Chapter : 9
“So, what is it that you want?”
“I thought the first thing you’d ask was how to screw over the Laos Merchant Guild.”
Arosha had expected him to squeeze the information out of her and then pretend he owed her nothing. So his surprisingly reasonable attitude—asking what she wanted in return—caught her off guard.
She was just beginning to feel a little guilty for judging him based on his appearance when the head of the O’Claire Merchant Guild slapped his thigh and burst into hearty laughter.
“Haha! I’m a good judge of character. Looking at how confident you are, my lady, I figured you wouldn’t answer so easily no matter what I asked.”
“As expected of the head of the O’Claire Merchant Guild. People do say I’m pretty hard to fool.”
Arosha was someone who had successfully demanded refunds from notoriously difficult clothing stores in shopping districts and had even walked away unharmed after being dragged into religious organizations and pyramid schemes.
“Exactly! And since you want to get back at the head of the Laos Merchant Guild, that must mean that punk—I mean, that merchant guild master—has done something to anger you as well. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
“Well… that rude jerk—I mean, that merchant guild master—gets on my nerves with everything he does.”
Apparently that was exactly the answer he wanted to hear.
The O’Claire guild master’s grin stretched almost from ear to ear.
“So then, what do you desire? Tell me what you want, and I’ll do my best to meet your expectations.”
“What do you mean? Shouldn’t the O’Claire Merchant Guild first tell me what you’re willing to offer?”
Customer, what’s your budget?
In any contract or negotiation, the important thing is who controls the conversation.
Each side has different interests, and stating what you want first is like revealing your hand before a game of poker even begins.
The O’Claire guild master looked momentarily flustered before quickly putting on a smile overflowing with capitalist confidence.
“Then… may I first hear how valuable this information is before deciding?”
“The Laos Merchant Guild has been spending money and time searching for a certain item for a very long time.”
“…We already know that much. Surely you didn’t come here to sell us such old information…”
His eyes suddenly widened.
“Wait… don’t tell me!”
“That’s right. I know what it is—and where it is.”
Strictly speaking, she already possessed it.
But Arosha simply looked at him proudly.
As she revealed information that was far more useful than he’d expected, almost like a villain plotting something sinister, the O’Claire guild master swallowed hard.
If he could just win over the young lady in front of him, he’d obtain the Phoenix Ring before that irritating young man did and reopen trade with the desert kingdom of Hamusha.
If his guild secured such a profitable deal, he’d finally be able to deal Emile a crushing blow.
The thought alone excited him.
“As payment for the information, how about our merchant guild provides you with dresses and jewelry you’ll love—for the rest of your life?”
It sounded a bit excessive, but if it meant obtaining the token needed to resume trade with Hamusha after years of separation, it was more than worth it.
“Do you think I came here because I don’t have enough jewelry or dresses?”
“Of course not. But the items handled by the O’Claire Merchant Guild are precious luxuries supplied to high-ranking nobles and even the imperial family. They’re on an entirely different level from the ordinary things you already own. Wouldn’t you like the opportunity to wear the newest dresses and jewelry before anyone else every season? I’d say that’s quite an attractive offer.”
Arosha had only come here to provoke the head of the Laos Merchant Guild in the first place.
Still, she couldn’t tolerate being treated like an idiot this openly.
“I came here because I heard the O’Claire Merchant Guild was famous throughout the Empire, but you’re rather disappointing.”
“Disappointing? You’re still young, so perhaps you don’t understand. No merchant guild other than ours would make such a generous offer based solely on the word of a young lady. What do you think? It’s a very good deal.”
There were always people like this.
Treat them kindly once, and they immediately assumed you were an easy mark.
Just as I thought. First impressions never lie.
Once again reaffirming her faith in pseudoscience, Arosha stood up.
“It seems the O’Claire Merchant Guild doesn’t understand the value of my information. I’ll go find another merchant guild that’s willing to pay what it’s worth.”
The guild master, who had been dreaming of becoming rich through trade with Hamusha, panicked at her firm declaration.
“W-What? W-Wait a moment! If you leave just like this, what am I supposed to do?”
Flustered, the large man surprisingly darted in front of Arosha before she reached the door.
“I already gave you an opportunity. The one who threw it away was the O’Claire Merchant Guild. I’ll be leaving now.”
“W-Wait! My lady! If dresses and jewelry aren’t enough, how about furniture? Or perhaps an excellent marriage prospect? My lady! My lady!”
