“The delivery deadline was properly met, but….”
“I suppose so.”

The Western branch manager of the Edward Company sweat profusely as he stared at the man before him.

The man stood nearly 190cm tall, had a towering figure and a well-built body, and wore an oversized coat that made him look like a massive mountain range.

Edward Radner.

He had founded the Edward Company with fierce determination, growing it into the empire’s top internal combustion engine automobile company.

True to his accomplishments, Edward’s eyes were sharp and fierce.

Although it wasn’t their first meeting, the branch manager suddenly felt intimidated by his gaze again.

Edward spoke carefully.

“But why is the situation like this? Twenty percent of the products have specification errors. Did you not think that making engines like this could lead to quality issues?”
“Well… everything was managed properly.”

Edward placed his hand on the manager’s shoulder.

“You can only say you managed properly when no problems arise. If there’s an issue with the engines and an accident happens, the nobles and elites will swarm in like vultures, making a big deal out of it. Can you understand that you’ll be held fully responsible?”

Under Edward’s cold gaze, the branch manager lowered his head.

No matter how much he tried to argue, he realized he couldn’t meet this man’s eyes.

“I apologize. We will recall everything and deliver proper goods.”
“That’s a given. If you cause a problem, you should know how to take responsibility for it. Did you think being a branch manager was an easy position to obtain?”

Edward glanced at his secretary standing behind him.

“Cut the Western branch manager’s salary by twenty percent.”
“S-Sir!”
“Yes. I’ll do that.”

The branch manager felt he couldn’t breathe, but Edward was not in the mood to consider other people’s feelings.

The man who came like a storm left as quickly as the wind.

***

Edward climbed into the car and started reviewing documents in the back seat.

As he flipped through the papers, Edward’s hand suddenly stopped.

“Next schedule….”
“Yes. This time, there’s a delivery request from the Bronte family. You have a meeting to discuss those details.”
“Bronte…..”

Edward lightly pressed his lower lip.

It had been a whole year since he had been humiliated by that family.
He had sworn never to visit them again, yet here he was.

However, Edward closed his eyes lightly and nodded.

He was no longer a child.

He was the Edward Company’s representative and the Radner family’s head.

But as he looked out the window, he felt a slight dizziness.

Distant memories resurfaced once again.

Edward took out a pill from his pocket and swallowed it with water.

“Phew…..”

Then, he lit a high-quality cigar from the East.
Thick and pungent smoke rose from the tip of the cigar.

As he watched the rising smoke, Edward chuckled.

He found himself ridiculous.
To be heading towards the detestable Bronte family…

Yet, strangely, he felt anticipation.

Anticipation that he might meet her again.

But Edward quickly corrected himself.
It wasn’t anticipation.
It was simply the intense feeling of betrayal that felt like anticipation.

Before he knew it, Edward had burned the long cigar to the end and extinguished it on the ashtray on the car’s armrest.

Then, he lit another one.

He had never smoked more than two cigars in a day, but today, for some reason, they tasted sweeter to Edward, and he couldn’t understand why.

So he continued to gaze out the window, smoking endlessly.

***

“Hello.”

Upon arriving at the mansion, servants escorted me to the reception room.

There, I saw a man.

Valentine Bronte.

The head of the Bronte family.

“Hello.”

Though I hadn’t seen him for some time, he appeared more weathered. Whether it was due to aging or the passage of time didn’t matter.

“I appreciate you coming in person like this.”

The position of the Bronte family head seemed like a throne before, but now, all I could see was an old man.

The fact amused me greatly.

“It’s nothing. Since we’re not here for small talk, shall we discuss business?”

I pushed aside the pastries and tea brought by the maids and leaned my elbows on the table.

“Yes, let’s do that.”

The Duke nodded and glanced at the servants.
They hurriedly brought documents and placed them in front of me.

“We wish to lower the prices of the items this time.”
“Hmm….”
“Of course, it’s not a problem with your automobiles. Originally, the items to be purchased were supposed to be used by the palace, but the Emperor pointed out that the price was too high. He asked if you could consider lowering it for the imperial founding anniversary parade…”
“I cannot consider that.”

I rejected his audacious proposal.

