Only One Option
A commerce practicum…?
As I tried to grasp the unfamiliar term, the teacher continued.
“The commerce practicum, as the name suggests, is an opportunity for you to experience commerce. Each of you will sell products that the school will provide.”
If it is done over a short period, then having the school prepare the products is quite convenient for us.
Still… if we are supposed to sell them, where will we be doing that?
While I held that question in mind, the teacher answered it.
“You will sell the products in an area of town where open stalls are permitted. The noble academy will rent that space for a set period. Also, even if some of you have sold goods before, commerce requires teamwork, so you will participate in pairs.”
“…!”
Pairs… does that mean I might be able to team up with Florence-san?
With that in mind, I looked at Florence-san. She nodded and gave me a gentle smile.
The happiness that rose inside me nearly made me speak out loud, but since the teacher had begun handing out printed sheets to each desk, I managed to hold myself back.
Once the teacher finished distributing the sheets, he returned to the front of the lecture hall and spoke.
“If you have decided whom you will partner with for the commerce practicum, write both of your names on the sheet and bring it to me.”
The teacher then added one final remark.
“As nobles, you may not have many chances to sell goods as merchants in town. Even so, you will learn valuable things such as earning trust, the importance of the seller’s character, negotiation skills, and the ability to respond to problems. I hope you gain much from this opportunity that you can only experience here. That concludes the explanation of the commerce practicum.”
After that, the lecture proceeded as usual, and once break time arrived…
“Florence-san, if you would like, would you do the commerce practicum with me?”
“Of course. I was planning to invite you myself, Lux-sama.”
Florence-san accepted without hesitation, and the two of us brought the sheet with our names to the teacher.
The commerce practicum… I wonder what it will be like.
I have no experience in commerce, so stepping into something completely unknown made me nervous. Yet thinking about doing it with Florence-san made those worries fade. Instead, my heart filled with excitement.
Felisiana’s Side
“We will now begin the royal family meeting.”
Once First Princess Rezaimiliana, Second Princess Elizalina, and Third Princess Felisiana gathered in the meeting room, Rezaimiliana opened the meeting.
She continued.
“This time, we will discuss the commerce practicum at the noble academy, as well as matters related to the recent attack. First, regarding the commerce practicum, keep in mind that having the students conduct business in town may lead to problems that do not occur normally.”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
The noble academy’s commerce practicum… Lux-kun will probably be running a stall. Maybe I should secretly go watch him work hard.
While Siana was thinking that, the other two were also silent for some reason.
However, Siana was too absorbed in her own thoughts to notice.
After a short pause, Rezaimiliana continued.
“Next, regarding the incident in which Duke Lage attacked a fellow noble of our kingdom… After Lage’s death, I received a report from Elizalina that the nobles aligned with him, the Lage faction, have been behaving oddly.”
“That is right. Whether it is resentment or pride, I do not know, but they are clearly thinking of something bad.”
“I see. Then, if Rodwell, the victim of the recent incident, is harmed again by the Lage faction, or if any sign of such intent appears, we will decide the appropriate response here. I want to hear your opinions.”
Had the supposed victim been anyone other than Lux, the two might have taken time to consider.
Yet even as a hypothetical, because the victim was Lux, Siana and Elizalina had no room for hesitation. Both answered at once with cold voices.
“Execution. That is the only option.”
“Execution is appropriate.”