FGFM 28

Chapter 28

Fleur was certain that Minos was the Emperor’s shadow.

Her heart sank at the thought, but she bit the inside of her cheek to hide her reaction.

“Surely, if he tastes Sir Valen’s desserts, he’ll make the same offer to me.”

Being a supplier to the royal palace was proof of being the best in the empire. That was why business owners ultimately aimed for the palace. Colin was no exception and had often spoken to her about the palace.

But she didn’t even want to glance in that direction, so she shook her head firmly.

“Thank you for the opportunity, but I can’t do that.”

He blinked, seemingly surprised that she rejected him outright.

“I have a contract to see my business with Mr. Colin through to the end. Who would want to work with me if I betrayed him before we even properly started?”

“Trust and credibility among nobles exist only for mutual benefit. If Colin Martin received the same offer, he’d probably break his promise with Sir Valen.”

Even in her own judgment, Colin was the type of person who could do that.

“Well… that may be true. But right now, I trust Vivant less. We’re meeting for the first time today, after all.”

By that, she meant she couldn’t trust someone she’d never met.

At her words, Minos adjusted his glasses and partially covered his face with his large hand, obscuring his expression.

“Ha… haha. That’s true. It’s our first meeting, so… I was presumptuous. The dessert was just so delicious… I’m sorry.”

Only after finishing speaking did he lower his hand to reveal his face. Like a frightened white fox, he avoided eye contact and slightly hunched his body.

Yet even that expression felt meticulously calculated.

“Did I upset you…? You must be displeased… I don’t know how to apologize…”

“I’m fine, so you don’t need to worry so much.”

“This was clearly my fault…”

“No, even if it had been Colin offering the same royal palace deal, I would have refused.”

“…Why?”

“Making a lot of money is welcome, but I have no intention of getting involved with the palace.”

Minos tilted his head in curiosity.

“Why not? Supplying to the palace is the most lucrative way to earn money.”

“That would mean only His Majesty would enjoy my desserts. I want many people to experience them.”

Being a palace supplier meant you couldn’t freely sell to the public or even the nobles.

If you tried to divert products and were caught, the palace’s honor would be damaged, resulting in severe punishment.

“The Emperor eventually removes suppliers from the palace list anyway.”

“When removed, others assume the taste has changed and the products are discarded. Most businesses enjoy brief popularity and then vanish.”

Fleur shook her head firmly.

“Did you know that recently, three shops were removed from the supplier list in less than a year?”

“…I heard that too.”

“One of them was a dessert shop I really liked. I hadn’t had many chances to taste it through palace deliveries, and now that it’s off the list, it’s completely closed. It was heartbreaking…”

She pouted, genuinely upset at losing something delicious.

Watching her, Minos whispered:

“Was it the place that made the peach jam pies?”

“You know it?”

“I liked that pie too. Hearing it’s gone was so sad…”

Of course he would know—he was the Emperor’s shadow.

“I’ve heard His Majesty often goes out more than staying in the palace. So he includes shops with good products but few customers in the list to help them.”

“Hmm… I see.”

He was sugarcoating it nicely, but Fleur knew the real Emperor would probably remove shops on a whim. Still, she could not say that to Minos, so she forced a polite, hollow smile.

“No matter what, I have no desire to supply the palace. My dream is for everyone in the empire to taste my desserts.”

Even if everyone bought just one, imagine the earnings.

“So you won’t only cater to the nobles?”

“This product is aimed at nobles, but of course, I will prepare for the citizens as well. It’s actually a stepping stone for future dessert development.”

“Citizens might find even one of these desserts expensive…”

“That’s why I plan to develop simple snacks that fill the stomach and satisfy hunger.”

“That won’t make you much profit…”

“I don’t want to become rich by taking money from citizens. I want to earn from nobles and be as helpful to them as possible.”

After entering the game, she was a noble lady, but in reality, just an ordinary citizen.

Minos’s violet eyes, ripe like grapes, curved beautifully as he listened.

Congratulations.
Affection increased without a quest.
Current affection: 5% → 9%

Even without knowing his name, her affection increased.

She would have been happy not knowing who he was, but suspicion that he was close to the palace made the number meaningless. If only she hadn’t worn perfume!

Still, his smile—like when he saved her earlier—made her heart flutter. Fleur quickly averted her gaze.

“I think this is the first noble who actually considers the common people.”

“There are nobles like me too. That’s why I can’t accept your offer, Vivant.”

“Sorry for bringing it up so suddenly…”

“No, I’m glad you did because you enjoyed my desserts. Don’t worry about it too much.”

She deliberately exaggerated and turned her head to check the clock in the parlor.

“Ah, I need to meet Colin soon to prepare for the party.”

It was basically a polite hint to leave.

“Oh, I’ve been inconsiderate. I should step aside… ugh!”

As he stood hurriedly, Minos hit his knee against the nearby table with a thud.

The sound was loud, and he seemed to be in pain, rubbing the spot and unable to speak.

“Are you okay?”

“Ugh… I’m fine. This happens often. Ha… haha…”

His face reddened from the pain, yet he smiled at her.

She hadn’t realized he could act so clumsily convincingly. If it weren’t for a status window, she might have been completely fooled.

Both rose from their seats, and Fleur was about to open the parlor door first.

“Fleur.”

Minos quietly called her, taking her hand on the doorknob.

She froze instantly, surprised that he would take the initiative. She feared it might be a trick for abduction.

She faced him stiffly.

“Do you have something more to say?”

Minos pulled a black business card from inside his jacket. It wasn’t his name.

“This is for a shop supplying the palace I mentioned earlier. The owner shares beliefs similar to yours, so I wanted to introduce it.”

“Similar to mine?”

“Yes. A desire to present products to various people, not just nobles. Very alike.”

Fleur smiled gently and took the card.

“I’ll definitely visit if I think of you, Vivant.”

As they left the parlor together, Dylan, who had been waiting, approached her.

“Did the conversation go well?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll guide you to the front gate…”

“No, you stay by my side.”

Stopping him from escorting her, Dylan was momentarily surprised.

She quickly called a passing servant to take over behind Minos.

Once they were gone and their shadows disappeared, Fleur let out a small sigh.

“Was there something going on?”

Dylan, who had been waiting for Minos to leave, was scanning her quickly.

Fleur gripped his shoulder tightly and met his gaze.

“Dylan, find someone who can handle this quietly.”

“Eh?”

“I want to look into Minos Vivant, who came here earlier.”

Since this was her first such request, Dylan’s face turned serious.

“Were you threatened?”

“No.”

“Then did he spout nonsense?”

“No. But I don’t want to meet him again, so I want to investigate first. Can you find someone who can act silently?”

He thought for a moment, then nodded.

“I know some people from the back alleys I used when I was a count’s heir.”

“Then have them investigate Minos Vivant’s family and associates.”

“Understood.”

She was preparing her own defenses to ensure she would never be kidnapped.