Chapter 18

"Come now, Iris. Are you already working?"

Early in the morning, as I was working in the study, Mother suddenly appeared.

"Mother, I'm sorry. It's breakfast time, isn't it?"

"It's fine, don't worry about it. More importantly, I'm worried about your health, Iris."

"I'm fine. I haven't collapsed in the six months I've been working. Besides, I'm actually enjoying it quite a bit."

"Is that so? I'm glad to hear that..."

"If you don't mind, please have breakfast first. I'll need a bit more time. I've prepared chocolate croissants for today's breakfast."

"Chocolate croissants? I've never heard of them."

"They're a new product from the Azuta Trading Company. They're bread with chocolate mixed in."

"Oh, that sounds delicious. But since you're here, I'll wait for you, Iris."

"Understood. I'll try to finish as quickly as possible."

Tanya subtly serves Mother some tea. That's Tanya, the capable secretary.

In the early morning, I go through the reports from various departments. Ah... there's still a long way to go. Road construction is progressing smoothly, and the construction of the school buildings for the high school and the primary school in the capital is also advancing.

"Sebastian, this calculation is wrong, so please correct it. Also, reject this budget request. The cost estimate is too loose. Try to cut costs where possible. If we're going with this budget, please have the Engineering Department provide evidence that they can accept before bringing it to me. Oh, by the way, how's that project with the Engineering Department going?"

"Yes. Along with road construction, the preparation for building offices in various locations is progressing smoothly. Since materials can be transported simultaneously, it's saving time and costs..."

"I want to know the details, so please submit a report to me. Also, tell the Civil Affairs Department that creating household registers is the top priority. I want to complete the registers for the capital before the road construction is finished. This will be the most important document for the future. If they want to proceed with other work, have them start with the household registers."

"Understood."

Is this the last of the documents I need to review first? The rest are for detailed consideration and discussion... oh, there are still two piles left.

While sorting through the documents, a knock sounds at the door.

"Come in."

"Excuse me."

Sei, who is in charge of the trading company, enters.

"Good morning, Madam, Miss Iris. I've brought the morning report from the Azuta Trading Company..."

"I'll go through it, so please give it to me."

The pile of documents on the desk is one mountain. Whether you think it's a lot or a little, it's hard to decide. I flip through them quickly, attaching makeshift sticky notes to important sections and moving forward. After going through them once, I return to the sections with sticky notes. ...I'm really glad I can read quickly.

"...All lines are generally doing well. This is a new product from the beauty line. Please bring me a sample later, including the container. Also, there are a few raw materials I want to try... please tell the developers I'll be visiting them later."

"Do you want to try specific items? If you tell me in advance, I can prepare them for you."

"Is that so? Then... bring me the items listed on this note by this afternoon. Also, bring me the ledgers from each store for me to review later."

"Understood."

...That's it for the morning meeting.

"Mother, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"It's fine. By the way, this herbal tea is really delicious."

Mother is smiling. Despite keeping her waiting for quite a while, she is truly kind.

"I'm glad you like it. It's a popular item at the Azuta Trading Company's café line."

"Is that so? I'd like to be able to drink it at home too."

"Actually... right now, it's only available at the cafés."

In this world, black tea is the norm. When we tried it at the cafés, it was a huge hit. We've received requests to sell the tea leaves, but production hasn't caught up yet. ...I need to address this. I'll visit the café line during the afternoon meeting.

"Please let me know when it becomes available. I'll serve it at the next tea party."

"Thank you."

As expected of the head of the PR department. She's already doing the work without being asked.

After that, Mother and I had breakfast and a leisurely tea time. It might have been a while since we spent such a peaceful time together.

"...By the way, how is the situation at the neighboring house?"

"Hmm? It's the same as always. That foolish son of theirs hasn't come back even during the long break. He's probably still hanging around with the second prince and his entourage."

Mother's voice became cold in the second half. When a beautiful woman like Mother speaks in such a tone, it's quite intimidating.

"Mother..."

"I want you to know, Iris, that I'm on your side in this matter. I'm angry with Bern too."

Her tone of voice has changed—!! It's completely in her professional mode. The cold tone and smile sent a shiver down my spine.

"...To be honest, if he weren't my real son, I would have crushed him long ago."

Even though she's smiling, Mother, that's why you're scary.

"...By the way, Mother, how is the situation in the capital and the castle?"

When I changed the topic, Mother sighed and the atmosphere around her softened. I let out a breath I had been holding. N-no, it's not because Mother's atmosphere was scary that I changed the topic. I was just curious.

...Of course, I have a general understanding of the situation between the two factions. But the amount of information Mother has is incredible.

For example, the current situation is that the first prince's faction and the second prince's faction are at a stalemate. Of course, that makes sense. The current king is still alive, and it wouldn't be wise to make big moves.

As for the key figures... the first prince is supposedly studying abroad, but it's very suspicious. No one knows where he is. Since he's not on the public stage, I have no information on his whereabouts.

The second prince is apparently still living a student life, but I haven't investigated his school life, so I don't know the details.