The Legend of the Reclusive Princess Zuicho of the Rikan Empire ~She Escapes From The Palace Everyday and Works as a Capable Government Official.~ - Chapter 13

Saya had arrived at the main street. She asked the coachman to park the carriage a little farther away and then walked to her destination.

(This area is really lively…)

Shops lined both sides of the street, calling out cheerfully to passersby. Just walking through was fun.
Honestly, she would’ve liked to visit on a day when she had more spare time. However, she was unable to accommodate that today.

She headed toward her destination, starting with the most familiar landmark in the area—a famous confectionery shop that everyone around here would know.

The shop was located in a slightly quieter spot, where the crowd thinned a little.

There were no employees shouting out to attract customers. The shop had a calm, refined air, almost as if it was choosing who could come in.
But once inside, past the elegant bamboo blinds, beautiful sweets were displayed in glass cases.

“Welcome,”

An employee, who had noticed Saya enter, came over and greeted her politely.
As expected of a high-end shop, the interior and customer service clearly catered to nobles and the wealthy.

Saya gave a small nod, then looked down at the price tags in the showcase.

All of the items were expensive—definitely not something a commoner could buy casually for a snack.
However, just as His Majesty had said, the prices hadn’t changed much from the usual.

“If you’ve decided, may I assist you?”

After she had looked at everything, the clerk spoke up.

It was clear from his expression that he hoped she wasn’t just browsing.
He probably wanted to avoid wasting time on poor customers who would hesitate once they saw the prices.

Saya had already checked what she came for to confirm the prices. But it felt awkward to leave without buying anything at all.

“…Then, I’ll take that one.”

After thinking for a moment, Saya chose one item to buy.

“Thank you very much.”

The clerk’s attitude instantly became friendlier.
He wrapped the sweet carefully and respectfully handed it to Saya with a bow.

“Please enjoy. If it suits your taste, we hope you’ll visit us again.”

Saya accepted the item and handed over the payment.

Come to think of it, it had been a long time since she bought something herself.
Even while working at the Ministry of Civil Affairs, she didn’t have much chance to shop. In the inner palace, shopping was left to maids or eunuchs.
The salary she received from the ministry was usually just stored in her chest, untouched. Spending a little for once wouldn’t hurt.

Still, this was part of her job today.

She turned back to the clerk, sweet in hand, deciding to try asking a question.

“Excuse me, but… where does this shop get its sugar? Is it from around here?”

“…Huh? Uh… no…”

“Is it brought in from Taga Province?”

“U-uhh…”

The clerk’s face clearly showed confusion, then slowly turned suspicious.

He probably thought she was a competitor or inspector of some kind.
Saya noticed his wary look and quickly tried to explain her identity, when—

“—It’s from the spice shop just down the street.”

“Oh, Owner!”

A door at the back opened, and a middle-aged man stepped out.

He walked over, standing protectively in front of Saya, as if to interrupt the clerk.
He looked like the shop’s owner and also perhaps its head artisan—wearing a white apron over rolled-up sleeves.

“There’s only one place around here that sells sugar—the spice shop nearby.
Unless someone’s bringing it in themselves from far away, we all get it from there.”