Chapter 6: Petunia: The Way to Not Lose Hope - Part 4 (End)
LEOCADIO Xenos. A tall man who is always neatly dressed. Has an intelligent brain and brilliant thoughts that help me deal with documents and state issues. He is the Prime Minister of Adenium who always replaces me in public when I'm in a difficult situation.
It has a dark gray Netra and light gray mane, which is more or less shoulder height when unraveled. It is always casually tied back. Always have a friendly face; be warm, and; and speak polite and gentle words in the ear in front of many people. That's the image he built.
Many people praise Leocadio as the perfect portrayal of royalty, but he is pretty bold. He was constantly being casual in front of me, defying my decisions and putting up with him as if he were a friend, knowing that I couldn't just casually kill someone like him, who I needed to run the government. In other words, he was showing off his skills and intelligence as a shield.
"I guess I'm in love."
A few days ago, that was the disgusting sentence he gave me when he came to pass a report. Even though he said I don't want to know about it, that impudent man still opened his mouth while putting on a drunken face.
After meeting that child several times, the drastic changes that had occurred to Leocadio left me baffled. Since deciding to keep her temporarily by my side after thinking until morning, Leocadio was the first to notice and deny it. For several days, he was busy giving reasons not to accept my decision. However, after two weeks of the little girl frequenting the palace and meeting Leocadio several times, the bold man suddenly became interested.
Starting with asking the name—
"Your Highness, what name did you give it?"
"Elora Xanthippe de Adenium."
He nodded and looked at me in surprise. "You gave a middle name? The nobles would have refused."
—to say nonsense.
"Her Royal Highness calls me Sir Dio. It's adorable. Calling me with such cuteness makes my heart skip a beat. Moreover, she gave me a special nickname."
Leocadio didn't accept my decision because he didn't like children. Regardless of age. That was because, in that man's eyes, children were troublesome and troublesome creatures. I agree. However, after the two people met and interacted, he suddenly changed his mind. I didn't know what had happened or what that child had done, but turning Leocadio 180 degrees was a sign that I couldn't just judge that child.
Even today, she was eager to offer people to be chosen as Elora's maids. The file containing the woman's biodata a minute ago had been piled up in the corner of the table. Because all the maids are men, this is the first time I've recruited women as workers. As a result, the entire palace was excited, and the workers became excited when they heard a fresh breeze blowing in Adenium.
I didn't pay much attention to who or from which family Elora's maid would be. But Leocadio always pressed me to choose, even though the business is still him doing it in the end. Since no one in the palace could take care of small children, Elora was taken care of at Duke Astello's residence, and every day, Hamon would bring her to the court to adjust.
Simultaneously, I formed a search team to investigate Elora's information. Where did she come from? What's the point? How could she show up and go to me? As well as if she studied magic or something? However, after two weeks of searching, I still found no helpful information other than our first meeting in the forest and her confession that followed me to the palace.
From any angle, Elora's words were suspicious, as if she had long known or spent time with me. She said I've been feeling a lot lately and promised I wouldn't feel that way again. Even though three people only know this fact: Hamon Quante, Duke Costello, and Leocadio Xenos.
Who knows who betrayed that this information is known even by a child who has nothing?
After the night when Elora hugged me the first time, those damn headaches didn't hit me anymore. I don't know how long it will last, but what is certain is that the effect of Elora's embrace lasts longer than inhaling tons of blood essence.
Actually, who is that kid?
***
"Petunia's situation is slowly improving. Underground water storage to prevent next year's flood, as His Majesty has planned, can be done from tomorrow."
Leocadio's arrival in my study today discussed not only Elora's interests but also the issue of the Petunia flood, which has been keeping me busy lately.
The Petunia River overflows every rainy season. The dikes and ditches that were built could have been more optimal because Petunia has many rivers. In the end, the barrier cannot hold the overflow, and the drainage is insufficient to accommodate the excess water discharge. Therefore, building it is equivalent to spending the budget. Large-scale water storage would be more efficient for storing extra water and prevent the three villages from experiencing the same thing.
Because the scale is large, it will only take up space if it is built on the land. Besides, if the shelter leaked, it would only create new problems for Petunia and the other three villages. This could be worse than before. With these considerations, underground construction is the right decision. Of course, with high security to prevent unwanted things.
It is necessary to dig 20 meters of land from the earth's surface to build a long and large tunnel which will later become a space for canals and water storage. Apart from that, the tunnel will also be a space for large pipes that channel water to the sea on the outskirts of the city of Adenium. If this project is successful, Petunia can become a prosperous region, which benefits Adenium.
"Development will be very costly and time-consuming," Leocadio commented. "If Your Highness uses the palace's emergency fund, the noble faction will riot, and you will be in trouble for a while. After all, this is no small amount of money."
"You could threaten him."
"Um, that's right." Then a second later, he screamed. "You say I'll take care of it?! You're mean," he said with a dramatic look.
After giving a suspicious glance, I returned to paying attention to the report he gave. "We need many magicians to save time and soldiers to oversee this project. You can take care of it, right?"
"Of course. Then..." He cleared his throat softly. "Families who lost their relatives in the critical ward are slowly starting to let their family members go."
I put the official imperial stamp on Petunia's report. "Even though a few days ago they were busy demonstrating and calling me a murderer."
"Cough. It looks like they're in a situation where they have no choice. The fact that His Highness was the one who helped the village and simultaneously His Highness was the one who took the lives of their family members…thought. However, this isn't a common situation." He nodded slowly. "It's like the price they have to pay for the palace's favor with Petunia."
Looking up from the file, he propped up his chin, grinned, glared at him, and said, "Of course, they'll have to pay for it."
He nodded in agreement. "Nevertheless, Your Highness managed to find a solution to solve Petunia's problem. Even though the village seems hopeless. I admire you this time. Please accept the sincerity of this lowly servant," he said as he lowered his head.
"The village is not hopeless." I shifted Petunia's report to the front. "True to its name, Petunia: the way of not losing hope."
Petunia's business is just implementation in the field. I'll leave it to Leocadio and Duke Costello to take care of it. With that, I can consider Petunia's problem solved; all left now is Elora's search for information and the execution of the assassin, 'my beloved daughter.'
The news about me adopting Elora as a child immediately spread that day when I announced it. Because there were many spies, the report did not take long to reach the enemy's ears on the same day. Their presence in disguise and roaming around me is like an accessory that completes the splendor of the Emperor's palace.
After Elora's adoption as a child, enemy assassins stuck their noses out a few days ago. They thought that Elora's appearance would be a weakness for me. Coupled with the rumors circulating that I deliberately hid Elora and loved her, it made them even more confident to rebel.
I can understand why they think that because Elora is the only daughter of Emperor blood who lived a long time compared to all the princesses who died soon after they were born. The curse of the Adenium Empire. That's the story that spread from the past until now.
Elora's assassination attempt last night was thwarted by Hamon Quante. Even though she lives in Duke Costello's residence, the one escorting Elora is Hamon, my Right Hand. Moreover, the Duke's residence was the second safest place after the palace. So it's a big mistake if they think they can penetrate it.
"Leocadio, please tell Butler to get Elora when you're out."
Today will be a special day for her because, for the first time, she will see an exciting show with me; The father she loves the most. The most fantastic show of all time that only I can give; is the death penalty for those who tried to kill her last night.[]