Facts proved that Ron's guess had been correct.
When they arrived at Peace Square, the shop Mia and Eileen had selected was already being cleared out. The owner had packed everything and was preparing to close.
Mia's little face darkened as she finally realized something was wrong.
If the first shop being bought had been a coincidence, then the second one being snatched up just in time carried a very different implication.
Even Mia—who rarely dealt with such matters—could sense that something was off.
"Brother Ron…"
"We've already seen two shops. Let's take a look at the last one as well," Ron said, glancing at the sky. "We're heading to Lake Impash for lunch anyway. It's on the way."
Mia climbed back into the carriage, lips pursed, clearly in a foul mood.
Eileen cast a glance at the sulking princess, then turned to Ron with a gentle reminder.
"Your Highness Ron, even if the other party buys every shop marked on the map, it's ultimately meaningless."
"The Royal Capital is vast. Shops close down every day. The only difference is location quality."
"All they're doing is wasting money to disgust you. There's no real substance to it."
"I understand." Ron chuckled, not a trace of anger visible on his face. "We're not in a rush. Let's see what they're trying to do."
"They're being too arrogant!" Mia huffed. "If they really dare buy all of them, I'll go complain to Father!"
Mia was still only sixteen. Raised under Emperor André III's protection, with six elder brothers who never competed with her for affection, her first instinct when encountering trouble was to run and report it.
To be fair, that tactic would work.
It was only a shop. If Mia acted spoiled for a bit, Emperor André III could easily arrange one for Ron.
But that wouldn't solve the core issue.
The problem wasn't the shop—it was Ron himself and his current identity.
Even if Ron secured a storefront on the surface, those hiding in the shadows could still find other ways to make things unpleasant for him.
Unless he either compromised or forced the other party to back down, incidents like this would likely keep coming.
"For now, don't mention this to Father," Ron told Mia. "If it really comes to that, I'll speak to him myself. No need to trouble you."
"But—"
"Relax. We're not at the point of asking Father for help yet." Ron waved a hand dismissively.
Eileen also persuaded her softly. "Mia, this isn't merely about a shop. His Highness likely has his own considerations."
"…Alright." Mia slumped back against the carriage wall, still looking aggrieved—as though the stolen shop had been hers rather than Ron's.
The carriage rolled through snow-covered streets, leaving two wheel tracks behind as pedestrians paused and stepped aside.
Lake Impash lay in the southern part of the Royal Capital—an artificial lake within the city. From above, it resembled a clear, perfect full moon.
Thus, the street encircling it was named Moonview Street.
The shop Mia and Eileen had favored was not far from the hotpot branch—just a short walk away.
The carriage stopped in front of the store that had supposedly been awaiting sale.
At that moment, the shop owner emerged with bags in hand, loading them onto his carriage, ready to depart.
Still unwilling to give up, Mia stepped forward to ask—only to receive the expected answer.
The shop had just been sold.
Ron, who had already anticipated this, leaned against the carriage and let his gaze drift toward the frozen surface of the lake nearby.
And then he saw him.
Across the lake, a small red figure stood out against the white.
After months of daily cultivation—Battle Aura and meditation—Ron's eyesight was no longer like it had been in his previous life. He easily made out the man's face.
It was the same middle-aged man in a deep red robe they had encountered earlier on Monlis Street.
Noticing Ron's gaze, the man smiled faintly and bowed in polite greeting before turning and disappearing into the bustling crowd.
Ron clicked his tongue.
He truly didn't understand the point.
What was the need?
Just to show off and disgust him?
Mia stomped back into the carriage, arms crossed, growing angrier the more she thought about it.
If she had seen the man's smug little bow across the lake, she might have run over and kicked him straight into the water.
"Alright, let's eat first," Ron said instead—comforting her even though he should have been the angriest one. "I brought new seasonings. You'll get to try them in a bit—they taste much better than before."
"…Okay," Mia responded listlessly.
Compared to the setbacks with the flower shop branch, the hotpot branch had progressed smoothly and vigorously.
Nominally, Princess Mia was the one behind the hotpot business.
Moreover, while the restaurant was profitable, it wasn't lucrative enough to provoke serious envy.
And everyone in the empire knew how doted upon Princess Mia was by Emperor André III.
No one would make things difficult for Mia over something like this—nor use it to needle Ron.
This was entirely different from the flower shop.
The former was Mia's project; the latter was merely something she was helping with. The people behind the obstruction were targeting Ron specifically.
And on this matter, Emperor André III would absolutely not take Ron's side.
The hotpot branch was located at the intersection of Moonview Street and another thoroughfare, with heavy foot traffic.
In particular, Mia had knocked down the entire wall facing Lake Impash and replaced it with floor-to-ceiling glass.
Customers dining inside only needed to turn their heads to enjoy the lakeside scenery.
Those seated on the third or fourth floor and above could look out over the massive glass panes and take in the entire silver-disk lake below, feeling as though they were immersed in the landscape.
Ron and the two girls headed to the highest—sixth—floor and chose a table by the window.
After requesting three empty sauce dishes, Ron took out three jars of seasoning personally prepared by Nora before he left the City of Chaos.
Each was made primarily from powdered Spice Pine fruits harvested in spring, autumn, and winter, respectively—far more flavorful than the experimental blends Ron had previously concocted himself.
With seasonings so delicious they could practically make one's clothes burst apart, Mia quickly forgot her anger and began slurping hotpot and grilled meat enthusiastically.
"Brother Ron, these new sauces are amazing—but why isn't there a spicy one?" Mia asked regretfully after biting into a slice of fatty beef.
Sweat formed on Ron's forehead.
If he made a spicy version for her too, then right now it wouldn't be her eating the hotpot—
It would be him eating…
…Ahem.