***Arc 5 The One Who Obstructed, Chapter 87 Innocent Princess and Animal (Her) Trainer***
Arna Imperial State was flanked by mountains to the east and west, with a wide coastline facing the sea to the north.
The territory itself was not very large, only about the size of a slice of the northern part of the Kingdom, but trade with the northern island states was prosperous and rich. It can be appropriately described as a maritime nation by nature.
The area where the northern part of the Kingdom was blocked by the mountains to the east and west was the border between the two countries, and a checkpoint was set up on the border.
There was a distance of about three ri (1.2 km) between the two border posts, where merchants established a marketplace where they sold countless commodities.
From caravan escort mercenaries and thugs to well-known merchants.
Due to the relationship between the two countries, imports and exports were naturally subject to tariffs, but commercial transactions were very active between the two countries, which have close ties.
And there was no way to control every transaction.
It was a common occurrence here to trade items that had been purposely overlooked by the officials of the checkpoint, or hidden money and goods and other items.
It was extremely difficult to tell the difference between the sale of goods that are not subject to tariffs and such illegal transactions, and there was a large aspect of unspoken understanding between the two countries that both sides are turning a blind eye to it.
These kinds of trade were trivial compared to the whole, and it was often merchants and aristocrats with huge assets who make profits from it.
It was difficult to cut off such dark parts that had taken root in the country so long ago, and neglected.
This was not only a bad thing, considering that commerce between the two countries was thriving as a result.
With just one seal and signature from Princess Kreschenta, They were able to pass through the checkpoint without the luggage being checked.
Impersonating royalty was punishable by death without question, as well as confiscation of private property.
No one would suspect it, and as they had been informed in advance, there was no problem.
"... It's the first time I've left the country. It's crowded, isn't it?"
Bery looked out the small window with interest, and Kreschenta, who was held in her lap as usual, looked at her and sighed with dissatisfaction.
"There are some things I wish to do about this place sooner or later, but isn't this just a lawless area?"
Kreschenta did not tolerate any injustice except her own.
Chaos against the rules often had consequences that Kreschenta could not predict.
Exposing corrupt nobles and confiscation of their private property.
Her eyes were already planning for the end of the civil war.
In her mind, the country was already hers.
Berry smiled and clasped Kreschenta's puffed-up cheeks between her hands.
fyuu~, Bery smiled as she enjoyed the sound of the escaping air.
"What kind of country do you want to create, Kreschenta-sama?"
"A country where I can control everything. ...Please stop that."
Smack. She slapped Bery's hand.
However, contrary to the sound it made, the strength was quite gentle.
"I will sweep away the corrupt Noble and clean out the stagnant and rotten parts. My uncle will be spending a lot during this civil war, so I will confiscate his property to make up for it. Then I'll turn it over to the state. There are too many loopholes in the current state of the country law, so it will be quite busy in the future."
Bery listened with admiration and stroked her head.
This time her hand was not slapped away.
"Enrich the people and increase the power of the country------the nobles have too much power right now, so I want to do something about that as well. We also need a mechanism to raise the intellectual level of commoners and recruit talented people. Right now, most of them come from career advancement from the military and hereditary incompetence."
"Fufufu, isn't everyone an idiot to Kreschenta-sama?"
"There's a difference between an idiot who can be talked with and an idiot who can't."
'Please don't interrupt me, she grumbled, and pressed the back of her head against Bery's jaw displeased. Bery just smiled pleasantly.
"But that's nice. Was it a school that provided primary education for commoners? I heard there is one in some countries."
"It's in the Republic of Nerka, a long way south of Gulshan. In the Christand army, we send people who can do arithmetic to the logistics department, but I think that even an idiot can understand that level of calculation even if you teach them lightly. If we can put the money and equipment and laws in place. If the commoners as a whole become smarter, I think we will see an increase in national strength in all areas, including commerce."
'Though It's something that should be seen in units of tens of years', her cheeks puffed up again.
"I've always thought it was a waste to spend all that money on vases, paintings, art, and other useless things. I wonder if I should just clean the royal palace of junk this time."
'Humph, humph', Kreschenta said discontentedly, and Bery who crushed (flatten) her cheeks once again told.
"I don't think we should do anything too extreme but..."
"It's not a problem if you give a reason, such as financial difficulties. If the royal family refrains from extravagance, putting aside the merchants, it will surely attract the attention of the people. On top of that, if you give it to the people, it will be easier to grasp their hearts, right? ------It would be outrageous if the royal family spent extravagantly even after I became the master."
'Please stop', she slapped Bery's hands again and swung her legs in a good mood.
While stroking the girl's cheek, Bery smiled.