Ignoring him completely despite his desperate attempts to persuade her all the way to the entrance, Arosha walked out of the building.
She had already spent enough time there.
Now all that remained was to sit in a quiet café and wait for the prey she’d been aiming for to come to her.
He’s definitely watching me from somewhere.
For a brief moment, she had genuinely considered handing the ring over to O’Claire out of spite.
But just as Dane had somehow managed to deliver the bracelet to her, the ring would eventually end up in the hands of the Laos Merchant Guild anyway.
There was no point complicating the story unnecessarily.
“Ah… I should’ve come to O’Claire from the start. I wasted money going to Laos for nothing.”
To make it look as though the deal had been successful, Arosha deliberately wore the most satisfied smile she could manage.
Perfect. That was completely natural.
Now the unknown watcher observing her would surely report to the head of the Laos Merchant Guild:
“It seems she successfully concluded a deal regarding the Phoenix Ring.”
Imagining Emile rushing over after hearing that report, Arosha smiled to herself and settled into a seat by the window of an elegant café overlooking the square.
Then she simply waited.
She had already finished two cups of tea.
Still no one came.
He should’ve been here by now…
If patience truly brought blessings, Arosha deserved a mountain of them.
“Should I really just sell it to someone else?”
The moment she muttered those words, footsteps echoed up the staircase with almost supernatural timing.
There you are. I knew you couldn’t stay away.
Taking a deep breath to calm the anxiety she’d been hiding, Arosha pretended to know nothing and leisurely sipped her tea while gazing out the window.
“Good afternoon. We meet again.”
“Oh my, hello. Merchant Guild Master Laos… have you also come… all… by… yourself… to enjoy some tea?”
She had elegantly phrased what she really meant:
“What is a man like you doing in a café full of ladies?”
Emile immediately caught the implication and smiled as he approached her table.
“No. I didn’t come here for tea. I happened to pass by and noticed Lady Nocturne on the second floor, so I thought I’d stop and greet you.”
Arosha curled one corner of her lips.
Yeah, right.
Although her seat was by the window, the terrace blocked the view of the second floor.
His excuse was embarrassingly obvious.
Still, she smiled as though she believed him.
“I see. Well, you’ve greeted me now, so perhaps you should be on your way?”
“Haha. Since fate has brought us together again, would you care to share a cup of tea with me?”
For a brief moment, Emile’s polite manner almost softened her anger.
But not until she got what she wanted.
“I’m sorry. I’m waiting for someone, so that won’t be possible.”
She made sure it was painfully obvious she meant:
“And that someone isn’t you.”
Yet despite the rejection, Emile calmly sat down across from her.
“…I don’t recall inviting you to sit.”
“It seems I’ve upset you somehow, my lady. I’d like the chance to talk.”
His serious expression caused Arosha’s own smile to disappear.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“What would it take for you to forgive me? Whatever it is, I’ll do my utmost.”
Arosha considered making him suffer a little longer, just as much as he’d irritated her.
But dragging this battle of wills out any further would only become troublesome.
She decided to let him speak.
“Go ahead.”
“I heard you intended to hand the Phoenix Ring over to the O’Claire Merchant Guild as information to use against me.”
“…Did you have someone following me?”
“For your safety.”
She had left the merchant guild barely half a day ago.
The fact that he already knew this much…
Yeah… this is exactly the level of information network someone like Dane’s financier should have.
Satisfied that she’d found the right person, Arosha nodded to herself.
Emile spoke again.
“I also heard you left the O’Claire Merchant Guild looking quite pleased. It sounds like they offered you rather favorable terms.”
“They certainly treated me better than a certain merchant guild that told me to leave because they weren’t interested. They even served me something to drink.”
Her aristocratic wording clearly meant:
“Weren’t you the one who said you weren’t interested in my information? The person who threw me out without even offering a glass of water has a lot to say now.”
Emile’s expression stiffened as he understood perfectly.
“It’s a misunderstanding to say I wasn’t interested. I want that ring more desperately than anyone.”
“Then why did you simply send me away?”
“I am a merchant. How many people do you think have come to me claiming they possessed the Phoenix Ring and wanted to sell it? I believed you were a swindler.”
“A swindler? Have you ever seen such a kind and beautiful swindler?”
“A swindler’s appearance has nothing to do with it. Though… it’s true that handsome and beautiful people tend to lower others’ guard.”
Faced with Emile’s surprisingly convincing argument, Arosha found herself completely speechless.
