Chapter 9

After feeling warm at the thought of my promise with Sir Dean Dain, I returned to my room and was dismayed by the pile of letters that had been delivered.

The contents were about new fabrics that had arrived at the store where I often have Primera's dresses made, and similar direct mail from jewelers and hat shops.

In this world, trends come and go, so unlike my previous life where I relied on the internet, it's important to check these things regularly, communicate well with the shop owners, and receive preferential treatment.

Of course, they won't treat a "royal" customer poorly, but it's a matter of being sincere with those who treat you kindly and maintain a good relationship.

Of course, don't forget to play your cards and negotiate. After all, they are seasoned merchants.

The rest were from the coffee and tea shops I frequent, a popular confectionery in the town below, a bookstore, a stationery store, and a letter from my aunt (my father's sister, but she and my father don't get along, and I'm close to her) updating me on her recent situation.

Mixed in with these was a letter from my father.

It was a request for money.

I couldn't help but make a face like a raccoon.

"Hey, what kind of face are you making, woman?!"

"Your Highness, it's not permissible to enter a woman's room without permission, especially through the window..."

"Sorry, I just escaped from my brother's usual talk about arranged marriages. I have a fencing practice with Albercht Daum after this."

"Is that so? Then you should leave this way."

"Still as cold as ever! ...How about you come with me?"

"Why should I?"

"Albercht Daum wants to talk to you too. I don't allow anyone to be around during my practice, so please come along."

While saying this, the prince grabbed my arm and wouldn't let go.

It's quite rude to grab an unmarried woman's arm so casually, but perhaps he doesn't fit the nobleman's etiquette after all.

I had planned to prepare dinner, but I decided to give up since I shouldn't keep the Crown Prince waiting.

I was going to make pork chops...

◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□

After seeing the Crown Prince for the first time in a while, I naturally bowed deeply, kneeling and looking at the floor.

Of course, I am just a commoner with a noble title, and he is a person of high rank.

Prince Albercht Daum, in game terms, is the main target. He is handsome, intelligent, from a good family, and an excellent swordsman.

However, in the game's setting, he struggled to express his emotions because he was expected to be a perfect child by his father, the king, and his strict mother. The only people he opened up to were his uncle, the prince, and his neglected and overweight sister.

He was supposed to be drawn to a carefree and unconventional noble heroine, who, despite her roughness, gradually captivated him with her expressive nature.

But Lady Primera has grown into a very beautiful young woman, and while she was a poor student in the game, she is now an excellent student, making her teachers proud. She might even be smarter than the Crown Prince, who is three years older, and she can use magic.

It's said that all royals can use powerful magic, but in this world, everyone has magical power, and its strength is a matter of talent. I can boil water, make things float with wind, and create a stand for a bucket by raising the ground, but these are minor magical abilities.

Lady Primera has slightly higher basic powers in the four elements and is skilled in summoning magic. Prince Albercht Daum has higher powers in the four elements, especially fire. I don't know about the king and queen.

The prince is said to have incredible physical enhancement, but that's just what he says.

As for me... I have slightly weaker powers in the four elements, I suppose.

It's fine. I don't need to rely on this to make a living.

It's useful for boiling water and such! Isn't that great?!

"I'm sorry for calling you here. You don't need to be so formal. Please look up."

"Yes, thank you."

"Still, it's a day off, isn't it? You look different from your usual uniform, but you're still so plain, huh!!"

"Uncle, that's rude. She's calm and composed, which is good."

"But she's still young, you know?"

The prince chuckled, not to belittle me, but just to comment on my usual appearance. I know from the court, a den of snakes, that this is a big difference.

But am I really that plain? My uniform is a dark navy, but today, since it's my day off, I'm wearing a calm, dark bronze dress. It doesn't have a bold pattern, but it has a subtle embroidery that I like. But maybe it is plain.

Still, I have a plain face, so even if I wore something flashy, it would be a mismatch!

"Well, it suits you. You look better without all the frills. How about I help you pick something out next time?"

"I'll pass. Your Highness, you called for me?"

"Ah, right. Where to start... Do you know about Leed Mark Rizil?"

"...I remember he is the only son of the Rizil Trading Company and a friend of the Crown Prince."

Many nobles are angry that a mere merchant's son has become a friend of the Crown Prince, but unfortunately, the Rizil Trading Company brings so much benefit to the country that the king might even grant them a title.

Of course, as a trading company, they prioritize business, but they are also great merchants who contribute to the country's wealth. So, they don't have many open enemies.

And this Leed Mark Rizil. In the game, he is also a target to pursue.

By the way, having two names is common for noble sons but not for commoners. Some say the Rizil family gave him a noble-like name to challenge the status quo.

Anyway, Leed Mark is the Crown Prince's friend and is the same age. He has light brown hair and a charming face, like a cat. He was a tsundere character.

In the main ending, he says, "I thought you looked better as a princess, but that was an illusion. Love makes you see the best in someone...!!" In the hidden ending, he reveals that he is actually a fan of chubby girls, saying, "I want to make you cuter. Will you become my type?"

The scenario writer must have some strange tastes.

I haven't met him yet as a lady-in-waiting to the princess, but the Rizil Trading Company is a supplier to the royal family, so they come and go quite often.

"I see, then this will be easier. Actually, recently, Leed Mark has been reporting that your father, Viscount Fandied, has been frequenting the money lending and jewelry departments of the Rizil Trading Company."

"...What?!"

"Well, many nobles are in debt, so it's not a big deal... But why is the Fandied family, which doesn't have a mansion in the town, frequenting the main store of the Rizil Trading Company? Do you have any idea?"

"...I apologize. I have been disowned..."

"I see, that's right. So, even if something happens to that man, it won't affect you, right?"

"I don't know, but is such a situation expected?"

"Probably."

"...What a mess."

"Because you're here, Primera can laugh like that. I want you to continue supporting her, not as a Crown Prince, but as a brother."

"That is a great honor."

I was a bit surprised to see the Crown Prince, who usually doesn't show much affection, start practicing with a slightly embarrassed look.

After all, in the game, he didn't think very highly of his sister. He would make a face whenever she showed any talent.

But the boy in front of me looks like a brother who cares for his sister.

"Recently, I had a chance to talk with Primera. I'm not very friendly, and because of my mother, I thought I wasn't well-liked. But Primera was smiling by my side. I was a bit surprised, but... she's a good girl."

"..."

I almost said, "You're a good brother too," but I held back. A good maid reads the room.

The prince, who was now smiling, was watching his nephew with a grin.

"Because of my father's favoritism, my mother's stubbornness, and my own indecision... as a family, we're not fulfilling, but Primera calls me her brother and knows all my good points, even though I'm not as great as her. I was embarrassed, but also happy."

"..."

Oh, my princess is such an angel!

And I regret not being there to see it! The blushing Prince Albercht Daum and the smiling Primera, declaring her love for her brother... they are angels!

"You must have raised Primera to be like this."

"It is a great honor."

"Don't be modest. ...That's why I want to avoid a situation where you have to leave the castle because of a family issue. If you need help, I can talk to the Rizil Trading Company. That's all I wanted to say."

"Thank you."

...This is strange, there's no such event in the game!

At least, it seems the prince won't force the princess to marry someone.