SMR | Chapter 45

~Chapter 45~

Cedric silently calculated something and exchanged a few words with his aide to confirm some possibilities. Then, he wrote the revised content on the business plan. He never once asked for Harriet’s opinion, but she couldn’t really complain.

‘How can I jump in when I don’t even understand what they’re saying?’

Even though it was her business plan, watching Cedric expand and refine it made her feel strange. On one hand, she was happy to be recognized by him, but on the other hand, she felt the gap in their capabilities—and it stung.

Finally, Cedric finished making the revisions and handed the business plan, now full of crossed-out lines, back to Harriet.

“Please check it over.”

Harriet quietly flipped through the pages. She had revised it many times until dawn, so she could tell at a glance what was in it.

Originally, she had expected a modest annual profit of around 500,000 dirham, but Cedric had expanded it into a 2 million dirham business.

That was possible because he had added a plan to donate an additional 200,000 dirham to Saint Clarissa Monastery so they could build a larger workshop for soap and herb products.

“I asked for investment, not donations.”

“When it comes to soap, the monastery workshop can only produce about a hundred pieces a week.”

“We’ve agreed to produce as much as possible until the business launches. There should be enough stock.”

“Considering how long nobles use a single bar of soap, that won’t last. If you want to do business in the capital, it’s crucial to meet demand on time. A bit of shortage can build hype, but a long-term out-of-stock situation leads straight to failure.”

Harriet knew that too. She just hated that this situation made it seem like he was taking a loss. It hurt her pride.

“So, what you’re saying is that you’ll cover the workshop expansion costs as part of the investment—not a donation.”

Cedric seemed to pick up on something from her expression and added,

“I’m not donating because of you, Miss Harriet. When I visited last year, I wanted to give more, but due to others watching, I could only give 100,000 dirham. Consider the rest of that.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not under the illusion you’re donating for my sake. Honestly, the idea that you’re doing it because the monastery dog was cute is more believable.”

Cedric let out a chuckle.

“Where do you even learn to say things like that?”

“…You find the strangest things amusing. Anyway, what do I need to do now? I feel a bit awkward asking this, but…”

“No matter what, this is your business, Miss Harriet. My aide will assist you, but decisions and oversight should come from you.”

Cedric said this to spark a sense of responsibility in her, then added in a lighter tone to ease her tension:

“But it won’t be too hard. You might get a bit tired from running around.”

She thought so too.

They would sign the store rental agreement right here, and Cedric would take care of the interior design.

All she really needed to do was meet with the distribution rep a couple of times and go to the monastery with Cedric to introduce him to Kathrine and Sophia.

However, she would be fully responsible for the design and packaging of the soap and herb products—though Cedric had recommended a packaging company.

“Now, let’s talk about profit distribution. The production costs paid to the monastery will be counted as fixed expenses, and we’ll divide the remaining profit accordingly.”

It was an important matter, and she swallowed nervously.

“Until 90% of the investment is recovered, profits will be split 70–30. Naturally, I got 70%. After that, it changes to 20–80, with you getting 80%. Any objections?”

Harriet took a deep breath.

Everything had progressed so quickly, almost before she realized it, and that made her anxious. Was this the right decision? Was there some hidden trap she’d missed that would come back to bite her?

But no matter how she looked at it, it seemed like Cedric was the one taking a loss.

‘I thought he’d ask for more… Maybe he’s being lenient because this helps the monastery?’

Regardless of how she felt about him personally, she appreciated it.

“No objections.”

“You set the monastery’s production fee pretty high. If we lower it, you’ll get a bigger share.”

“I’m not that shameless. I’m just lending my face to the business—how could I underpay the people actually making the product?”

“Thanks to your help, it’ll probably outsell the soaps from Natarixen.”

Harriet shrugged.

“Well, the help you’re talking about was made by Saint Clarissa Monastery.”

“That’s true. Then let’s draft the contract that way.”

He didn’t even bother to deny it with empty words. That, once again, revealed something about his personality. She wasn’t exactly sure why that made her feel a little bitter.

The contract was written right in front of them.

Cedric’s assistant, clearly used to this sort of thing, wrote it all out smoothly without hesitation.

As Harriet carefully reviewed the details one by one, she decided to add something at the end of the contract.

“I’d like it to be a secret that I’m the head of this business.”

“Why is that?”

“You know why. If people find out I’m in charge, who knows how they’ll twist it and attack me.”

Cedric nodded, seemingly satisfied with how clearly she understood the reality of her situation.

“All right. Let’s also keep it secret, for now, that the Duke of Kailas is the investor.”

“Of course. I told you before—I won’t tarnish your noble name.”

Harriet smiled sweetly.

Cedric quite liked that smile. It showed an innocent belief that she’d hidden her irritation well.

“Shall we say you’re coming and going from the mansion to help Madame Pellon?”

“That sounds good.”

“Now that we’ve got our excuse, let’s sign.”

Before the ink even had time to dry, the names Cedric Kailas and Harriet Listerwell were written at the bottom of the contract.

The business had officially begun.

***

On the way back to the Pellon estate, Harriet looked over the revised business plan and once again felt the difference in ability between herself and Cedric.

‘Of course there’s a difference. He’s probably been trained in this kind of thing since he was a kid.’

So there was no need to feel ashamed. And yet, that was easier said than done.

‘Why does this bother me so much?’

It was her very first business idea, and it had been accepted and was now actually happening. Her heart was pounding, and she felt chills run down her spine. She was so happy—but at the same time, the fact that it wasn’t entirely her achievement poked painfully at her pride.

The thin, hesitant numbers she had written were crossed out with two confident lines, and in their place were bold, elegant figures written by Cedric.

The gap between those numbers felt like a wall between them—a wall she couldn’t hope to climb.

Harriet clenched her fists tightly.

‘Yes, it’s hard to overcome the difference in our backgrounds. But that doesn’t mean I have to be looked down on forever.’

Even so, she found herself wanting to stand on equal ground with Cedric—or rather, to surpass him.

She imagined a day when Cedric would read one of her business plans and be so impressed he’d say, “There’s nothing more to add—let’s sign the deal right now!”

…But it was hard to picture.

Harriet let out a small sigh.

Still, it seemed like a decent start for Harriet Listerwell, the businesswoman.

As soon as she got back to the Pellon estate, she went looking for Roxana—since Trisha was taking a nap.

“Teacher! I did it—I secured an investment!”

She couldn’t hide her excitement, but Roxana’s face looked… strange. More shocked than anything.

“From the Duke of Kailas?”

“Yes!”

“Well… That’s surprising. I honestly thought you’d fail.”

“What? I thought you were rooting for me! You told me that being bold would win over an investor.”

Harriet stared wide-eyed in betrayal, but Roxana didn’t seem the least bit sorry.

“That was for other investors. This is Cedric Kailas we’re talking about. Right now, it feels like you went out to do some freshwater fishing… and came back with a shark. It just doesn’t make sense.”

“…”

“On top of that, the shark’s got its eyes rolling back like a predator, and you’re just smiling, thinking you caught something big. Of course I’m shocked.”

“…You’re saying I might get eaten?”

“Well, that depends on your own ability. I hope you survive.”

The message was clear: You may leave now. But Harriet had a natural talent for teasing Roxana.

“Teacher, I don’t want to be eaten by the Duke, and I don’t want this business to fail either. So I need to learn even more from you.”