Chapter 45
I asked what had happened.
Jennifer approached us.
She looked back and forth between Wang Gangdu and me, her eyes demanding an explanation.
Wang Gangdu was the first to speak, putting on an innocent act.
There was a little friction while I was out for a walk. It wasn't something you should have had to see, but... I failed to notice. My apologies, Lady Jennifer.
......Are you laughing right now?
......
Wang Gangdu wiped the smile from his face. Then, in a restrained motion, he folded his arms.
Judging by the twitch of his cheek muscles, I could tell his insides were probably churning.
'The type who looks calm but explodes when things don't go his way.'
People like that were best avoided whenever possible.
But the milk had already been spilled. And it had been spilled by his will, not mine.
I didn't know what he wanted from me, but I could already foresee a stifling life ahead.
Raebi Na.
Yes, Lady Jennifer.
Jennifer bent down until our eyes were level.
With her back to Wang Gangdu, she began to scold me.
Raebi Na... Na-raebi. How ridiculous.
Pardon?
It was already unforgivable that you summoned the baron of my annex without warning, but now I find you fighting with him, too.
......I'm sorry.
As expected, she wasn't entirely taking my side.
Jennifer then asked what had happened. Since Wang Gangdu was right there, I told her the facts exactly as they were, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
At the words 'You unilaterally blocked access,' I saw Wang Gangdu smile confidently.
Jennifer turned her head for a moment.
Is that true, Baron of Thebes?
It is. ......Lady Jennifer, please don't scold Miss Raebi too harshly. She hasn't been here long, so it seems she made a mistake.
He shamelessly played the part of the good guy, naturally implying that I was at fault.
Seeing the little folds beneath his eyes puff up in an irritatingly charming way, I wanted to punch him right then and there.
But then, unexpectedly, Jennifer said exactly what I wanted to hear.
......Baron of Thebes.
Yes.
What gives you the right to give me orders?
Jennifer's gaze grew even colder.
Wang Gangdu looked as if to say, 'Huh?'
Ah, that was absolutely not an order. How could I ever presume to give you an order, Lady Jennifer...?
So you are saying I heard you incorrectly.
......With all due respect, yes.
‘Huh…?’
A question mark appeared in my mind at Wang Gangdu's answer.
Even someone as inexperienced in noble society as I was knew the correct answer was to apologize unconditionally.
Whether his intent had been distorted or not, if someone of higher rank said that was what had happened, then that was how it was.
There was nothing to gain from stubbornly insisting otherwise and butting heads with them.
But why would he make such provocative remarks?
'......That vein.'
I found the answer on Wang Gangdu's face.
He was sneaking a sidelong glance at me as his eyes gradually reddened. He probably wanted to tell Jennifer something like this.
‘Stop wasting time and just sort this out for me.’
Jennifer asked me,
“Hmm... What do you think, Raebi?”
“Pardon?”
“Baron Wang Gangdu says that, but do you really think you did something deserving of a scolding?”
“Ah...”
I thought for a moment.
‘Whatever.’
Since things had come this far, I might as well see it through. If it didn't work, I'd either pick a fight or flee.
I was already busy enough to drop dead; I had no desire to waste any more energy on some squid-headed fool like him.
I opened my mouth boldly, my eyes blazing.
“No. I haven't done anything wrong.”
“......Even though you interfered with the baron's walk?”
“Yes.”
Jennifer's lips curved faintly.
“Then explain. Why did you block access to the forest?”
“Ah, that was...”
“You'd better answer carefully.”
“......”
I stopped just as I was about to speak.
She was subtly exerting pressure with her eyes.
Her brown eyes gleamed frighteningly, making it feel as though she had 'an answer she wanted.'
Otherwise, there would have been no reason to drag this out.
Wondering whether she wanted some sort of excuse, I thought of the answer most befitting 'Douglas Kim' at that moment.
“Because everything belongs to the family head.”
“Hmm. Continue.”
