Before the full harvest season arrived, the King left the court to inspect the frontier regions.
As a result, gatherings exclusive to nobles became frequent at the court of Parma. Rather than simple socializing, these meetings primarily focused on discussing the financial situations of each territory or potential business ventures.
Sienna, who was initially ostracized, had recently begun attending these gatherings regularly. Of course, including her in the meetings and the antipathy toward her remained separate issues.
“Upon investigation, I’ve found that the lodging prices in Ricata territory are excessively high. Don’t you think this requires correction?”
During a peaceful moment, one of the nobles abruptly questioned Sienna.
“Lord Dennis. Do we really need to discuss business matters at a gathering like this?”
Lady Kershaw interjected with a visibly annoyed expression, trying to hint that enough was enough, but it was useless. The King’s absence provided an excellent opportunity for nobles who disliked Sienna to express their contempt.
Presumably, they found it distasteful not only that Sienna was the daughter of an Imperial Emperor but also that someone like her had received a title.
However, despite the blatant harassment, Sienna remained largely unfazed.
“The prices are merely similar to the standard lodging rates in the capital. I fail to see why this requires correction.”
“That’s precisely what’s strange. How can the capital and Ricata be compared on equal terms? From that perspective, there’s no doubt the pricing is unreasonable, and since it places a heavy burden on merchants passing through the region, I believe national intervention is necessary.”
Ricata was, in the past—that is, before it was closed off—a highly favored region both as a tourist destination and agricultural land, thanks to its uniquely sunny climate and fertile soil ideal for farming.
But the Ricata that Sienna inherited was merely land that had been neglected for decades.
Restoring it to its original state overnight was impossible. There was also no luxury of time to wait for the territory to recover.
Therefore, as soon as Sienna reclaimed Ricata, rather than cultivating the land and reviving its function as a tourist destination, she concentrated on improving the roads and building decent lodgings in areas with convenient transportation.
“You must be aware that although Ricata may not be an outstanding tourist destination, it exists as an important hub for trade with the Empire.”
“Even so, compared to Norfolk, which merchants primarily used before Ricata was reopened, the pricing is excessively high. That’s the problem, isn’t it?”
Despite the continued objection, Sienna appeared genuinely perplexed.
“Even if that’s the case, it’s hardly my fault that people choose to come to Ricata instead of going through Norfolk, is it?”
“…What?”
“Frankly speaking, I’m not forcing anyone to use my services. People who are willing to pay are paying the fair price. I find it difficult to understand why you’re suddenly talking about sanctions.”
Though she thought she had given an appropriate response, her opponent clearly had no intention of backing down. He now began dragging other issues into the conversation beyond Ricata’s business.
“That’s not all. I’ve heard rumors that the owner of a trading company stayed at your mansion. Don’t you feel any responsibility for the spread of such inappropriate rumors?”
“Inappropriate rumors?”
Sienna let out a disbelieving laugh. As the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, a woman who had been quietly sipping her tea sighed deeply.
“Please stop this. This is hardly the place to bring up gossip fit for the marketplace, is it?”
While the dissatisfaction with Sienna’s presence wasn’t a gender issue, it was typically only the male nobles who steered criticism in strange directions.
They would seize on problems with Ricata as an opening and then suddenly try to paint Sienna as an indecorous woman.
Lady Kershaw, sitting nearby, also looked exasperated at what she was hearing.
“He was the leader of a trading company renowned across the continent. Isn’t providing lodging to distinguished guests a courtesy commonly extended by lords? I don’t think this deserves such scrutiny.”
“You certainly seem to be taking her side. Yet you, too, initially expressed doubts about Ricata’s existence.”
“If you’re going to nitpick, at least provide legitimate reasons. What you’re saying is nothing but trivial matters. Surely you don’t pretend not to understand that.”
“What?”
To say that Lady Kershaw was taking her side wasn’t quite accurate. From their first meeting until now, she was simply excessively honest about her thoughts. She didn’t have any purpose of supporting anyone in particular.
Even Sienna, who had only observed for a season, knew this fact, and nobles who had known each other longer couldn’t possibly be unaware. It was more like they were finding fault with her first simply because they were irritated by her presence.
Just as the noble was about to speak again, Sienna calmly preempted him.
“Or perhaps you’re trying to suggest that I had an inappropriate relationship with the owner of the trading company?”
“Hmph, that’s not for me to know. From what I hear, such incidents occur quite frequently. Regardless, wouldn’t you agree that the appearance is unseemly to others?”
