Refuge in Audacity (Original/Isekai Chapter 15)
Maristella Brokkr POV
It would take another month before I could get my company off the ground. I named it, Stardust Co. because on the nose names based on personal stuff, like my own name, work as well as anything else. I ended up having members of the Tusk Family working in my company's staff, so that smoothed a lot of the development, and they "freely" offered me exclusive rights to the shampoo products.
It was a bribe so I would be appeased, and I was fine with accepting it. I mean, I wasn't angry (that much) about the whole stolen idea thing, but hey, no reason to tell them otherwise and refuse a free hand out. I did give the Silks some cloth designs to sell and give me a cut of the profits, but I don't expect much from that investment. Of course I made contracts for all the Tusks members in my service, and my deal with the Silks. Might as well, cover all my bases to avoid being corporately robbed or taken advantage of.
Stardust Co. was rising smoothly in sales and profits, but expanding into farming and cattle raising wasn't as easy as I expected. Raising animal herds was slow going, and required constant supervision. I needed to spend money to either hire farmers or train some in my employment. Farming crops was even slower and needed a lot of hands, as acquiring seeds for fruits and vegetables was oddly proving to be difficult. Not the growing them part. A few mages specializing in Status Magic and Plant Magic should be able to figure out all that's needed to grow those crops.
Importing crop seeds however, was proving hard to negotiate and expensive to buy. Even if I gave a few bronze for people to hand over seeds of fruits, it seems the odd "thief" (there's a reason I doubted they were genuine thieves) would sprung up to steal a crate of those seeds. When the guards on those crates I had, managed to catch the "thief" the crates would be destroyed completely. Not hidden to be resold back to me, but just burned up. Didn't have that problem with the imported livestock, at least so far.
Something was fucking fishy obviously. Could there be spies from other countries sabotaging efforts of getting an agricultural economy to grow? I mean, I would understand if I had a larger land, but all I had was a barony. There shouldn't be that much focus on it. Thankfully, the Knyfe family members mitigated this problem, as they acted as a good counter to anymore sabotage, but I that was undercutting what I wanted from them.
The Knyfe Family ended up swearing themselves into my service, rather than stay independent. So now it was an investment to train them up to an appropriate level of the average knight, to be rather than have them at the simple level of soldiers. However, I didn't have time to have them train and improve, as most of them were busy to guarding any shipment I had for crop seeds.
Jesse is still my personal guard. That wasn't not the weird part.
The weird part is that he's still wearing the maid uniform. I mean, I did say that I preferred him looking like that, but it was a joke. The fact that he took it seriously, and considered it my wise advice that he would be able to protect me better by being an inconspicuous maid, that no one would pay attention to, is well...something I haven't gotten around to correcting. I've just been so busy, you know.
...That kinda mental excuse falls flat when I have the Skill, Communication Matters though. I can see how he likes feminine clothes, and just used my joke as an excuse to keep wearing the maid outfit. And if anyone asks, it was his Lady's orders that tied his hands and he's just loyally following them. I didn't get around to correcting him because the trap look is doing it for me.
I thought it was weird how many guys from some families have very soft and curvy bodies, with a feminine look and attitude in some cases. Supposedly traits like that tend to appear in those with Elven blood in their ancestry, because a long time ago (and actually even now, kinda) elves were just doing it with everybody. Like it was hentai world doujinshi everywhere up this fantasy motherfucker. At least, that's the stories you hear, but that's likely an exaggeration.
I mean, sure, all the elves I've meet seem promiscuous, or at least very easily attract lewds, be it actions or situations, but that can't be representative of all elves. Although it's kinda excepted as default that those with elven blood and have trap features are bisexual.
Hmm, should I invest in a strap-on?
No, no. If I sleep with Jesse, my father is likely to kill him, and then ground me for eternity. Maybe I can get a husband that's into threesomes with trap bois? Something to think about for the future.
Speaking of the future, I heard this odd funny rumor circulating the Knyfe Family, that in order to get into my personal guards, you need to reach the high standard in fighting ability set by Jesse, and know how to hide your skill by disguising yourself as a maid. Kind of a mean, but a bit funny, hazing if you ask me.
...I mean, I would get a personal squad of sexy trap knights, masquerading as maids, but as hot and funny as that image is, it's just a fantasy. It's sadly not gonna happen.
Back to Stardust Co., I was able to have it successfully get off the ground, and manage to run my land well enough that they were both sustainable, and positively influenced each other. Such a success caused father to be so proud, that he promised to get me whatever I wished as a reward.
