Chapter 80
Chapter 80. Royal Warrant (2)
Immediately after the Royal Guard and Princess Luiza had departed.
"You, come here."
Penelope marched up to Jurgen with both eyes blazing.
Then she reached out and abruptly grabbed Jurgen's cheek, pinching it hard and stretching it out.
"Are you out of your mind? Are you out of your mind? I truly cannot live like this. What nerve did it take to pull a stunt like that! You could have at least asked me for help!"
She had been genuinely terrified.
On the princess's side, Y&P's tank Serena had done a fine job drawing all the aggro, so there hadn't been much interaction — but Kaylun's side had been truly furious eyes.
Things had somehow worked out into a conversation, which was the only saving grace — hadn't he been about to draw his sword?
"The Royal Guard are the queen's private forces! They may not have summary execution authority, but they absolutely have the authority to beat you senseless!"
"Ow, ow, that hurts."
"Please, can't you just stop acting like Serena for once?"
"Acting like Serena…… Serena would feel quite hurt to hear that."
Jurgen pointed out Penelope's inflammatory use of language, but Serena, who might have otherwise protested, was curled up on the floor trembling in a state of mental and physical shock, so no protest was forthcoming.
"And on top of that, suddenly a Royal Warrant? You hadn't said a single word about any of that."
"What was I to do — it just came to me. I considered it a good opportunity."
So it had been a plan conceived on the spot?
Penelope was speechless.
This was the one time Jurgen's brilliant move hadn't particularly felt like a brilliant move to her.
A Royal Warrant?
Fine.
If they could obtain one, not only the still-lacking CCC but also Cola — chicken's sister product — might instantly sprout wings.
But.
"The condition you proposed for the deal was…… just asking the Royal Guard to write a favorable report. That's it, isn't it?"
The risk taken was not proportionate to the reality.
And on top of that, the idea of obtaining it through the Royal Guard, who had no connection whatsoever to the Royal Warrant — it was, how to put it……
It felt utterly far-fetched.
Was not the longstanding royal tradition of 'Royal Warrant food supply limited to alcoholic beverages only' itself acting as a barrier?
"Hmm, but it's still worth trying, isn't it? Surely it's more possible than doing nothing at all."
Penelope's words were correct in every conventional sense, and in terms of political dynamics as well.
But the world does not operate on visible formulas alone.
At times, quiet and invisible connections create tremendous currents.
Jurgen was not trusting in the Royal Guard.
He was trusting in the queen he had observed for a long time.
***
Britannia's heart and the royal residence, Whitehall Grand Palace.
If asked to name the most beautiful spot in the Grand Palace — said to have no rival in grandeur — nine out of ten would name the Glass Garden of the North Wing.
A vast glass dome formed in the shape of an arch.
Inside, rare orchids and exotic flora brought in from across the continent bloomed regardless of season, while colorful birds and butterflies fluttered their wings and drifted among them.
"Hmm."
In the midst of it all, a woman wearing white gloves held a small pair of golden scissors and examined a bonsai with intent focus.
Any who would judge her by her modest attire and worn-looking boots would do well to reconsider where the Glass Garden was located.
The North Wing of Whitehall Grand Palace was the personal space of the royal family.
Among those spaces, the Glass Garden was the place the queen loved above all else.
The woman clipping away pine branches was none other than Britannia's 27th monarch, mother of all the people and iron-willed queen, Mathilda Alcaion.
Without taking her eyes off the bonsai, the queen spoke.
"Report."
Arthur, the chief secretary who had been standing at her side like a shadow, opened his mouth in a businesslike tone.
"A petition has come in from the Marquis Croft family. They state that the family's finances are on the verge of bankruptcy and are beseeching the royal family to extend relief funds in the royal family's name."
"The Marquis Croft family — they were a family that served as the shield of the South for many long years."
"That is so, Your Majesty. However, the southern iron mine that served as the Marquis family's main source of income has hit rock bottom in profitability. The Marquis's eldest son has a reputation for possessing zero management ability."
"Loyalty does not produce iron."
The queen clipped away a branch without a flicker of emotion.
"The petition is rejected. Convey words of comfort to the Marquis by letter. Instruct the Treasury to prepare so that the royal family may be the first to purchase any assets of the Marquis Croft family the moment they come to market."
"Yes, as you command."
Arthur bowed as though accustomed to it.
