The way Andrea looked at me held a mix of amusement and intrigue. It seemed as if a part of her secretly desired her family to take some sort of action, yet she was keenly aware of the consequences that would follow should she make that choice.
"I... I understand my father's wrongdoing," she suddenly declared, her eyes reflecting a blend of determination and desperation. "So I beg of you, please keep my mother out of this. The moment he made me his payment and I became bound by your contract, I effectively ceased to be a part of that family."
"Are you telling me that you're willingly forsaking your family name and accepting the fact that you're now my property?" I teased, watching as she inched closer to me, her soft skin brushing against mine.
"Yes, I am yours."
Her declaration was a testament to her loyalty and unwavering resolve.
"You don't need to say that," I responded with a chuckle. "I already own you, and there's nothing you can do about it unless your family settles their debt. Now, I have a few matters to attend to and some guests..." I quickly retrieved my phone from my pocket to confirm. "Who will be staying with me. I need you to look presentable, so please, embrace your princess role and be ready to greet them."
"Yes." With a graceful bow, Andrea retreated, straightening her shirt before leaving the room. While her introduction to this vulgar life had been a harsh lesson, I couldn't help but think that she deserved a more suitable wardrobe. That plain white shirt and pants did little justice to her alluring curves.
It's no wonder why many would try to win her heart. I think she was called the Dame of the Highlands, Fierra... I really should have a map on hand; I tend to forget these things.
"Now, about those guests..." I picked up my phone to double-check the details once more and realized that today's visitors hailed from the Holy Kingdom in the south. As far as I knew, there had been an ongoing struggle with heretics in their realm over the past few months, and I could only assume they sought financial support.
"Sir," a soft voice echoed from outside the room as the door opened, revealing Andrea in a white sundress, light makeup, and her hair neatly tied into a ponytail.
"That's an improvement, but I'd like you to exude a bit more regal charm. This isn't a casual beach outing, and even if it were, I'd expect you to be in a two-piece, not a flimsy sundress."
"I..." She hesitated for a moment and sighed. "These are the only clothes available, sir."
"Very well. Consult my secretary and let her know you require a new wardrobe—new dresses, new trousers, new undergarments—whatever it takes. I won't have you appearing plain when we meet with our clients."
"I understand, sir. I'll inform your secretary right away."
With another respectful bow, Andrea left the room, her departure accompanied by a faint smile. I supposed the prospect of new attire had lifted her spirits. It seemed making a princess happy might be quite straightforward. Rising from my seat, I stepped outside and summoned one of the maids.
"I need the guest house and conference hall prepared immediately."
...
It was not uncommon for foreign dignitaries to meet with bankers or creditors. Whether driven by greed or noble intentions, money always played a pivotal role in achieving their goals. This peculiar yet effective relationship had stirred controversy among many, and I couldn't help but agree with them to some extent.
"The staff is currently preparing the guest house and the conference hall as instructed, sir," the maid with fiery red hair informed me while I browsed through my emails.
"Good. Make sure the kitchen staff is also well-prepared. I wonder what kind of cuisine one serves to those who claim to be pious," I mused.
"By the way, sir, there was an incident report earlier today about a few individuals at the head office," the maid reported, taking out a phone from her pocket and showing me a video. "The accounting team has identified these individuals as borrowers, sir, and their account is two years delinquent."
"Is that so? And they have the audacity to cause a commotion in my office? What is the collections department doing?"
"According to their files, we've been trying to collect payment, but to no avail."
"No avail?" I could hardly contain my frustration at the sheer incompetence. "What about their property, their belongings, their children? How long has our collection department been trying? Don't tell me two years!"
The maid, trembling, looked at me and nodded.
"Bullshit!" I snarled, throwing the maid's phone against the wall. "If there's one thing worse than borrowers not paying up, it's incompetence! I want the head of the collections department in my office as soon as possible, and she better have a damn good reason for being an incompetent asswipe-."
"Sir," I heard the princess's voice from the far left of the hall, my secretary following her closely with a worried expression.
"If I may ask, would it be possible to just forgive them their debt?" she then pleaded, her determination evident. "They're nobodies. Their families would probably have no significance to you and your company, and—Kyaa!"
"You do not get to order me around, princess!" I snarled, grabbing her hand and drawing her closer while giving my secretary a withering glare.
"But si—"
"If you want to be everyone's hero, why don't you add their debt with interest to what your family owes, princess? Then I'd be more than happy to forgive them!"
