BXBX NOVEL Chapter 67.8
The sweet crumbly texture spread across her tongue. The taste reminded her of a memory during her time in the dungeon. Even with the dark depressing days in there, there were a few beautiful moments. It was because Anne once brought her these cookies. The Empire was already facing a shortage before the revolution. Sometimes for weeks, Mia would have nothing sweet to eat. When she was imprisoned, the quality of her food drastically dropped to the point that she almost forgot that eating can be enjoyable. Then Anne gifted to her those cookies. When she was able to taste the sweetness, her happiness was more than she can ever express.
Emotions came rushing back as she remembered those moment. Mia began to tear up.
“This taste… this texture… it has been such a long time…”
“Ah… I…I’m very sorry, Your Highness!”
Mia turned around to find Rania staring at her with a fearful face.
“Huh? For what?”
Mia was again not sure of what happened, but based on Rania’s panicking face, she judged it to be something serious. She took Rania (and a plate of cookies) to a quiet part of the hall. Here they can talk in private as to what might have been amiss. She was hopeful that they can straighten things out before the rest of the Tearmoon students notice anything. The last thing she wants is for the relationship between Tearmoon and Perujin to deteriorate. Because if that happens, she will surely receive a scolding from Ludwig like the last time. Out of her fear to be scolded, Mia actually was tactful.
“Uhmm… about those cookies… uhmm… they were actually made three years ago…”
“Wha-what? Three years ago?!”
Mia couldn’t believe what she had just heard and so she stared at Rania. Rania just turned even paler form her stare.
“Uhm… I didn’t mean it… I apologize… it was meant to be a prank…”
The Perujin Princess was shaking in fear as she apologized. She bowed in apology profusely. But Mia did not even flinch or react. Because in truth, Mia has stopped paying attention at all. She was more stunned upon learning the truth about cookies.
These cookies were made three years ago, and they are still edible?! Even more than that, they are still delicious!
Mia had seen the famine. She had lived through it, and it felt liked living in hell. The unpleasant taste of the rye bread, that she was forced to eat because there was no other food, still left a foul taste on her tongue. Because of Tearmoon’s discrimination, agricultural techniques such as food preservation is hardly known. They were never able to preserve their harvests for too long, even more so their quality.
Mia looked at the cookies full of awe. Their existence is extraordinary. She understood their significance. They were like golden coins… no… probably even more valuable than that. Then, suddenly in Mia’s mind everything seemed to click. She understood (or thought she did), why Rania presented the cookies as one of the foods in the party.
I understand now. She is showing me how good Perujin technology is at preserving food! We are their customers after all. The foods today were not just for feasting but also a showcase of the products that they sell…
She remembered something like that said by Ludwig, although she ignored most of what he said in the previous timeline.
In that case… Princess Rania is really incredible. She understands what she is doing!
Mia looked at the cookies in her hands. No, they were treasures. She contemplated in a small voice…
“I see… so this is the Perujin preservation technique… it’s absolutely so… so incredible…”
Rania was surprised upon Mia’s words. She stared at her unsure if what she heard was really true. She thought that she would be on a receiving end of a scolding, instead what she was hearing was a praise.
A Princess of Tearmooon, no THE Princess of Tearmoon is praising our Perujin technology… How did this happen? Why?
From what she knew and experienced, Tearmoon Empire has always looked down on them. The research and technology that they put into their farming had never been recognized before. She had given up hope… but now…
Could it be that Princess Mia is someone who will recognize the value of our technology? Will she then treat us as equals?
“Princes Rania, there is something I wish to discuss with you if I can have a moment of your time.”
“O… oh… Of course!
After speaking for awhile, the two princesses sealed a firm handshake. So, a miraculous partnership and friendship was born through mutual misunderstanding. Only time can tell as to where this new forged alliance will take them.
“So, the food preservation technique of Perujin Agricultural Country… If we fund them, then we can gain access to their research and technology. That’s pretty good deal. But didn’t you say that the Empire is don’t have any money?”
“I had a budget set aside for those who want to change their territories into farmland. And as you know, that has been largely unsuccessful as of yet. So, I was thinking of using that money for this joint venture. It’s a better use of time and money than trying to convince some hard-headed nobles.”
“Well… with food preservation that will at least ignite their interest. Then once you have visible results, then you might be able to change the thinking of the nobles. After that, it will be easier to convince them to repurpose their territories for farming… That is brilliant! It seems that you have really thought this through!”
“Honestly, I sometimes wish that we would have a famine. That way, I don’t have to waste my words convincing the nobles.”
“Woah! Slow down there for a second. You might be asking more than you can chew there.”
Balthazar raised his hands to stop Ludwig, but Ludwig only laughed.
“I am just joking of course… But tell me what do you think after hearing all of this? While it might not fill you with optimism, but at least it shows you that there is indeed hope.”
“Hmm… if all of this is true, then the Princess is really a very interesting individual…”
Balthazar raised his mug of ale…
“To the wise princess who appeared like magic to my good friend!”
Ludwig did not raise his mug. Instead, he looked at his friend seriously through his glasses and declared in a serious voice…
“To Her Wise Majesty, the future Empress of Tearmoon.”
For a moment, Balthazar was stunned.
“… you’re serious?”
“All for the sake of restoring the Empire. So, for that goal, I wish to enlist you as well.”
Ludwig said while staring straight into Balthazar’s eyes. Balthazar returned his stare for awhile. Then he looked up at the ceiling, scratched his head, and finally gave out a laugh.
“So, this will be the First Empress in the history of Tearmoon Empire, huh? If we’re going to make that come true, then we need to work hard and pull strings until our arms fall off.”
Meanwhile, Mia was completely unaware of the powerful political undercurrents that were brewing underneath her. She would later learn of their plans and suffer a minor meltdown as a result. But that is a story for later.
Translator’s Rant:
This (not really) short story is Chapter 13 in the manga. Please read it. It looks beautiful with pictures.