Chapter 58

"......What a waste."

"What's a waste?"

"This firewood."

"Firewood?"

"Yes. Despite the quality of this firewood, the selling price is too low. No matter how you look at it, they are being underpaid."

Facing the many pieces of cut wood placed in the mine tunnel, Lilith appealed to Gesualdo. It seemed that most of the firewood here was being sold to Tuisen, but the purchase price in Tuisen was quite different from what she had found out. Firewood is absolutely essential for pottery. Therefore, it was one of the necessary checks she had to make. When she heard the wholesale price from the former miner who was guiding them, Lilith was surprised. Seeing the actual firewood, her surprise turned into anger. When she told Gesualdo the wholesale price, he frowned.

"Indeed, that is strange. According to the accounts I checked in Tuisen, they were being bought at a fair price..."

Murmuring, Gesualdo sighed deeply. Whether it was the financial officer or the purchasing officer who was acting improperly—probably both—Lilith's head ached at the thought. Corruption seemed to have deeply infiltrated.

Lilith remained silent, hoping that Gesualdo and the Emperor would handle the situation. That was something she could leave to them. Her job was to see if she could recreate Shana.

"Next, can you show me the rocks that were excavated to mine the ore?"

"Y-Yes..."

Lilith asked the former miner and headed towards the place where the rocks were exposed to the sun. Lilith and her companions, who had been traveling by horse until halfway, were now walking on foot.

"...You have been walking without hesitation. It's as if you have visited this place before."

"Eh...?"

At Gesualdo's words, Lilith was taken aback. While she was trying to figure out how to respond, Gesualdo continued without waiting for her answer.

"You know that the rocks are being excavated here and that the people here are now making a living by selling firewood. Your sources of information seem very good."

"That... is..."

"It's not that I'm blaming you. As a princess who came from a neighboring country, you are doing what is natural."

Lilith couldn't read Gesualdo's feelings at all. Was he angry? Or was he just stating facts? Even when she glanced at him, Gesualdo remained expressionless.

"No, I think it's not your sources but you who are excellent. You understand your position well. In a place where many women think they don't need to be involved in politics or consider the people, you seem very studious. That teacher must find it rewarding to teach you."

The way Gesualdo spoke made Lilith feel like she was still considered an outsider. Thinking about this, Lilith forgot her earlier anxiety and felt sad. She had been trying her best to do what she could in this country, but now she wondered if her efforts were for nothing. She thought she had gotten closer to Gesualdo, but it seemed to be a one-sided misunderstanding.

"Your Highness... Do you suspect me?"

"Suspect?"

"I am not trying to take over this country or sell information. Just like Freud, I want everyone in this country to live happily... At least, I want to reduce the number of people who have no place to live or food to eat and are suffering. So I certainly do not have any ulterior motives—"

"Of course, I don't think you are plotting anything. That was just a comment."

"...A comment?"

Lilith, who had been trying to make herself understood, felt a sharp pain at his words. To her, the hurtful words were just a "comment," which was too cruel. Her sadness quickly turned into anger. Sensing this, Taina, who was standing nearby, took a step forward to stop her, but it was too late.

"Lilith-sama—"

"Your Highness, really! Are you insensitive!?"

"Insensitive?"

"Yes. You don't understand women at all. What kind of comment is that? Is it homework or something? I am not an object of observation; I am your wife!"

"Of course—"

"Also, as I have said many times, I am no longer a princess of Freud! I am the Crown Princess of this country! I am studying this country as the Crown Princess!"

The people accompanying the Crown Princess were taken aback by her angry stomping. They could hear her words clearly, even though they couldn't understand the content of the conversation between the Crown Prince and his wife. They suppressed the urge to cheer and watched the Crown Prince's reaction.

The townspeople, who were not afraid of the "Red Reaper" but hoped he would save their town, were now more concerned about the outcome of this situation. The people accompanying the Crown Prince were even more anxious.

While being watched by everyone, Gesualdo looked down at Lilith, trying to hide his confusion. He didn't understand why Lilith was angry, so he must indeed be insensitive. He didn't see why he needed to consider "women's feelings" in their conversation. He had intended to state the facts and praise her, but he didn't understand why she was asserting that she was his wife now.

(A mystery...)

Gesualdo's frowning face looked angry to Lilith, who was glaring up at him with her small frame.

If the Crown Prince was the person he was rumored to be, the Crown Princess would not be safe. Tension spread among the people around them. They strongly wished that the Crown Princess would apologize. If she begged for forgiveness now, disaster could be avoided.

Sensing the atmosphere, Lilith realized what she had done. Her head quickly cooled, and cold sweat trickled down her back. It wasn't that she was afraid of Gesualdo, but the problem was that she had defied the Crown Prince in front of everyone. She had to decide whether to apologize normally or maintain the image of the "Red Reaper" and show fear.

"Your Highness, I was being impertinent. I'm sorry."

In the end, Lilith chose to apologize normally. Gesualdo's image was already bad. Lilith, who had always been dissatisfied with this, had decided to spread the idea that the Crown Prince, known as the "Scarlet Star," was actually a good person.

"It's... fine."

Gesualdo only said this to Lilith, whose expression had changed to one of regret. Lilith's actions and words were indeed too incomprehensible. Therefore, he gave up trying to understand and turned around, nodding to the pale-faced guide. The people who had been watching with bated breath finally sighed in relief. The only thing left was a subtle silence as the group continued on their way.