The World Is Mine For The Taking

What she said about Leonamon hit hard. The company raked in massive profits, but only because its branches were confined to the Kingdom. This monopoly allowed it to dominate the trade network and funnel cash endlessly. But the second Leonamon spread its reach beyond these borders? That grip would loosen, and the monopoly would shatter.

"If you take Leonamon beyond the Kingdom's borders, Milham's economy will collapse," she warned, her eyes darkening. "Revolts will follow, and the whole country will sink into chaos. Honestly, we're already on the edge. There are insurgencies popping up everywhere. Milham's barely holding on. At this rate, I doubt it'll survive even ten years. The Kingdom will fall."

She wasn't wrong. Ten years? That felt like a stretch. Even now, the Kingdom was dangerously close to imploding. It was as if it was standing on a cliff, staring down into oblivion.

"By the time my father decides on the next king, the kingdom will probably already be gone," she continued, her tone edged with bitterness. "If I sit back and let that happen, all the blood, sweat, and sacrifices our ancestors made will mean nothing. I refuse to let this kingdom die under my watch."

"So, you're thinking of overthrowing your father? Planning a coup, huh?" I mused, the idea sparking something in me. Honestly, it was exactly what I would've done in her position. It was a bold move, but not an illogical one. If she waited until her father appointed the next king—likely her eldest brother—the damage would be irreversible.

"Don't throw that word around like it's nothing, please," Myrcella said. "We don't know who might be listening."

"Relax. No one's eavesdropping," I assured her, my voice low but firm. The Shadows were everywhere, always watching. This place, a gift from Duke Merca, was now mine, and I made damn sure no one dared trespass. Anyone stupid enough to try? They'd be dealt with—quickly and quietly.

"Well, considering you own Leonamon, I suppose you'd have measures in place," she admitted. Then, she turned her gaze toward me, her expression tightening, though that faint, confident smile still lingered. "Which is why I need you to consider something, Sir Faust."

Here we go…

"What is it?" I asked, already sensing the weight of her next words.

"I can't stop you from turning Leonamon into a global empire. It's the only thing keeping this kingdom afloat," she said, voice steady but intense. "But without Leonamon's help, Milham is doomed. So, I need you to hold off on expansion—for three or four years."

She wanted me to delay expansion? I didn't need long to mull it over; the answer was clear. But before I agreed, I needed to know—what's in it for me?

"What's in it for me?" I asked, letting the words hang in the air, my voice calm but deliberate.

I already knew my answer. Of course, I'd say yes—any connection with the royal family was a golden ticket, especially with someone like her. Princess Myrcella wasn't just playing; she was dead set on winning this war of succession. I could see it in her eyes: determination, desperation, and a willingness to cross any line. I'd help her, no doubt, but not without squeezing out every drop of value.

Princess Myrcella leaned in, the soft rustle of her clothes brushing against the floor as she closed the distance between us. Her gaze locked onto mine, piercing but composed. "I'm willing to go as far as putting my body on the line."

Her words hit like a thunderclap. Offering her body? To keep me from expanding my company for a few years? It was a hell of a move, bold and unexpected, but honestly... kind of uninspired.

I tilted my head, letting the silence stretch. "That's... an interesting offer," I said, my tone neutral, but my mind racing. Sure, she was beautiful—stunning, even. Her body was toned from years of sword training, curves sharpened by discipline. She moved with a grace that hinted at power, every step calculated. But still, her offer felt... lacking. "But I'll need more than that, Princess."

Her shoulders relaxed, just a fraction, but enough for me to catch it. "Oh? So you're after something else. That's a relief, honestly."

"Why offer it at all, then?" I asked, leaning forward, curious to see how far she'd go.

She hesitated for a moment, glancing away before meeting my eyes again. "I don't believe in giving myself to someone without love. Sex, children—it should mean something. It's stupid otherwise. Just like those arranged marriages in royalty. People tying the knot and popping out heirs when they don't even like each other. It's absurd."

Her eyes clouded, the sadness in them raw and unfiltered. "I'm living proof of that kind of union."

So, that was it. Not some forbidden love story. For a second, I thought she'd bring up Johanne, her knight. But no—Johanne's situation was... unique. The whole gender-bending thing still baffled me. Either way, Myrcella's frustration made sense. Her parents' marriage had nothing to do with love. Everyone knew that.

"I was just... a result of something that shouldn't have happened," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes drifted to some far-off point, as if searching for something that wasn't there. "A chemical reaction in a bottle. Not even conceived through love, just... manufactured."

Wow. That was… heavy. I hadn't expected that revelation. Sure, I knew things like in vitro fertilization existed in this world, but hearing her story? Different ball game. As a note, vitro fertilization is a process where an egg and sperm are fertilized outside the body.

"My father was already old when he married my mother," she continued, her voice steady but bitter. "He couldn't... perform. Erectile dysfunction made sure of that. But he needed an heir, so they turned to science. My brother was the first. The others didn't make it. Then, years later, two more successful attempts. That's how Julius and I came to be."

Her lips twisted into a wry smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "People call us twins because we were born on the same day. But they don't know... we were created on the same day, too. In bottles."

Ah, so this was how it all went down—those bottles, and how they came to be. I sure as hell hadn't seen this coming. But more than that, hearing the Princess lay it all out like that? It felt like I'd just caught a glimpse of something deeper, something raw and real beneath her polished exterior.

"Anyway, let's drop that topic," she said, her voice steady now as if she'd sealed that part of herself away again. Her eyes locked onto mine, sharp and calculating. "I want to hear your terms."
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Looks like she'd pulled herself back together. Good.

"I don't think simply restricting my company's expansion to this kingdom is enough to stop the whole place from crumbling, Princess," I said, my tone measured but firm.

Her brow arched. "Oh? Pray tell, why do you think that?"

"You're missing something crucial. No—several components necessary to truly keep this kingdom from being wiped off the map. And it's not allies or political power. It's…" I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in. "Money."

"Money?"

I nodded. "Money is the root of everything. Even people who wouldn't normally lift a finger will put their lives on the line for the right price. If you want more power, more influence, more allies, you're going to need cold, hard cash. And lots of it."

She tilted her head, clearly mulling it over. "I… I don't fully understand. How does money change anything?"

"I don't know the specifics yet," I admitted. "But trust me, you're going to need it. It's the lifeblood of any kingdom. Without it, everything collapses."

Her gaze sharpened, but there was a hint of acceptance. "You're being vague," she said, narrowing her eyes. "But you're right. If we burn through the royal treasury trying to fix things, the monarchy itself will crumble. And if that happens, the kingdom's finished."

"Exactly. As the saying goes, 'If those at the top can't maintain their power with wealth, those at the bottom will suffer,'" I told her.

"So… you're offering to help me financially?"

I smirked. "That's the idea."

Her eyes narrowed, studying me like I was a puzzle she couldn't quite solve. "It feels like I'm making a deal with the devil."

"Ah, well... There's a saying where I'm from: 'Be careful what you wish for.' It comes from a myth about someone who made a wish that ultimately led to their downfall. But I'm not offering this because I'm a demon," I said, leaning in slightly. "I'm offering because I want something in return. Something even your body can't pay for."

Her brow lifted, intrigue softening her suspicion. "And what exactly would that be?"

I locked eyes with her and said, "I want you to make me the King."