Published: September 6, 2025
I also sent off the Ordnance and dispatched Darmel and Angelica to the West Gate. With that, Clarissa won't be able to say reckless things or cause a big commotion among the soldiers and commoners. Once the emergency at the gate is handled, the next focus will be the nobles. I'll need to contact my Foster Father.
"Hartmut, please contact Aub Ehrenfest."
"Understood."
Hartmut nodded lightly and left the room. Since he is Clarissa's fiancé and has recently been delivering information to my Foster Father, it is easier to arrange a meeting with him. If things can’t be resolved with the Ordnance, he’ll probably head to the castle.
Having finished what needed to be done, I refocused and continued the discussion with the merchants. I had to finish our scheduled business. As I straightened my posture, I caught the eye of the Guild Master, who was searching for words with a troubled expression, glancing at the surrounding civil officials.
"Lady Rosemine, since this is an emergency, shall we excuse ourselves?"
Some civil officials nodded at this question, but I firmly shook my head.
"No. Let's finish everything we planned to discuss today. We have to prepare for the merchants arriving this summer, and considering we plan to open a second store in Greschel next year, it will be busy, won’t it?"
"Your consideration is appreciated... However..."
I heard a hesitant voice saying something about the noble from Dunkelfelger. One of the civil officials agreed with the Guild Master's muttering.
"Isn’t Gustav right, Lady Rosemine? If a noble from Dunkelfelger is here, they should take priority over merchants. Merchants can be gathered again."
"No. The reform of Greschel lacks sufficient preparation time. If we want to succeed, we must not waste the precious time of those who need to prepare. It is not the merchants with shops in the downtown who will suffer if the reform fails, but Aub and Gibe Greschel."
Brynhildr lifted her head in surprise. Even so, several civil officials still looked unconvinced. They likely stubbornly believe that nobles should be prioritized over commoners. I sighed softly and looked at Brynhildr. She nodded slightly and spoke.
"Lady Rosemine is not simply accommodating the merchants. The reform of Greschel is a project led by Aub, and both I and Lady Rosemine need to be present at the discussions. Given the current situation in Ehrenfest, we cannot coordinate our schedules otherwise."
Brynhildr plays a mediating role between Gibe and Aub in the Greschel reform, assists my Foster Mother’s office work alongside Charlotte, and also prepares and lays groundwork to stand as second wife.
"From what I know, Lady Rosemine has consecutive rituals scheduled and will also conduct the starbinding ceremony by royal decree at the lords’ council. By the time those finish, merchants from other territories will be arriving. This is not a discussion that can be stopped just because of the unexpected arrival of high-ranking nobles from other territories."
Brynhildr’s argument that the priority should be the lord family, not nobles from other territories, seemed to satisfy the civil officials. I need to learn phrases to convince nobles too, but I want them to understand that if the merchants don’t cooperate, Aub and Gibe Greschel will be the ones to fail.
"I have assigned my aides to handle the nobles from Dunkelfelger, so that should be fine. Also, I have already contacted Aub Ehrenfest. I expect there will be some instructions."
Though the soldiers at the gate having to deal with Clarissa are unfortunate, I sent two who can interact without arrogance with commoners to the gate, so once they arrive, handling matters should become easier.
"Lady Rosemine is right. Since they acted unexpectedly, it is fine to make them wait. As a lord candidate, Lady Rosemine doesn’t need to change her plans for nobles from other territories. Isn’t that so?"
Brynhildr smiled and won the agreement of the civil officials. Impressive. It’s difficult for me to win over nobles like that.