"Once you launch the boat, you don't have to think about it again. I just have to move forward."
Once her father started a business, he never looked back. All calculations and regrets had to be completed before the start, so once they got their hands on it, they pushed forward by all means from then on. He emphasized to her several times that if you don't have an oar, you have to paddle it by hand.
But in the current situation, she wondered if it was necessary to go that far.
'Is it really okay for things to go so well?'
Looking at the government office in the central square of the Mare, Evangeline lifted the tip of her hat slightly. As it is a city with a port, the white buildings were neat. Her expression faltered at the blue Central Senate mark embedded in the spire, but it was not the time to think about it.
"There are not one or two government offices belonging to the Senate."
To exaggerate, half of the empire's public Institutions belong to the Senate. Every time she sees so many buildings in the future, she can't be surprised or stunned. Shr didn't want to die from the beginning because things started to go well.
"Do you have to come here at this time?"
"...Sure. We have to make a deal from tomorrow, but we have to get permission from the government office first."
At the criticism heard from her side, Evangeline quickly replied by sifting through the paperwork. At moments like this, even Charles' grumbling nagging was grateful.
"Before any commercial transaction, you must obtain permission from the government office. That's imperial law."
"Oh, yes. The law is good."
"Actually, that's how it is easier to deal with things when something happens. In addition, friction with other merchants can be avoided."
It's not that she doesn't know Charles' Intentions, but she had to keep what she had to protect.
She doesn't know how long she'll be here, but it's dangerous to break the rules from the beginning and get out of sight. The more companies that were just starting out, the more common it was for even the smallest pod to plummet.
"I found out that you only need to apply today. If you can get even a small seat at the stall in front of the port, you're all ready."
"Yes. It's a really long, long day."
"Still, I don't know how long it has been since I tried to work out like this."
As she stepped on the stairs to the front door, the corners of her eyes curled quietly. She doesn't know if this will work out, but it was definitely smooth compared to being submerged in the deep sea with no more light or hope for a while.
"When I followed my father from place to place, I just listened to it with one ear and let it go, but I didn't expect it to be used like this now."
"I guess you've been there a lot."
"Sure! I've been to almost all of the southern island nations."
Evangeline's confident smile brightened even more. It was the first time she had smiled so brightly after only smiling faintly. Charles' eyes changed quite a bit as he held the door in an unexpected appearance.
"The Count must have been a very good father, too."
"Yes? Oh, yes."
"So the young lady has never wondered about her mother's existence."
"Well, maybe that's the case."
When Evangeline smiled, her white teeth were neatly exposed. Charles openly avoided her gaze. Just then, he grabbed the hat that seemed to be about to come off in the wind and quickly returned it to her.
"By the way, do you have to wear this hat?"
"It's better for no one to know me until I'm fully settled."
"..."
"Still, I think it will work out somehow. I have a good feeling."
She struggled to hold on to her hands full of papers, and pressed down on her hat as if she were looking blue. No matter how recognizable the aristocracy was in a city where there were few nobles, the hair that stood out even in the capital was no exception. She found merchants gathered in the central hall to get permission instead of tying the ribbon under her chin, and quickly approached the place.
"Charles, hurry here..."
"What do you mean by that? It's already dead?"
Voices rose among those standing in front of the star. Sensing anxiety, Evangeline's head also turned to him.
"I'm sure you're going to accept applications by tonight, so you're here, but what if you're here now?"
"I can't help it because a distinguished guest suddenly comes. The seats are already full."
"No matter what. I've been preparing like this. If you can't decide whether it's setting up a stall or whatever, I'll meet the mayor and talk to him... Uh. You're comin' over there!"
Just then, she heard someone coming down the stairs on the second floor, and everyone rushed towards them. Evangeline also tried to follow them, but the hat that was not properly tied shook again.
"Oh..."
"I thought everything was good if it was pretty, but that appearance is also very uncomfortable."
"Charles."
At some point, he approached and grabbed her hat again. This time, he didn't hand it to her, but reached out and tied a long string.
"It's okay. I can do it."
"It's because it's too flimsy. Will it be the same in front of the mayor for a while?"
"..."
Charles tugged at the ribbon tightly. With her hands heavy right now, it was certain that she would have his help. As the long, trembling eyelashes made him feel unavoidably tense, he clicked his tongue.
"What are you so worried about?"
"It's not so much that I'm worried... Because this happens all of a sudden."
"I have a good feeling. I only believed that. Isn't it?"
"...It's not."
His obvious attempt to provoke her even more on purpose made Evangeline take a deep breath. In fact, it was all thanks to Charles that she was able to laugh like this.
"It's because I really have a good feeling. I came here and met my nanny again, and thanks to that, I met a great doctor like Charles."
"I think I'm relieved of my nerves when I see you joking."
"I'm not kidding. Charles is really good..."
As she was about to express her gratitude to him in her own way, she suddenly turned around among the people who had become quiet. The sound of heavy footsteps coming down the marble floor step by step was somehow unfamiliar.
Tububuktubuk.
The thick blue scent quickly filled the small space. To be precise, the unique silence that overpowered everyone present in an instant awakened her whole nerves.
No way.
The uniform that gradually appeared down the stairs fluttered, and she unknowingly covered the corners of her mouth. In the first place, it was not an opponent that could be confused about who it was. The same was true for the other party. Deccarno, who was looking around the people indifferently, stopped exactly at Evangeline.
"..."
But it didn't stay long either. One eye that opened up as if it was a little surprised, and the eyes that returned to normal life were as quiet as the deep sea. Even with such a change in his expression, the market reacted too sensitively.
"Oh, sir. I'm sorry. It seems that they are merchants from the port, but I don't know where they dared to chase after us. I'm going to let them out quickly."
"No. Just leave it alone."
"..."
"It's fun."
Despite Deccarno's emotionless voice, the mayor was just busy bowing his head. Tuk, the sound of Evangeline's footsteps as she ran out with her hat that fell on the marble floor rang out quickly.
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