Now, Go Ahead and Stamp It - Chapter 37

“Yes. The informant was someone who didn’t want to be involved in Krembell’s rebellion and escaped, and he informed me about the dangers of Krembell. However, even without the informant’s words, I am considering the worst-case scenario that Krembell is plotting a rebellion based on the circumstances.”

“Gunpowder and firearms found at the same time as ordinary weapons… It’s certainly suspicious.”

“Yes. Even if Krembell isn’t the culprit regarding the gunpowder and firearms, he was already illegally distributing swords. We need to take measures against that.”

“I agree.”

“So, I tried to create evidence as insurance and took action…”

“It’s amazing that you learned to do this. It’s annoying, but I have nothing to criticize.”

“Thank you.”

“So, is that all you have to say? You’re going to take measures?”

“Yes. There is a deep rift between Krembell and Crient due to the divorce issue, and now this incident has occurred. Since it’s a case related to the imperial family, we won’t be suspected if we intervene directly.”

At his words, Hedges squinted his eyes.

“So, we intervene and make the divorce happen?”

“That’s right.”

“If we tear Krembell and Crient apart, it will cut off their financial resources, which will serve as a temporary measure. But if we remove Krembell like that, we’ll lose a vote in the Meeting of the Lords. How do you plan to recover that?”

“That…”

As expected, the question came this far.

Kaiden’s Adam’s apple moved once.

“…I will recruit Marquis Avalanche.”

“You? How?”

Recruiting Marquis Avalanche was something even the emperor had attempted before but failed.

[All I need is Lady Sorbon. The groundwork is laid, so please wait a little.]

‘No matter how much I think about it, it’s hard to convince Father with this.’

He himself had seen how Lady Crient handled things, so he accepted such an absurd notification, but not his father.

Kaiden decided to deflect the conversation appropriately for now.

“Your Majesty. Please trust the son who came this far from nothing.”

But the emperor was sharp.

“It didn’t come from your head, did it?”

“…Yes. Everything I mentioned now came from the current Duchess Krembell, Ellen Krembell, in other words, the eldest daughter of Crient.”

“She was the informant. An insider whistleblower… Is she trustworthy?”

“Regardless of my trust, there’s nothing to lose by joining hands with her now.”

“No. If you want to mediate the divorce without antagonizing Krembell, you must offer something equivalent in return.”

“That part is…”

Kaiden sighed, feeling as if he had hit another high wall.

Will Father believe me if I explain this?

“So… she asked if the imperial family has any Magnolia bonds.”

“What? How did she know about that?”

“She said it’s only natural to have assets in other countries unaffected by domestic nobles’ influence…”

Kaiden shook his head as he spoke.

“Anyway, she said that Magnolia would lose in the war against Triballos this time, so we should transfer all the bonds.”

“That can’t be! They are a kingdom with a long history. They may have a small territory, but they are not a country without potential.”

“Father. She truly has foresight into the future. And please at least look at this.”

Kaiden handed over what he had brought.

“…A certificate?”

“Yes. In case her prediction is wrong, it’s a certificate stating she will compensate for the losses incurred from the bond transfer.”

“My goodness.”

Hedges’ mouth dropped open.

“She is that confident.”

Kaiden inwardly pleaded for this to be enough to convince him.

Hedges, who was examining the certificate to see if his words were true, spoke with a very bewildered expression.

“…You always caused trouble, yet somehow you picked up an advisor like you.”

Kaiden frowned at Hedges’ words, unsure if it was a compliment or an insult.

“Fine. The board you’ve set up isn’t too bad, so I’ll go along with it. Tell Count Crient to send a letter of protest to me and the Krembell family.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Kaiden left the audience chamber, feeling satisfied with the unexpectedly smooth meeting with his father.

‘With this, I can finally give something in return.’

He went to find Ellen with excitement to report today’s achievements.

But he was met not by Ellen but by a maid tidying up the room.

“The lady has gone out for a while.”

Unable to hide his slight disappointment at her absence, Kaiden walked out slowly.

He wanted to tell her that it ended successfully and that it was her turn for her wish to come true.

‘But she went out? Where could she have gone with that uncomfortable body…’

Wondering about her purpose for going out, Kaiden returned to his office and encountered the chamberlain waiting for him.

“Your Highness. There is a message from Lady Crient.”

“A message?”

Kaiden quickly took the small envelope handed over by the chamberlain.

