The Jealous Princess (1)
"I asked if you wanted the position of fiancée to the heir."
Heike directed the question at me in a flat tone. Alberich, unable to follow the conversation, was choking in shock.
Let's think this through. Consort to the emperor—a position called the national document. My wife would be the empire's highest authority, someone I could barely even meet. I'd be locked away in that suffocating palace for the rest of my days. I'd barely sleep, constantly worrying about assassinations. I knew the feeling all too well. It was like being a prisoner in a cell. Yes, hard pass.
"If I may be so bold, that position isn't meant for a lowly person like me. I must decline."
"Hm." Heike's lips twitched upward ever so slightly at my response.
"You show no greed even for such an offer. Aren't you supposed to be the empire's finest servant?"
Maybe the imperial family has too much greed.
"Lighten up. It was a joke. Even I wouldn't steal my own blood's fiancée."
"I didn't know Your Highness enjoyed jests."
Heike's lips tightened, as if displeased by my remark.
"Even imperial blood can crack a joke now and then. But you're so stubborn, there's no opening to pry into."
I hadn't meant to come off that ironclad, but I'd built the walls too high. If I sent Heike away like this, we'd have no further entanglements. Then a slightly better idea occurred to me.
"Depending on the terms, I could consider selling penicillin to the Wood Palace."
"Is that true?" Heike unfolded his arms, showing interest.
"It would be the height of rudeness to let Your Highness—who has graced us with your presence—leave empty-handed."
"A nobleman's son who knows etiquette. What are your conditions?"
Imperials were thorough in their calculations, as expected. The way he immediately sought terms and compensation made me think they were cut from the same cloth. Grab what you can. Business it was with Heike.
I stated my conditions in a firm voice.
"An alliance between the Wood Palace and the Moonlight Palace."
"Hm."
To quietly grow my faction in the Imperial Medical Office, I needed a backer. Even if I swayed Palkenhain, with Asella at odds with Georg, his support had limits. If Alberich kept interfering like today, operating in the office would grow harder. I hadn't gotten Asella's permission for the alliance, but she'd understand once I explained. If Heike allied with us, he'd clash head-on with Georg. If they exhausted each other to mutual destruction in the process, it would be ideal for the Moonlight Palace. Asella's odds would improve, but whatever—the bad ending probability wasn't shifting right now anyway. I'd worry later.
"An alliance." What Heike wanted was my medical technology. Accepting the deal would allow long-term trades for drugs and equipment. If he saw it as an investment, it was a pretty sweet proposition.
Heike finished his calculations and replied.
"I'll consider it positively. I'll meet with Asella."
"Looking forward to working with you."
I was already buzzing with anticipation at how much I'd wring out of him down the line.
***
"I'm so glad you're safe."
I returned to the Moonlight Palace with Tanya. With the major incident, I'd left the office to Chloe and wanted some rest. She'd been on the verge of a meltdown worrying about me, but she'd handled the tasks perfectly amid it all. Right now, penicillin could only be made by me using alchemy on the blue mold Chloe cultured. At this rate, I could hand mass antibiotic production to her soon. Drugs born without alchemy were on the horizon.
But upon arriving at the Moonlight Palace, an unexpected but welcome face greeted me.
"Big brother!"
"Neria?"
The moment she spotted me, Neria came running barefoot, beaming ear to ear.
Her joy was infectious, and I couldn't help but smile.
"Have you been well?"
"Of course. Thanks to the materials you sent. What are you doing here?"
"Hehe, surprised you, right?"
No hint in her letters, yet she'd planned this adorable surprise. Nailed it. I tapped her forehead, and she giggled, her gray locks swaying.
For the first time since the stifling palace life, I could finally breathe.
"There was an important social party, so I came for that."
The duke's party coming up, huh.
"Is Father here too?"
"Father's busy, so I'm standing in for him. Neria represents House Gotberg!"
"Reliable as ever. I'll leave the family face to you."
"Haha, it's time for the Gotberg marquisate's poster child to get a refresh!"
Turning at the hearty voice, I saw Boris organizing the horse and carriage Neria had ridden in, with his subordinate knights.
His injury from the goblin shaman had healed cleanly.
"Doing well, young master?"
"You look spry, Boris."
"Thanks to you. Long time no see, Captain."
"Mm." Tanya acknowledged his greeting curtly.
"Boris and the knights escorted me all the way to the palace."
"Long trip—must've been tough. Took two weeks, right?"
"A whole day just at the palace walls. Man, getting in is a nightmare. No idea how many security checks."
Boris grumbled, then flashed his teeth in a grin.
