# 13
---
“Princess Elmore has changed.”
“No, it is as it was.”
“In fact, it has become more sinister.”
In today's square where the nursing home ceremony began, the attendees exchanged many conversations.
Of course, the ladies who saw her up close at the ball thought that she had not changed at all, and that this event also had hidden evil calculations.
Although the opening of nursing homes in the capital had occurred many times, this was the first time that so many benefits had been so generously distributed to the poor.
As if showing off the Elmore family's obscene wealth, the ladies looked with a raised eyebrow at the lavishly decorated nursing home.
“This is clearly an attempt to destroy the nursing home of Lady Aveline, Countess of Mason.”
When one of the brown-haired noblewomen said with obvious anger while placing her hand on her waist, everyone shook their heads in agreement.
For noble families, helping the poor was a way to raise their moral standing and demonstrate their elegance.
Therefore, there was an unspoken rule among the ladies and nobles of high society to leave at least three months between opening a nursing home or providing major support.
But Princess Elmore completely ignored that rule and opened a poorhouse just two weeks ago, crushing the popularity of another noblewoman who had enjoyed the attention.
“At the last dance, our friend Lucia insulted Elmore with nonsense, and now she does this? She really knows no bounds!”
“Shouldn't we all gather and protest in front of the nursing home? Or maybe we could use the newspapers like Princess Elmore did when she defamed her fiancé...”
“True, we can attack her for her disloyalty, now that the dreaded Duke Elmore is gone.”
But the voices of the noble women, who were hiding their anger in front of the long line in front of the “Sistina” nursing home, suddenly stopped when the voice of one of them intervened.
“...Those who only gossip with their mouths are no different from those who do not grant the ruler’s mercy. Hirose, what is the next sentence in the Holy Gate?”
Everyone felt a shiver run down their backs, and they turned to see Princess Catherine Elmore approaching them with confident steps.
With her luxurious red dress and condescending smile, she looked like a thorny rose flower with deadly beauty.
“They said: ‘You are completely uess.’”
Hirose, Catherine's servant, answered in his calm voice.
When Catherine raised her chin and laughed sarcastically, the ladies' eyes trembled.
“I knew that nursing homes had become a symbol of vanity, but for you to even get involved in helping the poor with your dirty fingernails...this is really very decadent.”
"I- degenerate?"
One woman tried to object to Catherine's words, which cut to the heart of the matter, but no one could match her vitriol.
“So low that you stink, why don't you dare to talk more in front of the crowd here? Say that Catherine Elmore didn't follow the role system, so you'll get in the way.”
When she leaned her face forward with a cold look as if she was about to grab someone by the scruff, no one dared to say a word.
This year's famine was severe, and the emperor did not care about distributing food, which made the people's mood bad.
If they dared to speak here, they might be exposed to the wrath of the crowd.
Catherine was making fun of them and she knew it very well.
Finally, the ladies backed down, shaking their trembling fists.
“Let's all go.”
'Those who didn't even dare to face me when Duke Elmore was alive, are now trying to crawl forward, impossible.'
Katherine stretched out her arms, then slowly headed towards the nursing home.
The poor were waiting in a long line for her to appear.
* * *
After I finished the letter Hirose had written, I entered the reception room.
'A lot of revolutionaries have come, fortunately.'
I was worried they wouldn't show up, but fortunately that didn't happen.
It was a good thing that I had packed plenty of food, camp supplies, and medicine.
I leaned back languidly on the sofa and took out my watch to check the rebel information.
Rebel information:
– Military strength: weak [more]
– Equipment Supplies: Weak [more]
– Comfort level: 49%
– Money: 320 currencies.
– Revolutionary progress: 59%
When I clicked [More] next to “Equipment and Supplies,” the details appeared:
– Equipment: 40/300 (needs replacement)
– Food: 140/300 (enough for 30 days)
– Medications: 130/300 (enough for 30 days)
The corner of my lip rose when I saw that one donation filled an entire month's food supply.
Just yesterday, the number was zero.
This means that Ethi won't go hungry for a while.
Although the health indicator in Etty Information was not completely filled yet, I knew that it would rise soon.
A body weakened by hunger will recover with good nutrition.
“They distributed the rest to the poor who did not bring the leaflets.”
“Okay, ma'am.”
After I was given the task of distributing the rest, I lay down.
It was approaching sunset, so they were expected to arrive soon.
It wasn't long until I heard Hirose knock on the door.
"my lady."
* * *
The three people sitting in front of me were wearing gowns and masks.
These are the main characters you only read about in novels?
- How did you know this method, ma'am?!
“Go to the Mask Shop of the Night Guild, put the invitation in a cup with two candles, then hand it to the owner or ler.”
When I told them the way I saw it in the novel, Hirose was very confused.
I told him there was no need to be nosy, and sent him to deliver the invitation.
It seemed that the method was effective, they came.
but … . Why do they freeze like this?
In an instant, Hirose coughed lightly, and their shoulders all trembled.
Then the man in the middle spoke.
“I, Cain, the leader of the prospectors group, heard that you need our help, with anything?”
As I know, the Prospectors are a very neutral group, and unlike the supporters of the Emperor or Parliament, their roots are with the common people.
Like the Hong Bildang troupe in Hong Gildong*, they act as folk heroes who punish villains.
But apparently they are asking the question directly even though I am a notorious princess and a supporter of the Emperor, which shows that their thinking is more open than I expected?
Also, the fact that the group leader himf came was a bit surprising.
“Why exactly did you ask for our help?”
I replied with a calm smile.
“Because I want power that Vadelmon can’t buy.”
Vadelmon Elmore, the despicable count who covets my delicious inheritance.
Because of his over-the-top social skills, he spreads his influence everywhere, and even buys my enemies to stab me in the back, making it difficult to confront him.
“Why do you think we won't be bought by him?”
“Isn’t Vadelmon the one who is hindering the work of the prospectors with his dirty methods?”
Cain's hand trembled at my words, which hit the target.
Vadelmon has been interfering in the casinos the prospectors use to drain the nobles.
Using his network of nobles, he stopped two casinos and put pressure on them.
“If he seizes my wealth and expands his influence, you will also face the problem. A common enemy becomes an ally, right?”
I crossed my arms and offered them cooperation.
“So, do you have a reason not to shake our hands?”
To convince them, I needed not evil threats, but temptation.
It is better to establish a long-term cooperation relationship.
“This...”
When I handed them a bag full of gold coins, he said to him in confusion.
“This is your fee for your interview.”
They were terrified when they heard that, but I smiled confidently.
It was a clear sign that the initiative would remain in my hands even if we became partners.
“You truly are the Princess of Elimore.”
They exchanged glances, then Commander Kane spoke.
“We will cooperate with you.”
I raised the corner of my lips and smiled contentedly.
“Where do we begin, ma'am?”
It went a lot easier than I expected, but well, there are days like that.
‘If I can get closer to them this way and get information about Jeffrey Whistler, that would be even better.’
I got up from my seat and pointed out the window.
I had information from the people I planted there.
“Looks like you're going to be very busy today.”
「Hong Gildong's Novel」
The novel tells the story of Hong Gil-dong, the illegitimate son of a Joseon-era nobleman, who suffers from social discrimination due to his status and his family's rejection of him.
Hong Gil Dong was a very talented boy, with an innocent personality and trying to achieve social justice by forming a group of outlaws who would steal wealth from the rich and corrupt and then distribute it to the poor, making him a folk hero.