Chapter 57

As Lilith carefully got off the carriage and looked up, she saw that many people from the town of Bunmini had gathered in the square. However, their faces looked very anxious. When Lilith smiled, their expressions immediately relaxed. As she slowly looked around and stood next to Gesualdo, still smiling, and waved, a cheer went up. The townspeople seemed worried about how the Crown Princess would perceive their town.

Lilith could hear the women's voices, saying things like, "It's hard to believe that a princess who is used to glamorous settings would visit such a desolate rural town," and, "She doesn't seem to show any disgust at all." There were also voices saying, "It's just a facade."

It seemed that the people were trying to whisper, but Lilith, who had already seen the town in a reality dream, was not surprised. She had seen even poorer rural villages in other dreams. Moreover, in a village near the Freudt royal castle, she had even milked cows and goats while pretending to be of a lower status, and collected eggs while being pecked by chickens. Being a princess from the countryside was not for nothing—incidentally, Daria had never done such things.

What Lilith was more concerned about was the townspeople's reaction to Gesualdo. They seemed less afraid of him than anyone else they had met on this trip.

"Have Your Highness been to this town before?"

"Yes, about three years ago, when the mining output drastically decreased, I came to inspect it... Why do you ask?"

"The people of this town seem more interested in me than in you."

"That's probably because you are very cute."

"Wh-what..."

Lilith, who had honestly voiced her question, was surprised by Gesualdo's response. Thinking it must have been a misunderstanding, she stared at him, but he remained expressionless as usual. However, his ears were slightly red.

(Could he be... blushing?)

Thinking this, Lilith wanted to boast about his kind words to everyone around her. But she managed to hold back by tightly clenching her hands. She had been called "strange" or "odd" before, but this was the first time she had been called "cute."

Previously, she had been complimented on her eye color, but that was more like a forced compliment. Because of this, the people around her looked at her with considerable affection, seeing her unable to suppress a smile.

At first, the townspeople were more confused and bothered by the news that the Crown Princess would accompany the inspection. However, contrary to expectations, the Crown Princess did not show any disgust at the desolate town and instead wore a warm smile. This made even the townspeople, who had initially looked gloomy, naturally smile. Gradually, the tense atmosphere at the arrival turned into a warm one, and the royal couple was warmly welcomed by the townspeople.

***

The royal couple stayed in a small mansion in the town. It was a building where officials sent by the state had stayed during the town's prosperous mining days, but it was now quite old. Despite this, Lilith thanked the town leader, who had shown her around, with a smile, noticing how meticulously it had been cleaned.

Lilith's guest room was decorated with an abundance of flowers, showing the townspeople's thoughtfulness. These were flowers unique to the Hottar Mountains, including many Usuyukisou, the national flower of Freudt. Tena and Rese also smiled, feeling nostalgic. Afterward, the town leaders left, relieved by Lilith's reaction, and in their homes, they spoke of her as a kind and approachable princess.

Finally, Lilith decided to relax until dinner. Gesualdo had already told the townspeople that there was no need for a special welcome event, so there was no need to prepare for it. When dinner time came, Lilith, who had changed into something simple, was led to the dining room and was pleased to see that only two settings were prepared. Without much need to put on a show, she started eating with Gesualdo, who had arrived shortly after, and they chatted quite a bit.

"---So, why didn't you stop by Toisen, even though you've been to this town before?"

"...How did you know?"

"From the reactions of the people in Toisen and the other towns along the way..."

"Ah, I tried to avoid showing myself as much as possible during the journey. It was cold, so I covered my head and face with thick cloth."

"That's... very modest of you."

"No, at least call it cautious."

More than for the cold, he had done this to avoid frightening the people he met along the way. When called "modest," Gesualdo quickly corrected her, having become quite accustomed to Lilith's unusual behavior. Incidentally, at the time, Gesualdo was accompanied by knights, so he was not mistaken for a bandit, but his appearance still frightened many passersby.

"I had planned to stop by Toisen later, but an urgent matter required me to return to the palace, so I had to cancel it."

"Is that so? I thought you had attended the factory's opening ceremony."

"No, Conrad attended it on behalf of the king. At that time, both the king and I were away from the palace on other matters."

"I see. Conrad..."

Lilith's guess that there would be an opening ceremony for such a large factory and that he would be invited as a guest was correct. However, at that time, the issue of Machinukan's interests with the Fontae Kingdom was surfacing, and it made sense that Conrad attended on the king's behalf. Conrad was a suitable representative for the king.

(Well, it makes sense that Conrad did it. But if that's the case, he could have told me he had been there...)

"Then, what did you think of this town?"

"---Huh?"

Lilith, who had been lost in thought about Conrad, was unable to answer immediately when Gesualdo asked her. Honestly, she didn't even understand the question. Gesualdo, looking slightly puzzled, repeated his question.

"What did you think of this town, seeing it with your own eyes?"

"That... Honestly, I'm not sure yet. The people are very kind, but there's a lack of vitality... It feels like they've given up. Still, their hospitality seems genuine and heartfelt."

She gestured around the room, which was also beautifully decorated with flowers.

"The people of this town look at you differently from others. They don't seem afraid, just a bit suspicious and hopeful. That's why, even though I was supposed to be a burden, they welcomed me so warmly."

"No, I think it's more than that... Anyway, we need to meet their expectations."

"Yes!"

The people's expectations were directed at the Crown Prince, but it would be Lilith who would act. This might turn their hope into distrust. Despite this, Lilith's answer was without hesitation. Gesualdo continued, somewhat mischievously.

"But it won't be easy. If the rocks here can't be used as the base for Shyana, your plan might fail. What will you do then?"

"But in that case, Your Highness must have another plan for this town, right?"

Lilith's confident answer surprised Gesualdo. In fact, he and his father, the emperor, had a backup plan. While it was not as good as using the rocks as the base for Shyana, he hadn't expected Lilith to have guessed this.

(Really... Prince Eim's words—'a rare treasure'—weren't a lie.)

Lilith's sharp insight had become apparent to Gesualdo during this inspection. Initially, he thought she was acting on the advice of that fraudster Frederick or the wise Gregory, but it seemed different. Lilith was aware of her position and used it skillfully to gather information and influence those around her.

(I'm one of them too...)

It was a bit frustrating, but if it made more people in the country happy, he should accept it. —Regardless of the people, he was also being influenced by her. Probably, that small head of hers was filled with knowledge Gesualdo didn't know.

(If it weren't for the issues with the Fontae Kingdom, I would have liked to see what Lilith can do...)

Still, there was time tomorrow. Gesualdo secretly smiled at the thought of looking forward to the next day and listened to Lilith's plans.