USML 29

Chapter 29

“What’s with this character?” I averted my gaze with a perplexed look, only to find Dave looking at me with pure admiration.

“Vanessa, you really are…”

Dave squinted his eyes and tapped the glasses sliding down his nose with his knuckles—a habit of his when he was focused.

“A genius, huh.”

…Excuse me?

“It must have been hard to hide your talent until now. Yes, I thought the trade route matter was extraordinary. Father, it is surely a blessing from God that Vanessa was born into the Feard family.”

…Excuse me? I blinked repeatedly, dazed by the excessive praise directed at me. Was he being sarcastic? I glanced at Dave suspiciously.

“Right, Sherry?”

Within seconds, my suspicion vanished. Dave’s eyes sparkled as he sought Sherry’s agreement, and it was clear he was sincere. They say when a person suddenly changes, it’s a sign that death is near—I worried for Dave’s life.

Though it was awkward to say aloud, it was about time Sherry matched Dave’s enthusiasm with flattery—but she remained unusually silent today.

Why today, of all days? I scratched my cheek, glancing at Sherry. She lowered her head like a sinner under a spotlight, casting a shadow. I imagined dark clouds hovering over her crown.

“Sherry.”
“Sister?”

When Dave and I called at the same time, Sherry jumped like someone pricked by a needle, revealing her facial features.

“Huh? What did you say, Vanessa?”
“Nothing. You’ve heard about the Anima business plan, right?”
“Of course! I wouldn’t ignore what Vanessa says.”

Sherry’s odd behavior today left me uneasy, but I brushed it off. I was leaving soon anyway; responding to every little thing or showing affection would only make things harder for both sides.

Knock, knock.

I tapped the table with my knuckles to focus everyone’s attention.

“First, we need a department. Let’s start with a small team, and later we can add more people based on results.”

The Count tucked his handkerchief into his coat and turned to sit. Doubt was evident on his face.

“Why? If it succeeds, it could become the main product of the guild.”

I couldn’t exactly say, my goal is only to make the business succeed, and it’s better to form a new team after I leave, so I awkwardly smiled and changed the subject.

“Ah, and I plan to reject Duke Dustin’s proposal. Enough time has passed that it should be fine. Since I refusing personally could cause uncomfortable feelings, I’ll ask Father to handle it.”

The Count’s face brightened at my words.

“I see. I couldn’t refuse earlier without knowing your opinion, but if you want, I’ll do as you wish.”
“I’ll simply state that I’m not suited to be the Duchess as justification for rejection.”
“That’s absurd!”

Boom—the Count rose so forcefully that his chair tipped backward, his voice clearer than ever.

“It should be because of Evan Dustin’s personality flaws and rudeness!”
“Right, right!”
“Exactly!”

Like loyal soldiers following a general, Sherry and Dave added weight to the Count’s words. I couldn’t hide my inner turmoil, my tongue wandering across my dry mouth.

Evan’s desire for revenge was at its peak. I wanted to survive until the day I left, so please, just stop.

I forced myself not to voice this thought.

The business progressed more smoothly than expected.

We were building a greenhouse on the guild’s first floor through a competent Imperial architect, and buying cheap land with sand made soil preparation go smoothly.

The seeds were a minor problem, but that could be handled gradually once the department was established.

Worrying about Evan coming after me was only a concern for a day or two; work kept me too busy to think about it.

Yes, this is living. I occasionally missed the quiet life of the past ten years, but people need productive activity. That’s what I thought until yesterday…

“Where did it all go wrong?”

Ah, that’s it. I had asked Dave’s secretary to handle staff interviews. I wanted responsible people for short-term work, but looking back, the conditions were too simple.

The team was sparse: me as the department head, Perry invisible to others, a bodyguard-cum-secretary, and a clerk fluent in Salis.

Today, finally, the department was complete, and I felt a slight hope hearing that the staff would arrive. Perry even brushed his hair twice, hoping for the same. Even though no one else could see him.

I focused on the familiar of the two men standing in front of me.

“Robert.”
“Yes, Department Head. Please feel free to call me by my name.”

Robert lowered his gaze, smiling shyly. Alright, Robert’s fine. But… the problem was the clerk.

