As for the issue of privileges, other nobles had been trying to intervene for a while, so the imperials wanted to kill two birds with one stone by using this incident as a precedent to be stricter moving forward. The royals got Reiner involved in their plan, and together they set the stage for their performance. The emperor and Reiner were initially troubled, unable to understand the reason the empress was so persistent in pursuing this matter. However, after giving it some more thought, they realized that these products were quite incredible, considering how excited they’d made the empress and her ladies-in-waiting, though they acknowledged that they could never understand just how valuable these products were. Little did they know that the empress and her ladies-in-waiting were working so hard because they wanted to secure lotion and conditioner for their own use.
It was clear to the empress that the moment the incredible properties of this product became public knowledge, royals, duchesses, and countesses would all be fighting to get their hands on them. Being the empress put Matilda in a difficult position. She wasn’t able to move freely around the empire. If the lotion and conditioner went to market in a standard fashion, the duchesses and countesses who had the best access to shops would buy out all the available stock. In order for her to secure a guaranteed supply for herself, she had to come to an agreement with Kris on the day of the presentation.
Still, simply demanding that she receive priority treatment with regard to the beauty products would be an abuse of her authority and set a bad example for the other nobles. That was why she had driven Kris into a corner and gotten her to commit to prioritizing delivery of the products to her. The truth was, out of everyone who had been in attendance at today’s presentation, Matilda was the one who’d most strongly wanted it to succeed. Aside from the empress’s ladies-in-waiting, no one could have known about her desire.
“I see,” Kris replied upon hearing details from the imperials. “It is a relief to know that the situation was what I expected.”
She felt at ease knowing that her reading of the situation had been nearly spot-on. Now that Kris understood the reasons for their scheming, an adorable smile that was unexpected from a force like the empress appeared on Matilda’s face, softening the atmosphere in the drawing room. It was only then that Kris remembered something she’d been curious about.
“While I understand the reasons for the events that took place today, what was Your Majesty planning to do if I had agreed to sell the recipe and production rights?”
“Why, I would have naturally purchased them at a price they deserved. In fact, I’d be happy to buy them right now if you’ve changed your mind.” The empress pressed her hands together in front of her face and gave Kris a beaming smile.
I think she’s dangerous after all, Kris thought.
“Well then, that seems to settle the matter of the gifts,” the emperor said. “I have some things to discuss alone with Reiner. You still have things you’d like to discuss with Kris, don’t you, Matilda?”
“Yes, I would very much like to discuss the ‘right to priority supply’ that came up in the audience chamber,” the empress replied.
Kris had been taking a sip of tea, which she choked on and began coughing. The emperor and Reiner smiled wryly in response, then left the drawing room. Now, the only people present were Kris, Emma, Matilda, and Matilda’s lady-in-waiting.
“My, Kris. You haven’t forgotten about what you said in the audience chamber, have you? Or perhaps you haven’t forgotten, but it wasn’t a serious offer?”
“No, no. I have no such intentions,” Kris reassured her. “I simply did not expect that Your Majesty would want to discuss the details today.”
“I apologize. As the empress, I don’t have a lot of free time. That’s why I’d like to finalize things right away. Melia, please prepare some paper and ink.”
The empress’s lady-in-waiting immediately produced some ink and paper and placed them on the table that was between the two couches.
How long has she had those ready? Kris wondered.
The empress’s claim that she didn’t have much availability was partially true, but it was also partially a lie that she was using to finalize a contract with Kris on the spot. Kris was aware of that, but she was overwhelmed by how quickly the empress had taken action.
I would never want to be business competitors with her, Kris thought.
“Oh, I almost forgot!” the empress suddenly exclaimed. “I have something important I wanted to say to you, Kris. When we’re alone, you should refer to me as ‘Matilda.’”
The empress’s suggestion made Kris break out in a cold sweat, and she desperately tried to find the words to politely decline. “We are in the company of your lady-in-waiting, as well as my attendant. I wouldn’t dare refer to Your Majesty with such informality.”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about Melia. Also, I’d like to get to know your attendant as well.” The empress then turned to face Emma. “You should call me ‘Matilda’ as well. Understood?”
“Yes, Lady Matilda,” Emma hesitantly responded.
The fact that the empress had spoken directly to her was nerve-racking enough for Emma, and now she had been ordered to casually refer to the empress by her first name. Emma had turned completely pale. The intensity hidden behind the smiling empress’s eyes made her freeze up like a frog being hunted by a snake, and the great serpent quickly swallowed her whole.
“Very well then, Lady Matilda...” Kris hesitantly conceded. “I must insist that this only be in situations where we are truly alone.”
“Of course,” Matilda agreed. “Thank you.”
She gave Kris and Emma a carefree and adorable smile, but all the two of them could see before them was a menacing serpent.
They proceeded to discuss the details of the contract to guarantee priority delivery of the beauty products to Matilda, and Kris was completely at the mercy of the empress. By the time they finished negotiating, Kris had been entirely drained of energy, and her soul was on the verge of leaving her body.