Time passed quickly, and now there were only ten days left until the end of the competition. The hospital was running perfectly.
Thanks to the low cost of treatment compared to other clinics, patients kept coming in. A considerable amount of money was also coming in under the name of sponsorship.
Cesare, who could not stand to see the patients overflowing, had to go to a nearby town to look for a new hospital site.
It was a good thing. The more hospitals there were, the fewer people would be unable to receive treatment. Then, people like Olga would disappear.
Since the target was poor people, it wouldn't be of much help to the overall economic development of Vostok... I believed that this was the right direction. There was always another way to make money.
“What is the situation now?”
I rubbed the back of my neck, which was sore, and asked the treasurer. The area under his eyes was dark with fatigue, as if he hadn't slept for several days.
“The water and sewerage work will probably be finished by tomorrow. And since we’ve turned off the road, we’ve also finished the dirt road work with the remaining budget.”
“Good. How about glassware?”
“The five hundred units I pre-ordered will arrive tomorrow morning.”
It was Jacqueline who quickly answered this question.
“Have you applied to participate in the exhibition?”
“It has been approved. You can send the samples and goods within three days.”
It was Cesare who answered in a voice that was dying of fatigue. After sitting so close to him for the past few days, I could now tell what he was going to say just by looking at his face.
“If I receive the finished product by tomorrow morning, the product will be ready around lunchtime.”
“I will take it to Valsen myself.”
I nodded. It was a bit unfortunate that we had to use the fair held by Princess Veronica to promote our products... but it was a really good opportunity for us, so there was nothing we could do.
However, during the process, a fictional character named 'Lady Claire' appeared.
“Then go in and sleep...”
Cesare did not refuse, but stood up, staggering forward.
The glassware arrived exactly as Jacqueline had promised, in the morning.
I opened the lids of each piece one by one to check if anything was broken. Fortunately, all the pieces were very nice, and the space for the contents was deep and smooth, and there were no cracks.
The material chosen for the craft was a skin cream made from whitening vinegar. Following the instructions of the head maid, the ladies with skilled hands were mobilized to make the cosmetics.
“Everyone, please handle it with care.”
By lunchtime, the initial quantity of five hundred had been completed.
They were wrapped in high-quality fabric to prevent them from breaking, and each was placed in a box designed by Irina herself. This was to make them feel like very high-quality items, in line with the tastes of the nobles.
“Take care on your way back.”
“It takes about two days to get to Valsen by carriage, so the results will come out in four days.”
“I trust you. You know?”
Cesare nodded and set off, accompanied by several knights. I clasped my hands together as if praying. I did all I could.
From now on, I really had no choice but to leave it up to heaven.
Time, which I had thought was passing too quickly, surprisingly slowed down like a snail as soon as Cesare set off. Even though everything was going well, my thoughts kept drifting towards the worst.
I was obsessively looking for work. Fortunately, I still had work to do.
“I’m talking about the farmland I bought. Can’t I turn it into a herb garden?”
Although most of the budget was executed efficiently, the unfortunate part was the remaining farmland.
After consulting with gardeners, I managed to convert most of it into a herb garden. Of course, the work was done by the gardeners and the gardeners...
“Um, Your Highness...”
“What's going on?”
Then one day, the head maid cautiously asked me to have a private conversation.
“It seems that rumors have been going around among the ladies that Your Highness is cultivating a medicinal herb garden.”
“Is that so?”
Since it was such a small town, it wasn't surprising that every single thing I did became a rumor. I was tilting my head at the moment, wondering if it was really something that needed to be privately interviewed.
“You mentioned before that they could rent land at a low price, and many people are asking if that is still possible.”
“...Suddenly?”
“I guess they’re interested in the cosmetics business using herbal medicine.”
This was something I never thought of. It was the ladies who quickly got the information that I wanted to grow the herbal medicine industry in Vostok, and that it was in the cosmetics sector, and they took the initiative.
The fact that growing herbs requires less effort than growing crops was also a decisive factor in their decision.
“So everyone is cautious, but I would like to ask Your Highness what you think...”
“Nothing has changed. I will assign a financial officer, and he will lend it to anyone who wants it. The conditions are the same as before.”