He was a boy with neat brown hair, brown eyes, and a round, cute face. Yet he glared at me as if I were his enemy.

“Ah.”

I sighed. I should have made it a priority that he wouldn’t hate Vanessa just because of rumors. Lately, the world had been too forgiving—I had forgotten that I was the notorious flirt, Vanessa.

Perry poked my shoulder.

“Hey, human. That brown-haired guy’s glaring at you.”

Right? You see it too, don’t you? Perry, sensing my thoughts, offered casual consolation while eating a snack.

“Ugh, why can’t he just behave?”

Is that consolation? I glared at Perry in secret.

I brushed him off my shoulder, cleaned up the crumbs, and stood.

“Ugh!”

Perry fell off my shoulder with a shout, but I ignored him.

I wanted to approach them but also wished I could rewind and sit back down. I reached out and shook Robert’s hand.

“Looking forward to working with you, Robert.”
“Likewise, Department Head.”

After shaking hands with familiar Robert, the bigger challenge remained: the cute boy still glared at me like fire.

“I’m Vanessa Feard, Department Head.”

The boy scrutinized me silently, then finally smiled. What the… even scarier.

“I’m Kaian.”

His voice matched his face—gentle and soft. He extended his hand in greeting, but I couldn’t bring myself to clasp it.

“Come on, grab it!”

Perry urged from afar, so I carefully took Kaian’s hand, but I quickly had to pull back from his grip.

Ouch! My hand! As I withdrew, Kaian gave a cold smile.

“Pleased to work with you.”

If he says that once more, my hand might break.

“Count Shiretium’s family is sponsoring Juliana’s birthday party?”
“Yes. It would be best for Vanessa to attend as our representative.”

Early in the morning, I postponed the greenhouse inspection and went to the Count’s office. He usually didn’t call on me personally, so I was slightly anxious—what could be so important? And he wants me, not Dave, to attend his fiancée Yuria’s cousin Juliana’s birthday party?

Reading my doubts, the Count laughed heartily.

“Dave is busy with a problem in our trade goods, and Sherry is preparing for the Royal Guard entrance exam.”
“I see.”
“Vanessa, this could be a good opportunity for you.”

It didn’t take long to grasp the hidden intent behind the Count’s calm smile.

Fourteen-year-old Juliana’s birthday party at the Count’s house would attract her peers, young nobles. Nobles friendly with the Shiretium family, or those hoping to be, would attend, bringing their children under the guise of protection.

In short, it was a social venue for noble networking.

“Will there be tea leaves from our family?”

The Count smiled knowingly.

“There’s enough supply. I can provide them if needed.”

“I could promote Anima flower tea at the party, but it’s not ready yet. I’ll provide other tea leaves instead. This will show our willingness to expand the business.”

The Count nodded kindly, seemingly in agreement.

“But I’m a bit worried. Will Miss Yuria be upset if I go?”

The Count gestured dismissively, as if I were wasting unnecessary worry.

“Dave already got scolded.”

Scolded? That word didn’t suit Dave. Though, seeing his recent behavior, it wasn’t too surprising.

Thinking of Dave being scolded by Miss Yuria made me chuckle quietly. I covered my mouth, meeting the Count’s gaze, and we laughed together.

“Ah…”

The atmosphere shifted instantly, as if cut by scissors.

Laughing with the Count, who joked and chuckled heartily—someone who used to not even meet my eyes—now greeted me like family, like a father.

Since returning from Sent, our close interactions had become frequent, perhaps easing the guilt the Count had carried.

He still held my hand atop the desk, his eyes gradually reddening.

“Thank you, Vanessa.”
“…”
“I’m sorry for leaving you alone all this time.”

It wasn’t really directed at me, but I felt the urge to respond. I wanted to feel a father’s warmth, even for a moment.

“I…”

Should I respond? It’s okay, I’m okay. I’m glad I’m your daughter. This isn’t just selfish; it’s to ease your guilt too. I clenched my remaining hand on my dress.

“I…”

After several breaths, I kept my mouth shut.

“I’m sorry.”

Bowing my head and releasing the hand the Count held, a sigh of disappointment escaped him. I could do nothing but apologize.

“I’m sorry.”