RBSP 7

Chapter 7

The Society’s Punching Bag, I’m Retiring!

The railways of the Kingdom of Hibernia had first opened five years ago. Initially, nobles who were skeptical of the railway’s commercial viability refused to open their domains, resulting in tracks being laid only sparingly around the royal territories. However, just a single year after opening, the tourism business exploded into a massive success, ushering in a completely new era.

Unlike the quiet first opening that had been met with ridicule from the nobility, the second railway opening was marked by a grand, bustling celebration.

From the main building of the Railway Bureau to its lush gardens, the venue was draped in lavish party decorations. Blue lilies—the national flower of the Kingdom of Hibernia—were arranged everywhere, accompanied by grand banners that gave the event the imposing air of a royal banquet.

“Goodness. What on earth is with that hideous outfit this time?”

The moment I arrived at the entrance of the Railway Bureau, whispering voices buzzed painfully against my ears. As if you won’t end up ordering that exact design on your way home anyway. They seemingly couldn’t feel satisfied without going out of their way to pick a fight and tear someone down.

A sudden surge of desire to snap back welled up inside me, but I forced it down. This wasn’t me holding back because I was a pushover. It was simply about cleansing my mind before tackling a far more important matter.

“Here it is.”

In the lobby of the Railway Bureau’s main building, exhibits promoting the newly opened railway lines were on display.

Passing by a model train, I approached a massive map displayed prominently in the center of the venue.

Since everyone was only interested in the social party itself rather than the railway opening, there weren’t many people inside the main building, allowing me to examine it leisurely.

Inside the grand map of the kingdom, the routes were marked in yellow, blue, red, and green. Each line traversed through the East, West, South, and North, all converging at the capital as their final terminus. This railway system was absolutely essential for the business I planned to launch.

‘The capital sits right at the center of every route. It’s a point every single line passes through, making transfers possible.’

In the future, Lady Castilla launched a business utilizing the railways.

Namely, a gift courier service.

Of course, a postal service existed even now. However, because postal workers transported mail on horseback, it took a vast amount of time, and passing through numerous hands carried a high risk of loss.

The moment railways became accessible to the general public, Lady Castilla started with letter transportation before expanding into gift deliveries. In particular, she arranged for items exclusive to the capital to be delivered directly to local noble estates—a venture that turned into an absolute blockbuster success.

Well, since trends across the kingdom always originated in the capital, it was only natural for it to capture the envy of noble ladies living on remote estates. Striking right at that blind spot earned her a staggering fortune… or so it was written in the last newspaper I read before dying.

I intended to fuse my own ideas with the business model Lady Castilla had used to launch my own enterprise.

However, transportation costs were an issue… How much could I actually get in my hands if I liquidated the jewelry I owned?

“Are you interested in the railways?”

As I was lost in deep calculation, I sensed a presence behind me. It was a question directed straight at me. Startled as if I had been caught stealing, I whipped around.

“I apologize for startling you.”

A man who appeared to be around my age, possessing silver hair that shimmered as though it held the galaxy itself. Eyes that sparkled with a radiance cooler and fresher than springtime leaves. A man with a gorgeous smile that complemented his gentle lips seamlessly. There was only one man in the entire kingdom who looked like this.

I quickly gathered my skirt and curtsied low.

“I greet the brightest star in Hibernia.”

“My. I didn’t expect you to recognize me.”

The man opened his eyes wide in mild surprise, seemingly not expecting me to know his identity. Yet, in this entire kingdom, the only people possessing such brilliant silver hair were members of the royal family.

“How could a noble fail to recognize a prince?”

“I know who you are as well.”

The man glanced subtly at our surroundings before offering a polite nod. In turn, I bowed my head as well. Every action followed naturally, as if under a gentle spell.

“You are Lady Gloria of Gloucester, correct?”

“It is an honor, Your Highness.”

“I am Ian Edgar Hibernia.”

Even though there was no way a noble of this kingdom wouldn’t know the prince’s name, Ian kindly stated his full name anyway. Whether he was naive or simply good-natured, receiving a kindness I was so unaccustomed to felt slightly awkward. Still, far from feeling burdened, a genuine warmth bubbled up, causing the corners of my lips to curl upward.

“As you already know, I am Gloria Gloucester.”

I offered my greetings with the utmost courtesy. Though I was surrounded by countless prejudices, I was someone who strictly observed proper etiquette in my own right. Ian accepted the greeting with a slightly bashful expression.

“Let us refrain from such formal greetings from now on. I fear your lovely knees might suffer.”

Good heavens. Hearing sweet, flattering words that I had never once heard from my own fiancé gave me goosebumps down my arms. Even though it was the kind of polite remark any gentleman would offer a lady, it hit differently.

