Chapter 478: The Cost Of Success
The dining chamber was a crowded affair.
This wasn’t unusual. Whether it was hosting a lavish function or a simple lunch, it was always teeming with maids ready to maintain the structural integrity of whatever horror my parents viewed as a bribe.
Even after I’d banned any cakes that exceeded twice my height, the maids could be relied upon to stand diligently by the halberds, certain in the knowledge that there were few problems an axe on a pole couldn’t fix.
Just not today.
Clunk. Clunk. Clunk.
They were busy hauling furniture.
All of it.
Leaving only the dining table and the chairs that were in use, they lifted everything from grandfather clocks to cabinets to the tableware stored within them. At the same time, any maids not on lifting duty immediately erased the newly revealed dust with the efficiency of receptionists removing evidence.
I nibbled on my châtaignes douces à la basquaise, all the while ignoring the commotion around me.
Naturally, I was deeply puzzled.
After all … no matter how much I thought about it, the taste of this dish was completely different from how I remembered!
It was sharper, slightly acidic and held a hint of spice well beyond the ground pepper.
It was also purple.
Bright purple. And slightly bubbling, despite the fact it wasn’t particularly warm. A problem that would usually have the head chef summoned to tearfully explain why food goes cold when not eaten.
Except that much like the maids, the kitchen staff were also busy.
Their objective–to avoid intruding on a royal conversation.
“Dear, I’m just saying it’s not strictly traditional that your own mother requires an invitation.”
“I hardly see what the issue is. It’s not traditional that she comes and goes wherever she pleases either.”
“Yes, but that’s very much an issue for those places she visits. The Summer Solstice Festival is our own. It’s somewhat implied that the former queen be allowed to attend the Grand Soirée.”
“The former queen is allowed to enjoy her retirement in a way which doesn’t cause me grief at every waking opportunity. If she’s too busy to do that, then she’s clearly too busy to attend a dance. I see no reason to make any provisions for her attendance, much less allow her past the doors.”
“Do you mean to instruct our knights to actually, well, bar her entry?”
“As I said, she’ll require an invitation. So long as she provides one, then she may consume all our desserts while making a scene and as many unnecessary comments as she likes.”
“I see. By any chance, have you issued her an invitation?”
“Of course. I sent a squire.”
“Oh? Does the squire know where she is?”
“No, but I’ve no doubt he’ll find her. That woman is loitering on every doorstep the moment she has something she needs … unlike our dear Juliette.” Mother dabbed at her lips with a napkin despite the fact she hadn’t touched her food. When she took it away, she revealed an uncharacteristic smile. “Why, despite being away from home, our diligent daughter never requested so much as a treasure chest filled with jewels and gold crowns.”
Father suddenly nodded, no longer prodding away at a piece of cabbage he hoped to disintegrate.
“Indeed, not only were our villages and towns graced by her presence, but she sought to enjoy every corner of our kingdom with only the hospitality of our people.”
“It’s an excellent thing she doesn’t take after her grandmother. Unlike her, Juliette understands the meaning of modesty as well as what it means to be a member of this household.”
“Yes, a household made much brighter by her return. Although I do not begrudge the important experience she’s gained, the time spent without her was truly terrible.”
“Quite so. Although summer has come, the truest warmth is ever from family.”
Sitting across the table, Mother and Father both showered me with tender smiles. The affection in their eyes was matched only by the flattery as sudden as it was frequently repeated.
After all, it was nothing short of tactical appeasement.
Still atoning for the doppelganger incident, they seldom missed a moment to make up for their regrets. Whether those regrets were hiring doppelgangers for a private escape, erecting a summer retreat without informing a single person or neglecting to welcome me home with an orchestra, I wasn’t sure.
Even so, I could see the sincerity upon their faces.
An unnecessary thing, of course.
Mother and Father rarely made mistakes. But when they did, they were regal enough to be all the more wiser for it.
That’s why–
As their daughter, I would accept their apology … now and for the 19,732,386 times they’d need to apologise in the future.
Ohohohohohohoho!!
That’s right!
I would hold this over their heads and never let it be!
It didn’t matter how many strawberry shortcakes they secretly arranged for me to sneak off with! I would dangle this forever and abuse it until I’d wrung the matter dry!
With this … my princess privileges were as endless as the number of late mornings I could enjoy!
“Grandmother strives to further the kingdom’s cause,” I said with a gentle smile. “Even in her retirement, I’m certain she’s only where she’s most needed to ease the hardship of our people.”
“Both you and your father look far too kindly on her,” said Mother, with just the smallest shake of her head. “While she’s given you her sword, she’s also given you poor advice. It’s a wonder she hasn’t found a way to earn the ire of the very weather, what with the things she does. Did you happen to hear any unsavoury rumours concerning her while you were outside?”
I clicked my tongue.
All of a sudden, my joy vanished like a piece of radish beneath the table.
Despite my best efforts, I hadn’t been able to forget either the insane elven woman or the fact she’d somehow earned the personal approval of Grandmother. And that meant they were both up to no good.
I had no idea what had been done or promised, but the sooner any lingering thoughts could exit my head, the better. If this continued, I’d need to resort to using a falling plant pot.
“Really now, it’s beneath us to fall victim to rumours … although with that said, I have heard that she’s been consorting with shady individuals as of late.”
Mother’s smile trembled under the weight of Grandmother’s escapades, only a fraction of which I knew about.
“As expected. She spends her free time out there in the worst possible ways. Truly, I’m relieved that unlike her, you at least actively avoided any unsavoury individuals or needless confrontations.”
“Yes, this is absolutely true,” I said, my posture snapping into place. “I did not meet, consort nor interact with any single suspicious individuals on my royal tour. In fact, the worst experiences were the food. Although our people are kind and generous, their cuisine suffers from a lack of seasoning. And appearance. Speaking of which, have the kitchens changed the recipe for the basquaise?”
