“But this person said they were a guest from the Count’s family.”

“…Huh? Count’s family? A guest sent by Count Scott?”

“Yes, I didn’t get to finish my introduction earlier. Cough, cough.”

Cain, who had been listening to our conversation, extended his hand which was as white and pale as snow, towards me.

“I am Cain Scott. The second son of the Count.”

“What?”

“Didn’t you request collaboration with the Count’s family?”

Seeing that I still looked doubtful, Cain pulled something out from his chest.

It was an identification plate stamped with the Count’s seal.

After seeing the identification plate, I couldn’t doubt him anymore. Although, my uneasiness hadn’t completely disappeared.

‘To think that suspiciously handsome man is Count Scott’s second son.’

My briefly stunned mind finally started working quickly.

Count Scott was essential for Jinjijo Transportation’s success. We absolutely needed to persuade him and make him our client!

With that thought, it seemed like a halo appeared behind Cain, who had only looked suspicious before.

Looking at him again, nobility seemed to ooze from his face.

I hadn’t noticed earlier, but even his clothes look extremely expensive.

‘He’s the perfect noble customer!’

I put on my business smile and stood in front of Cain. Then, I firmly grasped his extended white hand.

“Dear customer. Welcome to Jinjijo Transportation.”

Cain burst into laughter at my suddenly changed attitude.

“Pff, hahaha!”

But perhaps he laughed too hard, as he started coughing as if he might cough up blood.

He collapsed onto the sofa as if he might faint at any moment.

“Haa, haa…”

Really, who told you to laugh so hard?

“Marco. Please bring some lukewarm water first.”

“Yes, Master!”

This incredibly sickly man, I wonder if we can successfully make him our customer.

***

I had intended to have just a light discussion about collaboration.

I was planning to have detailed talks with the Guildmaster present.

But somehow, I ended up receiving a dinner invitation.

“As I need to take my medicine soon, I should return to the Count’s residence. If you don’t have prior arrangements, would you like to join me for dinner at the Count’s residence?”

Since I had no prior arrangements and couldn’t think of any reason to refuse, I accepted Cain’s proposal.

“Then I’ll be waiting.”

Cain left those words and returned to the Count’s residence.

I contacted the Guildmaster and reported what happened today. The Guildmaster said it wasn’t a big deal and told me to go to the Count’s residence first.

Then he added something quite burdensome.

“Branch Manager dear. Show them your abilities!”

It felt like a threat to somehow negotiate well with the Count and secure a contract.

It wasn’t impossible. After all, I was the one who came up with the idea to collaborate with the Count’s family.

Come to think of it, even though I was the head of the business, the Guildmaster had contributed more.

I had unconsciously been relying on the capable Guildmaster.

But now was truly the time to show my abilities as a Master.

I quickly began preparing to go to the Count’s residence.

First impressions are always the standard by which people judge various aspects of a person.

Since I was going to the Count’s residence as a branch manager, I needed to dress appropriately.

Not in suspicious hooded attire, but in a modest outfit that could inspire trust.

Since there wouldn’t be anyone there who would recognize my identity, I thought it would be fine to show my face.

I put on the dress I had carefully acquired in the Philia Islands. Then I added the few accessories I had and the scarf the Guildmaster had given me before.

Bonnie did my makeup, and she was quite skilled at it, thanks to her excellent handiwork.

After finishing all preparations and standing in front of the mirror, there stood a woman as beautiful as a painting.

“Manager Ma, how do I look?”

“You-you’re so beautiful! Like a princess living in the Imperial Palace!”

Marco even blushed. The princess comment must have been sincere, not just the words of a master of social skills.

“Bonnie, no, Director Bo. Am I pretty?”

“If I were a man, I would propose right away.”

Really, where did these siblings learn such excellent social skills?

“Alright. Then I’m off to the Count’s residence.”

“Yes, please take care.”

Marco and Bonnie escorted me to the carriage that was called near the branch.

They waved at me until the departing carriage was out of sight.

Their gestures were so cute that I kept waving back too. Like people who had to part for a very long time.

I arrived at the Count’s residence shortly after.

Though not as grand as the Duke’s residence in the capital, the Count’s residence was quite imposing for a provincial estate.

This meant they would be more than sufficient as trading partners. Hehe.

When I got out of the carriage, maids from the Count’s family who had been waiting guided me. I was truly impressed by how they didn’t skimp on guest hospitality.

After walking down the long corridor of the Count’s residence, we came to a large arched entrance without doors.

“Please enter through here.”

This seemed to be the dining room.

“Thank you for guiding me.”

“Yes.”

Upon entering the dining room, I saw a middle-aged, handsome man exuding dignity and Cain.

Recalling the noble etiquette I had briefly learned before, I greeted them.

“Hello, pleased to meet you. I am Anya, the branch manager of Jinjijo Transportation.”

“Welcome. I am Count Scott Falcon. Please feel free to address me simply as Count.”

The handsome middle-aged man was Count Scott, who would become our branch’s first client. Then Cain, who was sitting next to him, also greeted me.

“Anya, nice to see you again. You know who I am, right?”

I nodded slightly.

“It’s an honor to meet both of you.”

Cain personally escorted me to my seat.

Seeing him well-dressed and displaying proper manners, I wondered if this was really the same man who had been starving on the beach.

“Didn’t you bring that one with you?”

Cain asked in a low voice after sitting next to me. He seemed more impressed by Bless than I had thought.

“It’s originally a wild bird. It comes to me when it wants to, and returns to the forest when it wishes.”

“Ah. I wanted to see it again, how unfortunate.”

“Haha. You probably won’t see it often, so please don’t pay too much attention to it.”

This should be enough to prevent any threats to Bless’s safety. I had deliberately left Bless at the branch just in case.

Though Cain readily agreed, the smile on his lips somehow seemed suspicious.

The meal soon began. Count Scott told us to relax and enjoy the banquet.

Delicious aromas wafted from the rare dishes decorating the large table.

As I ate the delicious food, I thought of the Guildmaster, Bless, and the employees who couldn’t be here.

Delicious things should be shared together. Bless really likes fish, too.

I missed the “chomp chomp!” sound Bless would make while eating fish.

“…Is the food not to your liking?”

Had I sighed too much? Cain seemed to notice my troubled state and asked.

“No, it’s delicious! I just feel bad about the employees I left at the branch. I was thinking it would have been nice to eat together with them.”

“Would you like us to pack some food for you to take back?”

“Really? That would be wonderful!”

“Haha. It’s not difficult. Earlier today, Anya readily bought me food when I was hungry, too.”

“It was just a fish skewer.”

“I think the heart matters more than the quantity or value of things. It was excellent goodwill. I want to repay that goodwill.”

Feeling like I had suddenly become an incredibly kind person, I smiled awkwardly. In truth, I had helped him thinking of recruiting him as handsome employee No. 3.

After that, I ate happily and comfortably as usual.

After the meal, we had a light tea time.

Count Scott only started talking about our business in earnest after taking a sip of tea.

“After receiving Duncan’s proposal, I looked into Jinjijo Transportation.”

“….”

“It’s more famous than I expected. To be honest, being in the frontier means we often receive news from the capital late.”

“Our transportation company is quite well-known.”

I shrugged my shoulders, fully acknowledging our business’s greatness.

Perhaps the one lacking humility wasn’t the Guildmaster but me.

“I like that confidence.”

“Thank you for seeing it positively.”

“So, may I hear in detail how you plan to transport the goods?”

“Of course. You certainly can.”

I grinned with a confident smile.