Chapter 39
“Your Highness, have you been well?”
“Yes, Oz. Have you been doing well too?”
“Yes, thanks to you, I’ve been fine.”
Since Oz didn’t yet have an official office and couldn’t stay in the palace, he mentioned that he had taken this opportunity to secure a house in the capital.
“Wow… Oz, that’s really impressive.”
“Huh?”
“I mean… the salary of a secretary can’t be that much, yet you managed to get a house in the capital… How did you manage that?”
“Huh?”
“I mean the money. I doubt it’s just ordinary skill—may I ask where you invested it? I won’t tell anyone. Just a little hint for me.”
Liz sighed again, and Oz started sweating profusely. Hyperhidrosis? Or maybe menopause?
“Y-Your Highness… you really… surpass expectations in many ways.”
“Yeah. I hear that a lot.”
“Hahaha.”
Oz kept wiping his sweat with a handkerchief. Seeing that it seemed endless, I asked once more.
“So, where did you invest it?”
“I didn’t make any separate investments… I just thought keeping it all in the safe would be the safest.”
“Ugh, fine! If you don’t want to tell me, just say so. You don’t need to make excuses…”
But did he really not want to tell me?
I pressed again, but Oz didn’t reveal anything. Tch.
Right, I haven’t built enough trust yet to exchange such high-level information.
I shrugged and asked Oz another question.
“Oz, this time you need to answer properly. The task I gave you last time—how did that go?”
Finally, perhaps because his sweat had cooled, Oz returned to his usual calm demeanor and handed me the stack of documents he had brought.
“I’m currently collecting cases around the capital first. Since it involves digging into information that people don’t want exposed, it hasn’t been easy. I started by sending trustworthy people to gather intelligence.”
“I see. Good job, Oz. As I said last time, we need solid evidence before establishing any legal action, so that we can put the bad guys away… We also need to be able to identify specific individuals.”
“Yes. But do you think the children’s testimonies will be reliable?”
“We won’t need to rely on testimonies. Their expressions and actions will reveal the truth. And even if they try to hide it…”
A scene suddenly flashed through my mind. I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, but even imagining it made my heart ache.
I couldn’t continue speaking due to the awful thought.
For a moment, silence hung in the air.
Focus. I can’t protect Killian with such weak thoughts!
I gave Oz one more instruction.
“Also keep an eye on the temples and treatment centers. If someone is wandering around in a hurry, they might be acting impulsively.”
“Yes. I’ve already sent a few people there.”
“Good insight.”
I gave him a thumbs-up, and Oz smiled shyly.
“There’s still plenty of time, so do your best!”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Oz, you really are a good aide. I feel at ease.”
Oz returned my praise with a gentle smile.
“Shall we wrap up for now?”
“There’s still some snack left…”
“Ah! Oz, you eat it. I have the next schedule to attend. Goodbye!”
Seeing me get up without hesitation, Oz asked where I was going. But I couldn’t answer.
Even though Oz is my secretary, he was appointed by my father. I couldn’t risk any secrets leaking.
Ignoring Oz’s disappointed gaze, I headed to Achilles, where Count Tolkie would be waiting.
I had received a letter that salt mining had begun in Deark, but because I had been busy with the Crown Princess appointment, I hadn’t replied in time, so today was the scheduled meeting.
I also wondered if Jerron, whom I had rescued, was doing well.
Squeeeek.
Pushing open the stiff door, I found Count Tolkie and Jerron sitting at a table.
“Count Tolkie! I’m here! Hello!”
“Your Highness. Hohoho. It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
“Yes! Jerron, hello. You’ve put on a little weight, haven’t you?”
Count Tolkie nodded and patted Jerron’s back affectionately.
“He’s eating very well. Just watching him, I feel full. Jerron, greet her properly.”
“…H-hello, Your Highness.”
Still shy, Jerron bowed his head low but spoke in a slightly louder, clearer voice than before.
“Ooooh. I knew it was right to leave him with the Count.”
“Yes. If I teach him a little more, he’ll soon be capable of simple errands, Your Highness.”
