9 OLDER SISTER SITTING ON YOUNGER BROTHER'S ABDOMEN
Objectively speaking, the selection of construction firms from Korea, India, and Greece was almost entirely for the purpose of lowering costs through cheap labor.
To achieve the quality desired by the Arabian royal family, it was essential to involve construction firms from France, Germany, and Japan.
Excluding the United States, these countries were recognized for having the best technology and quality in construction.
Of course, Israeli construction companies also have excellent quality, but given the abundance of fanatics in the Arabian Empire who would rather die than work with Israel, Israeli firms were naturally excluded.
"If you just keep your promise to issue new shares for 50% of Hyundai Construction to me, I'll not only nullify the threat of an oil embargo against Korea but also lift any temporary construction bans."
"You will, Your Highness?"
"Yes. If I ask Dad, nothing is impossible in the Arabian Empire. Even... murder."
"Understood."
In a world where oil and money abound, but common sense doesn't apply, and royalty reigns supreme, President Jung Ju-young decided to join the madness to make money.
Sacrificing 50% of Hyundai Construction's shares seemed a small price to pay for earning foreign currency equivalent to the entire budget of South Korea.
It wasn't a forcible seizure of shares; he was actually offering to buy them, albeit with foreign currency that was almost worthless (?).
'Maybe... Yes! This is to my advantage. But why do I keep tearing up?'
It seemed as if his midlife crisis had hit early.
***
-Vroom
Having nearly extorted 50% of Hyundai Construction's shares, I drove back to the palace in a German Empire-made luxury car.
Gaining such a significant advantage with just a few words erased my inferiority complex, and I felt elated.
"Kukukuku."
An involuntary laugh escaped my lips, a bit too greedy and unabashed.
Fihir, sitting beside me, posed a question, noticing my mood.
"Are you that pleased?"
"Of course."
"....I don't understand. What vision did you see in that company...?"
"I've acquired half the shares of the top company in a small, backward nation. Wouldn't you be pleased if you obtained half the shares of Saudi Aramco?"
Fihir looked even more puzzled by my response.
"But isn't there a world of difference between Saudi Aramco and a construction company from a backward nation like Korea? I understand that Korean construction companies, despite forming consortia, have engaged in excessive bidding competition, undercutting each other. It might be difficult to create significant slush funds with Hyundai Construction."
"So what?"
"...Wouldn't it be more beneficial to invest in companies from the United States, the German Empire, or the British Empire? Or perhaps Japan, with its impressive economic growth rate-"
"Shut up! How dare you question my decision?!!"
"....."
My harsh words silenced Fihir completely.
'Damn it! Whether before or after losing my memory, my reckless nature remains the same. I thought I had improved. Damn!'
The young prince, who loved to cause chaos and had lost his memory, was ready to unleash his madness again.
Fihir, realizing this, quickly began to grovel.
He knew how to immediately admit his fault and appease the whims of the erratic prince.
"I apologize, Prince Mansour! It was presumptuous of a lowly commoner like me to oppose the opinion of a member of the Arabian royal family and the Sultan's eldest son!"
"Hmph-!"
"Please forgive my sin! I will never again oppose your opinion!!"
The German-made car was spacious like a limousine, offering ample room for one to kneel and bow.
Quick-witted Fihir immediately prostrated himself before me.
-Thump
"I apologize."
-Thump
"I apologize."
-Thump
"I apologize."
The dignified gentleman easily cast aside his pride and groveled like a dog.
Pleased by his submission, I calmed down and even praised Fihir.
"Hahaha! Well, that can happen."
".....I deeply appreciate your grace, Prince Mansour."
Having just saved his skin with his dignity, Fihir stood up from the car floor as we neared the palace.
But then he dared to pose another question.
"But about that..."
"What now?!"
"Well... Aren't you going to investigate?"
"Investigate? What do you mean?"
"Weren't you insisting on revisiting the construction site to uncover the mastermind behind the assassination attempt?"
"Ah... Right. I forgot about that."
I had just emerged from the lingering shock of the unexpected meeting with Hyundai Construction.
As I peered out the window, it was clear we had traveled far from the construction site.
Moreover, after living a reclusive life and suddenly spending so long outside, I was overwhelmed with fatigue.
My eyelids felt like they weighed a ton, and my body was as tired as a waterlogged sponge.
I decided to postpone the site visit.
"The assassination mastermind... Let's uncover that later."
"..."
"I'm tired and bothered. Since I didn't die, it's fine. Let's return to the palace and rest for today."
"I obey the command of Prince Mansour bin Faisal of Arabia!"
***
"Ughhh~"
Was it because this was a bed I could never have experienced in my previous life, or perhaps because royal beds are different from those of commoners?
I wasn't sure.
After feeling exhausted enough to need a day of rest, I woke up feeling like I had slept on a cloud.
Refreshed in a bed that seemed more a product of science than furniture, I experienced a level of invigoration I had never felt before.
Such a feeling was impossible in my moldy, despair-filled studio, filled with heavy air and the scent of decay.
Lying in bed, I stretched my arms upwards, basking in the pleasant sensation, and turned to look out the window.
Or rather, I tried to.
Just as I was about to get up, I felt a weight pressing down on me, something—or rather, someone—preventing me from even looking outside.
"Yawn~ Slept well."
"You're awake~♥"
"Hmm.. Is that a voice I hear?"
"Our Mansour is such a late sleeper. Hehe!"
"Damn it!!!!"
I was genuinely startled, my heart nearly skipped a beat.
In my half-asleep state, feeling as if I was pinned down by sleep paralysis, I heard an alluring yet chilling female voice from above me.
...Who wouldn't be startled?
I quickly flipped the blanket off.
-Flap
And there I saw someone. Someone greeting me…
A stunningly beautiful girl was sitting on top of me, looking at me with adoring eyes. She was waving at me.
"Hi there~ Hi there~"
Slightly older than me, she wore short leggings and a sports bra top.
But I wondered if that even qualified as clothing.
'Wait a minute. Leggings, I get, but isn't a sports bra essentially underwear?'
