380 Episode Four: Food grudges scare me.

The season goes round.

That was five days ago, when Meer ended her sloppy winter break and left for St. Noel.

Meer, as usual, had been briefed by Ludwig in his own room.

"Balthazar contacted me the other day. The price of food is starting to soar."

When I heard the report…, Meer put the tea she was about to lift back on the table.

"Hmm...... Again, here you are..."

I struggle not to let my voice tremble.

Finally, the time has come.

Signs of famine…, the effects of inaction, which had been hidden since last year, have finally begun to appear.

"No problem yet, but in the near future there will start to be hungry among the people"

"Hmmm................... So, what are the measures?

Ludwig placed a bunch of parchment paper in his hand in front of Meer.

"First, check this out"

That was the crystal of Ludwig's efforts over the past two years.

It compiles data on the reserves prepared over the past two years, as well as estimates of the quantities needed to feed the imperial subjects, the prices of the food currently flowing on the market and, to what extent, where the inhabitants go into a state of famine.

The figures were extremely fine.

It's not just that you should distribute the food you've saved. That is very not enough. It is not, and naturally it must also be included in the calculations: what it imports from the outside, what it produces within the empire, albeit inappropriately.

On top of that, how are we going to dismantle the stockpiles currently at hand......, its operation was the problem.

"Hmm..."

Meer is perusing the parchment while stroking her jaw with one hand...! disguise as the wind that but......, the truth is, I had no idea when I looked at the fine numbers etc.

"I see..."

Or Meer, who doesn't even know "what" in the first place.

It is a state previously angered by Ludwig.

But that wasn't something I had to do either. Something that only looks like a crypto, even if someone doesn't know it, such as a line of numbers. And because Meer is definitely ”someone who doesn't know from looking at the numbers”.

Meer looks at the thick material in pieces and then sighs at all the surrenders......,

"... I'm not sure."

Honestly. It is a total surrender.

That, if I say so, is the next good measure. Or, it's a better option than the worst.

Meer knows very well. When talking to smart people like Ludwig, it sucks to pretend you don't know, but you do.

I honestly don't want to... but still, it's better than leaving something I don't know because they complain about asking questions in a state I don't even know where they are or understand at all.

Meer decides so and honestly tells Ludwig. and

"I'm sorry. It's only by understanding that the information isn't perfect."

Ludwig bowed his head with a bitter face.

"Unfortunately, there are many elements of uncertainty about nobility throughout the empire…. It is extremely difficult to predict how much stockpile we currently have, although we know to some extent how much we are stockpiling,"

But Ludwig goes on.

"It is undesirable that there is an element of uncertainty involved in harm being done to the people…. Still, we can probably expect to survive with some leeway."

"Hmm......, I see. That's good news."

I don't know what the numbers mean...... well, I guess it's ok because Ludwig says it's ok, Meer understood.

On top of that, Meer stared at Ludwig.

"I'll tell you one thing, Ludwig"

"Ha..., what is it?

"With this..., don't make enemies"

Meer said with a tremendously enlightened face, as if he were a wise man to know the truth of the world.

Yes......, Meer knows. Food resentment is deep-rooted and heavy.

Meer thinks of herself as a merciful and warm princess. One way or another, he thinks he's a soft, tolerant, caring princess.

… the self-assessment is a little sweet mea.

Besides, even if it's such a meer, there's something hard to resist food grudges. If they drop the cake in front of me, it gets too expensive, and if they ask me that it's the last one, they forget me by accident.

That's why......, Meer thinks.

When it comes to the distribution of this food, buying the resentment of the people is not a good idea.

"Rather, it would be best if we could use it and have everyone on our side..."

That's the way to get away from Guillotine...... Meer said to her chest about the reflections of the past.

"Please don't forget that."

"... Ha, I did. I'll carve it in my heart."

Meer nods contentedly to Ludwig, who bows his head deeply.

"Well, for now, you're going to be fine back to St. Noel."

"Yeah. There's nothing to annoy your hand for the moment, Meer. This will be the plan to travel to St. Noel, received from the Empress's dedicated Kingsguard..."

"Hmm..."

Meer lowered her eyes on the parchment and then lowered her voice.

- Ludwig said it was okay for the moment, and although the famine hasn't actually even started yet...... I knew you'd be anxious.

There may be no more to eat......, that anxiety is extremely serious for humans.

It is also very disturbing to see the reserves that have been saved gradually shredded. Just think, it's the mea that makes my stomach ache.... not because of overeating. Say no.

What we need to do to allay that anxiety is trust that next year crops will bear as much fruit as this year.

Only if you think you'll get the same for what you've eaten, tomorrow, can you eat satisfactorily today.

- For the sake of my peace of mind, I still can't forgive you for just undoing my stockpile. Regardless, I just wanted to ask Chloe's father and Perugia to do their best... At the same time, we need to come up with a more fundamental solution. My...

"... a fundamental solution for the peace of mind..."

"? What, did you say?

"Hmm? No, it's nothing. Right. Along the way, I'd like to make a few stops, so I'd like you to change your plans a bit."

"Stop by, is it?

"Yeah, on Viscount Bellman territory..."

"Viscount Bellman territory...... does that mean going to the school city?

Meer nodded small at Ludwig tilting her neck.

"Yeah, I am. I need to talk to Asha."