Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 181: Suggestion from Minister of the Internal Affairs

As the most favored princess of the empire, the third princess Astrid’s dining room was located on the most beautifully decorated observation deck in the entire palace, offering a panoramic view of the Capital.

Looking at the variety of dishes on the table, which were so abundant that they could hardly be finished, Amalia held her fork, her slender waist unconsciously straightening.

To ease Amalia’s nervousness, Astrid waved her hand, signaling Elise to dismiss the nearby maids who were ready to serve, leaving only them and two personal maids.

"This is freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, sweet and sour. The grapefruits used are from Elios City in the south of the empire, transported frozen all the way to the capital. It’s refreshing and appetizing," Astrid pushed the glass towards the black-haired girl beside her, her snow-white wrist, not fully covered by the black silk glove, glistening in the light.

Noticing the lemon slice floating in the glass, Amalia initially thought the drink would be particularly sour. However, after taking a small sip, she dismissed that notion. The grapefruit juice was sweeter than expected, and although it was sweet, it wasn’t cloying.

"This... it’s sweet..." Seeing Amalia’s pink tongue slightly sticking out to dry the juice on her lips, Astrid propped her chin on her hand, smiling gently.

"Because it’s sweetened with honey. Livia likes it sweet, so I asked the chef to add a bit more. How does it taste?"

"Thank you, Princess Astrid... it’s delicious," Amalia replied softly, then gently picked up her knife, her movements slightly awkward as if she wasn’t used to using utensils.

To fit her background, Amalia’s actions were tailored to resemble those of a wandering girl, whose life of begging made her unfamiliar with proper table manners.

Cutting into the sausage on her plate, she took a small bite, the rich aroma of meat filling her nose. The warm juices between the meat made it an unforgettable experience.

Compared to the slightly cooled food she had in the castle, the breakfast prepared by the chefs for Astrid was much more refined, both in appearance and taste.

Watching Amalia eat in small bites, her white bubble skirt fluttering in the wind, revealing her smooth, white silk legs, the black lace-up shoes adding a striking contrast, enhancing the girl’s cuteness.

If she had been born from the emperor’s legitimate wife, perhaps she would have enjoyed such carefully prepared breakfasts every day, breathing in the fresh air freely, instead of being treated as invisible and enduring long-term emotional abuse.

Astrid preferred the delicate princess who snuggled in her arms every night, always expressing her affection without reservation, over the tyrant-like little girl.

"Eat as much as you like. I’ll have Elise prepare a menu later. If there’s anything special you’d like to try, let her know in advance. The ingredients are usually ready by tomorrow, so you can have it the day after."

In the eyes of others, Livia Calliste was the sister Astrid had picked up, and it wasn’t excessive to spoil her until Astrid got bored.

Amalia looked up at Astrid, who was bathed in sunlight, her silver hair like fine silk, and smiled gently.

"Thank you... Princess Astrid..."

Outside, she couldn’t call her by her real name, nor could she address her as...

Sister.

Astrid smiled without saying more, her gaze dropping as she elegantly cut into the steak on her plate, bringing a piece to her mouth.

The observation deck was quiet except for the faint clinking of cutlery against porcelain and the almost inaudible rustling of the wind against the railing.

Elsewhere, in a tastefully decorated study within the palace, Hibbort sat in a chair, his arm resting on the armrest, a steaming cup of tea in front of him, and a scepter with a bright red gemstone at its top placed beside him, shining under the warm light.

While the third princess could sleep until eight and leisurely have breakfast, Hibbort couldn’t.

As the head of the empire, he had mountains of affairs to deal with and had to be ready by seven-thirty.

Today was Thursday, two days before the next cabinet meeting, yet one of his right-hand men, Minister of the Internal Affairs Gregor, had come to see him today.

"What is it, Gregor?" The man’s deep voice echoed in the room as Gregor, a black-haired man, finished his salute and slowly stood up.

"Your Majesty, I have a document I hope you can review."

"Present it."

Upon Hibbort’s command, Gregor handed over the prepared materials, then stepped back slightly, calmly watching the lion-like golden-haired man.

Hibbort picked up the document and read it carefully. As time passed, his chiseled face grew serious.

The document Gregor submitted was about a recent assassination case. A minor noble in a remote area was attacked by a servant who stole several fire attribute crystals used to heat bathwater, attaching them to a pitchfork. The heated fire element particles broke through the noble’s partially formed ice shield.

Due to his low talent, the noble only had the strength of a middle stage apprentice, making his body very fragile. The pitchfork pierced his neck, killing him instantly.

By the time the guards arrived and subdued the servant, the outcome was inevitable. The noble had paid the price for his carelessness.