I was going to ask for support to expand Stardust Co. across Ereon, and make multiple branches. However, I couldn't help but feel the production of the company was stifled by the limited technology available. Even if I taught my worker how to make assembly lines, it wasn't enough.
I needed machinery. Automation. I knew what I wanted, but I didn't know how to build it.
I remembered the current civil war in Ocetoka, and a...risky thought came to me.
"Father, you said I could ask for anything as a reward, yes?"
"Sure, star angel." He said in a tone that parents used to pamper their kids, and the children felt embarrassed yet secretly happy by. "As long as it's possible, I will bring it for you."
"Then...I want the Three Industrial Grimoires of Ocetoka." Father lost his smile, and focused on me. He was more closely paying attention now. "Or if you can't get them all, then at least the Machinery Grimoire."
Father leaned back into his seat, looking at the ceiling. I knew what I was asking was a lot, but I thought it was worth the gambit.
"That..." He finally spoke, and I winced, mentally preparing myself for rejection. "Is going to cost a lot."
Yeah, just like I should have expec--Wait, what? No, if he's considering it then I need to convince him.
"If it's about the costs, I am sure if I got them, in a few months I should be able to re-compensate--"
"My little Mari, this isn't something that can be repaid with just money. Honestly, normally those items would be impossible to gain, as they are a national treasure that would never be traded, but given the situation in Ocetoka...some opportunist may see otherwise. Even then, this is going to take me quite a lot of work on my part to acquire." He smiled melancholy. "What you're asking far outstrips the success you made. However, I am not one to go back on their word. It is possible for me to acquire the grimoires, thus I will try, but in return, there is a task I want you to do in turn."
"Whatever it is, I can do it." My voice was firm as was my resolve. Getting those books would be godsend, well goddess-send. They are the ultimate game changer to the market.
"In a few months, his Highness, Prince Aidan will begin holding marriage interviews, to choose his fiancee and future wife and queen. I want you to participate in one of those meetings."
"...You want me to marry the prince and become the future queen." That's a death flag. Marrying the prince is an obvious death flag, but it worth it for the grimoires? Maybe I can hold engagement for a while and then find a way to cancel it later on, before the academy starts?
"Oh no, I don't want to marry the prince, if you don't wish to, starlight." I tilted my head, waiting for clarification. "If you do not wish to marry his Highness, then I won't force you. I would never wish for you to be in an unwanted arrangement."
"Father..." I couldn't help smiling at that. In this world and its era, marrying for love isn't something people in my status can hope for, yet father still tried his best to fulfill his social obligations, while making me happy. For that my gratitude is endless.
"I simply want you to attend one of those interviews, and see if you and Aidan share a connection. If it works out, then you will have a partner you like, and access to resources that would open up untold doors for your ambitions." He explained. "However if it doesn't work out, then that's fine too. I would still attempt acquire whichever grimoire I could get. My request for you is to just meet his Highness, and see how things go."
"Alright," I nodded as I took in everything he said. So just meet and refuse the prince. "That sounds simple enough."
"Of course, if I go through with this request of yours, you aren't getting anything else. Regardless of my success or failure in acquiring the grimoires." He said as an afterthought, while looking pointed at me, likely waiting to see if I'll change my mind.
"That's fair," I instantly answered back, not giving it a thought. With what I asked, his conditions were completely fine.
"Milady, I believe it's imperative that you cancel your meeting with Prince Aidan, and never meet him unless in a public place with guards." Jesse told me one day.
Father told me that he would only make an appointment with the crowned prince, only after getting me the grimoires to hold me to my side of the deal. So it seemed out of the blue of Jesse to tell me that, when I don't even have an appointment planned and set up.
"Why?" My eyebrow was crooked upwards.
"He's...he's a..." he struggled for a moment, before just pushing himself to talk. "There have been many rumors about him being a womanizing deviant. I worry for your virtue, milady."
"I heard the rumors about how he beat the Demon Queen too." I shrugged. "I personally think the events were exaggerated but it's only a rumor. Besides, sleeping with one person to save his own life, doesn't make him a womanizer."
"No, it's not that Lady Maristella. Theses are newer ones. Talks heard from those working in the royal castle, about how the prince is treating the marriage interviews as...as a...brothel of some sort." Jesse grimaced while his cheeks reddened. My eyes widened as he kept talking. "He would take his fiancee candidates and force himself on them. Corrupting them till they are addicted to his touch." It was like I entered a weird world were sex ruled and excused everything. "They say no one is safe, and even if someone protested, be it the fiancee candidate's servant or guardian, he would take them to his bed and turn them to his will too."
My jaw dropped and my eyes kept blinking in confusion. Seriously, when did I enter a hentai world?
