My answer must not have been very convincing because Lily’s face didn’t lighten up.

“No, that’s not it. Miss, really, what’s so good about this useless land? Besides, you don’t have any money.”

It’s good because it’s useless! It’d be even better if it were expensive! And,

“Why don’t I have money? I’m about to marry the richest man in the empire, so I can just borrow it.”

As I laughed while saying something an adult should never say, Lily looked at me with her mouth agape.

Yeah. You must think your lady has lost her mind. But isn’t this the least I should do to get kicked out?

Leaving the dazed Lily behind, I asked the broker a question.

“Mr Broker? How much is this land?”

I could see the real estate broker’s brain working quickly. He must be frantically pressing the calculator with that tiny brain of his.

“As you can see, my lady, the land is quite good… No less than 2000 gold coins. This is already a really good price.”

What a load of nonsense. I like it. You’re hired!

“Oh my, that’s a really good price. I’ll buy it.”

“Then, how about we lower it to 1800… What? Really? Did you hear me say 2000 gold coins?”

The real estate owner was flustered and babbling at my words.

Didn’t you say 2000 gold coins yourself? Why are you more flustered?

Seeing that he was thinking of cutting 200 gold coins right away, it seemed the land was cheaper than I thought. 1000 gold coins, or maybe even less than 500 gold coins, judging by his expression.

Well, it’s land no one would take even if given, so the price is whatever you call it.

“Of course. I’ll buy it for 2000 gold coins.”

The owner couldn’t hide his broad smile and hurriedly went to the carriage to prepare the contract.

“Um, Miss. But how will you prepare the payment? Will the Duke allow it?”

“Oh, Lily. Why would I need the Duke’s permission?”

Seeing Lily’s worried expression, I kindly told her the answer she hadn’t realized yet.

“When did I say I would borrow money from the Duke? I’ll get a loan from a bank.”

“What?”

“Lily, remember this. You don’t borrow money from acquaintances. You borrow it from a bank. Getting tangled in money matters with acquaintances makes life tiring.”

“…What?”

Lily asked again with a tearful face if she had heard correctly.

Geez. Why are there so many people doubting my words these days? Am I that untrustworthy?

It’s all because Ravenne looks too innocent.

Shaking my head, I got into the carriage.

***

Pretending to be a naive young lady was quite exhausting. Climbing the mountain had ruined my shoes and dress, and my hair was a mess. Plus, my stamina was depleted from the long hours of motion sickness.

But I couldn’t just collapse since I still had to pay the balance.

Half-dead, I staggered up with Lily’s help, dressed up as much as possible in the carriage, and visited the bank.

“Miss, this is not the main bank of the Celestine merchant group.”

“I know.”

“Then why?”

Ignoring the curious Lily, I opened the bank door.

Confidence is key when borrowing money. Standing as straight as possible and smiling while looking around, someone with white hair came rushing out.

I checked the name tag on his clothes.

“Bank Manager Vincent.”

If the bank manager rushes out like this, the name of Celestine must be quite significant.

“Lady Rischefeld, what brings you here?”

“I have something urgent to discuss.”

“Ah, then please come inside to talk.”

Noticing my intention to avoid the attention of the surrounding people, the bank manager guided me inside.

In the bank manager’s private office, I took a sip of the tea he offered. As expected of the highest person in the bank, his taste in tea was refined.

Which meant it wasn’t to my taste.

After taking one sip and putting down the tea that I wouldn’t drink any more of, I got straight to the point.

“I’m here to borrow some money.”

“What? For the Duke of Celestine?”

“No, for me.”

Vincent, who couldn’t understand why someone as wealthy as Celestine would need to borrow money, showed his doubt at my answer.

“Why do you need it, my lady?”

“As you know, I’m about to marry the Duke of Celestine, right?”

I emphasized the words ‘Celestine’ and ‘marry.’

In other words, I was implying that my credit would soon be equivalent to Celestine’s credit as I would become the lady of the Celestine household.

“But I don’t want to adorn myself with common jewels. Of course, the Duke said he’d buy everything, but since my family is poor, I should at least buy the wedding gifts myself.”

“Is that so?”

“So, could I borrow 2000 gold coins?”

Laughing brightly like a clueless young lady and mentioning an outrageous amount, Vincent was taken aback.

However, being a seasoned bank manager, he quickly regained his composure and smiled.

“The amount is quite large, so I’ll have to think about it for a moment.”

Saying he’d think about it meant he couldn’t lend it right away.

If I waited too long for his answer, this story might reach the Duke’s ears.

