TGDHC Chapter 78

Chapter 78. A New Challenge

“Open your very own shop by Lake Valpide!”

“What?”

Gelfry’s bleary eyes widened as he forced himself to read the text despite his hangover.

He snatched the magazine from Jamer’s hands and scanned the article quickly.

“No money? Can’t read? No problem!
If you have a product to sell and the passion to try, you can become a shop owner in the new lakeside marketplace. … Submit your application at the Market Office by the lake. Qualifications will be checked on-site.”

Below, it lists special benefits for the first applicants—the exact same conditions they had offered the Merchants’ Guild.

“This is outrageous…!”

Gelfry’s voice dripped with irritation.

“It’s not just in the paper! Notices have been posted in every nearby village. And for those who can’t read, town shouters are out there announcing it!”

“What about subsidies? What about our applications?” Jamer demanded.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Gelfry crushed the Northern News in his hand.

“The negotiations have collapsed.”

“Collapsed? Are you joking? We delayed our applications because you promised subsidies!”

“Don’t be so impatient!”

He pressed his aching head.

“Without us, do you really think anyone else could apply?”

“Listen to yourself!”

Jamer clicked his tongue, looking at the other merchants behind him.

“The Guildmaster doesn’t know anything!”

When Gelfry frowned in confusion, another merchant stepped forward with a grim look.

“We just came from the Market Office ourselves.”

“What? After I told you all to wait—!”

He jabbed his finger at them angrily.

“So you went and applied for yourselves? Betraying everyone just for those meager benefits? You’ll ruin the unity of the Guild—”

But the merchants only scoffed.

“You really know nothing. The line was so long, we couldn’t even get our names on the list.”

“What?”

“Forget first-round benefits—the applications are already closed!”

“Now, the remaining spots will be decided from the waiting list or through another review.”

Gelfry felt his hangover rising again.

“Closed… already?”

The merchants, clearly disgusted, began to leave one by one after throwing bitter words his way.

Finally, Jamer turned back and glared.

“We needed those lakeside stalls. I asked you several times if we would definitely still get the benefits even if we waited.

Because of you, we’ve suffered serious losses. And we will hold you accountable.”

The merchants stormed out, leaving Gelfry standing there stunned, as if after a storm.

***

Milo and his wife stood blinking at each other.

A new marketplace is opening by the lake. Anyone who wishes to do business can apply.

That was what the town shouter had read aloud recently.

“Should we apply too?”

“But what do we know about business?”

And neither of them could read…

His wife worried, but Milo thought differently.

They raised sheep.

But simply selling the wool to a trading company barely earned them anything, no matter how hard they worked.

And now, they’re saying we can open a shop even without money…

To Milo, this felt like a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

So the couple gathered their courage and went early in the morning to the Market Office.

It was already crowded with people like them, but by luck, they passed the first and second rounds of screening, reaching the final interview.

Nervously, they entered the office, where many officials were seated. At the head sat a noblewoman, elegantly dressed.

She looks familiar… where have I seen her?

Then Milo remembered—the kind lady he had once chatted with in the inn’s dining hall.

“The Grand Duchess…!”

He hurriedly removed his hat and bowed.

His wife, recalling his story about the noblewoman, also bowed quickly.

“Oh my, you know me?”

The Duchess of Blenheim smiled brightly at them.

Milo stammered, unable to reply, when she suddenly clapped her hands.

“Ah! You’re the lady who recommended the ‘dish of the day’ back then, aren’t you?”

His wife blushed nervously.

“My apologies, Your Highness. I didn’t realize who you were…”

“Don’t worry about it.”

The Duchess waved it off with a cheerful smile.

“I was glad you spoke to me that day.”

She genuinely seemed delighted to see them again.

So Her Highness is conducting the interviews herself?

Milo thought maybe their past encounter might help them. But as soon as the interview began, his confidence sank.

“…So now you raise sheep?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Have you ever run a shop before?”

“No.”

“And neither of you can read or write?”

“No.”

“So you plan to sell wool?”

“Y-yes…”

“But wool won’t sell well at the lakeside, will it?”

“I… suppose not.”

With each answer, he felt more foolish.

“We also have goat’s milk and cheese…”

His wife quickly added, trying to help.

“So you have wool, goat’s milk, and cheese.”

The Duchess frowned thoughtfully.

It’s hopeless… Milo thought, sighing inwardly.

Then the Duchess suddenly called to her aide.

“Aden?”

The official checked the papers and said with a frown:

“There’s already a cheese shop planned nearby.”

“Cheese overlaps, then…” the Duchess murmured.

“But wool is unique. That could work.”

“But even processed, will wool sell in summer?”

While considering this, the Duchess suddenly turned back to the couple.

“What about a sheep-making kit?”

“A… kit?”

“Yes. Bundle a bit of wool with some decorations, so children can make little toy sheep.”

“Oh!”

Milo’s wife nodded quickly.

“We do sometimes make little dolls with scraps of wool.”

“Children will visit with their families. While the parents drink tea, the kids could have something fun to do. Right, Aden?”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The aide nodded, writing it down.

“So, sheep-making kits and goat’s milk are the main products. As for cheese—let the other shop sell platters. You could sell small packs of bread instead.”

“Understood.”

“Cecilia, make sure the shop sign has a sheep design. Something children will like.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The Duchess then looked back at the couple, who were still dazed.

“This is just my suggestion. If you think of better ideas, discuss them with Administrator Aden. He’ll be your contact.”

“Uh… Your Highness…”

Milo scratched his head nervously.

“So… we passed the review?”

“Oh! I forgot to say.”

The Duchess wrinkled her nose playfully.

“Congratulations on being accepted into the lakeside marketplace.”

“But… we lack so much…”

Milo began, ignoring his wife stepping on his foot under the table.

“As long as you work hard, that’s enough. There are plenty of people here who will help fill the gaps.”

“…We’ll give it everything we’ve got, Your Highness.”

Milo gripped his hat tightly, his eyes shining.

“We’ll work harder than anyone.”

“Good. I’ll be counting on you.”

The Duchess gave them a warm smile.

Even though they were indoors, the couple felt like sunlight was shining behind her.

***

In the Greenhouse

“My lord, are you even listening to me?”

Loic blinked and straightened up, startled.

“Y-yes, of course.”

“It seems there’s more work than expected. The administrators can’t handle both office work and managing the Market Office at the same time. So I was thinking…”

The two sat at a table in the center of the greenhouse.

Night had already fallen, and the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of neflas flowers, which the Grand Duchess loved. Loic had filled the greenhouse with them, but she was too focused on discussing the marketplace to notice.

At first, it was wonderful.

When the Duchess had begun visiting his office to manage the project, he had congratulated himself—finally, an excuse to spend all day near her.

She was brilliant and capable, winning over even the officials. His own workload had lightened enormously.

But isn’t she working too hard?

These days, he barely sees her except at breakfast. Even tonight, when she summoned him to the greenhouse, he’d rushed over half-dressed… only for her to ignore him completely, absorbed in her plans.

Though of course, that only makes her more lovable…

“Strangely, very few experienced shop clerks applied,” the Duchess murmured, frowning.

Loic, without thinking, reached out and gently smoothed the crease between her brows with his thumb.

Her blue eyes widened at the unexpected touch.