Chapter 423 I'm Not Angry
Upon returning to her room in the Royal Capital residence from Maiden's Tower, Maria was wandering around with a worried expression.
"I'm back."
"Miss Sara! His Excellency the Marquis is calling for you. I've told them you're 'changing clothes,' but I was wondering what to do if you didn't return."
"Sorry for making you rush. But if you tell someone like Grazi, the message will get through right away."
"The golems are being summoned by the Young Marchioness and Lady Rebecca."
"...Without permission?"
The atmosphere surrounding Sara became slightly tense.
Just because she was from the Grandchester family doesn't mean she could freely use Sara's personal belongings or commodities from the Sophia Merchant Guild.
Though it is easy to forget since they operate autonomously, it should be Sara herself who commands the golems... or rather, the Magi.
"We need to properly establish the chain of command. I permit the maidens and Rihito's support, but I haven't allowed any Grandchester affiliates. I think it's a problem if they don't prioritize me in case of an emergency."
Not having much time, Sara quickly changed her dress using magic.
Considering that Maria bought time under the pretense of her changing clothes, she judged that the dress she had changed into for indoor wear was too casual before heading to Maiden's Tower.
Upon arriving at Marquis Grandchester's office, Sara knocked and called out.
"Grandfather, I've heard you called for me."
"Come in."
In the office, Marquis Grandchester was working on paperwork at a large desk.
Behind him was a large window, providing a view of the splendid garden extending to the gate.
At any rate, since it's snowing even in the Royal Capital today, everything is dyed a pure white.
"It's been a while since I entered this room."
"The last time was when you said you wanted to live in Grandchester territory."
"It feels like a long time ago, yet it hasn't even been a year."
"Indeed."
Marquis Grandchester stood up and moved toward the sofa.
The long plush carpet muffled his footsteps, while the office maid assisting the Marquis began preparing tea.
'Grandfather has started using an office maid, hasn't he?'
"I apologize. I fell asleep waiting for you and grandfather to return yesterday."
"It can't be helped. We returned late at night. After leaving the palace, I was held up by the Commerce Guild. The guildmaster of the grain merchant guilds kept presenting demands: 'Do something about the Sophia Merchant Guild.'"
"Oh my. That sounds quite serious~desuwa."
"It can't be helped. They must be facing a life-or-death issue as well."
"I don't like having to bow to Sophia, but they can bow before the head of the Grandchester family~desuwa."
"That seems to be true."
"So, grandfather, regarding His Majesty the King..."
At that moment, the small sound of a cup clinking against the saucer was heard.
Though it was an unacceptable display for a maid of the Grandchester household, it signaled 'I'm still here' and served as a warning not to speak carelessly until their departure.
"I sincerely apologize."
The office maid quietly offered an apology and continued her tasks.
Recently, there have been more servants reprimanding Sara for her careless actions.
She doesn't know why, but she feels like someone is following her from the shadows.
For now, Sara chose a neutral topic and waited until the office maid served tea and exited the office.
"I was directly asked by the king about Sophia's identity. Well, I answered that I don't know."
"Thank you."
"There was a suspicion that it might be Adelia. Well, I suppose they guessed from her appearance she is related to her mother's family. I think it's a concern regarding the connection with the former royal family of Florence, rather than Genoa."
"I understand the direction of the speculation."
"Well, it would soon be clear that Adelia has already become ephemeral. Perhaps the king questioned me for confirmation."
Sara took a sip of the tea the office maid had brewed.
'Ah, delicious. You're better at brewing tea than Maria. But I don't know how to eat the sweets...'
The office maid had prepared small pastries alongside the tea.
They were hard baked goods like biscotti from my previous life, but Rebecca's lady education didn't teach me to dip the sweets in tea.
Sara decided it would be safer to refrain from touching the pastries.
Marquis Grandchester, watching Sara's demeanor, noticed what she was thinking.
"Though it's avoided by ladies, I actually like that sweet."
