Chapter 29 – Political Warfare

-     Princess, I think you already know the history of the kingdom. So, you should know that my family is exempt from that formality.

This was not a lie. The founder of the Diluc family was one of the forerunners for the founding of this kingdom. So, the first king decreed that the founding families were exempt from kneeling before the king or any member of the royal family.

My words caused the princess to raise an eyebrow. My words were clearly a provocation. Since I was questioning their knowledge.

-     ...

-     The princess must have forgotten it. I have been aware that her schedule is very tight. So, you may have forgotten this.

The princess said nothing, but continued to drink her tea in silence and with her eyes closed. This bitch wants to humiliate me, but I won't let that happen. In these days that she's here I'll make her become my bitch.

-     Please show me your account book. ~

The princess's face changed completely. Now she looked a little upset. Still, I got up and grabbed the account book from a shelf. The previous Merlin had done a good job keeping the territory's finances up to date. So, the annual tax to be paid this year was recorded.

The princess took the book and began to read it with a serious face. I wanted to find any gap or loophole so I could punish myself.

If a noble was caught making an erroneous or false tax return, the tax collectors can sentence the noble as they please if the matter is minor.

While she focused on the documents, I took the opportunity to assess their condition.

-     The skill has failed. The target exceeds the skill limit.

The system message surprised me a bit, but I wasn't alarmed. Only in this territory were people so useless that they didn't make it past level 10.

Time passed and the princess didn't give me a chance to use hypnosis on her. This was really frustrating. I just had to make eye contact with her. However, she didn't give me the opportunity. She was still focused on that book.

After two full hours the princess closed the account book. My face was already hurting from keeping my poker face all this time. As she put the account book down on the table, she finally looked me in the face. Without wasting this perfect opportunity, I used my skill.

-     The mind control skill has been successful.

-     Current Corruption Rate 5%

I looked at the percentage that wasn't zero. I must have bothered her a lot to get her to start with 5%.

-     Everything is in order. The fundraiser will take place in a couple of days. I heard that you reduced the tax. Do you plan to make up for the shortfall?

-     Yes. Due to my father's death, we have received attacks on nearby villages. So, I decided to support those affected. As a lord I will make up the difference.

I took the cup of tea and took a sip. This tea was already cold since we spent hours in this room.

* Knock * Knock

-Go ahead

Hearing the door, both the princess and I gave permission in unison. Seeing that we both responded, we looked at each other's faces for a while. This was my home so it was only natural that I would be the one to give the permits here.

The door opened and Camila entered the living room.

-     My lord, princess. Dinner is ready.

-     You can withdraw. We'll come in a moment.

At my words, Camila withdrew. The princess looked at me and said.

-     It looks like we'll have to stop our conversation for the time being. There's something I'd like to talk to you about later.

-     No problem. I will be delighted to be able to speak to a woman as beautiful as you.

The princess looked at me in disgust and left. However, there was already another smile on my face. If the princess asked me for a further conversation, this meant that she came with other ulterior motives. This must be related to the fight for the throne.

The king was already old and weak, so it was only natural for the princes to start looking for support. Still, the princess's camp must be desperate to seek my support. It had no capital or soldiers. Most likely, they have rejected it multiple times.

Although she couldn't fight for the throne, she could still support one of her brothers.

I left the living room and went straight to the dining room. The princess ignored me all the way and I didn't bother to strike up a conversation either. Aside from her dazzling beauty, she left a terrible first impression on my mind.

Sitting in the dining room, the girls served a plate of food to the princess and me. The dish was rabbit accompanied by vegetables and boiled potatoes. It seems that the cuisine of this place was also basic. Even in the game, the food was bland. At first, I thought it was normal since it was the first VR game ever created and that it couldn't emulate the true taste of food. I realize now that this was the ultimate flavor of the food itself.

Not wanting to waste any more time, I put a piece of rabbit in my mouth. The taste was nice and really delicious. This was normal as it was a magical beast. There was no comparison in quality and taste between a normal creature and a magical one. They were on two different scales.

The princess wasn't surprised by the taste, but it seemed to her liking. Olivia poured wine into my glass, and Domenica did the same with the princess's.

I had to admit that all three of them were behaving properly considering that I made them my slaves only a short time ago.