Chapter 61: Chapter 61: This is the proof that you belong to me
[Location: Minister of the Seal’s Office]
Beatrice put down the document she had just finished processing and looked up at Louis, who was sitting on the sofa reading a book.
She stood up and quietly walked over, her rosy lips slightly moving:
"Have you been waiting long?"
Louis shook his head: "No, I really enjoy reading."
Beatrice smiled and said, "Because of that insatiable curiosity you mentioned?"
Louis nodded, then shook his head: "The insatiable curiosity gives me positive feedback from learning, but choosing to read is my own will."
"But I’m a bit unhappy."
Beatrice reached out her finger to lift Louis’s chin:
"Although I’m glad to see you use the power of greed for good, we’re publicly announcing our relationship to the people next week."
"At times like this, I wish you’d use your greed for good, like..."
She blinked, deliberately leaving the last sentence unfinished.
Knock knock knock!
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
Beatrice’s lady-in-waiting entered, noticed Louis’s presence, and gave him a cautious look.
Upon seeing that Louis’s clothes were intact, she smiled in satisfaction:
"Your Highness, I’ve put the processed documents on your desk."
"Good, I’ll look at them tomorrow."
The lady-in-waiting bowed and left the office.
Beatrice teasingly said:
"See, even my lady-in-waiting is worried I’ll devour you whole."
Louis closed the book, a hint of amusement in his dark eyes:
"Being your lady-in-waiting seems tough, considering you’re not exactly known for following the rules, Beatrice."
Beatrice laughed, "But that’s exactly why I chose her as my lady-in-waiting, to constantly remind me not to go too far."
She sat on the sofa, pushed the book from Louis’s hands aside, and poked his waist:
"Stop reading, look at me."
"No, reading is important."
"More important than me?"
Beatrice’s voice carried a hint of danger.
Louis blurted out: "Of course..."
"Hmm?"
"...not more important than you, but it’s all for you."
Louis nervously adjusted his words to avoid danger.
He put down the "Complete Guide to Gem Dragons" in his hands, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Beatrice leisurely asked:
"How exactly is it helping me?"
Louis replied without hesitation:
"The two dragons on the Burning Smoke Mountain Range are a bit troublesome, I have to help you deal with them."
—After all, if the root of the Sapphire Dragon disaster isn’t resolved, that would be lacking foresight.
If he comes up with a solution, at most he wouldn’t be displeased.
Beatrice was startled, a look of gratitude flashed in her eyes.
She chuckled, "You’re worried they’ll cause trouble? Then just send people to hunt them down."
"The losses would be considerable, right?"
"There will definitely be losses, Jino mentioned it, two ancient-level Sapphire Dragons are indeed hard to deal with, but—"
Beatrice’s eyes flashed coldly: "In the Dominion of Ense, we won’t allow others to act recklessly."
"Only give them one chance, leave, or fight!"
Beatrice stated emphatically.
Her reckless demeanor was like the Goddess of Hunting Artemis taking off her mask, carrying a hint of bloodlust.
In this moment, she was like a forbidden fruit coated in poison.
Dangerous yet alluring.
This was a side of her Louis had never seen.
Perhaps this is the true image of the Eldest Princess in front of outsiders.
A bit reckless, yet never lacking in decisive leadership.
—But he didn’t dislike it at all.
"If that’s the case, then I must go."
Louis opened the book Olivia had once flipped through again.
Louis revealed a page with the Sapphire Dragon, Beatrice’s gaze followed his calloused finger.
On the page, it read:
[This type of dragon rarely indulges in idle chatter with people, unless the topic is related to military strategy. They seem to have a special fondness for this subject.]
[In fact, if you can bring them a competition-based game related to military strategy, Sapphire Dragons will also be quite pleased—as long as you don’t let them lose too badly.]
Beatrice’s big eyes looked at Louis.
Louis chuckled, "In my hometown, there once was a popular military strategy game, let me explain it to you..."
Louis took out the pre-made "props" from his dimensional bag, starting his first attempt at spreading this in their world.
...One hour later...
Louis grinned like a fox, "Do you find it interesting?"
Beatrice, with a face full of delight, said:
"Interesting, truly interesting!"
"Let me tell you how I’d operate it."
So another five minutes passed.
Beatrice laughed heartily, "Rational, very rational, Louis, what a fine gesture of courtesy before the soldiers!"
"So, let me do it, shall I?"
"Mm."
"Also, Beatrice..."
"What is it?"
"Could you remove your hand from my tail?"
Beatrice seemed in a good mood today, whispering:
"I won’t, I prepared what you asked me for earlier, let me help you put it on."
Louis was momentarily stunned.
The next moment, he felt a chill down his spine.
Beatrice fitted a small, flexible piece of fabric, like a miniature armguard, onto the end of his tail.
"Ta-da, a custom-made dimension bag engraved with the fiancée’s name."
The design, the pattern, and the fit on his body told Louis it was valuable.
But he had resolved to overcome the weaknesses of his original self, especially limiting the spread of greed.
Though it pained him, he clenched his teeth and said, "How much, Young Master Duo? I’ll pay you."
In his daze, he seemed to see many small Gold Coins with wings flying away.
"Don’t ask, this is a gift I’m giving you."
Then she added in her heart: "It can also serve as proof that you belong to me."
Louis could never comprehend Beatrice’s thoughts.
He hadn’t even dared to think of it in a positive light.
That’s how someone who hasn’t been in love behaves.
Even if he has a beautiful vision of his future partner in his mind.
In reality, upon encounter, he would instinctively deny it.
Seeing that Beatrice had no intention of taking money, and even lifted her right foot out of her knee-high boot, hooking his foot to say:
"If you’re truly thoughtful, next time you come across something interesting, bring it back as a gift for me."
Seeing Beatrice laughing joyously, Louis could only nod in agreement.
"What gift should I choose? Ah, got it!"
His mind turned, and he made up his mind.
Then Beatrice said:
"I heard about the event during the day, you and Olivia did a great job over there."
"Olivia is quite capable," Louis replied with a smile, "though sometimes her naivety is rather endearing."
"Don’t bully her, she’s very afraid of pain."
"How could I? She’s so cute," Louis laughed, "but the dust explosion, somehow it just seems off, wouldn’t a Fire Dragon burn down a warehouse?"
Beatrice was curious, "What does that mean?"
Louis then explained the "legend" of the Fire Dragon burning down the warehouse.
However, the Eldest Princess shook her head, "That’s definitely not it; it was just a backup granary, we don’t really care about it."
"But a dust explosion, huh?"
Beatrice wore a slight smile, "Don’t worry about this matter, I’ll handle those rats myself."
"And when you come back from the Burning Smoke Mountain Range, there’s something I’d like your help with..."
"Alright."
Louis reached out to push her teasingly entwined leg back into the knee-high boot:
"Don’t play with fire, Beatrice."
"Just watch me!"