[Did you return safely last night?
My conversation with you truly brought me comfort after such a long time.
Even though we only parted yesterday, I already miss you.
If it’s not too much trouble, could you make some time for me this Sunday?
I’ll be waiting for you at the first shop on Medrick Street, 8th Avenue.
– Your dear friend, Betty.]
Penelope finished reading the card in one go and asked, “...By the way, where is Medrick Street?”
“You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll take you there.”
“...Ahwin?”
Penelope asked again, and Ahwin nodded.
“Yes. I’ll go with you that day.”
Ahwin’s gaze was chilling, a sharp and unyielding look that made it clear no objections would be entertained. His eyes gleamed dangerously, like someone barely suppressing their anger.
‘Uh, heroine? The Tower Master is suddenly furious for some reason?’
Feeling uneasy, Penelope fiddled with the edge of the card, avoiding eye contact.
She could tell Ahwin was angry with Elizabeth, but the exact reason remained a mystery.
‘What on earth did the heroine do to upset him?’
Penelope felt like a shrimp caught in the middle of a battle, her back figuratively splitting under the pressure. She wiped the bridge of her nose absentmindedly, trying to dispel the discomfort.
***
Pablo was busy traveling back and forth between the capital and Halo, living an exhaustingly hectic yet rewarding life.
The business of green herb soap for the nobility had finally taken off. As high-ranking nobles led the trend, demand among the middle class in the capital surged explosively.
Thanks to this, Pablo was raking in money every day, practically squealing with delight.
“The supply can’t keep up with the demand. I’ll need to establish more workshops in Halo. I should discuss this with the Lord when I meet her.”
Humming a cheerful tune, Pablo was organizing his ledgers when a messenger approached and whispered in his ear.
“You have a visitor.”
“Who is it?”
“The branch manager of the Imperial Bank, Rihenze.”
Pablo briefly looked puzzled, then smiled as if nothing was amiss.
He wasn’t surprised by such sudden visits. In the past, when he had been successful, people who could smell money like bloodhounds would cling to him like glue.
‘Heh, I wonder what kind of proposal the bank manager has for me this time?’
Though laughing inwardly, Pablo, ever the merchant, warmly welcomed Rihenze.
“Welcome, Branch Manager. Please have a seat. Someone, bring us some tea.”
“Yes, right away.”
A moment later, tea was brought in. Rihenze glanced around the office as if evaluating it and then made a displeased expression.
‘Quite the arrogant fellow.’
Carefully observing Rihenze, Pablo finally broke the silence.
“What brings you here today? If you let me know, I’ll do my best to assist you.”
“I’ve come to present you with an excellent contract.”
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“A contract?”
When Pablo echoed the word, Rihenze lifted his chin confidently and began to explain.
“I hear you’re running a soap workshop and an underfloor heating business in Halo. If you relocate those businesses to the Hilos estate, I can guarantee you a signing bonus of one million gold.”
“...”
Pablo stared blankly at Rihenze for a moment.
“There’s no need to worry about building acquisition costs or cancellation fees. We’ll cover all of that.”
Rihenze’s self-assured gaze practically screamed, Isn’t this an irresistible offer?
Pablo barely managed to suppress his laughter, biting back a mocking grin with great effort.
“I think you might be mistaken, Branch Manager.”
Pablo cleared his throat to compose himself and continued.
“I’m sorry, but the soap workshop and underfloor heating business aren’t mine. To put it simply, all patents and rights for green herb soap and underfloor heating boilers belong to the Lord of Halo. I can’t relocate them even if I wanted to.”
Rihenze looked at Pablo with an expression of mild exasperation, as if he found the explanation tedious.
“Can’t you find a way to work around that?”
Pablo’s face turned icy cold, his expression hardening like frozen steel.
‘Ah, so he’s just a scumbag.’
Rihenze wasn’t just suggesting a relocation. He was effectively asking Pablo to steal all the know-how and technology of the green herb soap workshops and underfloor heating business. The one million gold was nothing more than a bribe for treachery.
Grinding his teeth in frustration, Pablo barely managed to swallow his anger and responded.
