Chapter 393 Royal Banquet IV
"Hmm... You might think that way. But even as a commoner, people can't live so freely."
The king finished the remaining wine in his glass and silently watched as a nearby attendant poured more wine from the decanter.
"Andrew, people will die if they don't eat. To eat, they must work, and if they have a family, they must support them. Whether noble or common, no one can escape various constraints. Of course, if one relies on no one, is relied on by no one, and has no connections, they might live freely, but in return, they would die unnoticed. I believe true freedom is like that."
Sara felt like she finally understood something from the king. She looked at him and smiled softly.
"I also believe that what Your Majesty says is true."
"Hmm. That is so."
"However, I feel that Prince Andrew's words also reflect my feelings. I deeply appreciate your consideration for my emotions."
"Lady Sara has been rejected along with Crown Prince Gerhart in the Grandchester territory."
"I have no memory of such a rude thing happening..."
Prince Andrew replied with a big grin.
"Don't you remember? You declared, 'I don't want to live as a noble lady! Let alone as royalty!'."
"Ah!"
'Now that he mention it, I did say that.'
"It seems you remembered."
"Um, I apologize for my rudeness back then..."
"Hahaha. No need to apologize. I never expected a girl could take out a whole royal family so quickly. It was quite entertaining."
"Then, Lady Sara, what is it that you desire so much that you would ignore my son?"
Suddenly, the Crown Prince, who had not been actively talking to Sara until now, asked.
"With all due respect, Your Highness, I want to decide my own way of living. However, I do not wish to be lonely. I want to live as I please, within my abilities."
"You believe that a noble lady, a prince's wife, or a future Crown Princess or queen cannot do that?"
"That is correct. I have heard that in foreign lands, there is a saying 'the right person in the right place.' I am not someone who should become a queen or the head of a noble family. Crown Prince Gerhart offered me the position of court musician or a concubine. But I feel that none of those roles suit me."
"Then, what do you want to become?"
"Right now, I wish to live as a merchant."
"I see, Lady Sara may be strongly influenced by her mother's bloodline. Sophia is probably the same, right?"
Sophia quietly nodded behind Sara.
"But is that acceptable for the Grandchester family?"
"Sara is the daughter of my foolish son who once left Grandchester. I plan to protect her until she becomes an adult, but after that, I will let her do as she wishes. Of course, I honestly want her to stay close to me, but I can't help but feel that I shouldn't clip her wings."
"Hmm. So, you're saying it's impossible to ask you to send Lady Sara over?"
At the Crown Prince's words, Marquis Grandchester and Edward exchanged a quick glance and smirked.
"Hehe. Even the opportunistic Young Marquis is acting like this. It seems Lady Sara has taken control of Grandchester in less than 2 years. I suppose the Sophia Merchant Guild is also under Lady Sara's influence, right?"
'Oh, this Crown Prince is not to be underestimated.'
"That's not the case..."
"I know that Lady Sara won't agree anyway. You don't need to say anything."
The Crown Prince waved his hand as if to shoo away a dog.
"Lady of Duke Arbal, as your brother-in-law, I advise you. It would be better for you to give up gracefully. If you make a wrong move, it could endanger the family."
"Understood."
'Wait a minute. I just want to live freely, but am I really that disturbing?'
"But Lady Sara, nobles exist to serve the people, not the other way around. People pay taxes because we are responsible for their safety and well-being. If you become a noble or are already under a noble family's protection, you must accept this duty. Nobles marry to strengthen their families, but their true purpose is to benefit the people."
"I understand. By being a merchant, I can provide more benefits to Grandchester than by marrying into another noble family. For me, freedom means embracing responsibility, not avoiding it."
The Crown Prince stared into Sara's eyes for a moment before he began to laugh joyfully.
"Hahaha. Talking with Lady Sara makes me feel like I'm chatting with a friend from my own generation. It's hard to believe you're only 8 years old. Oh, you'll be 9 soon. Still, it's unbelievable how mature you are for your age."
"I'm honored."
"Marquis Grandchester, you also recognize Lady Sara's way of life, don't you?"
"Indeed. It would be a great loss to marry her off to another family."
"I understand. I also don't want this child to leave Avalon. If I apply too much pressure, it seems like the Sophia Merchant Guild might disappear from Avalon altogether."
"Indeed."
The Crown Prince turned to the king and spoke as if he were scolding a child.
"Your Majesty, it seems better to let Lady Sara do as she wishes. She has already caught Lord Gerhart's attention, and if we try too hard to take her, she might easily escape to Roisen. Or maybe even to Florence."
The King and Crown Prince glance at Sophia.
"I understand what you're saying, but..."
"Your Majesty, no, Father. If we get too greedy, we might lose not just Lady Sara, but also our connection with the Sophia Merchant Guild. If we're not careful, even Grandchester might turn away from us."