"It might be good to commercialize a mix of nuts and dried fruits as emergency rations for knights and soldiers. Travelers would enjoy it as well."
"You're quick to link it to business. It's certainly unladylike, but I suppose it's correct for a merchant."
Sara returned a soft smile to her grandfather, who suddenly showed a smile.
"I am definitely a merchant, and according to my memory, my parents were merchants as well... however, it seems wise to investigate my mother's family."
"You probably understand the details better than I do. The Florence Merchant Guild maintains quite a distinct identity within the Coastal Union. They do have dealings with the Silt Merchant Guild, but I can't ascertain whether they are involved in hostile actions against Roisen or Avalon. Speaking of uncertainty, I have no idea what position Adelia held in her family. Even after sending the news of her passing, the messenger brought only a rude letter."
"A rude letter?"
"To summarize, it states that 'Adelia's inheritance rights will not be passed on to her daughter, Sara.'"
"So it's not about condolences, but rather a matter of money?"
"Indeed. I shouted at the messenger, 'The Grandchester family does not beg for money from foreign merchants,' and threw the letter at him to send him away."
"If you knew that my mother eloped, it wouldn't be surprising to think that I, as an orphan, still live in poverty. There might be those who want to take me in and misuse my mother's inheritance under the guise of raising me."
However, Marquis Grandchester maintained a stern expression and outright denied Sara's opinion.
"No, that can't be. As the head of the Grandchester family, I sent the news of her passing to Adelia's family. I used a seal that only the head can use. If you run a well-known merchant guild in the Coastal Union, you must know of the Grandchester family of Avalon."
"I see. I haven't heard much about my mother's family either. Perhaps I heard something when I was very young, but I don't remember it at all, so it's as if I haven't heard anything."
"Hmm."
"Well, I only heard fragmented stories about the Grandchester family from my father. Honestly, I didn't think my father was a noble."
"Did Arthur say anything about me or my brothers?"
"When he drinks, he sometimes talks nostalgically. He had no bad impressions to share at all."
"I see..."
A glimmer was seen in Marquis Grandchester's eyes as he stumbled over his words, but Sara quietly turned her gaze to the window and did not point it out.
"The Royal Capital is completely covered in snow, isn't it? It's beautiful from the warmth of this room, but it pains me to think of those suffering in the harsh cold. It seems heat fever is spreading as well."
"I suppose the guild will be involved in countermeasures for heat fever in the Royal Capital?"
"Yes. That's the most efficient method. We've already started laying the groundwork. The moment Paracelsus's name was mentioned, both the Pharmacist Guild and the Alchemist Guild were in a frenzy. The Commerce Guild seems to be bowing down to the potential profits from the cure."
"That person truly deserves to be called a sage. If Mr. Paracelsus's measures against heat fever succeed, his achievements will be immeasurable. There's a good chance he could be ennobled. He will likely be summoned to the Royal Capital soon."
"Could it be that you are unaware that Grandfather knows Rihito is already in the palace?"
"What!?"
It seems information has not been shared with Marquis Grandchester.
"If he returned late last night, the messenger may have crossed paths with him. Yesterday, Her Highness Princess Mathilda had a high fever."
"Ah, I know that."
"Golem Sophia was in the palace, so I obtained permission for Rihito and Amelia to enter through her."
"But weren't Mr. Paracelsus and Lady Amelia in Grandchester territory?"
"That's correct."
"Then how did that happen!?"
The moment he said that, Marquis Grandchester stared intently at Sara.
"Did you move them?"
"Yes. My uncle asked me the same thing. I think we should share various information, so could you please call in the others for now?"
"Edward's couple and your parents, huh?"
"Yes, and please call Chloe as well."
"Am I the only one who doesn't know?"
"It ended up that way, didn't it?"
"Good grief..."
Marquis Grandchester, holding his head, rang the bell on the side table to summon the servants and gathered the family in the study.
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