The inspection was said to be heading to the Viscount’s territory located south of the royal capital. They mentioned it would take three days by carriage, so it must be about 100 kilometers away? I’m not quite sure.
It seems that this territory has discovered a new mine. Coincidentally, it contains the same type of ore as that found in the Kingdom of Levaze. They appear to be searching for new sources of import to replace the ones they’ve restricted, and if it’s come from within the country, that would be a stroke of divine luck. There would be no need to negotiate with anyone, nor would they have to engage in any delicate maneuvering with Levaze.
I’ve received orders to take Wendy, the daughter of Levaze, along for this inspection. What a tasteless idea. There’s nothing to gain from this; it’s merely a chance for them to watch Wendy lament over the ore’s production and reminisce about her homeland.
But sadly for them, Yukino feels not a shred of sorrow. And the Wendy they know will not grieve either, for the Cursed Princess likely doesn’t even understand the significance of it all.
“According to the survey results, we can expect a considerable yield. We assigned multiple departments to this, so the results should be reliable,” said one of the men.
“That’s wonderful news,” Yukino replied, smiling brightly at the news of her homeland suffering. It was genuine. This would hasten the time until that country crumbles.
“Do you understand what this means?” he pressed.
“What do you mean?” she asked innocently.
“…Never mind.”
The territory was governed by Viscount Hartley Hall. Their place of stay was the viscount’s mansion, which, judging by its size and age, seemed to have a considerable history. The viscount appeared to be a shrewd man, intent on maximizing the benefits of the newly discovered mine in his territory. However, he was also a loyal servant to the royal family. He was well aware that his own interests aligned with the national interest and sought a fair trade agreement.
The kindly butler treated Yukino with great courtesy, showing no signs of hostility.
Now, the viscount had two sons. They were involved in managing the territory under their father’s guidance and had modest personalities.
He also had a wife and a daughter. Both women seemed to wield their noble status like a banner. The daughter, in particular, had a bold demeanor. She viewed the second prince’s stay at their mansion as a monumental stroke of luck. Consequently, day and night, she frequently approached him, maintaining a close distance without actually touching him. Meanwhile, Yukino was completely ignored by both mother and daughter.
As their week-long stay approached its end, and they were set to return to the royal capital in a few days, the viscount remarked, “Our family boasts a splendid Cigar Room.”
With that, Cyril left Yukino’s side, though he instructed her to return to her room. After the eldest and second sons followed suit, Yukino, with Olive’s assistance, attempted to return to her chamber. It was then that the viscount’s wife and daughter appeared, as if they had been waiting for this moment.
“Your Highness, would you care to join us for tea?” they asked.
Just as the men would bare their hearts and strengthen their bonds in the Cigar Room, women would confirm their friendship through tea. Yukino could have declined, but if she did, the fact would likely spread like wildfire throughout the territory. This would leave a subtle rift between the potential princess consort and the prince, as well as within the territory itself. Moreover, the expressions on the viscountess and her daughter’s faces did not seem friendly. They likely harbored dissatisfaction regarding the contract surrounding the mine. Accepting their invitation and hearing their thoughts wouldn’t be a bad idea.
“It is indeed a noble thing for our territory’s ore to bring prosperity to the nation,” the viscountess said.
“Indeed, Mother. We can only be grateful that the country recognizes this value,” the daughter chimed in.
“Our family has sworn loyalty to this nation, yes, indeed,” the viscountess continued.
“Even if the citizens are burdened with labor, it is only to be expected,” the daughter added.
As they sipped their fragrant tea, their conversation was laced with discontent. Essentially, it was a veiled demand for a higher purchase price. Yukino smiled vacantly, neither affirming nor denying their claims, simply wishing for this moment to pass swiftly.
As they observed Yukino’s demeanor, the smiles on their faces gradually faded.
“…Your Highness, are you quite close with His Highness the Second Prince? It’s quite unusual for you to accompany him to such a distant place,” the daughter remarked with a forced laugh.
“Regarding the recent diplomatic policies, what are your thoughts, Your Highness? I hear that the export destinations for foodstuffs are dwindling, and jewelers are raising prices due to insufficient stone supplies. I worry whether we should continue on this path,” she continued, her tone dripping with concern.
It seemed that economic sanctions were being enacted in retaliation. Apparently, several royal families from allied nations were collaborating, altering the import-export ratios with countries other than Levaze. This was clearly a strategic move, anticipating future treaties with several nations, gradually bringing stability.
Yukino smiled again, feeling no need to share such information with them.
