TOYLCG 31 🍒

Chapter — 31 

Attracting attention could sometimes be a good thing, but more often, it led to bad results.

Especially when it came to trying something new, starting off on too large a scale was dangerous.

“This feels very different from what we talked about at first. What happened?”

“At the beginning, I planned to start small, just like you suggested. But… I don’t know who said what to him. All of a sudden, he insisted on making it a big event.”

“So someone put ideas into his head?”

“It seems that way.”

The three of them lowered their voices, idly turning their teacups. Right after Rosebell left, someone had met with the count. After that, the count suddenly became stubborn about holding a large-scale festival.

“The budget can’t be that big, can it? The festival idea itself was something I mentioned suddenly.”

“Exactly. The yearly budget is already planned out, so this caught me off guard too.”

Anywhere you went, unexpected spending outside the budget was never a good thing. That was the reason they had hoped to hold it like a small village festival.

If they worked with what they already had, word of mouth alone would spread the idea that something like this exists in the count’s territory. But once they decided to host a full-scale festival, a large budget became unavoidable.

Then where would that money come from?

The answer was obvious. They would surely collect more taxes from the territory’s residents, who were already struggling to make a living.

Of course, the count could use his own money. But a festival was something so large that even that might not be enough.

It was hard to understand how he could be swayed so easily by someone’s careless words, especially when everyone would need time just to prepare.

“Opening a festival just because of someone’s words, without any investment, doesn’t make sense.”

“I feel the same. That’s why I wanted to ask—could you ask the Duke to stop my father? If this gets bigger, the burden on the people will grow too.”

Both of them shared the same worry. They didn’t want innocent people to suffer.

A troubling thought crossed Rosebell’s mind. One person had been unusually quiet. Still, there was no clear reason for them to act this way.

If it was because she herself wasn’t moving according to the Crown Prince’s wishes, then she could understand it to some extent. By isolating the ducal family, he could control things the way he used to.

It was only a guess, but thinking that it could really be true sent a chill down her spine. She felt she needed to keep even more distance from the Crown Prince than before.

“For now, this can only be resolved by visiting the Demetra territory. But can I ask something else?”

“What is it?”

“Is the Crown Prince’s position unstable?”

Daniel swallowed hard at Rosebell’s unexpected question. He hesitated, wondering whether it was safe to share what he knew.

After all, wasn’t the Efrian Ducal House close to the imperial family? Saying the wrong thing could harm his family.

“Well…”

“I don’t like the Crown Prince that much either, so I’d appreciate it if you were honest.”

Her firm words startled Daniel. There had been rumors that she would do anything to become the Crown Prince’s fiancée.

“Despite his public image, the Crown Prince’s position isn’t that strong.”

“Why? There’s only one Crown Prince.”

“As you know, His Majesty took a new Empress. Since then, things have been a bit unstable.”

“Is that really a problem? There’s still only one eldest son.”

From Rosebell’s perspective, it made no sense. If there was already a son nearing adulthood, producing another heir would be a waste of time and resources.

“It probably means His Majesty truly loves the current Empress. And this is just a rumor, but…”

“A rumor?”

“There are whispers that the Empress once had a child.”

“What kind of story is that…?”

“And not just that. Ever since her coronation, no one has ever seen the Empress’s face.”

“No one’s seen her?”

“Yes. It’s kept strictly secret, and no one knows why.”

“Maybe she’s too sick to appear in public.”

“I don’t think that’s the case.”

It sounded like she was being hidden on purpose. If this had spread as a rumor, it meant many people believed it to be true.

Then why would the Emperor hide the Empress?

All Rosebell could guess was that there must be an unavoidable reason.

“In that case, the Crown Prince must be busy trying to gather supporters.”

“That won’t be easy either. The Emperor is still strong, and quietly, the Empress’s influence is growing.”

“She doesn’t even appear in public, yet her influence is strong?”

