Chapter 43
Several days before Lana Collet established a trading company in Sazandoll, a man visited the company's office.
The man's name was Clifford Anderson.
Four years older than Lana, he was the son of one of her father's business associates. Through that connection, they had played together since childhood—in other words, they were childhood friends.
"Long time no see, Lana."
Clifford's words were flat, utterly devoid of any hint of nostalgia at seeing her again after several years.
Even so, Lana was used to that tone from her childhood friend, so she did not comment on it.
If anything, there was a mountain of other things she wanted to point out.
1. His long, tangled black hair made her want to ask how many days had passed since he last combed it.
2. His old-fashioned shirt with a pleated collar made her want to ask where he had bought it.
3. His unkempt beard, which had nothing to do with fashion and had simply been left to grow.
4. His bottle-bottom glasses, the very pinnacle of tackiness, which had taken first place in Lana's internal Ugly Glasses Championship by knocking Barney Jones from the top spot.
And then...
"Let's get married."
5. His completely outlandish statement.
Swallowing down her overwhelming urge to yell, Lana opened her mouth with the composed expression of a mature adult.
"...I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean, Mister?"
With that, Lana gave him a gracious smile full of composure. It was a perfect display of adult decorum.
Clifford then fixed Lana with his gray eyes from behind his glasses and said,
"I chose the most conventional and straightforward marriage proposal, yet you don't understand? You're still an idiot, Lana."
"Huh—ah—what!?"
A blue vein throbbing at her temple, Lana threw away her adult composure and slammed her palm down on the table in front of her.
"Why do I have to marry Cliff!? And your hair, clothes, beard, and glasses! Can't you do something about all of that!?"
After Lana finally pointed out everything that had been bothering her, Clifford answered flatly without so much as twitching an eyebrow.
"I'll answer only the question of why we have to get married. 'Because we made a promise.'—That's all."
Lana was seized by the urge to tear her hair out.
It was true that when they were children, Clifford had told her, "Let's get married when we grow up." But that had been nothing more than childish play.
She wanted to yell. She wanted to yell terribly, but she was now the head of a trading company. Lashing out at everyone around her in a fit of emotion was utterly out of the question.
Lana desperately calmed herself, then swept back her hair with a prim, composed expression.
"Please go home. I'm busy preparing the trading company."
"Here."
Clifford took a letter from inside his coat and held it out to Lana.
Lana eyed the letter suspiciously, then her eyes widened when she saw the writing on the envelope. The sender was none other than her father.
'Dear Lana,
How are you? I hope you haven't caught a cold. Are you working hard on preparing the trading company?
Sazandoll has some dangerous areas, so Daddy is worried sick and can't sleep at night.
When I mentioned it at a gathering of trading-company owners, guess what! Clifford from the Anderson family, who recently returned from studying abroad, offered to serve as your secretary!
I hear Clifford studied economics at a university in Alpatra. I'm sure he'll be a great help to you.
More than anything, I thought having your close childhood friend Clifford by your side would make you feel reassured.
Good luck establishing your trading company. Mom and Dad are cheering you on.
With all our love to our daughter.
From Dad.'
As Lana stood frozen, clutching the letter, Clifford announced in a monotone, as though he were reading from a script,
"So, starting today, I'm your secretary. And while we're at it, let's get married."
"Don't propose marriage as an afterthought! Aaargh, honestly... Father, why did you send Cliff...?"
Lana slumped back against her chair, gazed up at the ceiling, and sighed.
Lana had absolutely no intention of marrying this oddly dressed childhood friend... but the matter of him becoming her secretary was different. She could not reject her father's kindness.
More importantly, the Anderson family, Clifford's family, was one of the biggest merchant houses in Lana's hometown, on par with the Collet family. The Collets owed them a great deal as well.
"...All right. Since this is my father's recommendation, I'll accept you as my secretary... but I refuse to marry you."
"That's a breach of contract."
"It was just a promise between children... M-more importantly—"
Lana suppressed her exasperated expression, fixed Clifford with a sharp look, and pointed at him emphatically.
"If you're going to be my secretary, first do something about that utterly unkempt appearance! Comb your hair! Shave your beard! Your glasses... well, those can wait. For now, let's at least do something about those clothes. What is that pleated-collar outfit? Where did you even find it...?"
"An antique shop."
Clifford's answer made Lana dizzy, and she staggered.
She had thought the outfit was old-fashioned, but she never imagined it was an actual antique!
"...We'll go to a clothing store later and buy you something a little more presentable."
"Then you pick it out, Lana."
Exasperated by her brazen childhood friend, Lana gave up on yelling and let out a deep sigh.
──This happened six months ago, shortly before the 〈Silent Witch〉 Monica Everett took up residence in Sazandoll.