“What? Are you crazy?”

At the news, Eloise jumped up from the sofa.

It was because of the emperor’s statement that if they didn’t bring a large sum of money within a week, he would slaughter the Northerners.

“Who knows what goes on in that madman’s head?”

Even her mother-in-law elegantly chimed in while holding a teacup.

I sighed in response.

“That’s true.”

Threatening people with their lives… The emperor seemed determined to subdue the Northerners.

There’s no simpler way to rule people than with tyranny.

But Alec and I couldn’t force such a burden on the Northerners.

Even if they paid the taxes out of fear, the emperor would surely make more excessive demands.

We didn’t want to perpetuate a vicious cycle of suffering.

Eloise sat back down on the sofa, frowning.

“So, are we supposed to send mercenaries to every household in the North? Do you think the Northerners have that kind of money?”

I let out another sigh before replying.

“We’re not back-alley thugs. We won’t do that.”

“Then how do we raise that much money? Oh, wait!”

Eloise turned to Alec, who had been sitting silently. Alec lifted his eyes slightly.

“You can bring more, right, brother?”

Clapping her hands lightly, Eloise spoke as if she was pleased.

I firmly answered on Alec’s behalf.

“Alec alone can’t cover all the taxes the emperor is demanding. He’ll keep asking for more, so we need a long-term solution.”

I had no intention of being the emperor’s fool for the rest of my life.

For now, we needed to buy time by giving him what he wanted.

“I’ll go see my informant again, just in case.”

“Alright. Thanks to you, the burden seems lighter.”

“It’s my responsibility anyway.”

“Still.”

I gazed at Alec, feeling overwhelmed with affection.

He met my gaze as well.

While we exchanged glances for a moment, Eloise looked between us, her eyes widening.

“What’s going on? Why do you two seem so suspicious? How did a fake couple suddenly turn into a real one? You even walked arm-in-arm when you arrived. What happened in the North?”

Eloise’s sharp gaze was not to be underestimated.

Even my mother-in-law looked at us with a slightly surprised expression, apparently unaware of how close we had become.

I simply smiled at Alec, and he averted his gaze with a subtle expression.

Was it the lighting in the room that made his cheeks seem flushed?

Suddenly, my mother-in-law spoke up with a bright tone.

“Then, can we expect an heir soon?”

“……”

Alec froze, as if time had stopped, while I leisurely lifted my teacup.

“With everything happening, who knows what tomorrow holds? An heir seems a bit premature.”

Though I desired a child with him more than anyone, the timing wasn’t right.

I also wanted to enjoy this unexpected honeymoon a bit longer.

“They say people have children even during wars.”

“Well, our emperor is more terrifying than any war.”

“Still, the family needs an heir as soon as possible. If something were to happen to Alec, who would carry on the family line?”

“Can’t Eloise just dress up as a man and take over?”

“……”

The conversation, which had been like a clash of spear and shield, came to a halt.

Eloise, who had been suddenly pointed out, smiled subtly, as if she was pleased.

Of course, a woman couldn’t inherit a title, but the thought alone seemed to make Eloise happy.

Did she secretly have a thirst for power?

“You’re talking nonsense.”

My mother-in-law placed her teacup down with an extremely tired expression, then stood up as if to leave.

Elosei’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Sensing that she was about to leave, I quickly spoke to her.

“I still have something to say to you, Mother.”

“Then hurry up and say it.”

My mother-in-law sat back on the sofa comfortably.

“There’s something only you can do for us, Mother. None of us can do it without you.”

At my words, Eloise looked puzzled.

“Is there really such a thing in this world?”

I glanced briefly at Eloise and then smiled again at my mother-in-law.

“We’re planning to sell famous goods and products from the capital in the north. So, I’d like you to visit the shops and arrange for the supplies.”

“Me?”

My mother-in-law looked incredulous.

Well, she had lived her entire life as nobility, so she probably never imagined she’d receive such a request.

I picked up an envelope from the table.