Daniel’s words only confused Rosebell further. She frowned slightly. Royal matters were always hard to understand, but this situation felt especially frustrating.

“There are rumors that she’s a magician.”

If it was just a rumor, then it wasn’t confirmed. Still, considering how rare magicians were, it wasn’t impossible.

“Are there many magicians?”

“The imperial family manages them, so I don’t know the exact numbers. That’s why magicians rarely act publicly.”

“So you only see them during wars.”

“Yes…”

Daniel replayed his words in his mind, worried he might have said something wrong. Then he turned his gaze to Aren.

She had been quietly holding her teacup the entire time.

“Aren.”

“Yes?”

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, I just have a lot on my mind.”

Aren gave a bitter smile. Rosebell immediately realized she might have said something insensitive and bit the inside of her cheek.

“We talked too much about ourselves.”

“It’s fine. If you don’t mind, I’d like to go rest in my room.”

“Of course.”

As Aren left, Rosebell shook her head, thinking she had spoken carelessly.

They needed a change in mood. Staying in such a heavy atmosphere wouldn’t bring any good ideas.

“First, let’s visit your territory as soon as possible. And Daniel, I’d like a recommendation for a paper producer. It needs to be very thin—but it doesn’t have to be high-quality.”

“Very thin paper?”

“Yes. I’ll need it to wrap the fruit once it grows.”

Daniel tilted his head in confusion.

Fruit needed sunlight to grow well. Wouldn’t covering it block that?

“Then the apples won’t grow properly.”

“No. It actually helps prevent pests and helps the fruit grow evenly. That’s why I need the paper. But it seems my father has just been growing them without it.”

It was an unexpected method. At the same time, it showed how much Rosebell had studied agriculture.

“Marquis Ophelia runs a paper business. Many nobles use it, and the quality is good. But I’m not sure if they have paper as thin as you’re imagining.”

“I’ll talk to my father about it.”

Rosebell relaxed as the atmosphere softened. Daniel’s gloomy expression earlier had affected her mood as well.

“But if we do it your way, even fallen apples won’t get damaged as much.”

“Right? I plan to sell the fallen apples cheaply. And I want to donate the profits.”

“Donate?”

“Yes. I want to create a place where children can learn to read and write. I believe everyone should have the chance to learn.”

Rosebell’s thoughtful ideals gave Daniel a lot to think about.

That evening, Daniel told the Duke about what had happened earlier in the day. The Duke was pleased by the praise for his daughter.

“Rosebell really resembles her mother—so clever. I’m looking forward to this family’s future.”

At the Duke’s doting words, Rosebell’s face turned red. Being compared to her mother—whom she had never seen or spoken to—made her uncomfortable.

She hadn’t been curious before, but now she seriously wondered if she should ask.

“Father, I think I need to visit the Demetra territory again soon.”

“Suddenly?”

“I made a suggestion last time, but there seems to be a problem with it. Daniel came to ask for my help because of that.”

“I see. Then you should go. If you need my help, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Of course. Oh! While we’re at it, could you purchase some paper from Marquis Ophelia?”

“Paper?”

“Yes. Very thin paper. The fruit will start growing soon, and we need to prepare to wrap it in advance.”

“Ah… I understand.”

The Duke remembered what his daughter had said before—how it was necessary to prevent pests.

“And lately, His Highness the Crown Prince hasn’t been visiting. Do you know why?”

“Well… I find that a bit strange too. But he must be busy.”

“I suppose so.”

The Duke found it odd that his daughter suddenly brought up the Crown Prince. Had her heart changed? Did she want to become Empress after all?

That was the one thing he wanted to prevent. If possible, he hoped she would stick to her original decision and become the head of the family.

“Ah… by the way, I heard Rosebell is set to become the next head of the family. Is that also your intention, Your Grace?”

“Of course.”

At the Duke’s answer, given without even a moment of hesitation, Daniel was taken aback.