“…Your Highness, are you truly supporting Prince Cyril? I don’t mean to be rude, but as someone from another country, shouldn’t you learn more? If you can’t even engage in this level of conversation…”
“Indeed! It’s quite pitiful for the prince! I believe you should choose a princess consort more befitting of him!”
“Why, for instance, this girl. We’ve raised her with love for this country, and she possesses the beauty necessary for diplomacy, wouldn’t you agree? Oh, Your Highness, if you refuse marriage, this girl could protect His Highness’s side far better than you could!”
As I tilted my head and smiled, the two women began to clench their fans tightly. They leaned in closer, whispering to one another.
“Is she really that oblivious? Perhaps she doesn’t understand our words?”
“Mother, remember the rumors? They say the new princess is cursed…”
“I thought it was just a rumor, but it seems to be true. She’s just dazed and smiling like a doll.”
“Should we go through with it?”
“I thought it was a foolish plan, but it might actually work.”
Their conversation was loud enough for me to hear, and they seemed to have no intention of hiding their thoughts. When the mother signaled, a man clad in armor appeared at the entrance. He looked like a commoner.
“You, take this lady to her bedroom. And proceed as planned. You don’t even need to go through with it; it’s enough if the prince finds out what happened after he returns to his room in about… thirty minutes when the Cigar Room disperses,” she instructed.
“Will I be punished…?” he asked hesitantly.
“You’re not one of the master’s favorites. My daughter and I will testify that the princess forcibly brought you into her room. The master will surely protect you, so there’s no problem.”
It’s not something I’m proud of, but in both this life and my previous one, Yukino is a maiden. Still, I’m perceptive enough to understand what’s being plotted. As the man entered the room and reached out toward me, I struck his hand away with my fan.
“Ouch!”
Though it likely didn’t hurt much, the man expressed his surprise with those words and took a small step back. I spoke firmly.
“Don’t touch me.”
Having worked in the secretary’s office, I’ve interacted with many high-ranking individuals in my past life. I’ve witnessed firsthand how they behave, driven by their status and confidence. My voice was low and firm, my gaze unwavering.
“Your boot laces are coming undone.”
As I addressed him, the man looked down in surprise. However, he quickly returned his gaze to me, not bending down to fix them.
“Your form is falling apart. And that’s because you’ve sewn it yourself multiple times.”
The man inhaled sharply. His gaze remained steady, but his hands trembled slightly.
“Leather needles and thread are more expensive than ordinary ones. You’re likely using a dulled needle out of desperation. Moreover, with the repeated repairs, the original holes no longer serve their purpose, so you’ve been shifting the stitching position little by little. But as you know, those shoes have reached their limit. In both combat and escape, stability underfoot surpasses all else. You’re living without being able to exert even half of your potential in those shoes.”
The faces of the mother and daughter were agape, while the man’s complexion grew increasingly pale.
“Your duty is not to please the master’s wife or to assault and be discarded by a noblewoman. Your role is to protect the territory, the people, and ultimately your own family, and to fight for them. If you lay a hand on me, you will abandon all of that and die. After all, I can’t imagine a master who wouldn’t even ensure your safety with something as simple as a shoelace would stand in front of His Highness to protect him.”
The man’s hand fell limply to his side.
Yukino’s eyes darted back and forth between the men and their shoes, her expression a mix of curiosity and anxiety. Her mother remained in a daze, still processing the situation. It wasn’t Yukino’s turn to speak, so I too kept silent. For a while, no one uttered a word.
Then, a knock echoed from outside, and before anyone could respond, the door swung open. Cyril appeared, breathless, with Olive peering anxiously over his shoulder. The maid had slipped out the moment the man entered, likely to fetch Cyril. He surveyed the room, catching his breath as he approached Yukino slowly.
Cyril had no idea what had transpired before his arrival; the scene where Yukino had skillfully detained the man had occurred long before. Nevertheless, it seemed Olive’s report of a man entering had prompted his swift return. To be honest, it was a relief.
“…I was feeling tired tonight, so I decided to take my leave. I thought I told you to go to bed early. What were you talking about?” he asked.
“Well, this young lady here wants to marry you! Isn’t that wonderful?” Yukino replied with a teasing smile.
Everyone’s faces went pale at her response. The mother and daughter duo clearly became flustered, while the soldier’s eyes widened in shock.
“Hmm. Is there anything of value in exchanging for a princess of the realm?” Cyril mused.
“Love, of course! Love!” Yukino chimed in, her voice bright.
“Then I must decline the offer, Lady Hall. My heart belongs to Wendy,” Cyril stated firmly.
