[CHAPTER 54]
“Ah, sorry. I walked into the wrong room.”
It seemed the employee had assigned me to the wrong room, not knowing someone else was already there.
As I apologized and tried to leave, the man stopped me.
“Since we’ve crossed paths, why don’t we share a cup of tea?”
“No, it’s alright. I’ll go to another room.”
“There won’t be any seats. It’s full.”
The man answered calmly as he sipped his tea with an elegant posture.
Plain brown hair and brown eyes.
But his sharp features were far from ordinary, and the atmosphere around him felt mysterious and dignified.
“Come. Sit.”
“……”
“Please.”
His gentle voice was strangely hard to refuse, and I ended up sitting across from him against my better judgment.
He smiled at me as if pleased with himself.
I felt uncomfortable, yet for some reason the situation felt familiar.
As if I’d experienced this before.
“The weather is lovely today. Clear skies, a cool breeze.”
“……”
“Should we exchange names? I’m Nell.”
Resting his chin on his interlaced fingers, he looked at me quietly.
Under the strange pressure and tension, I ended up giving my name.
“…I’m Jena.”
“Ah, what a pretty name.”
The soft compliment made chills run up the inside of my arm.
What was this?
Why did I dislike him so strongly?
It was an unpleasant situation, sure, but my reaction felt too extreme.
My hands even trembled slightly.
Nell kept smiling at me as if he didn’t notice me leaning back instinctively.
“But don’t you think we’ve met before? You and I both have faces that are hard to forget after one look.”
“…I’m sorry, but I’m a married woman. I’ve never met you, so please don’t try anything.”
At my wary retort, Nell shrugged.
A mocking smile curved on his smooth lips.
“Yes. He’s very kind and handsome.”
Like a small animal puffing itself up before a predator, I forced strength into my voice and straightened my shoulders.
Nell looked me over with curious eyes, then—
“…!”
He suddenly reached out, grabbed the back of my neck, and pulled me close in an instant.
His grip was strong and unyielding. I couldn’t move, like a deer caught in a trap.
His brown eyes glistened oddly at such close range, almost eerie.
“Do you truly not know me, or are you pretending?”
“What…”
“Hmm? Tell me. Don’t you know me?”
His low voice clung to my ears like a spell.
‘Is he insane? What is he doing all of a sudden…!’
I snapped back to my senses, shoved him away with all my strength, and stood up.
“What do you think you’re doing?! I’ll call the guards!”
He said nothing, simply watched me.
His persistent gaze searched my angry face like he was trying to find something there.
Then Nell curled his lips into a relaxed smile and apologized.
“Ah, sorry. You look just like someone I know. I mistook you for her.”
What on earth…?
I wanted to snap at him that this wasn’t something an apology could fix, but strangely I couldn’t get the words out.
‘I just… want to leave.’
I wanted to get away from this man as fast as possible.
Without accepting his apology, I turned around.
He didn’t stop me.
Instead, he spoke to my back.
“Happiness is a fragile emotion. You never know when it’ll end. Enjoy it while you still can.”
Was he actually crazy?
Why say something so ominous?
I didn’t look back and hurried out of the coffee house.
My legs trembled as if all my energy had been drained.
I steadied myself against a wall and took a deep breath when a familiar voice called out behind me.
“Madam!”
Aizen was striding toward me from afar.
Seeing the face I’d missed in those short moments almost brought tears to my eyes.
“Darling…!”
I was ready to complain to him, but before I could start, he began scolding me first.
“Where have you been! Do you know how long I’ve been searching for you?! I was afraid something had happened—!”
“Well… I…”
It was a little unfair, but seeing his hair drenched with sweat showed how desperately he’d been running around for me.
I couldn’t bring myself to argue.
He rubbed his hair roughly and softened after seeing my crestfallen expression.
“Sorry for raising my voice. I lost control for a moment.”
“It’s alright. I was worried about you too.”
“Nothing happened while I was gone?”
“No. I met someone strange, but I ran away quickly. The capital really is full of all kinds of people!”
I linked arms with him, complaining but smiling.
He asked what kind of person it was, his expression uneasy, but I glossed over it without explaining.
I didn’t want to get entangled with that strange man any further.
