There Is No Need To Be Obsessed - Chapter 17

He stared at me with empty, dark red eyes. Like a corpse barely moving by magic.

“I only take in valuables. If you, miss, were to become a viscountess, you would become a vassal of mine, but don’t you think you have to be worthy enough? Isn’t that right?”

For a moment I wondered if he was trying to test me, but soon realised it wasn’t.

He was being sincere.

More precisely, he had no interest in me at all.

It’s annoying.

As a result of operating the Guild for a long time, this type of thing was the most cumbersome.

It was not like I wanted anything out of him in particular but at the same time, I could not manage to lose face here. So I had to play the part right.

The emperor looked at me with emotionless eyes, as if he didn’t want me. He just seemed to think of me as an annoying fly.

Even if I were to step down here, the Emperor would eventually give his approval with a rough scribble at a time he felt right.

The problem is that I don’t know when would that be.

But what I don’t like more than that…

Those eyes seem to be looking down at me.

I really didn’t like the way he looked at me.

Approval was important, but I wanted to fix that gaze first.

“Enough. If you have nothing to say, leave…”

“The pen that Your Majesty is using, it is from the small kingdom of Epen.”

“So, what’s the problem?”

“…The pen of the small kingdom of Epen is very famous. Its feather is that of a yellow peacock, which is said to be rare in small kingdoms, and the pen is a high-quality handmade product made by weaving the stems of Clarac Grass, which is famous for being flexible and durable.”

“You seem quite knowledgeable about it. That’s right.”

“Anyone who has ever used the quill of the small kingdom of Epen can never write with any other pen again, which is a very famous story. It boasts a very high price, but there is a steady demand, so it’s like Epen has monopolised the stationery market.”

“…”

“But, as Your Majesty knows, there are many gaps in that market. First of all, there is relatively little competition as it is a monopoly system of the small kingdom of Epen.”

“…”

“Also, writing was originally exclusive to the nobles, but the market is gradually expanding as more commoners learn to write recently, but the quantity produced in the small kingdom is extremely limited. Even if one wants to get a pen, they can’t find it, so there is a shortage.”

“Yes, that’s why the value of the pen in Epen is soaring.”

The Emperor put down his quill and looked at me as if he wanted to listen more.

I said softly.

“When the price goes up, the value increases as well. However, there are times when the market is temporarily brought to a pause due to shortages.”

“…”

The emperor’s gaze darkened.

I had heard of this while trying to figure out how the market dynamics had changed during my absence.

The Cheshire Group was not so attentive because they did not mainly focus on stationery such as pens…

But the emperor would be different.

It had been three years since he ascended to the throne.

State affairs had reached a period of stability, and now it was time for the emperor to show some personal achievements to the nobles and the people.

By achievement, it was to refer to a significant business under the name of the royal family that he was the head of…

Recognised what I was hinting at, the young emperor said.

“However, it would not be easy to make pens with the quality that could match the quills of the Epen Kingdom. It takes a lot of investment to make the finest products. I can’t waste time and money on uncertainties.”

“There is a big difference between business and gambling. But there is some sense to Your Majesty’s words. So how about this? What if I could make a high-end kind of pen without consuming a lot of money and materials?”

“Are you telling me that such a thing is possible?”

“I do not have any dangerous hobbies such as bantering with the Emperor.”

I nodded leisurely.

“Your Majesty told me to prove my worth. That is my worth.”

I raised my head and made eye contact with him.

“The judgment after that is up to Your Majesty. Even if Your Majesty do not believe me, that is my value.”

“… that’s interesting.”

The emperor, who looked at me as if I had lost my mind, pulled the corner of his lips up into a cold smile.

Like a beast that found a small animal to play with, the emperor looked at me silently and suddenly muttered.

“When I see the young miss, a certain person comes to mind. Even though you two don’t look alike at all.”

“…?”

“The results of the approval will be notified before the anniversary banquet is over. Just go back and wait for it.”

I bowed, puzzled by his weird remark.

“May the sun shine on Your Majesty’s future.”

(Click).

As I left his office, I leaned my back against the door and let out a short sigh.

I’m exhausted.

It had been a long time since I last had an exchange close to a nerve war like this. I had officially lost all my energy.

If he wants to know how to make the pen in question, he’ll approve the succession.

I just had to wait for that.

But if my succession were to be rejected…

I have no choice but to think of another way.

There was also a choice of buying a title with money, and what’s more, it wasn’t completely impossible to sit in the top position without a title.

However, they would take a lot of time and can cause some trouble and stir up some unnecessary talks.

After all, it was best to inherit Craycia Viscounty.

Well, the result seems to have been decided. I’ll just have to wait and see.

Hillary, who was waiting, approached.

A few steps in the direction of my room with her, I stopped in my tracks and looked back.

But is it just me?

As the emperor’s visage passed through my mind, I tilted my head.

I think I have seen him somewhere before.

But where could I have ever seen the Emperor himself?

Soon after, I continued walking, dismissing it as me being mistaken.

More importantly, I had to prepare for tomorrow’s ball.