Chapter 246 There's No Doubt It's A Critical Situation
Everyone surrounding Sophia tensed up at Baron Jilbafuchs's words. It was a difficult situation where speaking up to openly defend Sophia would show their connection to her.
"It is a great honor, but as a mere merchant like myself, I feel it might be inappropriate to meet someone of noble status."
"His Highness is not someone who worries about such things."
Robert stepped forward and spoke to Jilbafuchs.
"Excuse me for interrupting, but if His Highness the Crown Prince Gerhart wishes to meet with the merchants in the territory, wouldn't it be better to have my father, the lord, and my brother, the next lord, present? Or is this a personal invitation?"
"Hmm. Considering the new products from the Sophia Merchant Guild, it's understandable to be cautious. Then let's have the Grandchester family join us as well."
Baron Jilbafuchs glanced at Daniel and asked Sophia.
"Is that your bodyguard?"
"While he is also my bodyguard, today he is my partner."
"My name is Daniel."
"Then you may come as well. You will need to disarm in front of His Highness, but I hope that's not a problem?"
"I understand."
Jeffrey quickly sent a message to Marquis Grandchester and Young Marquis, following Robert's instructions, while Sophia, Daniel, Robert, and Rebecca headed to the break room where Crown Prince Gerhart was, following Baron Jilbafuchs.
Baron Jilbafuchs stopped in front of the break room door and instructed the waiting attendant to take Daniel's weapon. Today, Daniel was wearing a decorative saber instead of his usual broadsword, but a weapon is still a weapon.
Just then, Marquis Grandchester and Edward also arrived, so Baron Jilbafuchs knocked on the door, waited for a response from inside, and then entered.
* * *
Crown Prince Gerhart was comfortably seated on the sofa, sipping coffee, which was still rare in this region. Sophia felt a sense of nostalgia from the smell, but she didn't say anything.
"I only intended to call the master of the Sophia Merchant Guild, but it seems there are quite a few people here."
"If you are summoning merchants from the territory, I thought it would be better for us to join as well."
Marquis Grandchester replied to Crown Prince Gerhart's statement.
"It's understandable to be cautious. After showcasing such a new product, it makes sense. Ah, or maybe you were worried for her about being summoned as a woman. Sophia resembles Sara too much, after all. I apologize for calling her out of the blue."
It was a straightforward statement. He probably wanted to speak openly without any pretense.
"I'm pleased to meet you. My name is Sophia, and I am the master of the Sophia Merchant Guild."
"I thought you were beautiful from a distance, but seeing you up close is even more surprising. I saw you next to Lady Sara, and you looked like beautiful sisters."
"Thank you for your kind words."
Crown Prince Gerhart invited everyone to take a seat.
"Oh, right. We have herbal tea, black tea, and coffee that are not from the Sophia Merchant Guild. What would you like?"
"Can I have coffee, please?"
"Oh. I heard that it hasn't spread much in Avalon, but it seems Lady Sophia has tried it."
"No, I just want to try rare things whenever I can."
Crown Prince Gerhart called a servant to prepare the drinks and picked up a small booklet that was on the side table. It was sheet music sold by the Sophia Merchant Guild.
"This time, we received various gifts from the Marquis of Grandchester. I am grateful to the Marquis."
"I hope there is something to your liking."
"I was surprised that there was nothing I didn't like. Personally, I think the Spieluhr is the best. Since I got to name the product, I feel very attached to it."
"It is an honor."
"Moreover, I didn't expect to receive so many of them. Since each one has a different song, it's hard to give them as souvenirs to others. Everyone ends up liking them."
"Please let me know your desired song and the design for the outer box. I will prepare it and send it to Roisen."
"That sounds good. There are many women in His Majesty's harem who love music, so I think His Majesty will probably place a bulk order."
"It is a great honor."
Sophia took a sip of the black coffee brought by the attendant, checking the aroma and taste before stirring in a small amount of sugar. Since there was no milk served, it seemed that adding milk to coffee was not a common practice here.
'It's been a while since I had coffee. Back in my previous life, I drank it like I was addicted. I wonder where I can import it from?'
"Most people who drink coffee for the first time are usually surprised by the bitterness, but Lady Sophia doesn't seem surprised at all. You look like you're used to it."
"I had heard that it was bitter, so I checked the aroma and taste before adding sugar."
"I see."
"I definitely want to import it."
"That is a tribute from the Silt Merchant Guild. They seem to handle several different types of coffee beans."
'The Silt Merchant Guild again, huh...'
"Then I should meet Mr. Meyer."
"I've heard it's difficult to get him out. I haven't met him yet either."
