Three weeks went by and by some mysterious force of nature, the North started to develop at a steady rate. The construction of the sky tube rails extending to the mining Town drew people's attention to the North. The mining town had begun expansion and another town was being built in the barren expanse of land in the north. The money inflow was particular and it started to draw investors both from inside and outside of Polivia.
Natalia's ball also drew the most attention. The guest list was extensive and the location was particularly attractive, the newly built castle on the hill in the North. Many were intruiged and it became the single most talked about event in the year. The conference instantly bounced to the back of people's minds and everyone began planning what to wear to the event.
The very first guests she received were her brother and his wife. It was the first time Princess Temara was seeing the castle and she marveled endlessly. She also marveled at the fact that the siblings were so similar that all they did was work. The preparations of the ball were not being handled by Natalia so she could properly take care of her work so Princess Temara offered her help to Antonia to plan the ball, which definitely scared and awed the Steward. It was the first time she had seen the Princess in person so it brought a whole range of emotions from her. Her husband decided to help his sister work.
"The output of Mythril is more than I've ever seen. I'm amazed."
"I'm glad it's going so well. The chain we've established directly to the capital without interference is exactly what is boosting our trade. Thankfully, the ores we collected are only being processed at the moment. If they appear on the market, despite word that the mines have been closed off, it would certainly bring a lot of backlash."
"What are you planning to do about that?"
"I've sent the contract signed by the miners to her majesty so she can authorize my monopoly over the mines. Once I have that, the nobles would have no other choice but to purchase Mythril from me. However, they wouldn't be buying the ores but the processed Mythril at fixed prices."
"So that was your plan? I have to say, it's brilliant."
"I know how to maximize my resources. How is the project coming along?"
"Now that we have an almost unending supply of Mythril, it's coming along swimmingly. It should be ready for export by the end of the year after another round of testing."
"I see. Do we have a way to reach the other kingdoms as potential clients?"
"It depends on if the first few years of implementation are successful. Our work would speak for itself. Before cheap replication begins, I will take our work to the other kingdoms."
"That makes sense. I'm finally done with all these accounts and authorization, thanks to you. If we start trading the Mythril, I can finally have the funds to sponsor the new town."
"The North is barren. How exactly are you going to draw the interests of people?"
"Aesthetics."
"And how exactly is that going to work?"
"The same way every capital city works. If you make something beautiful, people are not going to worry about if it is fundamentally functional."
"Is that why you invited Lady Borisque from Ducroft even though people would know you're still alive?"
"This ball is my social debut into Polivian society as the Duchess of Graviscera. What kind of high noble would I be if I keep hiding my face? Besides, I'm building suspense and suspense attracts attention. If Polivia is constantly in the spotlight, it would attract people and more people equates expansion."
"There's something about you that is inherently selfless but is also quite dangerous. You should be careful, especially with your good intentions."
"I will take that to heart. Now, I have to go check what your wife is doing before I have to memorize an entire catalogue of traditions before the ball."
"Isn't it time for lunch yet?"
"Since when did you start caring about food?"
"What do you mean by that? I'm only expressing my hunger."
"Which is something you have never done. Ah, is this what they mean by marriage changing a man? Come to think of it, I think you're getting wider."
"I am not! How dare you?!"
"I am only stating my observations. You don't need to keep your weight in check since you're a man but one of these days, you're going to start looking like Marquis Bellam."
"Natalia!"
She chuckled, walking out of the office with Sebastian in tow. They soon found the Princess joyfully decorating the castle. She seemed pleased with the interior design. They decided not to tell her that the castle had a lot of secret pockets and an underground dungeon.
"Duchess Natalia, I received the most wonderful news! La Borisque Boutique is coming to Polivia! They say they would open their first branch in the capital and would make fashionable clothes for the women of Polivia. I heard they sent someone to study Polivian traditional clothes and made clothes of the finest quality. I can't wait to tell the ladies at the Salon!"
"If you've heard, I'm sure they have to. Why don't we take a break and have lunch? I'm sure you must be hungry."
"Oh yes! Forgive my excitement. I have been so enthralled by your castle that I have forgotten to ask you how you're adjusting to the harsh climate of the North. Or is it not a problem with your vast magic?"
"It's not like I can control the weather. I have been looking into ways that I can make it bearable for the people of the North."
"That is so impressive! You have done nothing but bring positive changes to the north. The miners have stopped sending complaints and petitions to the palace and we don't need to overcompensate for the North again."
"Hmm….how intriguing," Natalia said, walking ahead of them.
"Did I say something wrong?" Temara whispered to her husband. He shrugged and they continued walking. Her excitement was a little dampened and it received another blow when she saw the food.
"It isn't a lot but please, enjoy the food."
"It doesn't have a lot of…..green."
"That's a bit hard to purchase over here in the North and it has become especially scanty since we are planning for the ball. I've been negotiating an agricultural deal with Ducroft but we haven't settled on terms just yet."
"I didn't mean to complain, I'm just worried about you. We might eat this for a few days but you have to constantly deal with this. I promise to help you anyway I can, Duchess Natalia. You can rely on me!"
"You don't have to keep calling me Duchess. You can just call me by name or sister-in-law. It's very uncomfortable."
"Oh! I understand. By the way, have you heard anything from Amaika?"
The atmosphere that was already cold became a lot frostier. Natalia's hands paused and she raised her head to look at the princess, replying in a calm voice.
"I have unfortunately not. Since we haven't heard of a chaos in the Empire's Capital, we can assume they are safe. I unfortunately don't have the means to confirm that now so it has been a source of anxiety for me."
"I am so sorry….."
"You don't have to apologize, your highness. I know you are worried. Apologies won't really do anything at this point. I'm not a big believer in gods but I'm going to hope and pray for them to be alright. I know….they will return."
The rest of lunch was silent and Natalia immediately left to the Mining town after lunch. She partially left to get her mind off what Temara said but the other reason was because her protection seals were triggered. She got there as fast as she could and saw the panic on Grecia's face.
"What happened?"
"Some nobles came here and said they wanted to help us resolve the mountain prices in exchange for a price reduction in the sale of the Mythril ores. I refused them but they went ahead to the mines and wanted to attack the miners when they saw the mines were already fixed. I don't know what happened but all of them are trapped in sinking mud!"
"I understand. Take my hand and I'll teleport us there."
"Y-Yes, your grace."
Grecie took her hand and Natalia snapped her fingers. Barely a few seconds passed and they were in front of the Mines. All the working Miners stood outside, covered in soot, not daring to go near the armed men sinking in a puddle of mud that suddenly appeared on the floor of the mines.
"Your grace! Thank the gods that you arrived. We don't know what to do!"
"What to do? That's simple. We leave them there."