Wish Upon a Sin

Arc 2 - Chapter 3

Within a week of Julius receiving the letter, a meeting on the royal selection was called. As Julius had predicted, Anastasia extended a personal invitation to both Subaru and Otto to attend.

"You're remarkable calm about this. I can't help but wonder whether you actually understand the situation."

"Hmm?" Subaru glanced over to Otto. They were travelling to the palace by dragon carriage, wearing their matching suits. Subaru felt they were a bit tacky, but they seemed well received by the occasional nobles Anastasia brought them to meet. Luna loved them for some reason, so Subaru was never able to muster up the will to be vocal about his complaints.

"We're appearing at this 'royal selection' meeting as guests of Anastasia." Otto said. "Tacitly stating that we are, if not part of her camp, at least supporting her claim to the throne."

"Does that really matter?" Subaru asked. "We're hardly the most important people. The Juukulius family is way more influential."

"True, but you underestimate our presence in people's minds. We've risen from obscurity in a very small amount of time. People are paying attention to us, and a few other companies are starting in our footsteps. We're proof that the economy in improving, at least a little bit. Whoever we support would be seen as having a significant amount of support in the merchant class."

"But aren't we supporting her anyway? I mean, the Hoshin company is responsible for selling most of our product. Isn't their seal on the packaging, right beside ours?"

Otto nodded. "That would be the perception. But, by attending, we'll nudge those on the fence about her further onto her side. For her, it's a free way to increase her influence. That being said, it's still beneficial for us. We will— er, I will keep an eye on the other candidates, to see if we can profit from any competition between them. Also, from what I understand, there is to be an informal gathering afterwards, where we'll be able to mingle with other dignitaries."

He rubbed his hands together. "Nobles from all over the country will be there, if I can make a good impression, we'll be able to start expanding into the other great cities."

"Can't we already do that?" Subaru thought back to what little he had read of the documents he had signed. "I thought the Hoshin company would support us?"

Otto gave him a look. "Those sections of the agreement are riddled with pitfalls. We'd give up far more than we would gain. I'm sure she only included them to see how competent we are. Or as a joke of some kind. No, we'll have to find our own paths to expand out of the capital."

The carriage slowed down as it entered the palace grounds. They could see guards out the window, inspecting each carriage as it passed. Luna flew to the window, peering out at the sunny streets from the safety of the shaded interior.

"You should have miss Luna remain invisible for the meeting." Otto advised. "We don't want to disturb the proceedings, and once she's out, she'll draw eyes. Also, I haven't pried, since you clearly don't want to talk about it, but you did say you already knew a candidate, didn't you?"

Subaru stared out the window a little longer, while he gathered his thoughts.

"I haven't interacted with her, but I know her situation." he said slowly. "She won't recognise me." Though come to think of it... "Reinhard might."

"The Sword Saint!?" Otto spluttered. "One of the royal candidates has his backing!?"

"No, he's not backing her." Subaru clarified. "He's just... do you remember that Aurora in the sky a few months ago?"

"Aw-raw-ra? Do you mean the sky lights? I wasn't in the capital then, but I'm told they were quite impressive. Nobody knows what caused them."

"That was Reinhard, saving her from an assassin." Subaru revealed.