The Isolated Princess Sunho and Riu's Rescue Signal
Meanwhile, in the Chang Kingdom. A chamber within the palace, adorned with gold and dragon motifs. Dressed in a long-sleeved qipao that covered her hands, a monocle over one eye and a black-and-red official's hat upon her head, the woman sat cross-legged on a simple bedding spread across the floor. Before her lay a desk where she wielded her brush, obsidian eyes gleaming. "Another pointless expenditure… Those eunuchs must have goaded Father again…"
Princess Sunho, a beauty with a blunt expression and short black hair, matched her appearance perfectly as she examined incoming goods and expenditures, flipping through bamboo slips. Yet, contrary to the ominous rumors spreading through the Academy, the interior of the Chang Kingdom was far from functioning normally. Even after attempting to intervene in internal affairs, the next bamboo slip she examined left her pupils wide with shock.
"The grain rations sent by the Cornelius family… were sold…?" Cold sweat dripped down her face. For a moment, the sheer absurdity left her speechless, but she quickly regained her composure and raised her voice. "—Is anyone there?!"
Thud, thud, thud! Footsteps echoed beyond the red sliding door as a young attendant appeared. "Yes. What is it, Your Highness?"
"Go to the special storage warehouse where the golden crops are hidden and show this bamboo slip to the person in charge. Demand a full report—exactly who, where, when, and for what purpose the precious grain rations under our careful management were removed. By my name."
"I shall fetch the answer at once." Thud, thud~! The attendant hurried away, and the princess pressed a hand to her forehead.
"Ha, this has to be a joke. There's a joint expedition of the Five Great Nations coming up, and they choose this timing to sell the grain? And the very rations sent by the Great Spirit, no less?!"
"Hahaha! It's not that the country has too many thieves—it's that the thieves are running the government! Well, this one was wondering when they'd make their move, but to think they'd actually go through with it! At least their boldness deserves some credit! Hahahaha!"
"This is no time for laughter." At the sharp voice, Riu, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, burst into hearty laughter. Since morning, she had been enjoying the princess's troubles with a small cup of liquor and pickled radish as snacks. Her demeanor was even more relaxed than usual. Her long black hair, normally tied back, was now disheveled with stray strands, and her hazy red eyes had lost nearly all trace of a warrior's presence.
"But how can this one not laugh~! While the enemy builds their strength right under our noses, these fools are emptying the granaries to fill their own bellies! Even as a mere general, this one can only laugh at such a sight~! That's why the liquor keeps flowing! In it goes! Hahahahaha!!"
"Haa… It must be the work of the Snake Eunuchs. They must have urged Father to buy this and that again."
"Those bastards are openly pushing the princess aside and propping up their own sister. Why not cut them down at the roots while we have the chance? This one would gladly storm in and sever their heads the moment you give the order… What do you think?"
"I want to as well, but internal strife at this timing would be disastrous. They've already hardened their defenses with guards. If we fail, it won't end with just my life."
"We should have made an example of them when they first provoked us."
"Because Father sides with them. The justification lies with them, and if the wind turns against us, we won't be able to withstand it. We've already sent Xiao and Mao to the Cornelius family for safety, but we don't know how long this stalemate will last…"
Princess Sunho set aside her anger and resumed writing on the bamboo slips with her brush, but this time Riu's tone was indifferent. "It's truly strange. Even though Princess Sunho keeps speaking such sensible words, His Majesty refuses to listen… If his own daughter has grown this clever and adorable, it's only natural he'd pay attention, isn't it?"
"I've gained far too much influence in the court. To Father, I must appear as a rebel eyeing his throne."
"Even so, you're his daughter, aren't you? This one cannot understand why he keeps such rabble close while pushing his own daughter away."
"Constantly offering nothing but criticism is the same as scolding him for flaws in his policies. Especially when it's coming from a daughter much younger than himself—it must be uncomfortable."
"…What a petty man."
"Even if he seems petty, I believe it's a normal parental reaction. Who would enjoy being scolded by their own child? But since Father is the Emperor, I had hoped for greater magnanimity. Unfortunately, he lacks the capacity for it. That's why he's fallen under the sway of flatterers. They're pushing my younger sister forward, and Father is tempted because that child obediently follows his every word."
"A fool is cuter than a daughter who only offers bitter advice?"
Sunho nodded. "Even while saying this, I don't blame the Emperor. Why can't he understand Princess Sunho's heart…"
Riu downed another cup of liquor and sighed deeply with genuine regret. Though her behavior was that of a wastrel, her concern for Sunho was sincere. She was even entertaining thoughts of unilaterally slaughtering everyone when—
"Hm…?"
Without Riu noticing, Sunho picked up a letter tucked between the bamboo slips. It had gone unnoticed until now, either because the stack was so thick or because it had been deliberately hidden. "Oh… An update letter. And from the Cornelius family, no less."
"It seems Xiao and Mao sent it."
"Are the two of them safe?"
"I don't know. Everyone we sent over there has lost contact, and I was worried, but I never expected them to reach out first…"
"From what I've heard, they've apparently charmed every noble lady sent from various regions."
"It's true. Several from our Chang Kingdom side were sent as well, but all contact has been lost. After saying they'd work for the Cornelius family, they've all settled there. There were even spies among them, but even they turned their backs."
"……Brainwashing, perhaps?"
"I believe so. Otherwise, there's no way so many women would pledge loyalty to a single family."
"A terrifying household indeed… But will it be all right?"
"What do you mean?"
"That man. Sending the two of them to such a dangerous place—I'm worried they might come to harm…"
"I'd rather they face harm there. If they stay here, they'll become political tools for the Snake Eunuchs. Even if they're the daughters of a courtesan, they still carry the Emperor's blood. They'll eventually be used to divide factions. If that happens, our relationship is over. We'd be forced to fight our own sisters."
