CH 17

This lotion is wonderful. I wonder if you would be willing to sell the rights to this lotion and its production technique to the Magnolia Empire?"

She was absolutely stunned by these words, which were spoken by the Empress in front of a gathering of the nobles of the Empire.

Inwardly, she could not stop being shocked.

Her initial nervousness and anticipation had turned to anxiety and regret.

(Who said that the Empress was a common sense person?) She sent a bitter look at Rainer, but even though he noticed her gaze, he did not say anything or look at her .

(Can I snap out of it?　Why did I end up in this situation in the first place?)

From the guest room, they were led into the audience room.

The entire imperial aristocracy is gathered there, and she feel a tremendous sense of intimidation.

Without paying any attention to her , Count Rainer advances and kneels in front of the empty throne, looking as he always does, without any sense of discomfort.

She followed his movements and kneeled in front of the empty throne as well.

Her movements may have been a little awkward due to nervousness.

However, the overwhelming sense of intimidation that she was experiencing for the first time in the audience chamber was strangely elating to her.

Perhaps because of this, she naturally tightened her fists a little.

Emma was making the same movements as Chris , but she was rather pale with nervousness.

(I wonder how long she has been on her knees.)

Here, even a short time feels like a very long time.

Then they hear a soldier's voice from behind then , "The emperor and empress are here,," and the sound of two different footsteps come closer.

'Oh no, did I keep you waiting?　My apologies."

A bold voice and loud footsteps come from behind, passing by and going to the throne.

Light but well-defined footsteps followed.

The atmosphere feels even more taut with a pinch as they hear the sound of "Dosa ministry" and "Fasa ......" sitting on the throne.

'Good everyone, make yourselves at ease.'

"..... Emperor, Empress, and Rainer Bardia have just arrived ."

As soon as the Emperor said a few words, the Count of Rainer Bardia gave the opening remarks.

Chris was just told to "make yourself at ease," so she did not look up and remained in a prone posture.

"Well, thank you for always coming from so far away. Now, without further ado, can you introduce her to me?"

'Yes. she is Christy, the representative of the Christy Trading Company in the Bardia territory."

"I have brought her here to present the products created by the Bardia family and the Christie Trading Company. Please allow her to speak."

"Well, I allow her to speak. Christy, you, raise your head."

She finally raised her head.

The emperor's hair was golden like hers, and eyes were light blue, powerful, and bold.

The Empress had light pink hair, pink eyes, and pretty eyes. She never breaks her smile and gives a very gentle impression.

Chris had never expected to be greeted so closely by the emperor and empress until now .

Her eyes burn as she thinks, "I've finally made it this far."

"　What's wrong?　Nervous, you can't speak?"

No, no. I am sorry. I never dreamed that the day would come when I would be able to directly meet His Majesty the Emperor and Empress as an ordinary merchant. I was so moved. Let me greet you once again. My name is Christy Safron, daughter of Baron Martin Safron of the Kingdom of Astoria. I am currently running the Christy Trading Company in the territory of the Count of Bardia. I ask for your kind cooperation in the future."

The emperor looked a little surprised when he heard what Chris had said, but his expression quickly returned to normal.

"I had heard that you were from the Saffron Trading Company, but I did not know that your father had been crowned a baron".

"My father was knighted only recently, so it's not surprising that you didn't know about it. Besides, the Saffron Trading Company has not publicly announced my father's knighthood outside of the region".

"I see. But if you are a nobleman's daughter, then we may have made a mistake in our response."

The emperor gave Count Laurent a meaningful evil smile and looked at him for a moment.

When Count Laurent noticed the emperor's gaze, his face turned red up to his ears.

What he had thought was a small girl from the trading company was a daughter of a noble family from another country.

If that were the case, Count Laurent's actions would have been an internationally recognized problem.

However, it would not be a problem if Chris did not take care of it.

In other words, they would have taken advantage of his weakness.

Reiner knew in advance, but kept quiet because it could be used as a weapon.

Therefore, he did not mention the conversation between Chris and Count Laurent until the very last moment.

It seemed as if a black aura began to appear around the empress who was watching the conversation.

