--I hated that little red-haired lady.

'Why can't you understand this?　Or do you want to get hit?
"Gosh, ......, ......, ......," he said.

　He was hunched over his desk with a textbook in his hand.
　I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not, but it's a good thing.

　But now she had a good meal and people who would do anything for her.
　And a father (Wind) who would come to her whenever he had time.

　That would have made her happy, but every time she came to visit, she gave him hell.

　She beat me up a lot.
　He threatened me with death if I couldn't do it.
　I cried and tried. The only thing that saved me was what she said.

'I'll come back when my grades get bad. I'm busy.

　The test at the end of the day.
　The test at the end of the day. Ruri understood she was talking about the grade.
　That's right. If you got good grades, the kind teacher would tell you.
　If you were careless and indulged the teacher, the red-haired lady would come the next day.

　That's why I tried so hard.
　I studied as hard as I could. I didn't want to see her.

　Gradually, she came less and less often.

　Lately, I haven't seen her for a while.











I'm a manager, not a teacher. I don't care if Ruri's mind is warped. I don't care if Ruri's mind is warped. It's the most efficient way to help her survive on her own. That's all I'm saying.










　--Klingbloom residence.

"Hey, Lord Treasurer. I need to talk to you about something.
It's ....... You know, most of the time, you're not the best person to talk to.
Really?　Well, if you're good, you might be able to squeeze some tax out of the empire.
Well, let's hear it.

　The party was still going on.
　The party was still going on. Corona was nudging Ruri, who was still uncomfortable, and they were squirming together. Richter had plenty of things to say to the maids who were devouring every last morsel of food, but for now, dealing with this disgusting brat was more important.

I found out who did this to our bouncer. The guy who caught me lightly taught me about the situation.
You think he's a member of the Imperial Family?
He's a member of the Imperial Family. I thought it was strange.

　The one who approached Richter was a girl with a hood on.
　The girl who approached Richter was a hooded girl who had just appeared out of nowhere and was sitting there eating only dessert.

　Richter had heard about the situation at the Orba Trading Company to some extent.
　But the only information he had was that the man in charge of the business was being pursued by some very dangerous men, and that Futa and the woman in front of him were struggling with it.

　The information obtained by Beatrix M. Orba seems to have come from a poor source, but it is also highly credible.

　It wouldn't be much of a problem if she had only heard that the Imperial nobility had sent assassins.
　But once you hear the number of assassins hired and the methods used, it makes sense.

The people hired were from King's Landing. The imperial aristocracy paid for the assassination. --How do you feel about that when you're the one who collects taxes from the Imperial Guard?
Depending on the bounty, it's a form of tax evasion. People who don't have the right to do business are doing it.
That's right. That's why they set the bounty at 50 million gold.

　Beatrix licks the sugar from her lips.
　I'm not sure what you're talking about," he said, smiling mockingly.

The imperial currency is useless in King's Landing because there is no trust in it. But in order to keep it from being traced, we can't let it be known that he does business in King's Landing. Then what's 50 million gold worth?　--There's only one answer.
"Fifty million gold pieces in kind?
Exactly.

　Perhaps," Beatrix said, narrowing her eyes.
　He's a businessman.

　According to the information Beatrix had received, the reward was worth 50 million gold.
　The client is unknown. The request is to dispose of the Wind Earth Note and recover the Luli Earth Note.

　The number of people who would want to kill a mere bouncer for 50 million gulds at this time is more than enough for one hand.

　If Prince Barrier Reef had nothing to do with it, then he must be in the vicinity.

　If he entered the capital as a nobleman, he could infiltrate the merchant corps with his own high-priced goods.

　The prize money is secured by goods that are worth the bounty, without a doubt.

"They didn't bring me what I wanted, you know. We've got a bit of a backlog thanks to them. Spices, incense, silk.

　I knew something was wrong.
　In a time of civil war, when they want to get money and goods from the outside, they wouldn't bring their own great resources.



　Perhaps the underling took the liberty of pre-purchasing it as his own.