Father chuckled as he prodded the stewed vegetables to the side of his plate. Which was everything.
“Ah, so you’ve noticed. Quite the curious taste, no?”
“It certainly is unique, yes. We’re not using … old ingredients again, are we?”
“Most certainly not. On the contrary, these are fresher than anything delivered to our gates. The tomatoes were grown in the courtyard. By Miss Coppelia.”
I blinked.
A moment later, I lowered my fork to my plate, then pushed it slightly forwards.
“Goodness, I had no idea that what Coppelia was growing was tomatoes. And that’s despite the fact I was watching them grow. They do not look like tomatoes. She was somewhat vague about the details.”
“Well, I think the exact variety is somewhat of a mystery. But there’s no denying the quality. Miss Coppelia worked very hard to grow these.”
“… Father, did any of the chefs confirm beforehand that these are safe to eat?”
“That seems a touch unfair to Miss Coppelia. I’m certain she’d never grow anything inedible. She herself intends to use them for her smoothies.”
I nodded with a smile.
A moment later, I reached over for an empty plate, then used it to cover my own.
“I see. Then that explains why it’s so delicious. As expected, anything nurtured by the hands of my loyal handmaiden is a treasure to sample. I must thank her appropriately.”
“Well, there’s always room for that. Perhaps some new furniture for her accommodations? I’m certain Florella won’t mind sharing.”
“Florella?”
A passing maid stopped as Mother coughed, indicating that she could put down the worst tray of tea cups we owned. I didn’t know if that was for Coppelia or to spite Grandmother.
“Florella will soon be arriving in Reitzlake with her new ship,” she said with a nod. “I’m looking forward to seeing it at last. And also decorating it. Multiple parties have been insistent that it is their ship. Which is why aside from needing several more flags, we’ll be donating as much of our furnishings as we can.”
I clapped my hands in delight.
“My, that’s wonderful! We can offer her a taste of home each time she’s away!”
“Quite so. It’s also a chance to modernise the Royal Villa in preparation for our many new visitors.”
“New visitors?”
Father took a single sip of tea, then allowed the cup to be taken away.
“Wealthy new visitors,” he said enthusiastically. “Immensely so. It’s been quite remarkable. Benefactors have queued up hoping to take advantage of the lack of disasters over these past few weeks. A rare thing on this continent. The kingdom is on the rise, sweetpeas.”
“Goodness, that’s wonderful to learn! Such a change in fortunes which coincides suspiciously with me leaving the Royal Villa is indeed a wonderful turn of events!”
“Indeed, we’ve had no shortage of correspondence. Some are from the wealthiest merchants to travel the land. Others from the highest echelons of old nobility. Dukes, viscounts and marquises from the Dunes to the Summer Kingdoms have all made similar inquiries.”
“Oh? Inquiries about what?”
“The usual things, mostly. Trade privileges, royal patronage, soirée invitations. It’s reached the point where they wish to send their first sons here to negotiate directly on their behalf.”
“Indeed? That’s very pleasing to know. I look forward to Coppelia welcoming them to the Royal Villa.”
A pause.
Mother and Father glanced at each other. Neither broke their smiles. Beneath the table, a silent war was raging as feet prodded at each other.
After several moments, Father gave a cough.
“I’m told these sons are very eligible and–”
Pwam.
I stood up and slammed my palms against the table. A maid immediately took my chair away.
“No! Absolutely not!”
“Darling, I haven’t even–”
“Unnecessary! We have had this conversation before! Moreover, wasn’t the reason I was to be married off due to the state of our finances?! You just said it yourself! The kingdom is on the rise!”
Mother gave a small sigh, her rare smile beginning to fall off as the weight of stretching her lips upwards took its toll on her.
“That is true. The kingdom has never been in a better position. And that’s why we’re now in an excellent position to negotiate a truly suitable match for you. You needn’t concern yourself with Duke Hallingsey’s son any longer. Or his obsession with pigeons.”
“Indeed,” said Father with a quick nod. “With our tax collectors finally able to hear their knees creaking, there has never been a higher number of prospective marriage candidates. I’m glad to say that many are of impeccable standing. The amount of inquiries we receive is truly staggering.”
I gasped as I took a step back.
Oh no.
Oh no, oh no no no no no no.
What have I done … ?
I’d singlehandedly fixed everything … and yet all that did was make me even more popular than I already was!
By improving the prosperity of the realm and raising funds for the Royal Treasury, I’d simply become more desirable in the eyes of the undeserving!
I … I was too beautiful, intelligent, charming and now overwhelmingly successful … !!
“Of course, it’s not something you need to consider immediately,” said Mother, making it clear it was something which needed to be done in the very near future. “Our renewed fortunes mean we have room to negotiate from a position of strength. Your siblings understand this as well. I believe they’re also practically awash with marriage offers. They’re each considering how best to move forwards.”
I was horrified.
Marriage.
It was the greatest and most unrelenting foe. The shadow which neither receded nor faded.
Where others heard the chimes of wedding bells, I heard the death knell to my quality of life.
By using all my princess points, leveraging the doppelganger incident and barring my bedroom door with every piece of furniture I could find, I could perhaps postpone this dire threat for years … and yet should my siblings play their parts as expected, my obligations would rise as well.
Loudly. And with the sight of many bouquets. And a cake even higher than 14 layers.
My hands covered my mouth.
I … I could not allow such a future to pass!
Indeed, I had not endured all that mud and dancing mice could offer just so that my suitors would turn from pigeon admirers to vultures!
In sickness and in health, my vow was to my orchard!
That meant … there was only one solution!
In order to save myself and protect my quality of life once and for all, I had to put this matter to rest.
Permanently.