Chapter 105: Reception Work

“To think such a thing happened… I am sorry I couldn’t be of help…” “If I recall, Estelle has a healing ‘Gift’, right. Don’t be so depressed.”

Tifa calls out consolingly to the dejected Estelle. Estelle‘s ‘Gift’, [Holy Miracle], is not just healing but an outrageous ‘Gift’ that cures even diseases, but publicly it’s treated as a simple healing ‘Gift’. If Estelle had been there, I might have asked her to detoxify without recalling the potion. If that happened, there was a possibility Estelle‘s ‘Gift’ would be exposed to everyone. Result-wise, it could be said it was good she wasn’t there. We forcibly dragged the hesitating Estelle into the gazebo and explained the events so far. Is Imperial Princess Risha okay… Poison was neutralized, so now just hope she regains consciousness. Though worried, as a host of the Autumn Cooling Party, I cannot abandon this place. By now, Mother, Her Majesty the Empress, and Grandmother must be moving to settle the situation. Whatever the facts, we have to push through with the stance ‘There was a small problem, but it’s already resolved. Not a big deal, you know?’. Questions like how that head lady-in-waiting brought in poison or if there are other accomplices are all for later. Anyway, I just have to complete my mission. Umu.

“Even so, you were late. Was the restroom that crowded?” “No, on the way back, I was caught by several young ladies… They asked about this dress in detail. Since they were from houses higher in rank than me, I couldn’t shake them off…”

Ah, so that’s it. Me too, but this pseudo-Gothic Lolita outfit stands out in this place.

“Dress similar to Sakuraile’s. Cute. I want one too.” “If there’s a red one, I want one too.”

Seems Luca and Tifa liked it too. Eltiria-chan doesn’t seem very interested in dresses, stuffing her mouth full—mogyu mogyu—with convenience store dumplings served earlier. Gonna choke…

“I’ll introduce the dressmaker Couturier who made it, so please negotiate there. Might be impossible to take home, but I think sending to your countries later is possible.”

Probably difficult to finish during their stay. Apparently Estelle also managed to get away by telling the insistent young ladies that. Rest depends on negotiation with Couturier. By the way, as an idea fee, every time that dressmaker Couturier makes a Gothic Lolita dress, a certain margin comes into the Ducal House. I didn’t decide it. Before I knew it, such a deal was decided between Mother and Couturier. As expected of Mother, shrewd… Well, maybe one can’t serve as a Ducal House wife without being that shrewd.

“Even so, for Crown Prince Elliott to burst into the Autumn Cooling Party… what is he thinking? Don’t you think so, Lady Sakuraile!”

Estelle is angry at Elliott, puffing her cheeks. Well, not something to be praised. Actually, they were taken away by Her Majesty and others.

“Umm… But, because Elliott and others were peeping, the culprit was caught immediately…” “That is hindsight! Peeping at women and children is not something a noble gentleman does!” “Probably Jean was the one who suggested it… Something that idiot would think of.”

To Estelle whose anger doesn’t subside, Bianca behind me sighs while saying so. Whether exasperated as a childhood friend or having given up on everything. Well, I also thought Jean suggested it. And saw Leon just got dragged into it. Poor guy. But truly, if those three hadn’t intervened, I think we couldn’t be having tea normally like this now. Undoubtedly the Autumn Cooling Party would have been cancelled, and everyone here detained to find the culprit. The reputation of the hosts, Her Majesty the Empress and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, would be ruined, and the authority of the Imperial Family might have fallen. Perhaps the Empire’s Second Imperial Prince’s plan included that too. Assassination of an Imperial Princess causing war with the Empire to break out. Domestic unity impossible due to distrust towards Imperial Family, leading to disadvantageous war situation… Maybe even planned to incite Traditionalist faction to cause civil war. Thinking so, the act itself was problematic, but undoubtedly their action saved this country. Hope they consider that and go easy on the scolding a bit.

“However, Fourth Imperial Princess who was neutral opposing Second Imperial Prince and turning to First Imperial Prince faction… Empire will be turbulent.”

Tifa mutters staring into empty space. Trying to stir up another country, only to have his own country stirred up, Second Imperial Prince probably never imagined. Self-inflicted, karmic retribution, reap what you sow.

“Empire will have civil war?” “No, Emperor and Second Imperial Prince shouldn’t be that stupid. There will be secret maneuvering under the surface though. But, not a situation to meddle with other countries anymore. Grateful for Minuet though.”

