They were the ones who abandoned Antes in the first place, seeking profit rather than relationships, but now mentioning the old affection seemed really cheap.

“…”

The cold reaction, as if no blood would come out even if pricked, made the Baron and the Viscount close their mouths for a moment.

As Antes said, they had messed up the relationship by seeking profit first, and the little remaining conscience pricked them.

“If you have finished your business, please go back. Thanks to both of you, a lot of work has piled up and I’m busy.”

Antes picked up the thrown documents again and responded. It wasn’t an excuse, he was really busy, and wished they would leave if they were just going to spout useless words.

At this, Baron Kotn and Viscount Gamay frowned.

Of course, they didn’t expect to be easily accepted as they would have been upset, but they couldn’t even imagine being turned away without properly being heard.

After all, he too needed them to properly operate the guild. The two men expressed their dissatisfaction, wondering why he was being so stubborn.

“Without us, the guild wouldn’t operate, right! That’s why we are saying we’ll come back, why are you being so harsh?!”

“That’s right! Our products do have a market share!”

Antes put down the bundle of documents again. And then looked at the two men with cold eyes.

With a look that wanted to tear them apart, the Baron and the Viscount unknowingly avoided his gaze.

They had forgotten, but Antes was a man of enormous rumors.

“That market share, who do you think made it? When you contracted with me, don’t you remember your products hardly sold? It seems you don’t think you can grow other businesses the same way.”

“…!”

With that answer, the Baron and the Viscount realized that Antes was looking for other trading partners.

In reality, contracts were already finalized and it was just before collecting products for distribution. Anyway, it meant that there was no need to be attached to these two men anymore.

Unable to open their mouths at the reality they finally understood, it felt like someone had hit their heads with a hammer.

What to do, what to do? If it continues like this, they wouldn’t be able to avoid supplying goods to Fersen for free for the rest of their lives.

Confused, the Baron who was wandering for a moment, soon put down everything and knelt on the floor.

“Please, forgive me! It was all my fault! If it continues like this, we will be supplying goods to Rordrian’s guild for free for the rest of our lives, please, just this once, help us even a little!”

However, Antes didn’t show any particular reaction. What was the point of kneeling?

It was just an act of the knees touching the floor, not a particularly helpful action.

Because of this, Baron Kotn also knelt beside Viscount Gamay. They couldn’t give up on the business that allowed them to live nobly despite being unremarkable.

“We don’t mind if the ratio is lowered! No, even if you could help a little to cancel the contract, we will be grateful for life! We will do whatever you ask, please, please help us!”

There wasn’t a need for re-contract, they were pleased with the request to just help cancel the contract with Fersen.

Finally, Antes showed interest in the two men. It wasn’t purely out of the intention to help, but a way to get back at Fersen, who had scammed him earlier.

“Do you really intend to do as told? Losing trust is a secondary concern, but it might turn the Duke’s family against you.”

“Yes! Of course!”

The two men hastily nodded at the positive answer. If they could just end the hundred-year contract, they felt they could do anything. Not being able to see even an inch ahead and making the worst choices. Antes gave a bitter smile and slowly explained what they had to do next.

* * *

“Young master Fersen. Baron Kotn has visited again, what should we do? He has come with Viscount Gamay.”

The next day, early in the morning, Baron Kotn who requested another visit caused Fersen to frown. What do they see this contract as?

It was a fair contract, but he couldn’t understand why they kept coming back.

Ignoring them would only be bothersome, so Fersen decided to give stern advice to Baron Kotn once again.

With today as a starting point, he thought to suppress them thoroughly so they can’t rise again.

“Let them in.”

Shortly after Fersen’s permission, Baron Kotn and Viscount Gamay appeared.

But strangely, unlike yesterday, there were no shocked or dissatisfied faces.

They rather looked relaxed, as if they came to have a casual conversation.

“What is it?”

But since they had annoyed him yesterday, Fersen couldn’t speak kindly. Despite Fersen being on guard, Baron Kotn, with a soft smile, apologized for yesterday.

“I think I was very rude yesterday, so I will apologize first. I was shocked seeing the settlement and failed to consider your feelings.”

Expectedly, with their very compliant attitude, Fersen’s guard was lowered instantly.

Initially, since the contract was made like that from the beginning, there wasn’t a point in arguing. Fersen didn’t care about others’ situations at all.

“I’m glad you understand.”

Having almost scammed them with the contract, Fersen didn’t seem to feel even a little guilty.

