TGDHC Chapter 110

Chapter 110 – A Tempting Proposal

“I’m sorry, Annette.”

Loic gently rubbed my palm so it wouldn’t hurt.

“I should have a body that’s easier for you to hit.”

At that, Hedrick gave a small cough and quickly disappeared from sight. He must have felt far too embarrassed to stand there any longer.

“When the training ends, you should meet and greet Count Paccio.”

“But…”

“Surely the Grand Duke of Blenheim won’t keep postponing such a meeting out of pettiness? Yesterday I endured the pain during the banquet just to treat the envoys properly.”

“I’ll approve the audience request immediately.”

Loic replied at once.

‘Ah, how obedient.’

I gave him a proud look and lightly squeezed his hand. He immediately twined his fingers with mine.

‘Good thing Hedrick isn’t around to see this.’

***

From a distance, Raphael watched his sister and the Grand Duke standing together in the shade.

When Annette tilted her head slightly into the sun, Loic shifted his large frame to block the light for her.

Seeing such a huge man fluster around his sister was strange, yet not unpleasant.

Then he leaned forward, saying something that made Annette burst into bright laughter.

‘It’s the first time I’ve seen her laugh so freely.’

At the marquis’s estate, his sister always seemed a little withdrawn. Even when she smiled at him, there was always a trace of sadness in her expression.

Because of her frail health, people had mocked her before.

But here, she looked brighter and healthier than ever.

And Raphael thought it must be thanks to the Grand Duke.

‘Are husbands always like this?’

Even he, though young, could see the deep affection and respect in the way Loic treated his sister.

It was the complete opposite of how Father treated Mother.

“Does His Grace like my sister?” Raphael asked suddenly.

He glanced at Leon, who was drinking water beside him. This knight didn’t seem like the type to tease him for such a question.

“Most likely,” Leon replied with a friendly smile, glancing toward the couple.

“Most likely?”

“I can’t claim to know the captain’s heart exactly, but…” Leon leaned closer and whispered, as if sharing a secret.
“Since Her Grace arrived, you wouldn’t believe how much brighter he’s become.”

“Really?”

“See for yourself. Doesn’t he look happy?”

Just then, Annette lightly held Loic’s hand, and the Grand Duke couldn’t hide the smile tugging at his lips. His usually sharp eyes softened instantly.

“Her Grace’s arrival in Blenheim is practically a blessing from the goddess,” Leon said jokingly.
“Thanks to her, all our lives have grown easier too.”

At that moment, Dremich came over, ending the conversation naturally.

During the journey north, Raphael’s mother had constantly told him how dreadful life would be if his sister married into the north.

But here, both his sister and the Grand Duke seemed genuinely happy.

For the first time, Raphael felt he could ease some of his worries about Annette.

*

Count Paccio looked around the massive shopping district spread along the lakeshore and let out a wry laugh.

So far, the envoys’ schedule had gone smoothly.

The Grand Duke had returned earlier than expected, and although he had shown some displeasure about the envoys arriving early, he had still agreed to an official meeting sooner than the count had imagined.

Perhaps it was marriage that had softened him, but his atmosphere was much gentler now.

That wasn’t exactly good news for the princess back home, but for the envoys who needed to negotiate, it was a favorable sign.

Yesterday, Baron Gelfry, the head of the merchants’ guild, had hosted them for a tour of Goldrain.

Though the guild had gone to great lengths to flatter them with gifts, Goldrain itself was no different from years ago.

‘If anything, it’s declined.’

But today was different—the day to see the shopping district that Blenheim’s officials had praised endlessly.

Now Count Paccio understood why this visit had been scheduled toward the end.

‘No wonder they acted so calm even while showing us pitiful Goldrain.’

This enormous market was Blenheim’s hidden trump card.

Seeing the Grand Duchess proudly guiding them filled him with a bitter feeling.

The market was unlike anything he’d seen in Rondoris—or even in neighboring nations.

Annette kindly explained everything, from its sheer size and structure to its unique shops.

“What kind of place is that?” one envoy asked, stopping before a spacious building filled with artworks.

Outside, several painters sat at easels, offering portraits or landscapes for sale.

“It’s a studio for artists,” Annette explained with a bright smile.
“New or aspiring painters can rent space to sell their work directly.”

“Do they pay rent?” asked one merchant, who clearly thought only in terms of investments and profit.

“No,” Annette replied.
“But once they sell more than ten works, we collect a small commission.”

The merchant frowned, not understanding why it was run that way.

But Paccio immediately understood.

Famous painters could always use dealers, but unknown ones rarely got a chance to display their art.

This wasn’t meant to generate large profits, but to give new artists opportunities.

‘And they can still earn from portrait commissions while they’re here.’

Similar facilities dotted the market.

For example, the children’s play areas were well equipped but extremely cheap. Some kids even entered for free with coupons clipped from the weekly paper.

Everywhere, children laughed and played happily.

‘The public carriage system must be the same idea,’ Paccio thought, watching children spill out of a carriage nearby. Perel explained that orphanage children came to the lakeshore every day.

If this were only about money, none of these low-profit features would exist.

But Annette clearly wanted not just commercial growth but a better environment for her people.

‘She’s fulfilling her role as Grand Duchess properly.’

Planning such a vast project while considering all this… it was impressive.

And it seemed to be working. The lakeside market was bustling, unlike anything in the north before.

“Over there!” Annette pointed across the lake.
“We’re planning to build a second shopping district soon.”

The envoys’ eyes followed where she pointed.

“This one will have larger individual shops. The current market is for the general public, but the next one will feature more luxury goods.”

Her explanation made their eyes shine brighter.

“I’d like about thirty percent of the shops run by Rondoris merchants,” Annette added firmly.
“But the staff will be hired locally in Blenheim.”

She admitted that customs fees still needed to be negotiated with officials, but that detail hardly mattered.

The merchants’ eyes gleamed.

To open shops directly in Blenheim without going through intermediaries was an opportunity they had long wanted.

‘She’s sharper than I thought,’ Paccio admitted to himself.

After all, wealthy nobles and commoners were already going to great lengths to buy directly from Rondoris. Having official shops here would only increase consumption.

‘If Rondoris can secure more than thirty percent of the space, even better.’

And he was certain this lakeside district would become a huge attraction for tourists as well.

‘This negotiation just became far more important.’

He looked at the Grand Duchess, who was enthusiastically explaining the market signs to the envoys.

Her blue eyes sparkled with energy, full of love for Blenheim.

“Will Blenheim be choosing which merchants get in? What are the criteria?” one asked eagerly.

“Can we give input during the construction phase?” another added.

The envoys were like children discovering a treasure trove, bombarding her with questions.

Watching them, Count Paccio sighed inwardly.

‘With this delegation, there’s no way we’ll meet the princess’s expectations.’