Chapter 23: Festival Visitors and the Price of Wheat

People gathered for the Summer Solstice Festival even from outside the domain. Among them were nobles from the western regions who were considered official guests. After finishing the ceremony in the main hall, we returned to the mansion to attend to the guests.

“What a wonderful Summer Solstice Festival. I was surprised by such a bountiful harvest.” “While the various regions of the Kingdom suffer from poor harvests again this year, the Wheat is ripening golden here. I am moved by the abundant harvest and the lively Summer Solstice Festival.” The guests praised the bountiful harvest and the Summer Solstice Festival, though some of it was probably social formality.

Some nobles even asked if they could buy Wheat. I wondered how Father would answer, but he replied that the sale of Wheat had been entrusted to the Levant Trading Company. When did that happen?

When I asked Father later, he said it was customary to entrust sales to a Trading Company to avoid leaving bad blood by negotiating prices between nobles. I see. Even so, the Levant Trading Company is amazing for having earned Father‘s trust so quickly.

After the stiff socializing with the nobles, I spoke with the familiar members of Count Cardiff‘s family. “Hello, Teddy, you really saved us this time. Thanks to you, our domain residents will not starve.” Teddy is the nickname for Father‘s given name, Theodore.

The one who bowed his head and called Father by his nickname was Count Thomas Cardiff, the father of my childhood friend, Letty. “Raise your head, Tommy. We help each other when needed.” Father also called Count Cardiff by his nickname. The two were classmates and close friends at the Royal Academy.

“Thank you. Even so, William-kun is incredible. It seems the Production Skill held immense potential.”

“I am honored. This time, I just happened to successfully create a new species of Wheat. I’m happy if I was able to be of service to everyone as a result.”

“William-kun, you’re so stiff. I’d like you to relax a bit more. After all, you might become my son-in-law, you know.”

“Father, what are you saying!” Letty, her face bright red, stomped on Count Cardiff‘s foot. That looked quite painful.

Well, the Count was wrong to make such an inappropriate joke. Letty is a close childhood friend, but she is too good for me, the Margrave‘s second son who cannot inherit the title. Letty, who is a beautiful girl with a good personality, is also said to have recently improved her Swordsmanship Skill. She will surely marry the heir of a high-ranking noble.

Afterward, it became free time, so I went to check out the Festival Stalls. My sister, Sophie, came along. The Stalls were selling homemade Jams and simple dolls made by the farmers. Just walking around and looking at everything was fun.

There were Stalls selling Grilled Sausages tucked into Bread and deep-fried Donuts, so we bought some and walked around eating them. Usually, I can’t be so ill-mannered as to eat while walking, but today, it was tolerated.

“Ufufu, it’s been a long time since I’ve gone out with Nii-sama.” “Has it? You’ve been busy with your studies lately, Sophie.” “That’s right. Mother is very strict with me.” I walked with Sophie while making small talk.

“Oh, Nii-sama, so many people are gathered over there. What could they be selling?” Just as Sophie said, there was a Stall with an incredible crowd.

As we approached, a dazzlingly beautiful girl was working as the vendor. She noticed me, waved her hand, left the Stall to the people nearby, and rushed over. “William-sama, it’s been a while!” Such a beautiful girl is not one you encounter often. Yes, it was Olivia.

“Ehe, I came again. Just as I predicted, William-sama’s Wheat harvest was bountiful!” “Nii-sama, who is this person?” Sophie was frozen in surprise. It was understandable.

“This person is the son of the Guild Master of the Levant Trading Company, the large Trading Company from the Royal Capital.” “What! He’s a son, even though he’s so beautiful?” Yes, yes, I totally get why you’re surprised.

“Oh, is that so? William-sama has learned my true identity. How unfortunate.” My mouth dropped when Father told me that Olivia‘s real name was Oliver, and he was Alex-san’s son.

Apparently, he had started liking to dress as a girl sometime ago, and since it suited him so well, he even learned how to apply Makeup and unilaterally uses Olivia, the feminine form of Oliver, as his name. Speaking of which, should I call him Olivia, or Oliver? For now, I’ll respect his wishes and call him Olivia.

Alex lamented that Olivia‘s business acumen was outstanding, and he would have been a great successor if not for his cross-dressing hobby.

“Well, I was planning to tell William-sama the truth soon anyway. Sophia-sama, that being the case, since I am a man, I will not be stealing your Nii-sama.”

Olivia, who smiled sweetly while saying that, still only looked like a beautiful girl, and Sophie was flustered and panicking. It was rare to see Sophie, who has become quite clever lately, like this. It made me feel a little nostalgic, remembering when my sister was small.

“By the way, I believe my father is currently in a business meeting with His Excellency the Margrave, but I think William-sama’s new Wheat will be sold at double the price of ordinary Wheat.” “What, you’re going to sell it at such a high price?”

“Even double the price is cheap. The lack of rain is the same here, so any sharp-eyed noble will realize that the Fairchild Wheat is Drought-resistant. They will happily buy it at a high price to sow in Autumn.” Olivia leaned his beautiful face close and whispered. That’s strange, my heart is pounding. Olivia is a man, and including my previous life, I should have lived quite long.

“My mean-spirited father was thinking of selling it at an even higher price after Winter arrives. Certainly, if we wait until Winter, we could sell it for three or even four times the price, but that would be a poor strategy. The Fairchild family might incur resentment. Besides, before Winter arrives, Famine might set in, and the Royal Family might intervene.”

That’s incredible. Olivia isn’t focused on short-term profits; he’s calmly calculating the gains and losses from a long-term perspective. He’s not just beautiful; he seems incredibly sharp-witted.

But would the Royal Family really intervene? The Margrave domain is far from the Royal Capital, as the name implies, so the Royal Family feels distant.