Chapter 31
The boy was a worker at the herb farm.
“I handle loading and unloading. I happened to overhear something strange from visitors from the Marce County who came to see the herbs.”
“Hmm. What was it?”
“You know how freshness is everything when it comes to medicinal herbs like ephedra, right? But those folks were joking around, saying they hoped the herbs were covered in mold.”
“Oh? Sounds like they were hoping to receive defective goods?”
“Yes. And the farm manager even warned them that loading too many at once could damage the herbs, telling them to purchase in smaller batches—but they insisted and demanded a large order. It was suspicious.”
Smells like black consumers. The kind who pluck their own hair and drop it in their food just to get a refund.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one thinking that. One corner of the Duke’s mouth curled upward into a clearly rotten smile.
“Those bastards must’ve known the Eastern route hasn’t been repaired yet. They requested a large order on purpose.”
“I-I-I thought so too!”
“The head of the Medicinal Herbs Guild must’ve heard of this as well. Why wasn’t it reported to me?”
“They said they couldn’t risk causing trouble with another territory over something uncertain…”
“So they’d rather sit back and let a problem happen in our land. How amusing.”
Why does the Duke say “amusing” with a face like he’s about to devour someone whole? It really makes you not want to play with him.
Soon, his secretary approached, quick on the uptake, and received instructions.
“Compile a list of the top 15 items by quarterly revenue from Marce County. Then check which of those have fewer than two substitutes in the market.”
“Understood.”
“And the guild master of medicinal herbs… Invite him to the basement soon.”
“Yes, sir.”
I didn’t hear anything. Especially not the word basement. Nope.
Trying to keep my face composed, I spoke up cheerfully.
“Daddy! Was what that boy just said helpful?”
“Yes, very helpful.”
“Hehe, I’m glad! See? Even kids can say important things!”
I puffed out my chest proudly. Small victory accomplished. Even that guy who had been glaring at me earlier looked disgruntled and couldn’t quite raise his head.
And right then—
“Truly, time with you is always abundant and fulfilling, Sol.”
“…Huh?”
With a line straight out of a novel, the Duke awkwardly bowed his head and made a loud smooching sound against my cheek.
…He didn’t actually touch me—it was just a sound—but my face turned hot.
AAAAHHH! Villain! That was way too sudden! You slammed the accelerator! We’re not at that level of intimacy yet! And I can’t even flinch in front of everyone!
To hide my reaction, I threw myself into the Duke’s arms.
“Hehe, I love you, Daddy!”
Apparently surprised by my sudden cuddle, the Duke barely stifled a grunt and whispered into my ear.
“…Don’t you think suddenly hugging me is a bit much?”
“And what about that surprise kiss?”
“I didn’t touch you.”
“That’s not the point!”
“Then when is a kiss allowed? Not that I want to, of course.”
“Stop talking, you’re making it worse!”
Fortunately, our awkward embrace and meaningless banter were smoothed over by laughter and a few polite coughs from the meeting attendees.
“Ahem, yes. Your Grace, you and the young lady seem very close.”
“…Indeed. She’s cute and clever—how could I not cherish her?”
“We’re grateful to her as well. If not for the young lady, it would’ve been difficult to catch on to the Marce County’s tricks. However…”
“However?”
“The next topic may be a bit too harsh for the young lady’s ears.”
As expected, the next speakers were men in military-style uniforms. Sounds like we were moving into criminal matters. Maybe I should climb off his lap now—
Plop.
The Duke clamped his large hand gently over my ears. But even then, we were so close that I could still hear him just fine.
“I can’t take the most comfortable seat away from my daughter just for work. I’ll block her ears, so you all be sure to use the softest possible words.”
“…Understood.”
Thus began the reports from the burly musclemen—filtered through a bafflingly cute vocabulary.
“At dawn, we captured a squirrel scaling the castle walls. It was caught stealing chestnuts and… sent the house owner into eternal hibernation. Orders?”
“Escaping is bad, but breaching the wall is worse. As an example, make it run on a hamster wheel around the wall using its… front paws, then put it into hibernation.”
“Yes, sir.”
After that came more mentions of squirrels, deer, and lily-of-the-valley—mixed with “eternal hibernation,” “taxidermy,” and “flower arranging.” What’s the point of filtering it if the meaning is obvious!?
Duke, I swear, you are never raising another child after me!
After barely making it through the meeting, the last of the burly men finally left the room.
Whew, maybe now I can rest. But first, I need confirmation.
“Father, how did I do today?”
The Duke, still with me seated on his lap, gave me a once-over and replied in a stiff voice.
“…Cute?”
“N-no, not that! There’s no one else here—drop the nonsense for a second!”
