Divorce Begins with Remarriage - Chapter 47

“……I think these would be good. Even if the vassals of Cyrilov are detestable, rejecting them too much could lead to unexpected problems. So, I believe it’s best to use a mix of carrot and stick¹a method of managing or motivating individuals by using a combination of rewards (carrot) and punishment (stick) to induce desired behavior.”

Berenice came to her senses and nodded.

“I think so too.”

“I’ll handle the stick, so Berenice, please be the carrot. Give them what they want and lead them, and I’ll whip from behind.”

Roberto was fully respecting and considering Berenice’s work, unlike Livio who subtly looked down on and ignored her and the Valencia Merchantry. Besides, the way Roberto looked at Berenice……

Berenice bit her lip.

Her mouth felt sweet, as though she had drunk honey. Of course, he was someone who usually makes eye contact like that, so it might just be Berenice’s misunderstanding, but she couldn’t help feeling thrilled.

Berenice mumbled in a soft voice.

“Thank you.”

Especially since the person Roberto had appointed as the one in charge was David Elbourne from one of Cyrilov’s vassal families. He’s not particularly outstanding, but he’s a man who has been diligently working for a long time. A forty-five-year-old man with a twenty-three-year-old daughter and a seventeen-year-old son.

He seemed perfectly suitable for this task from an administrative management perspective.

Berenice found him acceptable too.

In fact, most of the road maintenance was undertaken by the Valencia Merchantry. The ultimate goal was to connect the major cities in Cyrilov’s territory and boost commerce. And the short-term goal was to make it possible to travel from Cyrilov’s estate to the farthest end of the territory within 3 days.

Currently, it took more than 5 days.

This resulted in a dying trade and the territory’s residents always being exposed to danger.

“The one who should be thankful is me.”

And Roberto was well aware of the reality in Cyrilov.

“When we receive reports of monsters and bandits, oftentimes the situation has already been resolved by the time we set out. This has led to fewer people traveling and the trade dying. So, I should be the one thanking you for reviving Cyrilov, Berenice.”

“It’s related to the interests of the Valencia Merchantry, so there’s no need to thank me.”

“Still, thank you, Berenice.”

Roberto smiled. A smile on his serious and stern face was surprisingly sweet. Berenice unwittingly gaped at him.

“I’m really glad it’s you.”

It’s because of you.

“If you hadn’t made such a proposal to me, I wonder how things would have been by now.”

“……It would have been fine anyway.”

Berenice answered a bit sullenly.

“No, Berenice. Because of you, I can dream of Cyrilov’s future. It’s different from the overwhelming reality I’ve lived until now.”

He speaks so beautifully.

Berenice was moved and smiled, following Roberto.

“I don’t even know what to do with myself when you say things like that, Roberto.”

“You’ll have to get used to it. Cyrilov does not forget kindness.”

Berenice blushed at Roberto’s words. Being with Roberto made her feel like she was someone special. Just like now.

Berenice changed the subject to hide her shyness.

“……Once the road is repaired, the profits will increase significantly. At least five times more than now. I think others are also aware of the value of this project, so investors will likely increase.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Roberto smiled as if he was fine with anything.

“So…… the Valencia Merchantry will also gain its fair share of profits as an investor.”

“Yes.”

Berenice closed her eyes tightly.

‘I lost.’

***

“Mom, where are we going?”

Strike while the iron is hot.

As soon as they decided on the right person, Berenice finished preparing to visit him the next day. She could have called David in, but showing such diligence by visiting him personally was also good, especially when handing over such a big task.

Berenice firmly placed a hat on Terenzio’s head.

“Eugh. Mom, I don’t like this.”

Terenzio shook his head uncomfortably, but Berenice was firm.

“It’ll hurt if your face gets sunburned. So bear with it, Terenzio.”

Terenzio, who was infinitely gentle with Berenice, reluctantly nodded.

“We’re going to meet a gentleman who will help with Mom’s work.”

In fact, she intended to go alone, but Terenzio had been following her around since morning, and she couldn’t bear to leave him behind.

“Terenzio can listen well to Mom!”

Terenzio spoke bravely as he held Berenice’s hand. His smiling face was so cute that Berenice smiled along with him.

‘Was Roberto like this in the past?’

She found herself wishing to see what Roberto was like as a child if the opportunity arose.

***

The Elbourne family’s mansion was located not too far from the ducal palace. It wasn’t very large, but it was a mansion with a quaint charm.

