The Ice Beauty, Kanon

"You probably shouldn't take your time. Looks like someone sent by a bigwig."

"I wonder who it could be?"

I returned to the shop with Kaimol.

Kaimol had been with us a long time and occasionally delivered goods to noble households, so he had a sharp eye for these things.

If he went out of his way to tell me, this was definitely no ordinary customer.

I walked briskly toward the shop-side reception room, fast enough not to seem like I'd kept them waiting, but not so hurried as to appear flustered.

"I apologize for the wait."

I opened the door in my capacity as the shop's proprietor and found a single woman standing inside, dressed in formal attire.

She was unarmed.

I shot Kaimol a glance, wondering why she hadn't been seated, and he shook his head.

She'd declined, then.

Beautiful, but without a trace of a smile. Her expression was like ice.

The kind of person who had no need to be personable.

"I'll take my leave now."

Kaimol excused himself promptly, having fulfilled his role as guide, and returned to the shop floor.

His haste made it abundantly clear that he'd rather dump the troublesome guest on me.

"Please, have a seat."

"I have no need for hospitality. I will deliver my message and leave."

Shut down in an instant.

Since she refused to sit, it would have been rude for me to do so, leaving us no choice but to talk standing.

"You are Kanon Heim-sama, attendant to Princess Tianis, if I recall?"

"Oh?"

Her expression shifted slightly.

"We've never met, and yet you know who I am."

"Naturally."

I'd heard about the Second Princess and her attendants from Finn and the others.

It had been worth learning the details. The fact I could remember names was a sign of Finn's excellent intelligence work.

I'd also seen sketches of the princess and her aides a few times through the merchant guild.

Comparing those to the person before me had sealed the identification.

As an aide to the princess, this Kanon woman was surely a member of an influential noble family herself.

Her attire reflected as much. Even Kaimol had been able to tell at a glance.

Considering that a noble would never normally come to a small shop like this, it was reasonable to assume this visit was related to the recent incident.

It seemed I'd earned at least some measure of her approval, as the atmosphere softened slightly.

The tremendous pressure I'd been feeling until just now eased.

"Regarding the discovery of poppy seed smuggling, the prevention of processed narcotics distribution, and the development, limited though it may be, of a drug that mitigates narcotic toxicity: Princess Tianis is exceedingly pleased with all of these."

"I am glad to hear it."

Kanon gave a small nod at my words.

"Normally, the transport of poppy seeds and the experiments conducted with them would not be permitted. However, in light of the magnitude of your contributions, these transgressions will be overlooked. This post-facto approval is an extraordinary exception. Do not expect it again."

"Of course. I am committed to upholding the laws of the Kingdom."

"See that you are grateful for Princess Tianis's generous heart."

"Yes."

I nodded deeply.

She'd made sure to drive that warning home, too.

I believed that business had settled the score for my childhood friend.

If I could avoid it, I never wanted to be involved with that again.

Had she really come all this way just to relay the princess's kind words?

To treat it as an honor, though… given the nature of the incident, the information was highly sensitive.

In all likelihood, everything would be framed as though Princess Tianis herself had handled it.

That she had come to tell me before the official announcement made sense.

In exchange, our various infractions would be overlooked. Yes, the logic tracked.

I should count myself lucky they hadn't just silenced us.

The gap between royalty and a merchant like me was that vast.

Jacob may have put in a good word for us.

That man was decent at heart, despite everything.

He'd even chosen to stay in this city and serve as acting lord.

He could have stayed in the capital as a tax official and had a far more promising career.

"Personally, I thought this message alone was sufficient appreciation for the lot of you."

"… Umm?"

"Since the recent affair, Princess Tianis has been in very high spirits. Particularly that candy. Sky Blue, was it? She took quite a liking to it."

"I see."

That candy was a preventive measure and antidote against poppy seeds.

It had served its purpose in this case, but I couldn't imagine much use for it otherwise.

"She has expressed a desire to meet the alchemist who developed it, Ramiza, as well as you, the one who set it all in motion."

"That is… a great honor."

The thought that crossed my mind was "what a hassle," but I pasted on my best smile and made sure it didn't show on my face.

I couldn't help but think Ramiza-san alone would suffice.

The connection was welcome, but the other party was far too important.

Even talking to a duke's daughter was nerve-wracking despite being their benefactor.

"Tomorrow, Princess Tianis has graciously cleared time in her schedule. Bring the alchemist Ramiza and present yourselves at the royal palace."

"Understood. Would it be permissible to bring attendants?"

"Ah, that's right. You had several collaborators, didn't you? The ones we encountered at the manor, I presume. Two will be permitted. Weapons will not."

"Yes. Tomorrow, then."

"Indeed. If you'll excuse me."

With that, the conversation was apparently over. Kanon strode toward the door.

There were no openings in the way she walked. She likely served as a bodyguard as well.

Her hand reached the doorknob, and she paused.

"I trust you understand, but ensure there are no discourtesies toward Princess Tianis. Consider this a warning. She is kind, but her kindness is not without limits."

"Your warning is appreciated."

This time she left for good.

Normally, someone like me wouldn't even be permitted an audience with Kanon herself.

After only a brief conversation, the tension had exhausted Yohane so thoroughly that he collapsed onto the sofa.

"Haah…"

He stared blankly up at the ceiling.

He'd thought he'd be able to take it easy for a while, but apparently that wasn't in the cards.

No rest for the weary, as they say.

No specific time had been given. Naturally. There was no world in which the other party would be the one waiting.

He'd need to arrive at the royal castle around sunrise, then wait for whatever gap opened in the princess's schedule.