“Do you think it’s just curiosity?”

Lucienne’s gray eyes, which had instantly turned cold, gleamed darkly. Feeling the tension, Nix took a step back and turned his head. He sensed this wasn’t a conversation he should be part of.

Tom hesitated to answer and remained silent. Lucienne spoke in a calm voice.

“You’ve heard the rumors too, right? That our Bickman family has started trading with the duchy.”

“In such enormous matters, your name is always mentioned, Miss.”

Lucienne raised the corner of her mouth at his words. She fiddled with the pointed part of her chin and continued.

“Folluk has benefited the most from trade with Freemont until now. But now we’re taking away a significant portion of that rice bowl. If he’s not a fool, wouldn’t he be angry?”

“The reason he was able to handle that trade exclusively was because of Count Balshwin’s sponsorship. He’s been helping the family’s affairs since the time of the previous count.”

Tom, who had been speaking gruffly, soon frowned and lowered his voice.

“Do you know how dangerous what you’re doing is? Your brother, who only knew how to play around, suddenly brings in this nonsensical business—a clever lady like you should know better than to step forward and show your face so openly.”

“I was the one who said I’d do it.”

“What?”

Tom opened his mouth in surprise. While Nix was contemplating whether to point out his rude attitude, Lucienne showed a slight smile.

“I got kidnapped even when living quietly, so I decided not to live quietly anymore. At least business leaves some profit.”

Tom exhaled with a “huh” and gaped. Lucienne looked around and spoke calmly.

“I know it’s dangerous work. That’s why I’m preparing. So tell me about Folluk.”

Tom stared at Lucienne with narrowed eyes. His lips tilted crookedly as if testing her.

“Why should I do that?”

“We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“……Who, ack, what?”

Tom, who choked at Lucienne’s matter-of-fact answer, staggered while grabbing the back of his head. Nix looked at the two with interested eyes. Lucienne said nonchalantly.

“You said you liked me, and I liked you too. Isn’t that how people become friends?”

Nix’s eyes tensed up. Tom hastily waved both hands at his fierce gaze that looked as if he would devour him.

“No, when did I, that, that’s not what I meant……”

“It’s already too late to back out, Tom. You were the first one who told me Folluk’s name. If something goes wrong and someone asks me how I knew about his special tastes, who do you think I’ll mention?”

Tom’s eyes, which had been warily looking at Nix, turned back to Lucienne. Looking like a cornered mouse, he raised his trembling hand, pointed at Lucienne, and spoke as if wronged.

“Who would believe that there’s a noble young lady who threatens a butcher in this world?”

“So choose the side that benefits you. If the Bickman family falls, your biggest source of income will disappear, and then that street that’s finally become clean will get dirty again.”

Tom, who had been scrunching his face at her words, paused. Lucienne looked at him with a faint smile.

“I really didn’t know you’d use the remaining money like that. It was a good idea to put up lanterns so the streets could be lit at night. Darkness tends to bring unnecessary fear.”

A sheepish expression flashed across Tom’s thick face. After sighing heavily while rubbing his face, he shook his head and widened his eyes.

“What will you pay for the information?”

A radiant smile spread across Lucienne’s face, having obtained what she wanted. Her sincere expression of genuine joy had something that made the viewer feel proud.

Tom, who was pretending to be disgruntled and turning his gaze away, saw something suddenly thrust in front of him. It was one of the cards she had been holding.

“You should taste a piece too. That way you’ll prepare it again when we catch another one.”

Nix’s eyes relaxed downward as he saw Tom’s name and the butchers’ street address written on the card. This young lady truly knew how to handle people. Though he tried to compose his expression, a hint of a smile also flashed across Tom’s eyes. He grumbled.

“Well, I never. Who would for a mere fish……”

“Remember. You must complete the deliveries before dinner preparation time today. Then I’ll leave it to you, Nix. I’ll be going now.”

“Take care, Miss.”

Tom, who had been blankly staring at Lucienne’s retreating back as she cut off his words and waved goodbye, suddenly shouted.