She said, "Your Majesty, isn't it enough?　I'd rather you show me your new product as soon as possible.

"Oh, oh ministry, I see. Then, Chris, please explain."

The emperor seemed flustered by the empress's words and urged Chris to explain.

It was a moment when Chris felt that wives are strong no matter where they are from.

Chris began to explain about the lotion and rinse, saying, "Well, ......." She , including not respond well.

However, the Empress, her attendants, and the maids on standby listened attentively and with great interest.

The more she listened, the more the women's eyes lit up.

"I am amazed that you have come up with such a concept and product."

'Thank you very much. I myself use this lotion and rinse. Your hair will be even more beautiful if you use this rinse."

Responding to the words, "I use it myself," the Empress stared at her hair.

«May I touch your hair?"

"By all means," and allowed her to take a a touch .

In fact, hair has become much silkier and shinier since sher started using the hair rinse.

She don't know about myself, but sometimes It feel very sexy when the smoothness of hair is added to occasional gestures.

When . Rid pointed this out to Chris , she was embarrassed beyond words

"Oh, my God, it's wonderful. I've never touched hair this smooth and shiny. You'd have to be a woman to appreciate its true value."

'Empress, if you don't mind, would you like to try the lotion?"

'Yes, I would love to."

The Empress is on board with the idea of trying the lotion.

But then Count Laurent interrupted.

With all due respect, Empress, it would be dangerous to use such a thing from a safety point ."

"click," sound was heard as if something had been stepped on.

The emperor shakes his head while placing his hand on his forehead.

"Count Laurent. I am talking with Lady Christie right now. When did I ask for your opinion?"

It seems that Count Laurent intended to take a slight dig at Christie's product for being dangerous, but on the contrary, he stepped on the Empress's dangerous landmine himself.

The Empress folded her arms.

"It seems that you do not understand the true value that lies in this product. A vassal who is too stupid to recognize this value as a count. Isn't the Emperor too lenient with his vassals?"

It seems that the landmine that Count Laurent stepped on has even involved His Majesty the Emperor.

The emperor said to Count Laurent, "You did it, didn't you? The Emperor's Majesty gave Count Laurent a look that showed anyone who saw it that he was fool.

The emperor gripped the armrest of the throne with all his strength and his hands were shaking.

You don't know anything about makeup. If that is the case, you are not to speak here. Is that clear?"

The emperor said in a rather gruff tone of voice.

The Count looked pale and small and returned to his position.

Suddenly, he looked at Reiner, his hand over his mouth, his shoulders shaking as he hid his face a little.

He seems to think it's a nice strike .

But if to look closely around , pretty much everyone is a is doing the same thing as Reiner.

So many people don't like him .

After a series of talks settle down, they resume the lotion trial.

When Chris explain that there is nothing dangerous, but that it can cause skin rashes in some individuals, so unfortunately I can't use it in that case, the lady attendant holds out her hand, saying, "Well then, just to be sure, I'll do it first."

There is a great twinkle in her eyes.

The Empress looked chagrined, but her position made it impossible for her to do so, so she watched as the maids tried it out.

'Hmmm, are you trying to get all the women in this castle on your side?'

"No,, "but I'm not going to make a profit or loss on this product. I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not, but I'd like all the women to use this product at least once."

The confirmation seemed to have been completed while he was communicating with the empress.

The lady-in-waiting is checking her own hands with lotion on them. Perhaps it was Chris imagination, but her eyes were entranced.

Then," she says, taking the lotion and dropping it on the empress's hand.

She explains that she should use both hands to spread the lotion fully on her hands.

The Empress checked the texture of the lotion and held her palms up.

"Wonderful, wonderful. It's the best product I've ever received as a gift.

"I am honored by your praise."

The Empress looked at the palm with entranced eyes, but her expression faded for a moment, then she smiled wryly and dropped an outrageous bombshell.

"This lotion is wonderful. I wonder if you would be willing to sell the technique and the rights to produce this lotion to the Magnolia Empire?"

...... and here we are.

"Miss Christy? Can you hear me?"

