Timid and Shy - Chapter 18

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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18.

It was only after Robert had returned that Sophia learned he had visited Ariel. She held no grievance against the prince.
Yet whether Robert had been driven to Umbreel or had withdrawn of his own accord, he remained under the thumb of the Empress and the Cressida Family.
Sophia had no intention of drawing close to Robert. It was better for Ariel to maintain distance from matters of the imperial house.
When the Baron asked if she wasn’t sorry to have missed meeting Robert, Sophia answered evenly.
“This distance suits me well. A few pleasantries, a polite inquiry after health—that is enough.”
Both Baron Ariel and Alex felt somewhat reassured. They had worried, upon hearing from Ellie that Sophia and Robert had gone on a date, that she might have developed feelings for the prince.
Sophia’s mind was occupied with matters far weightier than Robert’s affairs. Now that her Debutante presentation was complete, what remained was the far more urgent business of securing her financial future—earning money.
‘If only I could cultivate those medicinal plants I found in the Titania Mountain Range on a larger scale.’
She was considering whether to begin a trial cultivation in the greenhouse. Even if mass production proved impossible, selling the plants in pots seemed a promising venture.
‘The practice of processing medicinal herbs directly hasn’t yet gone out of fashion in the Capital, so there may well be people who would like to cultivate them themselves.’
For that, she would need to expand the greenhouses. But money was the obstacle.
‘I have the funds, but…’
Her eyes drifted toward the Deep Crimson Velvet Pouch.
While Sophia deliberated over whether to touch those gold coins, Robert—without waiting for her reply—sent a Book Box to Ariel.
The contents of the box Robert dispatched were largely volumes on Horticulture and various practical texts. Along with them came old maps and ancient documents from the archives of Umbreel’s holdings.
When Robert heard that one of several desks in the office belonged to Sophia, he examined it and found her workspace buried under a stack of old documents.
Robert had been thorough in selecting books he thought Sophia would enjoy. He had done so after learning that Sophia had deliberately confined her browsing to establishments and works that Robert would have disliked—and he had thus sought out volumes suited to her actual tastes.
Sophia opened the boxes piled high in the entrance and examined the books within. Alex found Robert’s goodwill suspect, and Ariel shared his doubts.
Baron Ariel wondered.
‘The prince seems far too attentive to Sophia. What is his purpose?’
Robert was dangerous. The circumstances surrounding him were dangerous, and becoming entangled in them would be a danger from which Ariel possessed no strength to escape.
Having been raised under the watchful eye of the Empress and the Cressida Family, he could not believe the prince would offer kindness without hidden intent. There had to be some scheme beneath it, large or small.
Sophia agreed with the Baron and Alex’s concerns.
The fact that Robert had visited the domain and shortly thereafter come to see Ariel suggested he had already discerned how much Ariel’s aid Umbreel required, and would require in the future.
Robert was indeed as shrewd as Sophia had thought. He had calculated that winning Sophia’s favor was the quickest path to growing close to Ariel.
‘If Father bears ill will toward Robert, it is most likely on account of the Debutante affair.’
The two watched Sophia receive Robert’s gifts without protest, and neither spoke. In truth, Ariel lacked the means to refuse the prince’s generosity outright. He could not assert his will, nor could he maintain the distance he desired.
Even suspecting Robert’s motives, Ariel found himself powerless to oppose them.
As they watched Sophia enthusiastically uncrate the books, old maps, and ancient documents—her delight unguarded—both Alex and Baron Ariel felt Robert’s first impression improve, however slightly.
Sophia spoke with genuine pleasure.
“I’ll take whatever is given. He’s attached himself to our side anyway, so there’s no use trying to distance ourselves. We may as well accept his gifts.”
Baron Ariel asked.
“Are you truly comfortable with this?”
Sophia laughed and answered.
“Father, I’m not comfortable with it at all. You should continue to help the prince in official matters while remaining cold to him in private. That way, we’ll receive even more gifts. Let’s extract what we can from His Highness.”

