Danae not only managed her own business but also greatly aided Tanisha.
Tanisha, who began working for the duke’s household right after her debutante, had little interest in high society and struggled with noblewomen.
Danae stepped in, offering advice with the finesse of a former empress’s lady-in-waiting.
Watching Danae meticulously inspect goods, Tanisha wondered what it’d be like to have her as a mother.
She might’ve been a skilled merchant, not someone’s subordinate.
Tanisha’s parents neglected her education, leaving her to learn alone.
It’d be a lie to say she wasn’t lonely.
Feeling self-pity, she thought of Rebecca. With such a mother, Rebecca must have remarkable talent.
Yet, trapped as a countess, Tanisha found herself rooting for Rebecca’s safe divorce.
“Boss! Someone from the Devonshire estate is here!”
An employee rushed into the warehouse.
At “Devonshire,” Danae and Tanisha exchanged glances.
“I’ll be right there. Prepare refreshments and escort the lady out the back.”
Tanisha dusted off her skirt and reread Rebecca’s letter, smiling at the postscript.
P.S. Tanisha, use any means to make as much as you can.
What a sweet directive.
Her steps quickened with purpose.
Time to make money.
* * *
“This is a generous offer.”
Baron Pablo, a Devonshire vassal, slid a card with a figure across to Tanisha with an arrogant air.
This’ll be easier than I thought.
Smirking at Tanisha’s youthful cheeks, he assumed she was naive.
The wine business, alongside art trade, was a cornerstone of the Devonshire estate.
Overseeing it promised wealth and prestige.
Despite his baronial rank, Pablo had climbed over higher nobles to manage it, never neglecting his duties.
Yet, overnight, the estate’s Rose Grapes withered.
They found the cause, but the solution was tricky.
Somehow, Tamara ladybugs were scarce, all bought by Tanisha’s shop.
He initially suspected sabotage, but this rundown shop in the market’s heart wouldn’t dare challenge the Devonshires.
And the owner was a young girl, younger than his daughter, softening his guard.
She must’ve lucked into the ladybugs.
Grinning slyly, Pablo awaited her eager acceptance.
“Hmm…”
Tanisha feigned thought, eyeing the card, then added a zero and slid it back.
“This seems more fitting.”
Pablo blinked in disbelief.
“Look, miss, you lack financial sense. No one pays this for bugs.”
“Oh?”
Without hesitation, she added another zero.
“How’s this price, sir? Weren’t you in a rush?”
“You…”
The amount was five times Zeppelin’s budget.
Pablo slammed his cane on the floor.
“‘Sir’? And this outrageous price? I represent the Devonshire estate. Show respect!”
“You called me ‘miss’ first, so I thought we were keeping it casual. And I heard you’re in trouble—Rose Grape supply issues, right? Summer festival and the crown prince’s birthday are coming. With me holding the only solution, raising the price is just business, isn’t it?”
She circled dates on a calendar, shoving it in his face.
“And your boss is Zeppelin Devonshire. Fail to fix this today, and you might be dead.”
She mimed slitting her throat.
Pablo’s hand trembled on his cane.
“You dare act so brazen, knowing the count’s temper? This crumbling shop could vanish overnight!”
“Try it. Let’s bet who falls first—me or you.”
Tanisha’s face showed no regret.
She wasn’t the cute girl anymore but a seasoned devil with a wicked smile.
Sweat trickled down Pablo’s back.
She wasn’t negotiating—she was out to fleece him.
With no alternatives, he had no choice.
Getting more budget from Zeppelin meant admitting he paid a fortune for bugs, proving his incompetence.
Zeppelin didn’t tolerate failure.
It meant covering the rest with his own money.
“Fix it! You know what’ll happen to your family if you’re late!”
Zeppelin’s furious words at the blackened vineyard echoed.
Pablo knew his threats weren’t empty.
No choice…
He had to put out the fire now.
Vowing future revenge, he spoke sharply.
“Fine. Deal.”
“Knew you’d see it my way. Sign here—contract’s ready.”
Tanisha handed over the paper, her tone sweeter with the prospect of profit.
Reading it, Pablo’s head snapped up.
“Lump sum? Upfront in cash? Are you insane?”
“Don’t like it? Walk away. I hear you’re notorious for late payments. Your delays ruined over ten businesses I know of—why trust you?”
“Even so, this amount’s impossible today.”
“The Devonshire estate can’t afford it? Disappointing. Let’s call it off.”
Tanisha moved to snatch the contract.
Pablo slapped his heavy hand on it.
This wretched girl. I’ll ruin her.
Gritting his teeth, he signed roughly.
* * *
Supply secured.
Croia flashed a small note to Yulian.
He smiled, unsurprised.
“Sorry for the wait. Family matters…”
The Pope of the Defria Church, wiping sweat with a handkerchief, sank into a massive white sofa, which sagged under his weight.
“No trouble. I was admiring your new statues.”
Waiting was no issue.
Yulian was enjoying the Pope’s discomfort.
The “family matter” was Yulian’s doing—Pope Desrachino’s fifth wife was likely sailing with Barinika by now.
Noticing Yulian’s unusually relaxed demeanor, Desrachino narrowed his eyes.
What’s he plotting?
Meow.
“Oh! Lord Leo!”
Leo interrupted them. Yulian was required to bring him to the temple monthly.
“Excuse me a moment.”
A priest brought a staff topped with a large crystal, faintly glowing.
The Pope took it, gently touching the crystal to Leo’s head.
Blinding light poured from the contact point.
Yulian felt as if the ground dropped away—a familiar sensation when vast divine energy was consumed.
Dizzy, he pressed his forehead.
The priests, ignoring him, fussed over Leo’s safety. Desrachino did the same.
“How does he grow lovelier each time?”
Desrachino reached to stroke Leo’s glossy fur.
Leo’s yellow eyes flared, baring his teeth, and the Pope flinched back.
“My apologies.”
Legend said every Pope had petted Leo, but Desrachino wondered when his turn would come.
Disappointed, he watched Leo strut to Yulian, licking his hand as Yulian rested his dizzy eyes.
Yulian chuckled, opening his eyes.
“Leo, that tickles.”
Desrachino squinted.
What does the divine messenger see in this insolent boy?
As the dizziness faded, Yulian’s gaze fell on the glowing staff.
The crystal now shone blindingly.
“Ugh. All this monthly nonsense just to make that toy glow? You know it shaves years off my life, right?”
Unfazed, Desrachino replied calmly.
“How dare you call a sacred relic a toy? The Staff of Light guides the unfortunate, like Lord Leo.”
Yulian’s brow furrowed sharply.
