I have no way of knowing why the Empress summoned me to the palace that day. However, judging by Raymund's reaction, I could only guess it wasn't for anything good.
And at the thought that the reason was likely related to the succession struggle, I felt helpless. All I possessed was my noble status.
'I really do need power.'
I need to possess something tangible, so if my friend finds himself in trouble, I can at least try to wield that power for him.
There are various kinds of power. There's physical strength or political authority, but the problem is that both are difficult for me to obtain.
'I know my limits. Even if I start training my physical strength right now, it would only be mediocre. It would be difficult to reach the level of skill my second older brother has.'
As for gaining political power, my age was an issue. To become an official, one needs to be an adult, or at least have had their debutante ball, but I was still only 11 years old.
The only power I could potentially gain without being hindered by physical ability or age was financial power. It was a power I had obtained in my past life, so it wouldn't be too difficult.
'Money might not bring happiness, but it can open many doors.'
If worst comes to worst, I could even help my friend—like a poor clownfish caught between fighting whales—seek asylum abroad.
Of course, my age was a bit ambiguous for becoming a merchant too. However, my family name would compensate for the lack of credibility due to my age, so it should be fine.
I decided to become a merchant again. Naturally, it would be difficult right away.
Because I had to go on a trip with my friends first.
'First trip!'
My heart swelled with excitement. It wasn't that the trip itself excited me, as I'm not naturally fond of traveling. It was because it was the first trip with my first friends.
The 'bad guy' I didn't want to think about right now wasn't even a friend, and we had never traveled together, so this was truly the first time I was going somewhere with people other than my family.
"Accommodation is..."
"Ah. Accommodation, food, the servants we'll take, escort knights, carriages... I'll prepare everything from my side."
"What? Won't that be too much of a burden for you?"
It would cost a lot of money, wouldn't it? Surprised by Raymund's words, I asked, but he just smiled silently. Only then did I realize I had just talked about money to someone from the wealthiest family in the empire.
'That was a stupid thing to say.'
I need to make a lot of money. I don't know what will happen later, but if I want to feed Raymund so he doesn't lack anything...
While I was having these thoughts, Raymund spoke.
"I'll prepare everything else, so Seiana, just decide where you want to go."
"Hmm. I want to go here."
Looking at the map, I pointed to a spot with my finger. Surprisingly, near the potential travel destinations, there was a place I knew well. It was the seaside where I had contracted for seaweed in every life.
'Let's take the opportunity to go and make the contract this time.'
For now, I'll use my saved allowance to make the contract, and if I use that to create 'hwan' pills and show their efficacy by having my family try them, it should be easier to get investment.
Having observed over time, I had a rough idea of how to make something like a 'hwan' pill. I didn't know the precise ratios, but I'd seen dried seaweed being ground and mixed with some honey and oil.
'I can't make cosmetics like pharmacists do, but hwan pills should be easy.'
It's truly fortunate that nobody knows about this seaweed. If it were expensive, I wouldn't have been able to do anything.
Even though I chose this sea, Raymund didn't ask why I wanted to go there. I was worried about how to answer, so it was a relief.
'Although it's the sea, it's mostly mudflats here, so the water is murky and there isn't much to see.'
If he asked why I wanted to go, it would have been difficult to answer. Other than being a quiet, rural beach, it was hard to fabricate a reason to visit.
Raymund asked if I was interested in any other places. But I was the type of person who preferred being dragged along rather than planning a trip, so being asked where I wanted to go was awkward.
I only chose the seaside without hesitation because I had a purpose... I asked Raymund, but he just said anywhere was fine and left it to me, which was perplexing.
Honestly, I wasn't interested in the supposed main purpose of this trip—fairies—and was basically just participating to protect my two friends' childlike innocence...
Ah, only then did I realize Ari was being quiet. I looked back at her, engrossed in thought, but she didn't seem to notice my gaze.
"Ari."
"...Oh, yes!"
"Are you okay? Are you sick somewhere?"
She didn't even answer right away when called, which worried me. Concerned she might be ill, I asked about her condition, but Aries shook her head, saying she was fine.
However, worry still lingered on her face.
"Is something wrong?"
"...Actually."
"Yes."
"A few days ago, someone I know got badly hurt. So badly they still haven't regained consciousness. And that person is quite old..."
"Gasp. I see. You must be very worried. Are you very close to them?"