"Surely it's all an exaggeration from a misunderstanding? I mean, even a prince wouldn't dare piss off all the noble families that send him their daughters, just to indulge in sex." I offered a rational counterpoint.
"Maybe, but from the sheer amount of stories circulating about him, having intercourse with all his fiancee candidates, surely the measure of truth that can be gleaned from this is that, he isn't someone to let your guard around." Jesse said back.
Well, that is a good point. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, but at least I'll verify if there is something to those rumors.
"Thank you for inviting me again, Mari~" Said the blond moe blob--I mean, Lady Cherry Talon.
"Of course," I smiled widely and meant it. "It's always nice when you visit, Cherry. I can just feel all my stress fly away." I sighed in relaxation as I drank tea with my friend.
Cherry Talon, was a daughter of the Talon Family, ranked Count, and owned a county next to me, the County of Sparrowkeep. They seem to be working like me on starting farms in their land, and make a food market in Ereon. I had been visiting their lands, getting to know my neighbors (a lesson father insisted I learn and carry out), when I stuck a friendship with Cherry.
I met the cute adorable girl, in run-into-hello fashion. Literally catching her as she was falling down the last few steps, of a staircase. From then on, she stuck to my side whenever I visit, or would try to visit me when she could. Her family were all firm, intense and business-like, she on the other hand, was the opposite, all smiles and sunshine disposition. It made her refreshing to interact with.
"Teehee, I'm the one whose thankful. So, so," She nearly jumped in her seat like an excited kid. "Do you have any new exciting story to tell me? Did you go on some scary quest against secret conspiracy made by shadowy families? Or an epic fight against a secret collusion of bandits? Or maybe--"
I laughed at Cherry's animated energy. "No, nothing like that. In fact, I never did anything like that."
"Eh, but isn't that basically what happened to you before?" Her voice held childlike wonderment.
I smiled and replied. We laughed and talked for a while, as I waited for the right moment to ask what I wanted to know. Cherry had went to one of Aidan's marriage interviews. She doesn't seem any different, but I needed to make sure that her purity hadn't been tampered with.
"So, Cherry, I heard you had a date with his Highness." I opened up the topic. "What was it like? Are you okay? Did it go well?" I placed my hand on hers sympathetically, but the main reason for that was to use a spell I had learned and been training for the past month.
The Status Magic spell, Scan that would allow me to read the target's status, but most importantly, Condition. Usually people notice spells used on them, but the Scan doesn't cause an effect on people, and if I focus it to only show the smallest bit of info, most people won't notice, if they don't focus on looking for it.
"Oh, it was lovely! His Highness was like princes from fairytales. We talked, we laughed and danced, it was wonderful." Cherry smiled widely as she told me more and more about how her date with Prince Aidan went. From meeting him, to them talking, to having tea and sweets, to walking in the royal gardens, etc.
It seem like a generic idealized shoujo manga date from everything she said. Her Condition throughout her retelling was Happy, or Joyful, so nothing odd. But still, just to make sure.
"I'm happy for you, Cherry. I was worried given some of the rumors I heard. His Highness...he didn't do anything untoward, right?"
Cherry stiffened. "Um..." She blushed and looked aside.
Oh no.
Not Cherry. She's too pure to lewd, you sunnvabitch!
"Cherry, please I'm just worried about you. I'm sure those rumors are nothing but...if they aren't, you can confine in me. Even if I don't like to depend on it, my father is the Prime Minister." I pushed.
"Eh?" Cherry tilted her head in confusion. "No, nothing bad happened it's just..." She blushed again, holding her elegantly close hand to her lips.
"Just..."
"He...teehee," Cherry smiled like a happy child and her Condition showed the same. "He patted my head."
...What?
"Come again?"
"I know, it's improper to touch a lady other than her arm before marriage, but, but...kyaaa~" Cherry barred her face in her hands, letting out a quiet excited shout. "His hand was warm." She lowered her hands so I could see her eyes.
Holy crap she's precious.
"Eh!? What!? What!?" Unconsciously I patted her head as well, unable to help how cute she is. After realizing what I did from her blushing face, I stopped to consider what I did, then kept patting her anyways. "Mari's hand is warm too, but, but...Uuuuu."
I continued petting Cherry's head as she flustered about.
This is fine. This was fine.
Looks like the rumors were baseless after all.
"...And that is what I've been busy with for the past three months." I finished my tale to my old friend, Alice Bloomfield.
It's been a while since we met, so I invited her after her marriage interview to check on her. After meeting Cherry, I was pretty sure the rumors were overblown, or at least implanted my people working against the prince. Well, that's his problem.
