CH 199

Each of Them at That Time [Part 4]

Silk was the main export of the Kingdom, while cotton was the main export of the Empire.

Silk was a luxury item, and cotton was a daily necessity.

Many commoners couldn’t even buy cotton and had to settle for hemp clothes. And even amongst the wealthy nobles, only a few could wear silk every day.

It would be a big blow to the company if the Empire raised the price of its cotton. Although even without that, their expenditures had already been increasing lately.

“Yes, according to the information I obtained, the harvest did not turn out well because of the people’s rebellion that broke out in various places in the Empire.”

“…You… just where did you get that information from…?”

“I’m now based in the royal capital. I should at least know this much for the company’s sake.”

The harvest should have also recovered after the people’s rebellion had subsided. But Joshua hadn’t heard many good rumors about the Empire’s newly throned Emperor.

“In other words, it will be difficult to rely on the cotton exports from the Empire alone from now on. I think it would be better for us to reallocate our staff to increase domestic hemp production for the time being.”

Joshua further asserted that he had passed down the instructions.

“No, but even that…”

The social season was also the busiest and most profitable business period for merchants.

The Rothschild Company’s leading product was, needless to point out, Palacian silk. The boycott led by the First Prince’s faction was still going rampant. If they didn’t trade with companies from other countries and had them buy silk for exports during this period, they would lose profits.

Joshua was an indispensable force for the company.

“The leader of the First Prince’s faction, Duke Lance, will be leaving the royal capital for some time, so I predict that our domestic silk sales this time will go well.”

“That Duke Lance will?”

The House of Duke Lance was part of the Kingdom’s Four Great Duke Houses.

There was a rumor that the Duke’s son had caused a disturbance at the academy, but the matter had been vague to the public because any further talk about it was suppressed.

“Other than the task of entertaining the Imperial merchants, our company’s people will do just fine without me. Besides, where the Stuart family is will always be the center of economy. I don’t plan on going to Imperial Japan and returning empty-handed either.” Imperial Japan has magic stones, rice, and other ingredients that Emma-sama has highly sought after.

“Joshua… so you’ve been doing your job properly even when in the royal capital, huh?”

Though he is my son, what a terrifying child. [T/N: this XD]

However, Daniel was also proud of raising this son by himself for so many years.

“And your real reason is?”

“… Four boys came from Imperial Japan to House Stuart to learn how to cook. Among them, there’s this boy called Miguel who got along well with Emma-sama. Seeing how close they look always makes me so, so, so…”

“I knew it…”

“He attracts Emma-sama‘s attention by talking about insects and conquers Emma-sama‘s stomach with foreign food… When I talked to him for a bit, he felt like a bright and refreshing… gentleman!” 

If in one in a million chance… If in one in a billion chance that somewhere without me, the two… those two…

“…No matter what Father says… no… even if our company goes bankrupt, I will still go to Imperial Japan.”

Imperial Japan is currently the most dangerous place to go to.

But I don’t want to be informed of something only after it has happened like that time with the local barrier hazard.

Since then, and even after arriving in the royal capital, I’ve been training my body.

It may be difficult for me to protect her with a sword, like George-sama and Prince Edward. Even so, I want to be by her side.

I want to see the angel’s smile from the closest place next to her more than anyone else.