“So it must be returned. It was never ours to keep.”

Aster closed the pocket watch and put it back in his inside pocket before getting up.

“Where are you going?”

Seoden asked quickly as he followed.

“I already told you. I’m taking it back. It’s fixed now, so I have to give it back to its rightful owner.”

“You’re really going to give it back just like that? You’re just going to give up such a valuable ancient magic artefact? Who is the owner? If it’s a matter of your pride being hurt by convincing them, I can…”

Before Seoden could continue, Aster, looking irritated, flicked his finger, causing Seoden’s lips to instantly seal.

It was Aster’s silence spell.

Seoden, struggling to keep his lips sealed, was met with Aster’s comment.

“I really prefer it when you’re quiet. Stay here until I return, and don’t even think about following me.”

Aster smiled softly, pulled on a hooded robe that covered his head, and disappeared from the suite.

* * *

While Seoden was busy arguing with Aster, Ariel had been busy since early morning.

This was due to an unexpected guest who had suddenly decided to visit the Marquis’ estate.

Sending a letter in the early hours of the morning was in itself somewhat inappropriate, but this person insisted on visiting in the afternoon without even asking for a suitable time.

Ariel’s response was more a blunt “it doesn’t matter” than a polite acceptance.

The guest’s blatant rudeness frustrated her, but she had no choice but to prepare for their arrival.

The blatant rudeness made her face twist in frustration, but the guest was one she couldn’t turn away.

It was the Kuno Trading Company, to whom the Marquis family owed a huge debt.

Ariel had no choice but to push herself up, despite her fatigue.

She didn’t feel well at all. The strain of the Bayern Marquis’ party had made her sick.

It wasn’t Cier’s fault, it was Kylance’s.

The way he had callously ignored her and kissed Cier’s hand with such ease.

The memory of it was vivid in her mind, even when her eyes were closed, preventing her from getting any rest.

Why Cier of all people?

The Bayern Marquis was wealthy, but not from a distinguished family.

Besides, the Marquis’ fortune couldn’t be compared to the Duke’s vast wealth.

He could have easily found someone much better. He deserved it.

But instead it was her friend, Cier.

What was he thinking? Or rather, when had all this started?

At this point it seemed pointless to question his infidelity, but the thought still lingered in her mind.

And she felt a deep resentment towards him. Whether it was that or the exhaustion that weighed on her, a sharp pain suddenly tugged at her chest.

As Ariel put her hand to her aching heart, the voice of a maid broke through her thoughts.

“Miss, everything is ready.”

Ariel slowly opened her eyes, tired but determined, and looked at her reflection in the mirror.

Perhaps because she had taken the time to prepare, her face in the mirror seemed calm, free of worry despite the turmoil in her mind. She offered the maid a gentle compliment.

“Good work.”

“Thank you for your help.”

Ariel stood up, and as she did, the sound of the gates opening could be heard from the balcony.

The head of the Kuno Trading Company had arrived.

Ariel let out a tense breath and made her way out of the room with the maid.

As they walked down to the lobby, she noticed the head of the Kuno Trading Company getting out of his carriage.

He immediately scowled when he saw her and raised his head stiffly to meet her gaze.

Although the head of the Kuno Trading Company held the title of Baron, Ariel was the daughter of the Marquis family.

Etiquette would have expected him to bow, but he ignored the proper greeting.

He wouldn’t bow, of course.

Not wanting to escalate the situation, Ariel decided to greet him first.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ariel Blanté.”

“Mm, nice to meet you. I’m Pedrin Kuno, head of the Kuno Trading Company.”

Ariel forced a smile as she spoke.

“I apologise for not being fully prepared for your visit, as you arrived so suddenly this morning. However, I have prepared tea in the drawing room, so if we could continue our conversation there…”

Before she could finish, the head of the Kuno Trading Company raised his hand and cut her off.

His rude behaviour made Ariel’s smile falter and her expression harden, but the merchant paid no attention. With a dismissive wave of his hand.

“Young lady, I didn’t come here to sit in the drawing room and chat. Let me get straight to the point. I expect the family of the Marquis of Blanté to repay the debt they owe to the Kuno Trading Company within the month.”

Ariel narrowed her eyes in disbelief at his outrageous demand.