“Strictly speaking, everything on the island does not belong to the Douglas Kim nobility. The forest is no exception. So if a section has been renovated under the family head's orders, he should be the first one to inspect it.”
As I said this, I sent Wang Gangdu a knowing, faintly mocking smile.
I had deliberately singled out and refuted his claim that the forest was a 'public place.'
I could see the vein on Wang Gangdu's forehead twitch.
On the other hand, perhaps satisfied with my answer, Jennifer straightened and looked at Wang Gangdu.
“So that is what she says. Personally, I think it makes sense... Baron of Thebes, what do you think?”
“The island belongs to the World Nobles' Council. Lord Douglas has merely been ‘granted the land.’ Therefore, I also have the right to investigate this place.”
Wang Gangdu was no longer smiling.
He wore the same icy gaze as Jennifer and did not even look her in the eye.
When Jennifer asked whether he was ignoring the acting family head's orders, he even insisted that they were 'unreasonable orders.'
“You aren't even trying to hide your true intentions anymore. Those who gaze at places beyond their reach easily forget their proper station.”
“Well... It seems you've misunderstood me in several ways. I wouldn't want to offend you further, so, if you'll excuse me, I'll be taking my leave.”
Wang Gangdu turned around without even waiting for an answer.
Seeing this, Jennifer muttered with a sneer,
'I wonder whose feelings he thinks he's offending... His audacity reaches the heavens.'
Jennifer clicked her tongue and turned her head.
'Serves him right.'
Watching her, I opened my mouth in a silly grin. I was so delighted that I didn't even think of hiding my feelings.
“Why do you look so pleased?”
“It feels so good seeing that person get riled up.”
“Is that something you say to a baron? That won't change my attitude toward you.”
“That's all right. Thank you for chasing away that ugly greedy pig.”
“......Show me around first.”
And so I got to enjoy a safe opportunity to make my case.
Jennifer surveyed the fairy village as soon as she entered.
Unlike Han Jihye, she showed no signs of being shaken by the transformed scenery.
Since her eyes did not change in the slightest, I guessed she'd probably obtained a rough briefing beforehand.
The first thing to catch her interest was the divine water.
“......What is this? It isn't ordinary water.”
“It's divine water. Its basic function is removing impurities. It also heals wounds, relieves fatigue, and has nourishing, restorative effects.”
“Nourishing? You mean it provides nutrients?”
“Yes. Though the effect is rather weak on people.”
Experiments showed that any plant grew dozens of times faster the moment it absorbed divine water.
This applied not only to things brought out from inside Gates, but to existing species from Earth as well.
That was why I had either removed the cores from immortal trees or used materials such as pure stone for everything from the waterfalls to the faucets. Anything living would grow if it came into contact with the water.
After listening to me, Jennifer said,
“I don't have much interest in plants... but regardless, this must be extremely valuable. Judging by the look of it, it seems to have detoxifying effects as well.”
“Hehe... Lady Jennifer, this should definitely appeal to the nobles, right?”
She did not answer, merely raising and lowering one eyebrow once.
I wasn't sure whether it was a positive sign, but I was grateful that she hadn't thundered, 'What is this?'
After that, we began making the rounds of the houses in earnest.
From the brunch café and workshop to the lounge and guest house, Jennifer carefully observed and analyzed each one.
Eventually, when we reached the shop building, she paused and turned to look at me.
“......Are you planning to do business? Here?”
“Yes......”
Oh, I should have shown this to Lord Douglas first.
A fairy forest selling rare items. Douglas would have granted permission without a second thought.
But Jennifer...
I didn't know.
I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for her answer.
“Don't be so tense.”
“Pardon?”
“Having an excellent item crafter in the family is certainly something to welcome.”
“Ah...”
Hehe, an excellent crafter.
“However, I see. Even so, I can't simply hand over a place without a second thought. As the Baron of Thebes said, this is indisputably under the jurisdiction of the British royal family.”
