Chapter 55.1

The Listener of the North (1)

Arad’s praise of Arina continued unabated.

“She’s not just good—she’s the best. If she’d been born in another kingdom, she’d have unified the continent by now.”

“Is she really that exceptional?”

“Absolutely.”

“Anything else? Other good points about Her Highness the Grand Duchess?”

“For one, during the recent rebellion of the northern nobles, she minimized the use of collective punishment. I think that was a brilliant decision.”

“…?!”

“Some might say the punishments were too lenient, but I see it differently. The North has a small population and a limited pool of talent. Overzealous purges would only endanger it further.”

“But do you think those spared by her leniency are grateful? They might just be sharpening their blades for revenge.”

“That’s possible. But I’d wager the majority are doing the opposite.”

“The opposite?”

“They’re likely working harder than anyone to prove their loyalty. I imagine Her Highness foresaw this and made her decision accordingly.”

“…”

‘I hadn’t thought that far ahead?!’

Arina hadn’t been considering such long-term outcomes.

She’d simply realized that applying collective punishment as the law dictated would implicate far too many people. It was overwhelming, so she restricted its scope as much as possible, blaming herself for being too lenient.

During that process, mistrust and cynicism had gradually taken root in her heart.

‘But… this feels oddly comforting.’

Those memories, and the wounds they left behind, seemed to be healing somehow.

“Is there… is there more? More good things Her Highness has done?”

“There are too many to count. I’d need to write a book.”

“If that book gets published, it’ll sell like crazy! It’d even boost the company’s profits!”

‘More! More! More praise!’

‘I wasn’t wrong after all!’

Overcome with dopamine, Arina trembled with exhilaration.

“Writing a book, huh… Not a bad idea.”

“I’d be happy to help with it!”

“Would you? Your help would certainly be invaluable. I’ll try drafting it during our evening study sessions.”

“Yes!”

The disappointment she’d felt during their earlier uneventful study session dissipated completely.

Her worries about Arad’s employee management methods were long forgotten.

Even the embarrassment and confusion from earlier revelations were fading.

‘It seems like Mary is really fond of Arina—she’s happier hearing her sister praised than receiving compliments herself.’

Arad chuckled inwardly at Mary’s reactions.

Her innocent admiration for her half-sister was both endearing and charming.

Of course, much of what he’d said was embellished.

‘I felt bad for making that remark about leadership responsibility earlier. And I said it in front of the Grand Duchess’s illegitimate sibling, no less.’

The sudden cascade of praise for the Grand Duchess was born out of guilt.

“Not to mention, Her Highness is frugal. Lately, I’ve heard porcelain from the Empire is being sold cheaply in the North?”

So Arad doubled down, extending his ode to Arina to a second, third, and even fourth verse.

“Yes, that’s true. But it’s not exactly cheap.”

“Still, I’ve noticed some northerners buying porcelain. It seems like they’ve recently had more disposable income.”

“That’s a concern of mine as well. It feels like we’re sliding back into the trade deficit we only just escaped.”

“Right. Why would the Empire, busy using porcelain themselves, sell it to us at a lower price? There’s always a reason.”

“They’re probably planning to make it popular first, then raise the prices.”

“Exactly.”

“They did the same with spices and silk.”

“And how did Her Highness respond back then?”

“Well… she didn’t really do anything. She just made do with what was available. If there wasn’t any, she did without.”

Arina reflected on her experiences.

She rarely wore silk clothing except for court meetings or formal events. Most of the time, she wore garments made from simple linen.

It was the same with spices—when prices soared, she avoided them entirely, grimacing as she forced herself to eat bland, foul-smelling food.

If Arad’s salt hadn’t been introduced, that’s how things would have remained.

“Her restraint and practicality. I deeply admire those qualities in Her Highness.”

For Arad, this was just more material for his ongoing praise.

‘Uh… huh?!’

Hearing him praise something she’d never thought of as admirable, Arina was stunned.

The things she’d hidden out of shame, the things she’d never considered worth mentioning, were suddenly being lauded.

“Wearing fine clothes or eating luxurious food doesn’t confer dignity. Leading by example does—that’s the mark of a true leader.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. In that sense, Her Highness’s response to porcelain is exemplary.”

“What response do you mean…?”

“Not allowing porcelain into the High Tower at all.”

“Oh…”

“Trends flow from the top down. If the pinnacle of northern society doesn’t use porcelain, the nobles and officials below will naturally hesitate to adopt it.”

It wasn’t intentional—Arina had simply been uninterested in porcelain. She’d thought, How many good swords could I buy for that money?

“But even if the High Tower resists, it won’t last forever.”

The pleasure from his praise faded as Arina’s worries returned.

‘Could he…?’

She began to pin her hopes on Arad.

“True. Eventually, even the High Tower will have no choice but to adopt porcelain. If everyone in the North with money uses it, the Grand Ducal House won’t be able to avoid it.”

“Exactly. It’s a serious issue.”

“That’s why the time has come to launch the first business venture we’ve been delaying.”

“Oh!!”

Her hopes were rewarded.

“Though calling it the ‘first’ venture feels odd—it’s what I originally planned to do first with Arad Company.”

“…?!”

Arina tilted her head in confusion, then suddenly straightened up.

“Ah! Now that you mention it?!”