Chapter 149.5: Interlude: My Sister's Transformation

Recently, my sister has become like a completely different person. It is in a good direction, but to be honest, I am a little bewildered.

My sister was gifted not with a Swordsmanship Skill or a Magic Skill, but with a Merchant Skill; she was hurt by the heartless words of those around her and had closed off her heart. In this country where nobles are expected to protect the people with swords and magic, she was called “useless” for being unable to use either.

My sister possesses excellent looks, but because her expressions were scarce, she was sometimes ridiculed as the “Doll Princess.” I have five siblings, but only my sister and I were born from the same mother. That is why I wished for her to cheer up somehow, and especially after our mother passed away, I intended to encourage her as an older sister. But it never went well.

When I heard from Edward-kun, who serves with me on the Student Council at the Royal Academy, that his younger brother William-kun was active with a Production Skill, I told my sister, but her reaction was faint.

However, after meeting that William-kun, my sister’s demeanor changed completely. She realized the merits of the Merchant Skill, found a merchant to be her teacher herself, and began reading many books.

My sister happily told me that having the Merchant Skill allows one to read books quickly and improves memory.

Now, she is training domestic affairs personnel with Merchant Skills and struggling to reform the Kingdom’s domestic administration. Seeing her full of vitality and acting actively truly makes me happy.

I think it was foolish of Albion nobles to be so obsessed with swords and magic that they failed to notice the merits of Production and Merchant Skills. Seeing William-kun’s great success makes me realize just how narrow our perspectives were.

Speaking of William-kun, the Empire has proposed to the Kingdom that they wish to welcome him as the husband of Imperial Princess Silesia, causing a huge uproar. Those who had looked down on Production Skills seem to be astonished.

The Empire went so far as to say they would teach the Kingdom the iron manufacturing method if they could welcome William-kun as royalty. Even so, I am opposed to handing William-kun—my sister’s benefactor and possessor of genius Production Skills—over to the Empire.

However, refusing a marriage proposal from an Imperial Princess would wound the Empire’s pride. Just as I was wondering what to do, my sister sent word that she had something to discuss.

Even though we are royalty, we usually live in the Royal Academy dormitories, so I returned to the Royal Castle to meet my sister. “What is this discussion about?”

“Elder Sister, I apologize for summoning you. The truth is, I intend to get engaged.” “Engaged? If it is such important news, I would come to hear it no matter how busy I am. So, who is the partner?” “It is William-san of the Fairchild family.”

An engagement to William-kun, is it? To amicably refuse the marriage to the Imperial Princess, I had also considered bringing up a marriage to a Kingdom Princess. Father says he does not want to force political marriages, but he said that depending on the situation, it was possible I might have to marry.

My two older sisters have married into neighboring royal families, so the only single Princesses are myself and my sister. Hearing Edward-kun’s stories, the atmosphere of the Fairchild family is very good, so I would have no anxiety about marrying into it.

Still, I have always thought that I did not want my sister, who used to say her only role was to marry for the sake of the Royal Family, to be forced into a political marriage. That is why I cannot help but confirm. “Is that a marriage for the sake of the country?”

“No, Elder Sister. It is my will to want to marry William-san. Though I do not deny it benefits the country.” My sister declared without hesitation.

And she told me why she decided to marry William-kun. She explained so enthusiastically that, to be honest, halfway through I felt like I was being forced to listen to her gush about her love.

“I understand that you decided on this marriage of your own will. You have spoken with William-kun as well, haven’t you?” “Yes.” My sister blushed slightly.

It seems William-kun taught her not only the merits of the Merchant Skill but also about love. The Doll Princess is no longer before my eyes.

What I am facing is a brave girl who has decided the direction of her life by her own will and is trying to walk on her own two feet. “Congratulations, Flora.”