Chapter 44: Escaping the Royal Capital?

Now that my conversation with Her Highness Flora was over, I decided to return to the conference room where His Majesty and Father were. Then, for some reason, Her Highness the Princess said, “I will accompany you,” and followed me.

I knocked on the conference room door, heard the reply “Enter,” and the maid opened the door for me. “Oh, is your discussion finished? Oh, Flora?” His Majesty seemed surprised that Flora was accompanying me.

“Yes, Father. I was able to hear very insightful things from Mr. William. I intend to ask Merchants to teach me about Commercial Skill starting tomorrow.”

“Oh, is that so? That is wonderful.”

Princess Flora bowed gracefully and departed. His Majesty rushed over and shook my shoulder.

“That’s amazing, William-kun. For Flora, who is always wearing a gloomy face, to become so bright and positive! What kind of Magic did you use?”

“No, I didn’t use any Magic. I merely conveyed the merits of Commercial Skill that the son of a Merchant I know taught me.”

“Hoh, you think Commercial Skill is a good skill.”

I gave him the same explanation I gave to Princess Flora.

“I see, when it is explained that way, it is convincing. Theodore, did you know about this?”

“I was also unaware, but I heard about it recently from my son.”

“I see… Prime Minister, what exactly have we been doing? We concluded that Commercial Skill was useless to nobles and never even thought to consider its utility.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I, your humble subject, feel as if the scales have fallen from my eyes after hearing Lord William‘s words.”

Afterward, Father and I managed to dissuade His Majesty, who insisted on rewarding me for cheering up Her Highness Flora, and we took our leave from the Royal Castle.

Upon returning to the Fairchild House mansion, I let out a deep breath. “Haaah, talking to the Royal Family really exhausts me.”

“Nonsense, Will. To speak so confidently in front of His Majesty and earn the trust of Her Highness the Princess—what are you talking about?”

“Is that so? I really am tired, though. Did I make any slips of the tongue?”

“In my opinion, there were no slips of the tongue, and you spoke most excellently. It seems your exhaustion is genuine.”

Father looked at my drained face and gave a wry smile.

“You should sleep soundly tonight. We will flee the Royal Capital early tomorrow morning.”

“Eh, why are we fleeing?”

I was looking forward to seeing the Royal Capital Market and other sights.

“Nobles, especially those in the Royal Capital, are quick to grasp information. You should assume that the news of Will being promised a Baronetcy by His Majesty and His Majesty‘s delight at Will cheering up the Fourth Princess will spread quickly.”

“But only the Prime Minister and the Royal Castle servants were present there.”

“Ha ha ha, the maids in the Royal Castle are connected to one noble house or another. Of course, when discussing secrets, we ensure that servants cannot approach, but normally, you should assume that everything happening in the Royal Castle leaks out to the nobles.”

“Is that how it is?”

“If we dawdle, we will be flooded with dinner invitations from the Royal Capital nobles. No, there will even be people who come barging into our house.”

“Barging in suddenly?”

“Yes, saying things like, ‘We were passing by nearby, so we came to pay our respects,’ or, ‘We wish to hear from Will, whose name is being mentioned.’ In situations like this, nobles are creatures who become pushy.”

That sounds terrifying somehow.

The next morning, just as the sky began to lighten, Father and I departed from the Fairchild residence in the Royal Capital. As we were leaving the High Noble area, we passed several carriages going the opposite way. Are they already going out at such an early hour?

“Those are the carriages of Viscount and Baron families. They are probably heading toward our house. If opponents come to the mansion, we can’t completely turn them away. That was a close call.”

I see. The nobles of the Royal Capital are something else, I must say.

Even after leaving the Royal Capital, we avoided staying at ordinary inns because we would be bothered by the noble who governed that town. Where did we stay, then? Not roughing it outdoors, but at the Royal Knight Order checkpoints located here and there along the Highway.

We borrowed a room used by the Royal Family when traveling on urgent business or incognito. Although it wasn’t spacious, we were able to stay relatively comfortably. According to Father, His Majesty gave him permission to use the rooms on the way back, figuring the journey would be difficult, during their talk while I was speaking with Her Highness.

Hah, this turned into quite a tiring journey. I wonder if the day will ever come when I can leisurely sightsee in the Royal Capital?