Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 241

“It’s been a while, Miss.”

Before I could even react in surprise, the other person spoke.

I nodded.

“It really has been a while. I heard you haven’t been going out. How have you been?”

“Thanks to you, Miss.”

The person slowly walked up to me and held my hand tightly.

“Miss, I succeeded.”

“……!”

“So please, tell me what to do. I will gladly become your chess piece.”

I looked at the hand gripping mine.

The fingertips were rough and calloused.

“You’ve worked hard.”

That one sentence was enough to bring tears to their eyes.

As if they were being compensated for everything.

“But you are not my chess piece.”

“Miss, I am willing to do anything for you……!”

“You are my knight.”

The other person’s lips parted slightly.

I smiled brightly.

“The timing is perfect. First, have a seat.”

* * *

“To think the Anseur Merchant Guild belonged to the Paeraton Duchess, I was really surprised.”

“The Paeraton Duchy is already a family where the empire’s wealth is concentrated.”

“It’s no exaggeration to say that there is no place in the empire, or even the continent, that can surpass the Paeraton Duchy in terms of wealth.”

“I knew the Paeraton Duchess was a talented businesswoman, but to manage a new merchant guild and grow it into a huge one in such a short period of time…”

“Even without magic, Paeraton is still Paeraton, I guess.”

The news that a prestigious lady from a renowned noble family had built up a major merchant guild spread quickly.

It was news that was worth the buzz.

But.

“Still, can she compare to the Saintess?”

“There are many people with a talent for making money. But a Saintess recognized by the temple appears only once every few hundred years.”

“I heard she even purified miasma [a noxious or poisonous atmosphere] herself! I should have seen that with my own eyes……!”

“I heard that’s something even past Saintesses couldn’t do?”

In a situation with a bigger issue, it was bound to be pushed back.

The front pages of major newspapers were all filled with Liriel’s face.

Ruatisha’s face was small below, or on a much later page.

“Society is in an uproar.”

At the aide’s words, Sheruin smiled without taking her eyes off the painting she was admiring.

“It’s no wonder. There was such a big event.”

For a long time, politics and society had been quiet.

But then Sidrian returned, and Liriel, who was rumored to be the Saintess of the South, appeared.

Unlike the princes, it seemed Liriel would not have a big impact and would disappear.

Some even said that it only showed how solid the Paeraton Duchess was.

But there was a twist.

“No matter how great the Paeraton Duchess is, she’s just an ordinary child. On the other hand, Liriel is a Saintess blessed by God, with the power of Pasa.”

Sheruin turned her gaze from the painting to her aide.

“Don’t you think Liriel will break down the Paeraton Duchess’s impregnable castle?”

“……That’s how the story seems to be flowing. There’s surprise that the Paeraton Duchess is the head of Anseur, but it doesn’t seem like it can change the game.”

“Hmm, it’s not enough. But it was revealed at the right time. If it had been revealed earlier, they would have been wary of Anseur before it grew.”

“The nobles would have risen up like wildfire and tried to stop Anseur’s dominance by enacting special laws.”

“But since they didn’t know the identity of the merchant guild or where they were getting the black gold, they competed with each other to win Anseur’s favor and try to win them over.”

“At the time, the supply of black gold was limited, so it was difficult to get it.”

“Yes. Now that I see it, Lulu deliberately released a small amount. At that young age. She really has amazing business skills.”

Sheruin smiled.

“But it’s different now.”

Unlike when the Anseur Merchant Guild first appeared, the current Paeraton Duchy was actively engaged in diplomacy.

It wasn’t just simple friendship, but kinship at the family level.

How many families have received help or collaborated with the Paeraton Duchess over the past few years?

They even worked together in politics and society.

In this situation, the fact that Paeraton runs the irreplaceable Anseur is good news for them.

Especially now that the princes’ fight for the throne is about to start again.

Vast amounts of wealth are needed for political and military funds.

The nobles who had teamed up with Ruatisha rejoiced, realizing that their already strong ally was even stronger.

And this will be a solid force in situations where Ruatisha’s position is threatened, as it is now.

