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Chapter 15
“Mr. Colin…?”
Colin looked at Fleur with an expression that clearly said he had never heard her speak like that before.
“Yes. Mr. Colin, are you aware that I’m planning to hold a party soon?”
He responded with an openly reluctant expression at her use of his name.
“Yes. You sent me an invitation as well.”
“At the party, I plan to showcase a business aimed at the nobility.”
“So you were already thinking of expanding your territory.”
“My dreams are big. While existing meal kits focused on providing convenient meals for citizens, I plan to target the nobility with a dessert business.”
“Desserts?”
Colin’s interest visibly dropped.
“That market is already saturated. There isn’t a single tea party hosted by the ladies that doesn’t serve desserts.”
“I know. But the desserts I’ve prepared are different.”
Fleur blew a short whistle that hung around her neck.
At the beep, he pressed a hand to one ear and furrowed his brows.
There was a knock at the sitting room door, and he allowed entry.
“These desserts were brought directly from the Valen household.”
A maid from the Martin family placed a tray on the table with two desserts.
A brownie dusted with powdered sugar and a neatly layered tiramisu in a clear glass cup.
“They’re not finalized products, just a temporary sample. Would you like to try them?”
Colin slowly moved his hand and tasted the brownie first.
“Hm, just a standard brownie flavor.”
“Really?”
She was more pleased that he found it ordinary.
“Why do you like it if it’s not special enough to attract the nobility?”
“This brownie contains not a single grain of flour.”
“…What?”
“It’s made from frozen bananas.”
He examined the brownie he had just eaten. The dense texture made it hard to believe it wasn’t flour-based.
“The bananas are mashed and mixed with cocoa powder, then frozen. So if it tastes like an ordinary brownie, that means it’s a success.”
Colin, now with a different expression, took a bite of the tiramisu.
The coffee aroma and cream cheese blended beautifully. Plus, being in a transparent cup meant less mess while holding it.
“Does this taste exactly like store-bought tiramisu, but with different ingredients?”
“Yes. I used tofu made from beans to replace the layers.”
“Hah… it tastes exactly the same, impossible to tell the difference.”
Satisfied with the answer, Fleur smiled broadly with relief.
“Women who host and attend dessert parties always wear tightly fitted dresses.”
“All dresses are made that way.”
“Right. But since they’re too tight, every year more women faint from lack of breath.”
Colin put down his spoon and focused on her words.
“My dessert business aims to reduce that burden. With ‘low-sugar desserts.’”
Before entering the game, one of the K-dessert trends had been “low-sugar.” Healthy, low-calorie, yet just as tasty as regular desserts—who could resist?
His eyes lit up again as he listened.
“You plan to showcase these desserts at the party?”
“Yes.”
“You’re proposing a partnership for this business?”
“Yes.”
“Even after finishing the concept and testing, you’re proposing a partnership to me. So I take it you’re short on funds?”
He was as perceptive about money as expected. Fleur nodded without hiding anything.
“It’s impossible for me to produce bananas on my own farm. Being tropical fruits, importing them is limited.”
“The same goes for cocoa powder, I presume.”
“Yes. I’m also looking for a sugar substitute, but I haven’t finalized it yet. On top of that, preparing for the party is exhausting.”
“In that case, investment might be more suitable than a partnership.”
“Financially, an investment would make the process easier. Plus, if I got money from you, other nobles would trust me more. But I don’t want anyone more important than my customers in my business.”
“……”
“I don’t want to blindly follow your instructions; I want to share opinions and grow the business together.”
Fleur also pulled out the documents she had brought in advance and placed them atop the papers Colin had given her.
“I’m giving you the opportunity to become my business partner.”
He alternated between looking at her face and the documents, then raised one corner of his mouth and smiled.
“Miss Valen, you’re hard to read.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Remember, profit is always 50:50.”
Colin quickly scanned the documents. Fleur waited patiently without pressing.
As the paper rustled in the sitting room, Colin finally set them down quietly after reviewing the last page.
“When’s the party?”
“About six weeks from now.”
“How much have you prepared?”
“We’ll add one more menu item here. The venue is ready, just minor decorations left.”
“Hm, sourcing the ingredients must be urgent.”
Colin reached out his hand.
“Let’s prepare well until then, Miss Valen.”
It was his way of accepting the partnership. Fleur, as if she had been waiting for this moment, grasped his hand.
“Let’s work well together, Mr. Colin.”
Even after the brief handshake, his affection remained at 0%.
As expected, a man who loved money above all. Though difficult to romance in gameplay, for Fleur, who didn’t want to live as a heroine, he was the ideal partner.
Making money with the empire’s top businessman? She could clear debts and earn a fortune to take with her when she returned to reality.
Already feeling like she was sitting on a pile of money, she couldn’t hide her smile.
A few days later.
“Sigh…”
Fleur let out a long sigh from deep in her chest and slammed her head onto her desk in the office.
“Miss, are you alright…?”
Jenny, entering the office, rushed over and placed a soft cushion under her forehead.
“Thanks… if only Colin were more like you…”
“It seems the two of you still aren’t in agreement.”
“Colin treats everything I say like an ant passing by…”
She lifted her head weakly, resting her chin on the cushion. Even though her skin had always been clear and fresh despite the rain and lack of sleep, it now looked dry and tired.
The Fleur who had been happy about the partnership with Colin had long vanished.
“He rejects everything I suggest! And ignores anything I propose!”
“Miss, p-please calm down…”
“Yet he insists everything he says is right! I’ve told him ‘we are partners’ countless times, so why does he keep acting like an investor?!”
Her anger would not subside unless she shouted. She stood up from her desk and swung her fist into the air.
“I’m the one hosting the party and only a partner for the business! Why should he tell me where to hold it?! Do you know how much money I’ve put into this farm?!”
“Ah, Miss…!”
Jenny, flustered, alternated glances between Fleur and the door, then hurriedly approached.
“If you keep interfering like this, you might as well build me a new mansion yourself… ugh!”
Jenny cautiously muffled Fleur’s mouth with the cushion as she vented her rage.
“Miss, Mr. Colin is outside…!”
Only then did Fleur realize the situation. Her eyes went wide, unable to blink.
There was a knock, followed by Dylan’s voice.
“Miss Fleur, Mr. Colin has arrived.”
His modest voice reached her clearly. So all her shouting must have echoed outside the old door.
As Fleur’s jaw dropped in realization, the cushion slipped limply.
“J-J-Jenny… tell him I’m not here…”
“Anyone would know you’re here.”
“Then tell him I’m… sick.”
“Your voice is far too loud for that…”
With no place to run, Fleur closed and reopened her eyes.
“…Come in.”
As she gave permission, the door opened. Colin entered with a gentle smile, acting as if he hadn’t heard anything.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Valen.”
Important: Colin’s affection decreased without a quest.
Current affection: 0% → -7%
