“Hmm...”
I examined the object in front of me with a confused expression.
Laying on the table was an item that had appeared in the latest secret auction.
No matter how you look at it, it definitely is...
Sleek body, familiar illustration.
...Even if you did a forward or backward somersault, it was definitely the limited edition Ghost Duke mug you ordered.
While I was still staring absently at the cup, I was pulled out of my distraction by the Grand Duke's casual question.
“Princess, what are you going to do now?”
“Um, hmm...”
Yes, good question.
I scratched my cheek, then reviewed what the Grand Duke had just told me again.
The title “Limited Edition: 100 Pieces” succeeded in arousing readers’ desire to purchase, which led to increased demand for the comic book itself.
What I hadn't taken into account was how strong people's consumer instincts are here.
In Korea, where advertising was everywhere, people developed a certain level of resistance to marketing tactics...
“But not here.”
Thanks to its rarity, the cup's popularity skyrocketed – so much so that it made its way to a secret auction.
Not a precious gem. Not even a legendary sword. Just... just a cup!
Ignoring that uncomfortable feeling I had last time was the biggest mistake I made...
Looking back, whenever I downplayed things, they came back to me like a boomerang.
As I struggled to recover from the karmic shock I had just received, Bonita approached and spoke.
“Ma’am, the meal you ordered earlier is ready.”
Oh, right. Meal time. My fatigue was probably caused by low blood sugar.
Now that I realized this, I was suddenly hungry. As I pressed my empty stomach, Bonita pointed toward the garden.
“I've got it back there, ma'am.”
Thanks. I have to eat first and think later.
While I was expressing my gratitude and was about to tell the Grand Duke that we would discuss this matter tomorrow—
“Hmm, hmm!”
He let out a cough so loud that there was no need to ask where it came from.
...and it was a very significant cough.
'Huh?'
What is this?
I felt like he was sending me some kind of signal, but what was he trying to say?
As I looked at him in confusion, the Grand Duke coughed again – louder this time.
“Ahem!”
He definitely wanted to say something.
Was he expecting me to offer a solution now? But I had only just learned about this! I needed time to think.
I carefully tried to avoid collision.
I know you're busy, but I really have to...
“Ahem!!”
Was that a mistake?
“Why are you… oh, wait, haven’t you eaten yet?”
He answered my question immediately, as if he had been waiting for it.
“Well, I've been busy with my duties.”
Oh, I see.
Since we were in the Imperial Palace, he probably couldn't eat as freely as he did in the Ducal Palace.
I glanced at the stack of documents behind him, then casually offered him a solution.
“In that case...how about eating some finger foods while you work?”
"Hmm! Hmm! Hmm!"
But instead of the Grand Duke appreciating my suggestion, the coughing fit got worse.
Wait, what did I forget?
Did I make a mistake in some way? But I didn't say anything wrong, right?
I was just worried that he was skipping meals – why was he acting like this?
As I stood there in complete confusion, Bonita, who never spoke in such situations, suddenly interjected.
“We have already prepared a large amount of food. If my master has not eaten yet, perhaps you can have dinner with my master...”
“On that.”
The Grand Duke interrupted her and immediately agreed.
...So that's what it was about?
Was he just hungry?
Has he been watching my food this whole time?
“Haha…”
I think the saying “the grass is always greener on the other side” applies to strong people too.
I laughed lightly, nodded and followed him as he quickly led the way into the park.
* * *
The meal with the Grand Duke was very embarrassing.
What's wrong with him?
He kept staring at me as if he had something to say, but whenever our gazes met, he would suddenly pretend not to care and look away.
Moreover, he remained silent throughout the meal, only putting the food into his mouth with a serious expression.
“He must have something to say.”
Given his behavior, it was probably something unpleasant.
What could it be?
Does that make sense? Impossible... Will I be asked to pay more for accommodation?
“Hmm.”
Just as I was about to state categorically that I would not accept any changes to our agreement, a commotion broke out nearby.
“What is that sound?”
“It looks like some criminals are being taken away.”
“Criminals?”
“The Imperial Palace has cracked down on gambling and illegal auctions. Our family’s knights participated in this process.”
After the Grand Duke's explanation, I glanced towards the source of the noise.
As he said, a line of people was being led away, and one man in particular was struggling and screaming at the top of his lungs.
I frowned at the sight of him – his body was as thin as a tree branch.
But then—
huh? Did he just look at me?
For a brief moment, our eyes met, and I had an ominous feeling.
A tingling sensation, the kind that triggered my stay-at-home instinct and told me something unpleasant was about to happen.
I felt a sudden wave of anxiety, so I quickly looked away and spoke to the Grand Duke.
“Maybe we should end things and—”
"Please! Please listen to me!"
But as expected, my hunch was not wrong.
The man gathered unexpected strength, threw off the huge knights that were restraining him, and charged toward me.
But before he could reach me, the Grand Duke moved quickly, blocking his path. The man stumbled and fell to the ground.
"Yes!"
Now that he was close to him, his miserable condition became more apparent.
His shirt, though clearly chosen to look presentable, had frayed sleeves. His hair was disheveled...
“Are you okay?”
“Oh, I'm fine.”
I nodded in response to the Grand Duke's question, then turned to the fallen man.
The knights hurried to restrain him again, but something in his desperate voice and expression made me feel that I must listen to him.
So, that's why my instincts were to strongly reject this situation...
“I think… I think we should at least listen to him.”
Upon hearing my words, the Grand Duke made a small gesture, and the knights relaxed their fists and stepped back.
The man finally raised his head to us.
“Thank you. My name is Baron Bavron. My crime is participating in an illegal auction, but the reason I was there in the first place is...”
I listened carefully to his trembling voice, sorting out the information in my mind.
I quickly came to a conclusion.
“This cup problem is more serious than I thought.”
The solution itself was simple. The problem was that I couldn't use it.
"princess."
"Yes?"
“What exactly did you request from the Wizard Tower?”
“If you mean to order...”
Why did he suddenly ask this question?
I tilted my head in confusion, but carefully recalled the details.
If I remember correctly, I asked them to provide as much parthanium as needed.
When I explained this matter, the Grand Duke responded in his usual calm tone.
“So there's no reason why we can't keep producing mugs, right?”
"…What?"
“You seem keen to keep making them. Am I wrong?”
huh? How did he know that?
As I blinked in astonishment, he looked at my face and smiled slightly before continuing.
“People like the mugs as souvenirs, but they are also interested in their function.”
His words made my eyes widen.
Where I used to live, keeping food warm or cold was easy, but things were different in this world.
Unless you were a high-ranking noble or incredibly wealthy enough to hire a magician, preserving food was difficult.
“…Now that it has been invented, it is only a matter of time before it spreads among the public.”
In my home world, cups were first manufactured and then turned into a commodity. Here, it's the other way around – the goods come first, and now the cups are mass-produced. This is the only difference.
And with that, I made up my mind.
Just…
When am I supposed to rest?
As a very introverted person, I was completely exhausted.