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CHAPTER 19
Tritard Archipelago, Merchant Trade Administration Bureau
“No matter how I think about it, some bastard definitely stole my identity tag!”
At the indignant cry of one man, another man who seemed to be his companion asked in response.
“Your identity tag?”
“Yes! After finishing a trade at the Taxidun Marquis’s estate, I was told to rest for a while in the drawing room. I asked if I could look around the estate instead, and the Marquis agreed readily. So I left my baggage there for just a moment, and someone snatched it up while I was gone! Damn bastard! If I catch them, I’ll tear them limb from limb!”
The man—his breathing as heavy as an ox’s—sprang up in rage. His companion, a fellow from the Kingdom of Orishen, tried to calm him again.
“Calm down, Walter. Losing your temper won’t bring back your identity tag. We’ve already informed the Estiean Empire’s authorities, and it can be reissued, so—”
“You think that’s why I’m mad?”
Walter collapsed into his seat and buried his head in his hands.
“I won’t even be able to sell a single thing at Torel Port until they reissue it. That means I’m stuck in the Estiean Empire for at least two months. And I’ve nearly run out of supplies I brought from Orishen. I have to restock! How the hell am I supposed to make a living until then?”
“I’ll divide up my goods with you, so for now, just use those—”
“Victor! How many times have I told you not to give out your goods so easily?!”
Just as Walter was about to leap to his feet again, his voice boomed through the administration hall. Then, a young girl’s clear voice cut through the commotion.
With hair the color of coral blossoms, swaying softly, the girl spoke.
“May I offer my assistance? Walter Ictadium, merchant of the Kingdom of Orishen.”
To Walter’s astonished eyes, the First Imperial Princess of the Estiean Empire, Lilien Sha Caliburg, stood with her arms folded and an innocent smile on her face.
On either side of her stood imposing guards—one of whom was a red-haired female knight.
One Hour Earlier, during Lilien’s Private Audience with the Emperor
“When the treason of Marquis Egeller Sarman was exposed, there’s no way he wouldn’t have had a backup plan. If it were me, I’d have made several contingency plans to avoid a total failure.”
“That’s… quite logical.”
“Right? So, who is the person most closely associated with Marquis Sarman at present?”
As I asked about the true instigator of the plot, Lenald glanced nervously at the Emperor.
The Emperor watched our exchange as if from the perspective of a third party. He uncrossed his legs, stood up, and looked down at me.
“Marquis Taxidun. A month ago, Marquis Sarman’s carriage was seen at Taxidun’s estate, and that same day, a merchant from Orishen also visited.”
“Then it might be that merchant!”
The one whose identity tag was stolen by Marquis Egeller Sarman.
“By now, the merchant would probably be searching for the tag and might have gone to the Tritard Trade Administration. If we’re not careful, this could turn into a diplomatic issue, so we should act first. May I go?”
“…You mean to go to Tritard yourself?”
“Yes. I have to check if there really is a merchant who lost their identity tag. If we reach him before the administration resolves it, his home country might not press charges.”
With the nobles becoming increasingly unruly, the Emperor couldn’t afford for the administration to gain more control.
Indeed, there had once been an incident where nobles, learning of a royal family member stealing an Orishen merchant’s ID tag, had tried to use it to restrict the Emperor’s power.
‘So that’s how royal authority weakened.’
At my words, Lenald widened his eyes while the Emperor let out a low sigh and glanced away.
Just as I thought I wouldn’t be permitted to meet the Orishen merchant myself—
“Take a guard, find out the truth, and bring him to me.”
“So I have permission to go?”
“Yes. If Count Henri Holton at the administration learns of this, the nobles might get ideas. Go and handle it quietly.”
Then, something warm brushed against the crown of my head. I blinked in surprise as the Emperor murmured softly:
“Well done.”
It was as if rain had fallen for the first time on the parched desert of my heart—where only sighs and scorn had existed before.
Startled, I bowed deeply and hurried out.
Outside the office, Cecile saw my flushed cheeks and tilted her head.
“Your Highness, are you unwell?”
“Just… hot. The Emperor’s office is unusually warm today.”
“Huh? Today’s weather is warm, and no fires should be lit. Did His Majesty ask for heat?”
As Cecile furrowed her brow in confusion, I pushed her thigh gently and urged her to move.
“L-let’s go. We’ve got work to do.”
Surely he only said it out of formality.
The pathetic daughter who used to crave her father’s love was finally taking her duty to the people seriously.
‘It’s a sign that my worth as a princess is finally being recognized. So don’t get your hopes up and end up hurt.’
After all, the only daughter the Emperor truly cared about was Yevgeny.
Back to the Present
“Are you really… Her Highness Lilien Sha Caliburg, the First Princess of the Estiean Empire…?”
When Walter voiced his doubt, Cecile rolled her eyes and pointed at the medal on her chest.
“If you don’t believe her, look at this. I’m Cecile Blonmind, captain of the 1st Royal Knights Division.”
“No, it’s just… Why would royalty personally come all the way here for someone like me, a mere Orishen merchant…”
Walter avoided eye contact and looked back and forth between me and Cecile. I offered him a gentle smile and extended my hand.
“Shall we go somewhere more private?”
“…Is this the day I die?”
“Such dramatic words for a merchant.”
As he trembled like a frightened mouse, I signaled Cecile with my eyes.
“With respect, Your Highness.”
“Yes.”
Cecile, whose muscles were ten times larger than an average man’s, could easily lift a merchant like Walter like a princess. As she did, Walter let out a horrified gasp.
His friend waved at him cheerfully.
“See you alive, Walter!”
“Victooorrrr—!”
