Until the Exiled Duke’s Daughter, Wilhelmina, Becomes Happy

Chapter 88: The Audience Room 3

His Highness snorted in discomfort.

“Is it for revenge on me?”

“Revenge is too sweet and mercy is too bitter. I am just moving to make myself happy, but I have no intention of showing kindness to the stones that block my path.”

“Do you call me a roadside stone!”

I respond with just a smile.

His Majesty coughed. The Prime Minister raised his voice.

“Your  Highness Elias, Duke Periknen. I would like to enter into the main topic, not a personal matter, if it is okay.”

They seem dissatisfied, but they nod and take a step back.

“Mr. Peltra, I am currently running the magic stone manufacturing equipment you invented, but I am not getting any response.”

Before the audience, I handed over the magic stone manufacturing device to the chamberlain. The same one was submitted to the Commercial Guild.

Lex speaks.

“As explained in the Commercial Guild, that’s a production of about 0.1 carats in three days. It is not something that you would expect to see a reaction from immediately after giving it just now.”

“I see. However, that means you’re still far from a stable supply of magic stones. That’s no reason for the commercial guilds to lower the price of magic stone.”

“Yes, and we have made many improvements to it.”

“So, if we use that improved product, is it possible to have a stable supply that can significantly reduce the price of magic stones?”

“It’s not just one machine, but using multiple of them.”

I will add my answer as well.

“Your Excellency, it was the guild’s judgement to lower the price of magic stones to the minimum established price. However, we, the A&V, are willing to have all the magic stones currently in circulation in the kingdom replaced with ours.

“Ridiculous!”

Periknen Duke cried out.

“Fufu, that’s because it was reported that it exceeded the production of the Periknen Territory.”

The Prime Minister nods toward His Majesty, and His Majesty opens his mouth.

“Alex Peltra. I will give you the honor of offering that technology to the country.”

“I decline.”

Lex replied immediately.

“Of course, a fair compensation will be paid.”

I burst into laughter from the bottom of my stomach and reached every audience in the audience hall with a loud voice.

“…What’s so funny.”

“It’s because His Majesty makes such a funny speech. Hey, Your Majesty. What compensation will the kingdom offer as the legitimate counterpart of what my husband has developed?”

“Vilhelmina! This is disrespectful!”

So His Highness’ voice echoes.

“Will you shut up? I’m asking His Majesty. A tiny medal? A semi-Baron position and some random territory? A bag of gold coins?”

Of course, there are also cases where the civilian side benefits from the royal family buying up civilian research, for example, when the royal family acts as a supporter of the development costs that an individual cannot reach the stage of practical use.

But this time it’s different, right? We have already put the business on track, and this is just an attempt to steal the fruits of our labor.

In place of the unanswered His Majesty, the Prime Minister says.

“If it is confirmed that your invention has such value, it is okay to give up to the rank of Count.”

“Just a Count? It’s a pretty underestimated thing.”

I laugh with my nose and answer immediately.

Of course, I understand that what His Excellency says is the maximum concession for the kingdom. Only three ranks, knight, semi-Baron, and Baron, can be conferred from the commoners. From there, the highest you can rise is to the rank of Count. The ranks of Dukes and Prince are reserved for families that have served the kingdom for a long time.

I have never heard of a case where a Count was granted a title from the beginning.

“You…”

The Prime Minister also showed anger.

Even so, for me, it’s just a Count.

“You guys, don’t say you don’t know what position I originally held. I, Vilhelmina, could have been a Duchess and the future queen and future mother of the country.”

I look at Duke Periknen, His Highness Elias, the Prime Minister, and the King. The expressions floating are either anger or awkwardness.

“Even if that were to happen, do you think I would be happy to receive the position of Countess from you? This is not a joke. No matter how much money you accumulate or how much of the royal treasure you give, I refuse.”

His Majesty opens his mouth.

“If you wish, you may once again become engaged to Elias or Parvallis…”

“I decline. That is out of the question.”

I blocked His Majesty’s words. Such compensation is not needed at all.

I turn around and grab Lex’s neck, making him bow his head.

“What’s wrong, Mina?”

“I’m sorry.”

We whisper to each other so that others cannot hear them.

I raise my heel and put my lips on Lex’s cheek. Lex, who froze in motion.

After doing so for about five seconds, I slowly turn around and declare.

“Because he is the only one who can stand next to me.”