‘Especially dragging Aizen into it… Somehow, that feels wrong.’
“Let’s go home. I’m exhausted. I feel like I might faint any moment.”
I leaned my head on his broad shoulder to change the subject, and Aizen followed my lead without pressing further.
* * *
Nell stood by the window.
Outside, Aizen and Jena were walking close together.
His gaze remained fixed on Jena’s bright, smiling face.
When was the last time he’d seen her smile like that?
“Seems she really forgot me.”
He had come all the way to confirm it himself after receiving a report from his subordinate.
In the blue eyes that once looked at him straight, he saw nothing but confusion and disbelief.
There had been no trace of familiarity.
So Nell reluctantly accepted that Jena had lost her memories.
The problem was…
“What should I do with you now that you’re useless?”
The current, ignorant Jena held no value for him.
Nell crossed his arms, smiling leisurely.
How should he use this situation?
“Should I get rid of you, or should I pull you back into my hands once more?”
He knew exactly who that man beside Jena was.
A cold, stern man surrounded by impenetrable walls.
The Kalard Duke playing pretend husband just to uncover a spy’s mastermind made no sense.
“There must be another reason.”
Until he figured that out—
“I’ll keep you alive, Esther.”
A chill smile formed on Nell’s lips.
A moment later, his brown hair turned black and his brown eyes shifted to gold.
* * *
Our search through the city to find a merchant group ended with no results.
But luckily, Aizen said he knew a trading company and could introduce us.
With his recommendation, we wouldn’t be looked down upon or ignored, so I felt relieved.
We loaded the samples I’d prepared and set out together.
The carriage stopped in front of a rather luxurious building among the rows of merchant company offices.
A staff member guided us to the top floor, where a beautiful woman with short black hair was waiting.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Vicky, the head of Triunfar Trading Company.”
“Hello, I’m Jena Kreutz.”
Vicky smiled warmly and offered her hand first.
Despite her refined impression, she seemed quite approachable.
“I heard from Viscount Kreutz. You’re looking for a merchant group to work with in the capital?”
“Yes, that’s right. Would you take a look at this?”
I handed her the booklet I’d stayed up making last night.
With curious eyes, Vicky opened it and began reading.
The booklet neatly summarized the varieties and effects of all the tea leaves, oils, and candles I’d produced so far.
“Wow, you prepared well.”
“Of course. You need to know our products before deciding on a deal.”
She looked at me with widened eyes, showing genuine interest.
I laid out the products in front of her and added explanations not included in the booklet.
“These have already proven themselves in the north. At least six out of ten buyers repurchase them, and we haven’t received a single negative review. I expect they’ll sell well regardless of region.”
Vicky picked up a jar of tea leaves.
Her initial positive reaction lifted my mood, but her next words made it sink again.
“But I can’t accurately judge the product’s value just by this.”
“…Then what more should I show you?”
Should I bring our company ledger?
With a tap, Vicky closed the booklet and smiled.
“If you can sell everything you brought within a week in the market, I’ll make a deal with you.”
She meant to test both the product and my ability.
Aizen, who had been silent beside me, frowned sharply.
“That seems excessive.”
“If you don’t like it, you can refuse. It doesn’t matter to me.”
Vicky shrugged lightly.
Judging by her attitude, she wasn’t a commoner like I assumed. Maybe a noblewoman?
Her speech was polite, but she carried the air of someone used to being in the higher position.
But that didn’t matter.
Without much hesitation, I accepted her proposal.
“Alright! Let’s do it.”
“Oh, you don’t mind my condition?”
“It’s another opportunity. And I’m confident in myself and my products.”
“Hmm, good attitude.”
“But I have a condition too.”
Vicky raised a brow as I smiled brightly.
“If I succeed, you’ll prioritize my opinion in our dealings.”
Her lips parted, then curved with amusement.
Aizen tried to stop me, saying it wasn’t necessary, but Vicky answered instead.
“Alright.”
“Then can I start the day after tomorrow?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
Great.
What should I prepare first?
As I began planning in my head, Aizen whispered worriedly in my ear.
“Madam, are you sure you’re alright with this?”
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
I’m someone who follows through once I decide something.