“Here’s a list of shops I’ve compiled. I’ve also noted the items we must secure contracts for. Especially the Liz Flower Farm, which you must persuade. There isn’t a single flower shop in the north.”

“A place without a flower shop? Does that even make sense?”

“I was just as surprised. Liz Farm has the best greenhouse technology in the empire, so it’s bound to succeed in the north.”

“……”

Finally, my mother-in-law took the envelope from me. As she checked the contents, her brows furrowed deeply.

It must have been because the list of places she had to visit was so extensive.

I needed to change her mind and get her involved.

There were far too many other tasks for Alec and me to handle, and Eloise was simply not reliable.

For the merchants, it would be quite a good deal to have a new market.

“If you personally go, Mother, the merchants will be honored. After all, you were once the Duchess of Brent.”

“……”

“With someone as noble as you personally involved, the merchants will see how sincere we are. Just thinking about it is touching.”

“……”

Despite my sincere words, my mother-in-law remained unmoved.

It was her pride as the former duchess.

Should I use this method, after all?

I smiled and delivered the decisive words to provoke her.

“If we don’t develop the north quickly, the emperor will take all our lives. Of course, you wouldn’t be spared either, Mother.”

“……”

“So, will you help us?”

The once unyielding expression on my mother-in-law’s face faltered slightly.

It seemed that the threat to her life had shaken her.

In times like this, the emperor’s way was quite useful.

My mother-in-law surely wouldn’t want to lose the luxurious life she had regained with such difficulty.

Eloise, who had been watching me cautiously, nudged my mother-in-law in the side.

Then she even whispered something briefly in her ear.

After a moment of thinking, my mother-in-law took a deep breath and spoke.

“I suppose I’ll go. Perhaps I’ll buy some flowers while I’m at it.”

“Thank you. It would be great if you could visit today.”

Without looking at me, my mother-in-law shook her head and left the drawing room.

I had no doubt that she would succeed, putting the honor of the former Brent household on the line.

How profitable would it be if the famous flower shops and food stores from the capital set up in the north?

The taxes from the goods sold in the north would come back to us, the lord and lady of the estate.

Even though the emperor had tasked us with something difficult, we still needed to increase our wealth as quickly as possible.

“That’s our strength, after all.”

Several artisans, including Bruniel, had already promised to open stores in the north.

When we return to the north, there will be so many new companions that I already felt proud.

“Alec! Louise!”

At that moment, I heard Andrew’s voice from outside the drawing room.

When we turned to look, Andrew approached us with a bright, tearful face, clutching some documents in one hand.

Could things have already gone well?

Andrew had volunteered as our representative, and we had entrusted him with the matter related to the textile factory.

Andrew took a deep breath.

“We’ve obtained ownership of the Marquis Howard’s estate and textile factory.”

“……!”

Really?

Is it really ours now?

I covered my mouth with both hands, unable to hide my joy, and Eloise’s eyes widened as well.

I quickly stood up and approached Andrew.

“That’s wonderful news. Thank you, Andrew. I knew someone as capable as you would handle it quickly.”

“Don’t mention it. However, soon Marquis Howard’s relatives will likely file lawsuits. But it will all be in vain.”

“That’s fine. Actually, can I ask one more favor? The emperor gave us a new task when we visited the palace.”

“Anything. The two of you are my saviors; there’s nothing I wouldn’t do.”

“Then could you sell the marquis’s estate for a higher price? I’m sure you’ll do it much better than we could.”

I looked at Andrew with eyes sparkling as if I already owned a fortune.

How much would it be once all that vast land was sold?

But I wasn’t certain if anyone would suddenly step forward with the funds for such a large transaction.

Andrew’s eyes widened as if he’d just thought of something and spoke.

“This is great timing. Duke Brody Garcia, the empress’s father, is very interested in land. Since it once belonged to his nephew-in-law, Marcel, he won’t overlook it.”

“……That’s excellent news.”

Somehow, everything felt like it would progress smoothly.

It was only a matter of time before the Brent Duchy returned to its heyday and its wealth multiplied.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories