By Zephyria Upon returning to the capital, the first thing I did was restructure the merchant guild’s organizational chart.
My father, who had declared his retirement from the front lines the moment I arrived, remained as the guild master in name only. Ivan and I both took on the title of vice guild master. Beneath me, I placed four friends as operational staff, and beneath Ivan, two friends to handle accounting and administration.
In addition to them, I appointed four more individuals to middle management positions, unrelated to personal connections. This granted everyone in the guild, except myself, the authority to assign points and demerits to shops. The shop records, detailing clear reasons and frequencies, were to be directly reflected in the institutionalized bonuses.
I deliberately called my friends together first to inform them of this restructuring plan.
This was work I considered my own, so I arranged the meeting without even bringing Ivan. However, the eight excuses I had prepared to preempt any expected backlash were unnecessary. My friends all exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.
“Well, bringing in four new people is a bit awkward… But you thought it was necessary. And what happened back then… It was understandable that you felt betrayed…”
“What are you talking about… It’s not because of that incident that I’m bringing in new people. I’ve told you multiple times that I just thought we needed a change.”
“Still. Not telling you about that… that’s what I’m most sorry about. I just… I thought you were too valuable.”
Adam’s voice, more mumbled and subdued than usual, made me chuckle.
“…I know. That’s why I’m letting it slide this once.”
“What’s with that laugh, like a Baron. Fucking creepy.”
“They say couples grow to resemble each other. Anyway, that’s settled. You all agree, right?”
“Mhm. Well, it sounds good. Let’s do it that way. So, Sophia and I report directly to the Baron now, right?”
“Yeah. I’ll be counting on you, Kevin.”
“He’s quick with calculations. I’m sure he’ll handle it well.”
“It was tiring having to double and triple-check everything when it was left to Eric. Now, that won’t be an issue. I agree too.”
Everyone burst into laughter at Sophia’s words, adding her agreement with a nod.
“But you seem a bit different. Did you go on a study abroad trip instead of a honeymoon?”
“It’s similar. Anyway, so…”
With a lighter atmosphere, we discussed new ventures and upcoming personnel.
Unfamiliar words like, “We’re all too young to properly manage the older laborers, so we’ve decided to hire middle-aged individuals with extensive social experience,” “Therefore, let’s use formal address in public settings,” and “Ivan’s use of honorifics with his friends looked good…” floated around the familiar table.
“Did I mention the overseas trade tax reduction we got under the Second Prince’s name? Since we have our own ships, I was thinking of starting with Yulan. Who will…?”
“Me! Can I do it? No, may I do it, Baroness Vikoff?”
“Your personal feelings are showing too much. Prove your usefulness more actively, Paul.”
“I’ve already been to Yulan once, and I have existing friendships with the hired sailors…”
“Celly?”
“Yes. Please.”
“What? Who’s Celly? What happened there?”
Paul dramatically embellished his adventure story. At first, everyone naturally disbelieved him. As the story continued, they became half-convinced, then soon laughed and chatted merrily.
Ultimately, today’s meeting ended in idle chatter. But I felt no worry. We were undoubtedly going to be better than we were yesterday.
Two years and six months have passed since the day I left Biban.
Eldos has become, without a doubt, the foremost merchant guild in the capital. I’d like to say it’s thanks to me coming to my senses, but in truth, the Second Prince’s help was significant. Eldos, having managed to reduce a portion of its overseas trade tax through rather unique means, gained an overwhelming advantage in price competition against other merchant guilds.
With the surplus funds generated, we began stockpiling non-perishable food items and daily necessities. While ostensibly to prepare for the soaring prices caused by the Grimsvein incident, commoners on the streets, gathering in small groups, whispered about the succession competition that would inevitably unfold.
The First Prince fled to Floyd, evading the Second Prince. Eldos, while accumulating supplies, also increased its guards. Mercenaries and knights bustled in and out of over a dozen warehouses. Ivan, using the Nobility Yearbook, expelled some of the laborers entering the guild.
Lately, everyone who handles money in the capital has been saying the same thing.
The First Prince controls the media, while the Second Prince controls the merchant guilds.
It was natural for money to follow where rumors gathered. However, the two Princes, who had divided high society, complicated matters.
The First Prince, who had increased political fatigue by monopolizing the media but failed to secure legitimacy, crossed over to Floyd. Since then, the ladies of society stopped reading newspapers and magazines. Instead, they held dozens of tea parties. Money flowed wherever they gathered.
While busily surveying the market, the adventures I had with Mikael’s Lord faded into distant memories.
Occasionally, Ivan would relay news he heard through mutual acquaintances. “Mikael is still north of the Yuil Mountains. It’s fortunate we can at least confirm he’s alive.”
My answer was always the same. “He’ll surely do well, whatever it is. He’s an extraordinary person.”
And today, Mikael’s Lord has returned to the capital.
Ivan rarely stayed out overnight. I had worried when he didn’t return until late into the night, but I was finally relieved to see him walk in on his own two feet. Seeing the gentle smile on Ivan’s face made me smile too.
“You seem to have had a fun day.”
