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Seeing his sister’s expression, Aleksei hurried to explain. According to him, each of the Three Great Ducal Houses possessed a vast garden of their family’s symbolic flower at their estate in the capital, and it was a long-standing tradition for the Imperial Family to visit when that flower was in full bloom.
Indeed, the Jurnova ducal estate in the capital had an enormous rose garden. …But who could have guessed that the Imperial Family would *personally come to view it every year*?

“…Forgive me. This was my blunder.”

Aleksei, one hand to his forehead, looked unusually flustered.

“I should have informed you much sooner. I failed to consider that a lady requires time to prepare her attire and such things. My apologies.”
“N-no, Onii-sama. It is my fault for not knowing something so important.”

To him, this must have been common knowledge—something so obvious it never even occurred to him to explain.
Even though it’s already been eight months since I was freed from confinement, I still didn’t know about such a major annual event. It’s probably because I spent the first half of that time shut away inside my own shell.
So, no—my brother isn’t to blame. Absolutely not.

However!

The Imperial Family comes every year for flower-viewing!? The Three Great Ducal Houses are something else!
Never in my life would I have imagined such a thing!
Even now, I can feel my eyes rolling white from shock!

He said to tell him if I needed to prepare anything, didn’t he?
Preparation?
What am I supposed to prepare—how am I supposed to prepare?! I can’t even begin to imagine what to do!

“My lady, there is no need to be so nervous. It happens every year, after all. Everyone knows their roles. You need only prepare your own attire.”

Hearing Novak’s gentle reassurance, Ekaterina came back to her senses.
Right—of course. It’s an *annual* event. Everyone else already knows what to do!

“Um… it might not mean much coming from me, but I’m sure you’ll be fine. His Grace will be with you, and Lord Mikhail will be there as well.”

Flora said, patting Ekaterina’s back to comfort her.
Ah… that’s true.
If I just hide behind Onii-sama, I’ll be safe. Sure, it’s *the* Imperial Family, but one of them is *that* prince, after all.
…but the others are the *Emperor* and *Empress*… Guh.

“You needn’t worry about the dress either, my lady. If it’s not too elaborate, we can have it ready in time. Fortunately, tomorrow is the weekend—we can return to the ducal estate and make your preparations then.”

Khalil added cheerfully. You’re a man, what do you know about preparing a dress—oh wait, you’re a merchant. Sorry.

Everyone was working so hard to encourage me—just how openly had I been showing my panic…? I’d better pull myself together!

“Thank you, everyone. Thanks to you all, I’m feeling much calmer now.”

Still, a dress, clotheswear…
Th-there must be trends to consider, right?

“If possible, I would prefer the lady to wear something different from the current fashions.”

Aaron said with a sigh, making Ekaterina blink in surprise.
I hadn’t expected the scholarly-looking young head of the mines to have an opinion about women’s fashion.

“Our Jurnova lands produce gemstones too, see. But in recent years, ladies have shied away from lavish jewels, so prices have been falling. The trend has been luxurious silks imported from beyond the Summit of Gods for several years now. Since the fabric and its intricate woven patterns is meant to be the centerpiece of the outfit, wearing large jewels are now seen as gaudy or in poor taste.”

The Summit of Gods refers to the vast mountain range that divides east and west across the continent. It’s like the Himalayas from my previous life, but even steeper, a true backbone of the world. Because of that, trade between east and west is mostly by sea.

“Even though we can finally trade high-quality gemstones should we find them… Gems are the flowers of minerals, it pains me to see them go unappreciated.”

Aaron looked genuinely sorrowful.

So… Aaron is a mineral fanatic, huh? His passion went so far he became head of the mines—that’s impressive.
But wait, did he just say *’should we find them’*?

“Um, were we unable to sell good gems even if we dug them up before?”

I hadn’t expected to question that, and an awkward silence filled the room.
Why?

Then Aleksei answered bitterly.

“Grandmother used to claim them all for herself and forbid selling them elsewhere. …It was still better than having her meddle in the iron mines however, so I let her have her way with that much.”

…That. Damn. OLD FRIGGING BAT!!
So she wasn’t just tormenting her daughter-in-law, she was pulling that kind of stunt too!?

And, as I suspected, it was Onii-sama who’d been managing the ducal affairs even when Father and that hag were alive.
They worked a child like a servant, and then interfered out of pure greed—honestly, she deserved to be eaten by a monster and turned into dung, you basturd!

…Oops, calm down, me. The old hag’s dead. Once people die, they’re all Buddhas.
Not that Buddhism exists in this world.
Even so, calm your jets, me. There, there, me.

