Departing as the Kingdom's Envoy!

From then until the day of departure, everyone spent the time as they pleased.

We had a lavish barbecue in the garden, replied to letters from Luido, and so on.

Azu and the others seemed to have fully recovered from their fatigue after taking a holiday, and were training energetically.

I wonder if they naturally want to move their bodies regularly.

As I was thinking that while watching them, Orleans whispered softly beside me.

"Alexia-sama mentioned that the meals have been so extravagant, she's worried about her weight if she stays still."

"I did not!"

Alexia vehemently denied it.

From what I could see, she didn't look like she had gained weight… but we certainly had been eating a lot these past few days, so it was understandable to be concerned about her weight.

Behind Alexia, who was facing this way, Finn moved into position.

Then she pinched the flesh of Alexia's stomach over her shirt.

Though she only pinched a tiny bit, Alexia's face turned bright red with fury.

"Why you!"

"Ahahaha!"

She chased Finn around for quite a while with a terrifying expression.

However, as expected of Finn, Alexia never caught up, and eventually Alexia was sweating buckets, bent over with her hands on her knees, gasping for breath.

It was rare to see the tough Alexia worn out like this.

"At least you got some exercise. Maybe you lost a little weight."

"How are you so agile… You'll remember this."

"Both of you, that's enough already."

A flustered Azu desperately tried to mediate, but they weren't listening.

Incidentally, perhaps because she had exercised so much, Alexia ate a lot at dinner.

I think that's much better than forcing herself to diet.

The day before we set out, I also finished up the accounting.

If I didn't do this, both the shop and Kazusa's inn would have trouble with their finances, so I had to do it periodically.

Being busy was a good thing, but work had to be completed.

"Master, you look happiest when you're counting money."

"I was thinking the same thing. Sir's expression is different from usual."

"Right?"

Azu and Orleans were observing my work.

I wonder what they found so interesting.

Since they had both finished what I'd asked them to do, I left them be.

But was it really that obvious on my face?

"Lately it's become more rare for you to be at the shop."

"That might be true. Kaimol, I'm leaving things to you here."

"As always, don't worry about it. I'll handle the deliveries to the Cat's Paw Inn too."

On the day of departure, I spoke with Kaimol, who was managing the shop.

He had always been capable, but since I started entrusting him with the manager role, he had become more dependable.

Perhaps the pay raise had been effective.

Some merchants use words like "fulfillment" or "gaining experience" to underpay their employees, but the fate of such shops was usually the same.

I had seen plenty of shops crumble or decline because employees ran away or embezzled.

If you don't properly evaluate someone's work, they won't trust you either.

If you provide a good environment, they'll value it. That was Yohane's philosophy.

… I wonder if I'm properly repaying Azu and the others for their efforts.

I need to work hard so they don't want for anything.

We loaded the wine onto the cart.

Since we had some, we also loaded grape juice along with it.

If we left it as is, the wine bottles might break, so I had Alexia use magic to fix them in place.

This way, they wouldn't be a problem even with some jostling.

We departed, heading for the Royal Capital first.

As envoys, we received Princess Tianis's letter and the presentation gifts, and were entrusted with ornaments bearing the royal crest to prove our identity.

"These are important, so absolutely don't lose them."

"Yohane-san, I'll leave that to you. Do your best."

Princess Tianis emphasized this to me.

Anatia-sama, cheering me on with both hands in fists, was adorable.

"And… don't stay too long, come back soon."

"This girl probably wants you to attend the coronation."

"Anatia-nee-san, that way of putting it causes misunderstanding! Ahem. I just thought that since I made you my direct subordinate, you would want to attend. That's all."

"I look forward to it."

If I were invited to such a grand event, it would certainly add to my prestige.

It might never happen again in my lifetime, so let's finish the job and hurry back.

The branch office shouldn't take too long either with the duke's help.

"By the way."

"What's with that look?"

There stood Kanon, wrapped in bandages, gripping a cane with both arms for support.

She had barely survived with her life, and should have been in critical condition requiring absolute rest, but…

"Is it that strange that I'm here?"

"Yes. I'm genuinely wondering why you aren't in bed."

"A commoner speaking back to me… urgh."

"I told you so."

She groaned in pain.

Her sharp tongue was still intact, but in this state, she actually seemed like an interesting person.

"After your Sister treated her again, she insisted on getting up, saying she couldn't leave my side. I really wish she would focus more on her recovery though."

"What are you saying, Your Highness Princess Tianis! This is the most crucial time. We don't know what might happen. I will protect you even if I have to use my body as a shield."

"Oh honestly, you'll reopen your wounds if you get worked up, so calm down."

I watched their exchange.

I could see why Princess Tianis kept Kanon at her side despite everything.

She wanted someone she could trust nearby in times of crisis.

Incidentally, the presentation gifts were mainly art objects like vases and paintings.

Safe choices, if nothing else.

Crown Prince Kelves was surely cultured, so they would probably be well-received.

I instructed the mules to run, and we departed for the Empire.