01x04 - Turning the Knave into a Secret Spice

[bunniefuu]

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

I am Kaine Tully

from the Aria Trading Company.

I am Rishe Irmgard Weitzner.

Thank you for coming all the way

to meet with me.

It's a good season.

He's something else.

Just by looking into my eyes,

he seems to be able

to see through everything.

But since I know him,

I should have the advantage.

In order to avoid the w*r,

and for me to live longer

I'll make the most of your power,

Chairman!

As you may have already heard,

we need the Aria Trading Company

to provide the items

for the marriage ceremony.

What a surprise!

Thank you for your kind words!

Now, would you show me the items?

Lady Rishe.

There is not a single thing

I can sell you.

Oops, apologies.

I guess I used the wrong word!

However, as I stated earlier,

to us, you are not a client.

Why is that?

Because what we can offer you

is not worth your resolve.

My resolve?

It seems you want to risk your life

in this deal.

I've seen a lot of people in my life,

and you seem to carry

a greater resolve than any of them.

Even though you're only buying

wedding items from a mere merchant.

It's a once-in-a-lifetime event.

I was just a little overwhelmed.

I am inexperienced,

and I am ashamed of myself.

Rest assured the marriage ceremony

will surely be a beautiful one.

However, unfortunately,

it seems that the items of our

Trading Company are not sufficient.

I was honored to be called upon.

Chairman Tully!

Galkhein is a wonderful country, I see.

We decided to forget

about work for a while

and enjoy a few days of sightseeing.

Please wait a moment.

I'd like to talk a little bit more.

Farewell, beautiful future Crown Princess.

Listen well, Rishe.

Be a merchant that is chosen by customers.

Provide products and value

that can only be obtained through us.

And then, it's our turn

to choose our clients.

I couldn't be chosen by the Chairman.

Even though Aria Trading Company

needs the connections

to expand around the world in the future.

Lady Rishe.

Why is the future Crown Princess

tending the fields?

His Highness Arnold

gave me this piece of land,

so I thought I'd grow medicinal herbs.

We can make a variety of medicines

depending on the combination.

I see.

But then again,

maybe they were simply being cautious?

He may have been a cautious man,

but he also loved to take a shot or two.

Am I missing something?

We decided to forget

about work for a while

and enjoy a few days of sightseeing.

That's it for the afternoon's fieldwork!

You are done already?

I will be resting in my room,

so I ask everyone to guard the hallway!

-Yes!

-Yes!

But still, was it okay, Chairman?

For you to just dismiss

the Crown Princess's lucrative offer.

You fool.

If we take that young lady on as a client,

we're going to suffer a huge loss.

Welcome back, Chairman Tully.

You win, missy.

I knew you'd come see me

one of these days, but…

I knew that you had "invited" me.

It's an honor.

I didn't imagine

you were waiting for me

after getting all my men drunk.

They were such fun people

that I ended up drinking a lot!

Nevertheless, you have dyed

your hair very beautifully.

My hair color is a little obvious, so…

If I told you I would sell you

this particular technique,

would you do business with me?

There's no way.

You must have a bigger profit potential.

Now, from here,

it's a business meeting as you wish.

Let's have a toast first!

Before that, there is one thing.

Please speak freely on this occasion.

I just can't seem to stay on my game

when he talks to me politely.

Well, then, I'll take your word for it.

So, young lady?

No more boring disguises like

"I need a dress for my wedding,"

you hear me?

Yes.

It was foolish of me

to try to play tricks on you.

Good.

Here's what my gut is telling me.

Miss Rishe should be a business partner,

not a customer.

I'm unwilling to be part of a plan

I don't know the full scope of.

But no worries,

despite how I look,

I'm a hard-working guy.

The profits you're thinking of,

I can promise you more than that!

Now, tell me everything

about your profitable business!

I can't.

What?

I cannot discuss my plans.

Nevertheless, I would like

the Aria Trading Company

to assist me in the future.

That's an interesting thing to say,

young lady.

We are not informed at all,

are forced to sign contracts,

and the profit is not clear either.

It's the kind of thing

merchants hate the most.

Of course, I will provide compensation.

I'm just supposed to believe

in the word "profitable," huh?

That's good!

There is no way I can say,

"The crown prince of this country

is going to start a w*r

against the nations in a few years,

and I'm taking steps to stop him."

You know, young lady,

I'm a big believer in my gut.

But what's more important

is that we focus on

-results and--

-Results and achievements, right?

From now on, I will think of a business

that will be accepted in this capital.

If you decide that

I am worthy of your trust,

then would you consider me again?

That's great!

If your "idea" is profitable,

you want me to admit it, right?

I really like it!

Yeah, I know.

You have a week.

I'm looking forward to it, young lady.

I have your word, then.

Thank you so much.

Oh, and when everyone wakes up,

please give them these meds.

This is…

You will know when you use it.

It's not easy to get out of the castle.

You're late.

Why are you here, Your Highness?

I heard they turned down

your business offer.

It's a strange story.

How dare a merchant reject

a request from you

who will become the Crown Princess?

I'm the one who said,

"You're free to decide on your own."

That's why I think

it's wrong to blame them,

so I was waiting for you to come back.

Even you would look like that

if you were left alone

with a man at night.

My apologies.

It is not fitting for a fiancée

to act like this,

sneaking out of the castle at night

by herself.

-Your reputation will be tarnish--

-I don't care at all about that.

You were not hurt, were you?

No, I was not.

From now on, when you go

out of the castle, I will go with you.

Huh?

I told you,

you are free to do as you please.

And I'll help you with that.

