I Reincarnated as a Prince Who Revolutionized the Kingdom-Chapter 69: Reforged Kingdom

Prince Bruno sat in his study, a map of the Kingdom of Elysea sprawled before him. The candlelight flickered against the polished mahogany table, casting elongated shadows across the chamber. His mind was split between two pressing matters—his impending marriage to Lady Amélie de Vauclerc and the far-reaching administrative reforms that would redefine the kingdom’s governance.

His engagement was settled, but securing a queen was only the beginning. If Elysea were to thrive, it needed more than noble alliances and courtly traditions—it needed order, efficiency, and modernization. The era of fragmented feudal governance had to end.

He turned to Antoine Leclerc, his closest advisor, who stood by the fireplace, observing the prince with keen eyes.

"We begin immediately," Bruno said. "If this kingdom is to survive the next century, it cannot remain shackled to archaic governance. The nobles will resist, but they have no choice—either they adapt, or they will be left behind."

Leclerc smirked. "You mean to strip them of their ancestral powers without outright rebellion?"

Bruno nodded. "Not strip, Antoine—redefine. They will still have authority, but it will be in service to the crown, not in defiance of it."

For centuries, the Kingdom of Elysea had been governed by feudal lords who ruled their lands as near-independent sovereigns, owing only loose allegiance to the crown. This led to inefficiency, corruption, and infighting. Bruno would end this.

The first decree established Prefects, royal administrators who would oversee the governance of each department—the new administrative divisions of Elysea. These Prefects would be appointed by the crown, answerable only to the monarch, ensuring that Bruno’s rule extended to the farthest reaches of his realm.

"The Prefects will handle taxation, justice, and infrastructure in their respective regions," Bruno explained to his council later that afternoon. "No more feudal lords dictating their own laws. The administration will answer to me, and only me."

Some members of the court murmured uneasily. The nobility had long enjoyed unchecked power over their fiefs, and many would see this as an outright attack on their authority.

"The noble houses will revolt," one of the older councilors warned.

Bruno smirked. "That is why they will not be discarded—but reshaped."

The second decree would appoint Governors over each administrative region—former lords of their respective lands, now bound to the crown under a new oath. These men would still retain influence but under direct royal oversight. They would no longer be feudal rulers in their own right but stewards of the state.

"The lords will swear an oath before the crown," Bruno continued, "to govern in the best interest of the people. They will still hold their lands, but their autonomy will be reduced. In exchange, they will receive titles and privileges within the centralized government. Those who refuse will find themselves replaced."

Leclerc chuckled. "They’ll have no choice but to comply."

"Exactly," Bruno said. "I will not destroy the nobility, but I will forge them into something greater."

A few of the councilors still looked uncertain, but they knew better than to oppose the prince openly. The message was clear: the days of noble defiance were over.

A strong kingdom needed more than governance—it needed wealth, and wealth needed structure. Elysea had long suffered from unreliable currency, inconsistent taxation, and economic stagnation. Bruno would change that.

The third decree established the National Bank of Elysea, a centralized financial institution that would regulate currency, issue credit, and manage state funds. The bank would stabilize the economy, ensure consistent taxation, and fund the crown’s modernization efforts.

"The bank will provide loans for infrastructure, trade, and industrialization," Bruno explained to his advisors. "No more reliance on merchant guilds and foreign lenders. Elysea will control its own wealth."

Leclerc nodded approvingly. "This will put Elysea on the path to financial dominance."

Bruno leaned forward. "We will also introduce a new standardized currency—the Elysean Franc—backed by gold reserves. Every transaction within the kingdom will be conducted under a single, regulated monetary system."

The economic elite, who had long profited from chaotic financial policies, would resist, but they would soon see the benefits of a stable economy under central control.

With governance and finance reformed, Bruno turned his attention to industry. Elysea had lagged behind its rivals in industrial development, still relying heavily on agriculture and manual labor. This, too, would change.

The fourth decree promoted industrialization across the kingdom, focusing on textile production, steel manufacturing, and mechanized agriculture. Bruno sought to transform Elysea from a feudal economy into a modern powerhouse.

"We will build factories, shipyards, and railways," Bruno declared, outlining his plans to his council. "We will adopt the latest technology and machinery. The nobility will invest, and the people will find work."

To support this transformation, Bruno granted incentives to industrialists and entrepreneurs willing to invest in mechanized production. He repealed archaic guild restrictions that hindered business growth and encouraged scientific advancements in engineering and metallurgy.

"These reforms will make Elysea the beating heart of industry in Europe," Bruno stated confidently.

Leclerc smirked. "You truly mean to pull this kingdom into the future."

Bruno met his gaze. "I do not ’mean’ to—I will."

Despite Bruno’s confidence, resistance was inevitable. The nobility had ruled unchecked for centuries, and these reforms would shake the very foundations of their power.

Many would grumble.

Some would plot.

But none would succeed.

To ensure compliance, Bruno personally summoned every high-ranking noble to the royal palace, where they would swear fealty under the new system. They would either pledge loyalty—or they would be replaced.

One by one, the lords stood before him.

One by one, they took the oath.

And for those who hesitated, Bruno’s words were clear:

"You may resist, but I will not yield. Either you serve Elysea, or you serve no one."

With the Prefect system, the National Bank, and industrialization policies in place, Elysea stood on the precipice of a new age.

Bruno knew that change would not come overnight. There would be challenges, unrest, and setbacks. But he had set the wheels of progress in motion, and they would not stop.

As he returned to his study that evening, he exhaled deeply. The kingdom was no longer a patchwork of noble fiefs—it was a centralized power, under his rule.

And soon, with Lady Amélie at his side, he would not only be its ruler.

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He would be its architect.

The future had begun.