The voice of the Empress brings her back from her reverie to reality. she had no choice but to make up her mind.

She was need to speak up .

"I am very sorry, Empress, but I cannot accept your offer. Besides, the Count of Rainer is also involved in the development of the lotion and rinse, so there is nothing I can do on my own in either case."

No," the Empress crushed at her desperate words.

The Count of Rainer Frontier is a vassal of the Magnolia Empire, and as such, he cannot disobey the orders of the Emperor or me, the Empress. Therefore, it is up to you. Miss Christie. How do you like it?　Will you sell me the how-to and the rights to make it?"

(Oh no, this Empress is bad.)

Chris feel that her heart beating faster.

She look at Reiner for a moment, but he turns away from her .

She exhale, mutter to Rid in her mind, "I'm sorry if it didn't work out," and twists and spins the words again, carefully.

"If you are asking me to sell or not to sell the production method and the rights to produce it, I will not do so."

She clearly told the Empress. Maybe it's "cheeky " and "disrespectful" from the surrounding point of view , she could be heard. and Count Laurent's voice could be heard as well.

"Our company has put its life on the line to develop and sell this product. If you want to deprive us of that effort through your power, we will leave this land. And even if we make a good product in the future, we will have to give up our production methods and rights to the empire every time we make a good product. How can we do business under such circumstances?"

The Empress gestures to something she is thinking about, "So ......."

She could not let the Empress repeat her unreasonable request here.

So, Chris came up with a proposal.

“I cannot sell you the method or the rights to produce the lotion and rinse, but I will give top priority to the Empress's order. Of course, I will do my best to ensure that there are no shortages. I ask for your indulgence as we will only provide the Empress with "priority delivery rights."

She had always planned to give priority, but there is a difference between doing it by tacit understanding and doing it by verbal agreement.

She will has the responsibility to prepare the Empress's order with the highest priority.

Hearing proposal, the Empress looked her in the eye.

After a few moments, she smiled brightly.

"I understand. I am sorry, but I will agree to the "right of first priority of delivery."

For some reason, despite her regret, the Empress seemed satisfied with the business meeting.

One could hear the expressions of disbelief and surprise on the Empress' face as she said, "Your Majesty, is this a good idea? In response, dignified words echoed in the audience hall.

"It's okay. What Miss Christie said is all that matters. If the nobles forcibly take away the rights of the people, the empire will be abandoned by the people and will eventually head to the path of destruction. We should take this opportunity to strictly review "rights and interests. For the future, when another great commodity is born."

"Your Majesty, may I?"

The Empress slowly glanced at the Emperor.

His Majesty the Emperor stood up as if he had been waiting for it.

"The Empress is right. We will be stricter from now on about 'rights and interests.' Of course, the right and interest to produce the rinse and lotion shall remain with the Christie Trading Company and the Bardia territory. Is that clear?"

The nobles gathered in one place bowed their heads in silence and accepted the Emperor's words.

The Empress, who was watching the situation, looked at Chris and said, "I'm sorry. ," and winked at her

When Chris slowly sent Reiner a steely, dubious look, he turned away again.

(Does this mean that Count Rainer Frontier, the emperor, and the empress were working all along ?)

In other words, it was a self-made, match-pumping act.

At that moment, She recalled the atmosphere of satisfaction the Empress had shown earlier.

What the Empress wanted was not "the method of production and the right to produce it.

What she wanted was to extract from her the "right of first delivery" or something equivalent to ensure that the Empress herself would have the lotion and conditioner for her own use.

Chris slowly glanced at the Empress to check if her intention was correct.

The Empress noticed her gaze and hid her mouth with her fan, but her eyes had a smile in them.

From what has happened so far, she guessed it means that she was the only one who didn't know about the farce and was used to deter the nobles from dancing with their palms. ......

Chris remembered what Rainer had said on the way to the Imperial City.

The imperial capital is a madhouse. If you are a mere stump, what about me, the one who was made to dance with your hands?

It was the moment when her pride as a merchant, which she had been doing for many years, was hurt.

Chris don't want to come to the capital anymore.

She felt that way from the bottom of my heart.