The sky was clear and the sun was already reaching towards its zenith. From a window high up in the palace, the snowy mountains to the north could be seen. Throughout the city, various heaps of snow could also be seen. They were the last reminders of the snow that had fallen during the night two days ago.
Princess Nora was standing in front of the window and looking over the city. She was trying to find a certain mansion in the chaos of buildings. While looking around she held a doll in her hands and nervously twisted it.
"Nora, are you that nervous about the interview? If you don't want to go I can always ask them to interview you here in the palace. I'm sure they wouldn't mind."
"Mother! I don't want to use my position excessively. But how did you know I was nervous?"
Queen Eleanor chuckled at her daughter's question and pointed at the doll held in princess Nora's hands.
"Since the day you were gifted that doll you didn't take it into your bed once. You didn't bring it along every day nor did you place it somewhere where it could be seen. And whenever you do take it with you it's for events that you aren't familiar with. The one time you weren't allowed to bring it despite wanting to you were fidgeting during the entire event."
Princess Nora's face turned red like a tomato and her twisting gestures became more forceful threatening to rip the doll apart.
"So what, it calms me down!"
Queen Eleanor stepped up to her daughter. She gracefully placed her hands on those of her daughter and stopped her from further twisting the doll.
"You'll break it at this rate. If you just want something to do with your hands I suggest getting a long scarf. Bringing a doll to social events at your age will leave a bad impression."
"I will try. Sigh. Why is getting a job so hard?"
"Wouldn't it be much less of an accomplishment if you didn't have to work for it? Just be yourself and don't undersell yourself and everything will be fine."
"Do you really think they'll allow a woman to become the branch guild master? After all my position as a princess is worthless to them."
"Sigh, my dear child, sometimes you worry too much for your own good. From what I've heard the current guild master in Saitala is also a woman so they should have no objection to you applying for the position."
"What if they already have someone and the position isn't even open?"
"Then you will apply for the next best position below branch guild master or simply return. They can't fault you for trying."
After hearing some more encouraging words from her mother, princess Eleanor left the castle accompanied by two royal guards. She arrived at the mansion in the early afternoon and entered through the open gate after telling the guards to wait outside.
As she approached the gate a few dejected-looking youths moved out of the mansion and past her. They greeted her politely but failed to recognize her identity.
Princess Nora entered the mansion and was met with a short, fat, old man who was smiling at her.
"Greetings, I am Portly Bonnefoy from the grey merchant guild. It's a pleasure to meet you, princess Nora."
He bowed with immaculate aristocrat etiquette but his body shape kind of ruined the whole image.
"How did you know my name?"
"Master Abel informed me that you had expressed an interest in our merchant guild during the banquet so I was prepared for you to show up."
"What is your position in the guild?"
Despite knowing it could be taken as a rude question princess Nora couldn't hold herself back from asking. She had a very bad feeling that this man may be the branch guild master appointed to this place.
"I act as an aid from the main guild for the interviews. Once this is done I will return to my post."
"Then, is the position of branch guild master open for applications?"
"Ambitious, are we? Yes, the position of the branch guild master of our branch in Nix is both open as well as looking for candidates. Now, please follow me to the interview room. You are in luck, the last ones from the group that came before you just finished their interview."
Princess Nora was led into the interview where Portly Bonnefoy excused himself and closed the door behind her. Sitting behind a table at the back of the room was a dashing lady in blue. She had a kind yet somewhat predatory smile that princess Nora only recognized from her experiences at palace events. The princess had never expected to see a beautiful woman have that kind of smile. The smile of old men that had lived too long but still wanted more.
"Hello there, won't you come and sit? I promise I won't bite you unless you allow it."
This was going to be a difficult interview. Princess Nora tried to hide her discomfort at the behavior of the lady and took a seat.
"I'm Aurelia, guild master of the grey merchant guild in Saitala. Please introduce yourself."
"I'm Nora, princess of Glacialis."
"Pleasure making your acquaintance. What have you come here for today?"
"I want to apply for the position of the branch guild master of Nix."
Aurelia's expression changed. Her predatory smile faded and was replaced by a calm but calculated business smile. Princess Nora felt like she was sitting across another person.
"I already had to decline one application due to inexperience today. What talent do you bring that can make up for your lack of experience as a merchant?"
"I'm a princess."
Aurelia's eyes held a dangerous glint at that and princess Nora could tell that depending on her next sentence this whole interview could be decided. The line between excellence and arrogance was a thin one.