According to the investigation results presented in the document, this was a premeditated assassination. The servant had used his position to steal the crystals, meticulously planning and choosing a time when the noble’s defenses were weakest to strike suddenly.

"Gregor, speak your mind," Hibbort set down the document, his emerald eyes scanning the man below the steps.

Gregor, the empire’s Minister of the Internal Affairs and a conservative who opposed the market circulation of magical devices, had presented this report with a clear message.

"Your Majesty, I believe we need to enact new regulations concerning magical devices."

Gregor’s tone was low, his eyes filled with determination.

"In the past few years, magical devices have indeed improved our living conditions, but correspondingly, the hidden dangers they pose are gradually emerging."

"In this assassination, the fire attribute crystals played a decisive role. Although the ice shield was fragile when not fully deployed, it couldn’t be broken by brute force alone. Even if the shield had shattered, the buffer it provided could have helped him avoid a fatal blow."

"A few crystals used to heat bathwater became deadly weapons in the hands of an assassin, which is not a good sign for the empire."

If it were just ordinary fire attribute crystals without a special magic circle engraved to activate them, an ordinary servant without the ability to channel spiritual energy couldn’t have used them as weapons, achieving an effect similar to weapon enchantment.

Unlike the profit-driven Velmont family, Gregor believed it was his duty to consider the empire’s future.

"The high cost of magical devices ensures they won’t easily circulate among the common people."

Hibbort spoke slowly, his calm eyes reflecting Gregor’s figure.

"What you’re suggesting isn’t just about enacting new regulations, or perhaps, not just about enacting new regulations."

The most critical and challenging issue with magical devices was the energy source, the various magical crystals needed to activate them. These resources weren’t accessible to the lower classes; no one would spend half a year’s wages on a more convenient kettle.

Hearing Hibbort’s words, Gregor’s eyes showed a hint of struggle before he spoke.

"Your Majesty, I believe some mages’ research directions are misguided."

"They aim to make magical devices accessible to the common people, which, in the long run, could lead to endless trouble."

"First, as this document shows, some mages with limited strength couldn’t handle attacks infused with elemental particles in a timely manner. The widespread circulation of magical devices would create significant safety hazards. If a few engraved crystals can break through an ice shield, who can guarantee that more dangerous magical devices won’t appear in the future?"

Hibbort narrowed his eyes slightly, silently waiting for Gregor to continue.

"Second, magic is the foundation of our empire, the cornerstone of governance. Frequently exposing farmers, coachmen, and postmen to magical devices could easily lead to the leakage of valuable knowledge."

Hibbort, having sat on the throne for many years, naturally understood the implications without Gregor needing to elaborate.

Although the empire hadn’t explicitly banned certain groups from learning magic, the relevant materials were tightly controlled by the authorities, with only a few scattered among the populace. Ordinary people had no means, time, energy, or money to delve into such studies.

Gregor believed that the continued development of magical devices could empower some to resist noble rule and didn’t want to see the magical knowledge monopolized by the royal family and dukes leaked, harming their interests. From the perspective of a palace minister, Gregor’s concerns were valid.

Hibbort held the parchment in one hand and the empire’s scepter with honeysuckle engravings in the other, his fingers gently rubbing the red gemstone.

After a long pause, Hibbort spoke softly.

"I will draft legislation for the circulation of magical devices, but not now..."

Countess Charlotte, representing the reformists, was currently in Ostwycke City guiding education and couldn’t attend to the capital, which was likely why Gregor had chosen this moment to approach him.

"Your Majesty..." Gregor hesitated.

Hibbort took a sip of tea and continued, "Gregor, I can’t have legislation drafted before magical devices achieve significant breakthroughs."

Doing so would be akin to him taking a stance prematurely, which would severely dampen the reformists’ enthusiasm.

After hearing Hibbort’s response, Gregor lowered his gaze, vaguely understanding the emperor’s stance on the matter.

Hibbort leaned slightly towards the reformists.

"The cause of this assassination was indeed those fire attribute crystals, but ultimately, those items weren’t in the servant’s hands; he stole them."

"As for the potential safety issues with magical devices, I will make it a main topic at this week’s cabinet meeting to discuss with everyone."

Seeing Hibbort’s resolve, Gregor didn’t press further and was about to take his leave when he heard the emperor speak again.

"However, your suggestion is valuable. Some things indeed shouldn’t be accessible to everyone. I will carefully consider these potential risks."

Hibbort’s words seemed both reassuring and hinting to Gregor that he wasn’t entirely positive about the popularization of magical devices.

The emperor was also worried.

Understanding this, Gregor felt slightly relieved and bowed in a standard noble salute.

"Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."

Watching Gregor exit the room, Hibbort remained seated for a long time, his gaze falling on the parchment Gregor had presented, then shifting to the wall-mounted lamp with light attribute crystals.