I met up with Alice to verify those rumors one last time, just for my piece of mind, and to talk with my favorite tsundere.
"Ah, while I have to say, I haven't been had such a strenuous schedule as you, Lady Maristella, I have been taking more lessons on magic and dancing."
"Really? I thought you said they were boring, and dancing? You hate anything that involves doing more than a brisk walk." Magic and dancing? If I didn't know how much Alice likes to keep the elegant ladylike front, I would say she wants to learn some combat style that involves the two subjects.
"Ah, well," Alice seem to smile secretly at something only she knows. "I've had a renewed interest in magic lately, and as for dancing, I figured I would take those lessons more seriously, so mother would satisfied that I completed that part of my education."
"Hmm," makes sense, I suppose. Then I grinned as I prepared to see my tsundere squirm and blush in denial. "So, I heard you had a date with his Highness recently. Let me guess, eve he couldn't meet your nigh reachable standard?" I said teasingly.
"I don't have impossible standards, I simple expect the best of the station one holds, of course. Ohohohoho~" That was the response I expected.
What I got was...
"Ah, it was nice...a nice evening, of course." Alice said covering the lower half of her face while look away.
What?
...No, surely not.
"Alice," I placed my hand on her wrist lightly, in a supportive manner while silently casting Scan on her. "Is everything okay?"
[Alice Bloomfield's Condition: Aroused]
...It could just be from plain attraction.
"O-of course, why are you asking?" Her cheeks were starting to flush in color, and now it was annoying than amusing.
"So, nothing happened with the prince, right? Unlike I rumors I hear, nothing...untoward happened, of course?" I asked.
"Of course," Alice said quickly recomposing herself. "Plebeian gossip should be ignored. His Royal Highness was a perfect gentleman." She smiled behind her fan.
[Alice Bloomfield's Condition: Horny]
...Sunnvabitch got to my tsundere before I did.
That's it, he dies.
In the coming months, beyond making sure my company and land run smoothly without too much oversight, I dedicated my time to studying magic, and increase my mental stats.
Yes, it was possible that father won't get any of the grimoires, and thus all of this effort would be void, but better safe than sorry. Also I had faith that father would do something ridiculous like manage to get one or all of them.
I studied and practiced Status Magic as much as I can, in case the prince tries to use any Sex Magic on me, I would be able to disspell it.
Yeah, Sex Magic was a thing.
Why didn't anyone tell me!?
I mean, I get it, I'm a rich noble girl so talking about things like that are indecent, but I needed that info to protect myself, dammit. Seriously, Sex Magic exists. This is a hentai world.
At least I know now and should be able to counter it with Status Magic spells. I can't gain or practice Sex Magic, because it require, well, actually having sex in some capacity.
I tried out other Environmental Magic, and surprisingly found a bit of an affinity for Shadow Magic. That should be useful in case I need to escape.
All in all, I prepared as much as I can while trying to learn all I can about Prince Aidan, for our eventual confrontation.
Problem is I couldn't separate the facts from rumors, as there was a lot of gossip about him.
He's a horndog who goes after everyone and everything. No, he actually rejects maids who want to sleep with him for profit, or to maybe get a royal bastard, gives him a small increase in raise and tells them not to bother him again, as he only likes sex to be about pleasure for both parties, but not business or work.
He cares only for himself and his entertainment, and punishes anyone who annoys him. No, he's actually a nice prince who helps those he finds in trouble, and is gentle with kids.
He's a hedonist who revels in drowning in pleasure and nothing else. No, he's a hard-worker who just follows the motto of "work hard, play hard".
Seriously, which is it?
Still, till father returned from his trip, I had nothing to do but prepare my mind and my magic.
A Grimoire was a magic book made a long time ago by legendary ancient alchemist, or so the stories go. In essence it is a book that once filled with knowledge from cover to cover, would allow the reader to absorb all that knowledge into their mind, and memorize it forever. The catch of course, is that once the grimoire is read, it becomes blank as the knowledge in it, has been transferred to the reader. Of course, the reader can then just rewrite the grimore, refilling it for the next reader, and the only cost was dull time.
There are a few technicalities like how a reader can add new knowledge to the grimoire, and the paper will just increase to accommodate that need. Or how once a certain mark in writing is reach, the theme and subject of what's written in the grimoire can't be changed.
Example, a grimoire that becam about Fire Magic, will delete information about Wind Magic written in it, except for what pertains in relation to Fire Magic.
...I was stalling.
