“…Yes? Adjust the prices?”
I saw it. The emperor, who had always seemed composed, momentarily wavered at the mention of ‘price adjustment.’ It’s true what they say, that landlords are scarier than gods anywhere you go.
“Anyway, an award ceremony to celebrate our victory should be held, right?”
This reminded me of my days as the emperor’s secretary. Back then, the emperor I served as the male protagonist, and I was the villainess secretly in love with him, tormenting the female protagonist…
“Especially since it’s uncertain whether Stony acted with malice or was unjustly framed.”
But instead of love, I spent my days arguing with the emperor and working hard. Eventually, I was beheaded by the male protagonist for being too presumptuous. Whether in love or not, it was always chaos. What were they expecting me to do?
“So, aren’t we also uncertain whether our knights are truly cursed or unjustly accused?”
I meant to say if they believe in Stony’s innocence, they shouldn’t apply such standards to my children.
“Well… yes.” The emperor chuckled at my words. “You’re not wrong. Haha.”
Then, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, he said, “It’s not difficult to hold an award ceremony. It’s only right to proceed as the Princess suggests.”
I could feel the emperor’s eyes on me, filled with intrigue.
“Even the old vassals shrink back in front of me, but…” Suddenly, the emperor spoke as if amazed. “I’ve felt this since Ash’s welcome party, but Princess speaks so boldly. You’re not intimidated at all.”
Naturally, the emperor’s golden gaze was said to be so intense that those who faced it felt their breath catch. But I once had a 36-hour continuous debate with an emperor who was a tyrant in another life. This emperor was quite gentle and kind in comparison.
“If only our Moriana could grow up to be like Princess.”
I deliberately ignored the emperor’s murmuring, which sparkled with interest.
“I really want it…”
It sounded like he was about to offer me the position of the royal princess’s educator on the spot.
“Well, anyway, I’ll take care of the award ceremony. The rest is up to the Princess to handle.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Now, let’s get to the main point we’ve all been waiting for.”
The emperor stood up and approached his desk. The black cloak representing the Rixon imperial family fluttered over his shoulders.
He does look impressive.
Someday, Redian would wear the emperor’s cloak. Just thinking about it filled me with confidence that it would look splendid.
“Belleng District.” The emperor took something out of a drawer and walked back to me. “Here, Princess, write down the amount you wish to receive through this deal.”
“…This is?”
“However.”
Oh my. What he handed me was a blank check.
“In exchange, transfer all your shares of the Belleng District land to me.”
It meant to give up all shares. If the Belleng District were developed into an imperial resort, its value would be immeasurable. No matter how much money I took now, it would eventually be surpassed.
“But, Your Majesty.”
Looking down at the blank check, I asked, somewhat perplexed. “The Belleng District, compared to other urban areas, is underdeveloped. Why go to such lengths?”
At this point, I wasn’t supposed to know about the emperor’s plan for a resort island.
“I have a lot to do with that land. As soon as my successor is determined, I’m going to escape to the Belleng District. Hand over all this administrative work.” The emperor gestured towards the piles of documents on his desk.
“The Belleng District, surrounded by sea and mountains, is perfect for escaping from those damned vassals.” His eyes sparkled with genuine intent.
Ah, so the ultimate reason for creating the resort was for his retirement. But if his successor meant our Redian…
What about my child?
“In short, it’s a land I’ve been eyeing for a long time as my resting place. And now the Princess has taken it all… It’s been quite bothersome for me.”
“Your Majesty,” I called him again, this time with a lower voice.
“Don’t call me like that. Today, I find the Princess more intimidating than my demanding secretaries.”
“I won’t accept the payment for the land.”
“…What?”
A moment of silence ensued. My unexpected response seemed to surprise the emperor, whose expression became complex.
“Instead.” I picked up the pen and wrote down the two conditions I had in mind on the blank check. “If you grant me these two conditions, that will suffice.”
“Not money, but two conditions? Alright, let’s hear them.”
My grip on the pen showed no hesitation. “First, grant me a name personally crafted by Your Majesty.”
“You want me to bestow a name?”
That name would become my brand. Siayu was hastily coined just to entice Bergman.
A real name to present to the world should be impressive.
The value of a name bestowed by the emperor was immeasurable. Even Royal Princess Moriana’s name was given by the emperor, a privilege reserved for historical figures who have made significant contributions to the empire. So, imagine the prestige of having my brand named by the emperor.
“Second, build an eight-story building for me in the Belleng District.” I slid the check with my conditions written on it towards the emperor. “These are the only conditions I desire.”
The Belleng District held value beyond monetary measure.
“Then, I will transfer all my shares of the Belleng District to you.”
In that case, it’s only right to sell it for a price beyond money.
* * *
“Ah, Princess. I’ve heard about the incident. Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine. How about the Norma?”
“They’re all resting in the west building. Fortunately, there seem to be no serious issues.”
I had returned to the duchy, but there was no time to rest. Rubel sought me out as if he had been waiting.
“Here are the documents you asked for, Princess.”
“…”
I slowly went through the documents Rubel handed to me. Specifically, a list of people who had access to the pantry on the eve of the festival.
“It looks like Luna came to the pantry that day.”
“Yes. She said she was taking ingredients to make desserts.” Rubel’s tone was casual as if it were a common occurrence.
“Ah, right.” I nodded nonchalantly. “Around that time, Luna made desserts, and the servants shared them in their quarters.”
“Yes, that’s what they said.”
Rubel’s expression remained indifferent. After all, no one in the manor could have imagined Luna being involved in such deeds.
“What about the ingredients that disappeared without a record?”
“Ah, we never thought such a thing could happen here…”
At my question, Rubel pulled out another document. Only then did a hint of surprise cross his face.
“Whether it’s the pantry or anywhere else, our outflow management is strict. But it turns out there were ingredients that disappeared without record that day.”
“What were they?”
“Burdock.”
“Burdock?” My expression feigned surprise. Pretending not to know while actually knowing everything was most effective when you wore an innocent face.
“Burdock is a herb used for cleaning and disinfecting, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Strange. It’s not a significant ingredient to disappear without a record.”
It was time to start the engine.
“Unless we have a mouse in the manor… why would it vanish without any record?”
I cut off the path laid by Luna for misbehaving nobles. Now, it was time to clean up that path.
“It’s never happened before, right? Or has internal management been so chaotic that we didn’t notice items disappearing?” I slightly furrowed my brow. “Even if it’s a minor ingredient, it’s outrageous for theft to occur in our Duchy Felicite.”
“My apologies, Princess.” Rubel bowed deeply. “The head maid and butler were also shocked, saying it’s the first time they’ve seen this. They promised to find out where the ingredients went.”
“How will the head maid and butler find out? They’ve been oblivious so far.”
Technically, it was just a small amount of burdock. Making such a fuss over it wasn’t necessary. But…
“If they get away with theft once, won’t they be tempted to steal other things?”
“That… Umm.”
There’s a saying that gives him an inch, and he’ll take a mile. Plus, if they hadn’t tried to frame me with such a petty scheme, this wouldn’t have started.
“Issue a notice throughout the duchy immediately, Rubel.” I put the documents into the desk drawer as I spoke.
“A notice? What sort of—”
“Tell whoever took the burdock that day to come forward and confess to me directly.” Then, I smiled lightly. “Bad habits must be corrected properly.”
