The eastern reaches of the Aiwood Kingdom—the Margrave Lavender Territory.
Bordering the Geisel Empire to the east, these lands had once been a primary battlefield. It was a crucible where the flames of war had frequently erupted and countless heroes had fallen during the long conflict with the Empire.
The master of this land, Margrave Lavender, was known as the most hawkish of the martial faction among the many nobles of the Aiwood Kingdom. Even now, with the war concluded, he remained a figure of potential dissent, vocally opposing the Crown's current cooperative diplomatic stance.
Rest watched the landscape pass from his carriage, his thoughts turning to his host. I don’t know if the man is good or evil. He might even be a patriot, depending on your perspective. But it's a fact that he’s an elder statesman whose views clash with Marquis Rosemary, Marquis Catreia, and Duke Crocus. Celestine said he wouldn't start a rebellion like Marquis Eiger did, but I should still stay on my guard. He likely harbors some personal grudge against me, too. This won't be a leisurely sightseeing trip.
Rest had initially considered abandoning his plan to hunt for rare ingredients in these lands, but once the formal invitation had arrived, he was trapped. A refusal would have been a political slight. When he had consulted his father-in-law, Marquis Rosemary, the Marquis admitted he had no idea why Rest had been summoned. He had simply asked Rest to do some light spying while he was there.
Otherwise, Rest wouldn't have dreamed of heading alone into a place where he didn't know what kind of trouble might be waiting.
"I feel a bit like a spy," Rest murmured with a wry smile, staring out the window.
The carriage rolled into the heart of the territory, the capital city of Lavenderburg. It was the largest city in the eastern kingdom, and while not quite as bustling as the Royal Capital, it possessed a distinct energy. The main thoroughfares were crowded with merchants, many of whom were clearly foreigners. Given the proximity to the border, trade with the neighboring Empire was a constant.
Margrave Lavender might preach anti-imperial rhetoric, but business was clearly booming. "Cold politics, hot economics," Rest mused, recalling a term from a social studies class in his previous life. It described a situation where political relations were icy while trade remained robust. True to the phrase, many traveling merchants from the Empire were entering the city, while Kingdom merchants prepared goods for export.
Trade income from the Empire was an indispensable source of revenue for the Aiwood Kingdom. Regardless of the political tension, trying to upset that delicate balance would be a dangerous move for anyone.
Determining exactly what Margrave Lavender intended for that balance was one of the goals of this visit.
Eventually, the carriage pulled up before the Margrave’s mansion in the center of the city.
"Welcome, Count Clover. We are honored by your arrival."
As Rest stepped down, a man in a butler’s livery came forward to greet him.
"I shall guide you inside at once. My lady is waiting for you."
"Ah... and how is Ulula?" Rest asked.
"Very well indeed, my lord. She has been waiting for the Count with great anticipation."
"I see."
Rest followed the butler through the gates. This place was practically enemy territory, and his only real anchor was his friendship with Ulula Lavender. Even if she was hiding her own agenda, they had survived a centipede nest together. He had to trust that bond.
Inside the entrance hall, a double line of servants bowed in unison.
"Welcome, Count Clover!" they shouted together.
Rest was momentarily startled by the thunderous greeting, but he reminded himself that he was a Count now. A proper noble. He couldn't let himself be rattled by simple ceremony. He steeled his nerves and held his ground.
Calm down, he told himself. This is nothing compared to the nerves I felt during the investiture ceremony at the royal palace.
"I thank you for the warm welcome," Rest said, finding his voice. "Now, as for Margrave Lavender and his daughter—"
"Welcome... please..."
Rest was trying his best to look the part of a dignified noble, but his composure crumbled the moment she appeared.
A girl was descending the grand staircase near the entrance, moving with slow, deliberate grace.
"Ulula? Is that you?" Rest asked, his formal mask slipping for a moment.
The girl gave a small, shy nod, seemingly unbothered by his bluntness.
"I have... been waiting. I am happy... to see you."
The girl speaking with that familiar, halting cadence was indeed Ulula Lavender. But she had been transformed. Dressed in a delicate gown of wakamurasaki purple, her face touched with makeup and her form accented by jewelry, his friend had become a radiant, breathtaking young lady.