Chapter 600

Debut Party (9)
After the folks from the Isles of the Eight Gods left, I was mulling over how to handle this year’s welcoming of the Kiblinki Saltas when His Majesty King McFarlane and Princess Rodenlight arrived.
They had a boy with them too—looked to be around fifteen or sixteen.
I’d never seen him before. Who could he be?

“Lady Lily. You certainly struck where it hurts most, didn’t you?”

“Princess Rodenlight. Oh, you didn’t need to give me that much land, you know?”

“We couldn’t very well grant you less. Even now, there’s a tremendous gap in basic education between those under Marquis Vardmoi’s faction and everyone else. If we allowed only a few regions to establish schools, the disparity between those permitted and those not would become intolerable. As a nation, that’s something we must avoid.”

“Marquis Vardmoi told me it was also meant to slow down my activities.”

“Of course. With your wealth and connections, you can raise buildings and gather staff in no time. But not teachers—those take longer. In the meantime, we’ll intervene as a nation as well.”

Up to this point, everything was exactly as Marquis Vardmoi predicted.
Veteran nobles really are something else.

“Princess Rodelight, perhaps that’s enough talk about education for now.”

“Indeed. Lady Lily, we truly must apologize.”

At that, Princess Rodenlight, His Majesty, and the boy all bowed deeply to me.
Well, can’t be helped, really.

“I accept your apology. No one could have predicted it would get that bad.”

“That’s true… I expected he’d say something, but to start shouting the moment he saw you—well, I never imagined that.”

“Nor I. Where did we go wrong raising that one?”

Hmm. Honestly, I couldn’t care less about Sharon anymore.
I’d rather forget about him and move on—like figuring out how to welcome this year’s Kiblinki Saltas herd.

“Father, let’s stop talking about Brother Sharon.”

“You’re right. Lily, allow me to introduce Taur, who will succeed Sharon as the new Crown Prince.”

“Pleased to meet you, Lady Lily. I’m Taur McFarlane, fourth son of the royal family.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Lily.”

He’s supposed to be fifteen, right?
He looks even younger… hope that’s not a problem.

“Now then, Lily, I have a favor to ask. I know it’s hard to ask after what Sharon did, but… could you tailor the outfit Taur will wear for his investiture as Crown Prince?”

“Hmm, Lord Taur’s outfit?”

“I understand if you’re reluctant. But please, hear me out. I’ve already prepared the payment—upfront, and in kind.”

“In kind? What kind of payment?”

I’m not easily tempted, but now I’m curious.

“It’s a rare breed of sheep called the Heavenwool Sheep. Its fine wool can be sheared four times a year. I’ve also brought an expert herder. I’ll gift you one hundred of them. Will that suffice?”

“I’ll do it! Please, let me do it!”

A rare wool-producing sheep? I can’t pass that up—especially when I get the sheep themselves!

“… I’m glad. If you’d refused, it might have been taken as a sign that Lady Lily had cut ties with the McFarlane Kingdom entirely.”

“Huh? What do you mean, Princess Rodenlight?”

“Think for yourself a little, will you?”

“Plum, what does she mean?”

“… Never mind. Politics is still beyond you, clearly.”

Ah, so it’s political.
Here’s what Plum explained to me afterward:
Because Sharon wrecked my promotion party, society at large now sees the McFarlane royal family—and by extension, the entire kingdom—as being in a state of diplomatic rupture with me.
Even my request for education rights could be interpreted as a veiled threat—like saying, ‘If you keep meddling with me, I’ll make sure future generations grow up to despise your kingdom.’
No wonder the whole ballroom froze.

All right, that much I can follow.

“In other words, unless something is done, the McFarlane Dukedom could be facing internal division again.”

“Well, I’m just a merchant, you know?”

“A merchant who controls over half the kingdom’s food supply. What royal family could afford to make an enemy of that?”

Right. Forgot about that.

So here’s the plan going forward:
The moment His Majesty and Princess Rodenlight bowed, Lord Sazaby, Lady Kiri, and Lord Riku all saw it.
Meaning, the royal family made a sincere public apology, and I accepted it.
Whether the nobles believe it or not is another matter—but publicly, the rift is mended.
Next comes the internal display of reconciliation.
That’s where I come in—by tailoring the ceremonial outfit for the new Crown Prince, Taur.

“The outfit worn at a royal investiture carries great meaning—much like the one you’re wearing today. Having it made not by a royal tailor, but by you, signifies reconciliation.”

“I see. So if I refused, it could cause another political disaster.”

“Exactly. So, accept it.”

“Yes, and honestly, I’m quite interested in that payment.”

Politics is a pain, but that special wool has my full attention.
It’s still warm out, so demand for wool is low, but once the weather cools, it’ll soar.
… Lately it’s been nothing but Talat silk. Maybe it’s time to try crafting something new.

What do you think about this chapter?