So, they want me to promote the appeal of Jurnova’s gemstones, then?
They’re using me to advertise a local specialty—I felt like an ambassador for a tourism campaign…does a villainess like me even fit to serve as an ambassador?

“It is said that large jewels don’t suit young ladies, but with your dignified beauty, my lady, they would surely become you. We will prepare a piece so exquisite even Her Majesty the Empress would envy it—please wear it proudly,” Khalik smiled. “Ah, my lord, what about that ‘Celestial Azure’? Would it not suit the young lady perfectly? My lady, please do consider it. Her Majesty the Empress is likely seeking to set the next fashion trend—this would be an ideal chance to let her take notice.”

Khalil, you’re absolutely planning to use me as free advertising, aren’t you? What even is “Celestial Azure”? Well, I’ll gladly wear it if it helps the family, but don’t expect too much out of me…

“Ekaterina, you don’t have to use the jewels or the celestial azure if you don’t like them. Do as you please. If you prefer imported silks, buy as much as you want. Since you’ll be hosting Their Majesties, that would actually be the safer choice. —It was Her Majesty the Empress who made imported silk fashionable. Her family, the House of Jursein, controls an important port for east–west trade. The more imports increase, the more prosperous they become. But not only that, the quantity of imperial goods exported eastward also grows, and the entire Empire sees the profit it brings. She is a wise individual.”
“My…”

At Aleksei’s words, Ekaterina couldn’t help but be impressed.

“By making high-margin silks fashionable, she’s attracting merchants from the East, is she not? Since fabric alone wouldn’t fill the cargo hold of a merchant ship, they must also bring other goods that would sell in the Empire. By pairing those with profitable silks and selling the other goods more cheaply here, trade becomes livelier. And when they return east, they’ll load up on imperial products that sell well there, increasing our exports too. Is that how it works?”

Hmm, impressive, Your Majesty the Empress.
Even in my previous life, noblewomen from the Sengoku era or Renaissance Italy were expected to strengthen both their natal and marital houses.

“What an admirable deed. By leading the trends in fashion, something natural for someone of the Empress’s position, she revitalizes the economy while honoring her family without reproach and uplifting the Empire itself. Truly a model for anyone who bears the title of Empress.”
“…Lady Ekaterina, you understood all that instantly.”

Novak groaned. Was there any other fifteen-year-old who could grasp it that quickly?
Well, that’s because inside she’s a thirty-something former history nerd who used to be a systems engineer developing logistics and order management software, and loved watching economic documentaries—basically put, a middle-aged man in the skin of a girl.

“My lady, would you not like to ascend to the rank of Empress yourself one day and try such things with your own hands?”
“What! Of course not, absolutely not, not even an iota.”

Ekaterina’s reflex reply cut Novak’s words down like a flash. One decisive cut, indeed.

I mean! Even that impossible magical beast event from the game actually happened following the scenario!
If a villainess like me ever aimed for the position of Empress or targeted a prince, it would trigger the doom flags instantly! Definitely! No way! Terrifying!

Ah—whoops, Novak’s gone completely pale…

“Ah, I-I beg your pardon. I spoke out of turn. But I truly do not wish for anything involving the Imperial Family…”
“…I see.”
“It’s fine. I’ve given my permission.”

Novak sighed, but Aleksei seemed rather pleased.

“Rozen, my sister is intelligent, is she not? Until I take a wife or she marries into another house, the mistress of House Jurnova is this Ekaterina. As Lady of the Jurnova Knights, she is to be received and given your fealty. On the day before Their Majesties’ arrival, offer your sword and swear loyalty to her. Should anything happen to me, the Knights shall take Ekaterina as their liege and obey her orders.”
“I accept, my lord.”

The Knight Commander rose, pressed a fist to his chest, and bowed.

“I have heard of Lady Ekaterina’s kindness and wisdom from Mardov, who will soon be joining our order. It will be an honor to serve her as our Lady.”

Lady of the Knights? Offer a sword? What is this—some medieval chivalric romance? Even the thirty-something woman inside me can’t help but swoon a little!

Aleksei gently stroked his sister’s hair as she stared wide-eyed, and smiled.

“There are still many things you should rightfully have as a daughter of Jurnova that you haven’t yet received. Let’s start by correcting that. You’re in fragile health, so you don’t need to aim for the rank of Empress. For now, just focus on preparing for your audience with Their Majesties.”
“Yes, Onii-sama. I will do as you say.”

Relieved, Ekaterina nodded.

Thank you, Onii-sama.
And I’m sorry for ever wishing you’d remove my fragile trait—now I see that it’s a perfect excuse not to become Empress!
From now on, I’ll make full use of the fragile setting as part of my doom-flag countermeasures!