“Yes. You know today is the Second Prince’s birthday, right?”
“What? Of course, I know. He’s quite famous.”
“Mikael didn’t know, you know. He’s always been a bit dense, but this time it was quite severe. After acting so affectionately right before leaving, the Second Prince must have had high expectations. For him to return precisely the day before his birthday, sit there blankly, and leave without eating… It’s just pitiful for the Prince.”
“What? Oh, then… Then those two are… forever…?”
“Hahaha! As if. You should have seen him, flustered and surprised. I immediately prepared and sent him back. Since there was no other way, I took out a bracelet from Warehouse No. 3. He said he’d pay me back generously later, so you must remind me if I forget.”
Ivan, still chuckling, hugged my neck and clung to me.
Ivan whispered into my ear about how composed and forlorn Mikael had acted until he learned the date, how surprised his friends were by Mikael’s thoughtlessness when they had intended to support their parting with calm hearts, and how amusing it was when they all ran through the empty night streets.
Naturally, I attended to my husband’s needs. While preparing pajamas that would be more comfortable to wear, I also heard about the items Mikael had gifted the Prince and wished to gift him again.
He’s such a strange person. By then, I couldn’t hold back my laughter either.
“A music box on his belt? Mikael’s Lord must truly see the Prince as a ten-year-old child.”
“Exactly. When he heard about the belt, Damian said…”
“Haha, yes. Go wash up first. You’re sleepy now.”
“If I wash up, will you give me something good?”
“You’re drunk now.”
“So, you don’t want to?”
“…Let’s do it tomorrow, tomorrow.”
I quickly ushered Ivan into the bathroom and drew the curtains. Not a sliver of moonlight had managed to seep into our bedroom for some time now. Whether we were being intimate or not.
It was partly because a certain proof had been completed, but also to prevent Ivan’s tastes from leaking outside.
The toys he brought… were too suspicious to be called toys, things that could never be shown to anyone. Since hiding them only on certain days seemed stranger, we had been drawing thick curtains every night for a long time.
The bed was spacious, but the area Ivan and I used was only a small part of it. Ivan, resting his head on my arm as usual, had freshly washed, fluffy hair. Holding him close, I drifted off to sleep late.
Burying my face, I caught the faint scent of soap mixed with alcohol. Ivan rarely drank. It was so dark I couldn’t see my husband’s face, which made him feel strangely unfamiliar, and I couldn’t easily fall asleep.
Instead of my obscured vision, I gently traced Ivan’s jawline with my fingertips. From his smooth, soft temples down to the hollows beneath his sharp cheekbones, his familiar laughter and sweet breath tickled the bridge of my nose.
Ivan chuckled and bit my nose once, then pressed his own nose against my cheek, drawing close.
“Can’t sleep?”
“…No, it’s just…”
“Just?”
I hesitated, choosing my words. Strangely, my heart fluttered. The image of a giant Wyvern I had once seen, and Mikael’s Lord walking out covered in blood, suddenly came to mind. It had been a long time since I’d thought of them, yet it felt so vivid.
“Mikael’s Lord is the Second Prince’s sharpest sword.”
“…Yes. Isn’t he?”
“Something feels like it’s going to happen… I’m a little uneasy.”
“…Well…”
“How long will it take to march to Floyd?”
Ivan didn’t answer immediately. In the pitch darkness, I read his expression through the hand resting on his cheek. Ivan was still smiling serenely. Encouraged by his smile, I continued.
“…If, if this is dangerous again.”
“Yes.”
“I want to let the other merchant guilds know in advance to be cautious. Last time, I couldn’t…”
“It will be alright. During Grimsvein, no one was certain, and the damage was significant due to the sudden Monster Rush. This war is a direct confrontation between the First Prince’s forces and the Second Prince’s forces, so even if the First Prince gathers his troops and advances, there won’t be civilian casualties.”
“…Still.”
“Still?”
“It is my duty to care for the citizens of the Empire, regardless of friend or foe, when great trouble strikes.”
“You’ve become quite the Baroness, Eric.”
“…I learned from someone. To do things that way.”
Ivan laughed aloud. Though he couldn’t see anything, Ivan found my lips with ease. As he pressed down, I opened my mouth and accepted him. The affection and comfort conveyed by the deep, intense kiss slowly eased my mind.
After the deep, passionate kiss, Ivan whispered tenderly.
“Nothing has been confirmed yet, but if I learn anything, I will certainly inform you, my wife. We will discuss how to use that information together.”
Fortunately, the matter that both my husband and I had been worrying about did not occur. Mikael and the Knights departed for the battlefield by folding space with Magic. While a few were on high alert, many others didn’t even know if the Princes were fighting or playing.
Ivan often spoke of a optimistic future.
He said that once Mikael returned, all our friends would be reunited, and he wanted to invite me to a gathering to properly introduce me again. He mentioned that after the war ended, it would be time to start preparing for adoption, and that we were lucky…
I secretly thought the same. I had already seen the Second Prince and Mikael up close. Even though I hadn’t met the First Prince directly, I vaguely believed that those people could accomplish anything.
However, Mikael was not by the Second Prince’s side when he returned.