Unlike the lustful, free-spirited second prince, the first prince would be the exact opposite. Pure and cold.
So far, the only women he has ever talk to would be his siblings and female knights. He never once showed a shred of interest towards other ladies as he had a secret no one knows about. It is the fact that he gets extremely nervous once he is around women. To be more exact, he gets overly nervous when it comes to beautiful women wearing beautiful dresses.
The only reason why he is capable of talking with female knights is because they are wearing their armor instead of dresses.
It was such a weird flaw, in my opinion, that Jessica put onto a side character.
"I believe the reason why he is coming back despite an ongoing war would be the coming age ceremony"
"Right. Unlike other countries, men in Vanifi becomes an adult at the age of twenty one instead of fifteen which will be held for a whole week since it is customary for the prince to choose their partner within that time"
"Then why are you letting an outsider handle such an important event?"
"Because I trust your skills"
"Is the Vanifi empire really understaffed to the point that the empress would abuse her honorary guest to-"
"Salary, times twenty. Plus ten percent of the noble's monthly income for each noble whoever would dare to mess with you"
This damned empress. How dare she use that method!
"Ugh, fine. Just so you know there are people who are bound to set things up so that the celebration would be ruined"
She gently placed a contract on the table.
"That's fine. While I know there will be stupid people bound to what you've said I will make sure that they will lose what they cherish the most"
I signed the contract after reading it thoroughly.
Since it his highness' coming of age ceremony, there will be a lot of noble women who would try woo him. But still, the thought of the general coming back to the country is still something else. The empire sure is confident about their military powers.
Wait....
"Your majesty, you...."
"Gotcha"
Oh my god. I can't believe I was set up just like that, right in front of me no less.
Realizing my mistake, I stared at the empress' triumphant smile with my dead like eyes.
She took the contract and gave it to Sir Aiden.
"Engagements can be broken, right~?"
"Your majesty, why are you trying to set me up with your brother? How many times do I have to tell you that I am already engaged?"
As an outsider, even if I am an honorary guest of the monarch, I am not allowed to participate on the event. But there are certain exemption to this. One of it is when the lady is the host of the event.
And since I became the host of the event, where all female nobles are allowed to become the prince's partner, I too will be allowed to participate by default.
"If he doesn't like you, then I will give up on trying to match you with my first brother"
I would like it more if she says all of her brothers.
"Your majesty, the next time you do something like this, I will cut ties with you"
"You dare threaten me?"
"Oho~ I didn't thought that was a threat though?"
"...Fine. I promise not to do anything underhanded next time"
"Thank you"
...
With less than a month in my hands, I began to send invitation letters to every noble families in the capital, then those who have a daughter who is at a marriageable age, and lastly to those who don't have any problem on their territory.
Since the war with Chejada is in the west, only a few nobles from the west can attend as the nobles in the west has the responsibility as nobles to support the imperial army on the war against the kingdom of Chejada.
-Master.
'What is it, Almas?"
-Shouldn't you be resting? You seem really tired for the past few days week.
'I don't have time for something like that though. Not to mention, I am getting payed for working. I also want to feed you lots of good food'
-But there is no need for you to buy good food when you can make them yourself!
The rat rubbed its head against my numb, aching wrist. He was very concerned for me.
'I can make them but I still need money to buy the ingredients though'
-Does that mean my power can be useful to you, master?
'What power? Did you figured out your power?'
-I did!
The rat hurriedly went towards the vase and took a flower. He gently raised his paws and placed it on top of the flower. The flower then glowed and turned into gold.
Is this for real?
I took the flower and examine it.
It really turned into gold!
"Wow"
-I can make a thousand more if you want, master.
'Hmm, but, doesn't it take a toll on your body? You are still young after all'
-But I want to help you, master!
'Still, just focused on growing up. It would hurt me more if you get hurt if you push yourself to hard'
After persuading my pet rat, I went back to organizing the documents.
On the second week, the decorations that I requested arrived. I have also received the response of the nobles whom I have sent an invitation letter to. There were some who replied shamelessly but I didn't mind, I was happy instead. Because I got five gold coin for each letter that was directly or indirectly insulting me.
On the third week, the tables and chairs were set up. The security schedule was also changed, but it was actually Sir Aiden who did it when i requested him to do it for insurance.
On the fourth week, the servants who will take in charge of the cleaning, the chef's who will cook the food and the knights were changed. For insurance purposes, I ask the empress to do it.
And on the day before the celebration begins, the table cloths and other decorations such as flowers were put in placed. The head maid and the head butler of the imperial palace were responsible for overseeing the event along with me. They were more like my helper who were giving out advises here and there.