“Based on what you said, I’ve thought about the Imperial Capital and its surrounding regions, and not a single one fits your requirements.
Orphelia spoke, “Those that meet the requirements are mostly in the Fiefs of those border Earls.”
“How do you plan to do it? Buy it with money? Or requisition it in the name of the royal family?”
Where does the land come from?
That’s a good question.
Lilian was reminded by this and immediately understood.
Though the Dawn Empire has “Empire” in its name, at its core, it’s still a feudal country.
So, under the Emperor, there are naturally Subordinate Nobles.
Dukes, Earls, and so on…………………
For example, Earl Cohen is a border Earl.
On his own earldom, his power is no different from that of the Emperor.
He has his own Official System, his own Subordinate Nobles, and his own Personal Guard.
You could say, on their own land, these Earls are no different from the Emperor.
In Orphelia’s view, touching the nobles’ land is like touching their lifeline, whether you buy it with money or use authority to requisition it.
Once the nobles see the profits from coffee, they’ll never let it go easily.
This is basically an irreconcilable conflict.
“Oh, that problem.”
Although Lilian had overlooked it and hadn’t considered this issue, once she thought about it, it didn’t seem like such a big deal.
“Why not just bring people into the partnership?”
“Partnership?” Orphelia raised an eyebrow. Of course, she understood the word, but she didn’t get why Lilian would do this.
To cooperate with those greedy nobles, you’ll be sucked dry sooner or later.
Lilian’s thinking is still too naïve.
“You’re actually willing to share your profits?”
“Isn’t doing business all about baking a cake?” Lilian looked as if it was perfectly natural. “The more people there are sharing the cake, the more stable the cake is.”
“I doubt it,” Orphelia disagreed with Lilian’s view. “People’s hearts are always sinister, Lilian, you still haven’t seen enough of the world.”
Orphelia possessed the ability to read hearts. Though she couldn’t hear specific thoughts, she could vaguely sense everyone’s emotions.
She’d seen it countless times—two people chatting and laughing on the surface, saying they’re happy to cooperate.
But inside, they’re full of malice toward each other.
“Everyone’s always scheming to seize benefits for themselves. If you’re not careful, you’ll be betrayed. That’s something that’s bound to happen.”
Orphelia shook her finger as she declared her harsh view.
Lilian raised her eyebrow, then retorted:
“Then just use a contract! Contracts are watched over by the Goddess of Dawn. No one would dare risk divine punishment to break a contract, right?”
“Pfft—” Orphelia covered her mouth and laughed, looking at Lilian with pity.
“Lilian, contracts are meant to restrain those who can’t violate them.”
“You think those nobles care about a little contract?”
“Not to mention divine punishment—such contracts, when signed, would trigger a Miracle.”
“Lilian, you really haven’t seen enough of the world.”
Oh, how impressive.
Lilian leaned back on the sofa.
She let it go.
What a privileged class.
Turns out contracts are meant to restrain commoners like her; to the nobles, they’re meaningless.
Hakinora, I’m going to spank you hard!
Lilian made a mental note in her little black book for Elenora.
Then she erased it.
That cheek-pinching incident is water under the bridge.
Elenora’s pretty cute, after all. It’d be a pity……………….
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Lilian’s mouth.
She shook her head, banishing thoughts of Elenora.
Back to the main topic.
“Even without a contract, it’s fine. As long as there’s a community of interest, those who betray will always be harming the interests of the majority, right?”
“If things are really as you say, Lilian, trust between people would have vanished long ago, and society would have collapsed.”
“Hmph—” Orphelia sneered. “They’re all fools wearing masks. I’ve said it before—this world is filthy and disgusting.”
Oh, how impressive.
Her dark, chuunibyou side is flaring up again.
Is this even human speech?
Orphelia’s acting inhuman again.
I’ve been busy treating Elenora and forgot about treating you.
Lilian felt that she, Orphelia, and Elenora—after all, the three of them are in the same boat.
Elenora is slowly improving.
But Orphelia hasn’t.
That won’t do.
As a friend, Lilian felt she had to give Orphelia a push.
If only she could become the late-game Imperial Princess from the game, it’d be good for all three of them.
Who wouldn’t love a considerate, gentle princess who treats people kindly and occasionally plays tricks like a little devil?
Right now, Orphelia may look human, but she’s really just a chuunibyou kid, saying things like “the world is disgusting” and all that.
It’s really hard to hold it in.
Lilian looked at Orphelia and saw she still looked unconvinced, with an expression that said, “I’m absolutely right.” She stroked her chin.
It’s time to start correcting her mistakes.
This is her duty as a healer, and as Orphelia’s friend.
Orphelia, grow up soon!
Lilian took a sip of tea from her cup. She was about to use another argument to counter Orphelia, but the words caught in her throat and she swallowed them back down.
Lilian thought of that night at the banquet—Orphelia stubbornly dropping her little tears.
And their first session, when Orphelia rested on her lap, at ease, letting all her exhaustion melt away.
And every time she came, the door would always be locked.
Lilian started to ponder Orphelia’s problem.
In the game, the Orphelia route, the most important thing is sympathy for Orphelia, and companionship.
Maybe Orphelia really is lonely.
Thinking of that, Lilian put away her teasing thoughts about Orphelia.
She and Elenora were the same—girls starved for companionship……………….
If she had Orphelia’s power, and had grown up in the royal family, able to see everyone’s calculations, everyone’s masks and hypocrisy, thinking like that would be normal.
In fact, Orphelia’s already doing pretty well.
Even in such circumstances, she hasn’t gone astray. Sometimes she likes to toy with others’ emotions, but to truly hurt anyone…………………
She really hasn’t.
Orphelia noticed the change in Lilian’s mood.
She didn’t quite understand—just a moment ago, Lilian had been dismissive of her words. Why the sudden……………….
Pity?
Orphelia felt her heart suddenly speed up.
She remembered the Lilian from her dreams, the one who always made her feel safe, never lonely.
What Orphelia wanted most was for the Lilian from her dreams to appear in reality.
But she knew that was impossible.
Actually, today’s Orphelia was a little sad.
She hadn’t sensed any disgust or dislike from Lilian towards herself, but Lilian still kept her distance.
Orphelia didn’t understand why.
……
She hadn’t done anything wrong, right?
So she stubbornly kept trying, again and again, to follow her plan, trying to feed Lilian that dessert.
But when Lilian ate it, Orphelia wasn’t happy.
Lilian still kept her distance, taking the dessert from her hand and eating it herself.
She didn’t understand.
Fortunately, Lilian’s talk about coffee distracted her.
But she hadn’t expected the topic to circle back again.
She always hoped Lilian would begin to understand her.
Just like in the dream.
But now, when that’s about to happen—
Orphelia discovered she was a little afraid.
Afraid that her soft inner self would be exposed…………………
Even if it’s to Lilian…………………
“Lilian.” Beside her came Lilian’s soft voice.