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 8

“…Beast Attacks…”

“The main targets were sugarcane fields and the surrounding sugar refining facilities. It seems they were attacked three times over the past month.”

The Emperor’s previously calm demeanor had shifted. His expression now is that of a sovereign ruler deeply engrossed in state affairs. With a cool, masculine gaze, he pointed to a specific section of the report as he continued.

“The damage amounts to a significant loss… judging from these numbers.”

“I’m not surprised. It’s not even harvest season, but this looks like it wiped out nearly an entire month’s worth of shipments, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. Most of the losses were in stored inventory kept in warehouses, refined sugar intended for market distribution.”

As Saya watched the Emperor’s pensive side profile, she began piecing together the broader situation.

(Sugar refining facilities, huh…)

Sugar was expensive.

Unlike essential goods like salt or fermented soy-based seasonings, sugar was a luxury item with lower priority. That made it a commodity mainly sought after by the wealthy. Sweets made with generous amounts of sugar were even more extravagant.

Tagā Province is accounted for most of the sugar production in the Rikan Empire.

So if their inventory suffered damage, it would directly affect sugar distribution throughout the entire country.

“This is a major issue for Tagā Province. I figured the nobles who govern that region would be taking it even more seriously…”

“…Tagā Province… Ah, so that’s why you accepted the Kuga family’s invitation.”

Saya clapped her hands in realization as the pieces connected.

Just a few days earlier, the Emperor who rarely made such appearances, had attended a banquet hosted by the Kuga family, who had long petitioned for such an event.

The Kuga family governed the southern part of Tagā Province.

The Emperor attended the banquet after receiving reports of the beast attacks, hoping to gain a direct understanding of the urgency from those involved, or perhaps to learn about complaints that were not included in the official reports. That explained the timing.

But apparently, it hadn’t gone as planned.

“I tried casually bringing up the damage during our conversations, but they laughed it off. They assured me that the damage was not significant. Instead, I was stuck listening to an introduction to their region’s sugar-based specialty products.”

Saya gave a mild nod of recognition, recalling that she had indeed been present during that conversation.

The invitation had originally been addressed to the Minister of Civil Affairs, but the Emperor had presumptuously replied to be “attending” on his behalf. As a result, Saya, who was seated nearby, ended up playing the role of his attendant and had to endure the banquet until dawn.

(I was busy refilling your drinks and clearing your plates, you know…)

She had noticed when the local specialties segment of the banquet began but hadn’t realized that was how the conversation had started.

“The Kuga family has recently been expanding their wealth rapidly using those specialty products. Rumor has it that they’re preparing to enter the central political scene. They were incredibly respectful throughout the banquet. What’s strange is that their main source of income is clearly sugar, yet they seem confident that the recent damage won’t affect them. The banquet was lavish too.”

The food had indeed been luxurious and delicious. There had been plenty of drinks, sweet fruit wines, and a wide array of desserts. This was the kind of hospitality one would anticipate from a region known for its sugar production.

The only issue was the head of the Kuga family: a very talkative middle-aged man who kept the energy high throughout the night. Even when the event dragged on past midnight, he insisted more entertainment was on the way, making it awkward to leave early.

(It had been ages since I drank that much. In the inner palace, we have drinking limits to maintain order…)

She’d ended up soaking in a hot bath to sober up and nearly fell asleep and got drowned. The memory made her want to sigh, but she noticed the emperor exhaling much the same way.

“Well, I doubt the Kuga family is managing their affairs without any risk control. They likely see the situation as an isolated incident. They even begged me to invite their daughter, saying she might have something to share, but it turned out to be unproductive.”

“Wait… So that’s why you summoned their daughter from the inner palace that night?”

Partway through the banquet, Lady Hiryō the eldest daughter of the Kuga family and a court lady who ranked among the Nine Consorts, had entered the hall.

Saya had been genuinely shocked, thinking, Is he finally choosing a consort? But despite the host’s obvious attempts to facilitate introductions, the Emperor had shown no interest and quickly dismissed her, which had seemed rather odd.

Saya, recalling the incident during the banquet.

Lady Hiryō had been dressed to perfection, so to find out it was for such no reason…

“…What reason did you think I had?”

The Emperor raised a brow, looking puzzled. “I only called her to gather information.”

(Time and place, man…)

“I naturally thought you were finally giving in and taking a consort.”

“Pfft—!!”

Saya’s cool reply caused the Emperor to burst into laughter. He then frowned as he seemed to realize how careless his actions had been.

It was no surprise that later, rumors had spread throughout the inner palace that Lady Hiryō had spent the entire night with the Emperor. The story was twisted, yet it aligned with the facts sufficiently to be credible. He had brought it upon himself.

“Well, isn’t it fine? If you neglect the inner palace too much, people will gossip regardless.”

“That’s… true, but still…”

As Saya casually brushed it off, the Emperor gave a serious reply.

He appeared troubled and deep in thought. Saya, as always, remained cool and indifferent. She caught a glimpse of the Minister of Civil Affairs attempting to suppress the laughter. If she asked him about it, he would just smirk and say, “Why not be a little nicer to His Majesty?”

Leaving the silent Emperor to process his thoughts, Saya turned her attention to the documents on the desk.

She was checking the report from Tagā Province for any other possible issues—just in case.

It was her job, after all, as a civil official, to monitor and prevent fiscal collapse or major unrest in the provinces.

The Emperor, perhaps sensing this, regained his composure and looked her way.

“I’m not going to ask a civilian official like you to deal with magical beasts. That’s my responsibility. But I do want you to tighten surveillance of the markets so that a surge in sugar prices doesn’t disrupt the economy or affect citizens’ livelihoods.”

Moved by the sincerity in his gaze, Saya found herself nodding instinctively.

“—Understood.”