TGDHC Chapter 75

Chapter 75 – Goldrain’s Competitor (2)

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

When the Duchess smiled and made eye contact, several officials flushed red.

Adem suddenly raised his hand.

“Your Grace, does ‘moving in’ mean shop owners don’t have to buy the land or building to open a store?”

A mere trainee official speaking up first was bold.

He could feel his superior’s glare from the front row, but he couldn’t hold back his curiosity.

“That’s right. Since Valpide Lake is Blenheim family property, we can’t just sell the land. Instead, the territory will build all the shops and rent them out to anyone who wants to do business.”

“But Your Grace, in the North, people don’t usually like renting. Even if it costs more at the start, most would prefer to own their shop outright.”

“True, those with money might think that way. But many people want to start a business without having enough to buy a shop. With a rental system, people without large start-up capital can still open stores.”

She explained that this would allow for a wider variety of businesses in the district.

“So the rent would become extra income for the territory?”

“No, the rent would go toward maintenance costs. I plan to have a management office for the district.”

“By management office, do you mean the Merchant Guild?”

The Duchess shook her head.

“No, the management office will literally manage the district—help businesses thrive, watch over safety, and arrange repairs if anything breaks.”

Adem thought quickly. That kind of service included in the cost would make store owners feel less burdened about paying rent.

“That means the territory’s budget wouldn’t take a hit.”

The Duchess scrunched her nose playfully at his brightened tone.

“Strictly speaking, the Grand Duke would be offering free rent—since he’s not charging anything for the land itself.”

“I have no problem with that if the Duchess approves,” the Grand Duke added from beside her.

“After all, the goal is to boost commerce.”

He’s even asking his newlywed wife’s permission to use family property… and so gently at that.

“Looks like we’re agreed.”

As the officials stared at this unusual scene, the Duchess smiled.

“Does that answer your question?”

“Y–yes, thank you, Your Grace.”

Adem sat down, voice trembling.

Her confident answers to even practical, technical questions sparked curiosity, and soon officials all around were raising their hands.

“Your Grace, what exactly do you mean by a ‘circulating carriage’ system?”

“How big will the management office be?”

“Will the lakeside require a separate admission fee?”

The Duchess answered each question patiently without a hint of fluster.

Finally, Oswick raised his hand.

The Grand Duke, who had been watching, gave him a cold look.

“Do you all plan to ask the Duchess every little thing? Doesn’t anyone here intend to earn their pay?”

Oswick, face pale, began lowering his hand, but the Duchess laughed softly.

“It’s fine, Your Grace. I’m happy to be of help.”

At that, the Grand Duke’s expression immediately softened.

“If you say so… you may ask your question.”

Oswick awkwardly glanced around before speaking.

“Your Grace, the fountain show you mentioned earlier—is that something already in the capital? I’m having trouble picturing it from your description.”

Fountains did exist in the North, but not the way she described—installed on the lake itself.

“Ah, I’ve never actually seen it myself. I just imagined it…”

“What?”

So… it didn’t exist anywhere yet?

“Don’t worry. Enolius will make it.”

A wizard?

Her gaze turned to the far end of the table.

When the officials followed her eyes, they noticed a wizard sitting at the corner.

The wizard frowned, clearly unhappy with the sudden attention.

“So that’s why you called me to this meeting.”

His voice dripped with displeasure.

“I’m a wizard, not a construction worker.”

“Wizard.”

The Grand Duke’s tone dropped instantly.

“Show respect to the Duchess.”

Unfazed, the wizard placed a hand on his chest in an exaggerated, mocking bow.

“My esteemed Duchess, with all due respect, I did not come to the North to make fountains.”

“Is that so? I assumed someone of your skill could easily do it,” she replied, glancing away as if disappointed.

“I never said I couldn’t. Just that I wouldn’t.”

“Wizard.”

The Grand Duke’s voice sank again, even colder.

A chill so sharp it made nearby officials shiver spread through the air.

“Your Grace, please don’t be too hard on him,” the Duchess said gently.

“Perhaps I was being greedy. I thought Enolius could handle creating a fountain on the lake, but of course, the capital has famous wizards for such magic tools…”

“You think such a cheap provocation would work on me?”

Enolius let out a mocking laugh.

“The so-called magic tool makers in the capital aren’t even at my level.”

“Oh dear, I must have offended you. My apologies.”

She touched her lips and looked at the Grand Duke.

“Your Grace, perhaps we should ask a capital wizard to make the fountain instead.”

The tension between them was enough to make onlookers hold their breath.

“The fountain show is essential to the shopping district’s appeal.”

“I understand,” the Grand Duke said, curling his lips.

“It’s embarrassing that the only wizard in the North can’t even manage it.”

A sharp sigh came from the corner.

“…Fine. I’ll make it. Now drop the subject.”

“Oh my, wouldn’t that be too much trouble?”

The Duchess clapped her hands together in delight.

“With Enolius, I’m sure it’ll be amazing. I can’t wait to see it.”

“Don’t be too happy. I’m only doing this because of my contract.”

The officials stared in shock.

She just got that prideful, difficult wizard to agree with only a few words…

Maybe it was because they had just seen the wizard follow her lead, but when the discussion resumed, no one voiced opposition to building the new shopping district.

The meeting ended surprisingly quickly.

Since the plan had to be ready for the delegation’s visit, the schedule was tight. The officials left the hall at once to begin their work.

Perhaps this new district really would bring enormous change to Blenheim.

As Adem walked through the sunlit corridor, he felt a spark of motivation in his chest for the first time in a long while.

***

Unlike the Merchant Guild leader, Blenheim’s officials were very capable.

As soon as the Grand Duke made his decision, everything moved swiftly.

“There are parts I can’t picture clearly. If it’s all right, could you review the important details with me?”

In reality, he was giving me the big decisions while taking the tedious work himself—clearly sensing that I wanted to personally manage the plan.

I get to build the shopping district exactly as I imagined it—how thrilling!

They said construction materials ordered for the lakeside were already arriving quickly. Excited, I prepared to go out with Cecilia to see them myself.

But as we left the entrance hall, I saw knights arguing loudly in front of the carriage.

Norton and Tiern?

It looked tense, so I hurried outside.

“What’s going on?”

“Your Grace.”

Both knights saluted me.

It made sense for Norton, since he was back as my escort—but why was Tiern here?

“I’ll escort you by carriage,” Norton said, stepping forward and offering his hand.

“Your Grace.”

Tiern suddenly blocked him.

I flinched, thinking he might try to argue with me, but instead, Tiern bowed politely.

“Please give the 9th Knight Division another chance.”

“…?”

This time, unlike our private conversation before, others were present—the knights from both divisions, Cecilia, and the coachman.

I couldn’t understand why he’d risk public embarrassment, but with so many eyes on us, I let him speak.

“I know I disappointed you.”

Norton and the 1st Division knights glared at Tiern and his men, clearly unhappy.

It seemed they’d argued before I arrived, with the 1st trying to push the 9th away.

“But I cannot stand down like this. The pride of the 9th Division won’t allow it.”

“I thought this matter was already settled,” I said.

I’d made it clear—I didn’t want him.

I shot him a sharp look, but Tiern’s demeanor was different from before. He seemed genuinely sorrowful, standing in a respectful posture.