TGDHC Chapter 158

Chapter 158 – Withdrawal Rush

“Goodness, did you see that over there?”

One of the noble ladies riding in the carriage pointed outside the window.

“Isn’t that where Lumina used to be? What’s there now?”

The lady sitting opposite her slid closer to the window and said,

“It is still Lumina. I heard they repainted the entire building.”

Among the dull gray buildings of Goldrain, a shop painted in a soft pink stood out brightly.

Golden frames lined the arched windows, and rose vines wrapped around the pillars, making the shop look elegant and luxurious.

“My goodness, how romantic!”

The noblewoman couldn’t take her eyes off the pink pillars and the carved decorations.

Goldrain had never had a shop with such beautiful exterior design.

“Doesn’t it look prettier than the ones in Rondoris?”

“It really does!”

‘The color changed, and yet it draws the eye so much.’

Her heart fluttered at the shop’s romantic scenery.

She hadn’t bought new earrings yet this summer.

Originally, she planned to buy them all at once during her next trip to Rondoris…

‘Maybe I should just buy them here in Goldrain this time.’

“How about we stop by since we’re already here?”

The lady across from her spoke first, eyes sparkling.

“That’s a wonderful idea.”

At the lady’s instruction, the maid immediately stopped the carriage.

Once they got out, they noticed a few more buildings that had been repainted here and there.

Next to Lumina was a cute tapestry shop painted yellow and sky blue—so pretty that the large Café Delitar beside it didn’t even catch the eye anymore.

“After this, let’s take a look over there too.”

“Absolutely!”

Excited, the noblewomen stepped into the pink-colored shop.

* *

Baron Gelfrey arrived at the Merchants’ Association after a long absence—and frowned at the pile of documents stacked on his desk.

On top of each document was a large title:

“Application for Withdrawal from the Merchants’ Association.”

Mary’s Inn.

Lumina.

He saw many important shop names at just a glance.

When he gripped the desk, the papers crumpled in his clenched fist.

“What is this nonsense?!”

His teeth ground together on their own.

Ever since Lady Meisel had been expelled, he had to lie low.

Because if people learned he was the cause of the incident, Count Avorre would kill him before the Grand Duke even had the chance to punish him.

Even while hiding in his mansion pretending to be sick, dozens of letters and visitation requests from shop owners came every day.

‘They tell me to save Goldrain—what do they think I am, some kind of god?’

He had simply locked his doors because he was tired of it.

― “Jamer has created a new Merchants’ Association. He already received approval from the Grand Duke’s Castle. More than thirty members from our association have joined him.”

His subordinate had come to his mansion early this morning and delivered this shocking news.

And now, on his first day back at the association, Gelfrey found a whole stack of withdrawal applications waiting for him.

His head throbbed—he didn’t even know where to begin fixing this.

At that moment, the door suddenly burst open, and Norben, the head of the leather merchant guild, walked in.

“Ah, you’re here.”

Without hesitation, Norben marched forward and held out a form.

“I’m withdrawing from the Merchants’ Association.”

“Withdraw?!”

He was already losing his mind, and now someone dared walk in boldly to throw this at him?

“Have you lost your senses?!”

At Gelfrey’s shout, Norben raised one eyebrow threateningly.

“What?”

When the giant man stepped closer, Gelfrey’s shoulders flinched.

‘W-what kind of monster-sized man…?!’

Norben was from the famous Haellion family, known for hunting—he was built like a bear.

Trying not to show fear, Gelfrey raised his voice instead.

“Only members of the Merchants’ Association are allowed to operate shops in Goldrain! If you withdraw, does that mean you’re leaving Goldrain entirely?!”

“You didn’t hear?”

Norben pointed with his chin at the pile of withdrawal documents.

“Jamer created a new Merchants’ Association. I’m joining that one.”

With that, Norben turned around without hesitation.

“W-wait!”

Gelfrey hurriedly called him back.

He couldn’t afford to lose such a major merchant right in front of him.

“Tell me what you want! I’ll give you a position as an officer! …No, I’ll lower the association fees! We’ll take only 0.4 of your monthly profit… no, 0.3!”

