1885, I came to save Greece

Chapter 107 Mercy and Sword

A squad of soldiers dressed in pure black uniforms appeared at the entrance. They wore black flat-topped military caps, pistols at their waists, and shiny black boots. On their chests hung a silver crown emblem belonging to the Greek royal family.

They stood silently in two rows, exuding a suffocating, chilling aura.

Leading the group was a military officer in his thirties. He had a stern face and sharp, piercing eyes. He strode into the factory, ignoring the dumbfounded Coroneo, and went straight to Sofia.

He snapped his feet together and gave a crisp military salute, his voice booming like a bell.

"Your Highness, this is Nicholas Costas, former detective of the Athens Police Department and current captain of the First Operations Team of the Royal Special Investigations Bureau, who has been dispatched here!"

After Kostas's loud voice faded, a figure slowly appeared behind the group of black-clad guards.

Constantine.

He was still wearing a well-tailored everyday military uniform, his face expressionless, and his blue eyes were devoid of any warmth, as cold as the Aegean Sea in winter.

His gaze swept over everyone else and landed on Sophia's flushed face.

Then, his gaze moved slowly, like a cold ruler, scraping inch by inch across the terrified Coroneo.

Coroneos felt as if he were being stared at by a venomous snake; the hairs on his body stood on end, and a chill ran from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

The Crown Prince... why is he here!

Shouldn't he be in the military camp or having a meeting with his ministers?

Constantine strode forward at a leisurely pace. His black boots clattered rhythmically on the damp cobblestones, each step seeming to resonate with Coroneos's heartbeat.

He walked over to Sofia, reached out, and gently took her fingers, which were cold with anger.

His palms were warm and dry, and a calming power instantly spread throughout Sophia's body.

"Honey, it seems you've been frightened here."

His voice was gentle and full of concern, as if he were comforting his aggrieved wife in his own garden.

Sofia looked at him, her eyes welled up, and she almost burst into tears.

Then Constantine turned his head and looked at Coroneos.

In that instant, the gentleness on his face vanished without a trace, replaced by an icy chill.

"Mr. Coroneos, I have just received a report."

His voice suddenly turned cold, not loud, but clearly heard by everyone present.

"We suspect your factory has serious tax evasion and fire safety issues."

"All accounts must be sealed immediately for a thorough investigation!"

"boom!"

"Tax evasion" and "fire safety"—these two words struck Coroneos like two black lightning bolts from the sky, hitting him squarely on the head!

If the previous "abuse of workers" was merely a moral stain, then these two words are the legal sword that can bankrupt him and cost him his life!

In Greece during that era, which factory owner had a clean record? For the sake of profit, who didn't try every means to evade taxes? To save costs, whose factory didn't have dozens of fire hazards?

These are all unspoken rules that can't be discussed openly; they're secrets that everyone knows but doesn't talk about!

But now, Constantine, the Crown Prince of Greece, has lifted the lid on this in front of everyone!

Coroneos felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, his legs went weak, and his body swayed uncontrollably backward. With a "thud," he almost knelt on the ground, but fortunately, the butler behind him hurriedly caught him.

Cold sweat instantly soaked the back of his expensive shirt.

He finally realized what a foolish mistake he had made.

He actually dared to use the same tactics he used on ordinary politicians to humiliate the fiancée of a crown prince who held military power!

He immediately put on a fawning expression that seemed even more grief-stricken than if his own father had died, and scrambled to Constantine's feet, almost grabbing his military boots.

"Your Highness! Your Highness, spare my life!"

His voice was trembling with tears, and there was no trace of his arrogance from before.

"It's a misunderstanding! It's a huge misunderstanding! I...I'll do it right away! I'll immediately implement all of Her Highness's requests and improve the treatment of all the workers!"

"Working hours! Change them to ten hours immediately! No, even eight hours! Wages can be increased! All child laborers will be dismissed immediately and given a 'severance pay'. Even... even... the taxes 'forgotten' for the past few months can be paid immediately."

While pleading for mercy, Coroneos looked at Constantine's unmoved expression, gritted his teeth and said, "All workers who miss work due to illness can receive medical subsidies from the factory."

He pleaded incoherently, like a dog wagging its tail for mercy.

……

Sophia watched quietly. She suddenly understood: in Athens, the funds raised at the charity banquet were 'mercy,' but now, Constantine's power to seize the accounts was the 'sword' wielding of mercy. Mercy without the protection of the sword was nothing more than the idle ramblings of a country girl.

That evening, in the carriage returning to the palace.

A small kerosene lamp was lit inside the carriage, casting a dim and warm light.

Sofia didn't say a word the whole way, just quietly watching the street scene rushing past the window.

Constantine didn't disturb her; he knew she needed time to process everything that had happened that day.

The carriage entered the palace and slowly came to a stop at the entrance of the sleeping quarters.

Just as Constantine was about to get out of the car, Sofia suddenly moved.

Without hesitation, she leaned closer and gently rested her head on Constantine's shoulder.

This was an intimate gesture she had never made before.

"Connie," her voice was low and slightly hoarse, echoing in the quiet carriage, "I understand."

Constantine reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Sofia adjusted her position in his arms, tilted her head back, and her bright blue eyes, washed by tears and reality, shone astonishingly in the dim light.

"Please allow me to become the royal representative in charge of the 'Workers' Welfare Association.' I will not only establish clinics and night schools, but I will also, in the name of the royal family, establish minimum protection standards for female factory workers and child laborers, starting with the factories in Coroneos and extending to every enterprise willing to cooperate with the royal family!"

She no longer mentions charity galas or royal decorum.

What she wanted was a position, a position that would allow her to personally carry out Constantine's will. She wanted to be part of his plan, not a bystander protected in his shadow.

Constantine looked into the light shining in her eyes, a resolute determination born from breaking free of her cocoon.

He didn't speak, but lowered his head and placed a gentle and solemn kiss on her smooth forehead.

From their first meeting in Berlin, to their argument in Athens, and now to their embrace.

Their souls, faced with a shared cause and harsh reality, finally transcended the chasm of identity and ideals, achieving true harmony.

Constantine hugged the girl in his arms tighter.

He knew that from this day forward, he was no longer a lone warrior.

He has found his most steadfast ally, and the future of Greece will welcome a queen who is truly unique.