Chapter 52

Note: The value of a large gold coin is about one million yen. Five hundred coins are worth about five hundred million yen.

One week after Alesia completed her registration as a mage, a letter arrived from the Faril Kingdom to the Laminb Kingdom.

The letter stated that "A person from the Laminb Kingdom had illegally entered the Faril Kingdom without passing through the border checkpoint and had robbed the homes of Faril farmers, stealing money, food, and other items."

When the palace clerk asked the Faril envoy, "Do you have any evidence that the robbers were from Laminb?" the envoy replied, "The captured criminals confessed."

The clerk, while thinking (Is this really something to bring to His Majesty's attention?), continued reading the letter and was almost shocked out of his wits when he saw the total amount of damage listed at the end.

"Five hundred large gold coins? How can the damage be so high just from raiding farmers' homes!"

"The women in that area weave during the long winter farming off-season. They produce Godar weaving, a super-high-end product made with silk and intricate patterns. Not only were all the finished products taken, but several master weavers were severely injured and can no longer work on Godar weaving. Therefore, the damage amount is significant."

The clerk listened to the detailed explanation, put the response on hold, and instructed the envoy to return to the palace a few days later. Then, he immediately reported to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Upon hearing the report, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs said, "They're making quite a fuss again. This is probably just harassment, and they're trying to get some political concession."

While reading the letter, he added, "It's not a political matter, but they said, 'Instead of five hundred large gold coins, we can accept a certain girl. It seems that Prince Helrod took a liking to a farmer's girl during his studies.'"

"Ha! They want a farmer's girl for this? What are the Faril people thinking!"

"The girl and her parents must consent, but if a farmer's daughter is favored by the Faril royal family, it would be a great promotion."

The Deputy Minister thought it would be decided to hand over the girl, but the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who heard the report, looked shocked and stared at him.

"What's the girl's name?"

"It's Alesia, they say."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs stood up as if he had been pushed back by a chair and shouted, "I will report to His Majesty!" and rushed out of the ministerial office. The Deputy Minister watched him go with his mouth half-open, thinking (Huh? Why?).

---

In the King's office.

"Hmm. Five hundred large gold coins. Another infuriating amount. It's not impossible to pay, but it's not an amount to just hand over. Minister of Foreign Affairs, we need to negotiate a reduction. I expected Helrod to try something, but really, that country..."

King Isaiah was annoyed by this matter, which unexpectedly reached Princess Edna's ears through an unusual route.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs had asked the clerk, "Do you know a farmer's girl named Alesia? Is she famous for something?" A female clerk working nearby knew Alesia's name.

Her cousin served as a lady-in-waiting to Princess Edna and had mentioned the girl named Alesia.

According to her cousin, "She is the daughter of the orchard that supplies the Queen's favorite fruit and is a great favorite of Princess Edna. The Princess is looking forward to meeting her at the palace."

The clerk pretended to work while listening. After finishing her work that evening, she went to her cousin and told her about the situation.

The lady-in-waiting thought for a moment but quickly whispered to Princess Edna, "I heard this from a rumor, so it's not certain, but..."

"What! That man? I absolutely won't allow it!"

The lady-in-waiting was surprised and frightened to see the usually cheerful and kind Princess Edna in a rage.

"I thought he was the type to do something like this. Of all people, he wants Alesia? Grrrr!"

The lady-in-waiting was flustered as Princess Edna, unable to vent her anger, bit her handkerchief and stomped her feet.

"I'm going to see my brother!" Princess Edna left the room, and the lady-in-waiting hurriedly followed.

Edna had been raised with the heartfelt respect of everyone in the palace. Because of this, she could discern whether someone's affection was genuine or fake. Helrod's friendliness, his smile, his voice, and his attitude were all fake.

Even though fake friendliness was also directed at people outside the palace, it was flattery. But Helrod's friendliness set off alarm bells in Edna's mind after just a short time together.

Edna was not informed that Helrod had been searching the orchard at night or that he had severely injured Ethan there.

Still, she thought (That man is no good. Absolutely no good. I can't let Alesia be given to that man) and hurried to her brother's office.

"Brother Markus!"

Ignoring the guards at the door of her brother's office, Edna burst in with a loud bang, but only Gil, who was organizing completed documents, was in the room.

"Gil, where is my brother?"

"His Highness went to the King's office."

"To Father? About Helrod demanding Alesia?"

"Princess, who told you that?"

Edna, who was often frustrated at not being included in political discussions, puffed out her chest and said, "Hmph. I am also a member of the royal family. I have the means to obtain such information."

Gil thought (She probably heard it from a loose-lipped lady-in-waiting) but bowed and said, "Impressive. I am truly impressed."

Princess Edna immediately realized she had been politely dismissed.

"Gil, do you realize that when you say something insincere, your lips slightly twist? You still have a lot to learn as the Crown Prince's attendant."

With that, Edna headed for her father's office.

Left behind, Gil touched his mouth and worried, (Really? Is it twisted?).