And just like that, the fall of a distinguished noble Marquis family with 300 years of history was lightly decided.
"The next report. In northern Nortaris, a newly established company called Y&P Trading Company is rapidly accumulating wealth through a beverage called 'Cola.'"
"Profitability?"
"Based on what has been ascertained thus far — beyond imagination. The profit margin relative to production costs is exceptionally high, and it is rapidly spreading across the entire North through a new method called Bottling Partner License, currently replacing the existing liquor market."
"Good. Competition is the best method for increasing tax revenue."
Toward the various reports that Arthur recited one after another, the queen's attitude was thoroughly impassive.
A monarch must be, before being human, a mechanism driving the core of a vast system.
Calculating coldly without being swayed by emotion.
This was the virtue demanded of the leader governing the great kingdom of Britannia.
"Lastly…… Her Highness Princess Luiza, who had departed on the northern Secret Civilian Inspection, returned to the royal family today."
Abruptly.
The queen set down her scissors and stared fixedly at Arthur.
Arthur steeled himself with the look of someone who had anticipated this, and waited for the queen's rebuke.
"Why on earth are you only telling me this now?"
"……Had I told you this first, you would have sprinted straight out."
"Of course I would!"
Even at the insubordination of a retainer as good as her right arm, the queen's face bloomed.
"The matters you reported — Sir Arthur can handle them appropriately at your discretion. Understood? I need to go see my daughter."
The queen strode briskly toward the Glass Garden exit, pulling off her boots as she went, with ladies-in-waiting hurrying after her.
Arthur quietly closed his eyes for a moment.
The current queen, Mathilda Alcaion, was a wise ruler with few equals in the history of the dynasty.
Having taken the crown in place of her weak-willed consort, she had implemented innovative policies and cultivated the kingdom.
She had infused the kingdom with young talent, grounded in a more definitive Meritocracy than ever before.
With a delicate political instinct, she had quietly drawn the power held by the nobles toward the center.
She had resolved the diplomatic problems that had long been a thorn in Britannia's side through a variety of methods.
As a result, the national treasury had become unprecedentedly abundant, the technological advancements achieved over the past 20 years had surpassed those of the previous 50, and a ceasefire had even been reached with the long-standing rival, the Alcand Empire.
To believe that these achievements were built upon warmth and mercy would be far too naïve.
The queen was cold, and at times even ruthless.
She regarded not only herself but even her own children as pieces to be moved for the kingdom.
In fact, the Third Princess, who had been sent to the Alcand Empire as a hostage, still cast a chilling gaze at the queen whenever they met — and at this very moment, the remaining children were engaged in a cutthroat competition among siblings to inherit their mother's throne.
However, in the heart of the queen — from which not a drop of blood would flow even if pierced by a blade — there existed precisely one weakness.
The Fifth Princess, Luiza Alcaion.
It was top-secret information known only to a very small number within the palace……
The queen was an extreme pushover for her daughter, or more precisely, for Luiza.
***
Luiza, summoned to the audience chamber ostensibly to report on this Secret Civilian Inspection, cried out.
"Mother!"
The queen, who had called Luiza in under the pretext of hearing her Secret Civilian Inspection report, also cried out.
"Luiza!"
A reunion after a mere three weeks, yet truly dramatic in scale.
Having dismissed those around her as well, the queen pulled Luiza into her arms and rubbed cheeks with her, freely enjoying the cuteness of her youngest daughter to her heart's content.
And understandably so — among her children, Luiza was the only one upon whom the queen could shower affection without restraint.
The two princes and two princesses were already each leading their own factions and preparing for the succession race.
Toward the other princes and princesses, she had no choice but to project the expectations and obligations of a queen.
But not with Luiza.
The late-born Luiza was as far removed from the succession to the throne as the moon from the sun.
There were no political interests to speak of, and not even a faction keeping Luiza in check.
It was a rather selfish thing — but it was precisely for that reason she could freely display the maternal love that she could not pour into the other children.
"My dear, how was the northern trip this time?"
"Mother, it wasn't a northern trip — it was a northern Secret Civilian Inspection."
"Oh my, what was I thinking. That's right, wasn't it?"
The queen stroked the head of Luiza, who had promptly climbed into her lap.
Luiza purred like a cat and gleefully recounted her travel tales.
"We went to a hot spring that smelled awful too! And we saw a mountain where the snow never melts! It was midsummer but it was incredibly cool, which was so remarkable!"
