The Obsessive Male Lead Is Jealous Of My Doll - Chapter 66

Chapter 33.2

“I’m perfectly fine. Once you hear what I have to say, you’ll be the one asking me to come along.”

The corners of his mouth lifted into a smirk, like a lion finding an entertaining toy.

“Go on, let’s hear it.”

“Your Highness wants to gain the support of the neutral faction, right?”

“It’s not just me. The imperial consort likely feels the same way.”.

“But as someone born of pure noble blood¹, the imperial consort doesn’t exactly look favorably upon the varied group that makes up the neutral faction.”

“That’s right.”

Though his voice was cold and emotionless, his red eyes watched Karentina with a hint of intrigue.

“On the other hand, Your Highness is more supportive of the emerging neutral faction than the completely corrupt noble faction.”

“Lady, what’s your main point?”

“I’m telling you this so that Your Highness can secure the allegiance of the person who will soon become the leader of the neutral faction.”

Ignis raised one of his neatly arched eyebrows.

“So, you’re saying that person is in the west?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“And why are you telling me this?”

Karentina could tell he wasn’t questioning her sincerity but rather asking out of genuine curiosity.

“I also need that person’s help.”

“A person who can be of help to the lady as well…”

“The north owns all the magic stone mines in the empire, giving it wealth comparable to the imperial family. But unfortunately, the land is barren. More than half the year is a cold winter, making it a difficult environment for farming.”

“So, you’re planning to bring agricultural supplies from the west rather than the south.”

Ignis said, immediately grasping her intentions.

“That’s right. After looking over the ledger compiled by the head butler, I noticed they’re buying agricultural goods at several times the price they send them to the capital for, only to resell them to the impoverished territory residents at an even higher price.”

“I see. It seems they intended to funnel some of that money to the imperial consort on the side.”

Leaning back on the sofa, Ignis let out a scoff.

“Yes. As a result, the prices of crops in the northern region are so high that, if things continue like this, many residents could face the harsh winter without enough to eat. I need to protect the north until my brother Damion returns. After all, as the lady of Lorraine, I’m responsible for this land.”

“….”

Ignis remained silent for a moment, his red eyes narrowing as if a thought had just crossed his mind.

“Is the noble you intend to meet in the west, by any chance, Baron Rodon?”

Karentina’s eyes widened.

‘…Is he a mind reader? Had Ignis also been keeping an eye on him? It seems too early for that.’

She asked back in surprise.

“How did you know?”

A faint smile played on Ignis’s lips.

“During a House of Lords meeting, Duke Horton once mocked Baron Rodon, saying that despite holding a noble title, he was doing the kind of menial work fit for serfs.”

“How foolish. Doesn’t he realize how crucial agriculture is?”

As Karentina muttered in a disdainful tone, Ignis suddenly let out a small laugh.

“I’m curious about one thing.”

“What is it?”

He looked at her with a serious gaze.

“Why are you so sure that Baron Rodon will become the leader of the neutral faction? You don’t attend noble meetings, nor are you a seasoned lady of the social circles.”

Karentina swallowed hard before answering.

“I may have been confined to my room, but I read every single newspaper published in the Empire. Through Zion and the Begonia Merchant Guild, I learned, while trying to help the people, that the west had a far better harvest than last year’s, which made me certain.”

Of course, it was something she had originally read in the novel. However, since Ignis had witnessed Zion’s abilities firsthand, he didn’t press the matter further. The Begonia Merchant Guild, the most renowned in the Empire, was also an information network capable of uncovering nearly anything for the right price, which seemed to satisfy his doubts.

“The imperial consort and Duke Horton won’t simply stand by while the west benefits, so all those crops will likely go to waste.”

“So, you’re suggesting I make a move first before that happens.”

“Yes.”

Karentina replied, her eyes shining.

Despite the fact that Ignis’s tone remained indifferent, it was clear he grasped everything she was saying. Talking with someone who could see a step ahead was far more enjoyable than she had anticipated.

“I hope my information will be of some help to you, Your Highness.”

Ignis let out a small sigh and fell silent, seemingly deep in thought.

‘He probably doesn’t want to go alone with me, right?’

Baron Rodon could undoubtedly be a valuable ally for Ignis in dealing with the noble faction, but bringing Stella along all the way to the west to meet him was out of the question. She had already decided to leave Zion and Leah at the castle to protect Stella. Zion was the only one who could protect Stella’s safety in Ignis’s absence.

“I realized I was careless in Cocoel Forest, so I planned to leave my dolls behind to keep Princess Stella safe. Joseph and Gemma are also here, and with the teleportation circle, we can handle everything and return within a day. There shouldn’t be any problems.”

She knew that he would never be able to refuse this offer.

“Do we really need to go all the way there ourselves? Couldn’t we just summon Baron Rodon here instead?”

Karentina shook her head slowly.

“As Your Highness mentioned earlier, he may hold a noble title, but he’s also a farmer. He’s not particularly fond of nobles, and summoning him here would likely leave a poor impression if we want to negotiate a contract.”

Ignis smiled knowingly.

“That’s quite a convincing excuse you’re making.”

“Pardon?”

Karentina’s voice wavered slightly as she swallowed nervously in response to his words.

¹ [ In a figurative sense, 푸른 피의 means ‘of noble blood’ or ‘from an aristocratic family,’ describing individuals of high social rank or long-standing prestige. ] ↩