Chapter 44

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Chapter 44

‘He’s really a strange person.’

Now that she was on her way back to the Princess’ Palace with Ellie, Siervian remembered something earlier.

The more she thought about it, the more curious she was about Duke Pacour’s status window.

‘How is that possible?’

Because she had gone to many various places so far, Siervian had been able to properly gauge the favorability points of many people.

Anyone who was seeing her for the first time had about a thousand points.

It was actually strange for anyone to hate someone they’re meeting for the first time if they’ve never heard about you beforehand.

‘Though 50 million is much too high.’

Of course, there were cases like Karmen where his favorability shot up as soon as he saw her.

In some other cases, the favorability would shoot up in sudden bursts, like Marco.

‘So the duchy was the empress’ household before she got married.’

The surprisingly similar hue of those green eyes showed that the two were related by blood.

Perhaps that was the reason for the duke’s strange favorability, since he was someone close to the empress, who hated the princess.

‘Maybe he’s heard bad things about me before meeting me.’

Nevertheless, strangely enough, she couldn’t get rid of this uneasy feeling.

If it was a negative number like with the empress’ favorability points, then Siervian might have understood the duke better.

But it was zero—nothing more, nothing less.

‘That means he’s always ready to hate me, isn’t it.’

A peculiar chill went down her spine, making her shudder.

Not noticing the child’s plight, Ellie spoke with a clear voice.

“Princess, it’s very fortunate that you’ll be going on a spring picnic, right?”

“Yeeah.”

Hearing Ellie’s voice, which was like the spring breeze, Siervian felt warm again, as if she had never felt cold before.

Thanks to this, she was able to set aside the duke from her thoughts.

However, this time, there was another concern dawning upon her.

‘The condition that my father asked, what on earth is it going to be?’

Today, Siervian was meeting Marco in the garden near the south gate. With him, Marco brought several materials.

“Now then, here is some cloth that normal people use.”

“Oh…”

As though he was a wandering merchant, Marco brought out one thing after another, then held out to her a small folded fabric.

It was very interesting that this fabric, which was at the stage right before it would become clothes, was dried finely.

“It’s soft?”

“Yes, because the people who make clothes out of this fabric belong to the wealthier side.”

“Okaay, I see.”

Naturally, this came to Siervian as a bit of a shock since she thought that everyone got their clothes made from a tailor.

“This is a ready-made dress. The fabric is a little more rough, and the color is not even.”

“Ready-made?”

“Yes. It’s made in advance, and it will be up to the wearer to shorten it or alter it to fit their size.”

Again, Siervian nodded carefully as she concentrated on Marco’s words.

Seeing how she nodded her little head, Marco scratched his cheek, looking a little troubled.

The imperial princess requested him to be her teacher, but it’s odd how she’s asking only these strange questions.

“But why are you curious about this, Princess?”

Since they’ve met several times now, Marco treated Siervian more comfortably.

Of course, he did not forget to uphold proper etiquette, but it was thanks to this that a sudden motivation sprang up in him. He wanted to do better for these classes.

And he was curious as to why she seemed enthusiastic about learning how commoners lived.

“Umm…”

Holding the rough clothes in one small hand, Siervian frowned with a puzzled expression.

Marco bowed his head quickly as he saw her lips pouting like that.

“I apologize, I shouldn’t have questioned Your Highness…”

She shook her head lightly. She was just wondering how she should answer him.

“Just… Sebi doesn’t understand a lot of things.”

She said this because she literally did not learn many things in her previous life, but Marco took it differently.

It became a refreshing fact that the imperial princess, who was born with such a high, enviable status, was interested in the lives of those in the lowest social class.

[ Marco William ]

Favorability: +50

Thoughts: Even from such a young age, Your Highness has the qualities of a saint!

“Ah…!”

“……”

Because of those thoughts that Marco was thinking, Siervian clutched the clothes in her hands in great haste.

What did he mean, ‘saint’? Although she was part of the imperial family, such a word was only suitable for the successor.

Looking around for no reason, Siervian hurriedly changed her words.

“Marco is from a viscount family, right?”

“Yes, Your Highness. I am the youngest son of Viscount William.”

In the lower administrative office, there were far more commoners than nobles.

This was because competent commoners were much more eager to learn while aspiring to become imperial officials.

So, although he was an aristocrat of a lower standing, it was quite unusual that Marco was a junior administrative officer.

“Maybe…”

Of course, offspring who had no right of inheritance to their family’s peerage also had to find their own way to live.

They either married politically, or made new contributions in order to attain their own title.

This was usually done under the protection of their household, so Marco was very much an unusual case.

“In a viscount family, is it very tough?”

Siervian asked Marco, looking at him nervously.

He was certainly a man of noble descent, but he clearly knew more about the lives of the commoners than she expected.