“Shouldn’t you have at least one escort knight? Is there any need to be this bold? Someone who openly knows it’s dangerous work, fluttering around alone like that. How long has it been since you went through that ordeal!”

Nix couldn’t help but smile as it sounded like a mother bird’s nagging while watching over a baby bird. Tom glanced at him, shook his head, and wiped his nose.

“How did I end up working with such a willful young lady? If you don’t want to end up like me, you should get out now. If you space out, she’ll leave you speechless in an instant and make you do whatever she wants.”

His words sounded more like a complaint than a real warning. Nix responded with a stoic face.

“The young lady seems to trust you quite a bit, but I don’t. That Akariphs fish is not only fierce in temperament but also quite intelligent. It avoids traps, making it extremely difficult to catch. It’s not an easy fish for a first-timer to handle.”

Tom’s eyes narrowed fiercely through his bushy white hair. After clicking his tongue briefly, he grabbed the handle of the knife stuck in his apron pocket.

“Well, this is annoying. Everyone’s underestimating me. Makes me feel awful.”

Tom, who had been skillfully twirling the flat-bladed knife with ease, quickly swung the blade. Startled by the unique coldness emitted by the sharp knife that seemed to brush against his nape, Nix stepped back several paces. Half of his beard had been cleanly cut and was floating down to the floor.

“I can separate your flesh and bones cleanly even with my eyes closed. Try me if you want to see.”

It was a completely different look from how he had been with Lucienne. Feeling as if the pungent smell of blood was rippling in those eyes, Nix stroked his neck with the back of his hand.

There was no trace of a wound. His skill was quite impressive.

“When you’re done, I’ll ask you to do the other half too.”

He said calmly and turned around. Tom snorted and grumbled as he put the knife back in his apron.

“Why are there only such strange fellows around that young lady?”

Of course, that would include himself, Nix thought as he stood in front of the wooden box. A fierce battle was expected in many ways. The blue veins on his thick arms bulged as he called the workers to prepare to open the lid.

* * *

Settled in the office, I focused on organizing the ledgers while eating almonds soaked in honey that Maya had brought. With sales increasing more than tenfold, there was much work to do.

The goods from the Rihasbin merchant group were of good quality and charged low commission fees. Since our goal was to spread the goods widely rather than make large profits, we sold them cheaply, which attracted customers.

‘That’s bait to make the Nix merchant group famous. Big money comes from luxury goods. Until now, nobles have been cautious of the Count and couldn’t order more luxury items than necessary. All the most precious items available from the Folluk merchant group went to the Count. Those people are our target.’

Lars was right. When rumors spread that there was nothing we couldn’t procure, nobles started coming. Orders for the finest silk and crafted items made with Freemont’s finest jewels, famous for their brilliant colors, were lining up.

Thanks to this, Nix and I had no time to rest, but we enjoyed it nonetheless. Though sometimes I had to take deep breaths because it was so absurd.

“200 pedir for one smoking pipe.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. The order came from Duchess Pichet, famous for her vanity. After Duke Pichet, known for his wealth, died of a strange disease a few years ago, she had been living a luxurious life with several lovers.

With many social gatherings for the new year, she seemed to be preparing to attract attention. She ordered not just the smoking pipe but also a necklace, earrings, and hair ornaments, totaling over 5,000 pedir. It was enough money to buy a small mansion with servants.

I thought I had become quite numb to the value of money, but sometimes it still amazes me. Of course, the money accumulating as my share was also surprising.

After concentrating and finishing the sales table organization, I put down the pen and felt my hand stiffening from holding it for so long. Sighing and massaging my hand, I suddenly sensed someone’s presence and looked up. Lars was flipping through a book he had taken from the bookshelf, though I didn’t know when he had arrived.

The fatigue that had been weighing on my shoulders seemed to melt away. If someone asked me when I was happiest, I would say it was the moment I turned my head casually and saw his face.

……Of course, I would be even happier if I could know when he was coming.