"All right."
It was a good thing. Even though I was the one who started it, in order for it to eventually settle down as a basic industry, the continued participation of the residents was necessary.
Now the only question left was how successful the whitening cream would be at the expo.
At lunchtime, on the third day after Cesare left for Valencia, the long-awaited news finally arrived.
The news that Cesare's messenger brought me was even better than I had expected. 'Lady Claire's Whitening Cream' sold out all 500 units in one hour on the first day of the exhibition.
As Jacqueline had playfully advised, the items were so expensive that they were sold for five times the production cost... It seemed that the gorgeous handicrafts and high-quality cosmetics had captured the hearts of noble ladies.
“The Countess has placed an order to purchase fifty as a gift.”
“I would like to inquire as to when Your Highness can expect to receive the finished product...”
“Thirty right now?”
Before we had time to rejoice at the news of our huge success, pre-orders started pouring in the next day.
Cesare advised that to increase the value of the goods, he should contract for the items that would go to the owners of the most luxurious salons, which alone amounted to two thousand pieces.
Fortunately, the quantity of handicrafts ordered in advance was a tight match. The maids and ladies worked through the night to make the quantity, and thanks to this, they were able to supply the entire contracted quantity before one-fifth of the promised deadline had passed.
As a result of the smooth supply, more nobles wanted to buy 'Lady Claire's Whitening Cream'. Needless to say, the upper class was eager to sign exclusive contracts.
'Lady Claire's Whitening Cream' began to take hold as a trend in the social world. The ladies did not rest on their laurels and continued to invent new products.
Creams and toners made from rosemary, turmeric, and cinnamon, which were previously favored by noblewomen, were developed one after another.
As the product range became more diverse, the aristocrats were not satisfied with simply looking at catalogs and ordering. They wanted to come and experience various products in person.
I bought a large building and furnished it with luxurious furniture.
The maid assigned specially trained personnel and put up a fancy sign with the name 'Lady Claire'. From the first day of opening, there was a constant stream of carriages of nobles.
More than five times the initial investment began to be recovered. Money began to call for money. The muddy roads were paved with clean stones, and expensive gas streetlights began to be installed in alleys where public safety was poor.
The walls of the shabby neighborhood were repaired, and the expressions of the residents, who had been dark and closed off, brightened.
At this point, the Lord of Vostok was also walking around smiling brightly.
I smiled back and vowed that I would return to the capital and send down an imperial treasurer every season.
And finally, the day came when the long, long third competition ended.
“Your Highness, I will really miss you.”
“I will miss you.”
“You must come again!”
The end of the competition meant that it was time for me to return to the capital.
I left the lord's mansion to a much different welcome than when I first arrived.
While the servants were loading the luggage, the maids of the lord's castle, whom I had become close with, approached me and expressed their regret. I couldn't hug each and every one of them because the knights who were escorting me were reluctant, but I couldn't just pass by Sonya.
“Your Highness. I am sure we will meet again.”
"Then."
Sonya buried her head in my shoulder and sniffled. I hugged her tightly.
“You must go now.”
Cesare, mounted on horseback, spoke in a businesslike tone. There was no time to delay, for people were already swarming outside the castle to watch me leave.
Finally, I looked at the faces of the people gathered near the carriage one by one and greeted them.
"Your Highness!"
“No, I’m sorry I’m late.”
The ones who came running in were the head maid and Edgar. My eyes widened at the unexpected combination.
No, how did someone busy taking care of patients since morning end up here?
“What happened up to here? What about the hospital?”
Edgar gasped and handed a large box to the knight standing next to me.
“You weren’t even planning on taking a souvenir with you?”
A souvenir? At my nod, the knight opened the box. I was speechless for a moment after seeing the contents inside.
It was... a cloak made from the skin of a white wolf.
The head maid added with an elegant smile.
“It is said that the white wolf skin produced in Vostok has been used in the coronation of Emperors since ancient times.”
“...”
“Your Highness will need it.”
Was this a coincidence or a confirmation? Either way, one thing was certain: this was an item that was too expensive for their salaries.
I bit my lips hard. This was all I could barely get out.
"...Thank you."
