Loving The Cursed Werewolf King-Chapter 164: Ronan’s Plan

Ah! William just realized something!

Since the time of the reign of the former king, Ronan’s father made the road connecting Thebis to Wolgast in the Northendell area. So, many merchants and travelers chose to use the land route.

And later, Ronan continued to strive for development in the border area. People from Thebis who wanted to go to Wolgast preferred to enter the North first rather than through the neutral area canal, which did not have legal certainty.

"Wasn’t my decision to build a border area the right one?" asked Ronan to the people behind him.

"Yes, Your Majesty," replied an advisor who had been following the king’s long discussions about border development in recent years.

"Losing a diamond mine isn’t a problem either, is it? They don’t give us taxes or tribute either. They’re not part of us. We have more income from people passing through our area."

William nodded in understanding now.

"Ah, so, by releasing the territory, we can further define our boundaries," continued William.

So far, there had always been disputes in neutral areas. It was all because of the lack of legal clarity that underlies that area. Everyone was free to roam, and it created new conflicts.

Ronan could not make a clear border because the area was still in the name of the North. The people would protest because they would think the North would kill those who lived in a neutral area.

At the same time, Thebis never wanted to make a clear border because they needed the area to get to Wolgast, yet because of the many conflicts in the lawless territory, they preferred to go through the land route that the North provided.

Nieverdell also did not want to make a firm border because they saw an opportunity to use the area for commercial purposes.

"That’s right. After all, we only gave it in name. The South also can’t just commercialize the area because it has to deal with the old treaty concerning the Thebis and Wolgast kingdoms. We can sit back and enjoy the drama ahead."

William was flabbergasted.

"Wow... You’re sly. Wrapping the carcass so beautifully and delicately," William commented, making several knights behind him as well as the two advisors smile.

Ronan wiped his smile. He tightened his grip on the reins of his horse. "I want to see them suffer after toying with Arielle as they pleased. No one should play with my future queen."

The man looked up into the sky. Unwrapping the cloth from his face. He noticed the twinkling of so many stars. He paused for a moment to take a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. It was as if he wanted to bring the beautiful scenery above him to show to Arielle.

"What is she doing?" asked Ronan in his heart. After being satisfied with looking at the beauty of the sky that he would no longer be able to find while in the North, Ronan put the cloth back on his face and returned to his horse quickly.

He wanted to settle his business with the South immediately and marry Arielle as soon as possible. He didn’t want to waste time. He would not rest until Arielle really became his queen.

***

<Northendell>

Arielle was pensive in her room. Her meeting with the man named Lazarus had a bad impression. She didn’t like the man’s rudeness. Arielle really regretted this. As a friend of a king, Arielle thought Admiral Lazarus was an authoritative man like Lord Kael.

Arielle closed her book, which she could not continue. Every time Arielle tried to read a sentence, her mind went back to when she met Lazarus earlier. Tania, who saw the princess’s anxiety, offered to bring her a new book that might be easier for Arielle to read.

"It’s okay... I’m just tired. I can continue tomorrow," said Arielle as she placed the book on her desk.

She took the brush and blank canvas that Lucas had bought after Ronan left the palace. Ronan said he provided many canvases for Arielle to paint as she pleased. In the atmosphere of a slowly darkening day, Arielle dragged her easel to the front of her bedroom balcony.

Tania helped bring some brushes and paint cans.

"Would you like some hot tea, Princess?" Tania asked when Arielle wore a white apron so the paint wouldn’t splash on her dress.

"No need, Tania. Soon it will be dinner time. I just want to spend my time painting," the princess replied with a smile and held out her hand so that Tania could rest beside her. Arielle loved Tania, she didn’t want her to be tired.

Arielle started sketching the palace scenery. The rough sketch was made in no time, and then Arielle covered it with light white paint. Tania noticed how beautiful Arielle’s hands were when she started swinging her wrists left and right to mix every color.

"Green?" Tania asked. She was confused because the view of Northendell palace had no other colors than white, grey, black, brown, or yellow from the surrounding lights.

"I was imagining if this palace had a spring," Arielle explained.

She also mixed red with some white to form pink. A vine of plants curled beautifully on each of the palace pillars and was overgrown with several blooming flowers. Arielle chose only warm and soft colors. Tania was so fascinated to see it.

There was a knock on the door of the princess’s room. Lucas came with a trolley filled with food.

"Your dinner is ready, Your Highness," said the man.

"I can continue tomorrow to add some details," commented Arielle, who then brought in her painting with the help of Tania.

Arielle greeted Lucas. "You’re coming? You can let a maid do the job, Lucas. Don’t tire yourself out."

"I’m just doing my job, princess. King Ronan himself gave a message to always look out for you."

Arielle smiled and grabbed the chair beside her to walk around the table. Smelling the food, the five rabbits who were resting on the bed came down to Lucas’ feet.

Arielle reached for the food she had kept in a glass jar and poured it into a large bowl by the fire. Lucas chuckled when a rabbit bumped the jar Arielle was holding until it almost spilled.

"They’ve been really naughty lately," Arielle said, making Tania and Lucas laugh.