That wouldn’t be an issue in this case, though, because it was being posited by Freya, a member of the country’s royal family. The royal family’s influence was exceptionally strong for a feudalistic nation. For those living in areas under the royal family’s direct control, they could force it to be accepted. Even agreements outside of the norm for the continent would be kept to. That was how much power, influence, and authority the Capuan royal family had.
“Hm, I would allow it in that case. In fact, other dyes rather than simply the bleaching techniques would also be acceptable.”
It was an unshakable fact that the Northern Continent was more technologically advanced than the Southern Continent. That meant there was a decent chance that their dyeing techniques were better as well, not just their washing and bleaching methods. Whether they applied to all hues was another matter, but Aura was considering a limited number being used to drum up interest. Zenjirou pondered it before shaking his head.
“No, I think we should stick to the washing and bleaching first. Most dyes are plant-based, right? The plants between the two continents are completely different, so it’s unlikely we’d be able to find the right plants here, and finding substitutes would add a lot of work.”
If the original plants could grow in Capua, it would be fine, but the difference in climate made it a likely fruitless endeavor. If it did work, it could still take years or even decades to actually pay off. Freya wanted to make Alcott a reality as quickly as possible and needed the money for that.
“I see. That holds. Is that not also the case for the white thread and cloth, though? The reagents used in their manufacturing and bleaching are presumably made from local ingredients, which would surely make them just as difficult to reproduce here, no?”
While Zenjirou partially agreed, he refuted her concerns. “On the whole, probably. It seems far more reproducible than their dyes, though.”
There were countless hues of dyes, and even using the same red flower in the same way could produce slightly different shades of red dye depending on the soil in which it was grown.
Conversely, bleaches were all similar on close examination. They removed stains and color. Of course, there was a degree of compatibility with the chemicals and fibers, so there was no guarantee that the same techniques would produce comparable results on the Southern Continent. Regardless, Freya wanted a method for getting money quickly. If it seemed like it would take too long after investigating, she could simply move on to the next option.
“Very well. Then I shall arrange it. I will inform Freya.”
“Yeah,” Zenjirou replied, managing to swallow the word of thanks that wanted to leave his throat. Thanking Aura for giving Freya consideration in the way she was would not be an impartial position to take.
It was irritating, but this was one of the duties of royalty, and an obligation for men with multiple wives. In Zenjirou’s case, both women were accomplished in their own right, so he had to keep this sort of thing to himself.
The thoughts about duty and marriage prompted another topic from Zenjirou.
“Speaking of, how’s everything going with Prince Yngvi? They’ve only had the one gathering so far.”
The gathering Zenjirou was talking about was the event where Yngvi was the guest of honor. While officially it was hosted by the royal family in order to welcome him to the country, it was well known that it was actually for him to find a second wife.
Aura offered a slight shrug to his question.
“It will almost certainly be Mirella. According to Freya, that is the way he wants to go. We will need to carefully sound out her wishes.”
“Her wishes” could perhaps be rephrased as “her resolve.” It was far from uncommon for a girl’s wishes to hold very little weight in marriages between nobles from the same country. This marriage, though, was an extreme exception where she would be marrying into the royal family of a country on the Northern Continent.
It was both an extreme honor, and something that would see them to great fortune if it went well, but it also meant spending the rest of her life in a completely foreign land. It was practically inevitable that there would be difficulties that would be impossible to predict. Fulfilling such a duty would require skill on the girl’s side, but also her willingness.
“I pretty much expected it, but Yngvi definitely makes his choices quickly. I agree that finding out how she feels about it is important, but the problem is who does it and how.”
By blood, she was Count Márquez’s niece, and adopted by him. She was also currently working within the inner palace as a maid. In that respect, it would be easy for either Zenjirou or Aura to ask her directly, but Zenjirou was aware that neither of them were really suited to it. They were both members of the royal family and in favor of the marriage going ahead.
Mirella was sharp enough that she’d understand that. Therefore, while Zenjirou or Aura could tell her to speak truthfully, there was still a good chance she would infer their desires and answer in agreement.
“Indeed, we do not want a commitment, but to know her feelings. For the time being, I will have the head maid spread the information here that Prince Yngvi will be having a second bride from Capua, and then have her listen to the maids’ gossip. Of course, we will be asking for Lady Octavia’s aid eventually.”
Aura’s suggestion was nothing particularly special. People generally spoke most freely with those they worked closely with and trusted. They would say things to their peers that they would not tell their superiors. The young palace maids would never be able to pass up such a juicy piece of gossip, and there was little doubt that they’d speak rather thoughtlessly about it. Additionally, they would all know that some of their compatriots had been allowed to return briefly to their families and participate in the welcome for Yngvi. The maids who had not would certainly question those who had.
Did he speak to you? If he proposed, what would you do? Those answers would lead to their actual thoughts.
“This wouldn’t just be for Mirella, but I wanted to offer whoever marries him the right to periodically return to Capua,” Zenjirou said.
The queen nodded shallowly in agreement. “A good idea. Both the wife and the maids who accompany her,” she replied. Her voice gained an apologetic tone. “Though the burden will fall on you.”
Teleportation between Capua and Uppasala would almost certainly fall entirely on Zenjirou. While it would doubtless increase his workload, Zenjirou himself didn’t see much of a problem with it.
“It’ll be the same as with Freya and the maids from the Northern Continent. Spending a few more days there won’t be that hard on me.”
Zenjirou was teleporting all over the place already, so adding a little more time to his stays on the Northern Continent to send Yngvi’s future wife and her retinue back would practically be a rounding error.
The two of them fell into silence, both having told each other what they had to say.
“So we’re preparing for war, then...with all of this,” Zenjirou said.
“To respond to a war, specifically. Vexing as it is.”
Her agreement to his almost meaningless statement was as reluctant and annoyed as her words implied. Schemes to sow discord in enemy nations, strengthening industry and economic strength, using that economic strength to build more ports, and a political marriage to an ally. All of those actions could indeed be called preparations for a war.
“Is it the war that’s vexing, or...”
“Responding,” she replied immediately. “If it is to happen regardless, I would much prefer to be the instigator. Being reactive chafes.”