The carriage passed through multiple checkpoints before finally stopping in front of the side hall used for dining.
Led inside by a graceful, polite maid, Ron André entered the dining hall with a long table and sat down at the seat to the right of Emperor André III.
"How has business been at the flower shop in the City of Chaos recently?" André III opened with a rather strange question.
"Pretty good," Ron answered simply. Knowing that the emperor was already aware of the special spatial passage between the two flower shops, he added, "All thanks to the goddess's blessing."
André III glanced at him but didn't continue pressing the topic.
Dinner was served by the maids.
For once… it wasn't hotpot.
First came the appetizer: caviar, just a tiny spoonful.
Then, vegetable soup and grilled fish.
After that came the main course—steak.
Considering a man's appetite, the steak portion was quite generous, which satisfied Ron.
Finally came dessert and coffee, both of which tasted quite good.
Although it still couldn't compare with dishes seasoned using Spice Pine Seed, it was already considered top-tier cuisine in this world.
It seemed this world didn't truly have only salt as seasoning. At least someone of André III's status could enjoy food cooked with other spices.
Perhaps it was simply a matter of distribution.
After finishing the steak, the two began enjoying dessert.
Earlier, they had chatted casually about small daily matters.
Only now did they finally get to the main topic.
"This time, when you guided the two major academies into intervening—was that truly out of necessity, or intentional?" André III asked casually, taking a sip of coffee.
"I was pushed too hard, so I had no choice but to find reliable allies."
"But during your conversation with Felton, you mentioned giving away the exclusive purchasing rights for Nether Orchid and Crimson-Gold Chrysanthemum."
André III bluntly pointed out the flaw.
"If you were willing to offer such terms, many other factions would have accepted as well."
"You're overthinking it," Ron said helplessly. "I just don't like bowing my head to people who bully me."
André III didn't pursue that topic further and instead changed the subject.
"I heard you invested in a laboratory at the Royal Capital Magic Academy?"
Ron felt a slight headache. This really was difficult to explain clearly.
"I just want to make better use of the plants in my shop and see if they have more applications."
"Mhm." André III nodded, though it was unclear whether he believed it. "The flower shop in the Royal Capital has been doing quite well recently, hasn't it?"
"Yes… pretty well."
"Many factions have purchased Nether Orchid and Crimson-Gold Chrysanthemum to strengthen themselves. Those who haven't bought them will either be gradually surpassed and eliminated—or they'll eventually come to buy your plants as well."
"Ahem… Principal Felton once taught me that we should try to look at problems from a higher dimension."
"Oh? What insight do you have?"
"Well, if everyone buys Nether Orchid and Crimson-Gold Chrysanthemum, then everyone's strength rises steadily together. It doesn't actually break the balance between them."
Ron tried to explain.
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"It is a good thing," André III said, giving him a meaningful look. "But it's also a tremendous power—the power of monopoly."
"I'm not interested in power."
"Heh. I said the same thing when I was young."
Damn… how am I supposed to have a normal conversation like this?
"It doesn't matter. As long as the competition between you all doesn't harm the Empire, I won't interfere," André III said, taking a bite of dessert. "You don't need to hide things from me."
"…."
Ron stared at the dessert in front of him, suddenly losing his appetite.
Was being misunderstood the inevitable fate of someone explaining things?
Even telling the truth didn't make people believe him anymore…
"At the end of the month, the northern army will return. It will also be the Winter Feast Festival, and the palace will hold a banquet," André III said, shifting the topic. "Remember to attend."
Ron had little interest in such banquets.
"Can I skip it?"
With his current status and appearance, he would probably be surrounded by many noble ladies.
"You're already nineteen this year," André III glanced at him. "Sometimes marriage itself is a resource. You must learn how to use it."
Ron wasn't bored enough to debate the philosophy behind that idea.
"I'll keep it in mind."
"That girl Christine beside Mia seems quite good. I heard you two get along well?"
"I don't dislike Eileen, but it's not love either. We're just good friends."
"Then you should attend the banquet even more. It's not every day you can meet so many girls at once."
Heh. Soven would say that statement is inaccurate…
Ron complained silently to himself before finally nodding.
"Alright. I'll attend."
He decided he would simply eat and drink, refuse all dance invitations, and leave once he was full.
"Looking at your expression… do you already have a woman?" André III asked while swirling his coffee. "If so, you can bring her as your companion to the banquet."
Ron gave a few vague responses and barely managed to brush the topic aside.
André III clearly knew about Nora, but he had never believed their relationship would last. That was why he spoke so casually about choosing marriage partners.
After all, any normal person would find it impossible to believe that a girl who once searched for food in roadside trash bins could end up with the Seventh Prince of the Human Empire.
Even if they seemed happy now, people would only assume it was a temporary whim of the prince.
Just like Prince Soven.
If Ron's soul hadn't been replaced by someone from another world, then by this world's traditional thinking, that assumption wouldn't actually be unreasonable.
Just like Ron's own mother.
Even though she had stood out among many women and given André III a son, she was only granted the title of concubine after her death.
Half-beast. Orphan.
With these two labels placed on Nora, it was hard for people not to frown.
Ron had no intention of arguing about it.
After chatting a little longer with André III, he stood up, said goodbye, and left.
By the time he returned to the flower shop, it was already late at night.
The kitchen light was still on.
Ron quietly walked in, wrapped his arms around Nora from behind, and whispered near her ear:
"I'm back."
Nora had gradually gotten used to Ron's embrace. She obediently leaned her small head against his chest while holding a long spoon and gently stirring a steaming pot.
Her faint black cat ears trembled slightly before she spoke in a soft voice.
"W-welcome back… Boss."
"The fish soup is ready. Do you want to drink it now?"