My third fairy tale book, The Little Mermaid, has been published.

Although the number of custom editions increased by only two, to a total of twelve, the number of hardcover and standard editions was significantly expanded.

I was worried about the guild leader's confidence in increasing the production volume, but my worries were unfounded.

On the first day of pre-orders, they completely sold out, demonstrating incredible popularity.

Especially for the custom edition, there were over 300 entrants in the lottery for just twelve copies.

Considering that only VIP customers of the Yuren Merchant Guild were eligible for the lottery, the competition was astounding.

“Alright, everyone, let’s keep up the good work!”

Recently, the number of artisans invited to our family's estate in the territory has significantly increased.

As we continuously pushed for additional production and new projects, the existing staff could no longer handle the volume.

After finding a book in the workshop a while ago, I reluctantly agreed to expand the workforce.

Article 5, Section 3 of the Imperial Law: Punishment and Special Mitigation Factors for Crimes Against Nobles.

When I found an imperial law book that didn’t belong in the workshop, I took a look and found the page about crimes against nobles folded over.

I had felt a sinister atmosphere lurking recently, and if I pushed the artisans any further, something gruesome might happen, so I hurriedly expanded the team.

Hiring more people was worth the expense; we could now work much more efficiently under the skilled artisans' direction.

At first, I wondered if the workshop I had built inside the mansion was too large, but now it felt rather small.

With more leeway, we purchased a variety of new tools, and the quality of the books improved daily.

The artisans, having gained experience, identified areas for improvement and advanced the books without needing direction.

One of the greatest achievements was when a paper artisan, who had been analyzing new papers seen in the capital, created a special type of self-restoring paper.

Rip!

When I tore the paper in half and then brought the torn edges back together, the torn sections slowly reattached and returned to their original form—a miraculous sight.

“This is amazing no matter how many times I see it.”

No matter how expensive the paper, it might be sturdy but would still be vulnerable to physical damage.

The new "shapepaper" we developed perfectly addressed that weakness.

While it couldn’t restore itself if completely destroyed, it could easily recover from a tear like the one I demonstrated, making it durable enough for children who might handle books roughly.

Even though nobles might seem like fools, they are surprisingly discerning when it comes to quality.

Nobles are willing to pay generously for good or rare items, but they won’t buy something that’s simply overpriced without improvement.

To meet those stringent standards, we had to continue improving.

There are so many tempting items from the Mage Tower.

Although the quality is already excellent, human greed knows no bounds.

I recalled the items I saw at the Mage Tower, which were too expensive to even consider before.

A stone that could store sounds, a magical projector that displayed stored images, and an illusion magic circle that showed illusions to people.

The magic of this world was remarkably advanced in practical aspects.

With a few combinations, one could recreate Earth’s technology perfectly.

However, the prices were prohibitive, and they couldn’t be directly applied to our fairy tale books without further development and improvement.

If we were to request that development from the Mage Tower, it would require an unimaginable amount of money.

“It’s a shame, but what we have is still something.”

The fairy tales improved day by day.

This latest work, The Little Mermaid, was at the forefront of these advancements, and I eagerly anticipated people’s reactions.

Tears fell.

As water droplets trickled from the eyes of the beautiful woman with sky-blue eyes, the maid beside her hurriedly moved closer in alarm.

“My lady!”

“It’s okay. I just want to be alone for a moment.”

Seeing her eyes closed, the anxious maid quietly left the room.

“Is this your answer?”

The woman closed the book she had been reading.

The title on the cover caught her eye.

The Little Mermaid

Anyone could see that Rupert Somerset had used her as the model for the heroine in his new fairy tale.

Once again, she failed to win the lottery for a custom edition and had to settle for purchasing the hardcover edition.

Still, she believed she understood his feelings.

To her knowledge, the hardcover and standard editions were illustrated differently from the custom editions.

So the illustrations she was viewing were perhaps the ones the author truly wished to convey.

The man who had always captivated her with sweet and beautiful stories concluded this one with tragedy.

Was it a coincidence that he included a heroine resembling her in such a tragic tale?

Perhaps not, given that the prince in The Little Mermaid resembled Rupert as well.

“Are you trying to say that our relationship is like this?”

The Little Mermaid, who saves the prince from drowning in the sea.

They felt love at first sight.

But it ultimately ends in a tragic separation.

She had never regretted being born the eldest daughter of a duchy, destined to inherit everything.

She had always believed it was her duty to succeed her father as head of the Bluewell Duchy and lead the family.