“Captain, give him something to bite on.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
At my command, Cecile stuffed an unknown bread roll into Walter’s mouth and added coldly:
“Unless you want your tongue to become a scarf, shut up. Her Highness’s ears are delicate.”
“Mmph… (Y-yes…)”
With things settled, we brought Walter aboard the royal carriage.
Before boarding, I had already instructed Cecile to cancel the reissuance of his identity tag, and I smiled gently at Walter, who was still shaken.
“How exactly did you lose your identity tag?”
“W-why would Your Highness be interested in that…?”
“Because if we’re not careful, you could be implicated in a treasonous plot. I want to help you.”
“What…?”
Walter leaned back in disbelief. I looked at him sympathetically.
“It doesn’t make sense, right? For someone like you—an Orishen merchant working abroad—to suddenly be part of a rebellion?”
“I-it’s not just strange! I’ve never even insulted the Emperor of Estie! I haven’t even set foot in the Imperial Palace! If I’m guilty of anything, it’s trying to sell goods while bowing to every noble I see…”
“You visited the Taxidun estate a month ago, correct?”
Walter blinked and nodded.
“Yes, they asked to see Orishen goods, so I brought a large shipment.”
“Did you see anyone suspicious at his estate?”
“Suspicious…?”
“If you did, it’s in your best interest to remember clearly. I believe that person stole your identity tag.”
Walter frowned deeply and groaned. After we passed one more street corner, he suddenly exclaimed and sat up straight.
“That bastard…! That damn son of a—!”
“Sounds like you have someone in mind.”
“Of course! He wore a navy robe with a red trim. The fabric was clearly high-quality—looked like a noble. I couldn’t even make eye contact.”
“Did you see his face?”
“No… His aura was so intense I couldn’t even approach him. Honestly, I only noticed my identity tag was gone while returning to Torel Port. The last place I had it was the Taxidun estate. I assumed I dropped it or a servant took it…”
Walter scratched his head apologetically. I shook my head and placed a hand gently over his.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’re free to leave Torel Port soon.”
Of course—under the condition that you keep your mouth shut.
“Please explain the situation to His Majesty. He’ll handle the rest.”
“Your Highness… You’re helping me so much, I don’t know what to say…”
Walter looked moved. I continued, still playing the role of the kind princess.
“Even foreigners, once in Estie, are under our care. That makes you one of our people. We’d like to offer you compensation as well, if you’ll accept it.”
“C-compensation…?”
Walter swallowed hard.
I handed him the document that Lenald had drafted in advance. As he read it, his eyes widened and his hands began to tremble.
The sheer number of zeros reflected in his eyes was shocking even to me.
“T-this is… too much…!”
He stammered as he bit his tongue. Even I thought Lenald had gone overboard, but considering the possible diplomatic repercussions, it was still a modest sum.
I argued confidently.
“Too much? Walter, you’re a merchant. You’ve been stranded, away from your homeland, unable to do business—how could we not understand your difficulties? This is a fair settlement. So please, Walter…”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Would you be willing to forgive the one who wronged you… just for my sake?”
Because if you do, there’ll be no diplomatic incident between Orishen and Estie.
The meaning was clear, but Walter, eyes spinning at the payout, laughed heartily.
“Of course! For Your Highness’s sake, I forgive them! Absolutely!”
“You’re surprisingly reasonable.”
I smiled sweetly.
Later…
After his private audience with the Emperor, Walter returned with a beaming smile and ran straight to me. Dropping to one knee, he bowed deeply.
I stared at him in surprise as he shouted:
“I’ve made up my mind. I’m quitting the merchant life and going on a journey across the continent!”
“…What?”
He held the compensation documents in his hand, grinning from ear to ear.
“It was my lifelong dream. To save money as a merchant and travel the world someday. And today, thanks to Your Highness and His Majesty, that dream has come true!”
“That’s… wonderful.”
I offered a polite, awkward smile, and Walter stood and gave me a bright look.
“So I vow this: if I discover anything rare or wondrous during my travels, I’ll offer it to you first.”
“You’ll need something truly extraordinary.”
“Then I’ll just have to work that much harder!”
Walter laughed loudly, leaning back.
I, too, smiled at his enthusiasm as I watched him leave.
Not long after, urgent news spread throughout the capital: Torel Port had been completely sealed off.
Elsewhere…
Bang!
“Damn it—!”
A man slammed his desk and muttered a curse.
“Damn you, Dolrak Taxidun…”
He never trusted the man. Egeller Sarman ground his teeth.
The fifth prince—a loser in the imperial succession. A prince by blood, yet always treated with contempt.
He had lived in the shadow of Emperor Lius Epsilon Caliburg for half his life.
He hated his father, and loathed Emperor Lius even more. He longed to storm the palace and crush that smug face, but he had no power.
Then one day, Dolrak Taxidun approached him.
‘Don’t you want to sit on the throne?’
Of course he did.
It was all he ever wanted.
If only he had power—he wouldn’t have to endure this shame.
Though he knew the old man intended to use him as a puppet, Egeller Sarman agreed.
He would build his power later. First, he’d overthrow the Emperor and take the throne.
But things had started going wrong two weeks ago.
The Emperor had used the Second Princess’s birthday banquet to start rounding up traitors.
Even Marquis Taxidun had been caught.
Egeller fled with a stolen ID tag from a merchant who had visited the Taxidun estate, heading for Torel Port. But due to a shipping error, his departure was delayed.
Then the port was sealed off.
Now hiding in a corner of an inn, Egeller clutched his head.
“I’m going to die. If this keeps up, I’ll be executed for treason…”
Just as he screamed—
CRASH!
The inn door exploded. Dust filled the room. Egeller’s face turned pale.
A massive shadow loomed over him.
Heavy boots echoed ominously into the room.
