Chapter 2
The black car glided smoothly along the road.
Raymond, seated in the back, was on his way home after politely declining the persistent invitations to dinner from the count and his wife. He had been reading documents placed on his lap, and after reaching the section detailing the causes of the successive bankruptcies of investment banks in the New Continent, he closed the papers.
When one falls, another rises.
There was no need to concern himself with the fallen beast. What mattered was deciding how much to invest in the victor who would devour the carcass and stand tall. That was all Raymond had to determine. Up until now, he had succeeded in expanding his family’s fortune by selecting only the most ruthless investment opportunities.
A land overflowing with gold. The nation of Aren in the New Continent, built on abundant natural resources and labor, had begun to outpace the capital of the Old Continent—no longer could its story be dismissed as mere tales from across the sea. As their cheaply imported grains and cotton fabrics flooded the market, the farmers of Rosnear abandoned their lands for the cities. Among the nobles who had risen on the strength of their estates’ productivity, those unprepared for this new wave began to tread the path of decline, one by one.
It wasn’t just goods that crossed the ocean. Beautiful heiresses, inheriting vast fortunes from their wealthy fathers, also traversed the vast seas to become wives of the nobility.
In an era when vulgar marriages trading status for money ran rampant, Raymond had endured that turbulent period and risen to become a duke.
The radiant glory of the past. A long history and tradition that would awe anyone. At the center of the old guard who revered such things stood the Duke of Belsmeyer, his footing unshakably firm. The nobles unanimously agreed that this was thanks to the young duke’s tireless efforts to restore the family’s honor, which had fallen under his predecessor. They politely overlooked the few stains on his background.
A moment later, the car Raymond was in turned onto a wide avenue, and on the right side, a grand building came into view. It was the Everhart Department Store, distinguished by its striking blue awning.
A vivid blue eye color, as clear as that awning, flashed through his mind. The pure eyes of the woman no longer called the duke’s daughter.
Alexa Winterborn.
Raymond silently rolled the name on the tip of his tongue. When he had glimpsed it in passing in the newspapers, it hadn’t stirred any particular thoughts. But for the first time, a strange feeling arose—that her new surname didn’t quite suit her.
The young lady of Count Dobins had been someone who merely pretended to meet suitors to quiet her relatives’ nagging about marriage. He hadn’t realized from the start that the place she had been drawn to was Everhart. So, reuniting with Alexa at the department store had been a coincidence.
When he finally recognized the woman introducing herself as the manager with a smile, Raymond understood. This was the new nest where the girl who had left the mansion with her mother had settled.
She still carried an atmosphere as transparent and light as a spring breeze. As if she had erased from memory the days of scornful glares, her upright yet kind nature shone through in her strong voice.
Much about the girl had changed.
Her distinctive blue eyes had deepened a bit more, and she seemed taller. Her clean, fair skin remained the same, but her feminine curves were now distinctly pronounced. The lips that once couldn’t hide their grievance at even minor sarcasm now maintained a steady smile even before arrogant nobles.
[I won’t fight with you.]
[Have we ever properly clashed?]
[Setting traps like that won’t work anyway. After all, we’re family. We should maintain a good relationship.]
[Family?]
The girl who had longed for the harmonious atmosphere of her hometown had worked tirelessly to change the cold air of the duke’s mansion. She treated even the servants who disapproved of her and subtly tormented her with kindness. But after realizing that no one, including Raymond, welcomed the changes she tried to bring, she quieted down and held her breath.
Was the precarious Alexa Belsmeyer no more?
The girl who loved reading books alone on the hill overlooking the duke’s mansion. The one who understood her place so well that it only bred more resentment. Thinking that she was now merely a remnant of the past stirred a subtle emotion he couldn’t quite name.
“Shall I stop?”
The driver, sensing his master’s gaze, asked cautiously. His tone suggested he was inquiring if there was business at the Everhart Department Store. Raymond withdrew his gaze and replied.
“It’s fine. Keep going.”
The car turned smoothly at the intersection. The department store was no longer in sight.
Raymond opened the documents again. As the department store vanished, her presence slowly sank into the printed words, fading away.
* * *
The Everhart Department Store was preparing for the new season.
To forget the disconcertion from her reunion with Raymond, Alexa threw herself into the mountain of work at the store. She finalized the showroom window designs for the new merchandise with the interior designer and busied herself with preparations for the special vacation section, until it was time to wrap up the day.
Riding home in the car sent by her family, Alexa exchanged evening greetings with the maid and butler who came out to meet her, then headed up to her room. Before the family dinner, she washed away the dust accumulated from the department store. As she dried her hair with her personal maid and chatted idly, then changed clothes, it was soon time for her adoptive father to arrive.
Alexa made her way to the dining room without delay. Dominic Winterborn, who had arrived first, welcomed her.
