Everyone

…Good morning.

Now then, I, Layla, after receiving instructions from father, have moved to the Estelle territory. Today is the first day. The morning sun is dazzling, illuminating the territory.

As for what I'm doing so early in the morning, I'm practising yoga. The first thing I did in the morning after waking up is to exercise, and more importantly, it's good for the health. …Well, not quite. My body is a little chubby, you see. Because of my status of being a daughter of a Duke, I tend to eat luxurious and high-calorie meals as much as I desired, so it's natural for me to gain weight. And because of that, I decided on going on a diet and work hard in the mornings.

"Good morning, young mistress. …eh, Aaaaaa!"

"…Oh, Tanya. Good morning."

I wonder why Tanya is so surprised? Ah, of course, Tanya also came to Amelia territory with me. I thought it was fine since it was not the "confinement route."

"Good morning, but that's not it. Young mistress, what on earth are you doing with that kind of appearance."

"This kind of appearance, you say…"

I looked at my own appearance. …Linen tunic and pants which I procured with the help of a maid. Don't you think it's the perfect clothing to wear while exercising?

"For the goodness of my health, I intend to exercise like this every morning. I chose clothes that are easy to move in, is it no good?"

"Young mistress, exercise?"

A dubious and suspicious expression filled Tanya's face. Certainly, a noble young lady exercising, I can't really imagine it.

"Yes. I read in a book that it's not good for one's health if one doesn't move their body. Because I intend to do this every morning, please do not be so surprised."

"I understand… Please excuse my impoliteness."

"It's fine… But because I perspired, could you please have a bath ready?"

"Of course."

After I got into the bath Tanya had prepared, I went and had breakfast. …Because I exercised, I ate a lot for breakfast. Of course, I made sure it was well balanced.

"…After this, I would like to speak to Sebastian. Could you please make an appointment?"

"Certainly."

The excellent Tanya immediately made an appointment with Sebastian, and the talk with him will take place before noon. Sebastian is a Steward and Butler of our House. Even when I say "butler," he has been left to administer our territory substantially. In other words, a Super Butler.

When Sebastian entered the room, he somehow had the same smell as Rime… In other words, he was dressed stylishly in a swallowtail coat. Even though he was moving briskly, he didn't give the impression of someone in a hurry. Instead, his movements looked really beautiful… In addition to a head full of grey hair, his appearance is the definition of a dazzling butler.

"…You appear to be quite busy, I apologize for calling you in spite of your busy schedule."

"Nay. By all rights, it should have been me who should have given you my greetings, I apologize."

"Now then, without delay. Could you please gather and present to me the reports of the territory's income and expenditures for the past three years?"

"I respectfully obey. However, what will you be doing with it?"

"I will be reading all of it, of course. I have, after all, accepted the "Feudal Lord Representative" position given by the Duke. However, although I'm ashamed to say this, I currently have no information on how the territory is being managed or the present situation. Therefore, can you please give me one month?"

"One month, you say?"

"Yes. Because it is necessary for me to read all the reports, and to also inspect the land."

"Certainly. However, if you wish to inspect the land, it will take approximately one week in order to make the necessary preparations."

"This time, in order to grasp the present condition, I intend to do the inspection incognito. Therefore, I'll only need the minimum number of people to accompany me. Because I can vouch for those members, I will not need to trouble Sebastian."

"I asked a presumptuous question, I apologize."

"Not at all. Although I will be managing the territory from now on, I will nevertheless give you an important position. So please feel free to give advises."

After Sebastian left, I called for Tanya to come.

"Tanya. Could you please call Emily and Jack, and Ezra as well?"

"Certainly."

After several minutes, Tanya entered the room with three other people who were about the same age as I… In other words, they were also people whom I have picked up.

Jack has beautiful blonde hair, looking like any other young nobleman. And although he has a physique inferior to the Kingdom's Knights, he would not lose to them when it comes to a fight. Besides, he is more or less my bodyguard.

Ezra, just like Ryle, serves as my bodyguard. Although he is a person who gets happy easily when praised or flattered and has an easy-going nature, his abilities are guaranteed.

Emily is a girl who wears glasses and likes reading books. She currently serves as the librarian at our House. Speaking of the Duke's library, it has a collection of precious books. When comparing to my previous world, the collection of books is in the scale of junior high school level and above. Thus, she finds her role very important.

"It's been a long time since we've met, everyone."

Because the three people weren't able to come with me to the Royal City to attend the academy, they stayed in the territory to work.

Although I told them that they were free to do as they wish… and that it was agreeable for them to leave the territory, I am glad they stayed and yet apologetic at the same.

"It's been a long time, princess."

The one who answered first was Ezra. He answered it in his usual easy-going manner while smiling.

