He must not have even had time to look at his own business card.

A person who, at a young age, had become the head of Esrenche and must have been burdened with unimaginable pressure.

“Did you know? A four-leaf clover grows when a new leaf sprouts on a wounded three-leaf clover. So, it means that even if people trample on it, it doesn’t give up and creates its own luck.”

His deep blue eyes shot a piercing gaze. In the past, I might have felt pressured by it, but now I understood he was just focused on what I was saying. I smiled softly and added, “In the end, it means overcoming trials and bringing about good fortune, which seems to suit you well. Maybe that’s why your aide included this pattern.”

“I see.”

His response was straightforward. I hadn’t expected a grand reaction, so I merely nodded politely.

“Well then, goodbye, Count.”

“…….”

Yet, instead of leaving, he stood blocking the door, not moving aside. I tilted my head in curiosity.

“Why?”

“…….It’s Yujin, not the Count. Isn’t it strange to call me by my title when you call Yuri by his name?”

My eyes widened slightly. It was such a trivial matter that I hadn’t expected it to come from him.

Perhaps realizing this himself, he quickly turned away and spoke again in a firm tone.

“It’s nothing.”

Yujin’s emotions were always hard to read, but at that moment, I could tell for sure.

‘He’s embarrassed.’

Seeing him like that made me smile for some reason. I replied with a grin, “Take care, Yujin.”

At my farewell, Yujin hesitated for a moment. After a long pause, a very quiet response came back.

“…….Yeah.”

He left without looking back.

I crossed my arms and leaned against the doorframe, wearing a light smile.

‘I think I’m starting to understand him a little.’

He seemed gruff, but it was just that he wasn’t one for superficial niceties.

As I was revising most of my first impressions of him, Yuri suddenly poked his face out from behind me.

“What were you talking about with Yujin for so long?”

Feeling a bit crowded, I gently pushed Yuri’s cheek with the back of my hand and answered,

“Nothing much. I just thanked him for telling me to contact him if things get really tough.”

“Hmm.”

His nasal sound suggested he didn’t quite believe me, but Yuri didn’t say more about Yujin. Instead, he addressed the reality we were facing.

“But really, what are we going to do, Titi? Do you have any clever ideas?”

Since I had sent Yujin off, he seemed to expect that I had some kind of plan.

However, there was no such thing. I shook my head firmly.

“No. To be honest, there’s no way out. How can I resist when a princess of a country herself wants to ruin me?”

Moreover, I was a newly established entrepreneur who had just moved to the capital, so I didn’t have many companies on my side, nor did I possess the financial power to oppose Princess Sabina.

But that didn’t mean I was worried about making a living. I had earned enough to live comfortably for a few years.

“I’ve decided to take this crisis as an opportunity for renewal. How about closing the shop for a while, taking a break, and planning the next business?”

“Close the shop?”

Yuri’s eyes widened in surprise. I nodded emphatically to confirm he had heard correctly.

“Yes. We’ve been running around too busily. Taking a short break isn’t a bad idea. Yuri, how about we go to the seaside?”

I decided to ease my mind, which was becoming increasingly anxious. Being anxious wouldn’t solve anything.

Yuri looked a bit bewildered but was fully supportive of my idea. Later, he even blushed with excitement.

“I’d love that. The thought of traveling with Titi excites me.”

Then it was decided. I took Yuri’s hand and said, “Then, let’s go to my hometown first.”

“What? Your hometown, Titi?”

Just because we were closing the shop didn’t mean we would simply laze around inside the building. Besides, I had another issue besides the rainbow roses.

“I think I need to take this opportunity to get rid of Robi.”

“What does that have to do with your hometown?”

“There’s a method I can only use there.”

In fact, I had already determined how to get rid of him. All that was left was to execute the plan.

‘I didn’t want to use this method, but……’

Having been troubled by my family twice already, I had devised a clean way to detach myself from them.

The only preparation needed was a firm resolve not to be swayed by family.

‘In my past life, I was dragged around by my family, but not this time.’

I steeled myself against the growing weakness in my heart.

***

Recently, Yujin had been leaving without mentioning his destination, even to his butler. Since he typically only traveled between the royal palace, his office, and the headquarters of the Esrenche Trading Company, this was a significant change. At first, his aides were bewildered by the empty office.

However, people were adaptable, and soon enough, the aides stopped panicking when the office was empty and simply continued their work until Yujin returned.

Just as everyone was getting used to this change, Yujin revealed another side of himself.

“Welcome back, Count.”

“Ah.”

Barely acknowledging his aides’ greetings, he walked over, slumped into his chair, and sank deep into thought. The aides, clueless about what was happening, exchanged glances.

‘Is something happening at the Esrenche Trading Company?’

‘Or maybe Princess Sabina has gotten under his skin again?’

‘It’s not like this is the first time, so why is he so unsettled now?’

‘Hasn’t he never let a cold war drag on this long before?’

While many unspoken words passed between them, Yujin, the cause of the atmosphere, finally broke the silence.

“…….Who designed my business card?”

“I did!”

Yujin disliked delayed responses, so the aide quickly stood up to answer. Then he became puzzled.

‘Why is he suddenly bringing up business cards? Did I make a spelling mistake?’

A spelling mistake would be a huge blunder, and he might be ordered to clear his desk immediately.

‘I double-checked everything! There’s no way I made a mistake. Or did I forget to include a title? Did I make a rookie mistake now?’

While the aide trembled with anxiety, imagining all sorts of negative scenarios, Yujin spoke unexpected words.

“Do you prefer a vacation or a bonus?”

“Pardon?”

“…….”

The aide asked again, looking confused. Instead of repeating the question, Yujin simply looked at him steadily. The aide finally gathered his wits and answered loudly.

“A va… a bonus! I prefer a bonus!”

His soul longed for a vacation, but the piercing gazes of his colleagues forced him to swallow the word “vacation.” If he took time off, the remaining aides would have to shoulder more work.

Yujin, indifferent to either choice, nodded firmly.

“Alright.”

“Thank you!”

There was no specific mention of how much or when it would be given, but the aide bowed deeply, thrilled. Yujin Esrenche was known for his generosity. If he mentioned a bonus, it surely wouldn’t be a modest amount.

As the aide returned to his seat with a spring in his step, his colleagues, driven by envy, communicated silently with their eyes.

‘Hey, what did you do to get a bonus?’

‘I don’t know. I’m just going to buy a new carriage.’

‘What’s going on? Tell us!’

Yujin’s brief moment of generosity caused a stir among the aides.

Yujin sat idly, watching the commotion as if it were someone else’s business. In truth, what occupied his mind wasn’t the scene before him. The only thing he could think about was Titiana’s pale face.

‘In the end, there was nothing I could do to help.’

He didn’t know how Sabina had put her in a difficult position, but Esrenche had the power to resolve it all. They had the financial might to buy a mine just because the princess wanted a particular jewel, so what could possibly be a problem?

Yet, Titiana had firmly refused his help, insisting she couldn’t be indebted to him.

Yujin’s gaze shifted back to his aides. The one receiving the bonus was beaming with joy. Yujin sighed.

‘It’s strange. Making others happy is so easy, but why is it so difficult with her?’

He could have told her not to worry about accepting his help, but Yujin chose to remain silent.

Ever since their first meeting, when he had buttoned his shirt incorrectly, his relationship with Titiana had been strained. Today was the best their interactions had been so far. He didn’t want to ruin it by saying something unnecessary and risk growing distant again.

—
T/N: Ngl, I’m rooting for Yujin. LMAO