The Villainess Enjoys Her Seventh Life as a Free-Spirited Bride (hostage) in a Former Enemy Country

“There is something that you and I would like to ask of you, Rishe-sama.”

Oliver, in front of Rishe, started off like that.

“I’d like to speak to Kane Tully-dono of the Aria Trading Company.”

“Chairman Tully?”

Oliver nodded and spread a sheet of paper on the table.

It was the gold and silver market price list that Rishe had just given to Arnold.

“My Lord and I have reviewed the information here. I figured that you are not simply gathering information, but also taking note of various countries’ state of affairs.”

…Impressive. You two are not merchants by any means, but you know the effort that goes into gathering this information.

Oliver stared at Rishe with his gentle purple eyes and smiled.

“I’m sure Rishe-sama already knows about our plan for coinage…My Lord.”

On cue, Arnold permitted him with a gaze.

Oliver picked up the letter that had been rolled up on the edge of the table and unfolded it in front of Rishe.

“Wow…”

Rishe couldn’t help but express her amazement at the beautiful design that came into view.

It was a painting of an eagle. Its wings were spread wide with fine feather patterns. Several petals were scattered on it, plus two crossed swords.

“How beautiful. It’s gorgeous and majestic, yet delicate…”

She couldn’t restrain her admiration, but what kind of picture was it?

Right when Rishe wondered, she was flabbergasted.

“Don’t tell me…?”

Considering the flow of the conversation, she probably got it right.

“Are you planning to use this intricate design for the new coin design?”

“Correct.”

Oliver affirmed briskly, but this was outrageous.

“I knew it. Even you got surprised, Rishe-sama. After all, money needs to be mass-produced, and every coin must be free of any flaws.”

“You’ve said it, Oliver-sama. Even if you carve a prototype, make a mold and pour it in, I’m not sure you will be able to pull off such a precise design. The minting process requires a very high level of skill…”

After saying that much, Rishe finally understood.

She looked at Arnold beside her, who had been looking at her from the beginning, and their eyes met.

…So the reason His Highness stroked my ring yesterday and mentioned the Koyor Kingdom…!

Her presumption that it was due to the depletion of gold and silver in Koyor was probably not out of line.

However, there was another reason why Arnold mentioned Koyor at that time.

“――Are you going to use our craft partnership with the Koyour Kingdom for the reminting?”

“……”

When Rishe checked with Arnold, he squinted in amusement.

“Sure enough, you look just like I imagined you would.”

“U-eh?”

Rishe couldn’t help but squeeze her cheeks with both hands, worried about what kind of face she had made.

Her happiness was probably plain to see on her face. Although it was quite embarrassing, she thought it couldn’t be helped.

I can’t believe that His Highness Arnold wants to rely on Prince Kyle…For the Koyor Kingdom.

Arnold must have understood how happy Rishe was. He glanced at Oliver, and then Oliver nodded and told Rishe.

“Just so you know…It was My Lord, not me, who suggested Koyor.”

“!”

“Use what I can. That’s all I’m saying.”

Although Arnold curtly said it, Rishe was ecstatic over the good news.

…But it doesn’t feel right, either.

Without knowing what was going through Rishe’s mind, Oliver continued.

“The purpose of regular reminting is to prevent the circulation of counterfeit gold. Since we’re going to the trouble of reminting, we might as well make it difficult to forge. Since Koyor’s skills are specialized in forging fine gold work, it would be difficult for those who plan to make counterfeits to imitate them.”

“…”

“I would like to talk to the Aria Company about how to distribute the gold and silver to other countries after the reminting, as well as the purchasing necessary for the minting. What do you think, Rishe-sama?”

“Of course, I’ll spare no effort if I can be of any assistance. I’ll speak to Chairman Tully as soon as possible…”

She looked up into Arnold’s eyes and mentioned the discomfort she had felt earlier.

“You’re both addled, aren’t you?”

“…………”

The moment she pointed this out, Arnold merely raised a brow.

Oliver’s eyes rounded in surprise across from us. Judging by his reaction, Rishe took it that her guess was right.

“Why did you feel that way?”

Oliver looked a little flustered, while Arnold remained silent and observed Rishe.

Rishe said as they both looked at her.

“This gold coin with its intricate design could be produced with the skill provided by Koyor…But even if it were technically possible, the cost of production would be sky high.”

The price of a thing was not determined by the value of its raw materials.

It also included equipment costs, human resources, transportation costs, procurement costs, and the distribution of the finished product.

The same was true for gold and silver coins.

If it cost more to issue one gold coin than it did to issue one silver coin, then the more gold coins were issued, the poorer the country would become.

“You may also wish to consult with Chairman Tully in order to reduce the cost. In short, depending on the results of the calculations with the Aria Trading Company, we may pretend that this reminting idea has never occured…”

“…This, this…”

“And also, Your Highness…”