"Ezra. You're talking to Young Mistress in that tone again…"

"It's fine, Jack. Everyone is like family to me. When there's no one else around, I'd be delighted if you guys spoke to me the same way as the old days."

"However, my lady…"

"Please, Jack."

"…I understand."

Jack approved while blowing out a large sigh.

"As everyone already knows, my engagement with Zen has been annulled, and I have returned to this territory."

"I absolutely cannot accept it. Why was Princess's engagement not only annulled but must be confined to the house?"

Erza was similar to Tanya. She was also crying in vexation. Although there's a gap between her personality and appearance, she always spoke in a leisurely manner.

"That's right. Indeed, he is a young master with a poor eyesight."

"Thank you. However, this matter has already been settled. Besides, I am ecstatic to be able to live together with everyone in this territory once again. …Now then, about the real issue at hand. As everyone knows, I have been appointed as this territory's Feudal Lord Representative. And so, the first thing I want to do is inspect various places… Is everyone willing to accompany me?"

"I humbly accept."

"Princess' escort, huh, it has a nice ring to it."

While two people showed their motivation, Emily had a difficult expression on her face.

"The two of them escorts, so I understand. But what purpose do I have as a companion?"

"To put it simply, it's because I want your knowledge?"

"Eh?"

"If I'm not mistaken, you've extensively read every book available in the Duke's library? There were also books about local history and geography. I want the knowledge you've acquired from reading those books. Besides, it differs greatly when there's prior knowledge while investigating various places."

Our House really has an amazing collection of books. Apart from being a noble house, those books have been collected by generations of generations of Prime Ministers. Every single large room in this mansion has already been filled with books.

As for genre, there's also a wide range of variety. Those books were, of course, collected based on the varying hobbies of different generations, such as Politics, Geography, Law, and various others. And since Ezra had already read through all of those books, I trust that she has immense knowledge.

"…If that's the case, I understand. I will work hard to fulfil my duty."

"The inspection is scheduled to take place in two days. If there's anything you need, please look for Tanya and let her know respectively. Tanya. Please take care of the preparation."

"I understand."

"And also, is there anyone who can get in contact with Daniel?"

"Daniel, you say?"

"Yes, that's right. If I'm not mistaken, he's currently working for the Commerce Guild?"

The Commerce Guild is, as what the name implies, an organization that assembles stores. It is similar to the one Japan had during the Warring States period.

Daniel is also one of the children whom I picked up. But when I enrolled in the academy, he joined the Commerce Guild.

"Yes, and if I'm not mistaken, he's currently in charge of accounts… I will definitely get in contact with him."

"Then, Jack. I'm counting on you to contact him. If possible, I'd like to have an appointment with him near the end of our itinerary."

"I understand."

After I broke down the details of our agenda during the inspection, the three people left. With perfect timing, Sebastian arrived with the documents I requested for earlier, and I started to read them.

I could follow the number trail without any problems.

"…Young Mistress. It's already time for lunch."

"…Oh, my. It's already that time?"

After eating my meal quickly, I immediately returned to work. …Ah, I chewed the food properly. I did not forget about dieting. Since I'm busy, it'll be just right if I forget to eat.

......

Within two days, I finished reading all the documents right in time before the inspection. Not just the big towns, but even those rustic villages.

Of course, I wouldn't be able to inspect all the places. This time, the main goal is to visit the south where tax revenue has fallen in recent times and the east where tax revenue is especially high.

I feel apologetic to Jack and Ezra, but our journey went smoothly without encountering thieves, so our inspection proceeded in an orderly manner. From time to time, I would ask Emily about the villages to get a better grasp of the circumstances.

Like that, almost one month had gone by… and it was finally time for my appointment with Jack. Truth be told, to me, my meeting with him is the first obstacle.

Our party was led to the Commerce Guild's drawing room. Unlike drawing rooms of aristocrats, the interior design of the Commerce Guild's drawing room was calming and profound instead of wasteful and luxurious. It's probably because different people value things differently.

"It's been a long time since we've met, Mistress."

The person who entered the room was a refreshing looking young man wearing glasses… That said, whenever I see his smiling expression, it can't be helped that I can only find him suspicious.

"It's been a long time, Daniel. Ah, please do not stand on ceremony. Because I'm travelling incognito today."

"No, this is just my way of doing things."

"Is that so. You've certainly been like this since way back."

"And so, how may I help you?"

Suddenly getting straight to business, huh. There was no place to have that heart-warming talk about old times… But then again, Daniel has always been like this since the olden days.

"Well, Daniel. Even though it's been a long time since we last met. And so, how has Daniel been doing lately?"

"My current condition? Well, to put it simply, fairly well."

"I thought as much. As expected of the Commerce Guild's Vice Chief of Accounts. Since that's the case, you are, of course, aware of my movements?"