For that reason, she could never promise love to someone like Rupert, the second son of a count's family.

She had to become a woman of iron and blood, safeguarding the family.

If she were to marry, her sister Evelyn would have to inherit the family.

She couldn’t bear the thought of burdening her sister with such a heavy responsibility.

Did he know this from the beginning? Is that why he treated her so coldly at their first meeting?

They hadn’t met since, but it was strange how his emotions resonated through his books.

A person who harbors warm feelings despite his appearance.

And through his fairy tale, he had painted a picture of their relationship, knowing she would read it.

So, despite knowing the ending, she wanted to meet him again.

She wanted to tell him that he wasn’t alone in his feelings.

“Is there going to be a Somerset family banquet?”

She wasn’t sure, but since noble families usually host banquets at least once a quarter, she thought she should find out.

She knew that attending the banquet of an unrelated noble family could stir up controversy.

But all she could think about was meeting him again.

“Your Highness, Princess… please stop reading.”

“Ayton, don’t you find it unsatisfying?”

Ayton was frustrated by the princess’s answer as she revisited the ending of the fairy tale she had read many times without even turning her head.

Recently, seeing the princess make a fuss over the same author who was most troubling Ayton's mind, he felt he wanted to ban the publication of the fairy tales.

She was always so composed and level-headed, yet whenever she was involved with those fairy tales, she reverted to being like a child.

In fact, when he heard the new work The Little Mermaid was coming out, he considered keeping it from her.

“But if it came to light later, it would be an absolute disaster.”

Not wanting to incur the wrath of the princess, whom he thought of like a granddaughter, Ayton procured a custom edition for her once again.

But it didn’t stop there.

“Ayton, I wish to see not only the custom edition but also the hardcover and standard editions!”

Her insistence on having the entire collection, when one should have sufficed, earned him a suspicious look from the guild leader.

The gaze seemed to say, "Aren’t you trying to keep them for yourself?" Though he wanted to explain, he gave up, fearing it would sound like an excuse.

“The Little Mermaid, it’s certainly different from past works.”

As an old man, he no longer felt much emotional sway, but when he first read the fairy tale, its heartbreaking ending stirred his feelings.

Considering that, it must have impacted the young and sensitive princess even more.

So, her reaction didn’t seem like an overreaction.

“Ayton, I think the ending of this book is rather fitting.”

“Do you, Your Highness?”

Thankfully, it seemed he wouldn’t need to travel to Goldpool Valley to deliver another letter from the princess this time.

Even with the Mage Tower's teleportation circle, one trip to the southern region was enough.

Furthermore, the continued visits of the royal chamberlain to a single noble family might unintentionally lead to misunderstandings.

“I doubt it would happen, but rumors can be frightening.”

The princess was nearing adulthood.

The misunderstanding that she might be looking for a suitor.

Although she wouldn’t greatly affect the royal authority since there was already a crown prince, sending her to a family too powerful wouldn’t be right.

A family too powerful receiving royal support could pose its own set of problems.

Conversely, marrying her into a family of too low standing wouldn’t befit the royal dignity, and the emperor would never approve.

“The Count’s family… It’s a flaw that he’s the second son, but considering the eldest is missing, he’s practically the heir.”

Rupert just barely met the standards. Given the Somerset family’s recent decline, they were a noble house with tradition but no power.

While usually a marquis’s family or foreign royalty would be considered for the princess, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable.

It was a delicate balance.

“But the prince regrets it even after the ending… No! He’s obsessed after meeting her again by chance!”

Momentarily lost in thought, Ayton returned to reality at the princess's words.

“Pardon?”

“He regrets losing the Little Mermaid, only to find she has a new lover, leading him to obsession and ruin…”

“Your Highness, please, calm yourself….”

“Wouldn’t that make for a better progression? I have many questions! Surely the author has considered these ideas. I must meet him directly.”

Ayton felt a headache coming on. Just his visits could spark rumors about the princess and Rupert, and now she wanted to go herself.

Such a visit would undoubtedly cause rumors.

“Your Highness, it would be better to summon him to the palace.”

“Oh, indeed, that could work.”

If he couldn’t prevent it, having Rupert come to the palace was a better option.

Though inviting him wouldn’t prevent rumors, it was 100 times better than a visit.

Watching the princess, excited at the thought of meeting Rupert, the fairy tale author, Ayton pondered the pretext for the invitation.

He briefly considered advising the emperor to detain Rupert to stop the princess's whims.