When Al and the others arrived at the Rinefelt Duchy, Fiene was in a frenzy in the capital.
"Wh-what should we do!? What should I do, Yuria!?"
"Just stay there. That's enough."
"Opening now—!"
As soon as the capital branch of the Anthropoid Guild opened, a long line of customers surged in.
Their goal was the new product launched by the Anthropoid Guild, the "Beauty Water."
This product was already quite excellent, but the Anthropoid Guild added a catchy slogan.
"Here it is! The Beauty Water used by the Azure Gull Princess! 'Gull Water' is limited to 300 bottles!"
A cute anthropoid clerk promoted the featured item.
Inside the transparent bottle was clear water.
While it contained various ingredients, the customers' eyes were on Fiene.
"Fiene-sama is really here! I'll take one!"
"It's the real thing!! I'll take three!"
"Five!"
"This is too much trouble! I'll take ten!!"
The Beauty Water used by the most beautiful woman in the empire.
For the women of the capital, it was like a magic word. The customers who rushed into the store one after another quickly reached out for the Beauty Water, and the 300 bottles were sold out in no time.
If it were just a catchy slogan, it might not have been this successful, but Fiene was waving from the second floor of the branch.
The presence of the real person had a terrifying effect, and within a few days, Gull Water became the best-selling skincare product in the capital.
"Good job, Fiene."
"I was so surprised..."
Yuria was smiling throughout because her strategy had worked.
On the other hand, Fiene, who had to face the female customers rushing in like knights charging into enemy lines, was not at ease.
"Until the store opens, everyone is looking at me... I was worried they might rush me..."
"I know it's tough, but get used to it. I'll make sure you get a good return."
"Yes! I'll do my best!"
Fiene's small hand gesture was delicate, even from Yuria's perspective.
Initially, male customers had rushed in to catch a glimpse of her, but Yuria had not allowed any male customers other than female customers to enter, so many male customers had to give up.
Some tried to force their way in, but they were all ejected by the anthropoid guards of the Anthropoid Guild.
As a result, it became known in the capital that no mischief was allowed in that store.
Seeing this, Yuria decided to take the next step.
"Fiene, we're moving on to the next plan."
"The next plan? What should I do?"
"The same as before. Just wave and be friendly. I'll double the security."
"Double...?"
Fiene looked around.
There were already three strong anthropoid guards around her. Doubling that would mean six.
Imagining herself surrounded by six guards, Fiene looked flustered.
"I won't be visible...!"
"That's fine. Just a glimpse is enough. If they know the Azure Gull Princess is there, the men will come."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. We'll take their money from those foolish men. Hehehe, you can't catch a gull flying in the sky."
"Please don't go overboard..."
"I know. I'll keep it in check. I'll keep it in check."
Yuria smiled mischievously.
Seeing that smile, Fiene thought she looked like Al plotting something evil, but she didn't say it out loud.
The next day, Fiene realized Yuria's schemes might be even more devious than Al's.
"Here we go! The Anthropoid Guild Capital Branch is now open!"
The cute anthropoid clerks opened the doors, and male customers flooded into the large store.
Fiene, with an awkward smile, waved at the male customers.
"Wow!!! Fiene-sama!!! The real Fiene-sama! She's even cuter than in the portraits and holographic papers!"
"Beautiful! Dazzling! She's glowing!"
"I have to burn this image into my memory! It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
The Anthropoid Guild had used all its resources to promote Fiene's portraits and holographic papers, which displayed a hologram for a short time, throughout the capital.
The chance to see the Azure Gull Princess in person was the added value that drove male customers to the capital branch.
However, some didn't read the posters carefully.
"Fiene-sama! Look this way! Fiene-sama!"
"You idiot! If you're not here to buy anything, get out!"
"Shut up! I have no intention of buying anything!"
The young man who shouted this was firmly restrained by a large anthropoid guard who entered the store.
"What the—!?"
"Sir, are you familiar with the disclaimer on our posters?"
"Huh? Disclaimer!?"
Seeing the customer's reaction, the guard sighed and pointed to the bottom of the poster.
There, in large letters, it read, "Customers who do not buy products are not welcome. A fine will be imposed for breaking this rule."
The young man, who hadn't read it carefully, turned pale, but it was too late.
He was dragged to the back of the store by the guard.
"Yuria...?"
"Don't worry, they won't be violent. They'll just make him buy something. If he doesn't have money, they'll make him work it off."
"Is that so..."
Fiene breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing this, Yuria chuckled.
"What is it?"
"Nothing, just that you're so kind. Most people wouldn't worry about someone like that."
"Is that so?"
"Most people wouldn't. But I think it's good that you are. With someone as ruthless as me around, it's nice to have someone as kind as you."
"Yuria is very kind too!"
"Really? I'm only thinking about taking money from the men here."
"You can't hide it! I know. I know that you prioritize posting posters in areas with wealthy people and that you provide food to the poor in the outer layers."
Taking money from those who have it isn't the issue, but Yuria's basic stance was not to target those who don't have money.
Many of the anthropoids in the Anthropoid Guild had been isolated and unable to integrate into human society. Many had experienced extreme poverty. Seeing this, Yuria regularly provided food to the poor in the outer layers.
This had been happening even before the capital branch opened.
Yuria had been funding this activity with her own money, despite it not being profitable.
"Why do you know all this?"
Yuria muttered, looking a bit embarrassed, but Fiene smiled and looked at the guards.
Because the branch was not as safe as the castle, the guards were always close to Fiene.
Fiene had been chatting with the guards and gathering information.
"You're quite talkative."
"I'm sorry... I couldn't help it."
"Ha..."
"The guards were praising Yuria! They said she's a great person! There are many anthropoids in the continent, and they are often disliked by humans due to bad rumors. That's why you started the Anthropoid Guild! To provide a place for lonely anthropoids and to improve their reputation. I was very moved!"
"Typical... You're giving me a story that a kind lady would like."
"It's the truth."
Yuria lightly kicked the guards' feet.
That was the end of it.
Yuria said she was going to check the sales and went downstairs.
"Did she get angry?"
"I think she's just embarrassed."
"Is that so. She's cute. Yuria."
While saying things that would make Yuria angry if she heard, Fiene waved to the customers downstairs.
After a while, when the customers finished shopping, Fiene retreated to the back of the store. She had to, as customers would stay longer if she was there.
"Phew, I'm tired."
"Good job."
Yuria offered Fiene words of encouragement and handed her a cup of tea.
In her hand was a paper with today's sales.
The amount written on it was one Yuria, with her long business experience, had rarely seen.
"I underestimated the effect of the Azure Gull Princess in the capital. I need to reassess this."
"It didn't work well!?"
"On the contrary, it worked too well. We need to restock the products, or we'll run out of inventory."
"Oh, I see! That's good!"
Fiene drank her tea with a satisfied smile, feeling she had been useful.
However, suddenly, Sebastian appeared in the room.
The guards reacted promptly, but Yuria stopped them.
"Stop! He's Prince Arnold's butler."
"Sebastian? What's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry?"
"It's an emergency! You must return to the castle immediately!"
"What...?"
"Princess Krista has been kidnapped. Lady Elna is tracking her, but Princess Fiene might also be targeted. Hurry!"
This news was more than enough to ruin Fiene's good mood.
The story unfolds in three places: Al, Leo, and the capital. The pace might be slow, but please bear with it.