After shooing away the princess and slamming the door shut, Asela finally relaxed her face.
“Well, that was quite the interruption to my precious time.”
Asela stretched her mouth into a long grin directed at me.
“Thanks are unnecessary.”
“Thank you?”
“Of course. If you had been alone, you wouldn’t have been able to reject the princess’s proposal.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
Even if there were relations with an enemy nation, there’s still the matter of social status.
However, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the introduction of the First Princess, Persiya.
In the past, General Darren had hinted that the products from my pharmaceutical factory were circulating in the Kingdom like smuggled goods.
It would be more comforting for me to establish a proper export route than to watch brokers, including merchants, rake in unjust profits.
“Are you sure you’re okay with that, Your Highness? As the First Princess, you must have considerable influence. After all, your first impression was the worst.”
“I have dignity, do I look like someone who would associate with a flower snake?”
Asela huffed angrily and brought one of the neatly arranged glass cups before her.
“I want something to drink.”
Asela skimmed the rim of the cup with her fingertips while giving me a glance.
“Should I prepare milk tea?”
“Champagne is already prepared.”
I stepped closer to the table.
My gaze met Asela’s as she sat there.
“Did you say that on purpose because you want to get scolded?”
Asela looked up at me, smirking defiantly.
“How long are you going to treat me like a child? Are you really going to ensure I don’t have even a sip until I become an adult?”
“Of course.”
“Only two years left.”
“Two whole years.”
“There’s no hero from storybooks who achieved great feats before becoming an adult.”
Asela stood up and tapped my shoulder.
“Prepare it by night.”
Saying that, she plopped down on the bed, exhausted, and closed her eyes.
No way.
I moved the powdered sleep aid from my pocket to the outside pouch to mix it into a drink whenever necessary, then drew the curtains for her and left the room.
*
It was about ten days until the Martial Arts Conference began.
During this period, Asela was busy managing political relations, attending meetings of all sizes, so I had to fill my schedule, too.
“Why have you been sleeping so deeply at night lately?”
Well, why indeed.
“Perhaps because you’ve been busy with consecutive meetings, and the stress of being in a different environment?”
“I want to go out and explore with you. It’s frustrating.”
I was already accustomed to hearing Asela’s complaints up close.
On the third day, I got news that Neria had safely arrived in the Kingdom from the Gothberg Marquisate.
I couldn’t just sit back. Temporarily handing over my work to Chloe, I rushed to the castle wall outside the martial arts conference arena to meet Neria.
“Hey, what’s that?”
“That can’t possibly be a siege weapon…”
“Looks like we’re getting to see some rare sights thanks to the martial arts conference.”
Perhaps due to the rumors spreading, the royal guards and citizens gathered at the castle wall, observing the line of people being inspected.
Bwooouu!
A massive mammoth let out a thunderous roar, swinging its threatening tusks here and there.
There was a comfortable spot to ride on its high back, modified to accommodate passengers like a carriage.
On either side of the mammoth, bears and wolves were stylishly positioned for escort.
But what should we call that, if not a carriage?
Mammoth carriage?
In the saddle was Gishta, her blue long hair flowing as she sat proudly, puffing out her chest.
“Laaaars!!”
Even from a distance where she looked like just a dot, Gishta, with her keen eyesight, immediately recognized me.
The problem was that she immediately leaped off the mammoth and charged, trampling through the line of carriages at full speed.
The crowd fell into chaos, terrified. Seeing her charge like a wild beast made one think all sorts of things.
“Hahahahahaha!!”
With the Doppler effect, her laughter grew louder.
Gishta effortlessly scaled the high wall and popped her upper body over, meeting my gaze.
“Lars, I missed you!”
“So did I! But you realize jumping over here without inspection is illegal, right?”
“Huh?”
Only then did Gishta seem to notice her surroundings beyond just me.
Dozens of royal guards, wide-eyed and drenched in sweat, were aiming arrows at her.
“I see! We don’t show mercy to those who cross the border without permission!”
“Good understanding.”
“It’d be a disaster if something happened to the lady. Let’s meet again shortly!”
With a hearty laugh, Gishta jumped down from the wall and bounded back to where she came from.
Tanya worked hard to appease the still-frightened guards.
*
After welcoming Neria, I guided her to a hotel.
Expecting her to be placed in a regular hotel as an imperial noble, I was surprised to see her name on the distinguished guest list. She could stay at the same hotel as Asela.
Since Gishta and the Thunder Tribe had trouble finding a stable to park, I sent Bruno to manage that.
After finishing up the check-in process, Neria and I searched for a café in the city.
“The Kingdom’s pastries are amazing….”
Neria’s eyes sparkled and drool dripped from her mouth as she saw the cake and pastries that arrived as dessert.
“Try this too.”
Tanya had already grasped the menu, ordering a mountain of artistic dishes stacked before Neria.
It was like a buffet.
“Whenever I meet my brother, my mouth always gets happy.”
Before I knew it, Neria had stuffed her cheeks like a winter squirrel, filled with whipped cream, and beamed with delight.
“Don’t you usually get to eat snacks?”
“I have to stay within my allowance. Just one a week. So I have to choose wisely.”
“What about the income from the pharmaceutical factory?”
“I’m still a minor. If I spend freely, it’ll spoil my habits. The factory funds are also my family’s assets.”
Neria was very diligent about self-management.
Leaving the factory in her hands was indeed a good choice.
“Oh, you said you wanted to see the factory records. It’s like this.”