“Tell me exactly what you want to know.”
Oh good, now we’re getting somewhere.
“I was pretty helpful, wasn’t I?”
“…”
“I observed things, pointed out what seemed weird, caused a distraction when needed—didn’t I help a lot?”
Blabbering on about what I did well was honestly kind of embarrassing. But I’ve learned: keeping quiet doesn’t bring you recognition. You have to claim your accomplishments or someone else will take them.
The Duke stared silently at me, then nodded.
“I acknowledge it. Everything you mentioned was a strength.”
“Yes!”
“Happy now?”
“Of course! You admitted my input was useful!”
“…I see.”
“Oh, and stop patting my head like you’re trying to scare off a fly. Be more sincere when you stroke my hair!”
“What’s the correct way?”
“First, lift your hand slowly—yes, like that! Don’t go against the grain!”
He was actually a decent student. Did exactly as he was told. At this rate, he won’t treat me like a puppy at the next meeting.
“Since the meeting is over, let’s head out!”
I started to stand, but the Duke wrapped an arm around my waist, holding me in place.
“Father?”
“Yes, let’s go.”
“Wait! I can walk!”
But the Duke stood up, still carrying me. Hey! Dad-fool time is over! I can walk just fine!
“The meeting’s over! And the manor is right there!”
“A Duke’s life is full of unexpected tasks. One never knows what might come next.”
“…Huh?”
I understood what he meant soon enough. The moment we stepped out of the meeting room, several guild leaders and businessmen who’d spoken earlier were waiting in the hallway.
All of them bowed with smiles that didn’t reach their eyes. Ugh, here comes the flattery.
“Your Grace! Thank you for your hard work during the long meeting.”
“Do you have more to say?”
“Yes, sir. You mentioned the position left vacant by the factory manager who was punished for embezzlement. I have a craftsman I’d like to recommend for the role.”
“…That should be decided in the guild meeting. You all know I don’t meddle in those affairs.”
The Duke’s sharp gaze fell on them. The businessmen flinched. Yeah, you knew this man doesn’t fall for bribes—why even try?
As I wondered, one of them pulled out a small velvet box.
“A gift for the young lady.”
“Huh? For me?”
“Yes! We happened to acquire some rare white crystal accessories recently. I thought they’d suit the young lady and brought one specially.”
Inside the velvet box was a red ribbon with a clear crystal. Not really my style, but it looked expensive.
As my lips reflexively curled into a polite smile, the businessman beamed.
“Ah, you have a keen eye for fine goods! Would you like to try it on?”
“N-no, thank you. I already have lots of ribbons.”
“A lady can never have too many accessories. This is just a small token of our sincerity.”
He forced the box into my hands. Tch. Too scared to bribe the Duke, so you’re trying me instead?
Then he spoke outright.
“Hoho, we simply hope the young lady remembers us favorably. I’m sure someone as clever as you can tell right from wrong…”
“Father.”
I turned sharply toward the Duke. He seemed a bit caught off guard by the situation, frowning slightly before responding a beat later.
“…Yes, Sol?”
“I got a present! It’s really pretty!”
“I see. What would you like to do with it?”
“You’ll grant any wish I have, right, Daddy?”
“Of course.”
I pointed to the businessman who gave me the gift.
“Execution.”
…It took a moment for everyone to realize what I had just said. The businessman’s eyes went wide.
“E-Excuse me?”
“First, he tried to push one of his own people into a key factory role! Very bad!”
“Lady—!”
“Second, he gave a bribe!”
“A bribe? Oh no, I just thought it’d look lovely on you! I’m not a bad person.”
The businessman recovered from the initial shock quickly, smiling slickly like I was just a naïve kid spouting nonsense.
But he miscalculated.
“Father, bribery and personnel manipulation are serious crimes, right?”
The words “bribery,” “personnel manipulation,” and “serious crime” turned everyone’s expressions to stone. I knew exactly what I was saying.
“You read me that book last night—the one that said asking for a special job as a favor is wrong!”
“…Yes, I remember.”
The Duke was no fool. He knew better than to claim he hadn’t read such a thing. I gave the businessman a smug smile.
“My daddy would never read me a book with bad messages! That means personnel manipulation is a serious crime. Execution!”
“I agree with my daughter. You—”
The businessman immediately collapsed in a deep bow.
“Your Grace! I—I’ve committed a grave sin!”
“Good to know you’re aware.”
“W-wait! That’s not what I meant!”
“Then what do you suggest we do now?”
“W-well…”
As the businessman scrambled to come up with an excuse, the others who had planned to cozy up to me quietly slunk away.
I gave them a bright, innocent wave.
I see you. I remember all your faces.
