Chapter 6. The Wedding

After the Marquis of Michelov’s party, Berenice received a flood of invitations. While she had always received a fair number, this time it was overwhelmingly more. It seemed the rumors of Roberto and Berenice’s passionate relationship had influenced the people.

Among the mix of jealousy and curiosity, there were definitely those who supported Berenice and Roberto.

“Miss, what should we do about these…?”

Selphine asked with an overwhelmed face as she looked at the invitations.

“If we were to attend all these, even having ten bodies wouldn’t be enough.”

Berenice murmured and shook her head.

“Tell the butler to refuse all.”

Since the rumors had spread enough, Berenice and Roberto no longer needed to attend external engagements. Anyone who had even once entered society would have heard of Roberto and Berenice’s love story.

‘That’s enough.’

Berenice fiddled with the file folder, lost in thought.

The emotions that would surely poison her were directed towards Roberto. Berenice was aware of the danger.

‘Berenice, don’t get any closer to Roberto. Don’t even hope.’

Berenice sighed as she convinced herself.

Even though she knew he was a good person, she shouldn’t fall for him.

Berenice and Roberto were connected by a transaction, and she couldn’t impose her feelings on someone as good as Roberto. Berenice’s feelings had to end on her terms. So she planned to reduce their meetings to prevent her feelings from deepening further.

The more they met, the more she realized how good a person Roberto was.

As she was in thought, Berenice didn’t realize she was aimlessly flipping through the documents.

‘Yes. Let’s reduce our meetings.’

That was her conclusion.

***

“Why won’t you help me, Roberto?”

No sooner had Berenice decided to reduce their meetings than Roberto came to visit. Roberto, who visited for business reasons and was more neatly dressed than usual, with his cravat tied in a conventional manner, looked like an ascetic priest.

The spring sunlight intensified that atmosphere further. Roberto’s golden eyes shone, emitting a sacred aura.

Yet, Roberto naturally blended into Berenice’s space.

As the successor of a trading company, she couldn’t just send away a guest, especially not Roberto. The moment Roberto appeared, the people of the trading company must have started buzzing, likely spreading rumors about Roberto and Berenice’s passionate affair.

Berenice gave an awkward smile.

And the deputy head of the trading company was so excited about Roberto’s visit that he seemed unable to notice Berenice’s expression.

The deputy head, visibly excited, said to Berenice,

“It’s time for you to start participating in the practical work. And with such an important figure visiting our trading company directly. As you know, it’s my first time meeting someone of such high status face-to-face.”

The deputy head lowered his voice,

“You will have to help me.”

While his words seemed reasonable, the deputy head’s face was flushed red.

Clearly, he was thinking about the love rumors between Roberto and Berenice.

‘The deputy head is a romanticist too.’

It seemed like he was one of the people rooting for Berenice and Roberto.

Berenice reluctantly nodded her head,

“I will do so.”

Eventually, Berenice ended up sitting across from Roberto, following the deputy head.

“You came for business reasons…?”

“Yes, Berenice.”

Arranging deals and schedules with the trading company is normally delegated to subordinates. But unexpectedly, he came in person with a staff member.

Berenice asked in a lowered voice,

“It seems like you wouldn’t have visited personally if it’s just a simple matter.”

Berenice lowered her voice, and Roberto did the same,

“Yet here I come. I judged it to be a natural thing between lovers. Did I make a mistake, perhaps?”

Berenice glanced around at others who were watching them with eyes full of excitement and anticipation.

‘I can’t help but live up to their expectations.’

Eventually, Berenice withdrew the resolution made that morning and smiled brightly,

“No. Thank you for coming.”

Ah. Let it be what it will be.

That was her mindset.

The purpose of Roberto’s visit was to discuss matters regarding transportation fees. The Valencia Merchantry had agreed to send goods to the dukedom at the lowest margin, but the road to the dukedom was frequently infested with bandits and monsters.

This was because the dukedom of Cyrilov had not been managed properly during the duke’s absence.

Although things had significantly improved since Roberto’s return, he had yet to properly address this issue due to other urgent matters. He had been busy dealing with embezzlers within Cyrilov, improving relations with the royal family, and working on welfare for his territory.