Ilion would find out soon enough anyway, but that had to be after I paid the full amount.

That’s why I came to a bank that wasn’t the main bank of the Celestine merchant group, to delay the news.

Not wanting to waste time on his hesitation, I dropped another hint.

“If you handle this well, I could help make this bank the main bank of the Duke.”

And another reason was that I could use this bait because this wasn’t the main bank of the merchant group.

The significance of being the main bank of the Celestine merchant group was considerable. The place where the largest merchant group in the empire entrusted its funds. In other words, dealing with this group could make a bank the top bank in the empire in no time.

Of course, the Duke would refuse outright if I asked him, but fortunately, the world didn’t know that.

The world called me the Cinderella of the century and was busy talking about my marriage to the Duke as the fruit of love that transcended status.

Ironically, people thought the Duke would do anything for me.

Of course, it was just speculative articles spread by the media, but the branch manager believed I had that much influence over the Duke.

Vincent stroked his beard, seemingly pondering for a moment. His mind must be busy calculating.

The main bank of the Celestine merchant group. It must be a very tempting offer to refuse.

“If it’s difficult, I guess I’ll have to go to another bank…”

“Please wait a moment, my lady! Of course, we’ll lend it to you. Your credit is sufficient.”

Vincent hurriedly stopped me, fearing I might go to another bank.

“Hohoho. Thank you so much for helping so willingly. Please keep this matter a secret from the Duke.”

He nodded in agreement at my words.

With the bank manager’s approval, the loan was granted immediately.

It was surprising that such a large amount of money could be lent based solely on credit.

Is this the comfort that power and wealth provide?

It wasn’t long ago that I struggled to get a rental deposit loan, but now just mentioning the name Celestine made it so easy to get money. Having money and power is truly essential.

Humming a tune, I walked out with a rather heavy money pouch, and Lily looked at me with wide eyes.

“Did you really borrow it?”

“Of course. They lent it right away.”

Lily, who had no idea what was discussed inside, looked at me in shock, and I calmly got into the carriage.

***

“Ahem, the landowner is busy today, so he won’t be able to come. Ah, don’t worry. I’ve already got all the documents.”

The broker explained with a fake smile. To pocket the money, the landowner shouldn’t be present.

I thought he had already bought the land documents from the owner when he said to make the deal, but I decided to let it go.

Having wandered around all day, the sun was setting, and I was mentally and physically exhausted. I read the contract briefly and signed it.

“Then the deal is finalized. You can’t back out later.”

The owner seemed worried that the Duke of Celestine might come looking. Perhaps he was concerned that his run-down shop might disappear after the deal.

I understood his worries, but Ilion would never come to the shop.

If anything, Ilion would rather break off the engagement than send someone.

Unless he wanted to advertise that his fiancée was stupid enough to get scammed.

If the engagement were broken, I would demand alimony, and the 2000 gold coins I borrowed in my name would be covered by it.

Having advertised the engagement so grandly, breaking it off would be a huge scandal.

I might never get married and die old, so of course, the Duke would have to compensate me.

So neither Lily nor the broker needed to worry too much.

“Of course.”

I reassured him as I walked out of the shop with a piece of paper worth 2000 gold coins.

***

Dragging my almost collapsing body back to the mansion, a maid was waiting for me.

The maids of the Duke’s mansion seemed to look down on me somehow.

They must have wanted to serve the daughter of a high-ranking family as their mistress, but since they had to serve the daughter of a family that was only a count in name and had no territory, it was understandable they wouldn’t be pleased.

But what could I do? It was my fate to be sold from a poor household.

Anyway, since the maids had no interest in where I went or what I did, it wasn’t normal for them to wait for me.

“The Duke is looking for you.”

The maid greeted me politely and delivered the message.

I wondered why they were waiting for me, and of course, it was a summons from the Duke.

It seemed today’s events had already reached Ilion’s ears. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have called for me at this late hour.

My expectation that it would take at least a day was completely off the mark.

My dress and shoes were a mess from walking all day, my face was shiny with sweat or oil, and my hair looked like it could produce a bucket of dust if shaken out.

Of course, I didn’t care what Ilion thought of my appearance, but I wanted to wash up first.

“Before that, I’d like to wash up. I smell like sweat.”

“I’m sorry, but he asked to bring you immediately upon your arrival.”

The maid’s tone was polite, but her expression was firm enough to quash my resolve to ask again.

Right, I’m someone who has to come when called and go when told to go.

With no choice, I nodded and followed her.