Given that he’d been in the lower administrative office from a young age, maybe it became difficult for him to gain the protection of his family.

“Pardon? No, um, if I dare say, my family is wealthy, but…”

But countering Siervian’s thoughts, Marco widened his eyes and denied her suspicions.

“Really? But why is Marco working so hard like this?”

Even if it was the lower bureau, the Ministry of Finance was the department notorious for having the most overtime work.

It was the place that most noble children would avoid if they just wanted to coast through.

“Haha, well, not really. It’s only because I strive to serve the empire with the best that I could, Your Highness.”

[ Marco William ]

Thoughts: I shouldn’t say that I enjoy seeing how money flows, that’s why I’m working in the Ministry of Finance.

Despite his thoughts, Marco only smiled and spoke politely like a well-educated young nobleman.

But in his heart, his full sincerity was towards money.

“Okaay.”

So Siervian pretended she didn’t know and just stared at him.

“Um, I don’t like saying so myself, but the William Viscounty has been engaging in a lot of commerce.”

“Ohh.”

Feeling a bit wary about Siervian’s sudden interest in his family, Marco continued speaking.

“Ahem, um. Well, rather than engaging in noble-like pursuits, my family involves itself more in business and commerce, so…”

[ Marco William ]

Thoughts: I’m proud of my father’s achievements, but we’re still considered crude amongst the other aristocrats… I must tell Her Highness about this fact, too.

As calmly as possible, Marco then continued to explain that his family’s business did not fit the grace and dignity of the aristocrats.

However, as Siervian could see his innermost thoughts, she was upset for no reason.

“It’s not like that.”

“Pardon?”

“The William Viscounty, you’re doing the very important things for many people, that’s what Sebi thinks.”

“…Thank you for saying that, Your Highness.”

[ Marco William ]

Favorability: +50

Hearing her thoughtful consideration, Marco expressed his deep appreciation.

It seemed that his father’s contributions to the welfare of their territory’s citizens was at least recognized.

“Recently, the Viscounty has been paying attention to most daily necessities. The commoners…”

As he was overwhelmed with emotions, Marco talked about this and that without even realizing it.

Then, suddenly realizing that he was talking in too much of a hurry, he looked again at the face of the princess.

It was honestly difficult to believe that she was this young, given how the princess was such a calm and attentive person.

[ Marco William ]

Thoughts: Haha, what am I thinking, really. The princess is definitely still a child, but she really does sometimes think maturely.

Siervian was only listening to his family’s latest products with interest, but she suddenly looked down to the floor as she was surprised by his thoughts.

“In any case, when it comes to real money making, it’s nothing compared to how nobles handle money.”

“It’s because nobles spend so much!”

“That’s right, Princess. You’re a very bright child.”

At Marco’s compliment, Siervian shyly clutched the doll she had in her arms.

She had just touched the fabric that commoners wore as clothes, and as she held the clothes of the doll that Ellie made, she could clearly see the huge difference between this and that.

‘This one’s for nobles…’

When Marco said, ‘The more money, the better,’ Siervian agreed.

“You know, Sebi has a good idea.”

“What is it, Your Highness?”

“It’s a secret, but…”

As though she wanted him to come closer, she cupped her hands to her lips cutely.

Without hesitation, Marco leaned down and came closer, and soon the hushed whisper flowed out.

“Is that true, Your Highness?”

“Yeah!”

“No, but, will it really sell well?”

At her bold reply, Marco couldn’t hide his surprise.

It’s not that she couldn’t understand his reaction, but Siervian soon presented something else to him.

“Here.”

Marco gasped.

“Are all these gold coins?!”

It was Marco’s favorite. Money.

“You got it right? Sebi trusts Marco.”

“You can leave it all to me, Your Highness.”

[ Marco William ]

Favorability: +50

There was nothing wrong with having money.

So, Siervian gave Marco some money so that she could invest in her own property, and some extra for him to be taken away.

‘I just hope it will turn out the same as it did in my previous life.’

On her way back to the Princess’ Palace, after leaving such a large sum for her investment, Siervian glanced towards one wall.

“……”

Then she went back to walking at the same pace.

When she came out and brought with her a large sum of money, the handmaidens did not say much.

Perhaps her father had given instructions beforehand.

“……”

Troubled by this, Siervian walked forward again, and this time glanced towards the grass.

For a moment, she was thinking about what to do, but then she found something right there.

In the grass, a status window popped up.

[ Adante Roid ]

Occupation: The Princess’ Escort Knight (Lv.87)

Favorability: 7,565

Mood: Secretly flustered

Thoughts: You found me?!

Well, if she wanted to, she could summon the status window of a person from far away closer to her so she could read it.

And Siervian only recently noticed that she could also find anyone who was hiding in an instant.

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