Published: January 4, 2026
Immersed in the afterglow of the song, I left the shop together with Byron.
Alice’s evolution brought an unexpectedly satisfying result.
I had known she would improve! But I never expected it to happen so quickly.
It was truly a delightful miscalculation.
Savoring that afterglow, I turned to Byron, who had followed me.
“So, what did you come here for?”
“I happened to pass by and saw Your Highness’s figure.”
“That’s a lie.”
“Huh?”
Byron looked surprised. I smiled and turned around as I walked, looking up at the merchant I’d just met.
“A merchant wouldn’t waste time, especially a successful one.”
“……”
Byron was now speechless in a different way.
His eyes widened as if they might pop out, and he stared intently at me.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, it’s just surprising that someone your age... especially a noble, understands merchants so well.”
“On the contrary, my job is basically to waste time.”
“As expected of Prince Your Highness.”
I smiled faintly and glanced back.
The shop where Alice was gradually fading into the distance.
I became her patron out of a typical noble habit.
To be frank, it was a hobby, and hobbies often mean enjoying wastefulness.
“A merchant wouldn’t nurture someone like that.”
“No, well...”
“What were you about to say?”
“Uh, well...”
Byron hesitated awkwardly but then resigned himself and answered.
“Some might spend money and time if she were a concubine.”
“Hmph, I see.”
Remembering that I was just a six-year-old, I kept my mouth shut for the moment.
“So?”
“Yes, Your Highness, I have a favor to ask… It’s about the time of year again when the palace hires servants.”
“Hmm.”
Byron was right.
Every year, the palace hires a large number of female servants at once.
Officially, it’s just hiring servants, but if the emperor notices, they might be assigned as night companions, with a chance to rise to become consorts or even empress.
Because of this, the selection criteria are strict, and many people apply, making it a narrow gate every year.
“So what about it?”
“Well, I was wondering if you know any tendencies for selection or something like that.”
“You want to send women into the palace.”
“…”
Byron nodded seriously.
Politics and economy have always been inseparable.
Having someone you influence inside the palace means you get information early, and if by chance she becomes a consort or even the empress, it would greatly benefit business.
That was Byron’s intention.
“Of course, I’m not asking for free. I’ve already sent my feelings to your mansion.”
An advance payment—that’s impressive.
If he started with “once successful...” he’d be second-rate.
Now, what to do?
I could just take whatever he gives me.
I am a prince, the emperor’s legitimate son.
I could accept gifts from merchants and just say “well done” without more.
That’s the position of a prince.
But I like this man.
The girl he found and adopted as his foster daughter.
I like Byron, the man who did that.
So I thought about what I could do.
Suddenly, two faces popped into my mind.
One was Alice, whom I just parted with, and the other was His Majesty the Emperor in the palace.
His Majesty likes me now, and if I recommend someone, it should be accepted smoothly.
“There is one thing.”
“What is it?”
“If it’s a girl I like, I can put in a good word.”
After saying that, I glanced behind me—toward where Alice was.
Not unconditionally, but to hint that it has to be someone I genuinely like.
Byron was apparently smart.
He looked back and forth between me and the shop with Alice, then happily bowed his head.
“Thank you! I will select a girl that meets your standards.”
“Yeah. Well, the main event is a one-shot deal, but at my place (the preliminaries), they can try as many times as they want.”
I added that to show generosity and to avoid misunderstandings.
“I’m grateful for your generosity!”
“Hmm… You still look like you want to say something.”
I read it from Byron’s face as he raised his head.