I Wish She Would Inherit the Throne

I bowed in response to Lady Anatia's greeting and returned the pleasantries.

"It's an honor to see you again, Lady Anatia."

"Flattery can stay at the greeting stage. Still, being here just doesn't sit right with me. I do have royal blood, technically, but…"

She struck a bored, wistful pose.

A signal that I could relax, I decided.

"How's the inn you helped with? It was quite busy and fun, so I'd love to visit again."

"Please visit as a guest at least, my lady."

"So stingy. You know I'm bored out of my mind. Everyone who comes here only cares about the ducal house. Tianis won't chat with me for long either. I'm going to put down roots at this rate."

The maid chided her, but she waved it off knowingly.

Probably a routine exchange between them.

"We had some trouble, but operations are going smoothly. It would be difficult given your position, but please do come by again. Everyone would be delighted."

"Oh, good. I'd heard you'd been targeted by some unsavory types and was worried. The Church of the Sun God really is everywhere, aren't they?"

… As expected of a ducal daughter.

Even away from home in the Royal Capital, she had impressive information-gathering capabilities.

Being called the "other royal house" wasn't just for show.

"Indeed. They've caused me quite a bit of trouble."

That was the truth.

I had not a single good memory involving the Church of the Sun God.

I was starting to feel like even getting thrown in jail had been their fault.

Getting to make trouble for them while also turning a profit? Sign me up.

"So I'd like to assist Duke Baroba. Specifically, I'm thinking of bringing iron ore and burning stone to Alsarm."

"Oh, that's why you came. And here I thought you'd dropped by to entertain a bored little me."

She closed her right eye and put on a displeased expression.

Even that was picturesque.

Would Princess Tianis look like this in a few more years?

No, the princess was missing too many qualities to turn out like her.

I wished she'd take a page from Lady Anatia's book and become a bit more ladylike.

Half of the princess's rowdiness was Kanon's fault, though.

The woman was capable enough, but why someone so restless served as a royal's right hand was beyond me.

"I'll check on the city myself. You must be worried about it."

"Oh, thanks. Come to think of it, I did give you the tax exemption. In that case, if you bring goods directly to Father, I'm sure he'll buy them. Let me write a letter for you to carry."

"I'd appreciate that."

A maid immediately produced pen and paper.

They could use paper, not parchment, for a simple letter like this.

Lady Anatia quickly put pen to paper.

Her handwriting was flawless. It spoke to her refined education.

While I waited, they served sweets.

The hospitality was impeccable.

Unlike with Princess Tianis, I actually felt like I was being treated as a guest.

The dessert was a small cup of fragrant baked souffle, eaten with a spoon.

The sweetness of sugar spread across my tongue, followed by the richness of butter.

No skimping on ingredients. I wondered what it would cost to buy one of these.

They'd served four for our side in addition to Lady Anatia's, and Alexia seemed to have taken a liking to them, so I passed three over. She looked pleased.

Too bad I couldn't take any home as souvenirs. We'd have to finish them here.

"Is it good?"

"Yes. Very."

"I'm glad. And that Alexia likes them too."

"Um… Yes. They're delicious."

Alexia ducked her head in embarrassment.

But she didn't stop eating, so she really had taken to them.

Lady Anatia sealed the finished letter in an envelope and pressed a ring bearing the ducal crest into the melted wax to close it.

"Well then, I'll leave it to you. I've been told not to come back until things settle down."

"I'll take good care of it. I'll make sure it reaches the Duke."

"Thank you. You really are quick on your feet… When we first met, you'd just found Father at the auction and pitched him on a sale, right? Do you have to be like that to survive as a merchant?"

"Hard to say. But if you became a merchant, Lady Anatia, you'd succeed."

"Oh? Why's that?"

"No man could refuse to buy something if a beauty like you were selling it."

"I told you no more flattery. But I'm glad. Thank you."

It wasn't entirely a lie.

Sales really did differ depending on whether the seller was attractive.

Men were weak creatures when it came to beautiful women. That was just how it was.

My own group delivered results whenever they worked as salespeople, so I knew this from experience.

But I must have been too obvious, because Alexia elbowed me in the stomach.

Lady Anatia trusted me, which made her easy to talk to, but I should leave before I soured Alexia's mood any further.

"Well then, I'll take my leave. Thank you for the sweets."

"Leaving already? You'll come again, won't you?"

"Of course. I'll stop by as soon as I'm back from Alsarm."

"It's a promise."

I stood and left the room.

As a parting gift, she gave me some cookies.

Apparently she'd been baking sweets to kill time.

The souffle had been hers too.

That explained why she'd looked so pleased when I said it was good.

I wished she could inherit the throne.

It would probably become a wonderful country for its people.

That alone wouldn't be enough to rule, of course, but those who supported her could handle the rest.

On the way out of the annex, Princess Tianis stood blocking the way, legs planted wide.

Kanon wasn't with her.

"So you went to see Anatia-oneesama instead of me."

"Yes. I'm heading to Duke Baroba's domain in Alsarm, so I thought I'd inform you."

I showed her the letter I'd been entrusted with.

"… Hmph. Fine then."

Having Lady Anatia's backing seemed to do the trick, as I'd hoped.

"But don't forget. I'm your owner. If you slack on my work, I won't forgive you."

"I understand. Now if you'll excuse me. Oh, here, please take these."

I tried to offer her some of the cookies I'd received, but she held up both hands to block them.

"No. I don't want them… She brings them every time she makes a batch, and I'm gaining weight. You got them, so you eat them."

"Very well."

It seemed even a girl her age had worries like that.