Buying a shop was no simple matter.
Especially in the Fallen kingdom.
All matters of trade went through the 8 Major families.
And if Alexander wanted to run a shop in his home city, he'd have to talk with the seventh.
House Engel.
Elizabeth and Alexander were on their way to the Engel estate, with Hinata as their driver.
The carriage rattled along the empty streets.
The Engel estate loomed in the distance.
A fortress of stone and artillery, with royal pathfinders marching the grounds.
Armed with the latest bolt actions from the Ambur kingdom.
This wasn't just a place of nobility, but survival.
"This is supposed to be a place of commerce?"
Alexander asked, face against the glass.
Elizabeth crossed her legs, tapping a finger against her knee.
"Seems Lord Engel isn't keen on being so close to the border."
Hinata pulled her carriage to a stop before a massive iron gate.
Two guards, dressed in the blues and black of the Fallen Kingdom, marched forward.
One with his rifle aimed at Hinata, the other with a stern expression.
"State your business."
One of them called, his voice gruff.
Hinata raised both her hands slowly, keeping them chest high.
"I am D'Elite Hinata, servant to her highness, Princess Elizabeth. We've come to speak with lord Engel."
The guard raised an eyebrow, before glancing inside the carriage.
Elizabeth met his gaze.
When the guard saw the pink eyes, he stiffened immediately.
Then turned his attention towards his comrade.
"It's Amburian royalty, open the gates!"
The other guard lowered his rifle, sprinting toward the gates.
The gates groaned open, revealing a massive courtyard that had been transformed into a training ground.
Hinata pulled forward.
Alexander stared out the window, a knot forming in his stomach.
Parking near the fountain in the center of the courtyard, they were escorted into the estate by a silent officer.
He led them through a series of quiet halls, until finally he stopped before a large set of doors.
He knocked twice.
The doors opened with a click, revealing a large study filled with paperwork and chests.
Four guards stood in each corner, with a tired man sitting in the center.
He was dressed in a simple white tunic and black pants.
His eyes were sunken, and his wrinkles told stories worth decades.
He didn't stand as they entered.
Instead, he gestured to the two chairs opposite his oak desk.
"Princess Elizabeth," he said casually.
"I heard you were living in my lovely city."
Elizabeth took her seat, her posture of regal elegance.
Alexander sat beside her, nervously scratching his cheek.
"Lord Engel, a pleasure to meet you."
She smiled.
Lord Engel chuckled, "A pleasure indeed, though I must admit, I was expecting a visit sooner."
"Is that so," Elizabeth replied, "Well, I'm here to talk business in regards to commerce. A shop to be exact, do you have one available?"
Lord Engel raised a hand to his chin.
"A shop… I have plenty."
He answered, "No one can afford them these days, especially in this city."
He waved a dismissive hand.
"Not that I need more vendors anyway, no one is buying anything."
He narrowed his orange eyes, "and what's the point, when the empire can strike again at any moment?"
Elizabeth remained silent.
Lord Engel reclined in his seat, the wood groaning under his weight.
"You know what's really needed these days?"
Elizabeth tilted her head.
"No, enlighten me."
"Weapons, you Amburians keep all the best tech hidden on your island, while we buy shipments of secondhand service rifles."
Elizabeth pressed her lips.
But Lord Engel continued.
"No one will buy anything until we can guarantee their safety. So no, I won't give you a shop."
Elizabeth hummed.
"I see, then perhaps we can meet in the middle."
She smiled.
"You want weapons, and I wish for a stable income. What if I were to open a weapons factory here, in Ingloburg?"
Lord Engel's eyes widened as he leaned forward.
"A-a weapons factory?" He repeated, "Are you serious?"
The fallen kingdom had several weapons factories already, but they produced muskets and revolvers not rifles.
Ambur didn't trust the fallen kingdom not to leak the schematics.
Especially after the empire started fielding rifled muskets in small quantities.
But, if Amburian royalty governed a factory….
"Indeed I am," Elizabeth replied, "but, I'm sure you know this will come with strings."
Lord Engel's expression hardened.
"Of course, let's hear them."
"Alexander and I will own the factory, we will provide our own personnel, and you are to provide the building. In return, you'll receive 20% of the profits, and you'll be given the first pick of our stock at discounted prices."
Lord Engel lit up with a fire that hadn't been seen in years.
He shot up from his chair, slamming his hands on the desk.
"Done!" He boomed, his exhaustion replaced with excitement.
"When can we start?"
Elizabeth giggled, "I'll be in contact with you, Lord Engel, but first I must prepare on my behalf."
Alexander sat in stunned silence as the two shook hands.
He had expected a small storefront selling beast parts and general goods.
Instead, he was leaving as the co-owner of a weapons factory.
Elizabeth… you're terrifying.
— — —
A few days later, Queen Charlotte was reading through reports when a royal messenger knocked on her door.
"Your Majesty, a telegram from her highness has arrived!"
Charlotte motioned for the door to be opened.
The messenger handed the telegram to her with a bow, before turning to leave.
Charlotte opened it with a curious expression.
It read as follows:
Dearest mother,
I hope this telegram finds you well.
Alexander and I have been working towards making a living in the Fallen Kingdom.
Recently, we've met with Lord Engel, and he and I have discussed a project that would benefit us both.
To pursue this project, I require both schematics and personnel to produce the M-01 bolt action.
This is only the beginning of our ambitions however, as I expect to run security operations once the time comes to expand our network.
With love,
Elizabeth.
Charlotte placed the telegram down with a warm smile.
"Oh Elizabeth," she hummed, before standing. "I need to speak with the RBA Director, she'll need security herself."