Episode 28: I Said I’ll Pay It Back! (3)
“Processing always raises the price, you know.”
Tempted by the idea of doubling the value of tea and tobacco, Aurelio began to waver.
“I thought you said you weren’t really going to process them,” he said.
Belaxina shrugged.
“I’m keeping the possibility open. Who knows? Maybe it’ll triple. Or even quadruple.”
“Triple… quadruple profits…”
Aurelio fell silent, clearly doing some mental math.
‘This negotiation keeps twisting in unexpected ways.’
They had started off simply discussing selling leftover grain at a fair price. But from the beginning, the conversation had veered into how to bypass customs regulations. And now, it had evolved into a proposal for a new business venture—processing monster by-products into tea and tobacco for Mantova’s profit.
Naturally, Aurelio grew suspicious.
“What’s Yeshken getting out of this?”
Belaxina had focused exclusively on Mantova’s profits so far. From the way she spoke, it almost sounded like Yeshken was about to become a colony of Mantova.
“You said we’d trade monster by-products from Yeshken for Mantova’s tea and tobacco. So, you’d take our monster goods, and use all the tea and tobacco in your own factory. What’s left for Yeshken’s people to live on?”
“Grain, obviously.”
“That’s easy to say, but—”
Belaxina’s red lips curled into a sly crescent.
“We’ll provide grain regularly and permanently. For free.”
“What?!”
“The moment the factory buys tea and tobacco from Yeshken, that’s when we start the exchange. Just make sure the amount is generous based on previous transactions.”
Aurelio’s voice cracked in disbelief at the words “free trade,” but Belaxina pushed on unfazed.
“And the factory construction and operations—the materials, worker salaries, transport costs—all of it should be covered by Mantova. Yeshken will only provide the land.”
“You’re really going for the full package, huh? Trying to profit without lifting a finger?”
“So? You’re not doing it?”
Aurelio didn’t reply immediately. He just groaned, calculating.
Belaxina, knowing what that sound meant, gave him time.
‘It’s annoying… but the profit’s too big to ignore.’
He hated accepting Belaxina’s terms. Having Mantova shoulder all the initial costs stung. But his gut told him this was a gold mine.
“…I’ll do it.”
After a long sigh, Aurelio gave in to his instincts.
“Send this year’s grain as a down payment. Bring your seal ring when you pick it up.”
“Will do.”
With a resigned nod, Aurelio accepted. The partnership had already been agreed upon; minor losses couldn’t hold it back now.
Seeing her moment, Belaxina struck again.
“Shall we set company shares at seventy-thirty? Mantova gets seventy.”
“You thief! We’re paying for everything, and you want thirty percent?! Make it ninety-ten!”
“Sure. Ninety-ten.”
Belaxina agreed too easily.
Aurelio realized, a beat too late, that he’d been trapped.
“…So I didn’t even have to offer that, huh.”
“Too late now.”
His grumbling almost sounded like swearing—but who cared? Belaxina was too pleased to mind.
She hung up with a satisfied click.
****
“I’m amazing, aren’t I?”
She raised her glass in triumph, her face full of smug pride.
On any other day, Avalkin would’ve grumbled something like, Did you have to brag? But today, even he had to refill her glass.
“Yes, you are.”
She’d reversed a done deal and secured free winter grain—without spending a single coin.
‘Actually, not just this winter…’
Regularly. Permanently. For free.
As long as this partnership held, Yeshken would never suffer food shortages again.
“You’re grateful, right?”
“I am. You saved the people of Yeshken.”
Belaxina laughed proudly and lifted her chin.
“Then, about that reward you promised?”
She extended a hand to Avalkin.
“…”
“…Why aren’t you giving it to me?”
“Did you forget what your reward was?”
Her red eyes blinked twice, like a confused rabbit.
Then she remembered.
If you can get the grain we need without extra spending, the leftover profits are all yours.
“Ah—!”
But the deal used bartering: monster goods for tea and tobacco.
No gold involved.
Even the factory would buy products in grain, not coin.
And the deposit? Also grain.
So the leftover profit… was zero gold.
Thud!
“How can this be so unrewarding…”
She groaned, slamming her forehead against the table.
Thanks. Thanks.
Over and over.
Avalkin gently slid his palm between her head and the table.
“You saved so many lives. Isn’t that reward enough?”
“Sure. I feel good. But that’s all I get.”
Belaxina sighed deeply.
‘Still, I should look on the bright side. It’s a long-term revenue stream.’
This wasn’t a one-time deal. With time, the business would generate profit—and eventually, some would reach her.
Wait… if I run away, I won’t get paid?
“Ahem.”
Avalkin cleared his throat.
She turned to find him holding a small leather pouch.
“What’s that?”
“It’s not much—a condolence or pocket money, maybe.”
“…Gold?!”
She snatched it and weighed it.
Heavy.
Good sign.
“Thanks. Even though you’re broke.”
“You didn’t need the second half of that.”
“Thanks. Period.”
Her eyes glimmered with real gratitude.
This wasn’t part of their deal. This was Avalkin’s own gesture of kindness.
“Oh my! This is a lot!”
She poured the gold onto the table, smiling wide as she counted. The scene was so brazen and greedy that Avalkin couldn’t help but chuckle.
“112 gold.”
“Given your reputation for extravagance, it must seem like pocket change.”
“Little drops make a mighty river.”
In truth, 112 gold was nothing to scoff at. A soldier earned around 120 gold per month.
Still, to Belaxina, it was just a start.
As she carefully tied up the pouch again, Avalkin mused aloud.
“You’re quite the money-lover for a noblewoman.”
“Of course I am. Without money, the future is bleak. I’ll make mine blindingly bright.”
“Spoken like someone who understands the world.”
He nodded.
Avalkin knew too well how miserable life could be without money. Few nobles had known the taste of watery soup eaten cold and alone.
“So what do you plan to do with all the wealth you’ll gather?”
“Huh? Oh, you know… eat delicious food, wear pretty clothes…”
She trailed off, suddenly uneasy.
Because her real plan was rebellion.
Not something to boast about if she wanted to live.
Eat and dress well… really?
Avalkin, unaware of her true intentions, looked thoughtful.
Now that I think about it, she hasn’t been eating well. And she’s been repairing old dresses. Of course she’s frustrated.
The realization tugged at his conscience.
She might not be royalty anymore, but she’d saved his people. She deserved better.
I’ll take her out for a proper meal.
He didn’t have much money on hand, but he had plenty of options as the border duke.
“There’s a night market in Ostrava Square tonight.”
“Huh? Where?”
“The plaza in front of the church. Didn’t you see it on the way in?”
The square had been flooded with people when Belaxina arrived—the same square they’d passed through during the chaotic procession.
“Ah. Yes, I saw it.”
“It’s not fancy, but you’ll find the best food and items in the region.”
What’s with the tourist brochure tone?
Belaxina nodded along awkwardly.
“Sure. Sounds nice.”
“Then get ready.”
“What?”
“Didn’t you say you wanted good food and pretty clothes?”
Sure, she had said that, but—
Wait… you want me to pay?!
She hugged her pouch of gold and shouted:
“No way!”
“What’s not okay?”
“You want me to treat you just because I earned money!”
“…”
“I’m saving it!”
Avalkin stared at her, half dumbfounded, half amused.
How on earth did she twist things that way?
“Do I look…”
He massaged his temple, exasperated.
“…like the kind of man who makes a woman pay on a date?”