Page 202 of The Wild Prince's Favorite
It gave him comfort that Nebora nodded in approval of his plan.
“Alright,” she said. “I’ll get that started for you. I can get new bedding ready and Darsan’s room decently cleaned in no time for tonight. I’ll also get a couple of baby dragon beds ready later. From what I’ve heard, you might need them...”
Kassein nodded. He hoped Alezya would like what she’d find when she came back here, enough to agree to stay and live with him.
Lumie giving him big adorable smiles was helping with the aching pain of missing her mother, and he gently rubbed the little girl’s back while she was still busy inspecting his beard and pinching his skin.
“But, Kassein,” Nebora said, “are you truly going to own and rule the north? Lorey told me so, but I want to hear from you. Things have been hard for the folks up here. I hope you realize how big of a burden you’re taking on. Many kids have moved south to find work. It won’t be easy trying to revive the region.”
“I am,” he said, his eyes still riveted on Lumie. “I have a plan. We can open the route to the North Army and build demand for resources from there. The north also has the best woods that the rest of the Empire doesn’t. We can use that to make the wood industry our primary source of income fromthe Empire. And the Eastern Kingdom too. I know Darsan established himself near the border to make their northwestern region flourish, and we can work with him. The north might have harsh living conditions, but we also have a unique climate, miles of untouched forest, and a workforce. And once I conquer the mountains and start trading with the tribes, we might even have new resources to trade with my siblings.”
Nebora was speechless, staring at him with her jaw dropped.
After a second, she caught herself and glanced at Lorey in disbelief, but his sister’s partner was smiling proudly.
“Since when have you been an expert on governing an actual kingdom, young man?” Nebora exclaimed, crossing her arms.
“...I grew up in the Imperial Family,” Kassein said. “My siblings and I all had the same tutors, remember? Just because I never had any desire to rule doesn’t mean I’m not capable.”
That was probably why, albeit reluctantly, Kassian had let the north go. Perhaps he didn’t care if Kassein succeeded or failed, but he wouldn’t have given up a portion of his empire to a complete idiot.
Although Kassian had been the only one groomed to become the Emperor, Kassein and his siblings had grown up in the Imperial Palace. They’d seen their parents and aunts work. They’d all been taught by the best teachers, learned to understand commoners and nobles alike, and kept aware of the main matters of the Empire.
That was why Cessilia had become such a great queen in the east and why she could send Darsan to develop more of their territories. It was also why Kiera had always explored and tried to befriend new tribes in the west, and why Shenan and Sadara could work and support Kassian in the Capital. Sepheus’ whereabouts were more mysterious, but last he’dheard, their youngest brother was now helping take care of their grandmother’s domain.
Moreover, Kassein knew the north better than any of them now, and he could see its potential.
He had no greed to extend the borders, but he could find ways to make a small kingdom survive and thrive on its own. He knew best how many acres of woods full of prey they had, the potential of the tribes as allies, and how people in the north weren’t afraid of hard work. Those who hadn’t left for the south were those who could endure the harsh winter and would stay to help the north survive until it could prosper.
Even in the North Army, many men were sent there as criminals, sometimes the worst of the worst, but some were eager to turn their lives around and start anew. Killing tribesmen wouldn’t bring them any glory, but making a new life in the north would be more than good enough for honest men.
Kassein could almost see it.
The villages expanding and thriving, becoming the beating heart of the north. The army in the north split between those who would guarantee the safety of the citizens and those who would be allowed back to that citizen’s life once they’d paid their dues. If there was one man who believed in redemption, it was Kassein.
He would have no mercy for the wretched, but he’d allow a new life for those who were begging to leave their sins in the Empire and start anew.
Finally, there were the tribes. Once safe from the dragon and allowed to trade with his newborn Kingdom, they might become a vital part of this new country. While trying to survive, Alezya might have unknowingly set the first stone of a new era that would unite his world and hers. That was something he wanted to look forward to.
But first, he had to get her back by his side.
While Nebora talked to him about her plan for cleaning the Onyx Castle and rearranging the rooms, which included bringing a couple of maids and ordering new furniture from the village, Kassein’s eyes were riveted on the little girl between his legs.
After a while of standing, it seemed Lumie had gotten tired and was now plopped down on his thigh, busy playing with his hand while the other one held her.
“Alright, I should go and start getting those rooms ready if you plan to sleep here tonight,” Nebora said. “Lorey, darling, will you be alright?”
“I’ll come to lend you a hand,” Lorey said after glancing toward Kassein and Lumie. “Kiera and I can sleep in her old room, but I’ll give you a hand with the nursery and their brother’s room. Kassein, are you fine to stay with Lumie while we wait for Kiera to return?”
Although his eyes never left the little girl who was still busy inspecting his fingers, he gave her a stiff nod, aware of the stares of both women on him.
When they left, Lumie turned a curious eye toward them, frowning, before she whipped her head back to him with a question in her eyes.
“You’ll sleep well here,” he said softly. “I only wish your mom could sleep here tonight too.”
“Ama?” Lumie’s eyes immediately brightened.
“Yes, your mama,” he smiled.
