The Letter
It had started getting hot.
Summer was just around the corner.
One morning.
A letter arrived at the Maryne Company office.
An unfamiliar crest was stamped into the sealing wax.
The instant Rhinos saw the crest, his expression changed dramatically.
“Lady Maryne. This is... the royal family’s crest.”
“The royal family?”
Maryne stopped fluffing Firuru.
Rhinos carefully opened the seal and read the letter aloud.
The sender was the Second Princess, Sheralnia.
The contents were brief.
She wished to discuss the skincare cosmetics. She requested a meeting in the royal capital… that was all.
“... It’s from Princess Sheralnia.”
“Yes. That famous princess herself.”
Rhinos spoke quietly.
Maryne took the letter and read through it once more with her own eyes.
(Princess Sheralnia...)
Sheralnia was, of course, an enormously influential figure among the nobility.
But the reason she was so highly respected in noble society wasn’t simply because she was a princess.
In truth, when Sheralnia was eighteen years old, she’d been the genius who restored the kingdom’s failing national finances.
That achievement had echoed throughout the entire kingdom and was spoken of with praise and astonishment.
Furthermore, in exchange for her accomplishment in restoring the treasury, she annulled her engagement to the son of a duke, which had already been arranged at the time.
And on top of that, she publicly declared that she would remain unmarried for the rest of her life.
Royal women were generally expected to bear heirs, but...
Sheralnia’s decision to boldly cast aside that duty without allowing anyone to object became a massive topic of conversation.
Incidentally, that incident had happened four years ago.
(To be summoned by Her Highness Princess Sheralnia, the genius of economics...)
Maryne pondered.
The letter said she wished to consult her about skincare, but what kind of discussion would it be?
More fundamentally, did the princess even use Maryne Stella cosmetics?
There were several questions on her mind, but...
(Well, regardless... this is a wonderful opportunity to speak directly with the princess who took the kingdom by storm!)
Maryne’s eyes sparkled.
There wasn’t the slightest trace of nervousness over being summoned by royalty.
---
… That evening.
Asha and Yumia were shocked when they heard the news.
“A meeting with... Her Highness the Princess?”
The color drained from Asha’s face.
Usually unshakable, Asha was unusually unable to hide her agitation.
“Even for you, Lady Maryne... doesn’t that make you nervous?”
“Not at all.”
“Not at all...?”
“If anything, I’m looking forward to it… By the way, I was thinking of having you two accompany me.”
“!?”
Asha and Yumia both turned pale.
Maryne continued.
“Miss Asha, you’re still busy with the cosmetics business, aren’t you? So I’ll only be taking Miss Yumia with me.”
Since Her Highness said she wished to discuss skincare, Maryne had actually wanted to bring Asha...
But the cosmetics business still wasn’t stable yet.
For now, Maryne wanted her to focus on work.
Asha looked visibly relieved.
Meanwhile, Yumia scooted backward with her chair.
“... M-M-Me, a-an audience with Her Highness the Princess...!?”
Yumia was freaking out.
Smiling, Maryne said,
“It’ll be fine. You only need to give a brief greeting at first.”
“Just a greeting...? We’re talking about a princess here! What if I make some terrible mistake...?!”
“And that’s precisely why this is the perfect chance to get used to formal meetings!”
Maryne insisted.
Since Asha was in charge of the cosmetics business, she already had excellent communication skills with upper-class people.
Yumia, on the other hand, did not.
That was why Maryne recognized strengthening Yumia’s courage as an important challenge.
“Besides, going to the royal castle is a valuable experience, you know? I’m sure it’ll become a wonderful memory.”
“......”
Yumia’s resolve wavered.
Certainly, visiting the royal castle and having an audience with Her Highness the Princess would be a rare and precious experience.
Yumia agonized over it for a while.
In the end, she gave a small nod.
“... O-Okay.”
Yumia continued.
“... I’ll do my best.”
“That’s the spirit!”
And so, Maryne ended up heading to the royal capital together with Yumia.
What do you think about this chapter?