“What?”
“I cannot consider it. We’ve already complied with demands to expedite delivery and reinspect the items without complaint.”

This is how nobles are.

They believe that as long as they hold a title, we should fulfill any unreasonable request.

But the times have changed.
Titles are no longer relevant.

The power of Viscount Radner held was no less than Duke Bronte.

“First, you’ll ask to lower the prices,”

I smiled, raising the corner of my mouth.

“Are you going to demand things for free next time?”
“Viscount Radner!”

Valentine Bronte slammed his desk.

“It’s the Emperor’s command.”
“What has that esteemed Emperor ever done for me?”
“Do you think the Emperor should do something for you? His Highness’ mere existence holds significance.”
“That’s absurd.”

Everyone knows the royal authority has plummeted. They spent money they didn’t have just to maintain that esteemed authority.
They raised taxes, squeezed businessmen…

“Even the Crown Prince helped you. If you received aid, it’s only right to repay it!”
“What?”

Words that couldn’t be tolerated any longer spilled out.
I could endure everything else, but…

“This negotiation is over.”

I stood up and turned away.

“Hey! Edward!”
“Don’t call me like you know me.”

Arrogant human…

“Do I still look like the eldest son of the Radner family, who had to grovel to your family?”

You’re the one who should be kneeling. It’s natural for the inferior to bow down.

“Edward, I was trying to speak kindly, considering our past… But if you’re going to be like this, I’ll have to report directly to the Emperor.”
“Go ahead. Do as you please.”

The broke royal family can’t do anything.
I only hear the whines of toothless lions.

“The Crown Prince helped me? He who used and discarded me just to further his own agenda? I don’t know if you’re speaking out of ignorance or knowingly, but if you utter such words again, I’ll tear your mouth apart.”
“Edward…!”
“The person who rejected me when our family fell apart is now shamelessly… Do you have any idea how betrayed I felt?”

You probably don’t. Aristocrats like you will never understand until the end of your days.

“This negotiation is over.”

I slammed the door shut and found Lorendel waiting outside.

“I’ll have the carriage ready.”
“Lorendel.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
“Do not comply with any demands from the Bronte family again. Reject them, no matter what conditions they offer. Do not sell them any goods. Under no circumstances.”
“As you command, My Lord”

It wasn’t because I gave in.
It wasn’t about complying with negotiations.
But because of our past relationship, I had complied with their request.
I had complied with their extreme demands, even though it meant a loss for me…

In the end, it was a one-sided relationship.

They still saw me as nothing more than the ruined eldest son of the Radner family.

“Damn it.”

Curses spilled out. I was boiling with anger.

I wanted to release this filthy feeling no matter what, so I kicked over the visible flowerpot.

“Edward?”

A voice interrupted, causing me to freeze.

I slowly raised my head.

A voice so familiar to my ears.
And… although I didn’t want to admit it, it was the voice I wanted to hear again.

“Ania….”

Her eyes held less vitality than before, but her beautiful golden hair, sharp nose, and soft lips…

Everything was still the same.
Just like two years ago.

“What brings you to the Bronte family…”

Ania asked softly, with a gentle smile.

But I couldn’t feel a smile on my lips.

Honestly… I wanted to see her again, but I realized the moment I met her,
I shouldn’t have come to see her.

“You don’t need to know.”

I said bluntly, and Ania’s brows furrowed.

“Do you have to say it like that…”
“There’s no reason why I shouldn’t.”

As I spoke coldly, Ania shrugged her shoulders slightly.

In the past, I might have melted at seeing her like that.

But now, I understand.

Every one of your actions is calculated.

“Edward.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“I wanted to see you.”
“Haha…”

It’s ridiculous.

If you wanted to see me, you could have come anytime.
You could have replied to the letters I sent.
You were the one who rejected me first, Ania Bronte.

And now you say you wanted to see me.

“Don’t say ridiculous things, Ania Bronte.”
“Edward!”
“I’m leaving.”

I walked towards the main gate.

Each step felt heavy.

Suddenly, a fragrance wafted through the air.
It was the scent of the perfume Ania always wore.
It lingered as I took a deep breath.

I had to pinch my nose on the way out.