CH 18

“Originally, it is impossible to report all agenda items in advance the previous year. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Shouldn’t work be a little flexible?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“I’m just saying it’s a little out of line.”

“Ah, I’m sorry. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Financial status varies from province to province.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“…It is not a matter of the size of the fiefdom.”

“It’s not? Then maybe you can tell me what the problem is.”

As Gillian Krembel and the Marquis of Baroque continued to argue, Caden, who had been smiling from ear to ear, interrupted.

“…Could you please give me a chance to speak?”

“Do it.”

The Emperor granted quickly, as if to say ‘you can clean up your own shit.’

“It seems that it would be appropriate to set aside subsidies according to the extent of construction so that the construction can be completed safely in the territories that are recognized as needing repairs.”

“Hmm… If it’s a subsidy How much do you have in mind?”

“How about up to fifty percent at most?”

Then the Duke of Traia opened his mouth.

“This is an unplanned undertaking. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Even at fifty percent, depending on how much money we have available, some estates may not be able to afford it. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.You’ll have to give me up to seventy percent.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Fifty percent and seventy percent, that’s a big difference.”

Heges looked troubled, and Caden suppressed the urge to punch the Duke of Traia in the back of the head.

“I’d say a maximum of fity percent, targeting areas of high damage and places where it’s been more than five years since the last renovation. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.But up to seventy percent is possible if we narrow it down.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Your Majesty, then, would it not be better to have a rough idea of the scale before we discuss it?”

“How long will that investigation take?”

Feeling unnecessarily offended by the brightened color returning to the Duke of Traia’s face, Caden replied slowly.

“I’ll have it finalized by the end of the month, preferably within…”

As the mood shifted in favor of moving forward with the business, the Marquis of Avalanche, who had been gazing across the river in disbelief, spoke up.

“Certainly, it would be easier to pay if the imperial family would ease the financial burden.”

‘That old bastard is finally opening his mouth.’

That annoyed Caden, who finally gave in to his temper.

“…And of course, the places selected to receive the support will undergo additional investigations regarding their appropriateness and usage.”

Caden added. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Suddenly understanding dawned on everyone’s faces.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

He opened his mouth to say more, but was quickly cut off by the Emperor, who didn’t want to add any more words.

“Very well, then, let’s vote right away, shall we? Any objections?”

If you object to something as simple as this, you must be some kind of moron.

The Emperor, looking around with that look on his face, waited exactly three seconds before declaring.

“Okay, pass. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.After this, we’ll discuss the results of the investigation.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

And just like that, the Emperor had gotten rid of a nuisance like roasting beans on a stick1.

* * *

When Caden returned from the meeting, he was openly irritated.

“Damn greedy people. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I can’t stand the way these people talk about money!”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Looks like the meeting went the way you wanted it to.”

Terriod, who was waiting in his office, chuckled.

“That’s the way it should be, haa, I should have put Lady Kryant in front of those old men.”

Caden muttered, and Terriod exclaimed in surprise.

“What do you think you’re doing with Ellen?”

“Why. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Don’t you think it would be fun?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Your Highness!”

Caden said, looking as amused as he could imagine.

“Imagine the look of bewilderment on their face after a punch. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It would be a rare sight.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Don’t put Ellen in that picture.”

Terriod corrected, and Caden shrugged.

“Well, she got the credit this time, anyway. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.And she’ll get more of it in the future.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

He sank back into the couch, leaning his head back over the backrest.

“Actually, I was worried that the imperial visit might have been a bit much… But as you can see, it was just a fluke. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I guess I really do have an eye for people, as the Lady said.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Caden said with a smirk.

Then, unexpectedly, Terriod stiffened and spoke.

“…I think it was too much to give away the princess’ ring.”

“You do? You were on her side just a moment ago.”

Caden asked in surprise, and Terriod sighed deeply.

“It’s yours, isn’t it, and it’s more than just a cherished possession.”

“That’s what I ordered you to think, and seeing as you’re the first to think so, it’s only fitting.”

“Your Majesty, but–”

“If she doesn’t like it, she can give it back, and that’s that. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.If she wants to make it public, she can, or she can’t.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“What are you going to do when you bring in a princess later!”

“Lord Cheshire.”

At Terriod’s rare emotional outburst, Caden stiffened as well.

“I have no intention of repeating my mother’s tragedy for myself.”

“… I’m sorry. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I slipped up.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

At Terriod’s apology, which fell heavily, Caden sighed once before speaking.

