Episode 47. First Shovel
It had been a busy morning. Prince Leon had arrived at the Duke of Valois early in the morning. While Maxim escorted him to the reception room, Martha was organizing documents in the study.
Gunpowder evidence, records of the Golden Lion Merchant Guild's illegal activities, details of damages to the Viscount Werner family, and witness statements from the Count Strauss family. She was taking them out one by one, arranging them in order, and checking to make sure nothing was missing. Even though today was the day of the groundbreaking ceremony, Martha's mind was already focused on three days ahead.
As Claude entered the study, he said.
"Prince Leon has arrived."
Martha headed to the reception room holding the documents. Prince Leon was seated. Edward was also beside him. Prince Leon looked at Martha and said.
"The date for an audience with His Majesty the Emperor has been set. It is in three days."
Hearing this, Martha thought to herself. Three days. I'll safely finish the hot spring groundbreaking ceremony today, do a final check of the documents and evidence for His Majesty tomorrow, and head to the Imperial Palace the day after tomorrow. It will be tight, but sufficient. I could handle this much even while lying down.
Martha placed the documents on the table and said.
"Then we must finish organizing the papers today. Let's all double-check them together before the groundbreaking ceremony."
Prince Leon took the documents and began to review them. Edward checked the order from the side. The reception room was silent as Claude went through the contents one by one to ensure nothing was missing. Only the sound of turning pages could be heard.
Prince Leon looked at the documents and said.
"I think it is correct to submit the evidence of gunpowder first, and the illegal activities of the Golden Lion Merchant Guild next. I think we need to arrange the order so that His Majesty can see the whole picture."
Martha said.
"That is correct. From His Majesty's perspective, the most urgent matter is gunpowder. We must present the gunpowder story first so that His Majesty will listen to the rest of the story. The order must not be wrong."
The review of the documents was finished. Nothing was missing. Claude reorganized the documents and handed them to Edward. Prince Leon asked.
"What time is today's groundbreaking ceremony?"
Martha replied.
"It is at 3 p.m. See you later."
Prince Leon looked at Martha. She was already organizing other documents. Prince Leon remained silent for a moment, then stood up and said.
"I will see you later."
He left. Lucy looked toward the door and took out a notebook. Martha looked at Lucy.
"Don't write it down. You're just trying to write something weird again."
Lucy wrote it down as if nothing were wrong. Martha sighed and looked at the documents again.
That afternoon. The estate of the Duke of Valois. It was the site where a hot spring was to be built. It was the very land where the hot spring water had gushed forth. That hot spring land, where just looking at the bare ground made Martha grin from ear to ear, where the water flow was a stream of money.
On the wide, flat land, workers from the Golden Lion Merchant Guild were already busily moving materials. From a distance, it looked like an ordinary construction site, but to Martha's eyes, it looked different.
"Those workers over there are carrying materials over there. It's a hot spring being built with their money. Oh my, how exciting."
Guests began arriving one by one. Bianca arrived with Lily. Lily's eyes sparkled as she surveyed the estate. She beamed broadly as she looked at the site where the hot springs would be built, then turned to look at Martha.
"My Lady, are hot springs really going to be built here? Really?"
Martha asked
"Really."
Lily replied, clasping her hands together and smiling brightly. Viscount Muller looked around the estate slowly beside his daughter Lily with a satisfied expression. It was no bad deal for him, either, that the connection that began in the herb garden had led to a supply contract for hot springs.
Viscount Werner arrived. He still looked a bit nervous, but his steps were steady. He wasn't timid like he had been when they first met.
Count Strauss arrived. The first thing he did upon arrival was accept a glass of champagne from a servant. He seemed like someone who had come to enjoy himself today.
Duke Ashford and Prince Leon arrived together. Duke Ashford looked thoughtful as he surveyed the estate. It seemed as though he were inspecting the construction site, or perhaps thinking about what would happen three days from now.
Isabella stood beside Claude. Claude gazed at the estate with a thoughtful look in his eyes. Isabella stood quietly beside him. Watching them, Martha thought, 'It is nice to see the two of them standing side by side like that.'
As people gathered, the atmosphere began to become warm and friendly. Sounds of greetings could be heard from all directions. Lily wandered around looking at various things, holding Bianca's hand. Count Strauss sipped champagne while chatting with Viscount Werner.