<Going out for family matters. Accompanied by Sir Cheshire, so don’t worry too much.

PS. Officially, you are protecting me now, so with your knight, Sir Cheshire, they won’t dare to act recklessly.>

Reading the postscript she added, Kaiden let out a hollow laugh.

‘So, she’s telling me not to rush after her like last time.’

“Should I commend her for at least leaving a note…”

“Your Highness. Are you alright?”

“There’s no particular reason not to be. Why do you ask?”

“Well…”

Because I know how much effort Your Highness is putting into that lady.

But instead of saying that out loud, the chamberlain chose to suggest a solution indirectly.

“Since it’s come to this, how about Your Highness using this as an excuse for your outing schedule?”

“What do you mean?”

“She provides an official pretext for you. Why not go out to greet her and also investigate the current state of affairs? In the meantime, it wouldn’t be bad to pick a nice gift for the lady.”

“…That sounds good. You’ve been impressing me lately.”

As Kaiden looked at him with genuine surprise, the chamberlain smiled like he was looking at an undergrown boy.

“Then I will prepare immediately.”

“Yes. Let’s go right away.”

Kaiden hurried his steps.

* * *

“Sir.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

In the running carriage, Kaiden, who had gone out with Sir Coenheim Morris, asked.

“To win a woman’s favor, I mean, to make a good impression, what kind of gift would be good?”

“…A gift that the lady is interested in would be good.”

“I’m asking because I don’t know that.”

Morris sighed once and said.

“If it’s Lady Crient, perhaps she would like a gift that could inspire her business sense.”

“How did you know it was the lady?”

“…..”

As Morris remained silent, Kaiden seemed to think there was no need to hear the answer and began to immerse himself in his thoughts.

“Inspiration for business…”

I have no idea.

Kaiden’s face became serious.

“I noticed before that she seemed very interested in fashion. She’s running a boutique, after all. Isn’t that right?”

As Kaiden murmured, Morris also nodded.

“That’s how it appears to me as well.”

“Then how does one get inspiration in fashion?”

“……”

“Yes. It’s indeed a difficult topic for us.”

Kaiden admitted they had no answers.

“Then we should ask someone in that industry. Head to the fashion district.”

At the crown prince’s instruction, the coachman whipped the horses.

Giddy up, giddy up!

The carriage rolled with a lively sound.

As they began to enter the city, the crowd caused the carriage’s speed to slow significantly.

After waiting for a while, Kaiden spoke.

“Let’s just stop here. I should start from over there.”

The place he pointed to was a jewelry shop with a luxurious title in white and gold tones.

“If it’s jewelry and precious metals, they are indispensable in fashion.”

Kaiden said, rubbing his chin.

“Let’s go.”

Ding―

With a cheerful sound, the door opened, and the crown prince’s party entered.

The shop’s interior, like its exterior, was bright and elegant, with clean and luxurious decorations that reminded him of someone.

‘Seems like it would suit Lady Crient well, the atmosphere.’

A clerk, noticing the new customers, approached with a polite attitude and greeted them.

“Hello, customer. Are you looking for something specific?”

“I’m trying to find a gift for a lady interested in fashion, but I’m not sure what a businesswoman would like.”

“Oh my, it’s for a gift. If she’s a businesswoman, they usually look for products that are simple yet not cheap-looking, using high-quality gemstones—”

At Kaiden’s question, the clerk quickly walked over and brought a product from the display case.

“They often choose designs like this. Although you’ll have to choose the gemstone separately, it’s generally elegant rather than flashy—”

Unable to handle the clerk’s sudden influx of words, Kaiden looked at Morris.

He wasn’t even looking at the jewelry.

“…If there’s a suitable piece of jewelry, that would be nice, but I’m looking for something that could provide business inspiration.”

Kaiden redirected the conversation, unable to handle the clerk’s explanation.

The clerk smiled brightly.

“Oh my, is your lover in the fashion business? Then she might be looking for something a bit unique rather than common designs. We always provide enough support for our designers to try new things, and we hold exhibitions every quarter. Would you like to see this collection?”

Kaiden felt a bit dizzy.

It was then, while following the clerk’s guidance to move to the inner room,

Three people with an unusual combination came into his view.

A maid pushing a wheelchair, a woman sitting in the wheelchair, and a knight escorting them from behind.

“…Lady?”

“Lord Kaiden?”

In other words, Ellen Crient’s party was right in front of his eyes.