Chapter 90

The King of the Great Nation was constantly monitoring the Third Prince of the small nation. At the report that he had been granted the lordship of a hot spring resort, he furrowed his brow slightly.

…Having gained the backing of our nation, why a provincial lord? If it were as a prime minister, I could understand. A diplomat, I could understand.

If so—a demotion? Or perhaps, he stepped back from the succession dispute.

But, if he is to settle as a mere lord. The talks regarding Elysia will disappear.

The King quietly directed his gaze to the side. Princess Elysia, who was present with him.

—Just as he thought. Her cheeks were slightly stiff, and a sharpness dwelled in her eyes.

“…Excuse me.”

Announcing shortly, Princess Elysia stood up from her seat. The King silently watched her back as she left the room with quick steps.

He let out a small breath.

…I cannot think that man is merely acting as a lord. There is something. It did not take time to judge that.

“Continue the surveillance.”

He ordered shortly.

Eventually, the next report arrived.

The arrangement of taxes, the establishment of a medical university, preferential treatment for merchants, and a single sentence stating he was using the name of the Great Nation’s Count of the Court as backing.

The King slightly twisted the corners of his mouth.

…To use the name of the “Great Nation” here, huh.

He suppressed himself from almost laughing.

“Amusing.”

In that single word, a certain interest oozed.

When he suddenly returned his gaze, Princess Elysia was looking at the report.

For just an instant—the King saw her eyes widen slightly.

And, the next report.

—The medical results. That was something even this nation had not yet achieved. The King’s finger stopped on the page.

…This will gather people. Without fail.

It was a quiet conviction. He directs his gaze toward Princess Elysia. She has a nonchalant face. But she could not completely hide her eyes, which were shining slightly.

The King pretended not to see. And, he instructed the preparation of a letter.

Eventually, nearly a year passed.

His territory already held a name. A hot spring resort, a pilgrimage site, a land of recuperation, a medical university. It had changed into a place everyone knew.

The King secretly summoned Princess Elysia.

“The agreement with the small nation regarding the establishment of the academy is proceeding, isn’t it.”

“Yes. It is proceeding smoothly.”

A concise reply.

The King pauses a beat, and continues.

“If so, do you think there is a need to send an envoy to the newly established medical university?”

A slight silence.

“…I believe it is necessary as a confirmation based on the agreement.”

It was an answer without hesitation.

The King nods.

“If so, you go. The actual state of the academy, the personnel gathering there, and—see that land itself. Leave nothing out of your report.”

“Certainly.”

With just that, the talk ended.

Princess Elysia bows and turns on her heel. The King did not miss that her cheeks were ever so slightly flushed.

The corners of his mouth relaxed slightly.

…Probe, and confirm. And if it is established as a promising territory going forward, forging a tie is also a move.

The King quietly narrowed his eyes.

…I do not know if he moves by emotion, but I do not think that man is incapable of utilizing it either.

“…Shall I grant her a little more freedom?”

He muttered so, to no one in particular.

She is his daughter, and at the same time, a piece. But he has no intention of using her until she breaks.

He is merely granting her an opportunity to ascertain it.

That was sufficient.

Meanwhile, around that time.

Elysia, having returned to her room, waited for the door to close and finally let out a breath.

Deep in her chest, her heart was throbbing slightly.

…I knew it.

“Prince Leonhart did not merely become a lord…”

She mutters softly. One year, in only that amount of time, this result. It is unbelievable.

“…This mission means, go and see everything, doesn’t it.”

She quietly puts it into words.

It is an important role, to make a judgment for the nation.

“…A very, important…”

There, her words broke off for just an instant. She immediately shakes her head.

“I must prepare.”

Returning to her usual tone, she heads to her desk. The inspection plan, the selection of attendants, the letters to bring. There are many things she must do.

That should have been the case, but the next day.

“…For this fabric, a slightly more subdued color.”

Princess Elysia continues.

“Keep the embroidery modest. But, do not drop the quality.”

A strange amount of effort was put into the talk of clothing. The wardrobe attendant slightly tilts her head.

“…Your Highness?”

“It is just a whim.”

Elysia replies with a cool face.

However, she herself had not yet realized the reason for it.

There was someone watching that exchange from a location slightly apart. A maid attending to Princess Elysia.

“…”

Without stopping her hands arranging the fabrics, she gently directs only her gaze. Princess Elysia’s detailed instructions continue. The hues, the textures, the placement of the embroidery. All of them are precise, with no waste.

“…My.”

She lets out a small breath. If it were the Princess up until now. She left matters of clothing almost entirely up to them.

“Something that suits me.”

She would just announce that single phrase. And yet, now.

“A slightly more subdued color. This one is… no, actually the one from before.”

Her words are wavering.

The maid knew. The day that report arrived. What kind of face the Princess had when she listened to it.

And how her eyes widened slightly when the King’s words came out.

“…How easy to read.”

Without reproaching, she merely mutters it gently and softly. Elysia stopped her hands for just an instant.

“…Is there something?”

The voice asking without turning around is calm as usual. The maid says nothing and bows her head lightly.

“No. It is nothing at all.”

She does not step in any further than that. Instead, while selecting fabrics, she softened her voice just a little.

“It will be a long journey. We will arrange the preparations for the road here, so… please do not push yourself too hard.”

“Yes, I know.”

A short reply. But those cheeks are, as expected, slightly red. The maid dropped her gaze. Pretending not to see is also part of her duty.

…The envoy this time. The pretext is confirming the academy and observing the state of the pilgrimage site, but it shouldn’t end with just that.

In fact, having received a letter from His Highness over there, several doctors have been sent from here as well.

Sending people, and accepting people. That means—forging a relationship.

Keeping her gaze on her hands arranging the fabrics, she mutters in her chest.

When a royal daughter moves, the reason is not just one. There are things that come out in the open, and things that do not.

…There is also talk that she will be taking a serious look at His Highness over there. Who started it, I do not know, but it is not something to be spoken of lightly.

The maid says nothing. She merely quietly arranges things.

So that the one piece the Princess is trying to choose becomes the shape that suits her best.