kscans

Chapter 94 - 9th Story. Black, Shiny, and Sticky

"You have had me eating something quite extraordinary."

Eufilia said, having emptied her plate of Ogura matcha ice cream.

"It is too soon to judge. Its true value will only be apparent when the weather warms."

"Cease this talk. You will make me want to fill the icehouse with ice. What am I to do if people think me a spendthrift like the Grand Duke of the East?"

"If we use that new carriage, we can lower the price a bit. I heard from the Knight Order that there is a lake near the summit of Marel that freezes over in winter."

I relayed the information I had heard. Increased transport efficiency meant that resources previously out of reach were now accessible.

"The devil's temptation, I see."

Eufilia sighed. She set down her spoon and looked at me again. It seemed a serious conversation was about to begin.

"What is your business today?"

"It is about the tea party, of course. The situation has changed somewhat, and there has been an alteration to the division of roles."

"I thought the First Princess was providing the venue, the Second Princess was helping with preparations, and the Third Princess and Alfina were to bring the sweets..."

What was the Third Princess's name again?

"The number of guests for the tea party has increased. And so, the discussion turned to having the two younger princesses share in the preparations as well."

It seemed the Second and Third Princesses would now be in charge of the venue's interior decor, while Alfina would handle the heating. I tilted my head. That did not sound like much of a problem.

Textiles like the tapestries used to decorate the walls were expensive and rare. It went without saying that they were custom-made. They were typically inscribed with the owner's crest, not something one could simply go out and buy.

On the other hand, no matter how expensive firewood was this year, there was a limit to its cost.

"The First Princess... as a duchess, she was likely trying to be considerate of Alfina and her small allowance. As for the Second and Third Princesses, they need only bring items from their own estates."

So for the Third Princess, she avoids any expense, while Alfina's burden increases. What petty harassment.

"It was Doriustia who increased the number of guests. Thanks to her, the venue has been moved to a large hall, twice the original size. At the same time, there are signs that the price of firewood is being raised. I would say the required amount will be three times as much, at double the price."

"The price of firewood, you say?"

I tilted my head. We bought firewood, but I had not noticed.

"You would not know of such things. But even firewood has its own formal grades."

"Give me a break."

In the kingdom, people in rural villages burn peat, while commoners in the Royal Capital might burn bamboo. Wood is expensive. Among them, the high-quality firewood used by nobles for official banquets, which has little scent and does not crackle like bamboo when burned, is even more expensive and scarce.

I see. If you buy it all up, the price goes up easily. And it does not earn the resentment of unrelated commoners. Even the nobility would just use regular firewood if it came down to it.

"It sounds like the supply is being manipulated, not just cornered in the market. Perhaps around Kurtheite... So, what do they stand to gain from this trivial harassment?"

"If the sweets are poor due to the cost of firewood, they will laugh. If the hall is cold because there is not enough firewood, they will complain. They intend to highlight Alfina's lack of economic power."

"I see, so that is their angle. Even princesses do not usually have much money to spend freely, after all."

There is no doubt that nobles are great holders of assets. However, unless they are of the highest ranks, they are not necessarily 'cash-rich.' The bulk of a noble's assets consists of land, agricultural products, and their people as a labor force. Though they may be attended to by a great many servants in a spacious mansion, their disposable funds are not so large.

They must think that saddling her with such a large additional expense, on top of the already costly sweets for so many guests, would be an unbearable burden. For a normal person, anyway.

"They have certainly thought it through."

Since they can't possibly win on reputation, they decided to attack on the economic front. People do not flock to where there is no money. They want to brand her as the pauper princess.

"You do not seem overly concerned."

"Your Grace, just buy the firewood from some friendly nobles."

"How much money do you think that would cost. I could pay for it, but I have no justification."

The Grand Duchess frowned.

"A problem that can be solved with money is a cheap one. It would be far more troublesome if they asked for people or goods. Mia, that please."

"Yes. This is the new financial forecast for this year."

Mia handed the financial statements to Eufilia. This was the other report for today. The major shareholder stared at the new forecast. Then, she sighed.

