The man, who had previously appeared fuzzy, now appeared clearly. When did he have such a face? The reason for his lack of presence was not only because of his pale complexion but also because of the man’s expression, which seemed uninterested in anything. It was so faint that an onlooker might not even notice as he passed by.

But the Master who was now looking at her with cold eyes—who was he? Perhaps this is his true face. Up until now, he had hidden his claws to reassure people.

The person leading this immense merchantry had no intention of giving in.

“Grand Duchess?”

Ah, his tone reminded Amelia of someone. With that familiar title, she finally regained her senses.

“How much do I know? I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“How did the Grand Duchess, who only stays inside her castle, know how to come to the House?”

It had been a question he wanted to ask someday. It was suspicious that the Grand Duchess, who never left the palace, knew such information.

“I don’t want to hear you call me Grand Duchess. Just call me by my name.”

Although he was a completely different person, she didn’t want to be called that because he kept reminding her of Raphael.

“I can’t tell you who gave me the information. I believe I came here in a very legitimate way.”

Anyone who knew some information could visit the House of Chester Merchantry. It didn’t matter if the person was a prince or a traitor.

“Choosing the client is the Master’s job, but you don’t refuse visitors, do you?”

“…….”

“I have someone who gives me information. That person informed me about the Cloud Mine.”

Technically, it was Aaron from the future. But if she explained in detail, she might be treated as a crazy person. Knowing about the future. That was a perfect setting for becoming a strange person.

“Then why not proceed with that informant.”

“Ah, they’re not someone who helped because they wanted to.”

More importantly, I want to see what’s inside that envelope quickly.

“Why did you want to buy this mine?”

“I’ll tell you later. You’re not a business partner yet.”

Amelia reached out her hand as if urging him to give it. She was impatient to know if the purchase of the mine had been successful.

“I bought one mine that is closest to the Siegfried territory and another mine in the capital. They are both empty mines where both diamonds and gold have been found.”

Marquis Cloud’s greed was evident, as he didn’t want to sell the empty mine. It might have something to do with the gems. Actually, that mine wasn’t really empty.

“How much did you buy them for?”

“We had to raise the price a bit to buy them quickly. 3,000 gold each, a total of 6,000 gold.”

Even after buying them for 6,000 gold, she’d still have 2,000 gold left. Compared to Aaron’s almost worthless purchase of the mine, she had to pay a considerable amount.

“Well, I guess I have no choice.”

Amelia murmured as she began to open the money pouch she had brought. She didn’t know how much the total would be, so she brought all the money she had.

“For now, consider this 6,000 gold as compensation for the damage I did to the House.”

It was bothersome to have to disclose where she used her money to continue using her personal budget. She didn’t know when Raphael would catch up to her.

“Master?”

“I have one more question.”

His sharp gaze from earlier was gone, and his faint eyes returned. The more she looked at him, the more she felt that she should protect him. He was the complete opposite of Raphael. Whom she had to run away from to avoid being harmed. And to think of Raphael Lloyd Siegfried having no presence? That’s completely absurd.

Raphael’s presence was more intense and definite than that of anyone she had ever seen. In contrast, the man in front of her seemed like he would be forgotten as soon as she turned her back.

“If you’re asking about the mine…”

“What’s the reason you want to become rich?”

She obviously expected him to ask about the mine, so when he asked a different question, she was taken aback and was speechless. The Master she knew was not interested in the client. If the client didn’t ask first, the Master wouldn’t answer well.

That further convinced her. That the Chester Merchantry had nothing to do with Siegfried. The Master had the same attitude towards Leonel’s request.

“The same as last time. The Grand Duke’s money is not the Grand Duchess’s money.”
“I thought you wouldn’t ask questions to the client.”

Amelia tapped the armrest with her finger, pretending to be unconcerned, and looked at the Master. She imitated Raphael, who was the calmest and most confident person she knew. She couldn’t reveal all her cards when she hadn’t achieved anything yet.

“You have quite a lot of questions.”

“I’m curious why the Grand Duchess, who lacks nothing, needs money.”

She realized that she should never relax in front of the Master.

“You said you wanted to be my business partner.”

“I thought it was just a matter of exchanging money.”

“Trust is very important between partners.”

Amelia unconsciously chewed her lip, especially when the Master emphasized trust.

“Why do you have to get rich without Grand Duke Siegfried knowing. Why is that.”

“What’s in it for me if I tell you the truth?”

Of course, she wouldn’t tell everything as it was.

“You understand, right?”

To continue investing and doing business in the future, she needed the Master. Even if she obtained the mine, it would be difficult for her to do it alone.

“My relationship with my husband is not good.”

“…….”

“I think I need personal assets for personal reasons.”

Anyway, it was publicly known that the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess had a strained relationship. Specifically, she was raising funds for her escape and eventual divorce. That’s not a complete lie.

“Master may not understand because he has a lot of money, but people feel anxious when they have no money, right?”

All the desserts on the table were delicious. If Leonel were here, he wouldn’t stop using the fork because he would enjoy them. Just when she was thinking about asking for a few to be packed for the road, she heard the sound of tearing paper.

“I don’t think you’ll tell me, no matter how much I ask.”

“Master?”

“I only accept requests that I find convincing.”

The sound was from him opening the sealed envelope.

“So you’re telling me that the Grand Duke is the Grand Duchess’s enemy.”

“It’s not like that….”

Although she tried to defend herself, the other person had already seen through her situation. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t entirely false. To her, Raphael was an enemy all the same.

“A comfortable retirement fund. If I have to name it, it’s something like that.”

“So we’re working for the Grand Duchess’s retirement fund, then.”

Even as she spoke, Amelia knew that the Master wouldn’t believe her. She wanted to act foolishly in embarrassment, but because that gaze was fixed on her, she couldn’t do that.

“I am James.”

James? What a random name. And it was a very ordinary name.

“No way… Is that your real name, Master?”

“I said I would tell you if I became your business partner.”

Amelia immediately realized that the name James was a pseudonym. She had teased him by using the excuse of a retirement fund, but it turned out he was just the same. If you’re going to deceive someone, at least come up with a suitable name. This lacked any sincerity.

“I don’t think your real name is James.”

“….”

“Isn’t that right? Mr. James?”

If you tease someone, there should be some kind of reaction. Seeing his nonchalant face, Amelia gave up on teasing him.

“James is correct. It’s an external name, after all. If it’s inconvenient for you, you can continue to call me Master.”

Ah, it’s an external name. Well, no matter how secretive the owner of the merchantry, he must handle many things personally. Since he can’t send a proxy every time.

“I have a question before we make the contract.”

“Ask away.”

“Is it really true that you’re the Master?”

The appearance description of the Master she knew a decade from now was different. The Master that Aaron and Leonel met was a person wrapped in robes from head to toe.

“It’s not that I doubt you… but for a master of a powerful merchantry…”

“I seem excessively gentle?”

It was a word that she couldn’t bring herself to say until the end, but the most significant difference between James and Raphael was their aura. Compared to Raphael, who seemed sharp and veiled, the Master was gentle. In other words, he appeared kind.

“I hear that a lot.”

He doesn’t hate it?

“I’m sorry if it made you uncomfortable.”

“Not at all. This face gives me more advantages.”

She wondered if he was offended. So Amelia offered an apology. More advantages? She couldn’t understand what advantage he meant. She couldn’t take her eyes off the Master, who only smiled silently. Although they are two completely different people, she finally realized why Raphael kept coming to mind when she looked at the Master.

“Shall I tell you how many advantages there are?”

Their aura. He also emitted a strange aura like Raphael. A distinct languor and lethargy that could only be felt from a predator.