Chapter 95

"Really, I'm so sorry!!"

The next morning, when the princess arrived at Perseron, she apologized immediately, bowing so deeply that her waist almost formed a right angle.

It was right after I had seen Colette off to work, and I was facing the princess at the front of the house. Her appearance was so unexpected that I didn't even think to use my mimicry skill to turn her into Jeanne.

"What's with the sudden apology? At least stand up straight. We can't talk like this."

"Sorry..."

The princess raised her head with a dejected expression, looking up at me with an apologetic gaze.

"It's about the tin..."

"Ah, it didn't work out, did it?"

Given her demeanor, I could only think that much. I tried to convey that I wasn't blaming her as I asked the princess.

"Yes..."

"I see. So it's as rare as they say in the kingdom?"

"No, that's not it!"

The princess hurriedly explained, almost as if she was defending herself.

"It actually exists."

"Hmm?"

"To be more precise, it exists in the records and documents. There was a certain amount, even if it was rare."

"But it wasn't actually there, right?"

"Yes... It's rarely used, so no one knows who, when, or even what happened to it. Was it diverted? Was it discarded as unnecessary?"

"I see... I understand."

I nodded slightly. I had already heard from Chris and had a general idea about the tin, but this explanation made it even clearer.

"You don't need to worry too much about it."

"But... I couldn't present it to Sir Cyril—"

"It happens in ordinary households too."

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Sometimes, when cleaning out an old storage room, you find something old and worn out. After disposing of it, you realize it was a treasure."

"Does that really happen?"

"I think you understand. Sometimes, incredible antiques or treasures come to light, right?"

"Ah, yes. Sometimes they are presented to my father."

"Exactly."

I nodded slightly and continued.

"Among those, there are things that the owner would never part with, right?"

"Yes... but very rarely."

"That's the pattern. The owner's family, who don't know its value, dispose of it."

"I see."

"Even with a decent treasure, it's a common story. So really, you don't need to worry about it."

"Yes... Thank you, Sir Cyril."

Jeanne, comforted, looked at me with tearful eyes.

"That's all well and good, but now we have a problem. Is tin absolutely necessary? I should ask Chris."

"Wait!"

"Hmm?"

"We have tin. But... we need to collect it."

"I see... Can we get a substantial amount?"

"Yes. The Nureyev abandoned mine, owned by Baron Bouquet, is the easiest place to get a substantial amount of tin."

"I see."

"But... Baron Bouquet is a difficult person..."

The princess bowed her head again. Her dejected appearance made me feel a bit sorry for her, and I wanted to help.

"How difficult is he?"

"Apparently, if you push your authority, he gets even more stubborn."

"Oh dear, that's not good."

I nodded again. I understood that this was the main reason the princess was so down today.

After all, she is a princess, and her father, the king, is quite indulgent with her. There's no way she couldn't gather tin, which is as valuable as gold.

If the reserves were gone, she could gather it anew, using her wealth and power. But the fact that she's making this face means it won't work with this person.

"I've been trying to feel him out, but it seems Baron Bouquet is difficult..."

"Then there's nothing we can do."

"I'm really sorry..."

"It's fine, don't worry about it."

"Yes..."

Despite that, the princess still looked dejected.

Meanwhile, something was nagging at me.

"..."

For some reason, something was bothering me.

"Um... I'll do my best, so please give me a little more time."

"Eh? No, it's not that I'm dissatisfied with you. I just have a nagging feeling."

"A nagging feeling?"

"Yes, I feel like I've heard the name Baron Bouquet somewhere... Where was it?"

"Um..."

"Do you have any information about the baron?"

"Information? Well... He lives in Ribeaucourt, and—"

"Ribeaucourt? That sounds familiar too."

I raised my hand to stop the princess and pressed my temple with the other hand, thinking.

"......I remember."

I snapped my fingers.

"It's Catherine's pen pal."

"Eh?"

"Maybe we can make it work."

"Eh? Eh? Eh?"

The princess was confused, but I saw a glimmer of hope.

☆

At Catherine's mansion, in the room where I had received the letters. In that room, Jeanne and I were facing Catherine.

"So... can you talk to Baron Bouquet for us?"

I explained the situation and asked Catherine for help. She was a wealthy young lady and a former client. I thought it would take a lot of effort and expense to get her to act.

"I understand."

To my surprise, she agreed readily.

"Really?"

"Yes. I'll write a letter."

"Will a letter do?"

"Yes. If I refuse the request of someone important to me, I won't write any more letters—this should be enough."

"Ah, I see."

I smiled a little. Her words revealed the power dynamic between Catherine and Baron Bouquet, and I felt a bit sorry for the baron.

"Please wait a moment, I'll write it now."

Catherine stood up and left the room to write the letter.

Left in the room, Jeanne and I faced each other.

"It seems we can make it work."

"To think it would be so simple... Sir Cyril is amazing..."

Jeanne, who knew more about Baron Bouquet's difficult nature than I did, looked at me with an incredibly moved expression.