I couldn’t help but admire Cyril’s ability to assert something that wasn’t true. The lady chuckled nervously, “O-of course, Your Highness. It’s just a young girl’s whimsical fantasy. I never thought the princess would take it seriously. I apologize as a mother.”
“Of course, of course, Lady Hall. Neither Wendy nor I believed you were serious. If you were, that would imply a political intervention from a noble family, and I would have to report that intention to His Majesty, indicating that this land is trying to encroach upon the central authority. Surely, you wouldn’t suggest such a thing.”
“Of course not,” the lady replied in a voice barely above a whisper, seemingly satisfied with Cyril’s dismissal. He then took Yukino by the hand and led her back to the bedroom.
Royal knights stood guard in the corridor, and after checking both sides several times, Cyril finally stepped inside.
“What happened?” he asked.
Now, how should I respond? Part of me wanted to tell him the truth and make that mother-daughter pair squirm, but reason whispered that it wasn’t wise. If Cyril learned the truth, he would have to punish the Hall family, which would unnecessarily delay the mining contract. We needed this matter to proceed as smoothly as possible to strengthen economic sanctions against Levaze.
“What do you mean? That girl simply likes you, that’s all,” I replied, keeping it vague.
“…I see.”
Cyril seemed to hesitate for a moment but decided to play along with Wendy’s innocent act. That was fine by me.
“I’m sorry. There are always people who want to get close to a princess. From now on, either I or Olimer will be by your side when you’re outside the castle.”
Olimer was Cyril’s right-hand man, a middle-aged nobleman who held a marquis title. His status was so high that he could easily neutralize any threats posed by lesser nobles.
“That sounds like a hassle…” Yukino sighed, utterly exhausted, and quickly prepared for bed.
Despite the somewhat precarious situation, she seemed to sleep soundly. The next morning, she was awakened early by a maid, instructed to prepare for their return to the capital. Though it was earlier than usual, it seemed the events of the previous night had prompted them to cut their inspection short by a couple of days.
Only Viscount Hartley Hall and his guards saw them off.
“Your Highness, I understand you are leaving ahead of schedule. Was there some sort of issue?” the viscount asked, his voice tinged with concern.
“No, it’s simply to finalize the contract details as soon as possible. Your preparations have been more than sufficient, so there’s no need to worry. However, when it comes time to sign, I would prefer if the lady and her daughter stayed away,” Cyril replied.
The viscount, already anxious about the early departure, grew even more flustered at Cyril’s last remark. He opened his mouth to ask for clarification but seemed to realize that it wasn’t appropriate to voice such questions in front of the messenger and all the servants, swallowing his words instead. A perceptive man, indeed. Thus, Yukino and Cyril returned to the capital.
About a month later, Viscount Hartley Hall visited the royal castle. Having successfully negotiated a fair price for the national acquisition of the mines, he was granted an audience with the king to commend his achievements.
In the audience chamber, the king and queen sat on the dais, flanked by the princes and Yukino on the right, while the nobles gathered on the left. The viscount entered with his two sons and a guard. Though there was a healthy tension in the air, he maintained a relaxed demeanor, graciously accepting the king’s praise.
“By the way,” the king said, as if a thought had just occurred to him, “I heard there was some sort of issue with your wife and daughter.”
The viscount’s face stiffened at that, and he replied in a quieter voice, “It is indeed embarrassing. I mismanaged the budget meant for the servants and guards of our household. I was unaware, and it caused them distress.”
“That is not the responsibility of the head of the household; that is the steward’s job,” the king remarked, a hint of exasperation in his tone.
“You are correct. Our steward has… aged. I had hoped to respect his desire to continue serving, but due to this incident, I have ordered his retirement and sent my wife and daughter back to her family.”
“Hmm. A lenient punishment, but Cyril would say that is your virtue,” the king noted.
“…I am humbled by your words.”
“As you take on the responsibilities of the realm, remember to embody the rigor expected of a lord, a leader, and a servant of the royal family.”
“I shall take that to heart and vow further loyalty here, alongside my sons.”
With a nod from the king, the chancellor urged the viscount to leave. The Hall family bowed respectfully, the sons and guard mirroring their father’s gestures as they bowed twice toward the front and right.
At that moment, Yukino’s gaze met that of the guard. He wore splendid boots that suggested he could run fast and strong. Smiling brightly, he returned her gaze with a deep bow.
With the acquisition of the mines as a starting point, the Aurila Province began to strengthen its domestic resources, steadily increasing its national power. A year later, however, the Kingdom of Levaze was invaded by the allied nations, erasing its name from history.