"This one cannot trust that man. He may understand propriety, but he's clearly harboring a beast inside."
"I already reported what happened at the research institute that time. That alone tells me everything about his inclinations. But he's expressed gratitude to me multiple times, so I don't believe he'll suddenly act against us."
"How can you be so certain?"
"You just said it yourself. He's a beast, but he understands propriety."
"In the end, it's just 'three in the morning, four in the evening' trickery~?!"
"Even so, it's better than turning our sisters into tools for factional warfare."
"Kuh…"
While Riu crossed her arms and groaned, Sunho scanned the letter. Its contents were brief: after arriving, they had been exempted from the interview and immediately accepted as concubines; Roman was quite concerned about Princess Sunho and felt indebted to her; while the women's games were intense, unlike the others, he wouldn't force himself upon them without invitation. In a way, it addressed most of Riu's worries.
"…Thank goodness."
"Indeed."
Sunho, too, let out a sigh of relief. Riu, who had just claimed she couldn't trust the man, now muttered something about "maybe his castle walls aren't so bad after all." Continuing to read, the letter also mentioned the engagement interview.
"I don't know how the engagement interview went since they were exempted… But most of the women who entered the interview room came out with dazed expressions… Since both Great Spirits were present, they must have used some suspicious power we're unaware of…"
"Not the power of the Great Spirits?"
"I don't know. There's almost no information about their abilities. They may be hiding more than what was announced at the Academy."
She continued reading straight through. "The foreign queens sent from Tebere were all spies… Duke Cornelius saw through them and punished them immediately… They're still imprisoned and being interrogated, and their appearance was utterly filthy and terrifying… It was truly a hell for women…?"
"……? Hell?"
"No details are provided. They must have checked the letter's contents over there and been cautious in case it was intercepted."
"The fact that they used such an expression only makes me more uneasy……"
"…Let's stop imagining the details."
She read the final paragraph. "For the time being, they've entrusted themselves to the Cornelius family, claiming it's safer than we think. Since he inquired about our internal situation, they'll exchange information as long as it doesn't cause problems."
"If the princess requested assistance, it's only natural he'd ask."
"Hmm…"
The letter's contents ended abruptly. Suspicious, Princess Sunho used the classic method of holding the letter over a flame. "As expected."
"There's hidden content?"
"Yes. Only one line, but the fact they went to the trouble of hiding it suggests it's important."
As the letter warmed sufficiently, characters emerged. "What does it say?"
"Hmm… 'Beware of the head maid of the Cornelius family.'"
"Eh? That's it?"
"They're not the type to joke about such things, so they must have discovered something. Even with just one line, it seems they were careful not to cause issues even if noticed. So let's keep this information in mind and act accordingly, just in case."
"Even if we act, it's about suppressing the Snake Eunuchs from causing more trouble and preparing for the expedition, isn't it?"
"You understand perfectly. I'm relieved."
"Ugh… How boring…"
Gulp, gulp, gulp… Pwah~! Riu downed more liquor before suddenly standing up in a drunken state, gripping her red spear. "…Riu?"
"Shh." It was an abrupt action. Wondering if she'd drunk more than she appeared to, Sunho watched suspiciously—only for Riu to thrust her spear toward the ceiling. Pang—!
"………!"
"Hoo, as expected." Blood dripped from the tip of the spear embedded in the ceiling. Pulling it back slightly, the ceiling collapsed, and a corpse fell through.
"…Since when?"
"They started rustling about when we opened the letter, so around then, I'd say." With a hiccup and a drunken grin, she explained she'd been waiting for the right moment in case they tried to flee. "Quite large for a cockroach."
"Indeed. At this size, cleaning would be troublesome, so this one will dispose of it personally. —Huuup!!" Riu flung the sliding door wide open and kicked the corpse outside with a powerful thud! The young attendants waiting outside screamed at the sight, but she only laughed heartily without helping.
"Your character is showing. Please restrain yourself."
"What~? At least this one is cleaner than those who leave bugs in someone else's ceiling, no?"
"…That's true."
"Hehe… Hehehehe~! Ahahahaha!!!" In high spirits, Riu laughed heartily before diving back into her liquor. Though the mistress Sunho sighed, she didn't dislike this side of Riu and returned to her paperwork. As time passed, an attendant came running from afar and flung the sliding door open. "Princess Sunho…!"
"Did you find out?"
"Yes. Regarding the golden crops sent by the Cornelius family… The eunuchs sold them to merchants on their own authority…!"
"I see. Just as expected."
"And when I asked about it…? Hiccup?!"
"Ah, please ignore the blood at the entrance. So, what did they say?"
"They… said a premium price was attached because of the Great Spirits… They replaced it with regular grain after selling it, so we shouldn't complain, and got angry instead…!"
"Selling the Great Spirits' blessing at a cheap price and acting proud… How fitting for the embodiment of hypocrisy…"
It was a report that drew a sigh. The soldiers' treatment and bonuses had been funded by the blessed crops, but that was no longer possible. "I don't even want to imagine what other foolish things they've invested the money in. I'll submit a formal petition about this matter myself, so you may return. And don't forget to spread word of what they've done."
"Understood…!" The sliding door closed, followed by another sigh. With her forehead pressed against the desk, Princess Sunho spoke. "…I'd like a drink as well."
"Oho, then this one shall bring out the secret stash~♪"
A pitiful princess drinking from midday onward. Only those in Sunho's faction, including Riu, understood her troubles, and it would take much more time before she could regain her peace.