Harrison Winterborn’s only biological child, Dominic, was a handsome young man with light ash-brown hair reminiscent of a wheat field. Upon seeing Alexa, he set aside the newspaper he was reading, his lips curving into a soft smile.
“You’re home early for once?”
“I never thought I’d hear that from you, Dominic Winterborn. After all, overtime and late nights are the Winterborn family’s specialty.”
Dominic and Alexa had become siblings through their parents’ remarriage. Even though Alexa’s mother, Isabella, had passed away a few years ago from a prevalent flu, the Winterborn father and son treated Alexa as family, just as before.
“And you’re a Winterborn too.”
As Alexa shrugged, the confident footsteps of someone approached. Dominic and Alexa exchanged knowing glances, already guessing the protagonist heading toward the dining room. Moments later, as expected, Harrison Winterborn appeared.
“Seeing my children waiting for me in the dining room always puts me in a good mood.”
With his broad shoulders squared confidently, Harrison was a middle-aged man who gave the impression of a retired athlete rather than a businessman. As a magnate with immense capital and influence, he owned the Elford Steel Company and the Everhart Department Store.
“I’ve had enough formality at the dinners with the councilors.”
Harrison waved off his children as they started to rise, then took his seat at the head of the table. He commanded the butler waiting at the entrance.
“Bring out the food.”
“Yes, sir.”
With those words, the dishes meticulously prepared by the chef were laid out on the table.
The first topic of the evening meal was Harrison’s steel company. At twenty-nine, Dominic was currently learning the ropes at the company to inherit his father’s business.
Harrison constantly tested whether his son had the ability to lead the company, often firing sharp questions about current issues during meals. Today was no different; Dominic fielded difficult questions repeatedly until his father deemed it sufficient.
“With the trade dispute between Holstein and Glessa showing signs of escalating into physical conflict, it’s wise to prepare. I trust you’ll handle it appropriately.”
As the barrage of questions ended and Harrison showed signs of wrapping up the conversation, Dominic, looking relieved to finally catch his breath, lifted his glass to quench his thirst.
“Alexa, how’s the preparation for the summer season going?”
Alexa, who had been quietly listening to the father-son exchange while focusing on her food, flinched and set down her fork and knife.
“Yes, of course.”
It was her turn now. In contrast, Dominic picked up his fork and knife with a mischievous smile. Alexa straightened her shoulders, bracing for the onslaught of questions.
“I finalized the showroom window design with Mr. Gladney. He said this one might be his masterpiece and asked me to tell you to look forward to it.”
“Oscar Gladney always boasts that this season’s window design will be his greatest masterpiece. What I’m curious about is your opinion.”
Even the company’s seasoned executives squirmed to avoid Harrison’s interrogations. But Alexa, unfazed by the piercing gaze from his deep-set eyes that seemed to emit beams of light, continued speaking.
“I think it’s more innovative than the last one. He seems to have drawn inspiration from his recent trip to Aren.”
Harrison subtly lifted the corner of his mouth, appreciating her confidence, before composing his expression. Returning to his stern managerial demeanor, he emptied his glass.
“How’s the preparation for the vacation wear special sale? Last year was quite successful, so surpassing that revenue might be tough, right?”
“I’m confident we can.”
“Tell me why.”
“This time, we’ve prepared a wide variety of beachwear not just for adults but for children too. The kids’ sandals and swimsuits are so adorable that quite a few staff members have already bought some in advance for their own children, worried about sellouts. I think the striped swimsuits for girls will be the most popular.”
“Has any other department store introduced these products first?”
“We’re the first.”
Dominic, who had been catching up on his food, at some point set down his fork to watch the dialogue between Alexa and Harrison. He nodded along to her words in support. After a few more questions, Harrison, looking satisfied, asked the butler to bring dessert. It signaled the end of the questioning.
Dessert should be enjoyable and relaxed.
Alexa lowered her hands beneath the table and waited. As she settled in comfortably, soon enough, cream custards topped with sugar-glazed cherries were placed before each of them. Harrison took a large spoonful of his favorite dessert and commented contentedly.
“You’re both doing your part. It’s quite harmonious.”
It was praise for his children, disguised as an evaluation of the dessert. Dominic and Alexa exchanged glances, just as they had when Harrison first entered the dining room, and smiled.
The evening meal, no different from usual, concluded peacefully. After finishing his coffee, Dominic excused himself to review some documents and headed up to his room first. Once his son was gone, Harrison stared quietly at the cleared table before suddenly addressing Alexa.
“Would you join me in the study for a moment? I have something to say. Just the two of us.”
Alexa, who had been inhaling the lingering aroma of coffee in the dining room, nodded with a slightly tense expression.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ✧: *. ꕥ .* :✧ﾟ. ───
