How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

“Until now, goods from this land that entered the Rubyere Empire were delivered overland, correct? In that case, merchants from the Eastern Continent likely purchased them, passed them through several intermediaries, and finally handed them over to Rubyere merchants. Therefore, the Rubyere merchants would have known nothing about the Emperor’s special permit.”

“The situation of a Rubyere person coming directly to make such a large-scale purchase is unprecedented, so this information never reached us. Is that it?”

“Yes… That seems to be the case, Your Grace.”

A sigh escaped me of its own accord. My shoulders slumped heavily. I was only frustrated, wondering why I hadn’t considered this point earlier.

‘But this wasn’t in the original story either, and I never could have imagined it. There were mentions that the Sarr people were arrogant, but I didn’t know they were this isolationist…’

I hung my head low and bit my lower lip hard. It all felt like my fault.

‘I should have been more careful. This is a voyage Tristan undertook, even risking the Grand Duchy as collateral. What do we do now…’

No, it was indeed my fault.

I designed this plan, had the large ship built, proposed the voyage, and led everyone to this distant foreign land. Yet, I missed the most crucial preliminary information.

I took it lightly, thinking it was a world from a novel. The reality of living in this world is different from reading about it in text and predicting things in one’s head. I don’t know what gave me the confidence to come all the way here. If things fall apart completely like this and we even lose the Grand Duchy of Hezekia…

Something shattered in my mind. It felt like my breath was growing shorter.

Then, I suddenly felt someone’s touch on my shoulder. I jerked my head up and met Tristan’s gaze as he looked down at me quietly.

Soon after, his arm carefully wrapped around my shoulder. A solid warmth gently transmitted through.

“It is not your fault. You need not blame yourself.”

With a face that showed no emotion, as usual, Tristan spoke calmly. I opened my mouth halfway but couldn’t say anything, only moving my lips.

For some reason, Sir Gehardt, who had been fidgeting restlessly beside me, abruptly interjected.

“His Grace is right, Your Highness. How could anyone have predicted this? The Grand Consort is not some clairvoyant who can see the future clearly.”

It’s true that I can see half the future… But I still failed to anticipate this. Thinking that made me feel even more dejected.

Seeing my complexion grow even darker, Sir Gehardt, perhaps thinking he had made a mistake, flusteredly waved his hands.

“No, what I mean is. In Rubyere, where the government is completely uninvolved in trade, who could have imagined such a thing? So no one can be blamed…”

“There will be a way, Your Highness.”

“That’s right. There’s no need to panic prematurely.”

The knights each added their words. I quietly looked at each of them, then composed my expression. I lightly pressed the back of Tristan’s hand before letting go and took a step forward.

“…You are all correct. I must pull myself together.”

Tristan nodded. Then, he asked Sir Johannes calmly.

“To receive a permit issued by Imperial decree, we may need an audience with the Emperor. Although it’s highly likely a high-ranking official acts on his behalf. Did you ask what must be done?”

“Yes, Your Grace. Fortunately, it seems even matters like these are not directly handled by the Emperor.”

“Then?”

“It falls under the jurisdiction of the Senate, composed of high nobles.”

“Who in the Senate must we seek?”

This time, instead of Tristan, I pressed the question. Sir Johannes then exchanged a few more words with the merchant.

However, the answer that came back didn’t seem very hopeful.

“Because there have been extremely few foreign merchants, it seems nothing specific is established.”

“You mean there isn’t even a principle?”

“Yes. According to him, it might not necessarily be a noble from the Senate, but we just need to make a connection with any noble. He says he knows many high noble clients and could introduce us if we wish, but his nuance was a little…”