Timid and Shy - Chapter 47

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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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47.

Three days before the Betrothal Celebration Ball, Jack arrived at Pina’s Residence looking worn down. He was calmer than before, but still prone to talking at length.
Sophia and Helen greeted Jack in the Reception Room. He gulped down water instead of tea and began to speak.
“When Baron Ariel—or rather, Frontier Baron Ariel—received his seal, he was perfectly composed about it, but my father wept like a child. Anyone watching would’ve thought Father was the one who became Frontier Baron. There’s nothing unusual in the Territory. And I’ve told Gunter about the salt mine, so a report will reach His Majesty soon.”
Sophia spoke.
“Did he figure it out, or did you tell him?”
“We told him first. It’s better to tell him before he finds out on his own. As for Gunter—from his reaction, I couldn’t tell if he already knew or didn’t.”
Helen interjected.
“He won’t say a word either way. If he claims he already knew, it’ll be awkward with the Ariel family. If he says he didn’t know, it raises questions about his competence. So he’ll keep his cards close to his chest.”
Jack said.
“In any case, I can’t figure out what’s really going on inside his head.”
When Sophia looked at him, Jack spoke first.
“I know, I know. I understand that’s one of Gunter’s strengths. I can’t replicate it, but I do recognize it’s a strength.”
As Jack watched Sophia’s expression, Helen observed them both and asked.
“What is it? What’s going on?”
Helen’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, and Jack smiled awkwardly.
“I’ve been envious of Gunter and disrespectful toward him. And I’ve spread rumors thoughtlessly, which caused trouble for Miss Sophia.”
Helen also smiled awkwardly.
“That won’t do. It won’t do at all. This conversation sounds like it’ll take a while. I should go tend to my own affairs.”
Helen rose from her seat gracefully. Jack watched her go with obvious envy. As Helen closed the door, Jack’s aggrieved voice carried through.
“You didn’t scold Helen? She talked just as much as I did—no, even more than me.”
Helen kept her eyes lowered and made her way carefully to her room.
‘Ah. I’ve been caught.’
Sophia watched the door close.
‘I still need to say something to Helen too…’
Seeing this, Jack hastily changed the subject.
“The salt mine! They’re beginning development. The reserves are substantial, they say. I need to deliver a letter from Baron—I mean, Frontier Baron Ariel to Miss Pina.”
“I feel like we’re revealing it rather too quickly.”
“What? You haven’t told Prince Robert about it? I thought you’d won him over with the salt mine. There I go again, talking nonsense.”
Sophia looked at Jack earnestly.
“Jack.”
Jack straightened and answered.
“Yes.”
“You know as well as I do that Father has become Frontier Baron. From now on, Ariel will grow and develop far beyond what it is now. Your father, Administrator John, will have many subordinates under him. What do you think will happen then?”
Jack’s eyes wandered as he answered.
“Hmm… wages will increase. I think Mother would be pleased about that.”
Sophia nodded.
“That’s true. Wages will go up. But responsibility will grow just as much. The quality of people you hire will be entirely different from now. Someone will be hired specifically to manage the salt mine. You’ll need a separate person for military affairs, another for Territory administration, and so on. That means when wages increase, you have to hire people capable of handling the work those wages represent. People like Gunter, for instance.”
Jack’s expression darkened the moment Gunter’s name was mentioned.
“Ariel can’t hire someone as talented as Gunter, but we can recruit promising young graduates fresh from the Academy. So, Jack—will you be able to compete with those kinds of talents? Will you be able to hold your position?”
Jack wetted his dry lips nervously. Sophia continued.
“Your father and your brother care for you. And they trust you. But what if you keep getting sidelined from increasingly important work? What if you’re trusted but lack the capability?”
Jack said weakly.
“I understand. When I observed Gunter as you instructed, I saw it clearly—just how much he accomplishes, how diligently he moves. Honestly, I’m not even sure I can keep up with him. But someone like me, who’s only ever served in Ariel, competing against Academy graduates? Can I really do that? Watching Gunter makes me wonder if I’m even capable of it.”
“You’ve been watching Administrator John since childhood. You have your father—the finest example—right before you. If you truly want to work harder and learn, he’d help you with both arms rolled up. I understand your anxiety. That’s why I suggested you observe and follow Gunter’s example. He’s an Academy graduate, favored by the Emperor, one of the finest talents in the Empire. I don’t expect you to match him immediately. But if you watch him and learn from him, you’ll pick up something valuable.”
Jack smiled awkwardly, still looking uncertain.
“Jack, Ariel will grow far larger than it is now, but trustworthy people will become increasingly scarce. If someone is both trustworthy and capable, wouldn’t that be incredibly reassuring? Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Jack understood. Already, many outsiders had been brought into Ariel’s castle operations, and he’d felt intimidated among them.
But just as Sophia said, his father and Frontier Baron Ariel trusted him.
Sophia had no choice but to lecture Jack at length. Right now, trustworthy people were what she needed most.
Watching Jack leave the Reception Room with heavy steps, Sophia’s own heart was not at ease.
But Jack had to grow. He had to become capable. Sophia believed he would soon realize that despite being filled with self-doubt now, he had what it took.
Jack had the ability. The fact that he wasn’t brushing off her lectures as a joke anymore was proof of that.
‘Jack, you’re going to be fine. The very fact that you’re worried is proof that you’re already getting better.’

