Please Come Up With the Details
Chris’ Point of View
“Everyone, steel yourselves and listen.”
Duke Clondale and Uncle Davit both nodded at the Chancellor’s words.
1) Come up with new ice cream flavors. (A patent fee must be paid. Installments are allowed.)
Participants: only nobles of count rank or lower.
Any flavor favored by the royal family can be supplied to the royal ice cream shop in the capital.
2) Dishes using orc meat.
“Only lower nobles may participate? That’s well thought out.”
Wealthy noble houses were excluded. The proud high-ranking counts would likely refuse to join, which would cut down on interference.
Because participants were required to pay patent fees, it still maintained a clear distinction from the commoners while letting them keep their noble pride.
From the royal family’s standpoint, it was also a plan to boost the local economies of lower noble territories.
If successful, it would strengthen their loyalty.
“Amazing. To think of something this detailed.”
“Why limit it to orc meat?”
“Many top-ranking dishes at our territory’s contest used cocotte meat. This prevents similar dishes from being submitted.”
“Orc is the most commonly eaten meat in the capital. Competing with that will demand creativity, which narrows the entries and makes judging easier.”
“True. This way, people won’t accuse us of taking the profits.”
“Do we have to make it look like we don’t profit from it?”
“If you can show that none of you gain from it, it’ll reduce interference.”
“So you’re telling us to donate our share?”
“Though in the long run, it’ll still benefit you. And if this one succeeds, announcing that future contests will have different themes should win public support.”
“A new theme each time—to distribute benefits fairly.”
“If the theme’s too broad, it’ll turn into chaos like our territory.”
“That’s right. People lined up just to try every dish.”
“With fewer stalls, we won’t need qualifiers, and even if crowds gather, advance preparation will handle it.”
“I’ll leave the details to you.”
“So, is this cooperation… or punishment for us? Has Reinhardt’s attitude softened?”
“No. Hardt told me not to make any proposals unless they benefit our house.”
“Westland doesn’t seem to gain anything.”
“Westland won’t be involved in the capital’s fair, but it’ll still collect ice cream patent fees. Hardt will not participate in any arranged meetings, so please handle foreign responses. If you continue not to interfere with Westland or Hardt, it will be beneficial.”
“… So it’s his way of saying he doesn’t want involvement.”
“There’s more to it, isn’t there?”
Uncle Davit—still sharp as ever.
“Yes. We also want to drive outsiders out of our lands.”
“What do you mean?”
I explained how people were pestering the top prize winners for new dishes, buying up everything from their restaurants, and demanding they recreate award-winning recipes.
“So information about the capital’s exhibition leaked?”
“I don’t know if it came from nobles or merchants, but they must have thought that winning recipes from Westland would gain fame in the capital too.”
“At least tell Reinhardt that he’s been receiving marriage proposals. Refusing them has been exhausting.”
“I don’t want people thinking I handed over the idea easily to my younger brother either, so it’s fine.”
“Our discussion ends here, but His Majesty wishes to speak with you directly. You’ll be going before him next.”
“Understood.”
I went with the Chancellor to meet His Majesty—it seemed we were heading to the royal office.
“Are you sure this is all right?” I asked before entering.
“Yes. I was told to bring you here personally.”
When the Chancellor nodded to the knight guarding the door, it opened.
“Your Majesty, I have brought Christopher Westland.”
“Good. I’ll be there shortly—please, take a seat on the sofa.”
Once he finished signing his papers, the King came over and gestured for the clerks to leave the room.
“This is the proposal from Reinhardt.”
“I’ll hear the conditions later. Let me read it first.”
It was short and written in bullet points, easy to read.
“He really does think things through.”
“Using this as a draft should make progress smoother.”
“Indeed.”
“I’ll get the details from the Chancellor later. I called you here for that other matter—I’d like your answer.”
“I intend to accept.”
“Your family?”
“I’ve spoken with my parents and grandparents.”
“They opposed it, didn’t they?”
“Yes. But in the end, they said they’d respect my decision.”
“Thank you.” The King bowed his head.
“Your Majesty, for someone like me—”
“I’m not speaking as king right now, but as a father. My daughter must continue supporting the royal family. With the Crown Prince’s engagement only just settled, allowing her to marry outside the family is difficult. I’m sorry to burden someone as young as you.”
What do you think about this chapter?