"Ho ho ho, was it now?"
"Oh, and I met a most impudent Viscountcy. She flicked me on the forehead five whole times."
"Oh my, did she? I wonder which impudent Viscountcy that could have been."
Luiza, who kept receiving pats and strokes, had no way of knowing — but in that instant, the queen's mind ran through the list of northern Viscountcy families in a flash.
How dare they lay hands on the princess's person.
And Kaylun? And Ellara? What on earth were they doing?
"But it's alright. Well, thanks to that Viscountcy, I came to know a truly remarkable dish."
"A dish? Was it that delicious?"
"Yes! It couldn't even compare to palace cuisine!"
The queen's fury, bristling with venom, melted softly away at Luiza's charming words.
Even her intention to summon the two escorts and reprimand them vanished.
"What kind of dish was it?"
"Chicken and Cola!"
The veins at the queen's temples rose again.
Cola, from today's report — that she could set aside.
But allowing common street food sold at roadside stalls to reach the princess's table?
"Didn't you eat anything good? Don't eat street food like chicken."
"No! It wasn't ordinary chicken! It was a truly astonishing chicken called Seasoned Chicken!"
"Oh? Was it really that remarkable?"
"Yes! So remarkable I'd want to eat it every day at home. I'd love for you to try it too, Mother!"
"My, truly no one like Luiza. I'll definitely try it someday."
Luiza exclaimed with innocent delight, then glanced sideways at the queen and asked.
"Then, could it not be brought into the palace?"
"What? The chicken?"
"Yes! So you can eat it too, Mother!"
Only then did the queen, having seen through Luiza's transparent little scheme, smile with mild exasperation.
"This child — I thought she was looking after her mother, but it was Luiza who wanted to eat it all along, wasn't it?"
"N-no! I really want you to try it Mother……"
"Alright, alright. I understand."
Luiza rushing to make excuses, and the queen planting kiss after kiss on the back of that daughter's head.
After spending that cozy time together as mother and daughter.
The queen immediately reviewed the report (childcare record) submitted by Kaylun and Ellara.
"Hmm."
In it was written, at length and on multiple occasions, just how much Luiza had taken to the Seasoned Chicken, and how she had wheedled about wanting to bring it to the palace as well.
"Arthur, what do you think?"
"Are you referring to the Royal Warrant, Your Majesty?"
"Yes — bringing it directly into the palace."
Quick to understand.
Arthur immediately read the intent behind the queen's question.
"As Your Majesty will know, there is no separate 'culinary' category in the Royal Warrant. All cuisine falls under the jurisdiction of the palace's royal chefs through the Ministry of the Royal Household."
"What if we create one this time? Luiza is so fond of it."
"It is not impossible. However……"
Had Arthur been nothing but a yes-man, the queen would never have appointed him chief secretary.
"A variety of families are bound up with the Royal Warrant. Existing Warrant holders will resist a situation in which their privileges are diluted. Behind them stand conservative nobles tied by marriage lineages."
"There they go again — prattling on about the dignity of the royal family. I have no idea why they think that's theirs to look after."
"As you say. CCC is a shop freshly opened by the newly established Y&P Trading Company. If the Warrant for a 'culinary' category were created and immediately bestowed upon a company with no history and no tradition, suspicion of special treatment cannot be avoided. That is the extent of my assessment."
"And if I say I'll do it regardless?"
"There would be none who would dare oppose you. However, the political costs that come with it would also need to be paid."
The queen reigned, but she was not the absolute mistress of the state who controlled everything as she pleased.
To force something through required paying a price.
Paying unnecessary costs for something trivial was, in any case, a loss.
Arthur had gently made this point.
It was the role of the right arm to keep the queen from tilting too far to one side.
"Is there no good way?"
But even so, if the queen wished it, producing an answer was the role of the chief secretary.
"What if we tried it this way, Your Majesty?"
***
"Hm?"
Reading the newspaper as she did to start any given day, Penelope saw it.
"Wh-what is this?"
[Announcement of the 1st Royal Culinary Competition]
Host: Royal Supply Committee
Purpose: Selection of the inaugural Royal Warrant in the 'Culinary' category
Special Privilege: Royal Warrant awarded to the final winner
Eligibility: All chefs and trading companies within the Britannia Kingdom
*For detailed guidelines, please refer to the back of the newspaper
An announcement occupying the entire front page of the newspaper.