"Regards."
That was all written in Tiselle’s letter, despite it arriving under a triple seal.
It wasn't a hidden message revealed by heat.
No secret text floated to the surface when I dipped the paper in water.
I even suspected some kind of trick involving the seals themselves, but my investigation turned up nothing.
That left only a magical reaction...
Or perhaps it was a code.
I see! Compressed language!
There had to be a complex, layered meaning hidden within those four characters!
In other words, the first syllable of "Regards" meant... "Regards."
And the second syllable meant...
"Village Head. Give it up. That is literally all she wrote."
But still.
This was just too much.
I felt terrible for the princess and her group who had carried this letter all the way here.
"N-No, wait, let’s look on the bright side. This letter was likely a last-minute pretext to help the princess escape to Village Five. She probably just didn't have time to write more."
"I see. That makes sense."
"It’s certainly a possibility."
That was true. And what about the worst-case scenario?
"Maybe she was in a situation where writing anything more was impossible?"
Even though she triple-sealed it?
Even though she had enough time to wrap a sealed letter inside another letter, seal that, and then repeat the process once more?
"...M-Maybe she kept it short... to avoid being scolded for saying something unnecessary?"
Which theory seemed more likely?
"...M-My thoughts are perfectly in line with yours, Village Head."
Right.
As her father, I desperately wanted to believe the "in a hurry" theory.
For the time being, I had a light meal with Yoko. After finishing a few other tasks, I requested a formal meeting with the princess.
It was time to discuss the group's future.
I made the request after receiving word that they were relaxing after their meal, so I didn't expect them to be ready instantly.
Yoko was even prepared to make them wait for a few days as a bit of petty payback for the trouble they'd caused.
However, the princess and her group insisted they were ready to meet immediately, so the session was arranged.
The venue was a small, vacant conference room.
On our side sat Yoko and myself.
On their side were the three individuals who had been present during the earlier audience.
Speaking of which, that "Audience Chamber" turned out to be nothing more than a conference room that had been hastily renovated specifically for their arrival.
No wonder it was a room I had never seen before.
"Thank you for creating this opportunity for us to speak," the princess said, offering her thanks the moment she sat down.
I had noticed it during the audience, but she was remarkably composed for someone so young.
Still, she was just a child.
I shouldn't push her too hard.
Let’s skip the fluff and get straight to business.
Reading my intent, Yoko took the lead.
"I have heard of your homeland... the Gozran Kingdom. I am also aware that you are fugitives being pursued by the Jidoen Kingdom."
Apparently, the Jidoen Kingdom was the one that had toppled theirs.
"What do you intend to do now? This isn't exactly a reward for delivering Tiselle’s letter, but since you have traveled so far, I intend to provide as much assistance as I can."
The princess’s expression remained stoic, but the two men with her practically radiated joy.
If even I could pick up on their mood, they were definitely a bit green.
Still, it was a relief.
At least it confirmed that our help wasn't unwelcome meddling.
"If you wish to find a place of peace, I will help you find it. If you wish to return to your country, I will help you return. And if you wish to remain here in Village Five, I will help you settle in."
Yes, I was prepared to help them with everything I had.
"However, I understand it might be difficult to decide your entire future right this second. You should discuss it with the others who followed you to this land first—"
"We will live in Village Five. We look forward to your support!"
The princess answered before the sentence was even finished.
Her two companions were nodding their heads with such vigor I thought they might snap.
"A-Are you sure? I mean, if you live in Village Five, you’ll have to make a real effort to integrate into our society."
That was a standard requirement.
"Of course! However, we have no one else to turn to, and our current funds for daily life are... quite limited..."
As the princess pleaded her case with intense focus, the two men beside her suddenly intervened.
"Princess, the tears! You have to cry now!"
"This is the decisive moment!"
Oh, wait. They weren't stopping her at all.
"I-I understand. Just calm down. Now, tell me... what kind of help do you actually need?" Yoko asked directly.
"Living expenses for the immediate future! Housing! And help finding jobs!" the princess replied, just as bluntly.
She certainly wasn't holding back.
But then again, she was carrying the weight of fifty people. It made sense.
Being reserved would only lead to their starvation.
"Very well. Regarding housing, though... putting all fifty of you in a single building will be difficult."
"As long as we're in the same neighborhood, it's fine!"
"I... I see. Then I’ll arrange it that way. It will take a little time to finalize, so please stay at the inn we’ve prepared until then."
"Thank you so much!"
"As for immediate living expenses, the Village Head will provide..."
Would a hundred silver coins suffice for now?
"Thank you!! Thank you so much!!"
Ah, please stop with that "Pose of Loyalty."
It’s making me awkward.
"As for the jobs... that will have to wait until I’ve heard what each person is capable of."
"I wish to work selling cakes," the princess declared.
She seemed determined, though I had my reservations about putting such a young girl to work.
As for her companions... one wanted to be a Swan Race Trainer, and the other wanted to work in a ramen shop.
Well, just because they had preferences didn't mean they were guaranteed those positions.
They would have to put in the necessary effort.
The question was whether they truly had the resolve.
"I will dispatch a job-seeking expert to your group. Please discuss your specific requests with them."
"I understand. Thank you, truly."
"Right. Also... do you require any intelligence regarding the Jidoen Kingdom or other members of the Gozran royalty? I can share what we find."
"That is unnecessary!"
She refused with every fiber of her being.
Was that really okay?
They were her family and her homeland, after all.
"Understood. Welcome to Village Five."
With that, Yoko concluded the meeting.
We returned to Yoko’s office.
"That last question was to see if she intended to use Village Five as a base to plan a royal restoration," Yoko explained.
Ah, so that was the catch.
And since she refused so vehemently...
"It means that as long as they are under our care, they won't even think about such things."
I see.
I couldn't help but wonder if I’d forced a heavy burden of resolve onto such a young child.
"No, no. She was making it clear that she has no interest in restoration, so we should help her as much as possible. Heh. She’s quite sharp. I’d love to have her as a civil official for Village Five in the future."
That was true.
We were always short on administrative staff.
I’d certainly welcome talented people.
Maybe I should recommend her for an academy once she’s a little older?
"Only if she wishes it herself. Though if she goes to school, I’d prefer it to be the one here in Village Five."
That made sense.
If she went elsewhere, she might never come back.
"Exactly. There’s no need to let such a promising seedling be seen by outsiders."
Well, that’s up to her in the end.
You can't go forcing her into anything.
"I know, I know. I won't do anything heavy-handed. Rest easy."
Hahaha. I trust you, Yoko.
Village Head: "This must be... compressed language!" Yoko: "Village Head! This isn't a prompt for an acrostic poem! Unfortunately, it's just a letter from Tiselle." Tia: "I think she did her best." Ruincia: "I remember receiving a letter exactly like that... (Cries)" Princess's Companion A: "The sheer scale of this economy is terrifying." Princess's Companion B: "Even if we were told to help with internal affairs here..." Princess's Companion C: "Study! We have no choice but to study! Let's do our best!" Village Head: "Should I send her to an academy?" Yoko: "If she goes to an academy, it has to be the one in Village Five." Village Head: "No monopolizing the talent." Yoko: "But I'm the one who spotted her first!"