Chapter 7
Even though the subject had been omitted, no one here failed to understand that it referred to my company, Deborah.
“Ah… haha. Well, you see.”
I let out an awkward laugh.
“Since it’s such a new attempt, I felt it would be presumptuous to propose it to Your Highness while it still carries significant risk.”
“You’re quite eloquent.”
Killian gestured toward me with his eyes, prompting me to explain what exactly that “attempt” was. Somehow, the situation felt strangely familiar.
‘…So I have to pitch here as well.’
In my past life, I had done business and pitched countless times.
The sense of déjà vu was odd, but if I could earn an opportunity by doing what I was good at, that was fortunate.
“The business I’m planning this time is different from the conventional way of making coffee.”
To defeat the Adelheit family’s coffee house, Lohart, I needed a method of my own.
With memories from my previous life, it wasn’t difficult for me to come up with a coffee-making method that didn’t exist in this empire.
“I plan to brew coffee cold.”
“Cold… coffee?”
At the unfamiliar idea, Killian’s eyebrow twitched.
He was known for enjoying coffee and tea.
“To be honest, I don’t think that would preserve the flavor of the coffee.”
His evaluation was cold. It was a reaction I had expected.
In an era where hot brewing was deeply ingrained, cold-brewed coffee naturally sounded unappealing.
“That’s why I brought some. Would you like to try it?”
I signaled to Daisy. She took a whiskey barrel out from her belongings, opened it, and poured its contents into an empty glass on the table.
Instead of whiskey, coffee filled the glass. Killian asked:
“There’s no poison in it, is there?”
“I came to seize an opportunity, not to kill someone…”
At my reply, Killian extended his long fingers and picked up the glass.
The moment he tasted the cold coffee, surprise spread across his face.
“Coffee from the Buchanan region is known for its distinctive acidity. This brewing method enhances that acidity while adding depth.”
Fortunately, Killian listened with interest. Encouraged by his gaze, I continued:
“When you brew coffee cold, even ordinary beans bring out noticeable acidity.”
“So this method itself highlights acidity.”
He spoke with a hint of skepticism.
“A novel method may earn points, but Buchanan coffee already has acidity. Wouldn’t too much acidity create aversion instead?”
I had thought he was merely dabbling in business for amusement because he was a demon, but his insight was sharper than expected.
“Still, there are people who enjoy that acidity. Coffee houses don’t sell just one type of coffee, do they? There’s coffee mixed with milk as well…”
Killian glanced sideways as if weighing my words, then slowly spoke:
“Indeed. Cold-brewed coffee… people would be curious about its taste. It could appeal to enthusiasts.”
That was right. Most coffee consumers were not casual drinkers but devoted aficionados.
I spoke confidently:
“But I’m the only one who knows this brewing method. I developed it myself over several years.”
…That part about “several years” was a lie.
In situations like this, a bit of exaggeration was necessary to spark interest. Stirring curiosity was the foundation of any pitch.
“And I also have a good idea involving mixing coffee with something else. But I can’t disclose that part. I can’t reveal all my cards to an outsider. I hope you understand.”
As a thorough businessman, Killian surely understood my intent.
“You mean—there must be give and take.”
Understanding me, he let out a small laugh.
“Still, coffee… I heard you were starting a clothing business. This is quite a different direction.”
“…Things just turned out this way.”
“Come to think of it, the Adelheit family also focuses on coffee and wine.”
A smile flickered across Killian’s lips.
“Very well. I’ll transfer part of the coffee purchase rights I recently issued to you. Let’s treat that as my investment.”
“…!”
Daisy and I looked at each other in shock.
‘He’s investing too?’
That would mean deeper business entanglements.
‘I was just planning to take the purchase rights and leave!’
But I was the one in need, so I spoke:
“Thank you very much…”
It was, in many ways, an unprecedented deal—investing based only on an abstract plan.
As I stood there, Killian spoke again:
“There is a condition.”
Of course. I had expected that.
‘He’s not someone who takes losses… well, not a “someone”—a demon.’
I nodded.
“What condition?”
He raised two long fingers.
“I’ll give you the purchase rights for two months. Within that time, grow your business. But if the returns are lower than what I could have earned by giving this to someone else…”
He smiled.
“I will regret this decision. And I am not one to show mercy to those who give me cause for regret.”
It was, without a doubt, the most terrifying thing I had heard all year.
* * *
Seeing Caleb return empty-handed, Duke Adelheit raised an eyebrow.
“What? You failed?”
He had intended to crush Edith Diel before she could even begin her business.
But that plan had failed.
Caleb frowned deeply.
“I offered 50,000 gold for that purchase right, but they refused to sell.”
“Then someone offered more?”
“…I don’t know. They wouldn’t reveal who obtained it.”
At the mention that the buyer remained anonymous, the duke frowned.
Could Edith have taken it?
“No, impossible. She wouldn’t have that kind of money.”
He had previously ordered an investigation into Edith’s finances to cut off her funds. Without investors, she couldn’t possibly gather such a sum.
‘Then someone else acquired it.’
The duke let out a dry laugh.
“There’s no way that wretch could have obtained it.”
“Still, I’ll find out who did.”
“Do so.”
Elisa, who had been quietly listening, bit her lip.
“Father… what if Edith comes to harm me?”
Her golden eyes trembled with anxiety, brimming with tears.
“What if she started her business just to take revenge on me…?”
“Hah! Do you really think she’s capable of that? The nerve!”
The duke laughed scornfully.
“She won’t even be able to leave a scratch on you.”
His blue eyes gleamed ominously.
“Never.”
Elisa rolled her eyes.
When should she ask for a business of her own? She couldn’t find the right timing.
Just then, a knock sounded.
Knock, knock.
Expecting the visitor, the duke smiled in satisfaction.
“Come in.”
A handsome blond man with blue eyes entered.
Reinhardt Edman—the heir of the Edman ducal house and commander of the imperial knights.
He was also Edith’s former fiancé.
Dressed in his knight uniform, having stopped by before heading to the palace, he greeted them politely:
“Your Grace, I hope you’ve had a peaceful day.”
His gaze then turned to Elisa.
“…And to you, my lady.”
Elisa replied with a shy smile:
“…Good morning.”
But noticing her teary eyes, Reinhardt frowned.
“Is something wrong?”
It was unusual for the duke to summon him so early.
As he tried to guess the reason, his heart sank.
Could it be related to Edith?
‘She was expelled from the family.’
It was a natural decision, he thought rationally.
But without any assets, it would be difficult for her to live well.
“This engagement was originally a promise between Duke Edman and me, made long ago.”
The duke’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.
“Yes.”
The promise had been arranged before they were even born—political ties disguised as familial friendship.
“Would you really break such a bond over a mere woman?”
“You mean…”
Reinhardt’s gaze shifted to Elisa.
Her face flushed bright red under his gaze.
“That’s right. Now that my true daughter has been found, it’s only proper to proceed with a legitimate engagement.”
“….”
Reinhardt fell silent.
Beside him, Elisa struggled to hide her anticipation.
“This is the new engagement contract.”
The duke handed it over.
Reinhardt slowly read through the document.
At the bottom were the names:
[Elisa Adelheit]
[Reinhardt Edman]
The situation felt strangely familiar.
‘Edith Adelheit.’
The name that used to be written where Elisa’s now stood.
Finally, Reinhardt spoke:
“I think it’s too soon to proceed with an engagement when the previous one was only recently dissolved.”
Though the duke had intended to push for marriage quickly, he concealed his displeasure.
“There’s plenty of time ahead, so there’s no need to rush. Do as you wish.”
