A Sweet Girl Won't Be Fooled By The Villainess - [Vol. 4] Chapter 4

[Vol. 4] Chapter 4: The Unwelcome Visitor

“Amelia, do as you wish, don’t worry about anything else.”

While waiting to be summoned into the palace by the king, Duke Barlen spoke earnestly to Amelia, feeling deeply aggrieved that his calm and rational daughter had been put in such a predicament.

Originally, Amelia didn’t need to personally embark on the journey to the new route leading to the Taric Kingdom. She only wanted to travel with her new friends.

However, what was supposed to be a relaxing trip took a sour turn, and now she had to take responsibility for Prince Carloy’s capture and the events surrounding the Taric Kingdom, of which Duke Barlen had been informed early on.

After learning the details, Duke Barlen felt that Prince Carloy deserved it, he was captured because he was too weak. Amelia wasn’t Prince Carloy’s bodyguard!

Yet now, all the blame was being placed on her, which lacked any semblance of royal dignity.

Indeed, it’s true what they say about the apple not falling far from the tree, this saying from the mysterious East holds true.

If King Schubert Rosward were wise, he wouldn’t have summoned them to the palace over this matter.

Although it was disguised as building relations, just a few days after Prince Carloy complained, Duke Barlen knew that trouble was brewing.

It was the same before.

This guy, King Schubert Rosward, used to be decent when he was young. But as he grew older, he became paranoid, always suspecting Duke Barlen of treachery…

Duke Barlen tolerated it before. After all, he only cared about making money, so he just treated him like a buzzing fly.

However, now that it involves his daughter, Amelia, Duke Tarolin Barlen can no longer tolerate it!

Tarolin Barlen believes his daughter is exceptional in every aspect, excelling both in academics and martial arts.

Even in the competition for the next succession to the throne, she surpasses others and is far ahead. If Amelia is willing, he would support her in running for the position of the next king of the Sith Empire.

“Father, there’s no need to worry, I’m fine.”

Facing Duke Barlen’s tender gaze, Amelia’s expression remained unchanged. Her demeanor still indifferent, showing no regard for the summons from King Schubert Rosward.

Instead, she was thinking about Ifia, who had returned to Pulis Academy so early. She wondered if the lazy girl had forgotten to eat breakfast and was just lazing in bed until noon.

Originally, Ifia could have stayed for a few more days, as the date on her leave of absence had not yet arrived. However, Ifia insisted on leaving, leaving Amelia feeling gloomy, wondering what Ifia was avoiding by leaving early.

Later, when she sent demons to monitor, the response was that everything was normal.

After returning to Pulis Academy, Ifia didn’t meet with anyone else. Instead, she spent the whole day lounging in her dormitory, reading novels and relaxing leisurely.

This made Amelia’s anger subside, prompting her to reflect on whether she had been too strict in her supervision. After all, humans yearn for freedom.

Unaware that Ifia was simply trying to take advantage of her absence to persuade the system to relax the task requirements, Amelia fell into contemplation.

Her silent demeanor, which seemed to be for the sake of not worrying Duke Barlen, caught his attention, further fueling his hatred towards the royal family.

The wait to be summoned by the king wasn’t long, and soon they were led by palace attendants to the main hall, where they met King and Prince Carloy, who stood by his side.

Feeling irritable and wishing she could roll her eyes, Duke Barlen offered a perfunctory bow. Before the king could say anything, Prince Carloy, driven by his anger, was about to speak out against Duke Barlen.

However, he was silenced by a cold glare from the King, leaving Prince Carloy fuming but silent.

In contrast to Prince Carloy’s impulsiveness, Amelia Barlen performed her greetings with precision and etiquette.

Her expression showed no other emotion regarding this summons, maintaining her usual calm and composed demeanor, exuding the confidence and calm rationality of a strong individual.

The contrast between the two was stark. Even His Majesty the King couldn’t help but admit that Amelia Barlen was truly outstanding. While Prince Carloy was one of his more remarkable children, standing next to Amelia, he seemed like a dim star compared to a bright moon.

Regarding the whispering in noble circles, His Majesty the King is not unaware. This only makes him more wary of the Barlen family.

The centuries-old legacy of the Rosward royal family must absolutely not be severed under his rule.

Therefore, the King has used Prince Carloy’s lawsuit as a leverage, aiming to intimidate and remind the Barlen family of their status as subjects, discouraging any aspirations to the contrary.

It must be noted that almost simultaneously, His Majesty the King and the Duke Barlen had similar thoughts. However, their intentions were opposite…

“Tarolin, there’s no need for such formality. We’ve been companions for decades, there’s no need for these formalities. I’ve called you here simply to chat, no need to be nervous.”

After the exchange of pleasantries, the Duke Barlen couldn’t help but feel exasperated. He thought to himself, the old man, Schubert, was as hypocritical as ever.

Continuing to disguise without tearing off the facade, the Duke Barlen raised his lips in a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, and complimented, “I am grateful for Your Majesty’s favor, but protocol must not be discarded.”

“All personnel sent to the Taric Kingdom have returned. According to their observations, the Taric Kingdom possesses abundant gold resources. If we could…”

“Your Majesty, the Barlen family’s fleet is used to maintain trade relations with other countries. If we wish to increase trade with the Taric Kingdom, new ships will need to be constructed.”

The moment the King spoke, the Duke Barlen immediately sensed trouble and interrupted before he could finish.

Waging war with other nations was a possibility. However, it must not deplete the military strength and resources of the Barlen family.

King Schubert Rosward was quite shrewd in his calculations, but it also depended on whether the Barlen family, represented by Duke Tarolin, would comply!

Ignoring the King’s forced smile and Prince Carloy’s anger, the Duke Barlen continued, “Yet the cost and effort required to build a new ship are substantial. Since the royal family has already engaged in trade with the Taric Kingdom, who will foot the bill?”

Thus, he was not concerned about the royal family being able to afford shipbuilding. Even if they profited from trade, it would take several years. The Duke Barlen raised an eyebrow at this point.

Compared to the wealthy and domineering Barlen family, the royal family was merely pretending to be wealthy.

Who knows who the heir to the throne of the Sith Empire would be by then!

After the Duke Barlen shut down the conversation with the excuse of lack of funds, the King was on the verge of laughter. If the Barlen family lacked funds, then who in the Sith Empire dared to claim they were wealthy?

However, Tarolin Barlen refused with a legitimate reason. If he forcibly gives the order again, it is very likely that he will be cornered and desperate. This matter needs to be considered carefully.

However, as he observed the Duke Barlen’s smug expression, the King found it rather irksome.

Therefore, once His Majesty the King steadied his emotions, he put on a smile and turned his gaze towards Amelia Barlen, delivering sharp words in a gentle and kind tone.

“Amelia, you have been a good child whom I have watched grow up since childhood. But as Carloy’s fiancée, you should not allow him to be bullied by the people of the Taric Kingdom.” The King knew exactly how to hit a nerve.

Upon hearing this, the Duke Barlen immediately became agitated. He glared with wide eyes, about to speak up, demanding that the old man, Schubert, refrain from bullying his daughter and instead face him directly.

However, before the Duke Barlen could utter a word, Amelia suddenly raised her head.

She looked coldly at His Majesty the King seated on the throne, giving a faint smile. Her stunning face should have been pleasing to the eye, but paired with those deep purple eyes, it seemed as though a snake had just spat venom.

“Sorry, he’s too weak. I have no interest in babysitting.”