“Lulu revealed it at the right time. She wouldn’t have intended to keep that good card a secret from the beginning. So there’s no need to worry.”

At those words, the aide bowed.

But.

“Madam, Anseur is raising the price of black gold across the board!”

At the butler’s words, who opened the door and came in, Sheruin’s expression changed.

“What?”

“They say it’s a double increase. This is the first time there’s been such an increase!”

“What is the Paeraton Duchess thinking? There’s no point in raising the price by two as soon as she reveals that she’s the head of the merchant guild!”

Sheruin closed her mouth and turned her head.

After staring at the painting for a while, a smile appeared on her lips.

“Yes. She’s never one to stay still.”

Sheruin got up from the sofa and sat down at her desk.

“I need to send letters to the members of Metis [a secret society or exclusive group]. Most of them are excellent talents, so they’ll probably know Lulu’s intentions.”

The cap of the fountain pen turned smoothly in her hand.

“Because there are many eccentric geniuses in Metis who are only good at their specialty.”

In other words, there are many quirky geniuses who lack social skills.

“You mean…….”

“Yes, there will be many Metis members who are dissatisfied with the sudden price increase of black gold. But Lulu has intentions, so we shouldn’t interfere, should we?”

“Intentions?”

At those words, Sheruin did not answer.

Instead, her hand holding the fountain pen moved smoothly and fluently.

At the same time, Delvatren’s mansion.

“Huh? A double increase? Without any warning?”

The Duke of Delvatren, who was smoking a cigar, asked in surprise.

“They say it was announced suddenly today.”

“Huh…….”

The Duke, who took a deep puff of his cigar, turned to his grandson.

“Raphael, isn’t she your friend? Haven’t you heard anything?”

“Does she tell me everything she does in advance?”

“Tsk, tsk! You have no substance.”

The Duke of Delvatren playfully wrinkled his nose.

“Don’t react and just watch.”

The Duke of Delvatren’s eyes lit up at his grandson’s words.

That guy gets along well with Lulu, so is he starting to resemble her business skills?

“Oh, did you notice her intentions?”

“No.”

The Duke of Delvatren was dumbfounded by the blunt answer.

“But she’s not one to move without thinking.”

Raphael said casually, tapping his sword.

“I don’t know what she’s thinking, but I know she doesn’t do anything that would be a loss for her.”

The Duke of Delvatren shook his head, watching his grandson quietly.

“This guy only knows how to swing a sword, he’s useless.”

The Marquis of Sherodel and the Duke of Iskamill, who were with him, burst into laughter.

“How can you say that the youngest Sword Master only knows how to swing a sword?”

“It’s a great blessing in life to have such a trustworthy friend.”

“Hmph.”

The Duke of Delvatren turned his head as if he didn’t like it, but the corners of his lips were slightly raised.

“Anyway, I can only say it’s Ruatisha.”

“She could face a backlash. I knew she wasn’t one to be easily intimidated.”

“She’s always been good at gambling.”

“It’s getting interesting.”

Raphael twitched his eyes as he watched the three big shots talking back and forth.

Everything’s fine, but what’s with that smile that looks like they’re watching their granddaughter’s antics?

I don’t know what it is, but it seemed like Ruatisha had once again shown a bizarre act that exceeded the expectations of those three.

In a good way.

“I’ve said my greetings to you two, so I’ll be on my way. I have to train.”

“He doesn’t neglect his training even though he could be proud of himself.”

“The Duke must be very happy to have such a great grandson.”

Raphael ignored the compliments and left the chess room and headed to the training ground.

‘I don’t know what you’re thinking.’

Swish一.

The sword slid smoothly out of its sheath, making a cool resonance.

Raphael stared at the sword for a moment.

The sword Ruatisha gave him.

“Whatever it is, I have no choice but to go with you this time. I really don’t want to.”

Because he had always been unwillingly involved in what Ruatisha had done.

Isn’t that the fate of a childhood friend?

The sight he had seen last time came to Raphael’s mind.

The threatening surge of miasma.

That nasty and creepy energy.

Ruatisha standing in front of it.

Raphael swung his sword as if to cut off that illusion.

The sword moves cleanly, drawing a perfect trajectory.

