Sebastian was our family’s butler. He was the top servant of the household, and my father had entrusted him with governing the duchy. As he entered the room, his aura reminded me of Elulu’s. In other words, his tailcoat was in perfect order and he radiated strictness, yet his clean, efficient movements put one at ease. Truly a model butler, and a silver fox if I might add.
“Sorry to summon you like this. I know you must be busy.”
“Not at all. I am your hands and feet, my lady. Please feel free to summon me at any time.”
“Oh? Then let’s get down to it. Could you bring me all the finance reports from the last three years, as well as summarize the current governance structures in a report?”
“As you wish. But what will you be doing with all of that?”
“Reading, of course. Somehow, I’ve managed to be appointed acting governor by Father. But I’m ashamed to admit I haven’t the slightest idea of how well the duchy’s economy fares, to say nothing of the state of the city. So could you give me one month?”
“One month, my lady?”
“Yes. I believe that is how long I’ll need to read all the material and perform my own observational analysis.”
“Understood. However, a great deal will need to be prepared for your observation excursions. About a week, perhaps.”
“On the contrary, I intend to observe from an anonymous standpoint in order to gain a more accurate understanding of the situation. This will require as few assistants as possible, which I will appoint myself. This is to say, there’s no need for you to waste your time, Sebastian.”
“Forgive me for my presumption.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll be leaning heavily on you in regard to finance in the future. Please feel free to speak your mind.”
After Sebastian left, I summoned Tanya.
“Tanya, call up Lyle, Dida, and Rehme, will you?”
“Yes, my lady.”
A few minutes later, three people followed Tanya into the room. I had known each since I was a child—more orphans I’d taken in. Lyle had beautiful blond hair and a noble face, but his muscled body was made for fighting, and he was the equal of even the royal knights. Thus, I employed him and Dida as my bodyguards. Dida’s brown hair extended to his shoulders, which he tied into a tail. Compared to Lyle, he was quite physically delicate, and a bit of an aloof weirdo, but he was just as reliable.
Rehme, the girl with glasses, loved books with a passion and was our family’s librarian. When I say librarian, I mean that she was in charge of the duke’s private collection, which rivaled that of a public facility. Because of this, her job was terribly important.
“Long time no see, everyone,” I said.
Their jobs meant they hadn’t been able to come with me to the academy, so they had remained here. When I left, I’d told them they were free to seek employment wherever they pleased, but as usual they remained. It made me happy, but at the same time, I felt guilty.
“It’s good to see you, Princess.” The first to answer was Dida. As usual, his tone was joking and the grin on his face undeniably cheeky.
“Dida, you still dare take that tone with Lady Iris?”
“It’s fine, Lyle,” I told him. “You’re all like family to me. It makes me happy when you all act like the old days—when we’re alone, at least.”
“But, Lady Iris…”
“Please, Lyle.”
Lyle sighed heavily and acquiesced. “Understood.”
“As you all know, Prince Edward broke off his engagement with me. Thus, I’ve returned home.”
“I don’t accept it! Why do you have to lose your engagement and be sentenced to house arrest?” Rehme was just as frustrated as Tanya, and tears welled in her eyes.
“I know, right?” Dida snorted. “Honestly, that kid has no taste.”
“Thank you. But what’s done is done. Besides, I really am overjoyed to be back here with you all again,” I insisted. “Now, to the main point. You’re all aware that I’ve been appointed acting governor, yes? So before I take up the role, I thought I’d go and take the measure of our lands. Will you all accompany me on my journey?”
“Of course.”
“Guarding the princess, huh? Sounds exciting.”
The two boys were ready to go, but Rehme’s expression was more difficult to read.
“I understand why you’d ask them, since they’re your guards, but why me?” she said.
“Because I desire to draw on your knowledge, of course,” I said.
“Eh?!”
“You’ve read every single book we own, haven’t you? There must have been some on this duchy’s history and geography. I must depend on the knowledge you gained from those books. There’s an incredible difference between going into a situation blind and having some idea of what you’re dealing with.”
Our family’s book collection really was quite impressive, due to the generations of prime ministers we’d brought up. The library was the largest room in the mansion and completely buried in books of all different genres. There were books of fiction, books devoted to the various past patriarchs’ hobbies, and nonfiction tomes on governance, geography, law, and more. It was my belief that Rehme, who had read every one of those books, was a treasure trove of insight.
“In that case, I understand.” Rehme nodded. “I’ll do my best to fulfill my duty.”
“My plan is to leave two days from now. Inform Tanya once you’ve packed everything you need. Tanya, I’m entrusting you with preparations.”
“Understood.”
“Oh, and could someone contact Moneda for me?”
“Moneda, my lady?”
“Yes, that’s right. He works for the merchant guild, doesn’t he?”
The merchant guild, as its name implied, was an organization formed by various businesses. Moneda was one of the orphans I’d taken in, but he had quit as my servant and joined the guild once I entered the academy.
“Yes, I was told he’s an accountant for them. I’ll arrange for a message to be sent.”
“Thanks, Lyle. Try to book him toward the very end of our trip.”
“Understood.”
We went over our trip plans in more detail, and then I dismissed the trio. With perfect timing, the documents I had requested from Sebastian arrived so I could scan through them. Truth be told, when I lived in Japan, I had worked at a tax office. Thanks to that, I was pretty good at digesting income, expenditures, and other financial statements. I followed the numbers with little difficulty.
“My lady, it is time for lunch.”
“Oh, is it that time already?”
Time flies when you’re having fun, I suppose. It was already noon. Still, I was thankful my food has been prepared for me. In my previous life, I had been so busy that I had never paid much attention to my nutritional needs.
I wolfed lunch down and then got back to work. I remembered to properly chew, though. I couldn’t forget my diet. Even so, it was nice to have work to take my mind off my hunger.