“And finally, there’s one thing I have to ask you.”
Edgar said, one hand on his waist and the other holding up his index finger.
Since his face looked like it was about to get scolded, I crossed my arms defensively and asked.
“What is that?”
“Your Highness, after completing this competition and returning, you will ascend to the throne as Crown Princess, and later as Emperor.”
“...Maybe, that could be the case.”
“It is a precious experience to have someone like that respect people like us. It is touching. But it is no longer necessary.”
“...”
“Please treat your subordinates as subordinates.”
The old man's serious, sunken gray eyes stared piercingly at me.
The implication was clear. In fact, in terms of status alone, I was not supposed to be courting anyone but the Emperor.
The reason I have not been criticized so much until now is because of my past of living as a commoner for a long time.
But if one was determined to ascend to the throne of the Emperor, one also needed to have the appropriate dignity.
Even if it's something that makes me anxious and something I instinctively reject.
“...Keep that in mind.”
Edgar, who burst into a satisfied laugh, slowly bowed to me. From there, as if ripples were forming, the people gathered all began to kneel before me.
The servants, the maids, and even the Vostok residents who were waiting outside the castle for me to come out.
Their blessings and cheers poured down at my feet.
“May Temer’s blessings be upon Her Royal Highness the Princess!”
“May the Emperor find a true successor!”
“Greetings to our Highness!”
All the voices were mixed together, and those were the only words that could be heard.
But with just that, all my anxiety subsided.
Finally, the three-month competition came to an end.
While the vote to determine the ultimate winner was underway, the empire's intellectuals evaluated the policies of the two rivals by their own standards.
Commentary continued day after day, from cheap gossip to Poste Brum.
Princess Veronica achieved the success of the fair in an extremely noble and elegant manner, but she could not avoid criticism that it only provided a temporary economic stimulus.
On the other hand, Princess Anastasia's policy of developing specialty products was evaluated as being somewhat lacking in dignity, but close to perfect in terms of reinvestment in welfare.
The majority of the imperial people overwhelmingly supported the princess's policies, and her popularity soared to unprecedented levels.
After a week, the winner was finally announced.
Thanks to the low cost of treatment compared to other clinics, patients kept coming in. A considerable amount of money was also coming in under the name of sponsorship.
Cesare, who could not stand to see the patients overflowing, had to go to a nearby town to look for a new hospital site.
It was a good thing. The more hospitals there were, the fewer people would be unable to receive treatment. Then, people like Olga would disappear.
Since the target was poor people, it wouldn't be of much help to the overall economic development of Vostok... I believed that this was the right direction. There was always another way to make money.
“What is the situation now?”
I rubbed the back of my neck, which was sore, and asked the treasurer. The area under his eyes was dark with fatigue, as if he hadn't slept for several days.
“The water and sewerage work will probably be finished by tomorrow. And since we’ve turned off the road, we’ve also finished the dirt road work with the remaining budget.”
“Good. How about glassware?”
“The five hundred units I pre-ordered will arrive tomorrow morning.”
It was Jacqueline who quickly answered this question.
“Have you applied to participate in the exhibition?”
“It has been approved. You can send the samples and goods within three days.”
It was Cesare who answered in a voice that was dying of fatigue. After sitting so close to him for the past few days, I could now tell what he was going to say just by looking at his face.
“If I receive the finished product by tomorrow morning, the product will be ready around lunchtime.”
“I will take it to Valsen myself.”
I nodded. It was a bit unfortunate that we had to use the fair held by Princess Veronica to promote our products... but it was a really good opportunity for us, so there was nothing we could do.
However, during the process, a fictional character named 'Lady Claire' appeared.
“Then go in and sleep...”
Cesare did not refuse, but stood up, staggering forward.
***
The glassware arrived exactly as Jacqueline had promised, in the morning.
I opened the lids of each piece one by one to check if anything was broken. Fortunately, all the pieces were very nice, and the space for the contents was deep and smooth, and there were no cracks.
The material chosen for the craft was a skin cream made from whitening vinegar. Following the instructions of the head maid, the ladies with skilled hands were mobilized to make the cosmetics.
“Everyone, please handle it with care.”
