AFTER stuffing strawberry daifuku into a bag, Amelia left for the city through the hole in the Fifth Palace’s wall. The Fifth Palace, at the edge of the royal court, was deserted. She didn’t spot a single soul.
There weren’t any permanent guards other than the one stationed at the front entrance. On top of that, Amelia’s face wasn’t well-known, and she wore an old, plain dress. Even if someone did happen to see her, they’d probably assume that she was a mere servant. Furthermore, because she’d already slipped out from the royal court several times in previous time loops, she carried out her escape with practiced ease.
Helt had insisted on accompanying her. However, it would be troublesome if the fourth consort popped over on a whim, only to find that there wasn’t anyone to receive her. If he claimed Amelia was confined to bed with a cold or something, the fourth consort and her entourage wouldn’t approach her because they wouldn’t want to catch her illness, so there was nothing to worry about. As she snuck out, she waved at Helt, who’d been reduced to the personification of reluctance.
After Amelia managed to reach the city, she looked at the crowds and sucked in a deep breath. “Today’s goal is market research,” she muttered to herself. “It would also be nice if I could find bags to put sweets in.”
If she were selling sweets to Helt, she could wrap them in a handkerchief and stuff them into his mouth, but she couldn’t exactly do the same thing as a vendor. Cute packaging would be effective in the sense that it would raise the strawberry daifuku’s added value, yes, but she wouldn’t even be able to purchase bags without selling some first.
I’m technically a princess in an otome game set in a European fantasy world. Even if I don’t look the part, here I am, forced to earn money by starting a business…
She sighed. “Money, money… The world’s tough no matter which universe you’re in, huh? Oh well. My only option’s to work hard.”
She scanned her surroundings. The numerous lined-up street stalls didn’t just sell food but also a diverse range of merchandise, such as clothes and tools. Admiring them was fun, but she wasn’t here to enjoy herself today.
Focusing, she went around observing the confectionery stalls. Most of them offered Western sweets that had a long shelf life, such as cookies and candy. She naturally couldn’t find any Japanese confectionery.
She nodded to herself. “Okay, I think I can work with this.”
When she’d headed into town in the previous time loop, the store that had bought her homegrown vegetables had been kind to her, and she vaguely recalled the same store selling sweets in the storefront as well. Okay. I think I’ll ask that shop to buy my sweets. It’ll help me check the taste preferences of the people in the city, too.
As she navigated the streets while relying on her memories, the shopkeeper of a certain street stall called out to her. “Young miss over there. How about taking one of these home with you?”
She glanced at the stall’s display. Lovely brooches of various colors were lined up in rows. “Sorry. I’m afraid I don’t have any money.”
“Well then, come again with your boyfriend next time. I’ll give you a discount.”
Returning the shopkeeper’s polite smile with one of her own, Amelia left and sighed. Amelia didn’t just have a boyfriend. She had a fiancé. But she hadn’t received any replies to her letters ever since her betrothal, much less presents.
“Until now, I thought that he might dislike me or something, and I figured I can’t blame him for his reaction, but… Isn’t he like, awful? Real awful?”
Even if he’d been betrothed to her against his will—even if his heart already belonged to another woman—it didn’t change the fact that they were supposed to marry each other. Amelia was even technically a princess to boot. How could he treat her this heartlessly?
Before, Luke’s absolute-zero level of coldness only made her lonely and miserable. She still liked him, but at the same time, she wanted to give the boy a tiny piece of her mind.
She tilted her head. “Huh. I wonder why. Has my way of thinking changed a bit compared to all the previous time loops?”
Did her memories of Japan change her? Or had something that had been forcefully suppressed until now been liberated? She didn’t have an answer to either question, but she couldn’t fight back against Prisca with her previous attitude, so she believed it was a good change.
“If I’m able to see Lord Luke, I’ll say to his face, ‘Hey, you. You should at least reply to people’s letters, you know?’” Surely she had the right to at least say that much. Amelia nodded to herself. “All right. While I’m at it, I’ll stuff a super big strawberry into his mouth.”
With a new fire of determination burning in her heart, she arrived at her destination. Despite her nerves, she explained her situation and held out a strawberry daifuku.
The female shopkeeper readily put it into her mouth. It’s something she should be unfamiliar with—she sure has guts. But I’m thankful for her lionheart right now.
The shopkeeper chewed, swallowed with an audible gulp, then nodded while looking convinced about something. “It sure has a mysterious look, but it’s tasty. I like it. I’ll buy all five off you.”
Amelia beamed. “Thank you very much!”
After accepting the rest of the strawberry daifuku with a smile, the shopkeeper wasted no time and lined them up along the shop front. Then, customers who had watched the exchange came over, and the sweets were gone in the blink of an eye.
Both Amelia and the shopkeeper grinned with joy at the unexpected turn of events.
“Is this cute young lady a new staff member?” a male customer asked, handing Amelia carrots. “Could you wrap these ten carrots for me?”
Amelia looked at the shopkeeper, who held out a bag to her. It wasn’t much of a hassle, and she put the carrots in the bag.
Meanwhile, the man finished paying for his items before smiling brightly at her. “You know, it kind of brightens my day to receive my purchases from such a cute girl like you. I have a gut feeling that good things are going to happen today. Thanks.” He waved amiably at her.
Without thinking, Amelia waved back. For some reason, cheering resounded from the vicinity. People gathered in front of the store at once and held out wares to Amelia.
She blinked in confusion. “Um…?” When she turned around, the shopkeeper’s eyes were alight with a look she couldn’t quite decipher.
The shopkeeper asked, “Miss, could you help me out a bit? I’ll pay you for your work, of course.”
That must mean she wanted Amelia to work as a shop assistant for a while. It would help with market research, and the word “pay” was also alluring. Amelia nodded immediately.
After she accepted her new job, customers flooded the storefront like an avalanche. For a good while, Amelia single-mindedly packed goods and waved back at the people who waved at her. By the time the rush had calmed down, most of the merchandise displayed at the storefront had sold out.
“Whew, thank you.” The shopkeeper grinned. “You were seriously a big help. I’ll buy your products, so feel free to bring them over at any time. If you’re willing to help me out again, I’ll also pay you for your efforts.”
Even just the promise to purchase Amelia’s merchandise was already a welcome offer, and so she agreed.
The shopkeeper proceeded to place a few coins into Amelia’s hand. “This is payment for your sweets and your help. If you don’t mind, could you tend to the store for just a while longer? I’m heading out to fetch some products—I’ll be right back. You only have to turn down customers and say that I’m taking a break until I’m back.”
“Got it. Yes, I can do that.”
Amelia saw off the shopkeeper, who was so chipper that there was almost a spring in her step, before she gazed at the bustling flow of people. Her routine life consisted only of herself and Helt. Watching lots of people going about their lives like this was fun. Selling products directly to customers would make it easier for her to ask for feedback, so maybe opening her own shop wasn’t a bad idea. But, well, I’ll need money to do that, too.
As she entertained that thought absentmindedly, before she knew it, three men were standing in front of her.
One man said, “It’s against the rules for anyone other than those registered as shopkeepers to trade here. You need to pay a fine.”
Interesting. I didn’t know there was such a rule, Amelia thought. Considering how many shops were lined up, a certain amount of regulation was probably essential.
“I was only watching the shop while the owner was away, sir. It’s temporarily closed right now.”