Normally, the Marquis Grandchester, a noble from Avalon, should speak up at this moment to say 'that's not true.' However, the current Marquis Grandchester, William, remained silent in response to the Crown Prince's words.
"Father, the Marquis Grandchester's silence speaks volumes. Isn't it clear? She already has control over Grandchester and the Sophia Merchant Guild. She is not someone we can dominate."
"What a cheeky little girl she is."
"It seems that Lady Sara uses her age and gender to catch us off guard. Therefore, I foolishly think we should show her friendship."
'This Crown Prince is scary.'
Sara thought honestly. The Crown Prince did not look down on her as an 8-year-old girl, but instead showed her kindness as an equal business partner. She realized again that he was the most dangerous opponent among the royal family that ruled Avalon.
And then she noticed something even scarier. Prince Andrew was looking at Sara with a gaze similar to that of the Crown Prince.
'He may be inexperienced, but it's clear that Prince Andrew resembles the Crown Prince. If he gains the same cunning as the Crown Prince in the not-so-distant future... well, that wouldn't be so bad.'
"Heh... Lady Sara, you really are still a child in some ways. Could you not give us such a judging look?"
"Father, is that the gaze of a merchant looking at goods?"
"It seems so."
The Crown Prince and Prince Andrew teased Sara with matching expressions.
"Such rudeness is..."
"You were thinking that, weren't you?"
"Absolutely, you were thinking it."
'What an annoying pair. For a while, it might be easier if the current king keeps being arrogant.'
"Please, do not tease my granddaughter too much."
"Hahaha! I apologize, I can't help it; she is truly a wise and beautiful girl. But, Marquis Grandchester, I really envy you. You have 2 such charming granddaughters."
"That is too kind of you."
'Hmm. Two, huh?'
However, the Crown Prince did not say anything more at that moment.
But Alfred, who was too young to read the atmosphere, showed a completely different reaction.
"Prince Andrew, if you give up on Sara, I want to make her my wife!"
'Whoa, I just got proposed to out of nowhere.'
"Alfred, I'm sorry, but I want to be a merchant, so I think marrying you would be difficult."
"You can be a merchant and my wife at the same time. Why do you have to choose?"
Victoria walked over to Alfred and lightly tapped his shoulder as if to scold him.
"Al, a Duke's wife doesn't do work to earn money."
"Who decided that?"
"It's improper for women to talk about money."
"Mother, that's the same as saying Sophia and Sara are improper. I can't say such things about such elegant ladies. There are many lords who run merchant guilds. So why is it wrong for a Duke's wife to do the same?"
"Well, that's true, but..."
'Huh, this kid might be saying something good.'
"Anyway, a Duke's wife just dresses up and socializes, so she must be bored, right? And even if she is a merchant, she's still a woman, so she would only look over reports or something."
'No, I was wrong. He just doesn't understand at all.'
The Crown Prince couldn't hide his confused expression and called out to Alfred's father, Duke Arbal.
"Duke Arbal, it seems you need to work a bit more on Alfred's education."
"I apologize. It might have been a bit too early to bring him to this kind of gathering."
"No, I think it was considerate of him to think about Lady Sara, so there's no need to worry. I just noticed that his education seems a bit one-sided."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Prince Andrew immediately spoke to Alfred in a scolding manner.
"Alfred, that comment is disrespectful to Lady Sara and the Lady of Duke Arbal. You should understand the heavy responsibilities that noblewomen carry. It seems you need to study a bit more."
"I'm sorry, Your Highness."
"You're apologizing to the wrong person. Apologize to Lady Sara and the Lady of Duke Arbal."
At that moment, the queen spoke up.
"No, Alfred's comment is an insult to all women. But it's pointless to receive an empty apology from a child who doesn't understand. Duke Arbal's family, please leave."
"Yes, Your Majesty. We are very sorry. We will come back later to apologize properly."
"I don't need that kind of apology. Just keep out of my sight for now."
Following the queen's wishes, everyone from Duke Arbal's family stood up and left the room. Even the Crown Princess, who came from Duke Arbal's family, did not defend Alfred, and Alfred himself left with a puzzled expression, not understanding why he was being scolded.
"Your Majesty, you are right. It's just the words of a child who doesn't understand. Don't be so angry."
"I'm not angry. I'm just disappointed. Besides, comments like Alfred's are not rare."
The queen sighed deeply.
"Well, Alfred must have been confused by someone as unique as Sara. However, it seems he might grow into a broad-minded man who lets his future wife do what she wants. He should study hard to guide and teach his wife so that she doesn't bring shame to her family."
At this moment, all the women, including the queen, felt that 'this king doesn't understand anything at all,' but wisely, none of them showed it on their faces.
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