She didn't take pleasure in luxuries, she didn't take pleasure in hurting people------even though there were many problems, she was certainly trying to lead the kingdom in a good direction.
Even if she couldn't say whether she was good as an individual, her purpose was legitimate, and like Krische, her desires were purer and more beautiful than anyone else's.
"......That may be the case"
"It will be. Of course, there will be various problems, so we will have to wait and see, just like Argan-sama said but...first of all, I will start, with the confiscation of private property from corrupt nobles. I've already set my sights on it."
Kreschenta continued happily.
"If I build up national power like that, Onee-sama won't have to do that kind of work either, and at that time, I wonder if I should hire Onee-sama with the pretext of becoming my exclusive bodyguard. ...Fufun, Argan-sama should just stay in the estate and wait impatiently for Onee-sama and me to return."
"Fufufu, though I'm sure that when she's not working anymore, Krische-sama will want to cook with me."
"Muuu..."
Kreschenta shifted her position on Bery's knees and glared squarely at Bery.
Bery smiled.
"... Don't think that things will always go your way, Argan-sama. At that time, I will already be called Her Majesty the Queen."
"Yes. However, at the same time as being a vassal of Kreschenta-sama, I am also a servant of Krische-sama. ...If Krische-sama wants that, I have no choice but to give up, but if not, Krische-sama will be next to me. And it is the servant's duty to comply with the master's wishes."
Implicitly, it was a declaration that she was the number one to Krische.
Bery smiled at her.
Kreschenta, who was glaring at her, wrinkled her brow.
"And I wonder just who is manipulating Onee-sama's intention so as to match with their own. It's despicable, I know that most of the reasons why Onee-sama is silly is because of Argan-sama."
"I always put Krische-sama happiness first. I think she'll have a lot more fun if she's just a little bit silly, so I'm just teaching her that. I have already sworn and come to terms with everything, so I don't care what anyone says."
----Because I decided to love like that."
Kreschenta frowned.
Bery smiled happily and caressed her cheek.
"If possible, I would like to ask Kreschenta-sama to be a little more honest about that kind of silly happiness."
"I don't want to be an idiot."
"Fufufu, Kreschenta-sama is a very stubborn person, isn't she? That might be the biggest difference from Krische-sama. ...But that part of you is also cute in a different way"
"...Cute is a taboo word. You're making fun of me, aren't you?"
"My! But it's true, look."
*Mugyuu*, Kreschenta's face was pressed against her chest, and Bery held her head and stroked it.
Kreschenta was torn between a sense of happiness and pride, and although she struggled to resist, she was gradually swept away by the comfort and her resistance weakened.
"You should honestly say that you like being treated like this."
"S-...so this is how you ensnared Onee-sama. Coward...j-just wait when my chest gets bigger."
"...Looking at Krische-sama's chest, Kreschenta-sama also----"
"I will grow up big! ...Then, even Onee-sama will hug me."
"Fufu, is that so? I'm looking forward to it."
Kreschenta was frustrated by the remarks that ignored her, but there was a high possibility that it would end up as Bery said.
Without being able to say anything, she was stroked on the head and relaxed.
The feeling of being stroked and patted on the head was something that shook one's instincts.
She recalled the memory of her being treated like a dog and being humiliated, and her gaze wondered.
There was an unnatural pause in the conversation. And it's not like she's sleepy. She was slightly hungry.
When she glanced at Bery, she saw Bery narrowing her eyes somewhat amusedly.
Sensing that she was thinking about the very actions that worried her, Kreschenta glared and averted her gaze.
"I don't know what you are thinking, but I will never let you do what you want today."
"My, making Her Majesty the Queen do as I pleased, what a transgression!"
She chuckled and pulled out a basket she had in a corner.
She knew the sweet apple scent that wafted from it.
This must have been what she had prepared this morning.
And calling Kreschenta, Her Majesty the Queen in such a deliberate tone was the prelude.
"Since I am a servant, all I can do is fulfill my master's wishes. ...Oh, what's wrong?"
Berry meaningfully caught the fact that Kreschenta turned her gaze to the basket.
"Speaking of which... usually at a time like this, to relieve Her Majesty's boredom, I would do something with Her Majesty-no, I don't think I would do such an outrageous thing to Her Majesty. Am I wrong?"
"Uuu..."
"No way, no way, Her Majesty the Queen would imitate a doggy. ...I think I might have mistaken it for Krische-sama. The queen is not supposed to like treats..."
A really deliberate tone.
As if inviting, she opened the cloth covering the basket.