“As you know, since road maintenance is not yet complete, transportation costs are expected to be high. Adding transportation fees would negate the purpose of providing goods at the lowest margin.”

The deputy head carefully pointed out the issue.

“I agree. It’s like the cure being worse than the disease.”

“So here’s my proposal: once the trading company’s convoy enters the dukedom, perhaps they could receive protection from the duke’s forces?”

“Are you asking for knights to come out and meet them? Hmm. Military matters are not something I can decide on my own, Your Grace.”

A Cyrilov official called out to Roberto.

As he was reviewing documents and listening to their conversation, Roberto looked up,

“Having knights come out every time doesn’t seem very efficient. After discussing it internally in Cyrilov, we will arrange for troops to be stationed along the borders of the dukedom.”

“Would that be possible?”

Berenice asked Roberto.

“Yes. We’ve already suffered enough damage from monsters. It was wrong of me to neglect this issue under the excuse of being too busy. It seems I have been negligent. That’s why we will take care of escorting the trading company within Cyrilov.”

Neglect?

Who else worked tirelessly for Cyrilov, but Roberto?

No one thought of Roberto as negligent. Who would think so when he had brought a failing dukedom back on track in such a short time?

Yet, the conscientious Roberto spoke as if it were his fault.

Rather than blaming others, he seemed to be the type to find and reflect on issues within himself.

Berenice bit her lip.

She knew this would happen. This is why she had wanted to reduce her meetings with Roberto.

The more they met, the more Roberto’s virtues became apparent.

And the more she compared him with Livio, the stronger her feelings grew.

And those feelings were shaking Berenice’s daily life to its core.

“If you could do that for us, we would be grateful! We have knights in the trading company, but they don’t seem to be enough… I was worried we might have to hire additional mercenaries, which would have increased transportation costs further. Thank you for so readily agreeing.”

The deputy head exclaimed excitedly.

Roberto nodded briefly,

“On the contrary, it should be Cyrilov who should be thankful for your consideration.”

Of course, Roberto went to such lengths because Berenice was at the Valencia Merchantry. Of all the people traveling to and from Cyrilov, no one else had this privilege. He had the intention of reallocating knights for monster subjugation, but it was considered premature for now.

It was something that needed to be done in the first half of next year, but it was brought forward.

But putting such facts aside, Roberto shifted the burden to himself and the credit to the deputy head of the trading company.

Berenice realized this and tightly closed her eyes before opening them again.

“Even so, thank you for your cooperation. I’ll make sure we pay more attention to goods and transportation on our end. Since you’ve gone to such lengths, the trading company cannot just sit idly by. Deputy head.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Is there any budget left for the trading company this year?”

Of course, it was a question she already knew the answer to.

The Valencia Merchantry, which was generating huge profits, still had a substantial budget left. Although it was still April and hard to predict the future, it was certain that not all of that amount would be used.

The deputy head nodded.

“That’s correct. Then…”

“I’ll authorize it in my name. Let’s pull in more budget and use it to hire mercenaries. The Duke has gone to such lengths for us; we must do something in return.”

“That’s a very wise decision!”

The deputy head nodded with sparkling eyes.

Since the real power holders of the family were cooperative, the discussion was smoothly concluded. Other minor matters were discussed as well, and all were amicably resolved.

***

After the meeting ended, Roberto agreed to Berenice’s suggestion to have a cup of tea before leaving.

Berenice was trying not to show it, but in truth, she was a bit excited. It was her first time being involved in practical work.

It happened somewhat unexpectedly…

Initially, she was too preoccupied with Roberto to think about it, but looking back, it was a successful debut for Berenice. The deputy head looked satisfied, so her father would definitely praise her.

This brought Berenice closer to her dream.

Realizing this made her even more elated.

“Roberto, how did I do today? Was I helpful in the meeting? I think I spoke well…”

Roberto’s pupils dilated.

He hadn’t known Berenice for long, but this was the first time he saw her so excited. Berenice’s cheeks were flushed red.

Roberto unknowingly smiled and nodded.