“For a merchant, trust is more precious than life. Are you asking me to trade my life for a mere one million gold?”
“Then how much are you thinking?”
Pablo firmly replied, “One billion. If you promise me one billion gold, I’ll consider it.”
“Greedy, aren’t you?”
Rihenze scowled, glaring at Pablo with disdain.
“Do you mean to demand one billion gold for simply relocating a business? Are you even in your right mind?”
“What I mean, Branch Manager, is that I’m rejecting your proposal. Though it seems you’ve misunderstood.”
Pablo’s words were tactful, but to Rihenze, they came across as, Are you so dense you can’t even understand that?
Rihenze felt his insides boil, like molten lava bubbling up.
The Imperial Bank’s headquarters had already informed him that Halo had fully paid off its debts. Furthermore, the bank was pushing to reinvest funds into Halo, using Rihenze as the intermediary.
This infuriated him. His relationship with Penelope was about to shift dramatically, and not in his favor.
‘I wanted to see that woman fall.’
Rihenze had a peculiar, malicious hobby: watching proud nobles, who had once looked down on him, crumble before his eyes. His position as a bank branch manager had always given him that unique pleasure.
Pablo firmly concluded, “For the sake of your honor, let’s pretend this conversation never happened. I hope we won’t meet again.”
Rihenze clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white, his face drained of all color.
***
Finally, the Sunday Elizabeth had arranged for arrived.
Penelope spent the early morning nervously dressing and having breakfast.
When she finished getting ready and descended the stairs, she found Ahwin already waiting for her by the front entrance, dressed in his usual hooded robe.
‘He’s really planning to come along.’
Penelope let out a deep sigh inwardly.
She had hoped Ahwin would change his mind, but it was clear he had no intention of going back on his word.
Moreover, it was obvious that his anger toward Elizabeth had not subsided.
‘I don’t know why he’s mad, but hopefully he doesn’t blow things out of proportion. Haha...’
Penelope glanced awkwardly at Ahwin and forced a smile.
“Shall we head out then?”
“Let’s go.”
Ahwin replied curtly.
The moment they stepped outside, Penelope looked around in confusion. Ahwin noticed and asked,
“What’s wrong?”
“I was wondering where the carriage is.”
“We’re not taking a carriage. Medrick Street is just around the corner. Ten minutes on foot should be enough.”
“Oh...”
She hadn’t expected the meeting place to be so close.
Penelope realized that Elizabeth had gone out of her way to make things as convenient for her as possible.
‘She’s surprisingly thoughtful, isn’t she?’
Once again, Penelope’s fondness for Elizabeth grew. Ever since meeting her, Penelope couldn’t help but feel a steady sense of admiration.
“Then let’s get going.”
Penelope opened her parasol and stepped through the gate, with Ahwin naturally falling in step beside her.
“This way,” he said.
Obediently following Ahwin’s lead, Penelope walked alongside him.
After about ten minutes, they arrived at a clean and quiet street lined with poplar trees on either side. At the entrance stood a sign that read “Medrick Street.”
‘I didn’t know such a beautiful street existed near Ahwin’s house. I should come back here sometime.’
It seemed like the perfect place for a peaceful stroll.
Penelope started looking around, searching for Elizabeth.
Just then, a low voice called out to her.
“Who are you looking for?”
“Huh...?”
Startled, Penelope turned around to see a stunning young man, elegant enough to look as though he had stepped out of a painting, approaching her.
He was dressed casually in brown trousers, a matching vest, suspenders, and a short-brimmed hat, an outfit that suited him perfectly.
‘Wait, have I met him before? Why does his face seem so familiar? Oh! That’s it...!’
The young man’s features bore a striking resemblance to Elizabeth’s. If Elizabeth had an older brother, he would likely look just like this.
‘But the heroine doesn’t have any siblings.’
As Penelope tilted her head slightly in confusion, Ahwin’s icy voice came from beside her.
“Isn’t it time to stop playing games? Didn’t you say you were short on time?”
At Ahwin’s remark, the young man’s expression instantly soured, his face scrunching up in annoyance.