“We’ve known each other since we were children, and I understand your concern. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.But I’ve made my own decisions, and so have you. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.My decision is final.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Yes. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I apologize, Your Highness.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Yes. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Now let’s think of a suitable gift for her. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I suspect the subsidy will be more than the fifty percent we discussed.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Caden patted Terriod on the shoulder with a bitter smile.

* * *

“Father, did you secure the designer of the catalog I gave you before?”

“Oh, you mean the one from Quincy’s workshop?”

“Not only there, but also the one from Olivier’s dress shop that I gave you!”

“The designer at Olivier’s finished their interview just the day before yesterday.”

“That was from Marie!”

Oh, no. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Why do all the dressing rooms have the same name and no personality?read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Daniel cursed under his breath.

Now, next week is the first banquet of the social season.

Unlike the other dress shops, which had already gotten their initial orders in and were starting to get things rolling, Kryant’s was still in the midst of a flurry of activity, having scrapped all of their designs and started fresh.

Normally, this time of year, any wardrobe shop would be sleepwalking through production, but with the need far greater than most, the Kryant shop came up with a half-hearted strategy.

Weavers! Stay up all night!

Bonuses are doubled, and performance pay is based on sales revenue!

They’re leaving a little less penalty margin than usual.

After all, we’re going to have a monopoly on selling dresses this time!

She screamed happily, and one day when she had such a busy day. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.A package flew in with a guest familiar with Count Kryant’s house.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Sally, in an excited voice, called for Ellen.

“Miss!”

“What is it?”

“My lady, it’s Sir Ted from the Cheshire family.”

“Ted?”

The man who was supposed to be on knightly duty at the castle had come to the Kryant estate?

Ellen went downstairs to see what this was all about, and Sally followed her, chattering away in a fond voice–‘Oh my, how did he get so tall!”

“Ted!”

“Ellen. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.You look so much better at your home.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Terriod said with a calm smile, almost like a big brother. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.He had been waiting for her to come down from the hall on the first floor,read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

He had trembled at the mention of sending a present to Ellen, but when Caden began to choose a dress, he soon became more eager than the rest of the party to choose a present.

[Apparently, the lady has a surprising fondness for flashy things].

[And it looks good on her].

[How about this one?]

[It’s bright, but… don’t you think Ellen would look better in something a little more intense?]

[That one is. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.How about this one?]read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

[Okay, I’ll leave it as a candidate].

[Oh, this dress has pearls on it, no matter how you look at it. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Chamberlain, go get all the things made of pearls!]read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

And so it was that he came to deliver a complete set of party dresses, persuaded by Terriod that if he was going to show sincerity, it would be better to send someone of his stature in person rather than through the post office.

“What brings you all the way here? Shouldn’t you be at the imperial palace?”

“I haven’t seen you look so surprised in a long time.”

He smirked, covering the corners of his mouth with a slightly clenched fist.

“I used to come here a lot in the old days. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Be more happy to see me, not surprised.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“That’s because you’re not the same old troublemaker Ted. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.You’re now Lord Cheshire of the Imperial Knights.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Yes, yes. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.You are quite right.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Terriod waved off her point with natural dignity.

When Ellen narrowed her eyes at him, he couldn’t wipe the tiny smirk from his face, and finally declared his surrender.

“Alright, alright, His Highness has something he needs to deliver to you, so I’m taking it as a favor. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Here.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Pulling a neatly wrapped box from his luggage, Terriod held it out to Ellen.

“This is…?”

“It’s yours.”

“From the looks of it, it doesn’t look like a briefcase. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.What is it?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“A boss who sends a box of documents in a package like this. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It’s terrible to think about it.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Ted, I’m really busy right now.”

“Okay. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Go ahead and open it.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Sally opened the box, excited by Terriod’s words.

When she saw what was inside, she couldn’t hide her admiration and let out a small gasp.

“Oh my God.”

She opened the box, and beneath the card enclosed in the top layer, she saw several smaller boxes and a well-wrapped dress.

〈I am sending this to you as I think it will suit you. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I’ll see you at the palace.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

–Caden Istacio.〉

“Miss, it’s so beautiful.”

Sally unfolded the dress.

It was the imperial dress Ellen had aimed for, with the collar removed to reveal the neck and shoulders.

“Yes, it is. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It’s beautiful. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I love it.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Seeing it, Ellen smiled genuinely and brightly.1

doing something that is tedious, boring, or repetitive