Just then, another carriage entered from the entrance of the estate. It was a carriage bearing the emblem of the Golden Lion Merchant Guild. It was Duke Vid Kreuz. Since the Golden Lion Merchant Guild's workers were in charge of the construction, he had come to make an appearance at the groundbreaking ceremony. Martha looked at it and said.
"Right. It's like the sun shining brightly with occasional clouds."
Count Strauss, holding a glass of champagne nearby, chuckled at her remark. Vid Kreuz approached Martha with a good-natured smile and said.
"Congratulations, Princess. The groundbreaking is finally here. I have high expectations."
Martha spoke calmly.
"Thank you, Duke. I look forward to working with you."
She thought to herself, 'Look forward to working with me? You'll be stripped naked.'
Vid Kreuz greeted Claude as well and began chatting with those around him. Martha raised her glass as she watched this. He probably doesn't realize his position here yet. However, not long after, another carriage arrived. This time, it was a carriage bearing the Imperial emblem. The crowd began to stir. Recognizing it was an Imperial carriage, people started looking in that direction one by one. The person who stepped out was Crown Prince Pierre Moncler.
Watching this, Martha remarked.
"Dark clouds have followed the clouds."
Count Strauss, who was holding a champagne glass nearby, heard those words and burst out laughing, spitting out his champagne. The people around him looked at him. Wiping his mouth in a hurry, Count Strauss said, his face turning red.
"I-I'm sorry. I choked."
Count Strauss lightly patted Martha's back and said.
"If you're going to make me laugh in the future, tell me beforehand."
Martha responded to Count Strauss with a laugh. Immediately afterwards, the Crown Prince approached Martha, offered a brief greeting, and said.
"I have come to congratulate you on the groundbreaking of the Valois ducal family's hot springs."
"I wanted to share in this joyous occasion."
Martha looked at the Crown Prince. Why has he come? Is he here to keep an eye on me because I'm in league with the Golden Lion Merchant Guild? Or was he sent by His Imperial Majesty? Either way, he is not welcome.
Martha smiled politely and said.
"Thank you for coming, Your Highness."
The order to take the first shovel began. A servant brought a shovel. Claude took the shovel and looked at the Crown Prince. After thinking for a moment, he held the shovel out to the Crown Prince and said.
"Your Highness, I think it would be more meaningful if you took the first shovel on such a joyous occasion. How wonderful it would be if you prayed for it to go well."
The Crown Prince waved his hand and said.
"No. I am here as a guest today. The host must go first. You go, Duke."
Claude urged him once again.
"Your Highness, you have come to a place like this."
The Crown Prince declined again.
"It is alright."
"Go ahead and begin."
Martha, who had been watching the scene from the side, spoke up.
"Your Highness, if that is the case, please come after we have started digging. How can your subordinates move with you right in front of them?"
The Crown Prince looked at Martha. Martha spoke calmly, without the slightest wavering.
"If the highest-ranking person here comes and just sits there, we are sitting on a bed of thorns. So please, just dig one shovel. I am doing this with all my heart, wishing for it to go well."
The Crown Prince's face turned bright red. Everyone around fell silent in unison. Bianca slowly set down the tea she was holding and looked into the distance. Lily quickly covered her mouth. Count Strauss carefully set down his champagne glass. Prince Leon looked straight ahead. Duke Ashford very quietly patted Prince Leon on the shoulder.
The Crown Prince looked at Martha one more time, then finally took the shovel and stepped forward. His expression was grim as he scooped the soil. Anyone could see he was doing it reluctantly. It was clearly visible on the Crown Prince's face that he was not pleased with the situation at all. Standing beside him, Martha spoke very brightly and cheerfully.
"Your Highness! With a good heart! You must scoop while wishing for happiness and blessings to come! The hot springs only work well when good energy flows in! My money, because the success of my family is the success of the Empire!"
The Crown Prince gripped the shovel tightly. Count Strauss raised his champagne glass again, but nearly spat it out once more, hurriedly setting it down. Prince Leon looked straight ahead, suppressing a smile. Viscount Muller looked up at the sky.
The Crown Prince scooped up some soil and placed it beside him, clenching his teeth tightly. Martha clapped her hands and said.
"Well done! As expected of Your Highness! Thanks to you, I think the hot springs will turn out great! Bravo!"
The Crown Prince handed the shovel to Claude and returned to his seat, his face still bright red. Martha watched his retreating figure and thought to herself, 'He's furious. So what? He took a shovelful. They say you have to shovel with a good heart to bring good fortune, but I don't know if he'll get any with that look on his face.'