To Luca‘s question, Tifa shows such a view. Tifa‘s Minuet Queendom also borders the Empire. Unlike us, there is a desert in between so invasion isn’t easy, but Queendom and Empire aren’t friendly either. Seems invaded several times in the past.

“For us, we want First Imperial Prince side to win succession war. If I inform Mother of today, she will try to contact First Imperial Prince faction. Kingdom too, right?” “Probably. Prime Minister or someone will move…”

That shrewd Prime Minister won’t miss this chance. Undoubtedly will move. We have the Nanane Clan trump card too, so getting information from that side should be quick. Also, with such petty tricks done, the Kingdom cannot remain silent either. Have to hit back hard here…!

“Lady Sakuraile, perhaps you should go greet other people soon…” “Ehh…?”

While I was burning with anger towards the Empire, Ritsu waiting behind spoke timidly. As host of this venue (underage area), I can’t stay here forever. …Can’t? No good, is it. Haa, just have to go, right, go.

“I’ll go around a bit…” “Reception duty is tough, huh.” “Do your best.” “Please do your best!” “Sh-Shall I follow too?”

Estelle tried to follow but I refused. Special treatment might cause complications. Well, might be too late since she’s sitting at this table though…

“For now, where should I start?” “Umm, first from the table of Marquis families. Over there.”

Leaving the gazebo with Bianca, heading where Ritsu indicated. There are four Ducal Houses in the Kingdom, but other three besides my le Philharmonie House have no underage members. Well, that’s why I was listed first as Elliott’s fiancée candidate. If I recall, remaining Ducal Houses are Concerto, Chorus, and Fantasia. Among them, Chorus and Fantasia branched from royalty about five generations ago, having royal blood but quite distant now. In current succession rank, le Philharmonie is top among these, followed by Concerto. The head of this house is a female head, apparently sister of the previous Emperor. Meaning aunt of current Emperor and Father, sister of my grandfather. This person is next to me in succession rank, fourth. Well, her age is much higher than His Majesty, so realistically the fifth rank person would succeed. No, to reach that point, His Majesty, Elliott, Father, and I—four people—need to die. So, next highest status among underage participants of our country are Marquis families. Greeted at Elliott‘s birthday party, but honestly don’t remember well. Also that Ragtime Marquis daughter’s impact was strong… Ragtime Marquis House is already abolished so not here, but if they were, would have had to greet Entourage A… Lady Annemarie. She was the daughter of the head house of Traditionalist faction. Anyway, the group led by the Marquis house I’m greeting this time isn’t a hostile faction. Neutral faction. So I don’t remember names…

“Sitting in the center seat over there is Lady Melfries Terra Refrain of Refrain Marquis House.”

As expected of Ritsu. Happy to have capable attendant. As I approached the table, everyone stood up and greeted with light curtsies. Five people including Lady Melfries. Well, undoubtedly all children of Neutral faction houses.

“Good day, Lady Melfries. Are you enjoying yourselves?” “Good day, Lady Sakuraile. Only sweets and drinks I haven’t seen, been very surprised since earlier!”

Lady Melfries is a young lady about same as me. Same as me meaning age, but height-wise I’m losing by far. Probably six or seven… Aren’t kids these days huge? Am I just too small? No way. Lady Melfries was a cheerful-looking young lady with slightly wavy bright chestnut hair down to her shoulders.

“Especially this sweet using chestnut is very delicious! Never thought chestnut could become this sweet!” “That is Mont Blanc. Glad you liked it.”

Lady Melfries praises the Mont Blanc on the table. In this country, chestnuts are roasted or steamed, not made into candied chestnuts (kanroni). Well, sugar is expensive, and chestnuts aren’t harvested much apparently so understandable.

“In my Refrain territory, there are several mountains where chestnuts are harvested, and we eat them often in autumn, but never thought there were chestnut sweets like this.” “Chestnuts are harvested plentifully in Refrain territory, is it.”

Hoho. Then might be able to make Mont Blanc without using [Store Summoning]. Ask Father to get chestnuts from Refrain territory… Nn? Nnnn?

“Refrain… Melfries…” “Yes?” “U-Umm, excuse me, does Lady Melfries have a twin sibling?” “Eh? Y-Yes, not in the Royal Capital but certainly have a twin brother named Belfriet…”

Yes, Bingo. Shoot… Should have remembered by the name Refrain… This child is the older twin sister of a capture target in ‘1’, same as Elliott and Jean…