Meeting with Princess Tianis

The appointed time was approaching.

I gathered the documents and tapped them on the desk to align them.

Thanks to Orleans, I had finished work ahead of schedule.

I couldn't say I had no worries, but I could approach this meeting in a considerably relaxed state of mind.

"It's about time to go."

"Understood."

Orleans rose from the sofa where she had been sitting.

She had been waiting here after coming from the inn.

To pass the time, she was fiddling with a pendant in her hand.

It was the one I had given her as a gift before.

It had been cheap, but she seemed to have treasured it. That made me happy.

I made sure to look presentable.

Orleans was dressed the same as when she arrived here.

A long skirt dress covered entirely by a pure white robe.

She should be fine in that.

Azu and Elza would accompany us again as escorts.

Finn and Alexia would stay behind this time.

"Azu-sama, please take care of me."

"Come on, just Azu is fine."

"I couldn't possibly. You are all my saviors."

Despite saying that, Orleans had grown quite attached to Azu.

The four of us traveled to the Royal Capital.

As an Imperial citizen, Orleans normally couldn't use the portal, but with me as her sponsor, it became possible.

Records would be kept, so it was limited to trustworthy individuals, but Orleans was no problem.

Once we arrived at the Royal Capital, we headed for the castle.

This time they had specified a time, so I was grateful we didn't have to rush like before.

"… Is it really alright for me to enter such a magnificent place?"

"No need to worry. Besides, you've been in and out of the duke's residence, haven't you?"

"That's true, but…"

Orleans seemed a bit intimidated as she looked up at the castle.

She surely never had the chance to enter a foreign castle, much less a royal one.

But today we were meeting royalty.

We couldn't meet her without going in.

When I gently pushed her back, Orleans looked at me and nodded.

I showed the proof entrusted to me by Princess Tianis to the guards at the gate, and they let us in.

A maid approached and offered to guide us.

Incidentally, if a commoner wandered around without an escort, guards would seize them and possibly throw them in a cell.

It was unreasonable, but that's what it meant when human worth literally differed.

Then I would just make use of what I could.

"Her Highness awaits inside."

"Thank you."

The maid opened the door to the same room as last time.

Enjoying a slight thrill of tension, I entered.

Inside were Princess Tianis and Kanon.

Several maids were also standing by.

"Princess Tianis, thank you for granting this request to—"

"That'll do. If I let you go on, we'll be here all day."

My greeting was cut short.

I had expected as much, but I couldn't very well not say it.

"Now, please sit. You'll make my neck hurt if you keep standing there."

"Then if you'll excuse me. Orleans, sit."

"Yes."

I felt bad for Azu and Elza, but they would have to wait behind us again like last time.

Orleans needed to be part of the discussion, so I had her sit beside me.

"Kanon may have said something, but I like to think I always keep an open ear. Contact me like this whenever necessary."

"Yes, I am grateful for Princess Tianis's kindness. You are most magnanimous."

I deliberately added that last remark while looking at Kanon, and she glared back with irritation.

It was better to throw in a jab or two with someone like her to keep her predictable.

Her practical abilities aside, the fact that her only close aide was this transparent proved Princess Tianis's faction wasn't exactly rock-solid.

Since she wasn't going to inherit the throne anyway, and would probably be married off politically at some point, perhaps this level of treatment was considered appropriate.

"No need for flattery. Oh, that's right. Before we get to business, I obtained something rare."

Princess Tianis clapped her hands, and a maid wheeled in a cart.

Lifting the rounded cloche lid revealed three plates.

On each plate was a white hemispherical object topped with red sauce.

"Please. Try it."

"… Then I'll help myself."

I couldn't refuse what royalty offered.

Surely it wasn't poison.

I glanced at Elza, who could detoxify.

Princess Tianis began eating the same thing herself.

I scooped up the white substance with the silver spoon provided and brought it to my mouth.

It melted smoothly on my tongue.

The red sauce was strawberry.

"Delicious, isn't it? This is—"

"Ice confection, isn't it? How rare."

It had been a long time since I'd had any.

As a child, I had been treated to this when I traveled north with my father to a cold region.

You mix milk with sugar and cream, then chill it.

With magic, it could be made anywhere, but otherwise it could only be made in cold places during cold seasons.

Because of that, it was quite delicious yet had low recognition.

Orleans seemed to take to it immediately and finished hers in no time.

"It's been a long time. How nostalgic… Is something wrong?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all. Consider this a reward for your efforts. I'm glad you liked it."

Princess Tianis said this while looking slightly displeased.

She looked her age for once. Apparently she had wanted to show it off.

But that expression quickly shifted back to her usual smile.

Royalty had it tough.

The maids cleared away the empty plates.

"Now then, let's hear what you have to say. Reports said that the matter I entrusted to you was progressing smoothly."

"Yes. There are no problems for now. This isn't about that, though… it's not unrelated either."

"That's not like you to be so hesitant."

I thought about how to explain.

This matter required considering how Princess Tianis, and the royal family behind her, would judge it.

How should I convey this to get authorization while including all necessary information without lying?

I had thought about it beforehand, but it was still difficult to broach.

But I couldn't stay silent forever.

"The Empire has asked me to sell them wheat."

"—Then just sell it? There's no need to come to me for something that minor—"

"Exactly! You, do you have any idea how valuable the princess's time is—"

"Thirty tons' worth."

I directed it at Princess Tianis's exasperated face and Kanon's furious one, announcing it as loudly as I could.

"The Grabahl ducal house of the Empire is asking us to supply it."

"Wha…"

"My, my. Come to think of it, you two were acquainted, weren't you."

Kanon was speechless.

Princess Tianis's gaze flickered for just an instant, but she remained composed.