Chapter 161

Beauty Looking Back and Her Demanded Rewards [Part 3]

The rows of torii gates contained various spells needed for national defense and were national treasures in and of itself. It was evident that Imperial Japan would be easily discovered by other countries and become vulnerable to anyone who wanted to rob its magic stones if it ever lost the torii gates. Those gates were the most important things to Imperial Japan.

In the eyes of the close attendants, the Emperor and the Shogun looked tormented for having to choose between starving the people and sacrificing their national treasure.

“No, it’s not… the torii gates.“

The Emperor’s hands were shaking.

“N-n-no way! Could she be asking for His Imperial Highness, Tasuku? Did she come here to make His Imperial Highness her son-in-law?!“

The Imperial Prince, Tasuku, was also Imperial Japan’s treasure.

The hard-working Imperial Prince had not only mastered the Balitu language, but had also studied the Kingdom language. His deep care for his people was what moved him to try his best to get the country out of its current predicament.

He had both the looks and brains.

If the Stuart family had a daughter, it was understandable for them to want the Imperial Prince as their son-in-law.

Still, Imperial Prince Tasuku was the heart and soul of the people. He was their emotional anchor.

It would be very uncomfortable for the close attendants if they had to send the Imperial Prince away in humiliation…

“No, it’s not… Tasuku.“

The Shogun beside the Emperor was also shaking.

“C-c-could it be… Your Imperial Majesty and Your Lordship’s… heads?“

Is House Stuart trying to take over this country by burying our leaders’ heads and placing a puppet figurehead who is easy to manipulate?

If that’s the case, then the torii gates, magic stones, and Imperial Prince Tasuku will all fall under their hands.

…What a frightening family…

The close attendants got shivers from their own excessive imagination.

“No, not that too…“

“Then what on earth is it?!“

The close attendants shouted impatiently.

They hadn’t read the list, but they could tell from seeing the transported supplies that it was a significant amount of food. Based on their wild thoughts, the Emperor and the Shogun must have been looking at the paper with great resolve and determination, but their expressions were a bit off… ‘What could they be so surprised about?’

“…1. Rice.

“

” ” “…Huh?” ” “

“2. …Dried bonito.“

[T/N: katsuobushi]

” ” “…Huh?” ” “

“…Miso, soy sauce, spicy pollack roe… Japanese pickles, natto, tofu, and r-red bean paste?“

” ” “…Hhuh?” ” “

“Please forgive our rudeness for requesting food ingredients from a country suffering from food shortage. But we want to eat rice by all means.“

” ” “…Huhhhhhh?” ” “

“H-hey, Melsa, what’s everyone been clamoring about since earlier?”

Oliver couldn’t hold back anymore and finally asked Melsa.

“We are discussing the rewards for the relief supplies.”

“You… just what kind of nonsensical thing did you demand?”

“Oliver, we are talking about something important right now, so can you shut up a little?”

“Uh? Melsa, you know that I’m the diplomat, right?”

“I will tell you more about it later.”

Melsa didn’t remember ever asking Oliver to accompany her here in the first place.

“You… are always so uncute…”

Oliver badmouthed her without hiding his irritability.

“Aside from the time when we were engaged, I don’t see any merit for having you think of me as cute.”

“Hah, you’re really not cute.”

Does this man think this will hurt me?

…No, there was a time when I was deeply hurt by this.

I completely forgot about those days because Leonard has praised me more than Oliver has ever cursed me.

When we first met at the academy that day, I had never thought that he would really say “I love you” to me every day. He has made me very happy.

I want to bring the rice home quickly and cook it for him.

Thinking about the delighted face of her husband and children, Melsa steeled herself to succeed.

“Your Imperial Majesty, Your Lordship. Can you please give us rice and dried bonito in exchange?“

♠♠♠

Author’s words: It was the critical moment on whether or not they could obtain rice.