"You use a dragon." [1] (or use so much effort)

  Tuk.

  Lulak looked at Shannanet, who was sitting across from him, pushing the Emperor’s letter aside as if it was annoying.

  "So, there’s an update on the mine?"

  "Yes, Father."

  Shannanet presented a small letter to Lulak that arrived at the Lombardy mine a little while ago.

  "The Baraport coal mine has resumed work that had stopped."

  "The mine was clearly said to be dry."

  "Yes, I think it’s……"

  "He is starting to knock on the iron mines underneath."

  Lulak shook his head and asked.

  "The owner have changed, haven’t he?"

  "Application documents have been received from Baraport family, Angenas’s Vassal family, to transfer the owner to the Red Top."

  "I guess so."

  In the office of Lombardy’s mansion, he learned information about coal mines in the Middle and South of the Empire and what was happening at the Capital.

  Lulak showed no signs of surprise.

  This was the power of the Lombardy Scholarship.

  "Jovannes made this fuss to get that iron ore from the Empress. Or maybe he had a sense of pride, too."

  Lulak grinned and muttered.

  "I must have looked funny, Shannanet."

  "The Emperor has not been very intelligent since he was a child."

  Shannanet also spoke bitterly.

  He doesn’t know what Viese believed in doing this, but he was very angry that Lalane, who was innocent, caught in conflict between the Imperial Family, Lombardy, and Angenas’s.

  "The Luman family must have sent you a formal proposal."

  Shannanet said when she saw another envelope next to the Emperor’s letter.

  The signature ’Avinox Luman, Deputy Lord’ was written in elegant handwriting.

  "I intend to deal with the proposal of Luman family as not receiving it."

  But Lulak said, throwing it into the fireplace.

  "Lombardy can withstand Imperial pressure, but Luman can’t. Although the Cheshire port has opened its doors, it is still far from being incorporated into the central power without the help of the Imperial Family. He seem to have sent me a proposal for that situation, too."

  The proposal sent by Avinox Luman quickly became ashes and disappeared.

  "First of all, settle this stupid dispute with the Imperial Family."

  Lulak’s words darkened Shannanet’s complexion.

  Her father said lightly that it was a ’stupid dispute’, but when Lombardy and the Imperial Family had an argument, 20 years had passed.

  "It would take a long time……"

  Would a child as soft as Lalane endure that time?

  Shannanet thought unconsciously.

  ’It would be nice if Young Lord Luman took Larane and escaped to the East.’


  If that was the case, it might be easier to just dismiss the young people’s childish behavior and take their side.

  Then, a knock was heard in the office and several people came in.

  "Did you call, Lord?"

  They were the vassals of the Lombardy family, including Dillard, Vilkay, and Devon.

  "Ah, everyone is here."

  Noticing that a state meeting had been called, Shannanet quietly greeted them and walked out of the office.

  "I think everyone knows why we’re here today."

  The Lords nodded at Lulak’s words.

  Some people frowned as if they were offended by the Emperor.

  "Give me orders, Lord. I’ll do anything."

  Romassie Dillard from Lombardy’s Top said in a firm voice.

  "Today, I received a letter from the Palace. He gave me three days to agree to an Imperial marriage with Lombardy. Otherwise, He’ll give me a Golden Order."

  "Oh, my God."

  "I think we’ve been too quiet lately. Such a threat to the Lord."

  The opponent was the emperor, but the vassals were not hesitant.

  Lombardy’s vassals were nobles of the Empire, but they served Lord of Lombardy like an Emperor, not the Imperial Family, so it was natural in a way.

  "So I’m going to let him regret giving me three days."

  Lulak was the first to look at Romassie Dillard and say.

  "Three days later, from the moment my Golden Order was issued, Lombardy’s Top will be withdrawn from the Capital."

  Nine out of ten goods flowing into the Capital were from the Lombardy Top.

  If Lombardy’s top was closed immediately, the Capital would be paralyzed.

  "Lord Devon."

  "Yes, Lord."

  Replied Clang Devon, who runs Lombardy transport and courier.

  "The same goes for Devons. Also, notify the Tops who have relied on Lombardy traffic in the meantime. Route through the Capital, we can no longer cooperate."

  "Yes, sir."

  Lombardy’s strike, was a way to affect not only the Capital but also the entire continent.

  "And Vilkay."

  At Lulak’s call, Lemabau Vilkay of Lombardy Construction bowed his head.

  "How many sites are in progress in the Capital?"

  "Twenty-two."

  "Stop everything."2

  "Yes, Lord."

  It was all aristocrats who Placed orders for Lombardy construction.

  Lombardy’s pressure began on the central aristocrats who had enough power to build buildings in the Capital.

  "If he is still doing this, I will have Lombardy Bank and Scholarship Foundation join you, so be prepared."

  "Yes, Lord."

  No one has ever argued against it.

  Rather, they were only happy to contribute to this situation.

  "Thanks to you, we will take a good rest, too!"

  "I know. I don’t know if I should thank you. Haha!"

  Clang Devon and Lemabau Vilkay, who are among the younger generations, were even sneaky.

  Lulak said to himself, watching the Lords burst into laughter at their jokes.

  "I wonder how far that pride will go."

  We’ll know when action starts to take place.

  Why Jovannes was able to push this far and what the Empress’ next move would be.

  Three days later.

  Eventually, a Golden Order was issued for Lombardy.

  Upon hearing the news, the nobles were all keep silent that this would be a long-term battle.

  In the end, many people wondered if the marriage would be concluded in a good way.

  In the first place, most of the people who couldn’t understand that this big deal had happened because of the Viese Lombardy’s daughter marriage.

  But as if waiting, Lombardy’s counterattack come.

  Lombardy’s Top was closed in the Capital immediately, and Lombardy’s construction and Lombardy traffic were also follow.

