Andrew went out again to finalize a land deal. It was a bit regretful to sell such vast lands and their abundant crops all at once, but there was no better way to amass a large sum of money quickly.

Shortly after, Alec and my mother-in-law also left the mansion to visit their respective informants and the flower farm.

It was around then that the visitors I had been waiting for arrived.

“…Oh my, Lady Marianne?”

“Hello, Louise. This must be the first time I’ve come to visit you like this, isn’t it?”

Viscountess Marianne smiled brightly, her delicate beauty radiating. Although she was in her mid-thirties, she was famous for her youthful appearance, as fresh as a debutante, despite being older than me.

I had an inkling of why she had come to our mansion. I had been wondering who would visit, and here was someone of considerable importance.

“You’ve come at a good time. Please, come inside.”

I guided Lady Marianne to the drawing room and instructed the servants to bring tea.

As Eloise sat beside me and exchanged brief greetings with Lady Marianne, she spoke kindly.

“Miss Eloise, there’s been quite a buzz about you lately. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen it myself, but do you really own a shawl made from polar bear fur?”

As expected, Marianne’s business was about the polar bear fur.

Eloise responded with a cheerful smile.

“Of course. Just a moment, I’ll bring it to show you.”

“Oh my, thank you.”

At Eloise’s gesture, the servants quickly left the drawing room. When they brought the shawl, Lady Marianne stroked it repeatedly, marveling at it.

“To think this is polar bear fur—how incredible! I’ve never seen or heard of anything like it. With this, no winter chill could ever be a problem!”

At her words, I smiled faintly.

“We only recently acquired it. If we hadn’t gone to the North, we wouldn’t have had the chance to dress in polar bear fur.”

“That’s truly unique. It can’t have been easy to catch a polar bear—how did you manage to obtain it?”

Lady Marianne asked, genuinely curious.

Recalling the event, I furrowed my brow slightly before answering.

“It was really by chance. We happened to come into contact with some people in the North who could catch polar bears.”

“Are they by any chance the wild men who captured Count Andrew?”

“Yes, you know them well. After much effort to fulfill their request, they gave us something like this.”

“I see…”

Lady Marianne looked at me with admiration in her eyes, unable to take her gaze away.

It was clear she had come to our house after hearing rumors about the polar bear fur.

Though she had a keen interest in fashion, she was also a renowned collector. Whenever she heard of exotic luxury or rare items arriving in the empire, she spared no expense.

The idea of adorning oneself with polar bear fur was something no one could have imagined, and it seemed Lady Marianne was quite captivated by the idea.

“I heard there is more polar bear fur. What are your plans for it?”

At her cautious question, I smiled slightly.

“I’ve been giving it a lot of thought. It would be a shame to simply store such a precious item.”

“Exactly.”

“Did you know we recently acquired a textile factory?”

“Now that you mention it, yes. It’s well-known news.”

Lady Marianne’s eyes crinkled as she smiled, and I returned a brief smile before continuing.

“We’re also planning to rename the factory. For the first product, we’re thinking of launching something made from the polar bear fur.”

“My goodness, is that true?”

Lady Marianne was so astonished that she covered her mouth with both hands. Then, placing her hands over her heart, she asked hurriedly in a trembling voice.

“Congratulations! I’m so glad I came to see you. Is there any chance you’d take reservations?”

“Well…”

I trailed off with a slightly troubled expression.

As expected, Lady Marianne appeared very eager to obtain the polar bear fur.

However, I couldn’t give it away so easily, so I furrowed my brows slightly, pretending to be more conflicted.

Sensing my hesitation, Lady Marianne spoke hastily.

“The price doesn’t matter at all. I’m fully aware that you can’t put a price on it. It must have come at the cost of someone’s life. I’ve never seen a polar bear, but everyone knows they are ferocious and incredibly strong.”

“…”

“How hard must it be to obtain, unless you happen to stumble upon a dead polar bear? It’s not like they would freeze to death.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

I was touched by how much she valued the polar bear fur.

While my initial intention had been to use her, her appreciation for its worth made me feel that handing over the fur wouldn’t be such a waste.

Especially since she was a collector with her own collection, I imagined how much she would cherish it.

Letting out a small sigh mixed with a smile, I spoke again.

“Unfortunately, there’s only enough fur for one piece, so we won’t be able to make many products. Since it will be the first product released under the new ownership of the textile factory, we plan to focus on its significance.”

“Of course. I’m already looking forward to it.”

Though Lady Marianne spoke with understanding, her eyes betrayed a hint of disappointment.

I wondered how far she would go to obtain the polar bear fur.

It wasn’t unusual for a noble of her stature to spend a fortune on luxury items.

Money, after all, was the easiest way to acquire such things.

I bowed my head slightly before looking at her again.

“Your words about the value of the polar bear fur really touched me. I don’t think I can bring myself to sell it.”

“I understand. I would feel the same.”

Lady Marianne wore a regretful expression, but her eyes were still filled with eagerness.

Seeing her anxiety over acquiring the fur, I decided to reveal my intentions.

“That’s why if I were to sell the first product to someone, I would like to repay an invaluable favor rather than exchange it for money.”

“A favor that cannot be measured in money?”

Lady Marianne tilted her head in confusion, and Eloise looked equally curious.

“Yes. If someone truly worthy were to come along, I would gladly give it to them.”

“Then… is there anything I can do for Louise and your family?”

Lady Marianne seemed more direct than I had expected. I didn’t think she would ask so bluntly.

It was convenient for me, though, as it made the conversation progress quickly.

But would Lady Marianne agree to my proposal?

Since this was the first time showing off the polar bear fur, I didn’t want to give it to just anyone.

I began to test her resolve.

“Would you be willing to visit the North once we’re ready? I would love for you to see just how magnificent the North is, Lady Marianne.”

“Oh, me?”

Lady Marianne was visibly surprised, as if she hadn’t expected this at all.

How flustered must she be?

Asking a noble from the capital to visit the North was akin to suggesting modern-day people risk their lives to climb Mount Everest.

Even Eloise looked shocked, as if I had said something absurd.

I gave Lady Marianne a reassuring smile.

“There won’t be any danger. We’ve been working on the roads and have cleaned up the castle.”

“I see…”

“It’s a long ride by carriage, but it’s similar to a trip to the southern coast. And you’ll be staying in one of the luxurious rooms at Wiltsbrook Castle.”

“Now that you mention it, that castle…”

“Exactly. There’s no castle in the Rilt Empire with as much history as Wiltsbrook Castle, is there?”

“…”

Lady Marianne’s lips parted.

There was no way someone like Lady Marianne, who had a hobby of collecting rare antiques, could overlook Wiltsbrook Castle.

“The view from the castle’s tower is also quite spectacular. You and your family should visit first, and if you find it satisfactory… would you recommend it to others as well?”

I asked, a bright smile forming on my lips.

Lady Marianne seemed to understand my intention and couldn’t close her mouth.

For someone as well-known in social circles as Lady Marianne, it wouldn’t be difficult to make a trip to the North into a trend.

Soon, Lady Marianne’s eyes steadied as if she had made a decision.

“…Alright. Being the first guest invited to the North by the Lady of Wiltsbrook isn’t a bad thing.”

As she finished speaking, Lady Marianne confidently raised the corners of her mouth.

I responded to her smile with one of my own.

I was confident I could make her trip to the North unforgettable.

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