“Give it back, Sister!”

“Why should I? Oh, what’s this. Do you like Aria?”

“Why are you reading someone else’s letter!!!”

Thud, thump, thump-

Berenice couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Since she was an only child, she had never experienced sibling squabbles like this. Terenzio whispered to Berenice at his side.

“They seem to be fighting.”

“It’s okay. They’ll make up soon.”

Berenice pressed the doorbell. The noise from inside stopped.

“See?”

“Wow……”

Terenzio’s eyes widened in amazement. He probably didn’t know that nobles place great importance on appearances and never expose their flaws to others. Berenice stroked Terenzio’s head.

Shortly after, a voice came from inside.

“Who is it?”

“I’ve come from the ducal palace. If it’s not too much trouble, could you open the door?”

The door to the Elbourne house opened.

Berenice, holding Terenzio’s hand tightly, stepped forward. It seemed like a weekend rest; a man who appeared to be David was having tea in the garden with his wife, and beside them stood a young lady and a young boy with flushed cheeks.

“Hello, Lord David. I am Berenice Cyrilov.”

“Good day, Duchess.”

After David, Berenice also greeted his wife and children.

“I have something to discuss, so I took the liberty of visiting. First, this is a gift for your wife. I prepared it in apology for visiting so abruptly over the weekend.”

Berenice spoke with full apologies but not in a servile manner.

A maid who came with her placed the pre-prepared gift on the table. It wasn’t anything grand but a handcrafted swan adorned with crystals that any noblewoman would love. It was prepared knowing the lady of the house liked such delicate crafts.

“Oh… You didn’t have to come with anything… Butler, please prepare seats for them.”

“Yes, madam.”

Berenice turned from an unwelcome visitor into a guest.

“You children, go inside.”

“Yes, mother.”

“Yes.”

“Ah. It might be nice to show the young master around the mansion.”

“Terenzio, would you like to go?”

“Um. Yes!”

Terenzio nodded energetically. He didn’t want to disturb Berenice, since she seemed to have important matters to attend to. Terenzio knew when to join in and when to step back.

“How kind.”

Before holding the young lady’s hand, Terenzio bowed deeply.

“Please take good care of my mother!”

“Young master, I’ll take care of her.”

The lady of the house smiled warmly, and Terenzio smiled back. It was a scene that would make the head butler of the ducal palace rub his eyes in disbelief. Thanks to the madam’s consideration, Berenice felt comfortable starting a conversation and placed some documents on the table.

“Lord David. I’ve come to make a business proposition.”

“What…?”

“Please take on the role of overall supervisor for the upcoming road construction project.”

David’s pupils dilated.

***

Three days had passed since her visit to the Elbourne mansion. At that time, David had refused Berenice’s offer more than three times, but after persistent persuasion, he agreed to take on the role of overall supervisor.

Despite initially not wanting such a heavy responsibility, he was now one of the most dedicated people to the task.

Berenice was very satisfied with her decision to appoint David as the supervisor, although it seemed not all vassals felt the same. Occasionally, there were uncomfortable expressions shown at meetings.

Whenever that happened, Roberto would say,

“If you invest in road maintenance as much as Berenice did, then you can have a say in choosing the right person for the job.”

Who in the Raivan Empire would dare challenge the wealth of the Valencia Merchantry?

Thanks to the rumors deliberately spread by Berenice, the quick-witted families began to reach out, eager to invest. The fact that Berenice herself had invested in the road maintenance project and that she was the daughter of the astute Viscount Dante played a significant role.

Berenice became busy.

Of course, there were those who disliked Berenice being busy.

“Sniff. Is she busy……”

Terenzio, who had been hovering around Berenice, pouted his lips. The servant attending to Terenzio laughed quietly, unnoticed by Berenice, who was engrossed in her work.

“Will she dislike it if I speak to her……?”

The servants smiled at the sight of Terenzio loitering in front of Berenice’s office door.

“It will be okay.”

The servant caring for Terenzio cracked the office door open just a bit, to give Terenzio some courage. With wide eyes, Terenzio swallowed and pushed the door.

“Terenzio is going in.”

I won’t get scolded, right?

When Terenzio peeked his head in, Berenice was smiling at him.

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  a method of managing or motivating individuals by using a combination of rewards (carrot) and punishment (stick) to induce desired behavior