If Wang Gangdu seized on facts like these, it could put the Douglas couple in a difficult position as well, apparently.
To prevent unnecessary friction, it seemed essential to donate part of the profits to the World Nobles' Council.
In short, it meant I had to pay a certain amount in taxes.
“......I'll pay 15%.”
“50%. And periodically make works of art and offer them as tribute.”
“No. As you know, creating an item from scratch consumes a considerable amount of mana. When you factor in the material costs, that's excessive.”
I drew a firm line.
No meant no.
Honestly, even 15% had been a high offer from my perspective. At 50%, the costs would outweigh the profits.
In any contract, the opening move was the most important, so I met Jennifer's icy gaze head-on.
“I'll allow up to 40%.”
“How about 20%?”
“Do you want it opened to the public as a tourist route?”
“......25%. And I'll custom-make items for lobbying the World Nobles' Council.”
'Please.'
I prayed.
If it went any higher, I'd be the one getting fleeced.
Since the deal would be unprofitable anyway if it went higher, it might actually be cheaper to go outside and sell to commoners.
I pressed her as though I would give up if she refused.
Jennifer must have agreed to negotiate because she had recognized the value of the products.
Surprisingly, the permit was granted with ease.
“......Fine.”
“Whew—thank you!”
With the tension released, I braced myself against the table.
Perhaps because I was in a better mood, I began showing her around even more enthusiastically afterward.
‘I did well.’
In the past, I would have wondered why I was letting myself get fleeced like this.
But that was the common sense of an ordinary commoner.
After coming here, I had realized something painfully.
I needed protection.
If I opened a shop outside instead of here, it would be difficult to respond if someone of higher rank tried to throw their weight around.
Since it would be an independent business, the family would effectively have no grounds to intervene.
They'd have a family backing them, too.
'More than anything, money...'
That was another factor I couldn't ignore. Commoners did not have much purchasing power.
Unless I sold in huge volume at low margins, the marketability would be very poor for someone like me who crafted each item with care.
It was like opening a luxury boutique, with prices starting in the hundreds, in a hillside shantytown.
Jennifer opened her mouth while examining the display items.
“I'm asking just in case, but this isn't the limit of your quality or your range of production, is it?”
“Of course not. I only made a few items as samples to show you today. And here's a small gift.”
“......A pendant?”
I nodded.
“It bears the family's symbol, a reindeer. If you don't like the design, I can change it.”
“No. I'll accept it for now.”
Jennifer handed the gift box back to her attendant.
Then she left me with a parting 'do your best' and returned to the main house.
‘……Heh.’
“Ms. Jihye, perfect timing!”
Clap!
I high-fived Han Jihye's hand as she quietly held it out.
***
Two days later, I had a meal with Vincent.
He'd accompanied Douglas to England on a bodyguard assignment and had returned with him.
After ordering food, I told him what had happened in the forest.
“......And that's how it turned out. There shouldn't be any problems, right?”
“There probably will be.”
“Huh? Why?”
“You think Wang Gangdu acts like that for no reason? It seems he has some connections in China. They may make a move in the selection of the next family head.”
“Ah...”
......No wonder I'd felt uneasy ever since I heard he was Chinese.
Apparently, connections had also played some role in how he'd become the baron here.
Douglas had apparently accepted all the items Wang Gangdu brought without asking questions.
Honestly, even if he was my grandfather, I felt like giving him a proper scolding someday.
“Phew... Then what should we do?”
“What do you mean, what should we do? We need to put forward a single candidate.”
“We don't have one yet.”
“That's...”
“What are you two doing here?”
Just as Vincent was about to speak, someone interrupted.
A haughty tone and twin braids.
I knew who it was without needing to look closely.
“Sis April...? What brings you here?”
......??
April looked confused. She glanced around, then said with a blank expression,
“What do you mean, what brings me here? This is our annex.”
The food in Athens was delicious.