The sweet smell of apples intensified, tickling her nostrils----
"Actually, I secretly baked a sweet apple pie this morning as well because of that misunderstanding but------"
And so, together with her vain resistance, the princess fell today as well.
The group passed through the checkpoint and entered the Imperial State.
However, they did not visit the residences of the nobles.
Although they had sent horses to the important checkpoint, it would not be good for either side for them to visit the residences of the nobles, as the Imperial State had not yet decided their policy.
The reason was that they might be suspected of asking for political cooperation from the Imperial State nobles, and the nobles who received their visit might be suspected of being in collusion with them.
Normally, the royal family of a friendly country would have been welcomed as much as possible, but today as well, they were camping in a tent.
The winter was near. If you go north, the cold will naturally intensify, and it's hard to say that the cold tent was very comfortable----but.
"Fufu, are you warm?"
"Woof!"
Kreschenta was really comfortable, hugging herself with a blanket and Bery, sipping tea that had become warm due to the excessive use of milk.
"Shall we take a rest after drinking? We need to move early tomorrow after all."
"Woof..."
The Kreschenta that rubbed up against Bery's body was a dog.
She was born a princess. Kreschenta was truly a sheltered girl.
Naturally, she was very sensitive to the cold. Very very weak.
It was natural for royalty to spend time in a warm environment----on a cold day like this, it was only natural that they needed to keep their skin warm to keep their bodies from getting cold.
But on days like this, Bery would just look at Kreschenta cheerfully and say, 'Now, come here. It's cold, isn't it?'
In short, Kreschenta could not keep away from the warmth of Bery's body.
It was frustrating to be pampered by Bery.
But it was cold. Very cold.
In less than a quarter of an hour, there were three internal meetings in her head, and the council was in turmoil------and finally came to the unanimous conclusion that she needed to keep warm to maintain her health.
However, to say something like, "I want you to hug me and make me warm!" in front of Bery, who seemed to be fine with the cold, will inevitably lead to further attacks.
Surely Kreschenta, forced to absorb body heat for warmth, would have to repeat her begging request, and the wicked servant would look down at her.
And in the end, she would be forced to imitate a dog------What a humiliation!
----If so, reverse the idea.
It would be fine if she just became a dog from the beginning.
Kreschenta's lucid mind was clear even in the cold.
Although the meal was interrupted, Kreschenta had already been forced to imitate a dog today.
And she was humiliated enough at that time.
There was no reason for Kreschenta to feel humiliated by being forced to imitate a dog again since she was already humiliated during the day.
"Kuun.."
This was certainly not her intention. It was this servant who was at fault.
Her precious sweets were being held hostage and she was forced to imitate a dog against her will, not that Kreschenta wished to imitate a dog.
As expected, Bery compiled, just by rubbing up against her and making a single 'woof' sound.
She lured Bery into the blanket, then Bery poured her another cup of tea, held her close, and cuddled her while stroking her head.
All Kreschenta had to do was woof and purr.
It can't be helped because she's forced to imitate a dog, whether it's snuggling up to her for comfort or burying her face in Bery's chest and having her head stroked.
At this moment, she was a dog.
By believing that, the shame was pushed to the back of her mind----Kreschenta was left to her instincts.
"Waafu..."
"My, you're quite spoiled today. Fufu, good girl, good girl."
"...Wauu."
Her head was gently stroked, and her head melted in euphoria.
It was the ultimate happiness to be hugged and stroked on the head while drinking sweet tea.
It was ridiculous that she had been shivering in the cold until just now.
She loosened her cheeks and rubbed her head against hers----it was normal for a dog to do this.
She couldn't help it because she was being forced to imitate a dog.
It was a despicable coercion, but it was never of her own will.
After finishing her tea and setting it down on the simple desk, she looked up at Bery.
She adjusted the position of her body and rubbed their cheeks together and whined.
If she had a tail, she would be wagging it from side to side.
It was an appeal for Bery to take her to bed.
"Okay. Shall we take a rest then?"
"Woof!"
Bery was an excellent owner who never misunderstood what her dog wanted.
Drowsiness and a warm body.
Kreschenta was entranced and----
"Your Royal Highness, pardon me for asking this when you're about to rest but, may I have a moment?"
Kreschenta jumped up as soon as she heard such a voice from outside the tent.
She adjusted her sitting posture and switched to princess mode.
"Yes, it's fine. Is there something wrong?"
"A messenger from the Imperial State has come. They asked for an audience."
"... Understood. Please wait a little while, I'll be there soon."
The voice was clear----but the timing was...
Her face was puffed up with irreparable dissatisfaction.
Bery smiled wryly and wrapped both of her hands around her cheeks.
*fyuu~*, a pitiful sound echoed in the tent.