Of course, the current situation in Ricata was that there weren’t enough adequate accommodations to properly handle the overflowing demand.
When there was an unusually large influx of people and no vacancies in the established lodgings, she would allow them to use the annexes of her mansion as a temporary measure.
But the underlying intention behind such remarks was all too transparent.
“I don’t know if such behavior is acceptable in the Empire, but things are different in Parma. If you’ve received a title, shouldn’t you conduct yourself accordingly? You’re not so young as to be unaware that letting men freely enter your mansion will lead to unfavorable gossip.”
“Surely you’re not implying anything about the father of my child.”
The noble, who had been sneering confidently, momentarily faltered at her calm question. Sienna, who had maintained a neutral expression, gave a bitter smile.
“It’s unavoidable to receive such misunderstandings since you’re not well-informed. The annex where guests stay is completely separate from the main building where I live. If you don’t believe me, perhaps you’d like to come and see for yourself?”
Though she asked with a smile, the face of the one who heard became flushed red as if he had just received a great insult.
Even those who had been quietly snickering in agreement just moments ago hardened their expressions. Only Lady Kershaw continued to observe the situation with an interested face.
As the silence lengthened without a proper response, the noble, seemingly frustrated by this, stood up abruptly and raised his voice.
“You should be ashamed! Tarnishing Parma’s honor as a baseless illegitimate child, and still behaving so shamelessly—do you truly know no shame?”
Sienna silently looked at him. If nothing else, the anger-induced trembling of his facial muscles was clearly visible.
“Such an ill-mannered woman.”
After muttering this loud enough to be heard, the noble stormed out. Noting the atmosphere, other nobles also began to rise from their seats one by one.
Left alone with Sienna, Lady Kershaw awkwardly checked Sienna’s expression. Being caught in the middle, her position was equally uncomfortable.
But Sienna genuinely didn’t seem bothered. When their eyes met, her slightly embarrassed smile showed no signs of being deeply hurt.
“You don’t need to pay attention to what those old men say. They already have unfavorable feelings toward the Grand Duke, and there are more than a few who are envious of the gold coins earned in Ricata territory.”
“It’s alright. If anything, it would be stranger if they showed me kindness.”
Sienna shrugged as if it were nothing.
Of course, since these were people she would have to face regularly, it wouldn’t be beneficial for relationships to sour. But what could she do? It wasn’t something that would be resolved by her alone acting cordially.
Moreover, compared to those days when she was merely depressed with no breakthrough in sight, it was clear that she was now experiencing happiness that could almost overflow.
Since coming to Parma, she had already been living a daily life so satisfying that she could hardly ask for more.
Although the unfamiliar position of territory owner still didn’t feel right for her, managing the territory itself wasn’t that unfamiliar, making the adaptation considerably smoother.
With the introduction of several vassals to help with household affairs through Lady Kershaw, and fortunately, Sienna being a quick learner, even Lady Kershaw, who had been skeptical at first, now acknowledged Sienna’s progress.
The decisive catalyst was her recently launched lodging business.
No matter how renowned Ricata once was as a prosperous land, it was currently unrealistic to bring in tenant farmers immediately.
But if Ricata became a troublesome burden that only consumed budget without generating any revenue, it would obviously have a negative impact on her already unstable position.
Fortunately amid the misfortune, trade with the Empire continued normally, so Sienna decided to focus on this aspect. Instead of concentrating on cultivating the land, she immediately focused on building roads and high-quality accommodations.
Finding investors wasn’t as difficult as expected. There were wealthy individuals who recognized the value and secretly invested money, and some who properly understood the advantages of the region even packed their belongings and came to Ricata themselves.
Geographically, Ricata was the fastest shortcut connecting the Empire’s capital with Parma.
There was a route used when Ricata was closed, but for merchants with time constraints, Ricata was the best option. Moreover, valuing time like gold was a common characteristic of trading company leaders.
As a result, regardless of the rather unfavorable public opinion toward Sienna, her new business flourished. Sienna’s bold decision to choose the lodging business proved to be an excellent judgment.
Since not much time had passed since starting the business, there weren’t many completed rooms, but they were always fully booked.
Although she built new accommodations as revenue came in, the construction speed couldn’t keep up with the daily increasing demand. Therefore, Sienna even opened the annexes prepared for mansion visitors to earn gold coins.
The fact that her first undertaking in her new position was succeeding was an overwhelming joy for Sienna. Even her busy days, where she barely noticed how time passed, weren’t perceived as burdensome.
my business girl ❤️🔥