Chapter 341 Make Them Regret Picking A Fight With Us
"By the way, should we cancel our trip to the Harrington territory?"
Edward asked Sara as if he just remembered.
"No, given the current situation with Grandchester holding back wheat sales, we have to visit other territories. I think we'll start with Harrington and then go to various places. We need to meet different people to find a reliable merchant guild."
"I think it might be a good idea for you to come with me, Sara."
"Are you suggesting we go to the capital first and then to Harrington?"
"Yes. Since you'll be with Sophia anyway, the capital has many main offices of merchant guilds, and the Commerce Guild there is much larger than Grandchester's. If you want to distribute Sophia Merchant Guild's products, you should make a name for yourselves there."
"That makes sense."
"Also, the lords from various regions often visit the capital. If you plan to visit many territories, getting introductions from the lords would be quicker. If it's an introduction from the Grandchester family, they shouldn't turn you down."
It was an appealing suggestion, but Sara had something on her mind.
"I wonder how widespread the fever is in the capital right now."
"Grandchester is colder than the capital, so the fever is probably just starting there."
"Then it might be a good idea to finish our negotiations in the capital quickly and head to other territories. Busy areas are convenient, but the risk of infection is higher."
"That might be true."
Robert spoke to Sara with a somewhat gloomy expression.
"It's great to travel to many territories, but your birthday is coming up soon, right? We have to celebrate it big. We also need to officially announce that you've become my adopted daughter. And don't forget, after the new year, there's my wedding with Revi too."
"I won't forget my own birthday, but are we having a party?"
"Of course we are."
"Well, the celebration you have in mind is for nobles, right?"
"Yeah, that's true. Of course, we can invite the maidens, and I think Scott, Blaze, and the bureaucrats will attend too."
"But I hardly know any nobles."
"You met a lot of them at the hunting tournament, didn't you?"
"I know their names and faces, but I don't have anyone close enough to invite from far away. I'm much closer to the women from the village."
"If we send an invitation from the Grandchester family, I think the main nobles will come, right?"
Sara sighed deeply.
"Father, please think calmly. Inviting many noble families to the Grandchester territory, where it's already starting to snow, would be a hassle. The hunting tournament just ended, you know? Plus, some families might struggle with travel and accommodation costs. Winter preparations aren't cheap either."
"But it's your birthday!?"
"I'm happier being celebrated in a small family gathering. Besides, my father and mother are having their wedding at Grandchester Castle, but the reception is supposed to be in the capital. The guests at the ceremony will probably be limited to very close noble families, right?"
"That's true, but our reception is going to be in the palace hall."
"Of course, since the nobility ceremony is included."
"Then let's have Sara's birthday party in the capital too. Oh, but we can't rent the palace for Sara's birthday. The Grandchester residence in the capital might be too small..."
"Do you really call a mansion of that size small? How many people are you planning to invite? I keep saying, I don't have that many close friends."
"--No, no, Rob has a point. Sara."
Edward jumped into the conversation.
"What do you mean?"
"You are the granddaughter of Marquis Grandchester and the daughter of Viscount Astley. Plus, your connection to the Sophia Merchant Guild is proven by your own appearance."
"That's true, but even if I become an adopted daughter, I can't hide the fact that I was a commoner, can I?"
"There are different kinds of commoners. It's not unusual for a knight's child to be adopted by a noble family. Sure, you were raised as a commoner, but in terms of etiquette, you are far more refined than an 8-year-old girl. Above all, you are the most beautiful among the young ladies."
"When Uncle Edward praises me, I feel a bit scared about what comes next."
"Rather than complimenting you, I'm just stating a fact. My Chloe is adorable, but you are beautiful. If you stay quiet, you look like a goddess or an angel. It's really a serious case of appearance fraud."
"You're not really complimenting me at all, are you?"
"I thought it wasn't worth mentioning to you, so I kept quiet, but my father and I are getting tired of all the marriage proposals coming our way, you know?"
"I got some too, but I just glanced at them and immediately tossed them away."
"In short, you've become a hot topic in high society. It seems like you've been showing off with your performances and poetry."
"Ah, is that so?"
