CH 15

Olivia arrived at Cyrus’s room

When she stepped through the door, she was met with Cyrus and his escort, Colin. On the low table between the sofas are multiple documents bundled with strings piled up like a mountain. They were prepared by Cyrus at Olivia’s request.

“I am so sorry for the trouble.”

“No, this is a matter that I can’t overlook as a prince after all.”

Answered Cyrus with a gentle expression. The documents he prepared were from the nobles who manage the territories near the Brior-Philarush border, specifically the area near Winbal.

A noble managing a territory is obligated to report their revenue to the central government every month. This is due to the fact that the central government will collect a certain percentage of the territory’s income as taxes. In other words, the country will calculate the amount of tax each territory is required to pay from these reports.

After sitting down on the sofa, Olivia immediately picked up one of them.

“Just like you requested, these are the account books from the past 10 years.”

Originally, these books should be accessible only to the members of the royal family, the Minister of Taxation, and the officials working in the department. Naturally, Olivia has no right to read them, that’s why she asked Cyrus to get special permission from the King to access them.

As Olivia started examining them, Cyrus also picked up one and started doing the same.

Since these documents can not be allowed to be seen by outsiders, Colin asked the maids to prepare some tea for them before clearing the room and serving them himself.

In addition, after he finished serving the tea, he seated himself a little distance away from Cyrus and Olivia so as to not accidentally see the contents of the documents.

The only sound in the room was the sound of paper being flipped.

Then after Olivia and Cyrus finished examining the books from 10 years ago to those from recent years, they breathe out a sigh.

“Your Highness, have you spotted any [Strange Items]?”

“No, none at all.”

“I see. The ones I checked all have the same level of tax revenue with some minor differences as well.”

After moistening her parching throat with her already cold tea, she continued with a grin.

“As expected, it’s [Strange] isn’t it.”

From a little distance away, Colin tilted his head in puzzlement at why the documents with no abnormality would be considered strange.

Tiana was stunned.

What piled up in front of her were documents on top of documents on top of more documents!

Just what is the meaning of this?

She was told that this avalanche of documents on her desk was something that Tiana’s supposed to handle.

(Just what is all this!?)

She’s supposed to read and sign them all? That’s obviously impossible right!

She tried picking up one of the documents and took a look at its content but she couldn’t tell what it was about at all.

Was Olivia truly handling these documents until yesterday? Seriously?

(There’s no way that’s possible! I mean, if I can’t understand them then there’s no chance Olivia would be able to!)

Surely, the officials knew that Tiana would be the one to handle them after one month and just sent her all the difficult documents that have accumulated to her today.

While thinking about what to do with this mountain of documents, Tiana unconsciously bites down on her nail.

Thinking about it normally, this amount of documents shouldn’t be possible for Tiana to handle alone. No, with this amount, they probably only expected her to just [Sign Them]. That’s it. All she has to do is sign. Since they submitted the documents, it’s obvious that they want them to be signed after all. There’s no need for her to take a look at each and every one of them here.

(I see, that must be it! Even Olivia-sama can at least sign a document after all. What, this is super easy isn’t it.)

Since Tiana is smart, it’s clear that she has been [Overthinking]. If all she has to do is sign them then this is just a walk in the park.

Sitting down in her chair, Tiana immediately put her signature onto the documents. Thanks to this assignment, her study time was cut in half.

If she had known that she wouldn’t have to see her teachers’ irritable faces, she should have taken on this job from the beginning. She thought.

After continuing to sign the document while humming to herself, her assignment was done in no time.

“Ahh, I’m done! But I get it now! If she just signed the documents then it’s no wonder why Olivia-sama always has time to go to the library in the afternoon.”

After handing the piles of documents to the official who came to pick them up, Tiana calls for her maid to prepare tea and sweets.

(I only have a one-hour lesson in the evening today. Let’s see, what should I do?)

After finishing her one-month assignment, Olivia decided to go on a [Trip] with permission from her father, the Duke.

Her destination is a town called Deborah located near the Brior-Philarush border. It is also a town located right across the river from the town of Winbal.

“You don’t have to go with me you know, Your Highness.”

Olivia said with a bitter smile as she was rocked by the shaky carriage.

Sitting across from her was Cyrus. When he heard that Olivia was going to ask her father for permission to travel to Deborah, he decided to ask the King for permission to accompany her.

Worried that it might be dangerous for Olivia to travel alone in a carriage, her father, the Duke agreed only with the condition that she travels with Cyrus. After all, if Cyrus goes, there will be soldiers accompanying them, and Colin, his escort will be there as well.

“It would be bad if something were to happen to you after all.”

That’s what Cyrus said but it’s not like Deborah is a dangerous town. There’s no problem in the diplomatic relations between Brior and Philarush so it’s not like they are going to visit a conflict zone. There’s no strict border patrol that would arrest them with no question for approaching the border either. There shouldn’t be anything that’s worth worrying about.

“Besides, rather than an inn, staying at the royal villa would be more comfortable right?”

“That is certainly true but…”

That’s right, about 2 hours away from Deborah, there’s a large villa belonging to the royal family. Staying there would be undoubtedly more comfortable than renting a room at a local inn.

On a side note, Taylor, who’s riding on another carriage, was elated when she heard that Cyrus would be coming as well. It appears that her maid absolutely wants them to get together.

“Also, if you want to find proof then my presence there would be helpful right?”

There is no doubt about that.

“And lastly, I just wanted to come with you. Traveling alone with just the two of us should be fun isn’t it?”

To be precise, they are technically not alone with all their servants and escorts and it’s not like they are going there to play either. Still, Olivia unintentionally smiles when Cyrus says that.

It’s been roughly a month since Cyrus proposed to her. Since then, he did not act particularly forcefully toward her. Perhaps that’s why Olivia started to feel more comfortable being around Cyrus. In truth, she’s glad that he came with her.

(……….even his proposal, it’s not like I hate the idea of accepting it in the first place though.)

She has been thinking about it and marrying Cyrus is still her [Best] option considering her circumstances. She could even say that there’s no better option than this. That’s why she has no reason to decline. Still, if she accepts his proposal with such a reason, she feels that it would be rude to him instead.

It seems that Cyrus wants Olivia to agree to marry him out of her own [Will]. Not for the benefit of her house but her own willingness to accept him.

She doesn’t hate Cyrus. Over the past month, she could already tell that he is a gentle young man. She also thinks that he’s a person that is fun to be around. However, that’s still [No good]. After all, that is not the answer he wants from her.

Then, Olivia suddenly remembered what Taylor said to her.

—–Olivia-sama, sometimes it is important to take advantage of the momentum you know.

What is this momentum she was talking about though? As far as she can remember, she has never been the type to act impulsively.

Perhaps this [momentum] is the key to her answer.

As Olivia picked up a book from her carriage seat and opened it, she wondered if she would be able to find her answer during this trip.

(It would be nice if I can……..)

It is not long before Olivia realizes that the fact that she is thinking this way already signified the small change in her.