Episode 5
Eirin had to get permission from Kaltus no matter what.
Her heart felt tight with nervousness.
“Alright, I’ll let you do what you want,” Kaltus finally gave in.
His daughter wanted it so badly—how could he refuse?
He raised her with love and didn’t want to hurt her feelings. She looked at him with such hopeful eyes that saying no became impossible.
“Thank you so much!”
Eirin was filled with excitement and joy. Her chest felt full of hope.
As Eirin jumped with happiness, Kaltus smiled, knowing he had no choice.
“I’ll support your plan financially once I see your proposal. Do as you wish.”
His voice showed both love and worry.
Tears started to form in Eirin’s eyes. She tried hard not to cry, taking a deep breath and holding back her emotions.
“I’m so happy you’re supporting something I truly want to do.”
Her emotions bubbled up inside her.
“Haha, you’re not the kind of child who speaks carelessly. Try your best.”
When Eirin couldn’t say anything more, Kaltus added with a warm smile:
“But you must show some results within a year. If you fail, you’ll have to quit.”
He honestly didn’t expect great results. Eirin had only just passed her academy entrance exam and knew little about business or economics.
But even without success, he thought this would be a good experience for her.
“Thank you. I’ll do my best,” Eirin replied with a serious, responsible tone that filled the room.
She left for her palace with light steps, her heart soaring.
Back in her room, she took out paper and pen she had locked away. Her hands, full of confidence, moved quickly and steadily.
She began writing down names of commoners—famous tailors who once led fashion trends among the people.
“I think Isia lives in the capital. What about Michel…? Somewhere in the countryside?”
These two were known for their creative, unique designs suited to commoners’ lifestyles. They became so popular that they even appeared in newspapers.
Eirin remembered them because she used to enjoy reading commoners’ newspapers full of fun gossip.
Now, that old hobby seemed useful—what luck.
“Can I really do this…?”
She had never run a business, so she felt worried and unsure. But she calmed herself down.
Just follow what she learned at the academy.
Once her plan was mostly organized, she took out another paper to write more details from the past—things she didn’t want to forget.
She carefully wrote:
[Why the Mersen Empire Won.]
The Forti Empire had a real chance of winning.
Kaltus had once told her so, to comfort her.
Maybe it was just to calm her, but he sounded confident, which helped her believe it too.
“Was someone helping them…?”
Eirin rubbed her chin and thought hard.
There was that time when fake money spread, causing prices to skyrocket. That had to be the Mersen Empire’s trick.
“What else…?”
She remembered that the Hopery Dukedom and the Mencia Marquisate were the first to surrender.
Was it to avoid more casualties?
Even Eden Hopery, her once-possible fiancé, had surrendered. That was hard to believe.
Could Eden, the future duke, have been secretly working with the Mersen Empire?
“But right now, I have no proof.”
Hopery Dukedom was known as the emperor’s right hand. Suspicious, yes, but she couldn’t do anything yet.
Her frustration built, and her brows furrowed.
‘He’ll be my fiancé soon… so I’ll have a chance to watch him.’
She didn’t like the idea of being engaged to Eden, but in this case, it might be useful.
Sighing, she put the papers away and locked them.
“I still have to read those books…”
She had taken many books from the library to prepare for business—but now they looked overwhelming.
Too many.
“I’ll read them tomorrow.”
She gave up for the day and fell onto her bed.
The golden sunset shone through her windows, making her squint. It wasn’t even fully night yet, but the late-year sun had already set.
Eirin stared at the sun sinking into the horizon.
Then, slowly, sleep pulled her into darkness.
The warmth of her blanket and the morning sun gently woke her up.
Outside the window, the sun was already high in the sky, heating the land.
She blinked at the sunlight and checked her condition first, as she always did since returning to this life. Then she looked in the mirror to make sure everything was okay.
This was quickly becoming a habit.
“It’s morning already…”
She blinked her sleepy eyes.
She remembered barely touching the book covers last night before falling asleep. The maids must have carried her to bed.
She hadn’t eaten dinner, so she was hungrier than usual.
She rubbed her eyes and called for her maid.
“Ah, Your Highness! You’re awake! You were sleeping so deeply, we didn’t want to wake you,” said Aubrey, who rushed in.
Eirin’s eyes felt heavy and kept trying to close again.
She mumbled, “Mmm… I want to wash my face.”
“Yes, just a moment.”
Aubrey brought a washbasin and helped her freshen up.
Then, Party brought her a treat—chocolate pudding, her childhood favorite.
“I brought it as a little appetizer before breakfast!”
There was still an hour and a half until breakfast.
Eirin took the pudding, noticing how it jiggled as her spoon touched it.
“This is from Emila Bakery.”
“Wha—how did you know? It just opened!”
“Just… I’ve been there before.”
She didn’t say the rest: she had gone there with that person.
She didn’t feel hungry anymore, but Party looked so excited for her to try it that she couldn’t say no.
She took a big spoonful.
“It’s good.”
Surprisingly, her appetite returned, and she finished the whole dish.
It was delicious—no wonder the bakery was so popular.
When she handed back the empty plate, Party smiled brightly and left.
Eirin smiled too, then noticed the stack of books in her room.
They were neatly arranged in a row—but strangely, there were fewer than yesterday.
She picked up a pink-covered book.
“Huh?”
The title was weird.
[Please Stop, Your Highness!]
“What is this? Where are the books I brought?”
She was shocked. It was a romance novel she had seen before.
She was sure she had brought serious business books.
Aubrey came in just then.
“You wanted to read those books you brought yesterday?”
“Of course! Why else would I bring them?”
“Oh…”
Eirin rubbed her forehead.
“Aubrey, please bring back the original books.”
“I’m so sorry!”
Aubrey asked the other maids to go get the right books. Since they had already been returned to the shelves, it would take some time.
Eirin told her firmly that she wouldn’t be reading romance novels anymore.
Aubrey looked very disappointed.
“All noble ladies read these, you know…”
“What?”
Aubrey whispered like it was a secret.
“Romance novels, Your Highness!”
Eirin, who used to admire Aubrey for being mature, now felt she seemed very young.
“Alright, just leave it. Maybe I’ll read it someday.”
Even though it was a maybe, Aubrey looked thrilled.
Eirin watched her happily smile over something so small.
Later, a sudden call from the emperor brought everyone to a meeting.
One by one, nobles entered the once-empty hall. Soon, the room was full and noisy.
“What is going on?”
“What is their plan?”
A few months ago, there had been a big conflict in the Forti Empire’s village, Chatocora.
People from the Mersen Empire and Forti Empire had fought.
Both sides blamed each other and demanded apologies. Tensions were high.
But now, suddenly, the Mersen Empire sent a peace envoy.
What was their true intention?
That question was on every noble’s mind.
After all that aggression, why peace now?
Even Kaltus was confused. He looked around at the anxious nobles and rubbed his forehead.
“Quiet, everyone.”
His calm but firm voice immediately silenced the room.
“Let’s hear what they have to say first.”
To be continued…