"You're so carefree. Anyway, once it's known that you're having a birthday party in the royal capital, there will be nobles who will be desperate for an invitation. And since it's a 9-year-old girl's birthday, it's certain that children will be invited too, right?"
"Well, that's how it will be."
"Most likely, there will be a tea party-like event during the day, and parents and relatives will come along as guardians for their kids. You can't just let a child go alone. That alone will make for a huge crowd."
"How annoying!"
Sara accidentally let her true feelings slip.
"Well, I'm sure Liz will handle the annoying parts. Since it's about her daughter, Revi will probably help too."
"Ah... so basically, I'll be used to strengthen my aunt's influence, right?"
"I won't deny that aspect, but I think you should be working hard for Rob and Revi instead."
"Is that so?"
"Of course. Although I can't really say I'm young anymore, since I'm becoming a newlywed, the nobles will probably look at you with suspicion, thinking we might become like a parent and child who aren't really related. In other words, they might think that Viscount Astley was forced to take in his niece just to boost his status as a noble. Or they might think he's after the wealth of the Sophia Merchant Guild. So, if you give off a bad vibe at the party, rumors about Rob and Revi will spread in high society the next day, painting them as harsh guardians to their adopted daughter."
"Then let's just skip the party!"
"If we don't hold the party, the Grandchester family will be looked down upon for ignoring a former commoner noble lady."
"That's the worst..."
Even though the lord's education is a bit shaky, since Edward knows a lot about noble interactions, it's probably true.
"Rob, you said the royal palace is being dramatic, but Prince Andrew will likely attend the party. Even if it's kept under wraps, the achievement of controlling His Highness's magical power is huge. I think they'll at least lend us the detached palace and its garden. How about we leave that part to Liz and the others?"
"I see. Then I'll ask Liz to handle it. I think Revi will help too..."
"With wedding preparations, it's understandable that they're busy."
"It's a relief to hear you say that."
While listening to Edward and Rob's conversation, Sara calmly began to think about the upcoming schedule.
"Um, my birthday is still more than half a month away. First, I'll go to the royal capital and negotiate with other merchant guilds about selling wheat, while also arranging meetings with some noble families. After visiting the Harrington territory, I'll return to the royal capital to hold a birthday party. That means Sophia will have to go around to other territories by herself."
"If you don't have enough guards, I can arrange for the knight order, you know?"
"No, I'll use golems. Daniel will protect Sophia as well."
'After all, Sophia herself is a golem. In important situations, she'll have to use magic to move and switch places...'
"Ah, that tough-looking former knight. Poor guy, he's hated from many sides."
"It seems he's hated by Sophia's enemies."
"That's true, but he's also hated by the men who want to get close to Sophia. He was her partner at the ball, after all."
"Really? But Daniel is strong, right?"
"Seems so. The knight order is complaining about the trouble of dealing with the attackers who were beaten back. Jeffrey really knows how to pick them. Plus, it seems Sophia herself is quite skilled too."
"Sophia isn't as good as Daniel, though."
"No, no. Just not being inferior is impressive enough."
Then Marquis Grandchester spoke up.
"Sara, I've decided to leave for the royal capital tomorrow. Before that, I want to spar with you. Why don't you stay at the main residence tonight? Let's do it first thing in the morning."
"Understood, Grandfather."
"Also, I don't mind you going to the royal capital or other territories, but we will welcome the New Year in the Grandchester territory. There's a chance the royal family will ask you to join the New Year's party, but make sure to refuse and say you must return to our territory on my orders. Especially when they bring up topics related to the fever, say something neutral and leave the situation. We must not get involved in any trouble."
"Yes."
"And when the new year starts, Robert and Rebecca will become a couple. After attending their wedding, you must return to the royal capital for the reception as well."
"I will definitely attend! It's my parents' wedding!"
"That's right. But by then, the wheat war will likely be fierce. The fever might spread more than we expect. But no matter what happens, don't waver. Crush the enemy with all your strength. Make them deeply regret picking a fight with us."
"Leave it to me, Grandfather!"
Sara nodded at Marquis Grandchester with a big smile that was not at all like a noble lady.
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