In front of me was one of the Three Industrial Grimoires of Ocetoka, and I still couldn't believe it. I felt like this was a dream, because the more I thought about my request to father, the more unfeasible it seems, because I asked for one of the pillars that build Ocetoka to the technological giant it was.
"In times of strife, many are blinded to the values of what they hold, and are willing to trade it away for easy gains." Was father reply when I asked about how he managed to get it. He found it amusing how even I couldn't believe that he succeeded.
I shook away my doubts and hesitation, and reached to the lid.
And opened the book to read.
A week later, when I went to meet the Debauched Prince I was as ready for this battle as I ever was.
If it's body, he will not manage to hold me. If it's mind, he won't conquer me. If it's magic, he won't out-spell me.
As I was announced and entered his study, I looked at his face, now in a more clear view. I saw his soft yet spiky hair, his sharp face, and shining eyes. He wasn't focused on me, not yet. Just smiling as charming as any fiction dream prince could.
...Oh no.
A point I didn't account for rose up.
"Of course, Lady Maristella, I hope your view of me would be kind in turn. Please have a...seat." He looked at my face and froze.
He's hot.
Personal Info:
Name: Maristella Françoise Pamolai Brokkr
Titles: Lady of House Brokkr, Baroness Maristella, Young Spider, Iron Baroness, Eagle-Gaze Maristella
Age: 14
Condition: What do you do when you meet your fetish?
Stats:
Strength: 32
Durability: 29
Dexterity: 25
Speed: 17
Mental Calculation: 297
Memory Capacity: 113
Aether Control: 135
Mana Capacity: 58
Skills:
Aristocratic Decorum:
Diplomatic Discourse:
Environmental Magic:
-Fire Magic:
-Light Magic:
-Shadow Magic:
Land Management:
Company Administration:
Status Magic:
Architectural Engineering:
Drawing:
Traits:
Communication Matters: Unlockable Trait granted at Diplomatic Discourse LV. 6; What is the point of a dialogue if it's not for two people to exchange ideas. What is the point of a conversation if it's not for understanding to be met. What is the point of negotiation if it's not for an agreement to be reached. You can see the twists and cracks in a bias debate and are able to mend them for understanding to reach both parties, without miscommunication to taint them.
Data Connection: Unlockable Trait acquired upon reaching Mental Calculation 150. You make mental connections between two ideas near instantly. You can draw on your current knowledge much quicker and much easier, to find practical solutions for physical problems. The more knowledge you have the more solutions you can generate.
Machina Grimoire: You have read the Book of Gear. The knowledge of machine systems, interlocking gears, engines, and pulleys, along with supplementary disciplines, have been enshrined and saved into your mind. Pulling this knowledge out and being able to apply it depends on Mental Calculation.
-With Mental Calculation 150, you unlocked Skill: Architectural Engineering LV. 10.
Blueprint On-Point: Unlockable Trait granted at Architectural Engineering LV. 6; You can draw any blueprint for any construction project accurately and without errors. This allows you to make any modifications needed, and shows you how to incorporate new elements to your designs, and see if such a thing is feasible. Grants you Drawing Skill of the same level as Architectural Engineering, but only up to LV. 9.
Color Mixture: Unlockable Trait granted at Drawing LV. 6; You know how to create any pigment of a color you saw.
Snapshot Memory: Unlockable Trait granted at Drawing LV. 7; You have a near eidetic memory, allowing you to recall scenes or imaginary you saw and be able to draw it without having a reference.
Imagination Realized: Unlockable Trait granted at Drawing LV. 8; You can have a clear vivid picture of something you imagine in your mind, allowing you to draw whatever you imagine more easily and not lose your initial inspiration.
Freehand Perfect Circle: Unlockable Trait granted at Drawing LV. 9; You have the hand and arm of a machine when drawing, allowing you to make any drawing you want perfectly, just as you wanted it.
Modulus Structure: Unlockable Trait granted at Architectural Engineering LV. 7; You can design buildings that change formation and adding many room features, while holding the same limited design space, depending on material used.
Robust Continuity: Unlockable Trait granted at Architectural Engineering LV. 8; You can design buildings to last for hundred of years even on basic materials, and sustain multiple damages internally and externally without collapse. Better materials allows for more robustness, and easier maintenance to fix.
Labyrinth Maker: Unlockable Trait granted at Architectural Engineering LV. 9; You can design complex ever changing structures, that can evolve with the right materials. Any maze you make will be as wondrous as it is terrible. Safeguarding treasure or trapping your enemies both can be accomplished.
Stairway to Heaven: Unlockable Trait granted at Architectural Engineering LV. 10; You can design a functional space elevator.