***

While Robert was absent from the Capital, the Empress moved swiftly on Frederick’s marriage. In her assessment, there seemed no possibility of Robert and the Wiscom Duchy reconnecting.
It was already known that Robert had severed ties with Philip. The Empress had investigated further and even summoned Philip to confirm the matter directly.
At last, the Empress had made her decision. This gathering was to prepare for the fallout that would follow. In the chamber were the Empress’s father, Count Cressida, and her younger brother, Lord Cressida. Frederick, the groom himself, was absent.
The Empress spoke.
“All business with Wiscom is concluded. Having broken with Prince Robert, they will need to exert considerable effort to repair the relationship. The proud Wiscom will find that difficult. I have also settled matters with the Gareth Duchy. We will announce Frederick and their daughter’s betrothal at the Gareth Lady’s birthday celebration.”
Lord Cressida nodded in agreement.
“If we secure Gareth, it will no longer matter what Robert and Wiscom do.”
Count Cressida spoke with stern gravity.
“Do not conduct affairs in such a careless manner. Everything must be handled with precision. It is the conclusion that matters.”
To mollify her father’s lecture, the Empress spoke as if soothing Lord Cressida.
“You’re right, Father. Look at Prince Robert! If we had handled matters properly from the start, we would never have had to go to such lengths. If we had dealt with it then.”
‘We’ve spent decades now trying to eliminate a threat we created by missing our chance.’
The Empress swallowed her final words, her eyes sliding toward the Count. The Count ignored her gaze and asked.
“Did the Gareth Duke make any difficult demands?”
“No.”
Lord Cressida answered.
“The Gareth Duke seems to derive great satisfaction from having pushed out Wiscom and securing Frederick. Moreover, Frederick is to perform himself at the birthday celebration for Parma. We must ensure the Gareth Lady and the Gareth household are properly honored.”
The Empress spoke.
“It would be best if Gareth blocked Wiscom after the betrothal is announced.”
Cressida said.
“The Duke of Gareth is a stiff man, but he’s sharp enough to notice such things—though I doubt he’ll cooperate willingly. Getting him to uphold Parma’s dignity has been troublesome enough. I’m worried whether Frederick can manage Parma’s temperament. If Parma doesn’t cause problems, there shouldn’t be any real issue with Gareth.”
The Earl spoke.
“If we can just secure Gareth’s military might, we’ll have to swallow our pride for now. Coax Frederick into doing whatever Parma asks. Tell him he can take him hunting or to war, anywhere he wishes.”
Cressida said with a worried expression.
“Frederick is old enough now that flattery won’t sway him the way it once did. He may well refuse to humor Parma’s moods.”
“Once he becomes Emperor, Gareth’s military power will be absolutely essential. If we’re to wage war and win, we must naturally pay the price. I’ll persuade him.”
“Yes. I’ll rely on you, Father. I think I’ve reached my limit in persuading him myself.”
The Empress sighed.
“Don’t encourage Frederick toward war too much. You must think of what lies ahead.”
The Earl spoke with confidence.
“Neither Gareth nor I are fools. If the two of us stand firm and block his path, Frederick won’t be able to move a single cavalry unit as he pleases.”
The Empress spoke in a displeased tone.
“He may well harbor resentment toward you because of that. And if someone else were to approach Frederick… Father, you must teach Frederick everything you can teach him. Never forget that we are working to create a proper Emperor.”
The Earl of Cressida spoke.
“He is my grandson. Do you think I don’t know Frederick? He’s merely an inexperienced young man for now, so the idea is to guide him well. By joining forces with the House of Gareth. Your Majesty, please set aside your worries.”
The Earl gently eased the Empress’s concerns. Cressida watched the two of them carefully, keeping his own counsel.
The moment they left the Empress’s reception room, Cressida lowered his voice and asked the Earl.
“Will the Empress suspect anything?”
“Even if she does, what can she do about it? I know Frederick better than the Empress does. I raised him. I know that boy’s limits. The Empress has her role to play—let her be.”
“The Duke of Gareth presents no difficulties, but Parma is the problem. Can Frederick really manage her temperament? Even the Duke of Gareth only accepts her, yet he says her nature is anything but ordinary. Frederick won’t like her much.”
“Keep them from meeting often. Tell him that maintaining distance from his betrothed is the better way. Make Frederick focus on hunting rather than women—or throw other diversions at him. Do you understand? I’ll persuade Frederick to maintain the betrothal with Parma. Your job is to keep him away from Parma and away from politics. Can you do it?”
“Yes, Father. Just trust me. Up until now, I’m still the person Frederick likes best.”
The Earl strode through the imperial palace with assured steps. The future of the Cressida Family shone brightly before him. The future Emperor rested in the palm of Cressida’s hand. Moreover, he had weighed two ducal houses against each other and chosen one.
The Cressida Family would become far more powerful than it was now. The Earl of Cressida had nothing to fear.

***

Sophia kept herself busy. The books Robert had sent were certainly of excellent quality. Each day, Sophia sought out ways to directly apply the examples presented in them.
She had also become obsessed with finding plants that could turn a profit. Sophia was searching not just for plants that could only be grown in a greenhouse, but also for crops that would flourish in Ariel’s climate.
She wanted to cultivate expensive, rare plants in the greenhouse and sell them for a high price, but her means were limited. She couldn’t afford to buy those costly plants.
She found herself gazing up at the Titania Mountain Range so often, wondering if she might find promising specimens to gather there.
Sophia showed Ellie several candidate plant groups and spoke to her.
“Before the weather gets much hotter, I think we should visit the Titania Mountain Range more often. Cultivating wild orchids or medicinal herbs seems like it could work.”
“I wouldn’t know much about it myself. But even if we fail, won’t our skills improve as we gain experience?”
“You’re right. Reading so many books made me realize that my own experience and experiments have been surprisingly simple, with far too few attempts. I think I need to grow many different things to develop a real feel for it.”
Ellie handed Sophia a letter from Helen and spoke.
“Helen says she’s coming to Ariel soon. She included a letter specifically for you. On top of that, my younger brother and mother are coming too.”
“That’s wonderful. But isn’t it rather early?”
“They’re going to the Central Region in summer. It’ll be even hotter then. It seems Sol and Helen are planning a summer tour of the Central Region using their break.”
Sophia read the letter Helen had sent. Along with news of her visit, the letter contained something far more surprising.
It was news of the betrothal between Parma of the Gareth Duchy and Prince Frederick. Helen’s letter was filled almost entirely with talk of Frederick’s engagement.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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