NOVEL NEXT Chapter 56
Why does the Marchioness want to hire cheap labor through the Ilamena Confederation?
It was obvious.
“It must be because of the chronic problem that the Embros Syndicate suffers from.”
In the past, once rumors spread that the Embros Syndicate was raking in a fortune from its shipping business, they quickly became the prime target—by land and by sea.
More precisely, for bandits.
Since the compensation for the delivered goods was set so high, the risks inevitably grew. I had already learned in Salt that the ever-increasing cost of hiring security was beginning to threaten their profits.
Naturally, then, the head of the Embros Syndicate would have done everything in his power to cut labor costs.
For that, nothing beats the manpower of the Confederation.
I, who had already employed them for dam construction in the Grand Duke’s territory, knew all too well just how vital the Confederation’s freely border-crossing workforce was to the syndicate’s operations.
Yet, despite that, the reason the Ilamena Confederation and Embros had not yet been linked was this…
“These days, if you aren’t introduced by someone, you rarely form any bonds—especially with people from the Empire.”
The kletan Empire is a veritable superpower that dominates the entire continent and influences its neighbors; under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t need any outside help. But as the Embros Syndicate grew in size and expanded its logistics business into regions beyond the Empire’s reach, things changed.
That, however, was merely the syndicate’s own affair.
The small, tightly bound nations among themselves did not readily do business with those from the Empire.
In particular, that Count Golbro of the Ilamena Confederation was notoriously difficult to approach—he adhered to such an exclusive policy that he wouldn’t even meet anyone unless introduced by a long-trusted associate.
“From the standpoint of the Embros marchioness, she’d have no choice but to accept my proposal.”
Clack, clack.
As the uniformly grown grass tickled my ankles, I found myself at the main garden of the imperial palace.
“…Well, I suppose it worked out alright.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Just as I was about to step into the garden, a voice stopped me dead in my tracks.
I immediately knew who it belonged to without even looking.
“This isn’t a forbidden garden, so why on earth…?”
All the efforts I’d made to avoid retracing my previous steps suddenly seemed meaningless.
But I couldn’t delay any longer.
“C-crown prince?”
“Enough with the pompous greetings.”
I, who had been about to hastily bow in proper etiquette, froze completely.
At that moment, I locked eyes with his golden gaze as he raised his hand.
“Not long ago… I was terribly rude.”
After a brief silence, I managed a half-hearted apology, for I saw no sign of animosity in his eyes.
Besides, I recalled belatedly that during our last tea time, he had already shown me ample goodwill.
“No, it’s fine. Though I did not expect you to enter my domain, Young Lady.”
“I just happened to lose my way…”
“Hmm, is that so?”
With his slender fingers stroking his chin, Raiden leaned in toward me. As we drew closer, a subtle woody aroma from his cologne enveloped me. After his smooth, flowing gaze caressed me, an unexpected question soon followed.
“What exactly is your true self?”
“…Yes?”
“The dear Grand Duke Blaire used to describe Young lady as a social misfit, yet now she appears perfectly normal.”
Oops!
“It’s just that he has such a rigid worldview that his ideas are generally hard to understand.”
“And having never even made a debut in high society—living in seclusion—he’s rather ignorant of proper etiquette.”
Only then did I recall how the Grand Duke had described me during our last tea time, prompting me to hastily abandon my perfectly proper posture.
“He, heh heh…,” I began to chuckle softly.
But strangely, the very moment I met the Crown Prince’s uniquely curved eyes, I felt an irresistible urge to laugh.
I prayed it was just my imagination. Please, let it be!
“You’re late.”
Yet, as always, I tried to ignore that things were rapidly spiraling out of control and awkwardly inquired, “Wh-what do you mean by that…?”
The Crown Prince, leisurely observing my pitiful efforts, replied in a relaxed tone, “I am rather lenient with those who have talent, so I’d prefer that you don’t feel awkward.”
“Yes?”
“It means you needn’t put on a show.”
“Ah, I…”
Phew.
After a deep sigh, I continued in as calm a tone as I could manage, “…I am, indeed, a social misfit. I’m extremely afraid of making any mistakes in front of Your Highness.”
“Hmmm.”
Yet the irksome and cunning Raiden paid no mind to my audacious confession of being a madwoman. In fact, he even wore an expression as if he had discovered something delightfully amusing.
‘If I remain like this, I’ll end up helplessly entangled in it.’
With no Grand Duke to shield me as before, the only option was to leave as quickly as possible.
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
“Wait.”
Sure enough, I was inevitably caught.
Creak—forcing my unyielding head to turn, Raiden, who had been standing perfectly still, offered a gentle smile.
“By the way, weren’t you supposed to be heading back to the Grand Duke’s territory soon?”
“Ah, yes. That’s right.”
“Were you originally residing in the Grand Duke’s quarters?”
“Yes, yes.”
“So, you’re not planning to remain in the palace?”
“No, no…?”
In a bid to extricate myself from the situation, I merely nodded and began to answer the question that came my way. Perhaps having anticipated my response, he kindly broke down his implicit question.
“Isn’t it that you need to produce and distribute those tumblers? In that respect, the palace is far better positioned than Blaire’s Grand Duchy up north.”
“……”
“Besides, my mother holds you in high regard. This would be a great opportunity for you to become a companion to the royal family.”
Tempting, isn’t it?
The way he made the offer, so full of confidence, practically screamed, You can’t possibly refuse this.
But his proposal didn’t end there.
“And if you stay here, you could also find a suitable husband. Many promising young men frequently visit the palace.”
However, I couldn’t give him the reaction he was expecting.
Because…
This reeks of something suspicious!
What just came out of Raiden’s mouth were the kinds of opportunities one might only get once in a lifetime.
If I were truly just some insignificant collateral relative of the Bleil family, I would have clung to this chance without a second thought.
But… yeah, no.
“I apologize, Your Highness.”
I turned fully to face Raiden, meeting his brilliant golden eyes directly.
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
“…Impossible?”
His tone carried the disbelief of someone who wasn’t accustomed to being defied.
Yet, I paid no mind and continued speaking, my expression somber.
“Yes, it’s impossible. The truth is…”
Right before I finished my sentence, a thought crossed my mind.
Thank goodness.
“I’m in a lot of debt.”
“A… debt?”
“Somehow… I ended up owing the Duke of Blaire an astronomical amount. In other words, I have so much debt I can’t even consider marriage…”
The Duke portraying me as a social outcast…