Chapter 26

The smiling head of the company was looking ahead with his knees bent.

In the corner of his eyes were His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Primera-sama.

The essence of his visit was because he could hardly walk freely within the palace himself. Even as the head of a business called Rizil, a royal merchant, he could hardly visit even a lady-in-waiting’s room.

It’s not that I have an appointment. Even if I did, it would not be a good idea for me to be in a drawing-room where people could see me.

The chairman of this meeting, who was not this old man, seemed to be a friend of His Majesty. The relationship between His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and him was similar to Reed Marc-kun. As a matter of fact, he often visited the Royal Palace.

As he was a merchant with a royal warrant, the butler of the royal family often visited him when they needed an errand boy.

This time, I came to ask something from His Majesty the King. Since it was a special occasion, His Majesty allowed me to come while I was greeting His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Princess. That was why I was allowed to meet with them in the Crown Prince’s office.

Those who were allowed to be present were His Highness Prince Aralbert Daum’s knight escort, the chief butler, and me, Primera-sama’s first lady-in-waiting.

He was an old man who looked so cheerful that it’s scary to think that he could see the through everything.

“I’m grateful to you for allowing me to be here on such short notice today.”

“I don’t need a lecture. Father sent me here with the task to see if you had anything to recommend.”

“No, no, I would like to greet His Highness as he has been a big help to me in general, and I thought I would like to pay my respects to him.”

“Hmmm…”

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, your attitude is a little selfish. Well, there’s no need to be humble in dealing with a mere merchant, of course.

To be honest, Primera-sama must be troubled by the fact that she had never been allowed to be present at such a meeting. However, in this situation, only the two royal family members have the right to speak. His Highness’s chief steward and I could only speak when asked for our opinions.

“Your Highness, please accept my greetings once again. I heard that your party was a great success the other day and I would like to congratulate you.”

“…Thank you.”

“Oya, that necklace around your neck is a coral rose with a mandarin garnet. It’s extraordinarily beautiful! It suits Her Royal Highness very well.”

“…Is this a stone called coral and mandarin garnet?”

“Ha, that is, if I’m seeing this right.”

“Hmmm, if the chairman of the Rizil Chamber of Commerce, the country’s foremost merchant and connoisseur of gems, says so, then it must be true.”

“Is that so… you know of it, my brother?”

“I’ve heard of Coral, as you know it, but Mandarin Garnet is the rarest amongst garnets.”

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is very knowledgeable.”

The way he smiled and praised His Highness Aralbert Daum was like grown-up rejoicing at the growth of a child. But how could you see the princess’s necklace or something from that distance? I’m sure you would be able to find out where it was sold and who bought it since jewelry was a particular specialty of the chairman of the board. I just noticed it now, and it’s a good product. But even so, this old man must be a raccoon.

It was firmly engraved in my mind that the chairman of the Rizil Trading Company was a big raccoon dog.

By the way, was that mandarin garnet and coral? The orange coral was in the shape of a beautiful rose. Even though it’s decorated with pearls and mandarin garnet, it’s a pretty design for everyday use. As expected of the Rizil Trading Company, I think they said that…that’s right, it’s a one-of-a-kind piece or something. It’s super serious. The boy’s seriousness was packed in there.

“Although it is presumptuous, it is said that coral is meant to ward off evil spirits and a talisman for good health. That mandarin garnet represents hidden passion and sincerity.”

“Really? I’m so glad I got this as a birthday present.”

“If so, the giver must really be thinking of Your Highness, I suppose. With your beauty, I’m sure he should be, too!”

“Thank you.”

Ah, she smiled happily. Primera-sama, I’m not going to tell you that I don’t think Dean Dayne-sama even knew the language of stone. But I should write to Dean Dayne first to let him know…just in case he gets ripped off at the tea party we were planning to hold soon.

“Now that I’ve said my greetings, I’d like to ask you what you want me to do for you today. I’ve been asked by His Majesty to visit you for an errand.”

“That’s the main thing. It’s hard to work as a merchant when you have to deal with children like us.”

“No, no, it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Royal Highness. And now, Your Royal Highness, is there anything I can do for you?”

This old man’s point was that he goes to the Prince first.

If it was a common merchant, there were people who would ask questions to His Royal Highness the Prince and Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess at the same time. I’m sorry to say but such a person would not be able to make it to the royal warrant. The cutting order was important. Unfortunately, this was like a part of politeness, no matter how close they were.

Since the Prince is the highest-ranking person in the room right now, I’ll call on the Prince. And then I will ask the princess, Primera. That’s the correct answer. And don’t try to force him to order something. You’ll have to get them to remember your face. I learned from the Jenda Trading Company that such things are important. I heard that merchants have many rules, but they didn’t tell me about them.

“No, there isn’t. …If I need anything, I can have it delivered through Reed. Is that all right?”

“Yes, of course. I hope you will continue to look after me. …How about Your Highness?”

“Well then, I overheard it the other day. I heard that the tea from the Shelvanda High Mountains is very good, do you think we can get it?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then that’s good. I’m having a tea party with some of my closest friends soon, when can I expect the delivery?”

“Is that so…if it’s not in bulk, I’m sure we can have the finest within three days.”

“Then. Julia.”

Oops, you’re on!

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess has finished their duties.

His Royal Highness Aralbert Daum did not have any orders this time. Since Primera’s order was received, that means that it was a package to be delivered to the Princess’ palace. I would have a word with the chairman of the meeting after this.

I let out my breath softly as I watched the two of them leave the room.

At last…was a strange thing to say.

I could now lead the head of the Rizil Trading Company to the office. This was part of the job…and it was not strange for a royal merchant to go to the office of the Princess’s lady-in-waiting to discuss business.

And when they arrived at the office of the princess’s lady-in-waiting, the soundproofing and exorcism were adequate – which means you could have a secret talk if you want to.

That’s why the inner courtroom was only accessible to people with special identities and a certain status. There were knights patrolling here and there. It’s too late after something suspicious happened. However, I thought it’s because of these things that when I work there, it’s called a cave.

I’ve never had a secret talk with anyone, though!

It’s true!