kscans

Chapter 17 - Episode 1, Part 2. The Tea Party

"Suu, haa, suu, haa. Okay, Lady Luiza. Thank you for inviting me today…"

"Rilka."

"Gah. …M, Mia. Don’t scare me like that. But I’m glad. I wanted to go with you, but you left the classroom so fast."

"I stopped by senpai’s place."

"Ugh, that Vinder guy again. To think he’d be messing with her at a crucial time like this."

That man has absolutely no idea how difficult and incredible it is to win the favor of a noble. No, could it be that he’s jealous of Mia, his own subordinate…

"Well, shall we go? Be strong, okay?"

"Ah, y, yeah. Of course."

Whatever I might say, it looked like Mia was fired up, too. Her eyes, which usually seemed a little distant, were now as sharp as the glare I’d given Zeldia earlier.

When we entered the gazebo, two young noblewomen were there. One, of course, was Lady Luiza. She looked lovely again today. But Lady Luiza was seated in the back, on the left. Wait, isn’t Lady Luiza the host?

Um, who was that other lady… I’m sure I’ve seen her before… huh???

"Princess Alfina. Thank you very much for your invitation today."

…P, Princess.

My vision swam. No way, huh, why, could it be that she found out I was badmouthing her…

"Thank you for coming, Mia-san. And, um, you must be Rilka-san. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

"Y, y, y, yes. Y, Your Highness, I trust you are in g, g, good spirits."

As I turned deathly pale, the Princess offered me a gentle smile.

Clink, clank. The cup and saucer rattled in time with my trembling hands. I couldn’t taste the tea, which I was sure was wonderfully fragrant. For the record, Lady Luiza was the one who poured it.

Come to think of it, I couldn’t even remember how I’d greeted Lady Luiza just now.

"You don’t have to be so nervous. Princess Alfina is a very generous person."

"Y, yes."

I gave a completely uninspired nod. I have to pull myself together. I can’t stay flustered forever. While Mia has the princess’s attention, I’ll talk to Lady Luiza. That’s the plan.

"Um, Lady Lui…"

"How is Ricardo-kun doing?"

"He said he would be late as his research is taking some time. I believe he should be here soon."

Mia replied to the princess’s question. For a second, I felt like I was going to pass out.

"What?! You idiot… …M, my apologies."

Is he an idiot? Is he an idiot? Does he want to die? No, I don’t care if he dies, but please don’t drag Mia into it.

"Well, that does sound like Ricardo-kun."

But the princess just laughed. I breathed a sigh of relief for Mia’s sake. She really is a kind person. Even if she lacks a certain aura.

"My apologies for being late."

Just then, I heard a familiar voice at the entrance. A man was bowing deeply at the gazebo’s entrance.

He’s out of his mind. No, I don’t mean his hair is messy or anything like that. No matter how politely he apologizes, it’s no use. The fact that he’s late is an unforgivable act of disrespect.

"I’m glad you could make it."

"The thought of taking a social pleasantry at face value and showing up to a tea party of only ladies made my feet feel rather heavy."

He added an excuse that wasn’t even an excuse. I flinched. That’s not me, right? I didn’t just take a social pleasantry at face value, did I?

"You didn’t come to the academy after the celebration, Ricardo-kun. I was worried."

"I apologize for causing you concern. I was a bit tied up with a request from Her Grace, the Grand Duchess."

Vinder was talking with the princess about the celebration. Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen him for a few days. But why would Her Highness be concerned with the comings and goings of a commoner student? No, that’s not it. What’s with that aloof attitude? It’s rude to both Her Highness and Lady Luiza.

"You mean about my aunt’s investment. I’m sorry. My aunt has taken a great interest in those stocks, you see."

"I thought stocks were something for at least five years down the road, no matter how well things went. It’s been quite a struggle. This world’s… well, there are various issues, like ensuring compatibility with the Kingdom’s legal system."

"A detailed explanation has been compiled here."

For some reason, the princess was talking about vegetables with Vinder. They seemed very close. And from the sound of it, he seemed to be acquainted with the Grand Duchess Bertold, too. At a glance from Vinder, Mia handed a document to the princess. Wow, she’s explaining things to the princess. An explanation about vegetables???

This is bad. I haven’t said a single thing. In situations like this, the person of lower status is supposed to bring up a topic they’ve prepared beforehand.

"Ah, um, Lady Luiza. The Shoken Festival is just a month away, isn’t it?"

"Now that you mention it, yes. Are you participating, Rilka-san?"

"Y, yes. I’ll be setting up a booth with the other students from Kenwell."

