Princess, Please Fall in Love with Me-Chapter 44 : Chapter 44

Chapter 44 : Reconciliation? Or a Signal to Tear Off the Mask
"So, I believe you've already seen the meeting gift I gave you. To be able to utilize this insignificant little event that's about to happen at this time, you're quite impressive."
What the Duke referred to was Loka's low-price stockpiling.
In the previous life, there had indeed been a small-scale price increase at this time, but because the goods were scattered, it hadn't actually caused much impact in the business world.
But this time, by gathering most of the goods under her own merchant group, it ensured the first supply chain for the goods.
When the time came, whether it was the demanders or the purchasers, they would all buy from Loka's merchant group.
And the Duke's meeting gift was to spare no expense in reversely sabotaging Loka's stockpiling of goods.
As long as there were cheaper and more affordable goods for sale, then the things in Loka's warehouse could only gather dust and wait to be scrapped.
"By the time your estimated period ends, your goods will probably only be able to recoup a little bit of reward at cost price. It seems you've gone all out this time."
Every sentence from the Duke precisely struck Loka's most worrying spots.
Looking at the other's gloomy expression, with memories from two lives, she finally understood that the man in front of her could not be compared to that guy from before at all.
Even so, she was not without preparations either, she just needed it.
"What, did I hit the mark? Next, are you going to borrow the Oak Family's reputation, label the same goods with a more valuable tag, and then win with quality?"
Loka's body stiffened. She hadn't expected the other party to have already guessed her actions, but even so, he had no way to completely change this fact, unless he was willing to sacrifice his own face to request the Oak Family Head.
However, even if he had returned from the previous life, that nature of caring about face and arrogant personality had not changed at all.
Facing herself, who also possessed information, it was impossible for him to have no flaws.
"So what if it is? Don't tell me you're so confident in your plan, or do you think I have no means left to defeat you?"
The Duke smiled and waved his hand, then pulled out from his right pocket an item that made Loka feel incredulous—that thing he would absolutely never forget from the previous life—the ruby ring symbolizing the Alva Duke's Mansion!
"The first time you saw me, oh no, it should be the first time with that substitute, you were probably thinking of killing me just like in the previous life and becoming the new Duke."
From the moment Loka was reborn, the Duke had been secretly observing her every move, from when she resisted the Beautiful Woman, all the way to when she established the merchant group and so on... She was under the surveillance of the Duke's spies at all times.
"From the moment I saw you again, I was on guard against the you who once tried to kill me, and when I confirmed that you had returned as well, I even more so wanted to kill you immediately to celebrate, but I suddenly changed my mind."
"Loka, human strength ultimately has limits. As long as one is human, there will be birth, aging, sickness, and death. Even if I am covered in glory, I will eventually be killed by time, so I need an heir to take over my great cause."
The Duke's meaning was very clear: he would spare no effort to cultivate Loka, and when he died, Loka would be able to inherit his mantle and become the new generation Alva Duke.
"I will elevate your mother's status to the primary wife, cultivate you to become the new generation Duke, and even, when I ascend to that position, you will be able to possess the future of the entire empire!"
As the Duke said this, he couldn't help but burst into mad laughter.
Looking at Loka's expression, it was not one of disgust or hatred, but rather the appreciative gaze as if looking at a moldable talent.
"How about it, Loka? Although in the previous life you killed me, in this life I'm still alive. I can completely become the guide on your life path, can't I?"
In the Duke's view, Loka, who had returned from the death and cruelty of the previous life, completely possessed the same methods and strategies as himself.
After his death, she would be fully capable of continuing to control everything he controlled in her own way—even surpassing him!
"Are you afraid, Father?"
The Duke's expression paused, but then he restored that scheming smile of having everything under control.
Loka smiled as she looked at him, her eyes filled with disdainful contempt.
"Because you're afraid of being reenacted in a vile death by me once again? Afraid of being pulled down from the high platform into hell by me once more, and finally dying painfully just like in the previous life?"
Loka understood that someone like the Duke would never allow anyone to share the glory that belonged to him alone, even if it meant taking it into the grave.
This selfish person would absolutely not think of coexisting peacefully with her.
"Because the me from the previous life killed you, and you fear the unpredictable me, reenacting the outcome of killing you once again, so you want to obtain my forgiveness, or beg for my mercy?"
"You!"
The Duke grabbed the half-dagger and angrily threw it at Loka.
The blade grazed her cheek.
Loka just gently touched her bleeding face, still sarcastically mocking the Duke.
"Already furious, dear Father. I said, no matter when, I will make all of you feel a thousandfold, ten thousandfold the pain I endured."
Loka smiled as she caught the half-dagger and threw it back in front of the Duke.
Looking at the dagger that missed by a centimeter from hitting its mark, the Duke panted heavily, glaring viciously at Loka as she left.
"Old man, you really can hold your composure."
As she walked out of the room, Loka teased the old man who had been waiting in the corridor observing.
Sorensen leisurely nodded and returned the token symbolizing Saito's Grand Duke to Loka.
This was originally the reward for "one gold coin,"
"Compared to the promise of Saito's Grand Duke, I suddenly feel that there's something more valuable— the trust of a future Alva Duke."
From the two's brief conversation, Sorensen had developed extremely high expectations for Loka, to the point that it could make him go against his low-key and steady style of conduct, wanting to impatiently throw in his chips and gamble once.
"Finally, let me tell you some other tricks in the business world: never think that your opponent has no chance left. Even the weakest rabbit will risk its life to charge and bite you..."
Loka walked out of the auction house, holding that badge in her hand, still pondering the advice the Oak Family Head Sorensen had given her before leaving.
Suddenly, she had an ominous premonition in her heart.
She saw a hurried carriage suddenly stop in front of her.
A bloodied young man scrambled down from the carriage in panic, and upon seeing Loka, it was as if he had seen a savior.
Loka frowned. The newcomer was Lubi's confidant, and also the only person in the Lubi Merchant Group besides Lubi who knew her identity.
"You are— Mr. Robin, big trouble! The merchant group's warehouse by the sea was blown up by someone, Mr. Lubi and Mr. Lycan have also mysteriously disappeared, their whereabouts unknown now! Our goods have already lost nearly half..."
At the seaside warehouse, towering flames burned fiercely over the already collapsed ruins.