Thanks to that, Baron Kotn also completely abandoned his conscience.

“Is that all you came to say?”

Since Viscount Gamay, who didn’t object to him and left, was with them, he gestured towards Viscount Gamay and asked.

It was a question asking if there was any other business. At this, Baron Kotn hurriedly got to the point.

“Oh, of course not. Actually, I want to slightly increase my revenue, so I came to suggest supplying in larger quantities.”

“In larger quantities?”

“Yes. I was intentionally restraining the quantity as I feared the price would drop if too much was released, but now I think it might be time to release more due to the limitations in profits.”

“I have the same opinion, that’s why I accompanied him. Of course, you’d have to secure new trading partners. What do you think?”

Adding even a small amount to form a large amount was Viscount Gamay’s supporting opinion to Baron Kotn.

At this, Fersen thought for a moment. Actually, it was a welcoming matter if they increased the quantity. Recently, there was a good story about a trading partner. It was the Imperial Palace.

Imperial Palace, being large-scale and populous, was a place that consumed quite a large quantity without stop, and with the current circulating quantity, he thought it was unmanageable and was considering whether to discuss.

“Young lord Vincent has also wanted to release more from the beginning. But I have always refused as I wasn’t interested, but now seems to be a good time, so I’m suggesting.”

Although Antes’ offer was rejected, Fersen stopped worrying when he heard that he would specifically grant permission to him.

Even if they couldn’t distribute all the quantity, they could charge a storage fee. So, there was no loss, hence no need to worry.

“Alright. Let’s do that. I was thinking of increasing new trading partners anyway, it’s time to put it into action. When do you think is a possible delivery date?”

“Ah! If the clients are secured, I will prepare immediately. In fact, there’s no need to prepare or not, as I already have quite a lot stacked in my personal warehouse.”

“I too think it won’t take long. Please let me know when the new client is decided. I hope you sell a lot.”

The very active two men made Fersen’s heart flutter a little.

If a deal with the Imperial Palace is secured, it would undoubtedly be recognized by the world. It would be a significant achievement before taking over the title.

“Understood. I’ll contact you as soon as the new client is decided. It probably won’t take long. There’s already a place where discussions are ongoing.”

Without a shadow of doubt in Fersen, Baron Kotn and Viscount Gamay exchanged satisfied smiles.

* * *

Having heard everything from Antes, Luna no longer worried about him. He really was a man who could handle things quietly and efficiently.

Luna vaguely mentioned to Rosemary that Antes had a contingency plan prepared. It was a very sensitive matter, so she admonished that it shouldn’t be leaked to anyone other than the Marquis and Marchioness.

So, after easing her worries, she returned to her normal life and after a while, Luna received a letter. It was a letter from Viscountess Flora.

[I sincerely apologize for my daughter’s rudeness.]

The letter, which began with an apology for Flory’s rude behavior, stated that she would be grounded from going out until she apologized, and therefore couldn’t meet with anyone.

‘How could such a daughter come from such a mother?’

Although it was a past incident and she didn’t think about receiving an apology, the idea of being prohibited from going out until an apology was quite pleasant.

As Luna folded the letter and put it away, Royer knocked on her door.

“It’s time to depart.”

With that, Luna left the room and got on the carriage with him.

“When will the results come out?”

“It will take about two or three weeks as we need the Emperor’s approval. He prioritizes charitable projects, so it should be on the faster side.”

With Royer’s help, all the necessary documents and plans for the charity project were finalized. All that remained was to submit the documents and receive the Emperor’s approval.

By now, Luna began to desire Royer. Not once or twice, but having spent several months together taking care of trivial matters, she was grateful.

Wouldn’t it be better to offer a high salary and employ him officially rather than having him help for free? Of course, there was the issue of Royer having to choose to leave the Marquis family and choose her instead.

As she thought about this, the carriage arrived at the Imperial Palace. As Luna walked around the castle, she asked Royer out of curiosity.

“Do you plan to work in the Marquis’s family all your life? Seeing how competent you are, I believe there would be families willing to lure you with a higher salary.”

And that family is me, she implied in her question, making Royer widen his eyes.

He did feel that she valued him highly, but he didn’t expect her to ask so directly.

Moreover, if Luna said she would take him, it would be a welcome change.

At first, he helped to make a good impression thinking she was Antes’s tamer, but now he genuinely wanted to work with Luna.

Royer was about to respond, begging her to take him, when suddenly someone appeared and grabbed Luna’s wrist.

It was someone both Luna and Royer knew very well.