'Wow, even Crown Prince Gerhart doesn't know that Meyer is here. Sedrick, you should have told me that!'
Little did he know that because of her big reveal, Meyer was surrounded by merchants from Grandchester, and Crown Prince Gerhart was still unaware of it.
"By the way, Sophia."
"Yes?"
"I'm wondering if you could prepare ten copies of this sheet music for all types?"
"Of course."
"I want to use this sheet music to help the musicians in my homeland practice, using the sound of the music box as a model."
"Understood. Then, I will prepare extra copies of the orchestra's full score and part scores."
"That would be helpful. Oh, there's no need to make it a gift. Please charge me properly."
"Understood."
Suddenly, silence fell in the room. Crown Prince Gerhart was hesitating, searching for his next words.
"Your Highness, it might be better if I speak."
Baron Jilbafuchs said timidly.
"Oh, I'm sorry to make you worry. But I should say it myself."
"Is something wrong? I promise I won't leak anything from this meeting, no matter what you say."
Sophia prompted the hesitant Crown Prince Gerhart.
"I want you to sell wheat."
"Regarding that matter, as I mentioned to Baron Jilbafuchs, we cannot sell it on our own. First, we must strengthen the bond between Roisen and Avalon and wait for the approval of His Majesty the King."
"I understand. I understand, but that won't be fast enough!"
Crown Prince Gerhart became furious.
"What do you mean?"
"Our country's wheat harvest has been decreasing year by year. Originally, Roisen had a rich agricultural area like Avalon, with enough harvest to export to other countries. However, in the last 50 years, Roisen's wheat harvest has dropped to nearly half. Because of this, we are importing a large amount of wheat from the countries that are part of the Coastal Union. To be precise, it's not just wheat; the overall harvest of crops has decreased."
"I understand that much. But if it has been gradually declining over 50 years, isn't there no need to rush?"
"Actually, in the past few years, the price of wheat has been rising sharply. Even so, while my wife Marguerite was alive, Sardinia sold it to us at a relatively fair price. However, since that country is a republic, the moment the government changed, they raised the prices."
"I see."
"Because of this, I planned to marry my next wife from one of the Coastal Union countries and, in return for selling us wheat, I would prioritize selling our country's ores to them. But all the countries keep responding that 'it's difficult to support a candidate for the official wife.' It almost seems like they are avoiding an alliance with our country."
'Considering Roisen's situation, I can understand why they would take advantage of us. But Roisen's ores shouldn't be of poor quality, and for the time being, they shouldn't worry about resource depletion. So why are they pushing Roisen into a corner...?'
"So, you are considering imports from Avalon?"
"That's right. However, as soon as the news of the alliance through marriage with Avalon reached the Coastal Union, they didn't just raise prices; they completely stopped exporting wheat. Moreover, all the countries in the Coastal Union have notified us that they won't sell a single grain of wheat to Roisen."
"That's outrageous! I don't know how much wheat the Coastal Union countries were exporting to Roisen, but if they hold back, they'll just end up with excess stock. It's madness to do something that could destroy the market."
"We think so too. But the fact is, they have notified us. And unfortunately, both last year and this year have been poor harvests. At this rate, our people won't survive the winter."
'I feel like I'm starting to connect the dots.'
"Your Highness the Crown Prince Gerhart, the royal family of Avalon knows this information, right?"
"Of course."
'Wait, that's strange. If this is such an urgent matter, they should have completed the political marriage agreement first and then decided on the exports. Also, if they wanted to arrange a marriage under the pretense of a hunting tournament, why did only an inexperienced prince who can't control his magic come? Even if His Majesty couldn't come, the Crown Prince should have been able to join.'
"I apologize for the interruption, but could you tell me the total amount of wheat Roisen needs this year?"
"Three million tons (� 6.6 billion pounds). This is the minimum, and in reality, we would like a bit more."
Sophia wanted to bury her head in her hands, but she couldn't act that way in front of another country's Crown Prince. She was doing her best to keep her smile from tightening.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince Gerhart, I must inform you that this might go against the interests of Avalon, so I hope you can overlook it..."
"What is it?"
Tension ran through the members of the Grandchester family.
"I believe it will be difficult to prepare everything in Avalon. In other words, Avalon currently does not have the ability to assist Roisen. I think His Majesty might have been considering selling some of the necessary amount to Roisen at a reasonable price."
"So, because the Coastal Union has stopped exports, it has become difficult for Avalon to help us as well?"
"I am just a lowly person, so I hesitate to guess Hid Majesty's thoughts, but considering the situation, that possibility seems high."
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