"Well… That's about right."

A bitter smile floated across Daniel's face. It is a characteristic of a Merchant to gather information as quickly as possible. It will be a big problem to do business without understanding the current happenings. In other words, they naturally know the movements of aristocrats and where they spend their money.

"As you know, because of what had recently occurred, I have returned to the territory. By the way, Daniel. How has the guild been doing these days?"

"That is also going well."

"Hmm, is that so? Even though the commerce in the Royal City have decreased?"

With a snap, the peaceful expression he had until now froze.

"Well, that's no good. If what you're thinking reflects too much on your face, you will immediately be seen through by your business partner."

"Daniel, I'm sorry about that. I was only asking questions to trick you. However, as I've said earlier, the commerce conducted in the Royal City have indeed decreased."

As for why it's probably because the political situation in the Royal City is unstable. That said, it's not as if it has reached a critical point. This is something I came to understand after consulting the account books day after day.

Incidentally, I was really just asking him questions to trick him without any other reason whatsoever. Now that the political situation has become more and more difficult to predict, it is inevitable to be extra cautious compared to before… And I'm not saying it is just a merchant's point of view.

"…I've been done in. For reference, how did you come to that conclusion?"

"If you look at the present political situation, you'll naturally come to understand it. That said, Daniel. I didn't come all the way here just to be cruel to you."

"And so, how can I help you?"

The flow of the conversation has been restored. But I felt like it differs from the one earlier. Although we started on equal grounds… I was the first to break out and grasp the advantage of the conversation. This time, however, the other side seized the initiative. But perhaps he might still listen to this little request of mine.

"Daniel. I was wondering if you'd like to be in charge of a larger amount of money."

"A larger amount of money, you say? Are you trying to employ me for the House of the Duke?"

"Yes. However, I do not want to you serve the Ducal House, but rather, the Duke's territory."

"…That, exactly what to do you mean by that?"

"From now onwards, the Duke's territory will be undergoing a reform. For one thing, the administration of our House will be divided between different people. In other words, I would like to ask you to manage the budget of this territory."

"Why, did you choose me? I'm sure that the Duke's House will are not lacking talented people."

"It's because you're already familiar with the field. In addition, this reform will be carried out medium to long term. Because we will be pushing towards fundamental reform… knowledge is unnecessary right now. Although the basics are necessary to some extent… but for someone who is the current Vice Chief of Accounts, I'm sure you'll do just fine. Above all, it's because I know I can trust you. Trust, meaning that you will not be moved even when you're bribed with money."

"Hahaha, it has surprisingly turned into an impressive conversation. If what you say is true, I'm looking forward to what lies in the future territory of the Duke. …However, excuse me for being impolite, but do you have the authority to appoint people?"

Ah, he doesn't believe me. The majority of the reason is that the father is not in the proximity… So perhaps he's thinking that I'm fabricating information for my own exploit?

And therefore, I will reveal my last card here.

"Of course. Because at this time, I have accepted the position of being the representative of the Feudal Lord."

At the same time, I showed him the Letter of Appointment. This was something father had handed to me before I left for the territory.

…Truthfully, I have yet to announce it publicly that I was appointed as the representative of the Feudal Lord. And I still have no intention of announcing it after this. Since it has a great effect when it comes to critical moments. …Such as now.

I thought that he probably would have never imagined I would be appointed and the representative of the Feudal Lord, and indeed, when I looked at Daniels' face, he had a surprised expression.

Moreover, like the Feudal Lord's proxy, father has placed all responsibilities of governing the territory to me. That authority is remarkable and is almost on an equal footing as the Feudal Lord himself. In other words, it was as if the father is declaring that he is unsatisfied with the young brother becoming his successor. But I am myself, and I will carry out my duties confidently from start to finish. Because it was also written in the letter, it can't be helped if people were surprised. …Father as well, I wonder what he's thinking about.

On the other hand, because it was useful, I am very grateful for it.

"Thank you very much."

After Daniel said that, he returned the letter respectfully.

"Well, how about it?"

"I will accept the offer with pleasure."

"Oh, you sure made your decision quite quickly. I thought you would take some time to think about it."

"It is important for a merchant to have the ability to make quick decisions."

"Regardless, I am thankful. Now then, I would like to talk about future plans in detail… I wonder, when will you have the time to visit me?"

"Please give me three days. Because I need to hand over all the work I have presently."

"That suits me just fine. Then, in three days, please come to the house."

"Certainly."

Haaaa, I feel relieved as though a weight is lifted off my shoulders. I was able to pull Daniel in without any problems, and in three days' time, I will also have a confirmation from Sebastian.

After accomplishing the job, I was able to return to the Duke's house with everyone.