“Everyone else seems interested only in the party outside. It seems My Lady holds a genuine interest in the railways.”

Ian skillfully shifted the conversation. It was a immense relief.

I gave a swift nod. After all, one of the reasons I had come to the Railway Bureau event was precisely to meet Ian.

“Yes, Your Highness. I used to think of them merely as iron donkeys, but seeing it in person is truly fascinating.”

The railway was a state-led project. Full authority over the second phase of the opening, which began four years ago, had been granted to the second prince, Ian. That meant securing Ian’s favor was essential if I wanted to launch a business utilizing the railways.

“It used to take more than half a month by carriage to reach our estate. The Count’s castle sits on the eastern coastline, making it particularly distant. Yet now, a route passing directly through our Gloucester estate has been established.”

I pointed a finger at one of the blue line stops on the map. The station was named Gloucester as well. Regional nobles had provided land for the railway construction in exchange for having the stations named after their estates. Though Gloucester Station wasn’t directly attached to the center of the territory, it sat in a location reachable within an hour by carriage.

“I heard that taking the train allows one to arrive within five days. I suffer from severe motion sickness, so traveling to the estate is always a painful ordeal for me. Short trips within an hour are manageable, but traveling for a full half-month takes a heavy toll on my body. Being able to travel so comfortably now is truly a wonderful marvel.”

“Most nobles view carriages as far more noble and dignified, yet My Lady thinks differently.”

“What could possibly make one mode of transportation more ‘dignified’ than another?”

“The very nobles who attended this event wouldn’t even deign to glance at a model train, after all.”

At Ian’s admiring tone, I let out an awkward smile and subtly averted my eyes.

In truth, the future version of myself had also attended the Railway Bureau event, but had spent the entire time outside sipping champagne and enjoying the party. I, too, had once dismissed iron donkeys as mere conveyances for commoners.

Had I lived a bit longer, I might have actually tried taking the train down to the estate, given how miserable my motion sickness was at the end of every season.

If I were to offer an excuse, I had no chance to ride the train simply because I was stuffed into a windowless cargo wagon and shipped off to a convent, despite everyone knowing full well how horribly motion-sick I got.

Suddenly feeling a wave of gloom, I quickly changed the subject before Ian could notice.

“I heard Your Highness traveled through various local territories for the railway opening.”

“Ah, yes. That is correct. I visited Gloucester as well. I couldn’t stay long due to lack of time, but I did manage to see the famous Bowyer Beach, renowned for its beauty.”

“Is that so? Bowyer Beach was a place my mother loved deeply.”

For a split second, a flicker of doubt crossed Ian’s eyes. Recognizing the nature of his question instantly, I offered a composed response.

“The mother who gave birth to me. The fourth wife.”

“My apologies for being insensitive.”

“Not at all. I was the one who brought it up.”

I covered my mouth with my fan and let out a soft laugh. I couldn’t blame Ian for being curious. It was a topic anyone would be intrigued by, and for me, it was completely routine.

“It sounds as though it was a deeply meaningful journey for you.”

“There were many delightful sights to behold. Much to the embarrassment of my royal father who entrusted me with the task, I spent a thoroughly happy time.”

Ian laughed brightly as he recalled those memories. It was a refreshing, radiant smile that brought a lift to anyone watching.

“Now I find myself curious as well. I hope a day comes when I can embark on a train journey of my own.”

“If it pleases you, may I arrange an opportunity next time? If there are stories that might bring My Lady joy, I would love to share them with you.”

It was a remarkably favorable reaction. While I wasn’t dying of curiosity about travel stories, being able to promise a next meeting with him was a massive harvest. Ian, who had been nibbling at his lip as if nervous, brightened into a smile once more when I gave a receptive nod.

“Ah, right.”

Ian slipped his hand deep into the inner pocket of his formal jacket. From his inside pocket, he pulled out a piece of paper folded several times.

“It is a bit embarrassing since it is something I owned… but since you take an interest in the railways, I would love to give it to you as a gift.”

The paper Ian held out was a small map. Just like the map hanging in the hall, dots were marked in different colors across key nodes.

“It is the initial draft I received from the officials when we first launched the railway project. I repeatedly overlaid and modified it myself until the current railway network was finalized.”

Wait, if it’s the original draft, isn’t this important enough to be displayed right here as an exhibit?

“Is it too worn out to be a proper gift?”

When I failed to answer immediately, he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, mistaking my silence for a polite refusal.

“No, Your Highness. If I may truly have it, I will accept it with deep gratitude.”

“I am so glad you accept it gladly.”

Ian let out a long breath of relief, looking genuinely delighted.