Outside the imperial capital, along the highway bound for Enlil.
I was riding inside a carriage, alone with Cindy.
While far too modest for an Emperor, it was a respectable vehicle for a merchant.
The ride was smooth enough, promising a comfortable journey without any real hardship.
Even so, Cindy apologized for our accommodations.
"I am truly sorry. It was so sudden that this was the best carriage I could arrange on such short notice."
"Think nothing of it. In fact, this is better. We are traveling incognito this time, so the last thing I want is to draw attention with an extravagant carriage."
"Y-Yes. In that case... what about our lodgings along the way...?"
Cindy trailed off, asking tentatively as if trying to read my expression.
"Something decent will do. Honestly, I'm a man—I wouldn't even mind roughing it on the floor of a common room."
Letting a hint of playfulness slip into my voice, I wondered how long it had been since I last referred to myself casually as "I" instead of using the imperial "we" in front of Cindy.
The casual warmth in my words seemed to reach her.
Looking visibly relieved, Cindy let out a soft sigh.
"Understood. Then I will arrange matters so you appear to be a gentleman of respectable birth, without going into specific details."
"Mm. Acting overly humble would only arouse suspicion, after all."
"Yes."
Cindy nodded, then leaned out to speak to the coachman.
She was likely giving instructions regarding tonight's accommodations and our traveling pace.
I decided not to meddle and left the logistics in her capable hands.
"Your—um."
"Heh. What is it?"
I answered with a smile, subtly reassuring Cindy—who had nearly slipped and addressed me as Your Majesty—that I didn't mind the minor slip of the tongue.
"We will be staying overnight in the post town of Nele today, but how would you like to proceed tomorrow onward?"
"There is no need to rush."
"Are you sure?"
Cindy looked a little surprised.
"Yeah. By now, they're probably only in the initial stages of relief and rescue operations. Arriving too early would only get in their way."
"I see."
"Besides, the main purpose of this trip is to inspect the state of the waterworks. If history is any guide, corrupt officials are probably busy 'rounding' the numbers of damaged buildings and casualties right about now. It will be quite some time before they get around to covering up the water supply issues. There's no reason to hurry."
"Rounding?"
"Just like military reports. Bad news is minimized, and good news is inflated to make the numbers look flattering. Isn't there a similar tendency in the merchant world?"
"...Indeed there is."
Cindy gave a start, her surprise giving way to a wry, troubled look.
"It seems human nature is the same everywhere. Once I established the whistleblowing system using Huwawa's Box, things improved considerably, but it made me realize that wiping out corruption entirely is an impossible dream."
"Even that is incredible, Your Majesty. Just curbing that tendency is a monumental achievement..."
Still wearing that pained expression, Cindy murmured with deep sincerity.
From that quiet remark alone, I could tell she had weathered her fair share of similar struggles in business.
"Come to think of it..."
"Yes?"
"How have things been with your father lately?"
"Ah..."
At my question, Cindy's face fell even further into conflicted hesitation.
Originally, she had been taken in and adopted by a merchant named Byron Alan.
Byron had recognized Cindy's sharp wit, providing her with a proper upbringing and education.
Cindy had lived up to his hopes, flourishing into an exceptionally capable merchant in her own right.
However, once Cindy reached adulthood and Byron passed his middle years, the seeds of a classic succession dispute were sown.
Byron, who had never had a son, was finally blessed with a biological boy of his own.
A child born late in life is naturally doted upon. All the more so for a successful merchant with a family business to pass on; it was only natural that he would want to leave everything to his own flesh and blood.
Under those circumstances, Cindy risked becoming a thorn in the family's side. Having seen countless such tragedies throughout history, I had granted Cindy a new family name.
A name carrying far higher social standing than that of any merchant house.
By bestowing a name prestigious enough that she would have no need or reason to fight over the inheritance of Byron's estate, I had spared her from a predictable, ugly feud.
I was asking now to see how that situation had played out.
"It is... likely fine."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. By consistently using the new name you besto—the new name, I have made it clear that I have no intention of contesting the inheritance. It seems to have put him at ease."
"Good. It would be a terrible waste to lose a woman of your talents. If you ever sense danger, speak up immediately."
"Thank you very much..."
"What's the matter? You look gloomy."
Noticing the shadow that crossed her face, I was genuinely puzzled.
I had just promised to guarantee her safety.
Her relations with her adoptive father were at a peaceful truce, and the Emperor himself had pledged to protect her life.
Why would her expression darken after hearing that?
"Ah, no! That is..."
Realizing my confusion, Cindy waved her hands in a fluster, her face practically shouting that I had misunderstood.
"It's just... I was thinking about what a heavy responsibility it is."
"A heavy responsibility?"
"I was thinking of Lady Evelyn."
"Evelyn?"
Why was Evelyn's name coming up now? My curiosity only deepened.
"Lady Evelyn is now the Fourth Prime Minister. As a retainer of the reigning Emperor, she is universally acknowledged as the greatest success story in the empire."
"Ah."
I nodded.
Some time after Father passed away and the full weight of imperial authority was transferred to me, I had promoted Evelyn to Fourth Prime Minister.
While her previous appointments as magistrate and governor-general were remarkable in their own right, the post of Fourth Prime Minister was a promotion on an entirely different scale.
If one were to rank power in the empire today, Evelyn undoubtedly sat comfortably among the top ten.
Considering she had started out as a mere parlor maid, it was an astonishing ascent.
"Did you know that among the common people, Lady Evelyn's name has become a byword for rising through the ranks?"
"Yeah, I've heard. It's a fine thing."
"The reigning Emperor, who saw through to Lady Evelyn's brilliance and elevated her regardless of her gender, is truly a remarkable man. But on the other hand..."
Cindy forced a self-deprecating smile, clearly trying to keep the mood light, before continuing.
"Knowing what Lady Evelyn achieved, to be favored and relied upon to this extent by Your Majesty... it feels as though an equal weight of responsibility has settled squarely upon my shoulders..."
She trailed off, ducking her head slightly while peering up at me through her eyelashes.
I see, I thought.
"You only need to do what is within your power."
"What is within my power...?"
"I don't go to a blacksmith to order wine. I only ask things of people whom I know are capable."
"..."
"Just focus on doing what you can do. As long as you perform to the best of your abilities, you can rest assured that you are doing exactly what I desire."
"Yes... but still..."
"Still?"
I tilted my head, waiting for her to finish.
The words I offered to reassure her seemed to have worked, as her expression brightened a little. Yet almost immediately, her cheeks flushed, and she shot me a mock-reproachful look.
"When you put it so kindly, it makes me want to reach even higher to exceed your expectations."
"Don't push yourself beyond your limits. That is all I ask."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"'Evelyn' became a byword for rising in the world. But I believe 'Cindy' can become a byword for striking it rich, or something just as grand."
"Me...?"
"Indeed. That is why there is no need to run yourself ragged. Just do what you are capable of, and that will be more than enough."
"...Yes! I will do my very best!"
My pep talk seemed to have hit the mark. The gloom, embarrassment, and playful resentment vanished entirely, replaced by a radiant, determined smile.
Seeing that confident look return to her face, I knew she would be just fine.