Chapter 49
Standing Firm in One’s Beliefs
“Yes. It’s a plan that began with Your Highness’s idea, which is why I wanted to tell you first.”
“But it’s commoners who buy ready-made clothes that are displayed, isn’t it? Will nobles really like a commoners’ way of shopping?”
“Of course, we’ll continue accepting orders through the existing catalog-made system as well. That method has its own strengths.”
Mia spoke with an excited expression.
“Princess, I don’t think that just because we’ve always done things one way, we have to keep doing them forever. I can propose a new method, can’t I? I already propose fashion trends—so why wouldn’t I be able to propose a new way of buying clothes?”
Goodness!
I felt like applauding.
Mia—who preferred being called Designer Mia rather than the second daughter of Count Grace—was trying to show the world her own way of doing things.
“Designer Mia, you truly have a unique perspective.”
“Only when it comes to clothes. I love them, after all.”
She smiled shyly. The way she placed no limits on herself left a strong impression.
“It’s wonderful. I’m sure the nobles will soon fall in love with this new method as well.”
Last time, even I had enjoyed trying on clothes. Surely there were others who would feel the same delight.
“I’m looking forward to it too. Of course, it’s not a business with only rosy prospects. It goes directly against the noble lifestyle. Still, I’m doing this simply because I love it.”
Mia, pouring her passion into something she loved, looked admirable.
“I hope the citizens of our Rundra Kingdom living in Owen can enjoy it too. We don’t really shop this way back in Rundra.”
There were Rundra citizens living in Owen.
Even if imperial supremacism wasn’t shared by all imperial citizens, the very existence of that ideology made certain spaces uncomfortable for Rundra people.
I imagined a place where Rundra citizens could move more freely. Perhaps it was because I had been thinking about imperial supremacists ever since returning from the Grace family’s ball.
Mia seemed to think over my words before cautiously speaking.
“Princess… so you’re aware of imperial supremacism.”
It was an unexpected topic. I couldn’t hide my surprise; I never imagined hearing such a word in a conversation with Mia.
“There’s no need to be surprised. It’s not exactly a secret among Owen’s citizens. And since my job involves meeting many people, I naturally come to know many things—and I’ve grown perceptive.”
“I see. That makes sense.”
Mia’s expression darkened.
“I don’t know how Your Highness came to learn about imperial supremacism, but it couldn’t have been a pleasant experience. Please allow me to apologize on behalf of the Empire.”
She bowed deeply, with utmost politeness.
“You’ve done nothing wrong, Designer Mia. Please don’t bow.”
“Someone must apologize. Since I am an imperial citizen, it is only right that I do so.”
After a moment of thought, Mia continued.
“Imperial supremacism isn’t an old ideology. But those who agree with it seem to cling very firmly to their beliefs. As an imperial citizen, I can’t fully speak from another nation’s perspective, but…”
Her shoulders slumped. The lively energy from earlier was gone, replaced by visible weariness.
“I worry about this. Rundra citizens live in Owen too.”
“In truth, Rundra citizens suffer comparatively less. Their numbers in Owen are quite large, and in Arsène, there’s hardly anyone who doesn’t know that Your Highness is staying here.”
That meant my presence acted as a shield for Rundra citizens.
I hadn’t really done anything, so I wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved that I was helping—or worried that once I returned to Rundra, that shield would disappear.
Mia hesitated, then continued.
“I’m not sure if I should say this to you, but recently, imperial supremacism seems to be spreading more rapidly. There are rumors they’ve begun operating as organized groups.”
“You mean they’ve formed groups?”
Organized…?
“I don’t know whether they’ve become a formally named organization. But I’ve heard that imperial supremacists move in groups and refuse to communicate with those who think differently.”
“That would only harden their beliefs further.”
History made it clear: when people are exposed to only one perspective, it becomes difficult to consider another.
Mia brushed back the hair at her temple.
“Princess, I don’t know how my words may sound, but I hope you understand that not all imperial citizens support imperial supremacism.”
She looked uncomfortable speaking about it.
As Mary’s younger sister—someone who called herself pro-Rundra—I hadn’t thought Mia would reject Rundra citizens, but hearing in her own voice that she wasn’t an imperial supremacist was still a relief.
After all, being close to imperial supremacists would be difficult for me.
“Designer Mia, you’re only stating the obvious.”
I replied with a soft laugh. Mia let out a quiet sigh of relief.
She continued trying to apologize—apologies that weren’t really apologies—so I stood first, sensing her embarrassment.
“I went out today because I wanted to stop by a dessert shop on the way home. I should go before it closes—chocolate is waiting for me.”
After receiving Mia’s farewell, I left Shop Mémétir and headed by carriage toward the dessert shop I often visited. Familiar scenery passed by outside the window.
As the carriage slowly moved through the city streets, it suddenly stopped. Fortunately, we weren’t moving fast, so I didn’t lurch forward.
There was a commotion outside. I slid open the small window connected to the driver’s seat.
“Sir Mattis, is something wrong?”
“Princess, there seems to be some trouble. The road can’t be turned around, so we may need to wait.”
“What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure. People are blocking the road. I’ll check.”
“I’ll take a look.”
I opened the carriage window and leaned out slightly.
A crowd had gathered in front of a shop, surrounding its entrance in a circle. Loud voices rang out. Someone was thrown out of the shop.
Startled, I gripped the window frame with both hands.
“We don’t sell to people from the Ten Duchy!”
“What kind of nonsense is that?! I have money—why won’t you sell to me?!”
“If you want to buy something, go back to your own country!”
The man who was thrown out had tried to make a purchase, and the shopkeeper appeared to have refused him based on his nationality.
Imperial supremacism.
I had thought it was usually subtle—quiet exclusion in daily life—but seeing such direct harm made my fingertips go cold.
I spoke to the driver.
“Sir Mattis, I need to get down for a moment.”
“Yes, Princess.”
The carriage was pulled to a suitable spot, and Sir Mattis helped me down.
I walked toward the disturbance, with Sir Mattis at my side and Sir Diego behind me.
Nobles and commoners stood mixed together on the street. As I got closer, I saw the man at the center of the commotion. He had a cut near his mouth, likely from falling.
When I tried to move further in, Sir Mattis and Sir Diego cleared a path. I walked slowly toward the man standing amid the crowd.
“Good afternoon. I hear you were trying to buy something—may I purchase it for you instead?”
All eyes turned to me at my sudden, unexpected words. The crowd fell briefly silent.
The man from the Ten Duchy looked bewildered as well.
“Uh… who are you?”
“I’m a student studying abroad.”
“Oh—oh! I see!”
Smiling, I spoke to him again.
“Please tell me what you wanted to buy. I’ll get it for you.”
“I—I was trying to buy candles.”
“How many do you need?”
“Five will be enough.”
“Please give me the money.”
I held out my palm. He placed a single coin in my hand.
I knew Owen’s currency, but not how many candles this amount would buy. Hoping my uncertainty didn’t show, I walked to the shopkeeper.
“Will you sell me five candles?”
“Pardon? Oh—yes, yes. Here you are.”
The shopkeeper handed over five candles with a flustered expression.
When I gave him the coin, he returned a few smaller coins as change.
Sir Diego accepted the candles and coins on my behalf and handed them to the man from the Ten Duchy, who still looked stunned as he received what he had been trying to buy.
“There’s no need to thank me.”
I spoke a line I’d once heard about—a line the palace maids had said sounded wonderful when they read it in a novel.
Hehe. Saying it myself felt even cooler.
