The day following my long discussion with my father, I was meeting with Kris in the drawing room. We were seated across from each other with a table between us. On the table were steaming-hot cups of tea that the maids had prepared for us before they’d left the room.
Right now, the two of us were alone in the drawing room. I’d wanted to speak with Kris yesterday when she’d returned from the capital, but she had been so exhausted that she’d passed out upon returning to Valdia. Out of consideration for her health, my father had set her up in our guest room last night, where she’d rested until today. She’d spent all of yesterday in bed and had woken up this morning a bit confused. Danae had been giggling as she told me that Kris had been “quite panicked.”
I figured it was a lot of work for a lady to get ready, so I’d asked several maids to help Kris once she woke up.
I wonder if that went all right.
I’d asked members of the household staff for two things. First, I wanted to be notified when Kris was ready to talk. Second, I wanted them to relay that I would like her to give a report about her trip to the capital. I was eventually notified that Kris was ready to meet, and now we were here in the drawing room.
Since we would be discussing events that had taken place in the capital, some of the information brought up would be confidential—that was what I’d told the maids when I’d asked them to leave the room. I thought that the maids had looked at me with suspicion as they left, but I’d like to believe I’d imagined that.
“I apologize, Sir Reid. I cannot believe I fell unconscious and remained asleep upon my return...”
“No, no. You have nothing to apologize for. I’m sure you were exhausted. I should be the one apologizing. I’m sorry for giving you such a difficult task.”
Kris seemed a bit dispirited. Perhaps she was disappointed that she’d made it all the way to the finish line, only to have fallen apart just before crossing it. I took a closer look at her face and saw that her eyes were glistening.
Should I try to cheer her up?
She was usually a much livelier woman, and her current teary-eyed expression and low spirits were making her charming in a different way. I also had a flashback to when I’d sneaked up on her to prank her while she was asleep, and I felt my face grow hot.
Kris seemed to notice that I was flushed and asked, “Are you all right?”
“Y-Yes, I’m fine,” I insisted.
“Excuse me,” Kris said as she leaned forward and placed her left hand on my forehead. She then placed her right hand on her own forehead. “I don’t believe you have a fever, but you mustn’t push yourself too hard, Sir Reid.”
She dropped her hands and leaned in a bit more. Our faces were unbelievably close as she gave me an adorable smile. I felt myself instantly turn bright red. It had happened so quickly that I thought I could hear the blood rushing to my face. At the same time, the events from yesterday replayed in my mind.
I thought back to the smiles on Mer’s and my mother’s faces. There was something terrifying emanating from behind them. Before I knew it, all the blood had left my face, leaving me pale.
“Now you’re looking pale, Sir Reid. Are you really all right? If you’re not feeling well, we should meet another day.”
“No, no! I’m really all right! See? I’m doing great!”
I quickly shot up from my seat and began moving my arms around, bending and stretching to show Kris that I was perfectly healthy.
“Well, as long as you’re all right...” Kris said, not looking convinced.
“More importantly, how was your meeting with the empress?” I asked. “I heard from my father that you officially got your rights to the products recognized and that you also managed to suppress interference from other nobles.”
I sat back down while forcing a change of topic. Kris’s expression brightened, and she began speaking with her usual lively and confident demeanor. I listened to her talk for a while.
1. Coordination between Kristie Trading Company and Saffron Trading Company.
2. Quarrel with Count Roland and Kris’s counterattack.
3. Contract with the empress granting her the rights to priority supply for lotion and conditioner.
4. Establishment of a path for direct sales from Kristie Trading Company to the empress.
Note: The empress has taken a liking to Kris.
5. Right to priority supply: a month’s supply of lotion and conditioner must be prepared with the highest priority for the empress. If the empress makes additional orders, those will be fulfilled using stock meant for standard consumers. Her Majesty’s right to priority does not apply to additional orders. The priority order must be paid for in full before delivery.
That basically summarized what Kris had told me. After that, we went over each point, making sure we were on the same page. I took a sip of tea to hydrate myself before moving on.
“Kris, I truly thank you for all your work in the capital.”
“There’s no need for thanks. I simply followed your instructions. I’ve also always wanted to raid the capital myself, so to speak.” She smiled bashfully, then the light behind her eyes disappeared. “But I won’t be going next time,” she muttered with resentment.
All I could do was let out a nervous chuckle and let that moment pass. To switch gears, I decided to ask her about Saffron Trading Company.
“I’m not trying to flatter you, but you are objectively incredible. I don’t think I could have settled matters so well. Am I correct in assuming that we’re all set to work with the Saffron Trading Company?”
“Yes, that’s correct. The Saffron Trading Company has gladly accepted our request to provide customer service for both the lotion and the conditioner. Also, Their Majesties have been filled in about our requests. I’ve asked that they ensure that those without the proper knowledge cannot sell such products, as they can affect people’s physical well-being. For now, the Saffron and Kristie Trading Companies will have a monopoly on this market.”
She gave me a smile before taking a sip of tea.
“Understood. I’d eventually like to visit the Saffron Trading Company.”
“I’ll make the introductions when the time comes,” Kris happily replied.
“You know, I had no idea that you were a noble lady from Astoria. I was surprised to learn about it from my father.”