When Lawvine's presence set off again, Rishe swiftly ended her chitchat as well. This method took up a lot of concentration, but Rishe had no choice while the evening dragged on.
In my fifth life, I could have tracked someone like this for half a day at least…Come to think of it, concentration is also tied to stamina, isn't it?
Once more, Rishe found herself wishing for a hardier body. While bemoaning her poor physical condition, she spotted Arnold and Kyle a distance away. They were close enough to see clearly but too far to overhear. Even while introducing Kyle to some noble or another, Arnold wore a listless look, like he was in a bad mood. Kyle, on the other hand, interacted with each of the Galkhein nobles in earnest. The group appeared to be swapping opinions on something.
They're so picturesque…
Raven-haired Arnold and Prince Kyle with his silvery locks were cut from very different cloth, but both were incredibly attractive. All the nearby women's eyes were glued to them.
A portrait of those two would make a killing. And if the image ever disseminated into the lower classes, that one painting could create enormous profit…
"My, Lady Rishe, what are you thinking about with such a solemn look on your face?"
"Good evening. I'm just negotiating how I can take in everything I'm learning this evening and transform it into economic stimulation."
"How wonderful!" The marchioness speaking with her grinned. "I just have the person to introduce to you, Lady Rishe. Right here, Baron Weilman."
"It's an honor to meet you, Lady Rishe."
"The honor is mine, Lord Weilman. I'm pleased to have the opportunity to make your acquaintance today." Rishe curtsied, searching her memories. She'd reviewed information on all the Galkhein nobility.
Baron Weilman. Last generation's head of the family was a merchant who bought himself a title through his success.
The baron smiled gently. It was a pleasant expression, and the man himself was well mannered. "Normally, someone like myself would never dare speak to the future crown princess, but I heard about you from my mother, you see. I simply had to meet you, so I asked the marchioness to introduce me."
"Your mother, you say?"
"Yes. You recently visited her store, Lady Rishe."
A stir went through the crowd.
"Lady Rishe did business with that moody old crone?!"
"Not even the previous empress could shop at that store, and she…"
Listening to gossip around her, Rishe hit upon the woman's identity. "Your mother, would she happen to be…?"
"Yes. Thank you very much for purchasing that gem," the baron said. "My mother was over the moon about it."
"Did you hear that?! Lady Rishe really did buy a gem from that store!"
As the commotion grew louder, Rishe became flustered. While she had heard that store chose its customers carefully, she didn't think it would lead to such an uproar. She hastened to correct the baron. "I merely chose the gem. I didn't buy it from your mother—Prince Arnold did."
"Wh-what?!"
"Prince Arnold bought a woman a gem?!"
Yeah, it surprised me too.
Rishe decided not to say anything else. The baron smiled wider, effortlessly guiding the conversation in another direction.
"My son went home that day and immersed himself in the design. Feel free to let me know if there's anything about it that doesn't suit your fancy."
"Oh, I couldn't possibly! It's such a beautiful, detailed design. I'm greatly looking forward to the finished product."
Curious, Rishe asked, "Come to think of it, I heard that there were some craftsmen from Coyolles willing to complete the ring in much less time. Does a different set of hands really make such a difference?"
"Lady Rishe… The truth is, there are no skilled craftsmen in Galkhein."
Rishe was flabbergasted.
"Anything designed above a certain level of detail requires supremely skilled hands, and the closest place to find any is across the sea, in Coyolles. That means most of our production period is spent on transport, but since the craftsmen are here in town now, that period was expedited. I believe that is what my mother meant."
Listening in, the marchioness remarked, "I did think it was inconvenient that jewelry takes so long to complete. But why does Galkhein have no craftsmen?"
"Because of the war, Madam."
"I see…" The lady's eyes went wide with the revelation, though Rishe had been expecting it.
"Military prowess is valued in Galkhein, isn't it? Many young people train in swordplay and martial arts. Craftsmen were already rare before the war, but there are even fewer now."
Rishe had seen the same thing in her life as a merchant. Fewer people were buying jewelry, so the craftsmen lost their jobs and became soldiers instead.
What I saw in the future war was just a repeat of the past war. Most of the countries skilled in handling precious metals weren't active in the conflict. Coyolles—with their skilled artisans—mostly just supported their allied nations.
In Coyolles, people couldn't even leave their houses in the winter. Their forced yearly quarantine, along with their ample supply of gemstones, made it the perfect place for such craftsmen to hone their skills.
"There are plenty of blacksmiths here, but iron-processing techniques for weaponry are completely different from ornamental metals… Oh, but this is hardly an appropriate topic of conversation for ladies like yourselves."
The marchioness hurriedly agreed with the baron. "That's right, Lord Weilman. You do just love to go on about the war, don't you? Such talk is poison for ladies like us. I apologize for bringing up such a ghastly topic, Lady Rishe."
"Not at all. It was very informative." Rishe bowed her head politely and returned to her thoughts.
I always figured Galkhein obtained a great deal from winning the war, but even an undefeated nation sustains losses, I suppose.
She wanted to hear more, but there was no time for that. She feigned additional conversation and searched for her target.
Lord Lawvine's stuck in a discussion on the other side of the room.
In confirming that, Rishe realized something else.
Prince Arnold and Prince Kyle are going out to the balcony…?