The Shoken Festival commemorates the day a king three generations ago first allowed commoners to enroll in the academy. While it’s a festival, it’s also a serious competition. For the children of merchant families, who make up most of the commoner students, it’s a crucial opportunity to showcase the value of their family businesses and themselves to future patrons.

It’s taboo to poach another company’s clients, but if a noble comes to buy from you, it can’t be helped. Under that pretext, it’s possible to gain new business partners. But if you fail, a bad reputation will spread through high society.

In short, it can determine the fate of your family’s business. That’s why we all prepare so desperately.

Although, there are some houses that show no signs of doing so. For example…

"Oh my, I was unable to see it last year. A mock shop, you say. What sort of things do you do?"

To my surprise, the princess latched onto the topic. Well, of course. It’s a much more fitting topic for a tea party than some incomprehensible talk about vegetables.

"Yes, students open shops using products from their family businesses. My family deals in milk and eggs, so we are planning to serve some light meals using them."

"What will you do, Vinder-kun?"

"It’s a bit difficult for a business of our size to get involved. We don’t have enough people, for one."

What an unmotivated man. What is he even at this academy for? It’s probably just my imagination, but it feels like if he invited the princess, it would actually happen. Seriously, what is with this guy?

"…Is that something I could participate in?"

"O, of course. Everyone would be overjoyed if you, the Holy Maiden Alfina-denka, were to grace us with your presence."

"Ah, that’s not what I meant. I was wondering if I could…"

The princess glanced at Vinder and fell silent.

"Speaking of which, I heard that the delegation from the Empire has expressed a desire to observe the festival. Have you heard anything, Rilka-san?"

"Yes. Word that the Empire wishes to expand trade has reached us as well. An increase in food export quotas would be very welcome for my family."

Unlike our kingdom, which has a lot of flat land, the Empire is a mountainous region. Moreover, it is constantly exposed to monster invasions. It isn’t suited for food production, but it’s rich in minerals and magic crystals harvested from monsters. I heard they used to wage war on us for our food until fifty years ago, but now, a trade relationship exists where we exchange our respective products.

For merchants who handle food, they could be called our best customers. Of course, only major companies on the level of Kenwell are directly involved in trade between nations. With the spot vacated by Dorefano gone, the major companies are still maneuvering against each other for it.

"Does that mean the Empire is short on food?"

"Y, yes. A monster flood occurred in the west, which is normally unheard of in our kingdom, so… Ah, um!"

Remembering something important, I shot up as if on a spring.

"I, if I may be so bold, as a citizen of this kingdom, I wish to express my gratitude to Your Highness the Princess."

How could I have forgotten something so vital? This is something I should have said at the very beginning. But, as it turned out, I was able to say it naturally. And I managed to avoid delving into the grim topic of monster attacks, which is unsuited for a tea party.

"Thank you. But, in that case, Ri…"

"So that means monster activity is increasing in the Empire, too. I wonder what’s happening with the fluctuations in the ley lines."

However, Vinder, who should have stood up with me, completely failed to read the room. And besides, we don’t need any more talk about monsters at a tea party.

"I’ve heard that the monsters in the Empire are on a different level from those in the kingdom. They apparently host massive magic crystals and can operate a great distance away from the Red Forest."

"So, in a way, the Empire is acting as a shield for the kingdom…"

Without even noticing my glare, Vinder was lost in thought. This was the very definition of insolence.

"That’s right. It seems the terms of trade are decided with such things taken into consideration. After all, monsters are our common enemy."

"Then, what if the Empire were to be defeated by the monsters…"

"There is a legend in the village of Adelheid about a great dragon attack. It was apparently before the kingdom was founded, so its authenticity is uncertain."

Both the princess and Lady Luiza were properly engaging with Vinder on his topic. They were truly generous people. And I still hated this guy for taking advantage of their kindness.

"I’m… so tired…"

Leaving the gazebo, I finally let my shoulders relax. I found myself rotating them in circles, just like my father after a long day at work.

"I’m sorry. I was told to keep the identity of the host a secret."

"Ugh. You really taught me what a cold sweat feels like. But it’s okay. I got Lady Luiza to remember my name. You gave me that chance, so I really am grateful. It’s just…"

I glanced behind me. In front of the covered walkway to the school building, Vinder was talking with Princess Alfina.

"Just what in the world is he?"

My words were loaded with more meanings than usual.

"Senpai is senpai."

"Uuuuugh."

I looked at Mia. She was watching the unlikely pair of a man and a woman.

"Um, how do I put this. I don’t really get it, and I don’t want to support you, but I am supporting you."

"I have no idea what that random string of words means. …But thank you."

Mia said, and then she smiled. Hmm, she really is too good for someone like Vinder.