Norben snorted.

“Do you know how much the fee is for the new association? 20 danir. Just once a year.”

“That’s absurd! How can an association run on such pocket change?!”

“That’s what I want to know. How can the fees between the two associations be so different?”

Finishing his sentence, Norben slammed the door behind him and left.

Gelfrey collapsed into his chair.

In any territory, having only one merchants’ association was common sense.

But creating a second association to compete… only one person would dare attempt something like that.

‘It’s her again… the Grand Duchess.’

He grabbed the few strands of hair left on his head.

He had spent more than half his family’s fortune to get the position of association president, offering it all to Count Avorre.

‘And I’m nowhere near recovering that cost yet…’

He felt a chilling premonition that this was only the beginning of something much worse.

* *

“Are you out on a walk?”

I turned at the soft voice.

Across the garden path, Prince Lucion was walking toward me between the flowerbeds.

If not for his golden hair shining beautifully in the sunset, one might mistake him for a statue that had stepped down from its pedestal.

“I just wanted to walk a little before the sun sets.”

The sun was already sinking, tinting the garden in orange light.

“I see. May I accompany you?”

His sudden appearance had become familiar by now.

It had been more than ten days since the prince arrived at the castle.

And every time I stepped outside the main building, Lucion would appear from somewhere—like he’d been waiting—to talk to me.

― “Your Highness, what flowers do you like?”

― “Did Your Highness alter that dress yourself?”

His questions weren’t suspicious—just harmless and casual.

“Your Highness?”

When I didn’t answer, Lucion tilted his eyes slightly.

Normally Cecilia would step in and politely decline for me… but today she was busy with the final edits of the script and wasn’t here.

‘Well, Norton is right behind me—so nothing strange will happen.’

It felt more awkward to decline, so I nodded.

“All right.”

Smiling brightly, Lucion offered his arm.

When I placed my hand on it, he began walking slowly.

‘Well… it feels strange comparing them, but…’

I had always held Loic’s arm—so holding another man’s arm felt unfamiliar.

Loic’s arm was hot, thick, and solid, almost like a heated stone…

But Lucion’s felt lighter, firmer in a different way.

I looked up quietly at Lucion’s profile.

His straight nose and sharp features looked like they were drawn in a painting.

‘It’s not like he’ll give me a real answer if I ask directly…’

Still, I decided to ask the question I’d been curious about.

“Prince Lucion, are you… waiting for me every day?”

“You noticed?”

Without flinching, Lucion smiled with his eyes.

“I walk around this garden three times hoping I might see Your Highness. Today I thought I wouldn’t see you—but I was lucky.”

His overly straightforward answer made me stumble over my words.

“…W-why do you wait for me?”

If he needed something, he could send a servant.

“Do I need a reason?”

His tone softened gently.

“I simply wanted to see you.”

If I hadn’t been paying attention, I might have thought he was just being polite to a noble lady.

Seeing my flustered expression, Lucion tilted his head and added,

“Your Highness is beautiful, and just being near you feels pleasant. Wanting to at least say a few words—isn’t that natural?”

Behind us, Norton’s footsteps grew louder—as if warning him.

“I appreciate the compliment, but it’s a little inappropriate to say such things to a married woman.”

“Is that so.”

Instead of apologising, Lucion simply smiled.

He continued walking quietly until we reached the far end of the garden.

There was a new rose bed planted by the gardener.

To admire it, Lucion gently guided me into the narrow path between the flowers.

Because the space was tight, Norton couldn’t follow and had to stand a little distance away.

“How are you finding life in Blenheim?”

Lucion asked the question lightly as he looked at the roses.

I tilted my head, unsure what he meant.

He explained,

“This place is different from the capital in many ways.”

“Is it?”

His question felt strangely intrusive, but I answered calmly.

“Even before marriage, I rarely left the mansion, so… I don’t notice big differences.”

“That can’t be.”

Lucion gave a faint, amused smile.

“Haven’t you experienced Blenheim’s cold?”

“I actually like winter.”

“Enough to endure what the people here endure?”

For some reason, his smile disappeared completely.