Chapter 55

The reservations for the Bilva Hotel quickly filled up for the next six months. Almost all of them were due to Lady Dalila's recommendations. Since Lady Dalila became the window for the fabric, her social circle has rapidly expanded.

The effort to attract customers not through Lady Dalila lies with the hotel. If the guests are satisfied, the number of new recommenders will significantly increase. Currently, all the guests seem to be satisfied. Not a few of them even ask to reserve the same date for the following year before they leave.

"Ber, I've decided to make the star fruit wine in collaboration with Kurt. We can't manage with just our region. If it's still not enough, I plan to reach out to other regions."

"Bruno, thank you for your trouble."

"Not at all. Recently, some of the young people who had been working in the capital have started to return. Thanks to this, the number of children is increasing. If the number of children decreases, the village will be filled with only the elderly and will eventually disappear. So, it's a good thing."

A letter from Evans, who is traveling with his master Eckart, read:

"Master wants to build a hotel on a high hill overlooking the river. If a hotel is not possible, he says a meeting hall or a library would be fine."

I think we should start working on the next building in about a year. Currently, Bertine has many plans she wants to realize.

Busy days pass quickly.

The days since the hotel was built have truly flown by. The Bilva Hotel is operating smoothly, and reservations are booked far in advance. The proportion of customers not referred by Lady Dalila has increased significantly.

The third-floor sunroom is lush with vines and flowers, and hummingbirds have started to visit to feed on the nectar. This has become a recent attraction for guests.

Hiri's sales continue to rise and are gradually becoming known outside the empire. Bertine's shop, Ursula, is becoming one of the well-known accessory shops in Ibit. The necklace made by Isabelle was successfully delivered to Lady Diana, and a letter of thanks from Lady Diana was sent not only to Bertine but also to Isabelle. It bore the names of Lady Diana and Lord Claudius, and the purple wax seal, which is only used by the imperial family. Isabelle was moved to tears, saying, "I never thought I would receive such a letter."

It has been almost three years since Bertine came to this country. She is still as busy as ever. The river boats have increased to three, and another hotel has been built near the Bilva Hotel. A library accessible to the residents has been set up in the Callisto district, thanks to the strong request from the residents to the chief, who had said, "I want the children to read books."

(Step by step, this country is progressing. I am happy that my work can contribute to it in some way.) Bertine felt a warmth in her chest as she read a letter from her bottling friends in the Callisto district.

One day, Ignacio sent a message to Bertine, asking her to participate in a meeting. She tidied herself up and went to the conference room in the municipal building, where Cecilio and Ignacio were already seated, along with a well-built man in his late forties in military uniform, introduced as the Minister of War. As soon as Bertine sat down, Cecilio started the meeting.

"Prince Claudius will turn fifteen in six months. Do you want to be involved in our country's future actions, or do you want to remain uninvolved? I want to confirm your stance. You decide which position to take. I will support either choice."

"I... I cannot remain uninvolved. The queen changed my life. I was used as a reason to negotiate the compensation, and I made Prince Claudius want to leave the country. Even if I didn't intend to, I cannot ignore the impact I had. I want to see this through to the end as a stakeholder."

Cecilio listened with a slightly furrowed brow but nodded and continued.

"By betraying the Sanlouan royal family, are you sure you're okay with that?"

"Yes. If a traitor is needed, I believe I am the best candidate."

"I see... Then I will explain the overall plan."

Cecilio explained the day's plan, which surprised Bertine. (I can't believe Lord Cecilio agreed to this script.)

"You seem surprised."

"Yes. It seems like Lord Cecilio is taking a very unfavorable role. The script seems to favor Prince Claudius."

"Is that so? I don't care what the royal family thinks. If I can get the desired results, I'll laugh and drink the mud water."

The man in uniform took over the conversation.

"First, I want to ask Bertine. The country has sharp reefs that extend to just below the water's surface around the island. We know that there are thirty active pilots who know the routes to navigate without damaging the ships. How many retired pilots are still capable of doing this?"

Bertine realized that they needed to rely on retired pilots.

"I don't know the exact number of retired pilots, but there should be a considerable number. However, they receive generous pensions. Whether active or retired, if they reveal the routes to outsiders, not only they but their entire families will be executed. The routes are not marked in a way that can be easily understood, and the knowledge is passed down only to one of their children."

The three men exchanged glances, saying, "As expected."

"We have been searching for two years to find a pilot who resents the country and is willing to cooperate with us. However, none of the Sanlouan pilots we contacted are willing. Most of them have grievances against the royal family, but they say, 'There is no one who can replace the current king, so we have no choice.' Your father might have some leads, but he is under surveillance both inside and outside the house, so we want to keep him as a last resort."

The king and queen have a bad reputation, but the country runs smoothly because of your father's management. The pilots have no reason to risk their lives and those of their families to oppose the royal family.

After thinking about this, Bertine remembered a face.

"What is it? Do you have someone in mind?"

"Yes, but this person has a family and is no longer a Sanlouan. They have a stable life, so it's uncertain whether they will cooperate. However, I will ask. I don't know if they still remember the routes, but they did in the past."

Bertine moved to the imperial capital to meet Luka. In the usual room with white rose wallpaper at the Rose Hotel, the two were talking face to face.

"The first thing needed for this plan is a pilot."

"I understand. I will take on that role. I have been on countless ships with my father since childhood. I still remember the routes."

Despite hoping Luka would agree, Bertine felt a sense of guilt. Luka is married with children and has no obligation to participate.

"I have been thinking about my father ever since we met again. I never understood why the trading company failed, and my father died in despair without understanding. I knew the reason but couldn't act. If I don't act now, I will regret it for the rest of my life, even after I die. I don't want to live that way."

"I understand your feelings. However, if this plan is discovered beforehand, your life will be in danger. Are you prepared for that?"

Luka smiled.

"Yes. But please promise to ensure my wife and children's safety. That's all I need. Let me participate, Ber."

"Thank you. I appreciate it. However, can you get your wife's approval and let me know again?"

Luka nodded slightly.

"Sure. I'll ask my wife tonight."

The next morning, Luka visited Bertine's room with slightly red eyes.

"My wife scolded me. She said, 'If I stopped you, you would regret it for the rest of your life. Did you think I would tell you to stop?' I didn't realize she was such a strong woman. She had noticed that I was troubled by something and was angry that I didn't confide in her. She made me promise that 'if we succeed, we will stay at the famous hotel as a family.' She said, 'I want to stay in a hotel that feels like a fairy's home, watch hummingbirds, and eat exotic fruits until I'm full.'"

"I understand. I will make the reservation for your family from the operation day. I will ensure they can stay for a month."

"I can't take that much time off."

"No, I think your wife and children will stay even if you return early."

"Really?"