Alice vanished as soon as she finished delivering her message, leaving the room exactly as it had been before her arrival. The physical space was unchanged, yet the atmosphere within it had been irrevocably transformed.
Until Alice appeared, Chris and Eris had primarily been offering Marie advice and support. Now, the fundamental nature of the situation had shifted.
Given that Shallow Vernal was now directly involved, neither Chris nor Eris could afford to remain mere bystanders.
"The matter of the offering to Shallow Vernal-sama seems to have a solution," Chris said, "but we must move with extreme caution regarding the subsequent handling of the Golden Riple. As a mystical fruit created by the Gods themselves, it will inevitably carry religious weight. The Shenism faith is almost certain to intervene. From the perspective of the state, it would be easiest to handle if we gave Lady Marie a title and granted her independence to act as a buffer... but I imagine that would be difficult?"
"Y-Yes," Baron Rich stammered. "Marie has never received the education required for the head of a noble house. She knows enough to conduct herself properly as the daughter of a low-ranking noble, but to expect her to step into the theater of politics and high society as a sovereign head..."
"It would likely only increase Lady Marie's burden," Chris conceded. "Even if she were to begin her studies now, it takes years to master such things. She certainly wouldn't be ready by the time the Golden Riple sweets are distributed. That path is closed to us."
As Empress, Chris knew it would have been simpler to manage the Western Development if the Golden Riple matter were handled separately, but she immediately agreed with the Baron. She understood the difficulty all too well.
As long as Marie remained a daughter of the Rich Baron House, every action had to account for noble factions and political protocol, adding layers of complexity to every decision. Had Marie already completed the training expected of someone like Eris, Chris would have granted her a title and placed her directly under the crown’s protection as a key person of interest.
"Complaints will surely arise about high-ranking nobles meddling in the affairs of a minor house," Marquis Hamilton noted, "but for the sake of the Golden Riple, it is best for the Hamilton Marquis House to take the lead."
"I agree," Chris said. "It will be a significant undertaking for you, Marquis, but it is the form that places the lightest burden on Lady Marie and the Rich Baron House."
Eris, resting her chin in her hand, immediately deduced their intent and spoke up.
"On the surface, we will treat the Golden Riple as a joint venture between the Rich and Hamilton houses," Eris said. "We will project the image that the Marquis house is in total control. That way, if any aggressive demands for the fruit reach the Rich family, they can simply say, 'The decision-making power lies with the Hamilton Marquis House; please take your requests to them.' It provides them with a shield against those who would try to use their higher rank to bully a Baron."
"Exactly," the Marquis replied. "I had no intention of interfering with the Sharon Count House, as they possess more than enough power to defend themselves. But the Rich Baron House... it is simply too much to ask them to face this alone."
"It is," Baron Rich said, looking visibly relieved. "Shameful as it is to admit, though I am the head of my house, I have lived my life far from the world of noble maneuvering. I wouldn't even know how to begin... If the Hamilton Marquis House is willing to lead, it would be a true blessing."
Baron Rich nodded fervently. This situation had long since spiraled beyond his capabilities; the Marquis’s offer of protection was an answered prayer.
"We will finalize the details later," the Marquis said, "but the Hamilton Marquis House officially pledges its cooperation regarding the Golden Riple. However... regarding the Western Development, I don’t believe we can take the lead there."
"The... Western Development?" Marie and the Baron asked in unison.
They both wore identical expressions of utter confusion. It was expected of Marie, but even Baron Lich was so removed from high-level trade and information networks that the news had not yet reached him.
Seeing their confusion, Chris gave a small nod and began to explain.
"It isn't confirmed yet, but based on current movements, it appears the Lord Trading Company is initiating a massive development project in the West. Specifically, they seem to be moving to construct a Transfer Gate within the Rich Baron Territory."
"A Transfer Gate?!" the Baron cried.
"Wait... the Lord Trading Company? I thought... I thought they just wanted to buy Riples..." Marie stammered.
The news was a complete bolt from the blue. Both father and daughter were paralyzed with shock. At the same time, they recalled the letter from the Lord Trading Company requesting a personal meeting. They had assumed it was a simple negotiation for fruit exports; they hadn't imagined in their wildest dreams that a Transfer Gate—a project of national importance—would be built on their land.
Chris proceeded to explain her predictions for the region’s growth and the future outlook for their territory. As they listened, the Baron and Marie turned deathly pale, their bodies beginning to tremble.
Serious-senpai: "Is she going to be okay? Marie’s stomach has probably been reduced to atoms by now."
???: "What’s truly terrifying is the timeline. Chronologically speaking, it hasn’t even been ten days since Kaito-san and Lady Marie first met."
Serious-senpai: "The Stomach Pain Devil is far too cruel."