Chapter 7
Trace
“This time my father succeeded in securing exclusive rights to import Miola ceramics. But I think differently. I’m looking for a way to produce ceramics directly.”
The first thing Andrian, the young viscount, said upon meeting Hans, the head of the Maen Trading Company, was quite unexpected.
Up until now, most noble families thought of ceramics as something to import, not produce.
So the idea of directly hiring potters and building a factory was extremely rare.
Hiring skilled potters itself was difficult, and setting up a factory required huge amounts of capital and technology.
It was natural for nobles to shy away from such risks.
“Hmm… are you serious? Usually ceramics are imported from other continents. Making them here would be very difficult… The production process is kept secret, after all. And more than that, isn’t it nearly impossible to secure a stable supply of the clay you need?”
Hans was full of doubts. The essential clay for porcelain, kaolin, did not exist in this region at all.
“Yes, you’re right. That’s why I’m looking for a way to secure it steadily. If that doesn’t work, I’ll have to find another method.”
But Andrian’s eyes shone with confidence as he spoke. Nobody knew where that confidence came from, but everyone knew he was a bit eccentric, obsessed with alchemy.
And like his father the Count, he was equally obsessed with business.
Truly, “like father, like son.”
“By the way, I overheard earlier… Did you say you hired a new female employee?”
Andrian had happened to overhear Hans talking with a young woman at the office door.
He even caught a glimpse of her as she left. He remembered her transparent silver hair and strikingly pale face.
“Yes, I told her to start tomorrow. Honestly, I was about to put out a hiring notice, but somehow I felt compelled to take her on right away. It still feels strange, like I was bewitched.”
Hans shrugged, looking a bit embarrassed.
“Well, I’m sure you chose well. I’ll probably see her often then, that new employee. Anyway, I’ll be looking for potters first, and how to secure the raw materials. What I’d like to ask of you, Master Hans, is to look into potters. From other regions is fine too. Since your company also deals in information, I thought you’d be the right one to ask.”
Hans wasn’t confident, but he realized Andrian’s plan might actually be necessary. In the bigger picture, it could bring wealth to the trading company too.
If their business expanded from simply importing ceramics to producing and selling them, the prospects were promising, despite the risks.
***
“Lari, how did it go at the trading company?”
When Countess saw Larienne come back to the inn, she asked eagerly.
“Thankfully, it went well. Starting tomorrow, I’ll be working at the Maen Trading Company, five blocks from here.”
For the first time in days, Larienne’s gloomy face brightened. With this weight off her shoulders, she seemed more energetic than ever.
“Then tomorrow, why don’t you come with me to the Imperial Court? I need to file for divorce. I also plan to send a letter to my family from the nearby post office.”
Larienne nodded. She wanted everything settled before Count Tarin could track them down—her mother’s divorce, and her own false engagement too.
Maybe she really did need the existence of a fake fiancé. Only then would Tarin give up. Holding back a sigh, she quietly looked at her mother.
“Don’t worry, Mother… It’ll work out.”
She tried to sound positive, but deep down unease shook her heart. She couldn’t let the same tragedy as a year ago happen again. She vowed to change her fate this time.
The next morning, after a good night’s sleep, Lariënne hurriedly got ready to go to the trading company.
“Good luck, my dear Lari.”
Her mother brushed her hair with a comb. Her neatly tied hair shimmered softly. Lariënne put on a dark blue dress and, as always, draped her cloak over her shoulders. Strands of her silver hair peeked out from under the cloak.
“I’ll be back soon, Mother. After that, let’s go to the Imperial Court together.”
She hugged her mother gently.
When she stepped outside, the road to the trading company seemed livelier than ever. The air was filled with the smell of freshly baked bread from shops, and merchants shouted to sell food and goods. It was so different from her quiet hometown of Ayena. After being stifled there for so long, she could finally breathe here in the capital. A year ago, her heart had been too heavy to enjoy it, but now she let herself be swept away by the capital’s energy.
She was almost at the trading company when—
“Young Lady, this way, isn’t it?”
Someone gently touched her shoulder. Startled, Lariënne turned to see the man and her eyes widened. She recognized him vaguely from the trading company—Andrian, the young viscount. She had heard he had gone abroad to look for potters, and later started a new ceramics venture. He could be a useful person for her future plans. Quickly but politely, she bowed her head.
“Hello, Lord Andrian. I didn’t expect to meet you like this.”
She smiled softly at him. But to her surprise, Andrian looked more flustered than she was.
Pointing to his own face, he asked,
“Wait, do you know me? I don’t think I know you at all.”
He smiled awkwardly, pretending not to know her, even though he had seen her briefly the day before.
Was it a mistake? She had spoken to him as if she already knew him, like someone she had known before she died. Quickly, she adjusted her expression and replied seriously.
“I’m very interested in ceramics. Aren’t you the Count’s son who obtained the exclusive rights to sell Miyola ceramics? My name is Lari, I just started working at the Maen Trading Company. Honestly, I thought you already knew that.”
Since he had stopped her outside the company, it felt strange that he claimed not to know her at all. She tilted her head, puzzled.
“Ah, so my lie was caught right away. To be honest, I only saw your face briefly yesterday in front of the company. They said you were a new employee starting here, isn’t that right? Then let me introduce myself properly. I’m Andrian, the youngest son of Count Jienri. I look forward to working with you. I guess we’ll be seeing each other often.”
Andrian gave her a faint smile.
