Chapter 78

Since this was a bit different from the elaborate intelligence plan I was expecting, I became a bit embarrassed and scratched my cheek.

“I, I should go. I’ll need to go in order to keep my promise anyways, but by myself….”

“Then come with your daughter.”

“….”

No. I meant what you were going to do, why would my daughter…..

For once, I was thinking things were going well, but now my complexion darkened in a second.

“By daughter, you wouldn’t be meaning Lady L-Lania.”

“I mean the bird ba- no, the swan.”

“Oh……”

Looking as anxious as I was somehow, Rashid put one hand into his pocket.

What for? What was he thinking?

When I stood there blankly, as pale as ever, his eyes as he looked down at me flashed coldly.

“You said she’s your daughter. Is there any reason not to?”

“….That’s indeed true, but it’s just something I never expected. I was thinking of something more constructive, or…”

“I don’t know what you were thinking of, but I have already received too many reports for territories and strategic military points that you were talking about. So if the Duchess, who has been lying low until now, wants to come out and start a public business, wouldn’t it have to be something about the ecosystem or improving the environment of the Northern Lands? Which means that if you bring any old animal and let them roam free while you pretend to explain, then that will look more plausible to the others.”

“Ohh.”

As expected.

He’d spoken too fast so I didn’t really know what he said, but anyways he looked like he had some kind of thorough plan.

The way he sighed right after he finished talking had a sense of being too different from his previous words, but the Emperor was the Emperor. In other words, it was the trend and the truth and the way of life to follow the person who was paying, as long as they were right.

“I see. Then I will also do my best to prepare in that direction as well. So that I can reply to whoever asks me.”

“……Go on ahead.”

“I, I really will do my best!”

Customer.

As Rashid had said, I turned around with a shameless smile and gathered my hands together tightly.

I smiled brightly, not even bothering to hide the Sales King smile that had managed to sell out even the three-year-old evil stock of king cobra dolls at the zoo’s souvenir corner.

“You really have a good eye. It’s only that I’ve never had the chance, but I’m very good at working. I really do work hard without distinguishing between anything, but this time I’ll especially…..”

“…..Mm.”

Didn’t this man just smile.

As he turned in a hurry, a smirk seemed to pass by his well-formed lips. Since I was smiling, there wasn’t any reason he shouldn’t be able to smile, but a weirdly awkward current seemed to hover.

As I blinked my eyes at him in bewilderment, two horses that were just entering the royal villa came into my line of sight behind him.

“Ohh, the Imperial Princes must have come back. I should go and greet…”

“No!”

In contrast to how relieved I was feeling at the thought of someone new appearing, Rashid shouted loudly.

It wasn’t the first time he’d turned a 180 so suddenly, but this time we really were in quite a warm atmosphere.

Without any growling or whimpering involved, laughter was actually in the air around us for once, so why….

“Your Majesty, I have no idea what mistake I have made yet again, but I was simply thinking the Princes….”

“Catherine.”

His breath, which reached my forehead, scattered into a mist ambiguously. Enough, in fact, that I did not realize how naturally this man had called me by my name.

“You, did you say you’re good at acting?”

***

“Brother Peyton, look over there.”

“…….”

Tenon, his hands on the reins, halted his horse without being able to go closer to Rashid. Peyton, who had been about to go and greet his elder brother Rashid as according to the laws of courtesy and etiquette, was also unable to do anything. He made an awkward face.

“That’s…..”

“It appears as if His Majesty is firmly pressuring the Duchess.”

The atmosphere was so clear to see that there was no other explanation needed.