serve the Viscount.
Seeing that she was intelligent and sensible, Bernard funded her various educations.
Since her appearance was quite similar to the Princess, he decided to introduce her to Her Highness, thinking she might find a position in the palace.
It was a seamless story.
As for whether the Princess believed it, that was not important.
What mattered was, when Princess Charlotte saw this face that was identical to her own with her own eyes, what would she think?
Even if she knew in her heart that this girl’s origin was suspicious, would she dare to leave this time bomb in a place she couldn’t control?
If one day this “fake princess” did something shocking outside, and the underground edition of the Lucerne Daily added fuel to the fire the next day… the fun would be immense.
The newspaper’s charter was only to allow it to be sold openly and to increase its legitimacy.
But if it really had to go underground, no one could stop it.
Whether it was the newspaper or Olivia, to a certain extent, they were both means for Bernard to increase his bargaining chips and put pressure on the Princess.
As a shrewd businessman, he was well-versed in negotiation techniques.
He would never fail his son’s trust and this elaborate layout.
“Are you nervous?” Bernard pulled back his thoughts and spoke with a smile.
“A little.” Olivia’s voice was very steady, and her gaze did not flicker in the slightest.
Having undergone hellish training, she was already able to hide her emotions perfectly beneath a mask.
Bernard chuckled softly. “Relax. The Princess is a smart person, and smart people don’t like looking for trouble. You don’t need to do anything; you just need to stand there, and that will be enough.”
He changed the subject, his tone carrying a bit of a veteran’s sentiment.
“It’s just that… the dignity in the court is more expensive than gold and heavier than shackles. The King’s family is the model for the entire Kingdom, and the court rules are so strict they can drive a person mad. Going there, the oppression you face will likely be beyond imagination.”
Olivia knew all this. She only nodded silently, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the folds of her skirt.
“I have already made my resolution.”
Bernard looked at her and suddenly brought up a seemingly unrelated topic.
“I helped you look into some things regarding your family, the Mortemares.”
Olivia’s body stiffened slightly.
Bernard acted as if he hadn’t seen it and continued to himself, “The Mortemare family was once a family of attendant Knights to the King… there are rumors that it was actually a branch of the royal Durand family. It’s just that its ancestor was an illegitimate son, so it was not recognized by the main line.”
He paused and stared into the girl’s blue eyes.
“The fact that you and the Princess look so much alike might not be a coincidence.”
“……”
This sudden remark was like a pebble thrown into Olivia’s stagnant heart, stirring up a thousand ripples.
Olivia was slightly startled and looked at Bernard.
Bernard explained, “The downfall of your family involves an old case. There are very few people left today who know the truth. And the few who might still know the truth are likely only the King’s family and those few top great nobles.”
Olivia understood instantly.
It turned out that Viscount Bernard, like Leader Allen, had never treated her as a tool.
During these days, in addition to the old butler bringing her for various training, Bernard would also take time out of his busy schedule to visit her, asking about her learning progress and physical condition.
That kind of care was not like treating a subordinate, but more like an elder taking care of a somewhat stubborn child.
This long-lost concern made her, whose heart had long since withered, feel a sliver of warmth.
With a hint of confusion, she asked softly, “Can I go and find out those truths?”
Bernard looked at her with gentle eyes and said, “My son once said a phrase to me: ‘There is only one heroism in the world: to see the world as it is, and to love it.'”
“The road you are about to take is destined to be covered in thorns. Court life is especially difficult, especially since you are not a real princess but merely her shadow; every step will be like walking on thin ice. If there is a belief in your heart to pursue the truth, perhaps the days will be a bit easier to bear.”
“Thank you.” Olivia thanked him solemnly.
In the next second, she raised her head, and a resolute, almost radiant smile appeared on her face.
“The old Olivia died in that basement. From now on, I am only the orphan who looks like the Princess and was accidentally saved by you.”
“The Mortemare family has disappeared from this world; it doesn’t need a specter to seek revenge for it.”
“I am Deep Sea of the Dawn’s Children. My mission is to find a sliver of light and hope for other children who have also lost their homes and families.”
Looking at the rapidly growing, goal-oriented girl before him, Bernard was filled with emotion.
He remembered when he was this age, he was nothing more than a spoiled second-generation heir who only knew how to eat, drink, and play.
It was the accidental deaths of his father and mother that forced him to grow up overnight and use every means to climb upward.
And his son, Allen, was so young, yet he had already changed the fates of so many people.
Everyone was growing at the fastest possible speed.
As a father, he couldn’t fall behind either.
The carriage slowly decelerated, and the magnificent silhouette of the Royal Palace was already clearly visible.
Bernard took a deep breath, suppressed his scattered thoughts, and returned his mindset to a state of calm.