The Princess' Harem
Chapter 135: Saving Elysia, Means Saving Me...

Chapter 135: Saving Elysia, Means Saving Me...

That very day, they all began to move to carry out all the plans. Joel immediately started organizing his team for the upcoming mining expeditions, details that had just been approved by the council.

Reyes, on the other hand, began mapping the safest routes for envoys who would undertake diplomatic journeys, ensuring their security was well planned.

Arden was already busy with development plans and calculations for capital usage with the royal financial officers, aiming to reduce waste or unnecessary costs.

***

The following weeks were a whirlwind of non-stop activity between the Imperial Palace and the royal palace of the Elysia Kingdom. Even the King and Queen, Viana’s parents, were busy with all their daughter’s plans.

But now, everyone moved with a different energy than when the blight occurred. Everyone moved with excitement for the hope of a prosperous Elysia, and they would each feel the positive impact of it.

Officers hurried back and forth with maps and scrolls in their hands. Servants were busy providing drinks and food, or helping to provide whatever the officers needed.

And Viana was the center of all this activity. Every morning, she was already sitting at her desk, which was now filled with reports, diagrams, and samples of soil, metals, or precious stones.

The mining expeditions were the first to move in their plans. Led by experienced explorers, and protected by combined units of mercenaries and royal soldiers, these teams spread throughout Elysia.

They headed to the northern mountains, known to be rich in mineral veins, and also to untouched lowlands, where rumors of coal deposits had circulated for generations.

The first mine, which they called ’Dawn Mine,’ was located at the foot of the Andenia Mountains. The initial report was promising, with strong indications of gold and silver veins there.

The second team, sent far to the east, focused on ’Black Cave,’ a large coal deposit important for powering industry and providing fuel for the cold people.

The third team, the most ambitious, departed for the depths of ’Glittering Valley,’ a remote area that, according to legend, held wealth in the form of precious stones.

Joel personally oversaw the preparation and departure of each team. He meticulously ensured every small detail was accounted for—supplies, weapons, safe routes from bandits or wild creatures.

And a few weeks later, the first reports began to arrive. Tired couriers with faces blackened by travel dust arrived at the palace, carrying sealed parchment scrolls, and more importantly, small, tightly sealed boxes.

***

That afternoon, in Viana’s study, Viana, Arden, Joel, and Reyes stood by a long table filled with newly arrived samples. Wearing thin gloves, Viana carefully examined each sample.

"Report from Dawn Mine, Your Highness," said a newly arrived officer, his voice slightly hoarse from exhaustion. He placed a small cloth bag on the table. "We found this in the depths of the first vein."

Viana carefully opened the bag. Several small, clear, blood-red stone fragments glittered under the candlelight.

"Rubies," Viana murmured, her gloved fingers touching the stone’s surface. "The quality seems very good."

Joel nodded, recalling what he had memorized after preparing all the expeditions. "The vein is extensive, Princess. Miners estimate significant yields in the next few months. At least enough to get started."

Viana placed the stone back into the cloth bag with a satisfied smile. "Give these samples to our precious stone and mineral appraisers," she said to an officer guarding the front door of her study. "Don’t forget to tell the servants in the Elysia palace to continue providing what they need while they are there."

***

Less than two days after the first ruby samples arrived, another courier came from Glittering Valley, carrying a small box. The courier was a veteran explorer, with a tired but joyful face.

"Princess. The one who found this swears it’s the best he’s ever seen."

Viana opened the box, making the midday sunlight reflect off a raw diamond, thumb-sized, placed on black velvet. The diamond was still unpolished, uncut, yet blue and white sparkles emanated from it.

"This... this is amazing, Princess," Arden, who was bending over from the side of the desk, stared at the diamond in awe. "I can already imagine the amount of money that will flow into Elysia’s coffers."

Viana was still silent, her hand taking the diamond, feeling the cold and solid precious stone.

"Elysia is a rich country, Arden... truly rich," she mumbled, looking at the diamond with teary eyes.

***

But it seemed the good news was not over for her.

Other expeditions, also focusing on base metals like iron and copper, also reported progress that made everyone feel like they had struck a lucky streak. These metals would be vital for infrastructure development, tool manufacturing, and military equipment.

Reports from ’Black Cave’ also brought large, jet-black coal samples.

"The quantity is immense, Your Highness," wrote a mining expert in the letter accompanying the sample. "Enough to power all homes in the capital for years, and still be exportable. We can run factories, create new jobs, and warm our people in the coming winter."

***

On another front, Reyes had successfully re-established contact with several neighboring kingdoms. The first envoys had returned, bringing good news about initial trade agreements.

Routes previously blocked by war and blight were slowly reopening. Grain from the southern kingdom, timber from the western forests, and even some materials that could not be produced in Elysia, gradually began to be shipped.

And Arden, tirelessly, calculated every income and expenditure, together with the royal treasurers. He had created a strict budget, ensuring every coin was accounted for and every project was run with maximum efficiency.

He also participated in negotiations with merchants in Elysia, calming those who feared another conflict in their country, and assuring them that stability had returned.

However, amidst all this good fortune, Viana understood that the true mastermind behind all the events in Elysia had not yet been touched. In fact, he might even touch her first.

Armed with this fear, she worked hard, disregarding social life or anything else, determined to save Elysia, and herself, from him.

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