“Within this month? That’s an unreasonable demand, sir. It’s true that the situation at the Marquis’ estate has worsened, but you made a contract with my father and lent him money. The repayment date is clearly stated in the contract…”

“Young lady! That contract was made when the Marquis of Blanté’s family was still in good standing. If I had known that the Marquis would die irresponsibly, I would never have signed it! This is essentially fraud on the part of the Marquis Blanté!”

The head of the Kuno Trading Company raised his voice again, interrupting her as if to intimidate her. But Ariel wasn’t intimidated. Instead, her thoughts became clear.

She now knew exactly how to deal with the Kuno Trading Company’s debt.

Ariel let out a sharp, dismissive breath at the rude merchant and spoke softly.

“Fraud… If you really believe that, then I have nothing more to say to you.”

Her change of demeanour made the head of the Kuno Trading Company hesitate, his breath catching.

Ariel continued in a calm voice.

“The estate of the Marquis of Blanté will repay the debt according to the contract, whether you agree to it or not.”

“What do you mean…?”

“If you consider this contract to be fraudulent, you should take the appropriate legal action.”

“Legal action…? Are you suggesting we go to court?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m suggesting.”

Ariel’s calm demeanour caused the head of the Kuno Trading Company to widen his eyes in surprise.

This was clearly not what he had expected. It made sense. She hadn’t planned on going to court.

She had assumed that the merchant would ask for the rest of the estate or for valuable heirlooms from the Marquis’ vault.

She had already decided that offering some of the estate’s assets would be more practical than going to court.

But now she saw no other option.

With the head of the Kuno Trading Company overstepping his bounds, Ariel had no choice but to make a bold move.

Realising how determined he was, she concluded that it would probably be impossible to reach an agreement within the limits she had originally considered.

With calm composure, she turned to the nervous merchant.

“Isn’t that right? Our estate cannot repay the money immediately. And since you’re so insistent, refusing to negotiate and claiming the contract is fraudulent, perhaps you should file a lawsuit against the Marquis’ estate.”

She spoke as if she really considered the prospect of going to court.

“I understand that the Marquis’ estate is not in a financial position to sustain a lawsuit, but don’t you think you’re going too far?”

The head of the Kuno Trading Company hesitated, studying her expression as if trying to determine if she was serious about taking legal action while also weighing the estate’s financial plight.

But Ariel’s reply showed no sign of hesitation.

“This is a matter for the Marquis’ estate. And however difficult it may be, isn’t that preferable to trying to raise a million in a month? If all else fails, I could always declare bankruptcy. That would wipe out all debts to the Kuno Trading Company.”

As Ariel fixed the merchant guild leader with an unwavering gaze, his face gradually turned pale.

He had realised that she was serious. The guild leader, who had been riding high on his own arrogance, cleared his throat and softened his tone.

If this went on, the Marquis’ estate might end up giving him nothing.

And if it went bankrupt… the losses to the company would be catastrophic.

He had assumed that with the Marquis Blante’s death and the Duke’s harsh abandonment, the estate would be completely subdued.

In fact, his advisor had confidently assured him that Lady Blante would be overwhelmed and submissive. He claimed that the pressure would be enough to make her surrender the family heirlooms.

But contrary to the advisor’s claims, Ariel Blante only grew more composed under his threats, maintaining her noble dignity without faltering.

The head of the Kuno cast a sharp glance at his nervous advisor standing beside him. Then, quickly adjusting his demeanour, he spoke with measured caution.

“Ahem, Lady Blante. I seem to have let the situation get the better of me and become overly agitated. To be honest, it was rather rude of me to arrive so abruptly. Allow me to apologise for the commotion I caused.”

The head of the Company bowed his head. Ariel didn’t immediately accept his apology, but remained silent for a moment.

Not only had he disrespected her, but he had also insulted her late father.

What she really wanted to do was reject his apology outright and tell him to prepare for a lawsuit… but she knew that acting on emotion alone wouldn’t solve anything.

This wasn’t just about her.

Besides, she hadn’t come here today with the intention of engaging in a full-blown conflict with the head of the company.

What she was looking for – no, what she needed – was not a courtroom battle, but a negotiation.

Taking a deep breath, Ariel finally broke her silence and began to speak.