Neria handed me a folder of documents.
I checked the contents and was a bit surprised.
“So much profit?”
“Hehehe.”
Operating for about ten years, it could really fund a small nation.
I had set the prices to be affordable for the common folk based on ordinary pharmaceutical pricing I remembered.
Development and raw materials costs were significantly minimized, and since there’s no tax now, this outcome seems natural.
“Have you not opened distribution routes to foreign countries?”
“No. Currently, we only sell within the Empire under the management of Moonlight Palace.”
“Then it means any that come into the Kingdom are indeed smuggled goods.”
I wondered if there was a way to resolve this as I heard a voice calling me from beside.
“Oh my, Teacher Gothberg. Fancy seeing you here again?”
The rustling of fabric. It was none other than First Princess Persiya.
Dressed lightly, she bore elegance but looked no different from the common folk.
“Your Highness, it’s an honor to meet you. Have you come for a commoner experience?”
“What do you mean by that? My younger sibling is fond of this place, so I visit often.”
The princess sent me a bright smile.
Not far from the table, I spotted her entourage.
Not knights but what seemed to be two guards, and curiously, a boy in a wheelchair.
“Is that the prince?”
“Yes, he’s our youngest.”
The prince, who looked about Neria’s age, made eye contact with me and bowed respectfully.
I replied with a slight nod, my professional instinct kicking in as I couldn’t help but use [Diagnosis].
―――――――――――
· Name: Gordon A. Williams
· Stamina: 14 / 14
· Injury: Paralysis of the lower body due to acquired spinal injury
―――――――――――
“You probably haven’t heard of the Kingdom’s Third Prince, right?”
“That’s right. I was under the impression there were only two princes with succession rights.”
“I injured my leg when I was little. I don’t speak about it publicly.”
“I see.”
“But what about you? Oh my, are you perhaps the lady of the Gothberg family?”
At the mention of “lady,” Neria, already prepared, politely introduced herself.
“I’d like to express my gratitude for allowing me a meeting with a distinguished person. I am Neria Gothberg.”
“Oh my, what a lovely lady!”
Princess Persiya covered her mouth elegantly and laughed.
“But may I ask, is the young lady the representative of Gothberg Pharmaceutical?”
“That’s correct. I’m honored you recognize me.”
“My goodness, to meet not just the teacher who devised the medicine but also the representative who produces it! This martial arts conference is truly delightful.”
The First Princess seemed eager to discuss business with me.
And with Neria here too, she likely saw this as an unbeatable opportunity.
However, the topic she brought up first caught me off guard a bit.
“I’ve always wanted to express my gratitude to both of you.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Thanks to the painkillers created by Teacher Gothberg, Gordon… our youngest can sleep comfortably. I’ve heard news about the Empire’s new technology for years. Without Representative Neria’s factory, the medicines might not have reached the Kingdom.”
The princess nodded with elegance.
“I sincerely thank you both.”
Neria waved her hand, flustered.
“Oh, please don’t! We weren’t doing this to receive thanks. Building the factory was also your brother’s idea.”
“Oh, really?”
The princess turned to me with curiosity.
I had a direct question.
“I’m glad it was helpful, but my medicines are supposed to only be distributed within the Empire. May I ask how you obtained them?”
“I purchased them through the Shupre merchant. They regularly import to the Kingdom.”
“They shouldn’t have been allowed to export to foreign countries.”
Princess Persiya chuckled softly.
“Haha. Bulk management of goods can’t be handled with a sword, especially with popular products like your medicine. The Shupre merchant roams across the continent, so even if the Empire pressures them, they won’t simply obey.”
“So what should we do?”
“We need to manage the people. The easiest way to manage people is through money.”
The princess answered as if it were common knowledge.
In the Kingdom, where free-market economics have been established, that was correct. In that regard, the Kingdom is more modernized than the Empire.
“I very much wish to buy your medicines directly, as they are essential daily goods for my younger brother now. However…”
“The Empire and the Kingdom are enemy nations.”
“Yes. Creating a trade route independently would surely anger the Empire, putting you in a difficult position.”
The princess had quite the sense.
What she likely desired was direct imports of my medicines without going through merchants.
She attempted to address my side naturally while broaching this business topic.
Since she had shown effort in trying to gain my trust, I wanted to hear more.
“You said you had something to say?”
“Oh, I wanted to convey my gratitude.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes.”
As I gazed intently, the princess tilted her head with an innocent smile.
…Have I been overly cautious?
Naturally, I thought she’d have more elaborate intentions, but it really seemed just like a simple act of goodwill.
It looked as if she came out just for an outing with her younger brother today.
‘I might have been too influenced by Asela during my time at the imperial palace.’
If I had someone help Neria, I would indeed go ahead to greet them first.
‘I want to eliminate smuggling.’
Princess Persiya seems to have quite a knack for economic sense.
Her interests align regarding direct imports of medicines.
As far as I know, female royalty do not have succession rights, so she isn’t deeply involved in political affairs.
Her approach toward me likely carries less political intent.
Nonetheless, being royalty, she still holds some power.
‘I think I have a way.’
I glanced at the youngest prince, Gordon.
After sorting through my thoughts, I spoke to her.
“Your Highness, I have a proposal.”
“A proposal?”
“It’s about the legal trade between enemy nations. Right now, we’re both in a state where goods are flowing in like smuggling through merchants.”
“That is true.”
“With the upcoming martial arts conference, how about you and I become symbols of reconciliation?”
At my question, the princess’s eyes widened.
