What Is the Third Estate? Everything.

Finn noticed me entering the room and shot me a glare.

I could feel her intention: do something about this, now.

"A little harder there～"

"Haah…"

Finn sighed but continued kneading harder around her lower back as instructed.

Princess Tianis had become completely defenseless, which was rather questionable for a young lady her age.

"What exactly are you two doing?"

I set the plate on the desk and asked them.

Princess Tianis replied in a languid voice while still lying on the bed.

"Mmm～ You know, she broke into my room without permission, right? I understood her purpose, but just letting her off scot-free wouldn't be any fun. So I decided to have her give me a massage."

"I see."

That explained why Finn was going along with it.

Even if it was to help, the unauthorized entry was a fact.

Using that as leverage put her at a disadvantage.

Though one could call it daring.

"But this girl is really good at massages… it feels so good I might fall asleep."

"Please don't fall asleep."

I straightened the princess's disheveled skirt.

Her body must have been stiff from desk work, because the massage seemed to be very effective.

"Come on, I made snacks, so let's eat."

"Then bring them here."

"That's bad manners…"

"Fine, fine. I'll have some."

Princess Tianis finally got up, sat in her chair, and took one of the crepes I'd prepared.

After one bite, her face broke into a full smile.

"This is delicious."

"I'm glad it suits your taste, Your Highness."

"Don't tease me."

"Finally free…"

"I'd like you to do that again sometime."

"I'll charge you."

Girls this age really do like sweet things.

She'd cheered right up.

The now-liberated Finn joined us, and we all ate together.

I'd made plenty, but each one was small, so they were gone in no time.

"Thank you. That was delicious. My body feels lighter too, and I feel like I can work hard now."

"That's good to hear. Now then, shall we discuss recruiting personnel?"

"Ugh."

A truly disgusted sound escaped the princess's lips.

Her expression showed she realized she'd walked right into that.

"Those in positions of authority can't avoid this. I struggle with hiring people too."

"You're right. I know that. Just a little frustration slipping out."

"As long as you understand."

At first she'd seemed like a girl whose thoughts were impossible to read, but like this, she had many endearing qualities.

I might be able to say we'd grown considerably closer.

"But what specifically should I do? Just put out a normal recruitment notice?"

"No. That would be the straightforward approach, but not this time."

"Why not?"

"Do you want to invite spies right back in after we just got rid of them?"

"That's true."

If we recruited from the general public now, there was no telling who might come.

From a counterintelligence perspective, I couldn't recommend it.

It would make all of Finn's hard work meaningless.

Going forward, we'd ideally want an organization to investigate applicants' backgrounds.

If we could screen people to some degree beforehand, regular recruitment would be fine.

I decided to ask her about it.

"That's interesting. I've heard Anatia-nee-san does something like that."

"That's good to know. Once things settle down, let's get her cooperation."

"But it won't be ready in time for now."

"No. That's why this time we'll hire people who don't need investigating."

I had actually had an idea while traveling back and forth to the capital.

Many shops had been damaged, and while reconstruction was progressing, plenty of people had lost their jobs.

The good economy was limited to certain areas; most of the capital was still struggling financially.

Some, like that energetic girl, found work and earned money day by day, but not everyone could do that.

If we selected young, capable women from among such people, spies would be less likely to infiltrate, their backgrounds would be easy to verify, and it would improve the princess's reputation as an employer.

"Support like soup kitchens and temporary housing continues, but women's employment has indeed been a problem. Reconstruction work is all physical labor, which is simply unsuitable for them."

"I don't think it's a bad idea."

"Not bad? It's quite a good idea, I'd say. The royal allowance can cover it, it creates jobs, and most importantly, they'll actually work hard."

The plan was decided.

This approach shouldn't draw open opposition from the nobles.

They might even think it would chip away at royal power.

It might be hopeless to get along with most nobles.

If so, perhaps it would be better to give up on them and strengthen Princess Tianis's foundation from a different direction.

"If the nobles won't be allies, make the people your allies. Commoners like me have no power, but it's the people who make up the nation, not the nobles."

"I'm technically a noble too, you know."

"Princesses and dukes are different."

We both chuckled.

For example, even a noble's soldiers were commoners too.

If public sentiment became favorable toward Princess Tianis, things would change considerably.

"I absolutely refuse to spend my life watching the faces of those who constantly criticize me. My father was bound by that and couldn't do anything. If I'm going to do this, I want to work hard alongside the people."

"I think that's good. I'm really glad you're not some haughty princess."

"For a merchant, you have quite a loose tongue…"

The Kingdom clearly lacked the vitality of the Empire.

That probably had a lot to do with whether the people were watching their ruler.

In the Imperial Capital, there wasn't a single person who didn't know Emperor Kelves's name and face.

That was why there had been such excitement during the coronation parade.

Princess Tianis couldn't do the same thing.

But I thought she could aim for it.

If the royal family regained its power through that, the Kingdom would surely prosper far more than it did now.