No way! I can't let you go along

with my selfish act, Your Highness.

I said you are free to do what you want,

but I didn't say you could do

anything dangerous.

-You…

-What?

You're too soft with me.

This is you we're talking about.

If I order you to never leave the castle,

you will slip out again

without telling me, won't you?

You even went as far as to dye your hair.

Instead, it's more likely that

a conditional permit would restrain you.

Am I that obvious to you?

No.

Rather, I'd say you're the kind who is

hard to understand and unpredictable.

You must be having a great time,

both you and the chairman.

Chairman, huh?

What exactly happened between you

and the Aria Trading Company?

-Your Highness.

-What?

Are you feeling hungry?

Your Highness…

I owe you an apology.

What?

While I am the one who suggested this,

I would like to apologize.

It's just…

I'm a terrible cook.

Oh?

I'm really sorry.

Well, it's rare to find a duke's daughter

with some culinary experience.

In my past life,

eating was a priority

to get something into my stomach.

I'm afraid this soup

is not for Your Highness' palate.

That's a good soup.

Huh?

There's nothing wrong with this soup.

Maybe he has no taste bud--

Hey. You're thinking something rude,

aren't you?

No, there's no way…

Thank you for the compliment.

You're making me hungry now.

Let's get the plates ready.

Yes!

And so, I must devise a new business

within a week.

I get it.

What?

I said I understand.

I get what you're trying to do.

You don't want to know what I intend to do

with Aria Trading Company?

You've kept it a secret

even from the Company, right?

Then I don't think you'd tell me.

It is as you say.

Do you have any specifics

of what that business is?

I have some ideas.

I don't know if it will

work or not, though.

What kind of people live in the city

and what kind of things do they love?

There's a lot to look into.

In other words,

it's going to be a struggle.

Yes.

I know you are enjoying it after all!

You are free to do what you want.

I need to go back.

Yes. Good night.

Is something wrong?

Have you met my brother yet?

Your Highness' brother?

I don't think I have.

That's good.

If he comes near you,

don't interact with him.

Is there some sort of situation?

You don't need to know about that.

I need, at least,

the number of the population,

sex ratio

and age distribution of this city.

Changes in economic conditions,

circumstances of the surrounding area

and information about the merchants

and travelers who come and go.

In the morning, I will tend the fields,

and check the teaching materials at noon.

I also have to prepare

for the marriage ceremony.

I'll be having sleepless nights

for a while!

You're eating late-night, my lord?

What?

It's just… I suppose Lady Rishe

must be a very good cook!

She said she's not very good at it, but…

It was delicious.

Hey.

Is it standard practice among the public

to put medicinal herbs in the soup?

In the soup?

No, I don't think it's a standard…

Is that so?

Were you unable

to get much rest last night?

I've been doing some research.

Please do not push yourself too hard.

Stand back, Lady Rishe!

Let's go back to your room.

Black hair,

which is rare on this continent.

Lady Rishe!

Rishe…

Oops.

So you are my brother's…

Nice to meet you,

my beautiful sister-in-law!

We finally meet!

I wrote many times

asking to meet you, sister-in-law,

but I have not received

a single reply from my brother!

Don't you think he's mean?

You don't have to be so tense.

I'm Theodore. Theodore Auguste Hein.

Second in line to the throne

and younger brother of Arnold Hein.

I was told not to interact with him, but…

I am pleased to meet you

for the first time.

My name is Rishe Irmgard Weitzner.

I am very honored to have been invited

to join the Imperial Family.

Please treat me well.

Anyway, what are you doing here,

sister-in-law?

In fact, I am the one

who tends this field.

You are, sister-in-law?

Wow, that's amazing!

You rarely find such a fluffy bed!

But there is one thing

that's bothering me.

Can you look at this?

Is something the matter?

Here, you see?

I want to save you.

You poor girl.

They brought you all the way here.

You're essentially not a bride

but a hostage.

I'm aware of it.

Huh?

I have received full consideration

from His Highness Arnold.

I'm glad to meet you today!

See you.

I can't believe he said

"second in line to the throne."

He shouldn't introduce himself

to his brother's fiancée like that.

I have a question to ask you.

I noticed a while ago that you two

were acting differently than usual.

Is there an order to keep me away

from His Highness' brother?

We're not able to talk about it.

Then, are the two brothers

close to each other?

Not about that either.

I'm sorry for asking weird questions.

No.

I'll have to deal with this issue

eventually,

but right now, I've got to

make a deal with the Chairman.

Don't make me repeat myself.

Troops are to be used

to protect the people.

That's final.

What is the point of protecting

the common people so generously

while leaving the other nobles behind?

The nobles have their own private armies,

and the government pays for their upkeep,

so let them say what they want.

Your Highness, I beg of you,

please reconsider!

I can't say that your leadership

is to your father's liking.

There will be no objections. Get lost.

A separate notice

will be sent to the lords.

What notice?

Protecting the people

should benefit them in turn, right?

If we can use our troops

to protect the people,

and if the people

can live in a safe environment,

it should increase the final tax revenues

and enrich them as well.

That should satisfy the lords.

That's the end of our discussion.

Compensation earned from the w*r,

investment in revitalizing rural areas

and promoting employment.

So this measure was taken by Arnold Hein.

He is actively adopting policies

for the good of the people.

As I thought, it's very different from

the impression I had in my past life.

Well, then, good night.

Good night, milady.

I'LL LET YOU IN ON A SECRET TONIGH

AT 12:00 IN THE CHAPEL. - ARNOLD HEIN

Good evening, Your Highness Theodore.

Good evening,

my beautiful sister-in-law.