"In terms of monetary income, this is like having two whole fiefs. I suppose we need not worry about money."

In addition to the honey, our income now included the licensing fees for French toast, the usage fees for the bearing molds, and the contract fee for the yellow sugar. Next year, all of those would increase further.

"That Third Princess knows not even half of Alfina's financial power. And it goes without saying, this year's results are just a trial run."

Leaving aside total assets, when it came to disposable funds alone, Alfina probably had the upper hand on the Third Princess, who had more than double the allowance.

Of course, it was irritating to waste money on something so trivial. But the other side was also consuming its own resources to orchestrate this. Since time was on our side, an attack that could be deflected with money could be considered cheap.

In the meantime, we could work on surpassing them in total assets as well. Strategy differs depending on whether you expect to win or lose.

"I understand. Indeed, this does not seem to be a problem. However, there is one more thing. It concerns the sweets. It seems they have obtained a rare item. They used a noble who recently joined their side to acquire this. Do you know what it is?"

One of the maids placed a plate on the table. On the white plate sat a black chip. I knew what it was instantly from its characteristic aroma.

"...Where did you get this?"

I said resentfully. Why is there cacao mass here when I looked everywhere for it and couldn't find it? What am I supposed to do if that cursed February fourteenth makes its way into this world?

"It is from outside the kingdom, is it not. But to the south of the kingdom..."

"Oh, I am curious as to how you came to that conclusion so quickly. But you are half wrong. It seems the source is an Imperial merchant. He was seen going in and out of the Carriage Guild Master's residence."

Why does a northern country have cacao. Come on, ecosystem, do your job.

"So, what do you think?"

"...It will be difficult to win with anything ordinary."

I answered honestly. If they served a chocolate confection, Plural would have little chance of winning, no matter how hard they tried with the yellow sugar. But the problem was far more serious.

"More importantly. This means the Second and Third Princesses, along with the invited Imperial Princess, are all working together. The competition is irrelevant. Alfina's safety must be the top priority. Perhaps she should feign illness or use the crystal as an excuse to be absent."

"Ruiza and Claudia will, of course, be in attendance with her. We will have people from Prince Craig's faction provide security for the venue. I would also like you to send people from your Central Garden, under the pretext of helping out."

I scowled.

"The lumber negotiations are progressing well. By next spring, we should be able to transport a considerable amount to Bertold. We cannot afford to be harsh with the Empire. And as I said, we cannot cause the neutral First Princess to lose face. Furthermore, her husband, the Duke, is the greatest of the high nobility whose lands border the Royal Capital. His influence is immense."

"...And we cannot obtain this, can we?"

"It is impossible."

Even if we could, I don't know how to make chocolate from cacao mass. It's not as simple as grinding it and adding sugar, right. There's no way we could make it in time.

"If it were not winter, this would be more than enough. Preferably, something that warms the body would be desirable. Do you have anything in mind?"

Eufilia looked at the plate. True, if it were not this time of year, we could have competed against chocolate.

I see, perhaps that is what they are aiming for. I recall that chocolate was originally a drink. If they were to serve hot chocolate in a cold room, the impact, combined with the taste, would be tremendous.

Things were looking more and more difficult. No, wait a moment...

"I have an idea."

"Oh, you do. And what kind of confection is it?"

"First, please tell me about the state of the spaces to the left and right of the main hall. And have the First Princess, the duchess, confirm for me how much leeway we will have with the preparations."

As Eufilia leaned forward, I began rattling off the things I needed, one after another.

"Ah, that is fine, but the sweets..."

"Oh, we will cover the cost of the firewood as an advertising expense. On paper, we can just call it an advance payment for Leylia's honey."

"Senior...?"

"I-it is fine. I will have Mia properly check all the expenses."

I started making calculations like a proper merchant. Mia had already given me an earful for not even calculating the production cost for that little yokan indulgence of mine.

If that is how they want to play, I will turn the tables on them. A tea party with all the princesses in attendance is the perfect opportunity to promote anko.