A domain downstream from Renard was impressed with Renard Water Transport and built their own canals, connecting us to the sea. Due to their proximity to the coast, their part of the river was wide and deep, and the construction proceeded quickly thanks to the engineers we sent over. Once everything was complete, goods could be transported by sea, transferred to the river ships, and brought upstream to Renard. Naturally, the reverse could be done as well.
House Renard also finished building the hot spring inn. We informed Dr. Guillotin, who was living in the capital, and he spread the word that our onsen was effective in helping the sick and injured. Thus, we began receiving a lot of tourists. It was perfect timing, as autumn was upon us, making the warm hot spring water all the more appealing.
For a lot of people, traveling by sea or river was a novelty, and it was a lot faster than going by horse. Ships also provided an easier ride for the sick, wounded, women, and children—it stirred their desire to travel.
In addition to the open-air onsen that we’d built previously, a medicinal bath using local herbs was also added to the inn. Visitors loved the pleasant aroma of the water, and many bought dried herbs to enjoy the same kind of bath back home.
Also, Lady Revon taught us about a steam bath called a “sauna.” Lady Revon was another great fox spirit like Lady Kuzunoha who belonged to the Global Legendary Fox Federation. She took on the appearance of a fox with a dazzling, rainbow-colored coat. She watched over a nation colder than Renard, where on occasion a rainbow curtain called an aurora twinkled across the night sky. Lord Reineke was an old friend of hers, and she gave us advice specific to cold places.
Because many people in poor condition came to visit the onsen, we also developed a nutritional drink for them. Dr. Guillotin had advised us that it was good to have some protein after taking a bath, so we came up with soy milk smoothies.
The doctor had recommended dairy milk, but Renard didn’t have many dairy cows and our goats didn’t produce much milk. We’d originally planned to just use soy milk alone, but its strong taste made it difficult to drink. So we mixed it with fruit—our local specialty—improving the drink’s taste and making it a hit with the visitors, especially while snacking on onsen manju.
With House Renard’s hot spring inn booming in popularity, gift shops and other stalls sprang up in its vicinity. We freely gave out the recipes that the great spirits had taught us to our citizens, many of whom put their own spin on them.
The area was full of people laughing and eating konjac balls or onsen manju. It was fun to go around the many stores selling senbei with all kinds of jams, finding which ones were your favorite.
Many of the tourists were wealthy, so yama moth fabric and the rock crystal accessories were also selling well. After being rejuvenated by the onsen, visitors enjoyed leisurely boat rides down the river. Since the domain was surrounded by mountains, mountaineering became popular too.
Renard had once been seen as the grim frontier, but now it was embracing a bright, merry atmosphere.
And that was when Prince Hodr decided to pay a visit under the pretext of inspecting the hot spring.
Refusing his visit wasn’t an option, as the hot spring and its related businesses had been created from a relief fund granted by the royal family, who wanted to ensure that the money wasn’t being used dishonestly. And since our neighboring territory had just finished constructing a canal and there was a channel connecting Renard to the capital, the prince could kill two birds with one stone by carrying out canal inspection as well.
I was disheartened when I first heard the news.
“He’s going to stay with House Renard, isn’t he?” I asked my father, exasperated.
However, he shook his head.
“He’s coming for an inspection this time, so I’ve arranged for him to experience the resort properly.”
“You mean—”
“Yes, he’ll be staying at the hot spring inn. And since we know he’ll be coming ahead of time, we’ll have a VIP room prepared for him.”
I was relieved to hear that I wouldn’t have to experience the same torment of him constantly following me around like last time.
“Thank goodness!” I yelled, hopping up and down.
“Last time, he ran with his tail between his legs. He never learns, does he?” Liam said with a sigh.
I nodded.
He’s coming back after practically being driven out. It’s incredible, in a way. Is this level of obstinance required to qualify as a royal?
My stomach turned in knots as I remembered the rumors and malice surrounding me in my past life.
“I can’t go near the inn during His Highness’s stay,” I told myself.
In the end, despite my resolution...
“Lune! I missed you!”
I was staring at Hodr, who was grinning back at me. He had arrived a few days ago by ship and was staying in the inn’s VIP room. But of course, he decided to visit House Renard under the excuse of auditing his donation fund. He couldn’t actually do that himself, so a bureaucrat from the royal court was accompanying him.
I flinched and hid behind my brother. Lord Reineke in his fox form nuzzled against me.
“I guess it’s been a while, so maybe you forgot? It’s me! Your Hodr!” the prince said.
“My” Hodr?! What nonsense!
Meanwhile, the auditor merely scoffed at the sight of me without even giving me a greeting. We had looked into him and found that he was a distant relative of House Cordier, the queen’s birth family. She had probably sent him out to investigate House Renard, as an inspection would allow him to look into our internal affairs in great detail. Right from the start, the queen was acting with hostility toward us.
“Ha! Such disrespect. They say she’s the contractor of a great spirit, but she’s just some beast from the boonies,” the auditor murmured mockingly under his breath.
Lord Reineke’s ears twitched. He growled, baring his fangs.
Oh no, he’s angry! By making fun of me, that man’s basically insulting Lord Reineke! And if I ignore the prince, the auditor will think House Renard is disrespectful! I can’t allow that!
I rushed to stand side by side with Liam.
“Welcome, Your Highness. I hope you have a pleasant time here,” I said politely, grasping my skirt and curtsying. My form was elegant, as the queen had made me undergo rigorous training in my past life. I used to cry while constantly practicing, but I guess I couldn’t complain now that I could bow as beautifully as Her Majesty herself.
The auditor glanced at me and clicked his tongue.
“You’re beautiful as ever, Lune!” Hodr said. “It’s like you’re already the crown princess!”
The prince flung himself at me, but Lord Reineke stepped in between us.
Liam stepped forward as well, his expression icy.
“We’ve already refused numerous times. Lune will not be your bride,” he said.