  A huge city called Capital, which was well-matched, quickly began to break.

  Screaming also erupted at the top of small and medium-sized businesses that had been commissioning Lombardy traffic.

  Everyone realized it in a day.

  Lombardy’s enormous influence over the entire Empire.

  Seral had been telling Larane this news since early in the morning.

  "How incredible what you’ve done. Now you get it, Larane?"

  "Mother……"

  The soft-hearted Larane was shaking greatly as Seral expected.

  It was different from how she had been stubbornly silent while taking care of a few pots she had brought from the greenhouse.

  At this time, Viese said sternly.

  "What a disgraceful punishment for a nobleman, do you know? And how much damage Lombardy is taking with this move?"

  Larane couldn’t raise her head.

  As the family said, it all seemed to be her fault.

  She looked up carefully and looked at her younger brother, Belsach, but all he could do was look cold.

  Am I really doing such a big mistake?

  I just wanted to marry someone I love.

  I just want to live happily ever after.

  However, it was in no time that the mindset that had been firmly determined was shaken.

  "If the First Prince becomes Crown Prince in the future, you will be Crown Princess, Larane. And when the time comes, you’ll be the Empress of this Lambrew Empire. Why do you dislike the marriage that other aristocrats want to occupy at all costs."

  Seral said as if she was frustrated.

  "What the hell is so good about that Luman countryman? There was nothing better than His Highness First Prince except for his smooth face!"

  Shout Belsach in an impulsive voice.

  "I, I mean……"

  When she thought of Avinox, tears quickly formed in Larane’s eyes.

  Even at this moment, Larane missed Avinox.

  That friendly smile, that caring touch.

  Nothing was scary by Avinox’s side and it felt as if it was breathing.

  ’But maybe it was too much happiness for me.’


  Larane laughed bitterly.

  And as if she had read the mind, Viese said.

  "Young Lord Luman seems to be in a lot of trouble, too. Apparently, he doesn’t show up at social gatherings anymore, and he doesn’t come out of the mansion. It’s all because he can’t raise his head."

  "I’d do the same. If only my love affair had overturned the whole Empire, I would be ashamed and embarrassed to return to the East."

  Belsach clicked his tongue.

  Eventually tears dripped from Larane’s eyes.

  Seral stroked Larane’s head fondly and said.

  "How many nobles are married in love, Larane. But wouldn’t you be a little less lonely if it’s not far from the Lombardy estate, but a Palace where your family can always come and go?"

  "But……"

  "Moreover, the Empress is my cousin, and she will be as good to you as her own daughter. How many times have you promised? This marriage will make us all a real family."2

  The sweet words made Larane’s heart throb once again.

  My mother is really worried about me.

  If so, wouldn’t mother would understand my mind a little bit if I told her how nice Sir Avinox is to me?

  Such a hope also sprang up.

  Larane managed to speak in a very small voice.

  "Mother, but I like Sir Avinox……"

  "Agh, really!"

  Belsach leapt out of his seat and screamed.

  And rebuked at Larane.

  "How long are you going to be like this?"1

  "Belsach……"

  "Can’t you see the situation? if only sister sacrificed now, everyone will be happy!"1

  "……What?"

  Larane’s voice trembled when she doubted her ears.

  He used to be mean to others, but still showed affection for his sister, Larane.

  However.

  "No matter how blind you are to Luman, it’s true! When my sister marries His Highness the First Prince, neither our father, our mother, nor me. You can achieve whatever you want!"

  "……What I you want?"

  "Yeah, but you can’t sacrifice that much for your family? That Avinox! Avinox! Even if you are blinded by love than blood, there is a degree! Get a hold of yourself!"1

  Larane was dazed.

  It seemed like someone hit her head hard with a very large stone.

  Slowly, she looked around.

  Not her father, not her mother.

  She looked at herself with her mouth shut, seeming to agree with Belsach’s opinion.

  It was as if everyone was saying, ’You only have to sacrifice yourself’.

  And then, she remembered what Tia said.

  ’Larane’s family isn’t the one who will appreciate your patience and sacrifice.’


  She hoped that the words would be wrong.

  But as always, Tia was right.3

  ’So you don’t have to sacrifice for your family anymore, Larane.’


  Along with the words hiding over her memory, Larane caught a flowerpot with red flowers in her eyes.1

  And she nodded.

  "I’ll do that."

  A surprisingly calm voice came out on her own.

  "Mother, I’ll follow my father’s words."

  "Oh, it’s Larane!"

  "Well thought!"

  Larane became more and more convinced by Seral and Viese’s excitement

  She was convinced that her choice was right.

  "But give me time to clear my mind about Sir Avinox, too."

  "Ti, time?"

  Viese asked impatiently.

  "Yes, it won’t take long. It’ll take a few days. Just give me a few days to think quietly in the room alone, Father."

  Viese glanced at Seral.

  Seral nodded and Viese said as if he couldn’t help it.

  "Yes, if that’s what you think, I won’t disturb you for a few days. What a change of heart, Larane."

  Looking into Viese’s eyes, anxious yet unable to hide his joy, Larane nodded slowly.

  "Yes, you don’t have to worry, Father."

  Today and tomorrow was the last chance for Larane to escape safely.

  Pretending to take a walk, passing in front of the window of Larane’s room, I let out a sigh of relief.+

  "Oh, thank God."

  There were red flowers blooming in the window of Larane’s room.4

  _

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  [1] ’Dragon (용)’ - The subject is ’Dragon (용)’ there’s no mythical beast dragon there, if referring to someone ’Dragon’ use to describe a woman who is unfriendly and frightening. (https://www.bbc.co.uk). Maybe refers to the Emperor choosing the Empress’s persuasion.