Claude took the next shovel. His expression was steady. Isabella was next. Edward took the next, vigorously taking a shovelful. Finally, Martha picked up the shovel. The soil filled the shovel heavily. As she lifted it, Martha thought, 'A hot spring is going to appear on this land. With their money, their laborers, their materials.'
Martha chuckled softly as she scooped up the soil. Lily clapped her hands together. Bianca watched the scene and jotted something down in her notebook. Prince Leon looked at Martha. Martha put down the shovel and looked up at the sky.
It was a clear sky. There were a few clouds, but the sunlight was coming down. Gloomy. Even with a few things to do, this was a clear day.
With the groundbreaking ceremony over, the people moved to the banquet hall. Tables were set up inside the Duke of Valois mansion. Champagne and food were prepared. The atmosphere of the groundbreaking ceremony flowed smoothly into the banquet. People naturally took their seats and began to chat.
Vid Kreuz sat close to Claude and spoke. Martha stood beside him, holding a glass. Vid Kreuz said with a satisfied expression.
"It looks like the construction will proceed faster than expected. Our workers are so skilled. It might even be completed ahead of schedule."
Martha thought to herself, 'And with your money.'
Vid Kreuz continued.
"The materials will be of the highest quality. They are materials supplied through the Imperial Palace route. The fact that Imperial Palace-supplied materials are being used in the Duke of Valois's hot springs is a quality guarantee in itself."
'And with your money, too.'
Vid Kreuz looked around and said.
"Once completed, it will become the best hot spring in the Empire. We will definitely see a return on our investment. You have high expectations, too, Princess, don't you?"
And even that, of course, with your money, Martha was practically dying of joy inside. Vid Kreuz looked at Martha and said.
"You seem satisfied, Princess."
Martha replied nonchalantly.
"It looks like the hot springs will turn out well. I feel reassured thanks to you, Duke."
Vid Kreuz smiled and said.
"This will be a good partnership."
Martha thought to herself. Yeah, laugh, laugh all you want. We'll just have to wait and see how this partnership ends.
Viscount Muller approached Martha and said.
"Thanks to you, Princess, our Lily has become much brighter. She used to be a bit withdrawn because she was told so often to stay quiet, but lately she has been laughing so much more."
Martha watched Lily giggling in the distance while talking with Bianca.
"Lily is naturally a bright child. She is just being herself."
Viscount Muller said.
"Still, it is thanks to you, Princess. Thank you very much."
Martha chuckled softly. The evening breeze began to blow gently. Just as the banquet was reaching its climax, Martha quietly rose from her seat.
"I'm going to get some fresh air."
Martha lightly stopped Lucy with her hand as she tried to follow.
"It's alright. Just for a moment."
Martha walked toward the veranda. The moment she opened the door and stepped out, a cool breeze brushed against her face. The evening sky was tinged red. In the distance, the site where the hot springs would be built was visible. Martha leaned against the railing and took a deep breath. It's three days away.
"I am going to see His Imperial Majesty. Before that, this construction project must proceed smoothly. I have to make a move before they notice."
As she was gathering her thoughts, a voice was heard from a corner of the veranda. It was a low, cautious voice. It was the sound of two people talking, but they had lowered their voices so that those inside could not hear.
Martha looked toward the source of the sound. Duke Vid Kreuz and the Crown Prince were in the corner of the veranda. Martha stopped. What are those two doing here? Why are they talking so quietly?
Martha held her breath as she listened. Duke Kreuz spoke in a low voice.
"Nephew, why have you come here?"
The Crown Prince said.
"I came because Princess Serena's activities have been intriguing. I heard that my uncle provided funding for the hot springs."
Duke Kreuz said.
"Yes. I thought it was a good investment. Someday, it may come full circle and become our family's hot springs."
The Crown Prince said.
"Uncle, you are still full of greed. Please do not hinder the resurgence of the Valois family. They are a ducal family, the Empire's first vassal."
Duke Kreuz said with a gentle smile.
"You are still just a child, my nephew. That is why the Empress still keeps you in her arms like a child."
The Crown Prince remained silent. The silence was long before Duke Kreuz spoke.
"There are things invisible to young eyes, Your Highness."
