Chapter 78

2/2

"…It was quite a challenge this time, wasn't it?"

While sipping tea, I heard those words. Mimosa was sitting across from me. This place is the secondary residence of the Armenian Duke's family, which means it's my home in the capital.

"Well, you know… I was almost a criminal."

"You, a noble lady, have had too many ups and downs."

With a wry smile, I couldn't help but echo her words with a wry smile of my own.

"Since you were finally proven innocent and are in the capital, I sent a letter to meet you, but you didn't reply for a long time, right?"

A week has passed since the inquisition.

I want to go home, but I still can't.

For now, I need to settle the chaos at the store in the capital, which lost its staff, and also negotiate to see if we can do something about the tolls on the trade routes.

To be honest, with the second prince's faction surrounding my territory, things aren't going well.

Not just a week, but I've been working non-stop since before the inquisition, so today I'm being forced to take a break, and that's why I'm meeting Mimosa for the first time in a while.

"Regarding that, I really feel sorry."

"You don't need to apologize. …My words were harsh, too. I heard that you've been working non-stop. …Thank you for giving me your time today."

"Thank you. Even if I had given up on you, you always cared for me."

Even after being expelled from the academy, you kept in touch.

During the last inquisition, you sent a letter expressing your concern.

… I really appreciate that she has continued to be my friend.

"By the way, I heard the store in the capital has reopened."

"Temporarily, though. Right now, it's being run by the people I brought from my territory and some newly hired staff."

More than half of the people I brought from my territory have been involved in product development.

I thought it would be good for them to experience the atmosphere of the field, so I took advantage of this opportunity.

Once the newly hired staff can manage, I'll bring them back to the territory to resume their regular duties.

"Right. It must have been quite crowded, I guess, since it was closed for so long."

"Oh, did you go there?"

"No. I thought about it, but… it was too crowded, so I gave up. It seems to have calmed down a bit after a week, though."

"Hmm… I'm glad, but I wonder if it was okay. Indeed, Merida came back quite tired."

Hmm… even if I went, I wouldn't be able to do anything.

But I want to see it with my own eyes…

"…Shall we go to the guild?"

"Is that okay?"

"Yes. I haven't checked on it since it reopened… and I'm not sure if I can go in the future. Tanya, please prepare fruit juice for the staff to drink."

"…For the staff to drink?"

Tanya immediately bowed in agreement, but Mimosa tilted her head in curiosity.

"Yes. It's a treat. They've been working hard."

"You do such things…?"

Mimosa's eyes widened in surprise.

"I don't know if all guilds do this, but… without the staff, the store can't run, right?"

…This time, I felt it painfully.

"Especially recently, it seems to be very busy."

So, I set out for the capital with Tanya, Mimosa, and the guards.

"It feels like it's been a while since I've been out like this."

Just like when I go on inspections, I'm dressed simply, and this time, I've even dyed my hair.

So, instead of my usual silver hair, it's now a reddish-brown.

This is a new product being researched by the Azuta Guild.

It seems to be a dye made from plants and lasts for 2-3 days.

Recently, the new products brought by the people in the planning and research department have been quite surprising.

This is one of them.

Maybe something like a hair dye for gray hair will be popular?

But in this world, colorful hair is common, so gray isn't that noticeable.

Rather, a gray-haired gentleman… yeah, he's cool and charming.

So, there probably isn't much demand for it…

While thinking about such things, we arrived at the store fairly quickly.