The Werewolf King's Bride

Chapter 226: Meeting Ruby's Family

(From Blue's Perspective)

"You did not need to do all this," I said.

Since they knew I was going to come here, they had prepared too many food items for me. It was very uncomfortable. I even mentioned in the letter that they did not need to do anything.

"It's not much, Your Highness. We are very glad that Your Highness has come to meet us."

It was Ruby's mother. She had red hair just like Ruby. Her father was standing beside her. He had red hair as well. Well, I predicted so too since kids whose both parents had red hair were born with red hair usually. Ruby's older brother was here as well.

He was of Demetrius's age. He had red hair as well.

They were living in the same mansion as they used to when they had the reputation. It was their family mansion, so they did not need to leave. But their financial condition was not good at all.

"I will have these cookies then," I said. "Please take a seat, Count and Countess. I will get straight to the point actually since I don't have much time in hand."

"I am here to talk about Ruby's marriage with the master of the magic tower Luc Edmund," I said.

"Ruby told us about it," her father, the Count said. "But I am not sure about what to do. Ruby is currently working as Your Highness's personal maid. Of course, it is very fortunate that she got that position, thanks to His Highness and Your Highness. But the position of the master of the magic tower is equal to Your Highness and His Highness's position. How can someone like my daughter marry him?"

"They are mates," I said. "It's not like they do not desire to get married ever. The Count also must know that except for an Alpha, everyone has to either get married to their mate or not get married ever. Both Ruby and the master of the magic tower desire to get married. Since it is their life and their decision, we can do nothing but accept it."

"I understand, but..."

"I know what the Count is worried about. That's why I have personally come here to talk about it," I said. "Ruby is a noble lady but from a fallen noble family. Status is important, but money is more important. You can buy status with money as well. That's why I want to help the Count's family pay off your debts."

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"What...?"

"You heard me."

"But how... how can we accept such a thing from Your Highness, the Queen?" the Count said desperately. "My apologies, but we cannot accept this."

I knew they were going to refuse. So, I had come prepared. "I did not say I am going to pay off the debts just like this," I said. "In exchange, I want a few things."

"Yes...?"

"I will help the Count to do your business just like before. I will give the Count a few pieces of lands. So, first of all, I want the Count to pay 35% tax for three years. Before, you used to pay 32%. I have increased the amount. You will be able to pay me off a bit with this.

Of course, that won't be all," I said. "Your son was the ranked first student in the academy, I heard."

"Yes, he was. He had a great future ahead of him. But because we went bankrupt, he could not fulfill his dream. I failed as a father," he said.

"Don't put yourself down, honey. You tried," the Countess said, patting him on the arm gently.

"I have a job offer for your son," I said. "I happen to be looking for an assistant. My workload is a bit too much these days and it will increase more in the near future. I cannot handle them alone. So, I am looking for someone who I can share my work with. The academy referenced your son."

"Your Highness's assistant?"

"Yes," I nodded. "What do you think, Reece? Do you think you will do a good job as my assistant?"

It was true that my workload was increasing. But I did not an assistant right now. It was something I planned to say if the Count insisted on paying the debt off later. Even with the Count's income, it was not possible to pay me fully. So, I decided to take Ruby's brother as my assistant as well. I had done a bit of background check on him and found out that he was a great student back at the academy.

"I would love to! But... that won't pay the debt off, Your Highness," Reece, Ruby's elder brother said.

"That will. For three years, you will get 50% of your income. The other 50% will be used to pay the debt off," I said. "In that way, the remaining debt will be paid off as well. The Count's family and I will owe each other nothing after three years. What do you say?"

"But what will Your Highness gain from this?" the Count asked.

"An assistant and by this, I will be able to pay a friend off a bit for what she has done for me," I said. "Can I think now that the Count agrees?"

"... Yes, Your Highness. We are very grateful to you. This debt cannot be paid just with money. You are helping us a lot," the Count said, bowing.

"Thank you, Your Highness. We owe you a lot," the Countess bowed.

"It's alright. Let's now enjoy the sweets," I said. "Ruby, Perita, and Reece should join us too."

We talked and had sweets and tea. It was almost time for lunch when I decided to leave. The Countess did not want me to leave and invited me for lunch. But I refused.

"His Majesty, the King is waiting for me to return. I cannot make His Majesty wait," I said. "I will have to refuse today, but someday, we will spend more time together."

"I... I will invite Your Highness to our mansion," the Countess said. "Can I think that Your Highness will accept my invitation?"

"Of course," I smiled. "I will definitely accept the Countess's invitation."

"And Reece, you shall come to the Imperial Palace with the permission paper I gave you. Just show it to the guard. He will let you enter then," I added, looking at Reece.

"Yes, Your Highness. Thank you so much," he said.

The countess even cried. Ruby remained quiet all the time. She was the type not to ask much for help. That was why she did not want me to help her. But I insisted. She also knew that she would need my help anyway.

That was the reason she did not be too stubborn.

And it was not like I was helping them for free. They were going to pay me back within three years anyway.

The amount I was giving them was pretty big. But it was nothing for me. I had the same amount of money as Demetrius, the King of Querencia. He and I were the richest people in the whole kingdom. We actually had even more money than most kings and queens because we had too many side businesses using other names. Dem suggested that I started side businesses as well.

So, I started investing in different businesses as well and sponsored them using the Royal family name. No one knew it was me who was the owner of the business; they knew that the owner was close to me and that was why I let the owner use my name to promote the business. Since they knew that I was the one sponsoring these businesses, they were naturally drawn to them.

Because of these side businesses, we made too much money.

I donated lots to schools and charities as well. But Dem and I never donated any to the temples. The priests were actually a bunch of frauds. They did not use the money to give to the poor. Rather, they used it for their own selves only.

Dem did not have a good relationship with the temple. Even just recently, he tried to punch the head priest because he was pissing Dem off with his words. Thankfully, I was there to stop him. It was a good thing that Dem listened to me rather well.

"Should we go back now, Your Highness?" Ruby asked.

"You can spend the day with your..."

"No, I will go back with Your Highness," Ruby said, cutting me off.

"Alright," I sighed. "Let's go back then."

We were back for a waist-breaking ride again. Teleportation was a lot better than this even though that caused a bit of dizziness. At least, my waist would stay in perfect shape.

"So, that's why Your Highness came to meet Ruby's family. I was wondering why," Perita said. "Your Highness is very kind. It's my first time seeing a Queen, like Your Highness."