When elderly people collapse like that, there's a high chance they might not recover. It's natural to be worried if someone close to you is in that state.
I nodded inwardly. As I pondered how best to comfort her, I caught a glimpse of Aries's expression, and it was strange.
Even though I had shown empathy, her bewildered expression seemed to say she didn't understand why that conclusion was reached. I became puzzled too. Even Raymund had the same expression.
"...Are we close?"
"Were we close?"
"I'm not sure."
The two murmured, looking at each other and then at me. Could it be someone they disliked? Then why were they worried?
Like them, I couldn't help but have a question mark hovering over my head.
And the reason for their confusion was:
"Isn't being close like how you treat Seiana?"
"Right."
"...What do you mean, 'how you treat me'?"
"Well."
"Like this?"
As I asked, the two naturally reached out and took my hands. What did 'like this' mean? With both my hands held, I sank deep in thought.
Then, realizing the proof of closeness they mentioned was holding hands, I jumped.
"Holding hands doesn't mean you're close!"
"What! It doesn't?"
Thump—! The two stared wide-eyed at my words, shocked. They looked as if the sky had fallen.
Seeing them murmuring, "Weren't we close then?", their eyes trembling slightly as their common sense was contradicted, it seemed they were truly deeply shocked.
"Then... does that mean we're not close?"
"...You can hold hands even if you're not close. And you might not hold hands even if you are."
It's just that you two are very physically affectionate. People usually consider themselves close after spending some time together and developing affection. So.
"I'm close with the young ladies from my social circle too. But I don't hold hands like this with them."
"What! That can't be! Seiana can't possibly have other women besides me!"
Aries exclaimed, phrasing it very strangely, looking even more shocked than before. Her expression soon turned hostile.
Raymund, in contrast, adopted a gloomy expression and asked me,
"...Are there men in that circle?"
"Men? Ah, you mean young lords? No. I hear they attend on other days, but they haven't been there when I've gone."
"I see. That's a relief."
Raymund beamed at my words. As a bonus, Aries looked incredibly frustrated seeing him.
***
Closeness, huh. Raymund and Aries tilted their heads, thinking of Violet. They were certain he was a good person, but it was ambiguous whether they felt affection for him.
'Because he's also someone with abilities.'
When they meet, a sense of discomfort precedes any feeling of warmth. Actions like holding hands or hugging are impossible. Naturally, private meetings are also out of the question.
Their first thought upon his collapse wasn't concern for his health, but rather the possibility that a 'new' person with abilities might emerge.
Aries and Raymund weren't being uniquely cold; other ability-users would likely have thought the same thing.
'Because that's just how people with abilities are.'
They don't have people they are close to. There's no one with whom they can truly share emotions. Thus, they judged everything based on facts and reason, not emotion or sentiment.
The two keenly felt how different they were from Seiana, who immediately expressed concern upon hearing the story.
Facing her, who showed instant sympathy for someone she didn't even know, it was difficult to admit they weren't actually worried about 'him'. The two swallowed bitter smiles inwardly.
However, that was short-lived.
"People see you two as close too."
"What?"
"Those terrible people!"
At Seiana's subsequent words, the two couldn't help but jump up. They glared at each other, exchanging looks that said, "How dare they link me with someone like him!"
Seiana just smiled brightly after dropping such shocking news. Seeing the worry disappear from Aries's face thanks to the brief chat, she asked if there was anywhere Aries wanted to visit during the trip. But Aries could only give one answer.
"Anywhere is fine with me, so let's go wherever Seiana wants to go."
"...And you say you're not close (with Raymund)?"
Giving the exact same answer as Raymund. Seiana puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction and muttered.
It couldn't be helped. No one here believed in the existence of fairies. Not even Seiana herself.
It was ironic that a group of people who didn't believe in fairies was going on a fairy-related trip, but thanks to each mutually protecting the others' supposed childlike innocence, no one noticed.
Once the rough planning was done, Raymund went to tell the Count about the travel plans directly.
While communicating through the Imperial Household would normally be easier for both parties, details could get distorted as they passed through mouths. Perhaps the Count might even perceive the message as being slighted.
Just as Raymund had guessed, the Count frowned upon reading the first point.
"The Imperial Household intends to cover all expenses? Why is that? The Count's family is hardly impoverished, you know?"
Fear and displeasure filled the Count's eyes, yet he still spoke his mind. Raymund found the sight both amusing and strange.
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