Chapter 43

Evening Party

In just a couple more days, my stay in the Royal City will end . Today is the day I am scheduled to visit Baron Messi’s house . According to the information provided by mother, Baron Messi typically returns to his fief early when it’s about to be off-seasons . Hence, the party . In other words, it is to say farewell to his associates .

The members of the First Prince’s faction, who have their own fief, are devoted to land management and often stay in their fief . In other words, they don’t have many opportunities to gather . On the contrary, during a season, their attendance rate is quite high .

Because it’s that kind of party, is it really acceptable for me to attend…? I started having those kinds of thoughts .

In the morning, I started doing yoga for mental concentration . Beside me was mother who has completely gotten into practicing yoga and was wearing an outfit similar to mine .

“Well, Iris-chan . Your expression is looking stiff . If you keep that up, you’ll get tired . ”

“Is that so…?”

“Yes . Since you’re going through all the trouble to loosen your body, you should work on your expression as well… That’s right, that’s how it should be . ”

After I finished practicing yoga, I took a shower and changed my clothes . Since today’s party will take place at night, I’m still wearing my everyday clothing .

Because there’s still some time, I decided to take a look at the reports sent by Sei and Sebastian so that I can immediately send necessary instructions as a reply if needed be .

Hmmm… As I thought, location is important . Since it takes time for the letter to arrive, when I have completely grasped the situation, it might have already changed . When I consider these things, I shouldn’t continue to involve myself in any unnecessary things and quickly return to the fief .

While I was scuffling with the documents, I heard a knock coming from the door and Tanya entered the room .

“Young mistress . It is about time for you to make your preparations . ”

Oh, it’s that time already? As I thought, when one is concentrated on doing something, time flies by quickly .

Because I cannot be late, I began my preparations at once . Because the party is being held at night, unlike the dresses I wore to Dranbalt and the Marquis’ mansion, I wore a dress similar to what one would wear at an official function . However, as I expected, I am not used to wearing heavy dresses, and I wore something that feels refreshing .

After Tanya finished arranging my hair, I put on some accessories . Today’s dress is dark blue in color that matches the color of my eyes . As for accessories, because my hair is silver, white will not compliment it, so blue sapphire was used instead . Hence, my dress is considerably embroidered with silver thread, making it stand out splendidly .

I finished my preparation in good time . Although the people in the world say that women take too long to prepare, but it takes even more time to put on a dress . In the first place, if someone doesn’t help, one won’t be able to put it on by themselves .

In the present condition, I rode the carriage and headed to the Baron’s residence . Fuuu, I’m feeling really nervous… In the Royal City… since the mansions of aristocrats are all in one sector, there is not much distance between our mansion and Baron Messi’s . However, because I’m feeling nervous, I feel like the distance was even shorter .

* * *

While I was frozen stiff with tension, we arrived at Baron Messi’s mansion and greet our host, Baron Messi .

“Thank you very much for your invitation to today’s event . ”

“I, as well, would like to thank you for your attendance . ”

Baron Messi, as expected of someone who was once part of the military, his physical build is proportional . …In addition, every single one of his body movements isn’t coarse, but quite beautiful . He gives an impression of an attractive older man with silver-gray hair .

“Grandfather also felt regretful . To not be able to attend this gathering . ”

Even though grandfather wanted to attend, he couldn’t make it . He said something about having official business elsewhere . Although he didn’t talk about his business in full detail, he felt that it was quite regrettable . …Well, compared to myself, grandfather has closer relations with Baron Messi .

“Please let me humbly say that I also felt extremely disappointed when I heard it . Please tell him that if another chance arises, please come by all means . ”

“Yes . Without fail . ”

After I finished greeting the host, I entered the hall and looked around . Wow, this is amazing . …That was the first impression I had . There were many well-known figures here and there .

When it comes to aristocrats, there were many who received their title after some distinguished service . They started out as commoners, but after a meritable service, they were bestowed a title and became an aristocrat .

I have heard various names of the people who works as a bureaucrat from father . To actually see many of those famous people gathered in this place, it can’t be helped if I’m astonished .

“…Lady Iris, it has been a long time since we last met . ”

“Oh… Earl Sagittaria, it has been a long time . ”

Earl Sagittaria serves this Kingdom as its Finance Minister . In plain words, he is one of father’s subordinates, and I’ve met his acquaintance before .

If I’m not mistaken, when the Queen Dowager was still the Queen, thanks to his abilities, the Earl received a recommendation and was appointed to his position .

Although he has the appearance of a good-natured old man right now, but to be able to handle the hard to deal with people in the Royal Castle… I don’t believe he is what he appears to be .

“I did not at all expect Earl Sagittaria to make an appearance . ”

As someone who has an important position in the administration of the Kingdom, I didn’t think that he would choose one of the Prince’s side… This is my real feelings .

“Having a mere official such as myself will not make a difference in the fight for the throne . ”

Well, not directly, but it’s not like he can say that . I’m sure that he has considerable influence… since he holds the purse strings of the Kingdom . And that is influence itself in its own way .

“However, whatever the Kingdom decides what’s best for the Kingdom… it should also benefit the people . And I believe that it is the duty of the people part of the government to think about those things . ”

“Indeed . For you to think that way, it will definitely benefit the country . ”

When Earl Sagittaria heard my words, he said nothing and deepened his smile .

“Come to think of it, Lady Iris . The clothes you are wearing tonight looks quite splendid . ”

“Thank you very much . ”

“Are they also obtain from the trade with the East…?”

“Not at all . I ordered these clothes at a clothing shop in our fief . ”

“Is that so . The fief of Armelia is filled with many people of exceptional talents . It is also facing the sea, I’m quite envious . Refinement of salt, obtaining foreign currency from trade with other countries… because it’s facing the sea, there are plenty of ways to enrich the fief . It also seems like the trade is doing favorably well considering the quantity . ”

“Y-yes… Well . It’s all thanks to the people . ”

As expected of Sagittaria-sama . He has completely grasped the movement of each and every individual fief .

“How humble . I heard that it’s no small thanks to the instructions you’ve made, isn’t that right?”

For the time being, I responded to that question with just a smile . How should I put this, I found myself lost for words . Although my mind doesn’t feel painful, but it’s quite troublesome to be probed .

“Also, I heard that you are considerably involved in the fief’s politics . Reforming the taxation system, protecting orphans, as well as establishing a powerful security force . …Exactly what in the world are you aiming for . ”

To sum up his statement, earning foreign currency through trade, doing business in other fiefs to earn money, establishing a strong army, exactly what are you plotting? I guess that’s what he meant to ask . When I think about it now, I’m quite surprised . Be it Earl Sagittaria or someone else, they would want to take precautions .

“My only aim is to give the local people a peace of mind and a better life . To put it more finely, I want to provide a stable livelihood for them in the fief and give them a secure place to live in . That kind of target… No, it is more proper to call it an ideal . And how close I can get to achieve that ideal . However, this is something one must pursue for eternity… Thus, a ‘goal’ does not exist . ”

“I see… I am exceedingly impressed . A government for the people… Even though you are still young, it seems you are already a public servant . However, please be careful . Because the remarks my lady made today, ‘a country for the people,’ might be perceived ‘baring your fangs . '”

“I am thankful for your advice . ”

I have no intention of raising a revolt against the country . As a person of the Duke of Armelia’s House, I have more or less swore my allegiance to royal family .

However, I still believe that I should defend the people . Therefore, depending on the situation, the possibility of confronting the country still exist . On a final note, that last thing I said is a card I definitely do not want to play if given a choice . …Nevertheless, I cannot say it out loud .

* * *