By lunchtime, the initial quantity of five hundred had been completed.
They were wrapped in high-quality fabric to prevent them from breaking, and each was placed in a box designed by Irina herself. This was to make them feel like very high-quality items, in line with the tastes of the nobles.
“Take care on your way back.”
“It takes about two days to get to Valsen by carriage, so the results will come out in four days.”
“I trust you. You know?”
Cesare nodded and set off, accompanied by several knights. I clasped my hands together as if praying. I did all I could.
From now on, I really had no choice but to leave it up to heaven.
***
Time, which I had thought was passing too quickly, surprisingly slowed down like a snail as soon as Cesare set off. Even though everything was going well, my thoughts kept drifting towards the worst.
I was obsessively looking for work. Fortunately, I still had work to do.
“I’m talking about the farmland I bought. Can’t I turn it into a herb garden?”
Although most of the budget was executed efficiently, the unfortunate part was the remaining farmland.
After consulting with gardeners, I managed to convert most of it into a herb garden. Of course, the work was done by the gardeners and the gardeners...
“Um, Your Highness...”
“What's going on?”
Then one day, the head maid cautiously asked me to have a private conversation.
“It seems that rumors have been going around among the ladies that Your Highness is cultivating a medicinal herb garden.”
“Is that so?”
Since it was such a small town, it wasn't surprising that every single thing I did became a rumor. I was tilting my head at the moment, wondering if it was really something that needed to be privately interviewed.
“You mentioned before that they could rent land at a low price, and many people are asking if that is still possible.”
“...Suddenly?”
“I guess they’re interested in the cosmetics business using herbal medicine.”
This was something I never thought of. It was the ladies who quickly got the information that I wanted to grow the herbal medicine industry in Vostok, and that it was in the cosmetics sector, and they took the initiative.
The fact that growing herbs requires less effort than growing crops was also a decisive factor in their decision.
“So everyone is cautious, but I would like to ask Your Highness what you think...”
“Nothing has changed. I will assign a financial officer, and he will lend it to anyone who wants it. The conditions are the same as before.”
"All right."
It was a good thing. Even though I was the one who started it, in order for it to eventually settle down as a basic industry, the continued participation of the residents was necessary.
Now the only question left was how successful the whitening cream would be at the expo.
At lunchtime, on the third day after Cesare left for Valencia, the long-awaited news finally arrived.
***
The news that Cesare's messenger brought me was even better than I had expected. 'Lady Claire's Whitening Cream' sold out all 500 units in one hour on the first day of the exhibition.
As Jacqueline had playfully advised, the items were so expensive that they were sold for five times the production cost... It seemed that the gorgeous handicrafts and high-quality cosmetics had captured the hearts of noble ladies.
“The Countess has placed an order to purchase fifty as a gift.”
“I would like to inquire as to when Your Highness can expect to receive the finished product...”
“Thirty right now?”
Before we had time to rejoice at the news of our huge success, pre-orders started pouring in the next day.
Cesare advised that to increase the value of the goods, he should contract for the items that would go to the owners of the most luxurious salons, which alone amounted to two thousand pieces.
Fortunately, the quantity of handicrafts ordered in advance was a tight match. The maids and ladies worked through the night to make the quantity, and thanks to this, they were able to supply the entire contracted quantity before one-fifth of the promised deadline had passed.
As a result of the smooth supply, more nobles wanted to buy 'Lady Claire's Whitening Cream'. Needless to say, the upper class was eager to sign exclusive contracts.
'Lady Claire's Whitening Cream' began to take hold as a trend in the social world. The ladies did not rest on their laurels and continued to invent new products.
Creams and toners made from rosemary, turmeric, and cinnamon, which were previously favored by noblewomen, were developed one after another.
As the product range became more diverse, the aristocrats were not satisfied with simply looking at catalogs and ordering. They wanted to come and experience various products in person.
I bought a large building and furnished it with luxurious furniture.
The maid assigned specially trained personnel and put up a fancy sign with the name 'Lady Claire'. From the first day of opening, there was a constant stream of carriages of nobles.
More than five times the initial investment began to be recovered. Money began to call for money. The muddy roads were paved with clean stones, and expensive gas streetlights began to be installed in alleys where public safety was poor.