I winked at Count Tolkie, who smiled faintly.
“How’s the mining going? I haven’t had much time to oversee it because of my Crown Princess tasks, Count.”
“You need not worry, Your Highness. Hohoho. Mining is proceeding without any issues.”
“Good, good. Naturally, I expected that. But how are you planning to process the mined salt? I was thinking of two forms: one, completely powdered, and another, small granules.”
“Huh? Is there any use for it besides cooking? I thought it was just for culinary purposes.”
“You didn’t properly research it in the lab, did you?”
“Ah… we just thought it was good salt…”
Of course, I hadn’t researched it either. I know the original work, so there’s no need. Hehe.
Count Tolkie looked eager to hear what I had to say.
“In a far-eastern country, they brush their teeth with bamboo salt roasted nine times, eat it for mouth inflammation, and dissolve it in water to disinfect a sore throat.”
“Ah! Really?”
“Yes. Good salt can act as medicine. So, Count Tolkie, try thinking along those lines. Deark isn’t ordinary land, so the salt won’t be ordinary either. Naturally, it will taste good.”
“Hohoho. I see, Your Highness. Since you’ve given me a hint, I’ll notify the lab.”
“Yes. I also want the small granules sold, so they can be used like medicine.”
“Yes, I understand, Your Highness.”
Hehe. Good. Count Tolkie really understands.
“Anything else you’d like me to do?”
“I was just thinking about that.”
Count Tolkie chuckled again at my answer.
Born with a golden spoon, like the original Celestia, not me. Somehow, this suits me well.
“Oh!”
“Yes?”
“Do you know how Killian is doing?”
“Master Gong? Hmm… I haven’t visited the ducal residence in a while, so I’m not sure.”
“Wasn’t the Count’s second son supposed to be Killian’s tutor?”
“That’s true… but they don’t have frequent small talk. Why do you ask? Did you two fight?”
“Me? With Killian? No. I can’t fight with Killian.”
“Of course you wouldn’t…”
“I’d lose. Completely lose. Daytime and nighttime, I’d lose forever.”
“Whaaaat?”
“I really really like Killian. The absolute most! Just seeing his face makes all my anger melt away. How could we fight?”
Count Tolkie smiled broadly, clearly amused by my answer.
“Hohoho. But why do you ask about Master Gong’s well-being?”
“No. I lose, but Adel doesn’t.”
“Adel… you mean the young lady, Marchioness Lwendif? Weren’t they getting along well?”
“They do when they’re fine… but last time, while I wasn’t around, they fought so badly that I told them not to come for a while.”
Why are seven-year-olds fighting like this? They’re not unintelligent… sigh. It’s difficult.
As I crossed my arms and muttered complaints to myself, Count Tolkie laughed again.
“That’s normal. It happens.”
“Eh? What do you mean?”
“I too raised three children. During their prime, they fought constantly; their faces would be bruised, noses would bleed, lips would split almost daily. But it was brief.”
Count Tolkie gazed into the distance as if recalling a long time ago. The smile on his face showed how loving a father he was.
“With time, they become so quiet that you might even wish they fought just to break the silence.”
“Eh. Really? I don’t like that…”
“But as time passes, they grow close again. So, Your Highness, perhaps you should just let things be naturally. Master Gong and the Marchioness are still young.”
And so is the princess.
Any attempt I had to object was drowned out by the Count’s laughter.
Maybe I was being too greedy. Eventually, they’ll love each other naturally.
I considered lifting the entry ban and stared at Jerron. I suddenly wondered how old he was. He looked twelve? Thirteen?
“Jerron.”
“Huh, Your Highness?”
“How old are you?”
“I don’t know.”
Count Tolkie translated, not really translating.
“Age isn’t important. Just eat well and sleep well.”
“Huh.”
“Learn well from the Count too.”
“Huh.”
Judging by his obedient responses, he understands perfectly. His eyes, once dull and unfocused, were now much clearer.
“You’ll need to help me a lot later.”
“Huh, Your Highness.”
“Alright, Jerron.”
Just propping his chin in his hands and smiling made Jerron’s face flush bright red.
