The Stuart Family’s Drawing Room [Part 3]
“Imperial Japan has been living sufficiently on its own until now, so we didn’t establish any diplomatic relations. The people had no need to study foreign languages, and only a few people can speak Balitu that they visit on vacations. Imperial Japan is now suffering from food shortages. Could Emma-san please, lend out her support for us?”
Imperial Prince Tasuku came to seek the Kingdom’s aid for his country’s plight, but there were limitations in doing diplomatic discussions by himself. That’s why he wanted to ask for Emma’s help. The Imperial Prince, who had been silent until now, tried hard to convey his intentions in the Kingdom language he’s still not used with.
“It is the duty of every citizen to serve the country. Moreover, those in the nobility don’t have the right to refuse. Why must an imperial prince such as yourself talk humbly like so? It’s merely one daughter of a Count, please make use of her as you like.”
Oliver flattered the Imperial Prince and made a statement to offer up Emma on his own accord without asking the Stuart family’s opinion. The Stuarts never said they would cooperate, and the diplomats were supposed to be one in the position to ask. And despite that, they probably could act all-important to this extent because they had the great excuse of “for the Kingdom’s sake.”
With an attitude that wasn’t like the side receiving Oliver’s request, Melsa’s anger reached its climax.
“Our Stuart family protects more than half of the monster-appearing borderland areas of the whole Kingdom. In addition, we have a sericulture business and pay huge taxes. And you’re telling me that on top of that, you still want our weak and shy daughter as a diplomatic tool? …Fine, we’re okay with it, you see? Even if we have to move to another country. Well, if that time comes… the Rothschild Company will be moving out along with us, though.”
*fsshhh* Blood drained out from the King and the diplomats’ faces.
Other than the Stuart family, the Kingdom currently had no nobles or hunters who could handle such a large area with monster appearances.
The tax paid by the Stuart House was the pillar of the national budget, and if it’s gone, the Kingdom would seriously go to ruin.
Then there’s the Rothschild Company. Taking the lead in the whole country’s goods distribution and foreign trade, added with their well-experienced employees that could smoothly make profits, the company had become the cornerstone of the Kingdom’s commerce.
In the first place, if the high-quality silk from Palace is no longer available in the market, they will definitely be scolded by their wives and daughters.
” ” ” “W-We’re sorryyyy!!!” ” ” “
The diplomats prostrated before the Stuart couple all at once. The King, too, had lowered his head.
‘Why? Why is this household only a Count rank when they have been the one dominating the security and economy of the Kingdom up until now?’ The diplomats were confused.
“Ahhh, even His Majesty too… Please raise your head, Your Majesty.”
Leonard was flustered.
Melsa’s scary when she’s angry. It’s more troubling because Oliver never learned even though he had received Melsa’s wrath a lot since their academy days.
“No, well, considering the Stuart House’s contribution to our kingdom, I should give you a higher title after all…”
The King began to bring up the rewards they had refused to take before.
“No, Your Majesty. I can’t accept that!! It is really enough as it is now!”
The well-built Leonard tried hard to resolve the situation in an even more flustered and panicked manner.
He had a huge body but couldn’t come out strongly because of his original peace-loving personality.
“Hm, then as I thought… right here, I should decide on my Edward and Emma-chan‘s engageme…”
“Emma won’t become a bride!!!!!”
Leonard, who had been fidgety until then, stood up and shouted in an accusing manner before the King could finish his words.
He looked down at the King murderously, and because it’s important, he repeated it again with an exceedingly low voice,
“Emma won’t become a bride, understand? Even if there’s a royal order, she definitely won’t.”
Leonard’s murderous aura, which had been honed from burying so many monsters, wasn’t something the diplomats with zero combat experience could bear.
Still prostrating, they could do nothing but tremble.
Both of their eyes started tearing on their own, but they also couldn’t stop it.
When their tears fell on the drawing room’s carpet, they became water droplets that decorated the white carpet instead of soaking into it.
The diplomats still noticed it even between their fears.
The carpet covering every part of this large drawing room… Pure white and fluffy… This soft touch, waterproof material… It’s one-horned rabbit fur that’s very popular in the royal capital and highly priced because of its rarity…!
When their wives and daughters pestered them to buy a coat last year, they saw the price and shouted, “Are you kidding me?!” It was that very one-horned rabbit fur… carpet?
The whole floor… is covered with… one-horned… rabbit… fur…!?
Please, somehow, let me out of this drawing room quickly.
The diplomats all felt the same thing, but they were so scared that their bodies wouldn’t move.
♠♠♠
Author’s words: What should I do… The talk isn’t progressing at all (wry smile).