The walls of the shabby neighborhood were repaired, and the expressions of the residents, who had been dark and closed off, brightened.
At this point, the Lord of Vostok was also walking around smiling brightly.
I smiled back and vowed that I would return to the capital and send down an imperial treasurer every season.
And finally, the day came when the long, long third competition ended.
***
“Your Highness, I will really miss you.”
“I will miss you.”
“You must come again!”
The end of the competition meant that it was time for me to return to the capital.
I left the lord's mansion to a much different welcome than when I first arrived.
While the servants were loading the luggage, the maids of the lord's castle, whom I had become close with, approached me and expressed their regret. I couldn't hug each and every one of them because the knights who were escorting me were reluctant, but I couldn't just pass by Sonya.
“Your Highness. I am sure we will meet again.”
"Then."
Sonya buried her head in my shoulder and sniffled. I hugged her tightly.
“You must go now.”
Cesare, mounted on horseback, spoke in a businesslike tone. There was no time to delay, for people were already swarming outside the castle to watch me leave.
Finally, I looked at the faces of the people gathered near the carriage one by one and greeted them.
"Your Highness!"
“No, I’m sorry I’m late.”
The ones who came running in were the head maid and Edgar. My eyes widened at the unexpected combination.
No, how did someone busy taking care of patients since morning end up here?
“What happened up to here? What about the hospital?”
Edgar gasped and handed a large box to the knight standing next to me.
“You weren’t even planning on taking a souvenir with you?”
A souvenir? At my nod, the knight opened the box. I was speechless for a moment after seeing the contents inside.
It was... a cloak made from the skin of a white wolf.
The head maid added with an elegant smile.
“It is said that the white wolf skin produced in Vostok has been used in the coronation of Emperors since ancient times.”
“...”
“Your Highness will need it.”
Was this a coincidence or a confirmation? Either way, one thing was certain: this was an item that was too expensive for their salaries.
I bit my lips hard. This was all I could barely get out.
"...Thank you."
“And finally, there’s one thing I have to ask you.”
Edgar said, one hand on his waist and the other holding up his index finger.
Since his face looked like it was about to get scolded, I crossed my arms defensively and asked.
“What is that?”
“Your Highness, after completing this competition and returning, you will ascend to the throne as Crown Princess, and later as Emperor.”
“...Maybe, that could be the case.”
“It is a precious experience to have someone like that respect people like us. It is touching. But it is no longer necessary.”
“...”
“Please treat your subordinates as subordinates.”
The old man's serious, sunken gray eyes stared piercingly at me.
The implication was clear. In fact, in terms of status alone, I was not supposed to be courting anyone but the Emperor.
The reason I have not been criticized so much until now is because of my past of living as a commoner for a long time.
But if one was determined to ascend to the throne of the Emperor, one also needed to have the appropriate dignity.
Even if it's something that makes me anxious and something I instinctively reject.
“...Keep that in mind.”
Edgar, who burst into a satisfied laugh, slowly bowed to me. From there, as if ripples were forming, the people gathered all began to kneel before me.
The servants, the maids, and even the Vostok residents who were waiting outside the castle for me to come out.
Their blessings and cheers poured down at my feet.
“May Temer’s blessings be upon Her Royal Highness the Princess!”
“May the Emperor find a true successor!”
“Greetings to our Highness!”
All the voices were mixed together, and those were the only words that could be heard.
But with just that, all my anxiety subsided.
***
Finally, the three-month competition came to an end.
While the vote to determine the ultimate winner was underway, the empire's intellectuals evaluated the policies of the two rivals by their own standards.
Commentary continued day after day, from cheap gossip to Poste Brum.
Princess Veronica achieved the success of the fair in an extremely noble and elegant manner, but she could not avoid criticism that it only provided a temporary economic stimulus.
On the other hand, Princess Anastasia's policy of developing specialty products was evaluated as being somewhat lacking in dignity, but close to perfect in terms of reinvestment in welfare.
The majority of the imperial people overwhelmingly supported the princess's policies, and her popularity soared to unprecedented levels.
After a week, the winner was finally announced.
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