Chapter 31

"By the way, Alfred. It seems you've been going out with Rudy quite often lately."

I call out to my grandson Alfred. My name is Ailia von Tasmere. I hold the position of Queen Dowager in this country, Tasmere. The person in front of me is Alfred, my grandson and the First Prince. Next to him is Rudy, Alfred's childhood friend and aide.

"Yes, Grandmother. I've been quite busy with various things."

He answers with a smile, but... even though he is my grandson, I can't read his emotions from his expression. His smile is too natural, as if it's stuck on his face. Even I, who have lived for a long time in the world of politics and intrigue, would not have noticed if we hadn't lived together.

"I know, you've been covering for Elria and Ed, haven't you? Working with the Prime Minister to clean up their messes?"

Unfortunately, our country still bears the debt from the Twail War thirty years ago. However, as long as we pay it off gradually, there shouldn't be any major problems. Yet, Elria and Ed have managed to create quite a mess. Frequent food distributions to the people, Elria's formal dresses for events that no one knows when she will wear, and Ed buying dresses for his new fiancée's children... And then, there was the time when Ed, misinterpreting the words of his new fiancée, Yurie, a young lady, who said, 'This is a wonderful place. It would be nice if more people could enjoy it,' tried to develop the entire resort. The Prime Minister managed to stop him, but because of his stubbornness, he couldn't stop Yurie from having her clothes made. It's odd to use the royal budget to make Yurie's clothes, but Elria and her indulgence of Edward have led to this.

The national budget is divided into the royal family's budget and the budget for running the country. The royal family's budget is for the royal family's living and private expenses. The budget for running the country is used for the operation of the state. For example, my everyday clothes are funded by the royal family's budget, but my formal attire for official events is funded by the national budget. The salaries of the maids who take care of my daily life are paid from the royal family's budget, but the salaries of the ladies-in-waiting who assist me as Queen Dowager are paid from the national budget. To explain the difference, if I send a letter in my personal name, a maid can handle it, but if I send a letter as Queen Dowager, it requires the approval and assistance of a lady-in-waiting. There are detailed regulations for the placement of seals and the content of the letter, which must be checked against past examples. For clothing, a maid's job is to dress me, while a lady-in-waiting ensures that my attire is appropriate for the event. Depending on the situation, the expenses fall under either the royal family's budget or the national budget. However, Yurie is just a fiancée, and it's unusual for either budget to be used for her.

"Yes, they've been causing trouble not only financially but also within the castle. Mainly the Marquis family and their faction, the in-laws of the Queen. As a result, talented people are being sidelined. This is the current situation."

"The King, who has been listless since Sharia's departure, is now bedridden. Although we are controlling the information, it will eventually become public."

"Yes, that's why the Marquis family is gaining momentum."

"Alfred..."

I call his name gently, with a hint of warning in my tone, looking at his calm smile.

"Yes, I understand. I have no intention of dying yet. I won't be able to stand on the stage for a while."

"That's good to hear."

"I will remain in the shadows until everything is ready."

"Until you have gathered the right people and are ready to cut out the corruption."

"...You can't hide anything from you, Grandmother."

He didn't confirm it, but I am satisfied with his answer. I trust that Alfred will do it.

"Oh, by the way... you've been going out with Rudy a lot lately. Leticia was feeling lonely. Are you going to tell me about it?"

Leticia is Alfred's half-sister. Despite being younger than Ed, she is very intelligent, and I have always favored her as much as Alfred.

"...I will tell you about it eventually."

Alfred's smile, unreadable as always, tells me he has no intention of saying more.

After a few more words, Alfred and Rudy left the room.

"Hehe..."

Alone in the room, I reflect on my conversation with Alfred. I can't help but smile.

Alfred said he would, but... I already have a good idea of where they are going. They travel to various places, but I know they have visited the Armenia Dukedom several times.

My plan might come to fruition... No, the thought of it makes me happy.

My plan is to marry a duke's daughter to a member of the royal family. I really love Merry. When I saw that doll-like, adorable face, I wanted her to be my daughter. However, at the time, Merry was already engaged to the duke's heir, Louis, and she loved Louis very much, so I had to give up. I didn't want to force her and risk losing her affection. But I didn't completely give up. I decided that if Merry had a daughter, I would make her my grandson's fiancée.

When Louis told me that the long-awaited girl was born, I was so happy that I had her named Aria, taking the "Ai" from my name, Ailia, and the "ria" from Merry's name. I thought it might be premature, but when I saw the young Aria, I fell in love with her again. She had Merry's face, and her deep blue eyes, like Louis's, were charming.

I wanted her to be my granddaughter, and politically, Alfred would be a better match than Ed, Elria's son. However, while I was busy with Alfred and Leticia after Shalia's death, Ed and Aria became engaged. I had hinted about marrying her into the royal family, but I didn't specify to whom, thinking that Merry, who disliked Elria, wouldn't let her marry Ed. I never expected Aria to fall in love with Ed. Her doting parents agreed to the engagement.

I reluctantly accepted it, thinking she would eventually be my granddaughter, but then the engagement was broken off.

At first, I thought my plans were thwarted again, but upon reflection, this is an opportunity for me. This time, I will definitely marry Alfred and Aria and make that adorable girl my granddaughter. I won't let it happen a third time. I will make sure they get married and bring her into my family.

To achieve this, I need to act... First, I need to bring Aria, who has been "exiled from society," back into the social scene. If my plan succeeds, it won't do her any good if she remains out of society. Aria hasn't shown her face in society since she was expelled from the academy. If she did, she would be ridiculed for her broken engagement. However, she is now a successful land manager and the head of a popular merchant guild. Her absence will highlight Ed's mistake. All I need to do is create an opportunity for her to reappear in society.

Well, it's time for me to start moving.