What are you going to do by telling me about this?
"What?　You know the answer. --I'm going to smash you.

　Her expression twisted into a grimace.

The bounty is supported by the large amount of fine silk they've brought in. They need to sell it to pay for Wind's murder. Isn't that right?
Right. But--
Yeah. You can't sell it to keep your foot off the gas. Not by myself.

　You can't do business in kind.
　Then...

I was going to give that silk as a gift. --If you'd brought as much as you did last year, the silk would've fetched 50 million galds. Last year, yeah. ......
"What a face you have.

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

I'm not sure what to say. You know the rumor that the civil war in the empire is getting worse?

　The story had reached Richter's ears as well.
　The source is unknown, but it was already widespread when the Imperial Guard arrived.

"...... Oh.
I'm sure you're right. That's why the quality of the silk has gone down compared to last year. Ah, the quality is getting worse every time I come here these days.
"......
I was patient with them until last year, but I think I've reached my limit. I didn't change the purchase price, but I did lower the selling price.
You're kidding.
Well...

　He stretched lightly.
　"Well," he says, stretching lightly, his eyes glittering with amusement.

"Time to go rogue. I'll knock out their credibility and buy off all their assassins. --"Yeah, so.

　Beatrix turns around and sticks her index finger in Richter's stomach.

If you try to sell it off, you'll be taxed to the hilt.
"You don't have to tell me.

　She turns away as if she's done talking.

All that's left to do is to impose all the damage caused by the Orba Corporation on the lowlifes. It's an easy business.

　She gives a small yawn and begins to walk away.
　I have no more use for this place. Give the message to the girl and be done with it. Everything else will fall into place.

　Of course she wants to stop you from marrying the emperor.

"Sister Beato.

　That's when...
　A voice called out from behind her.

　Beatrix turned around with a blatantly distorted expression, looking annoyed.
　What she saw in her eyes was a familiar child girl and a maid holding hands.

　I looked at her without thinking, and the hand she held was trembling slightly. The hand in my hand was trembling slightly, and I could see that it was straining from nervousness.

"Can I help you with ......?
"You know. Beato, sister.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

Thank you.

　The corner of Beatrix's mouth drops in response to the four syllables filled with her heartfelt feelings.
　Beatrix's mouth drops at the sound of the four syllables.

What?　It's just that you were in the way as it was.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.

Is that all you have to say?　If you have time to do something stupid, you should do something about your weak mind.
But, Beato...
I don't have as much time as you.

　Once it's over, Ruri can't say anything.
　That's it.
　She sniffs and tries to turn on her heel, but stops there.

"Thanks, Pasta!
I don't remember you ever being that friendly to me.
"Well, don't say that!　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's had a bad experience.
...... I don't care. I'd like to make it clear that I don't think you're...



　--I don't like it.
　Cupcake stuffed in my mouth when I tried to tell her that.

It's the maid's way of saying thank you.
What?
Thanks to you. I found a reason to live. Maybe.
"......
I remember Pasta said she didn't understand the maid, but... The maid doesn't know anything about pasta either. But you know what?　I think, maid.

　She squeezed Ruri's hand and gave Beatrix an annoyingly blank smile.

　She has the same trusting eyes as Ruri, which Beatrix hates.

It's not a bad idea to try to expect more from the world.

　The weight of those words. The true meaning of those words.
　Beatrix knew.
　Of course. She'd been given a prime seat in front of the execution table that day.

　A travesty, a travesty. A spectacle that made her want to say.

"Stop!

　I said as I popped it.

　The maid and Ruri looked at each other with troubled faces.
　He half glared at the maid and Ruri, who looked troubled, and then turned away without listening.

"Don't. --Don't come near me when you don't have anything to gain.

　That's all she said, and then she walked away.
　If Wind dies anyway, this girl is worthless.
　Just throw her out. That's all there is to it.

　There was no one here to call out to the small back as she walked away.


　But. Ruri thinks to herself.

　--Someday. I hated that red-haired girl.