***

The day of the Betrothal Celebration Ball had arrived. Sophia reached the Imperial Palace early and waited in Prince Robert’s Office. The Prince sat at his desk in formal attire, attending to his duties.
The Terrarium that Sophia had gifted him sat on the desk. Sophia confirmed it remained intact, then spoke while sipping her tea.
“If the Empress isn’t feeling well, do you think she might skip the ball or leave early?”
“No matter how much she dislikes it, she has her role to fulfill as Empress. But if things don’t go as she wishes, she’ll walk out in the middle.”
Sophia felt her nerves rising and peppered Robert with questions.
“Do you think about half the invited guests will attend?”
“Probably.”
“That’s still a relief. I thought perhaps only a third might come. Even if it’s supposed to be such an honor, I wonder if the nobility will really risk the resentment and pressure just to attend a ball.”
“I mentioned to a few select people that the Emperor takes particular interest. There are plenty who can overlook such trifles if they get a chance to exchange a few words with the Emperor.”
“Of course. The power of the Emperor is truly something……”
As Sophia trailed off, gazing at Robert, he spoke.
“It’s not something you can gain so easily. Haven’t you noticed that Cressida has been unusually quiet lately?”
“I thought it was because of Prince Frederick’s confinement or house arrest?”
“The moment she learned the Emperor was watching her, she pulled back completely. She couldn’t afford to interfere when the Emperor is personally looking after Frederick.”
“Ah! How is Prince Frederick doing? I thought he might have fled the Imperial Palace from lovesickness for Isabel and shown up at House Wiscom. The rumors say Frederick looks at Isabel with something like reverence every time he sees her.”
“Hmm. He’s doing quite well. He’s becoming a model student like never before.”
“Is Prince Frederick’s confinement voluntary, or is the Emperor or Empress……?”
“It appears to be his own choice. Though in truth, it seems to be Isabel Wiscom’s doing. He wants to minimize scandal while becoming betrothed to her. Plus, he wants to distance himself from Cressida.”
“Do you really intend to allow Prince Frederick and Isabel Wiscom to proceed with their betrothal? Wouldn’t it be better to delay their engagement as much as possible? I’d prefer if the two houses continued their power struggle and exhausted themselves, but surely not to this degree? Not unless they’re fools.”
Robert looked at Sophia. The sky-blue gown that matched his formal attire suited her well.
Robert smiled faintly and spoke.
“You seem to have the worst possible opinion of House Wiscom. Have you heard the rumors that the Duke of Wiscom and I have quarreled?”
“Yes. There were several rumors. ‘Prince Robert holds a grudge over Isabel and started a quarrel.’ ‘Sophia Ariel hates House Wiscom and intervened on his behalf.’ That one does contain some truth. Then there’s ‘Actually, Prince Robert is stirring up trouble to separate the Duke of Wiscom and Prince Frederick,’ or something like that.”
“None of them are true.”
“Exactly. When anything touches House Wiscom, the truth disappears and only the story they want spread around. We need to find a way to stop that. Does the Emperor not intend to create laws restricting publication? He granted freedom of the press, yet the nobility only put out stories that suit their tastes.”
“Several publishers and owners are coming today as well. Perhaps it would be good to bring up that subject with them.”
Watching the exchange between Prince Robert and Sophia, Vian’s expression remained unchanged. Yet his mind was anything but quiet.
Vian had never seen Prince Robert converse so comfortably. Apart from those he saw regularly in the Prince’s Office, like himself and Maeub. Vian recalled what Maeub had said, but quickly pushed it away.
‘No. It’s just an alliance. A capable alliance, that’s all. Her words are persuasive even to my ear. And she understands things well.’
Somewhere along the way, Robert had stopped looking at documents and became absorbed in conversation with Sophia.
The Duke of Wiscom’s absence from the ball had been decided long ago, but after news of the rift between Prince Robert and the Duke spread quickly, rumors emerged that he was declining because of it.
Sophia actually preferred such rumors to spread.
‘A falling out is far better than Wiscom’s affected courtesy and false magnanimity.’
Sophia spoke to Prince Robert.
“I understand a substantial budget was spent to host this ball. I hope it brings considerable benefit to the Empire and to Your Highness. I wish that through this ball, the Emperor will meet people from various fields and undertake even more reforms.”
“I hope so as well.”
The two exchanged satisfied smiles.

***

At last, the two guests of honor entered the Dance Hall. Though they were the main figures, it was the Emperor and Empress who made the final entrance.
In the dance hall where everyone stood waiting, the appearance of the Emperor and Empress was radiant.
Sophia finally understood why the rumors had said nothing of the Empress’s beauty. The Empress was nobility itself. Her majesty shone far brighter than any mere beauty.
The glittering Tiara upon the Empress’s head seemed to enhance that effect all the more, Sophia thought.
Even Sophia, beholding the radiant figure of the Empress, would have been outraged if she heard someone speak of the Empress as cunning and narrow-minded, calling it slander. Yet Sophia was not seeing the Empress for the first time today.
‘This grand music and lavish spectacle are like a magic trick that blinds everyone’s eyes.’
The very appearance of the Emperor and Empress stirred the atmosphere of the Dance Hall. Since many were attending an Imperial ball for the first time, it was more chaotic than usual Imperial balls. The Empress nearly smirked without thinking.
Helen, standing beside Sophia, blushed and spoke.
“It’s so moving. I’m not even sure what I’m moved by. I feel like I might cry.”
Pina and her son also nodded their heads. Both seemed deeply moved—simply by having laid eyes upon the Emperor and Empress.
Sophia spoke.
“They are the very pinnacle of Uranos itself.”
Helen nodded in agreement.
“You’re right. Absolutely right.”
The Emperor slowly moved through the ball, being introduced to the guests. His conversations with each person grew longer. The Empress stood beside him with a composed smile.

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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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