“I’m sorry to bother you when you’re busy. I was told I should inquire first if I want to meet Brother Conrad.”
At this, he openly frowned.
“The young master is not so idle as to entertain you, miss. His schedule is completely full.”
Rubein said while pretending to read through his notebook.
“…Then when will he be available? Not even in the evening?”
“Not tomorrow, not the day after. No, not even next week. If you have business, you can meet him during the heir training sessions, or tell me and I’ll relay the message. Evenings won’t work as the young master needs to sleep.”
“I wanted to ask in detail about the assignment, but Brother Conrad and Sister Ibnis were talking just between themselves and wouldn’t include Liria.”
“……”
Liria put her all into the performance, even sniffling in the middle.
“But why is everything unavailable when he’s not even going far away? Grandfather said the direct line family members should get along well.”
As Liria persisted, even mentioning the Duke, Rubein became annoyed but remembered Conrad’s schedule to travel.
‘Ah, right. This Friday, he’s scheduled to visit Marchioness Sielté’s mansion, Ibnis’s family home. If he goes, he won’t be back for at least two days…’
“Well, what can I do? He’s going very far away.”
‘Go away now, little one.’
“I understand, then there’s nothing to be done. I’ll be going.”
‘Information acquisition successful!’
Liria turned away with puffed cheeks, but a smile escaped, so she covered her mouth and ran off quickly.
From behind, she looked like she was running away, disappointed and crying.
The gardener who was cutting the grass thought Rubein had made the child cry and shook his head.

***

The commercial district of Lutia Station, known as the busiest place in Roberg.
Florang Street, situated in the best location right in front of the Edel River, was originally a quaint area with flowers, greenhouses, and small handcraft workshops, but now it has changed beyond recognition.
It had been this way since Lillian, the Duchess of Roberg, died and her daughter Belita took ownership.
Throughout Florang Street, world-famous luxury houses, boutiques by renowned designers, jewelers, and specialty shops for luxury goods lined up one after another.
It was the result of Belita’s bold investments and full mobilization of her social network, as she loved anything that sparkled and was glamorous.
Lumière, the boutique she effectively ran, also had wealthy ladies as its main clientele.
While Roberg had achieved development in magic, economy, and commerce, the majority of the territory’s residents were ordinary, modest northern people who weren’t exactly overflowing with wealth.
Without the magical assistance policies of the Roberg family, they would have been unable to farm at all and would have suffered from famine.
Since a single accessory sold at Lumière cost as much as an entire house, ordinary people who barely made ends meet couldn’t even look at them.
Not just Lumière, but most shops on Florang Street couldn’t be used by the local people.
What they needed were quality goods at reasonable prices, not high-priced luxury items.
So people would only pass by with regretful eyes, reminiscing about the once quaint Florang Street of the past.
The same was true for small merchants who had been driven to back alleys after giving up prime locations.
“Things were better when Duchess Lillian was around.”
Belita, who had come to work at the boutique, frowned deeply with her smoothly trimmed eyebrows.
Then, with eyes that couldn’t believe what she was seeing, she looked at this month’s sales report and sighed heavily.
“…Hah. How could there be only five sales in a whole month? Hey.”
The two clerks exchanged glances, each signaling the other to go. Reluctantly, one approached and asked cautiously.
“But who are you calling…?”
“Who else? I’m calling you, Amy.”
“What? Yes! Ma’am.”
Belita looked Amy up and down and shook her head.
“Can’t you do something about that dull and cheap outfit? And that expression too. You had that dead look when Madame Samoa came last time. Who would feel like buying anything, seeing that face?”
“I-I’m sorry. I can’t afford expensive clothes.”
“How stupid. If you work in a place like this, you need to match a certain standard. Don’t you agree?”
After embarrassing her so openly, Amy burst into tears and ran to the bathroom.
After looking at her with contemptuous eyes, Belita bit her lip and muttered.
“Sigh… Father’s mention of restructuring seems ominous. This season’s performance is so poor, it’s a good thing I submitted last season’s sales figures instead. So lucky.”
With a brightened face, Belita carefully examined the interior of the boutique and said with her hands on her hips.
“Hmm, should I rearrange the furniture for a change of atmosphere?”
Just then, clerk Amy returned from the bathroom, and Belita said with a gentle smile.
“Girls. Move this couch over there, and the clothes display to the center. No, wait. Ah, Roxanne’s pearl necklace. Put this right in the middle.”
It was the most expensive item in Belita’s boutique.
A rare pearl necklace with a peculiar gradient mixing pink and light green hues.
Of course, the actual price was only 1/100th of what was marked. Isn’t that how luxury items work?
If this sold, it would cover several months of sales in one go.
Just as Belita was gazing at the necklace with gentle eyes, it happened.
“…Ma’am. I quit as of today. I can’t take any more of the personal attacks, disrespect, and the pathetic pittance you call a salary!”
As Amy rapidly thrust forward her resignation letter, Classid was walking into the boutique with heavy steps.
Rolling his blood-red eyes, he emits a menacing aura from his entire body.
“……”
Belita unconsciously gulped. She felt like she was seeing this face of Classid’s for the first time.
Not the brother she had always looked down on, but an expression as terrifying as a messenger from h*ll.
A chilling silence filled the room.
Belita opened her eyes wide and asked first.
“What brings you here?”
In response, Classid silently took out a perfume bottle from his pocket and threw it on the floor.
It rolled and stopped with a thud.
“…You sent this kind of gift to my daughter.”
“W-what are you talking about?!”
Belita screamed with bulging eyes. But her pupils were trembling.
Classid’s gloved hand swept all the perfume bottles displayed on a nearby showcase, sending them crashing to the floor.
Then his foot stomped on the glass with a cracking sound.
Until the bottles shattered into pieces.
“You, you…! What kind of outrage is this, coming into someone else’s shop?”
Sneering at Belita, who was questioning him with an incredulous face, Classid gathered dragon mana in his palm.
Sharp, solid metal blades were summoned and flew in all directions.
“Kyaaak!”
The clerks screamed and ran outside.
Soon, the entire front of the boutique building, including all the glass, shattered completely.
All the items Belita had treasured so dearly were in shambles.
Even Roxanne’s necklace.
“…You madman! Aaaagh!”
Belita, who had been approaching Classid, grabbed the back of her neck and collapsed.
“If you touch my daughter one more time, there will be no mercy next time.”
Classid uttered coldly, like an emotionless person, and then vanished.