"More importantly, young master, Captain—I heard the news."
"What news?"
"Saw the imperial arena footage. Captain Tanya's skills were incredible."
"You're too kind."
Tanya replied modestly to Neria's praise.
"Captain kept mentioning you nonstop. Word's spread everywhere. House Gotberg's heir turned chief physician and flipped the arena upside down."
"Hm, really?"
Good news for me too. The wider Gotberg's name spread, the easier it was to rack up achievements.
"The marquisate's been in festival mode nonstop. Next year's training hall enrollees are already lining up."
"Father was thrilled too. He sent a letter—I'll give it to you later."
"Can't wait. Shall we head in and chat? Neria, I'll have tea prepared."
"Yay!"
Excited since entering the palace, Neria looked around eagerly as we headed to the Moonlight Palace.
"It's time for my shift change with Bruno, so I'll step out."
Tanya vanished, apparently with business. I led Neria to the reception room and asked a servant for refreshments.
"About the golden roses you sent—they're growing fast, so we can harvest soon. It's getting warmer, but we can use the highlands then. The streets in the marquisate are..."
Neria unleashed a torrent of stories she hadn't shared in letters. Afraid she'd pass out if I let her go, I paced her by feeding her snacks.
"The palace sweets are super sweet too!"
Oblivious to crumbs on her cheeks, Neria devoured her treats with glee.
Once the updates settled, I broached a topic with her.
"Neria, rumors about my medicines have spread to the marquisate too?"
"Yes. Ice...? Sorry, hard name. Cures the epidemic in the capital without healing spells?"
"Right. Only I can make it now, but with training, other healers can too."
"Really?"
"Yeah. The ingredient's willow bark—you sent that."
"Aha... so cool."
I brought up medicines for a reason. When Heike's offer hit—promising mass production and monopoly setup—it was tempting enough to make my mouth water. But hold on—if it's that good, why not do it myself? That's where I landed.
Perfect timing with Neria here. Time to float the idea.
"Neria, want to try a business?"
"Business?"
"Yeah. The healer training hall runs on tuition and donations—not big money. We're not filthy rich, right? Territories always guzzle funds."
"True. I want to grow up fast and help the family like you, big brother. What business?"
I pulled a sample case from my pocket—sorted by type.
"Aspirin, great for colds and headaches. Penicillin blocks secondary infections. Red potion's a topical antibiotic. Motion sickness pills, disinfectants. Digestives and burn treatments coming soon."
I sketched an overview in my notebook for her to see, explaining the plan.
"So many kinds."
"Advanced ones need my skills only, but these can be mass-produced with tech, gear, and materials."
I got to the point.
"Let's build a pharmaceutical factory in the marquisate."
"A medicine factory...!"
Her eyes widened with interest. Well-educated and sharp as ever—she got it.
I had no plans to front as marquis. Doctoring and territory management didn't mix. Pharma was for Neria, who'd inherit Father's role.
"We can help so many sick people!"
They sold high now since only I made them, but factories would slash costs. Way cheaper than calling healers constantly for commoners. Neria was smart.
"I heard the empire has candy factories."
"Yeah?"
"Can we make super-sweet medicines like that?"
"Hm, depending?"
She was picturing a chocolate factory. Her imagination veered off—kid stuff.
"But won't a factory like that cost a fortune?"
"Tons. Starting with family funds alone is risky without investors."
Small-scale home industry? Maybe. But training pharmacists and building infrastructure took time and cash.
"We'll need investors. It'll take years anyway—let's start slow."
"Yes, big brother! I'll do my best!"
Neria clenched her fist in determination. Trying to look serious, but her puffed cheeks just made her cuter.
With her on board, I could relax. Ideally finished by my chief physician retirement. What a comfy, abundant life.
"Count on you. Convince Father first, then plan."
"Leave it to me! Father always lets me do what I want!"
Her energy was overflowing. I itched to stuff her chubby cheeks with more snacks.
"Want candy?"
"Yes!"
I unwrapped a honey candy and she popped it in. As I thought life wouldn't be boring for a while, a commotion reached my ears.
Clanking knight footsteps. Fast pace. Escort knights flooded the reception room, taking wall positions. Only one person would enter the path they cleared.
Asella.
"Ah, Princess!"
Neria bowed to Asella at once, but she ignored it. Chin raised, arms crossed, Asella glared down at me sharply.
"Young master."
"Yes."
Golden mana flared in her pupils. What now?
Asella's voice was icy as she asked.
"What's this I hear about Heike proposing to you?"
How the hell did the story twist into that?