Martha listened to the conversation and thought to herself. What is it? Does the Crown Prince not know? The gunpowder. That the Empress is supplying gunpowder hidden inside the Imperial Sword. Judging by the way Duke Kreuz calls the Crown Prince a child. Is the Crown Prince outside of that plan? Or is he pretending not to know? Which one is it?
As Martha gathered her thoughts, she made footsteps as if walking onto the veranda, pretending nothing was wrong. Duke Kreuz looked at Martha and, without changing his expression, said quietly.
"I will go inside first."
And he naturally walked inside. Only Martha and the Crown Prince remained on the veranda. The Crown Prince looked at Martha and said.
"Did you come out for some fresh air, Princess?"
"Yes, I had a few glasses of champagne, so my face is hot."
"I see. Oh, and did I make a mistake the other day? Do you hold a grudge against me, Princess?"
Martha looked at the Crown Prince. He said.
"I came to truly pray for your success today. It is good for the Empire for the Duke of Valois to rise again. I came with sincerity. However, I felt a little humiliated when you rebuked me in front of so many people earlier."
Martha looked at the Crown Prince and thought. I don't know if he is sincere or not. For one thing, seeing how Duke Kreuz treats the Crown Prince like a child, their bond probably isn't that strong. Martha said.
"I am sorry and thank you, Your Highness. From my perspective, I committed a rudeness because I sincerely hoped that you would break ground with good intentions for our Duke's family. I apologize"
The Crown Prince looked at Martha for a moment and said.
"Understood. I accept your apology. By the way, are things getting better with Young Master Ashford these days? Rumors are widespread that the two of you are often together."
Martha paused. Huh? Why did the conversation suddenly shift here?
The Crown Prince continued.
"Considering you broke off your engagement, you seem to be getting closer again. Rumors are circulating even within the palace."
Martha looked at the Crown Prince. Why is he bringing this up? Is he interested? Is he digging for information? Or is he just out of topics of conversation? Martha said.
"We just work together, Your Highness."
The Crown Prince replied.
"Considering you work together."
The Crown Prince gestured toward the inner area where Prince Leon was and said.
"His eye for the Princess is extraordinary. It is certainly not the eye of an ordinary person."
At that moment, Martha felt the conversation was taking a strange turn. What is wrong with him? Is he trying to dig up something? Or is he genuinely just curious? Either way, I have to cut this conversation off here.
Martha spoke.
"Your Highness, the food inside is really well prepared. The chef put special care into it today. Please go inside and have a taste. We've also got some fine champagne."
The Crown Prince looked as if he were about to say something more when the veranda door opened. It was Prince Leon. As Prince Leon stepped out onto the veranda, he saw the Crown Prince and Martha. His gaze changed in an instant. It was the look of someone realizing that the two were standing alone on the veranda.
The Crown Prince and Prince Leon faced each other. The air between them became tense. The Crown Prince spoke first.
"Did you come out for some fresh air, too, Prince?"
Prince Leon replied.
"The Princess hasn't been home for a while."
The Crown Prince said slowly, looking at Prince Leon.
"She was having a pleasant conversation with me just now. Are you curious what I'm talking about with the Princess?"
Prince Leon looked at the Crown Prince and said.
"No, I am not curious at all, as I know Princess Serena is enjoying talking with me even more."
The Crown Prince raised the corners of his mouth slightly as he looked at Prince Leon. His expression was gentle, but his gaze was not. Prince Leon's eyes sharpened as he looked at the Crown Prince. There were no words, but something was tensely going back and forth between the two.
Martha quietly watched the scene from behind the two. Look at these two. They really know how to have fun. Youth is indeed youth.
Martha quietly opened the veranda door and stepped inside. She could feel the growling atmosphere between the two behind her. Leaving it behind, Martha walked away thinking, 'Whether they do that or not, today is the day we broke ground. Let's just think positive thoughts.'
Lucy took out her notebook while looking at Martha from inside. Martha looked at Lucy.
"Don't write it."
Lucy was writing something down for quite a while. Martha let out a smirk and raised her champagne glass.
Far out the window, the site where the hot springs were to be built was tinged red by the evening light.
[Lucy's Secret Shock Journal - Episode 47]
The groundbreaking ceremony for the hot springs took place today.
The first shovel was put into the ground.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince kept prying into the relationship between the Young Lady and Young Master Leon.
Could it be that the rumor that our Young Lady is the number one candidate for the position of Crown Princess is true?
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