Chapter 78
"But even if we say we'll investigate it ourselves, how are we supposed to do that...?"
In response to Tsetsedra's confusion, Luluria puffed out her chest and declared, "Leave it to me."
"First, please tell me about Filemas-sama, the people around him, and a minister named Basol. I don't know any of them yet."
That was only natural. It had been just a few days since Luluria had come to the Empire. She probably hadn't even properly memorized the names of Tsetsedra's close aides.
"Oh, that's not true. I already know the names and faces of Tsetsedra-sama's aides."
"Really?"
"Yes. As you know, Fezaris is a small country. We somehow maintain it through trade. That is precisely why being able to quickly remember the faces and names of our business partners is an important skill."
"...I see."
She might have been exaggerating a little. Even so, Tsetsedra had to admit it was impressive.
"I know Elder Brother Filemas well, but when it comes to his aides, I'm not sure how much detail I can provide. I expect it will be mostly surface-level information."
"Then how about General Gafol or Bridget-san? As aides to the respective princes, they may have heard things that Tsetsedra-sama doesn't know about."
"That is certainly possible."
"Then may I go around and ask everyone?"
Luluria leaned toward him, her eyes sparkling. Somehow, the demure impression she had given at first was largely gone. Seeing Tsetsedra look a little surprised, Luluria suddenly realized what she was doing and drew back.
"I'm sorry. I got carried away. ...Do you dislike such an improper woman?"
Luluria looked at Tsetsedra somewhat bashfully. Her expression kept changing as she asked him that, and Tsetsedra couldn't help bursting out laughing.
"No, pardon me. I don't mind at all. Among the three imperial consorts, one is an especially energetic person, and I find that person's personality quite agreeable. You needn't force yourself to suppress who you are. In return, I promise to be as natural as possible around you, too."
At Tsetsedra's words, she flashed a smile, then leaned toward him again almost at once.
"Then, starting tomorrow, I'll spend my free time over the next few days going around and hearing what everyone has to say!"
"I don't mind, but what exactly will you learn by doing that?"
"...I don't know that yet!"
"Huh?"
The sheer confidence with which Luluria declared this left Tsetsedra frozen, mouth agape.
"Whatever we're trying to do, we must begin with people. Unless we start by getting to know them, we won't know where the problem lies or where we ought to apply pressure."
"Is that how it works?"
"Yes. That's how it works."
Luluria spoke so confidently that Tsetsedra found himself somehow convinced. In any case, it was true that staring blankly at the letter would get him nowhere.
Besides, this might be a good opportunity to see what kind of person Luluria was. If so, he began to feel that perhaps he could entrust this to his fiancée for a while.
"All right. I'll tell Gafol first thing tomorrow and instruct him to cooperate with Luluria's interviews."
"Thank you. Oh, and of course, I won't neglect the preparations for our wedding, either, so please don't worry!"
Watching Luluria's lively demeanor, Tsetsedra felt as though some of her energy had rubbed off on him.
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Starting the next day, Luluria, true to her word, went around asking Tsetsedra's subordinates about all sorts of things whenever she had a spare moment.
Bridget, the administrative aide who came to report on state business, laughed. "What a delightful princess has come to us."
As far as Bridget knew, Luluria had apparently been skillfully gathering information without causing any major trouble.
Gafol, who arrived just as Bridget was leaving, said, "It feels as though a little Sarysha-sama has taken up residence in the territory."
He had to admit that was an apt comparison. Luluria, who was cheerful wherever she went and had begun displaying a carefree streak, did indeed resemble Sarysha-sama.
After four or five days of this, Luluria came to Tsetsedra one evening and said, "I may have found a lead."
"So soon?"
"It's only a first step. I don't know if I'm on the right track, but I've identified someone we should sound out."
"First, tell me this person's name."
"It's someone named Lapage."
"That's not a name I recognize."
"Yes. Apparently, Lapage was appointed by Filemas-sama relatively recently."
Luluria had managed to find out the name of one of his brother's subordinates, someone even Tsetsedra hadn't known about. That alone was surprising enough, but then Luluria began telling him something even more troubling—something he could not simply dismiss.