The day after, Charlotte scheduled a visit not to Count Starkey’s mansion, but another one.

“I extend my greetings to Her Royal Highness, the Crown Princess. My name is Spencer Allport.”

“I apologize for the sudden visit.”

“It’s all right…”

Charlotte visited the mansion of the Marquis of Allport, which was next to the territory of Count Starkey.

Welcoming someone of her stature required preparations. No one would hold back when receiving a member of the royal family. In order to give time for the necessary preparations, considerate needed to be given to the hosts when scheduling the visit.

In all honesty, Charlotte had acted uncouthly when she sent word of her visit only the day before, but no one dared state such to the princess’ face.

Spencer, who was acting as the representative of the Marquis Allport’s residence, didn’t have a strong enough bond with Charlotte to make such a complaint. The tension could be cut with a knife.

Then, when Spencer, who was a bit nervous, caught sight of Quentin alighting from the carriage after Charlotte along with another young man, was left wide-eyed.

“…Thomas?”

“…”

“Why are you with Her Highness…”

Spencer, who referred to Tom as ‘Thomas,’ failed to grasp the situation, but Charlotte decided to postpone the explanation for later.

Someone is missing.

The conversation will go more smoothly if everyone is present.

“Lord Dexter should arrive soon. In the meantime, shall we go inside?”

“Of course. Welcome, I’ll show you the way.”

A few minutes after they were escorted to the drawing room, Dexter arrived at the mansion. He did say that he’d leave the royal capital the day after the meeting, so his arrival was on schedule.

“Pardon my intrusion, Lord Spencer.”

Upon arriving, Dexter went to the drawing room where Charlotte greeted him with a smile.

“I hope they didn’t spare any efforts in welcoming you.”

“That they did not, and in an exemplary manner, too.”

“Thank you for your generous evaluation.”

Dexter bowed and glanced at Thomas who stood between the knights. After dismissing the maid, Dexter expertly brewed himself the tea using the set on the tea wagon.

“You seem accustomed to this.”

“It helps boost my focus, so I often brew it when I’m preoccupied with something.”

“I see. May I have some too?”

“Of course.”

After Dexter finished preparing tea for the two of them, he placed the teacup and saucer in front of Charlotte first, and sat down beside Spencer while holding the other set. Charlotte and Quentin sat next to each other, while Spencer sat across from them, so it was natural for Dexter to sit there.

Charlotte took a sip of her tea and exclaimed, “How delicious.”

“Those words are wasted on me.”

Waiting for Charlotte to place the teacup back on the saucer, Dexter also took a sip of the tea.

Dexter was extremely calm, as if he had seen it coming from miles away.

Charlotte, Quentin, Dexter, Spencer, and Tom. Charlotte’s escort knights were keeping watch over Tom.

Everything is set.

“Now that we’re all set, let’s get down to the business right away.”

Quentin was the one who started.

“Yesterday, we arrested Pascal Starkey and Isabella Starkey.”

“Count and Countess Starkey?”

“Indeed. They caused damage to the eastern territory through the use of chemicals. In order to receive subsidies, they misrepresented their product yield and sold what they produced at a higher price.”

“…In other words, the poor harvest caused by human hands?”

“That’s correct.”

“I can’t believe it…”

Spencer looked surprised and in disbelief.

Food was a necessary sustenance for life. Their desire to satisfy their own pleasures came at the expense of too many others. Anyone could see why their actions were extremely foolish.

“However, the reason they resorted to such a method in the first place was because Tom—pardon me, Thomas, put them up to it.”

---

Read more than a month’s worth of chapters ahead on patreon for only $2~

***T/N: And the yolk thickens

Please also consider donating to my ko-fi! It’ll greatly support me in action, no matter the amount!
https://ko-fi.com/antoinettevanessa

Have a Japanese story or the likes (Drama CD, etc.) you’d like to read? Want it to be translated? I’m open for commission!
https://www.fiverr.com/s2/aaab08c14d

<Previous chapter

Next chapter>