Raphael clicked his tongue.

“She’s always such a handful.”

* * *

“Reject them all. Send them all back.”

I said, eating strawberries covered in chocolate that Ares was picking out for me.

“Understood, Miss.”

Orca bowed and left.

From the day the black gold price increase was announced, people were eager to meet me.

At first, they sent letters, but when I didn’t reply, some people even came to the mansion.

I didn’t meet anyone and stayed inside the mansion.

“Okay, all done.”

Ixion finally took his hands off my hair.

When I looked in the mirror, it was very pretty with flowers intertwined and braided in several strands.

“Wow, it’s so pretty! It’s a waste to just roll around in the room like this. Shall we have a picnic in the garden later?”

“That’s a good idea. I’ll tell them to prepare a picnic.”

Behind Anna, who was smiling brightly, Laura was packing something.

‘……It looks like a video stone [a device for recording and playing videos].’

It was too familiar to say anything now, so I pretended not to know and looked in the mirror.

“I always think it’s really surprising that Ixion is so good at this.”

He seems like the least likely to be good at it.

At that time, Zeon’s figure was reflected behind the mirror.

I stared at Zeon for a moment and finally turned around and spoke to him.

“Zeon.”

Zeon, who had been sulking like a dog who had been told to ‘wait,’ perked up and ran over.

His expressionless face was full of joy and anticipation.

I had been pretending not to notice him looking at Ares and Ixion with envious eyes since earlier.

I felt a little bit of a desire to comfort him, but I said primly.

“Zeon, chase away the people outside. Orca is politely chasing them away, but they’re making a fuss.”

Of course, there was nothing to make a fuss about.

Who would dare to make a scene at the Paeraton Duchy?

‘But it’s really annoying just to keep coming.’

Zeon’s face became sullen again.

Seeing him walking away with a heavy heart made me feel sorry for him.

As soon as the door closed, I said to Anna.

“Prepare the picnic quickly. Make lots of pudding that Zeon likes.”

“Young Master Zeon likes pudding not because it’s delicious, but because it has memories with the Miss.”

“Anyway, he likes it. Zeon doesn’t like much, so make what Zeon likes.”

At those words, Anna’s face brightened.

“Are you forgiving Young Master Zeon now?”

“Forgiving? I wasn’t really angry in the first place. I’m not that petty.”

When I answered grumbling, my sisters laughed.

Ares and Ixion, who would have usually made a fuss asking me to take care of them too, were quiet.

‘Hmm? It seems like they have some brotherly love now?’

I chuckled.

I felt good thinking about enjoying a picnic with my family like a romance fantasy novel heroine, holding a lace parasol.

Isn’t it perfect?

As the calmness before the storm rages and the typhoon sweeps everything away.

“What kind of scheme are you plotting again?”

“You have a very wicked look on your face.”

Ares and Ixion muttered, looking into my face.

“A wicked face!”

When I snapped, Ixion pinched my cheek.

“It’s cute like a cat aiming for a fish.”

“It means you’re as pretty as a gorgeous rose.”

“You’re the only one, Ares!”

When I grabbed Ares’s hand, Ixion’s face contorted.

“You cheater!”

Regardless, Ares smiled victoriously and strengthened his friendship with me.

“So? What were you thinking?”

“No, just. It’s nothing.”

I chuckled.

“The Saintess enthronement ceremony is coming up soon, right?”

At those words, my brothers’ expressions instantly distorted.

“If that’s a Saintess, then my cotton ball is a god, a god!”

“You’re saying the right thing for once. My sister’s existence itself is a miracle and a blessing to the world. There’s no way she’s not a god.”

“…….”

I stared at Ixion and Ares with a dumbfounded face.

‘The scariest thing is that they’re not joking…….’

They both possess the power to turn the world upside down, but is their mental state okay?

‘Let’s get a grip.’

I made a firm resolution in my mind.

“So why the enthronement ceremony?”

“Shall we go and ruin it?”

I was horrified at Ixion’s words.

“Are you crazy? The moment you use miasma, Paeraton will become the enemy of the empire.”

“Using miasma isn’t the only way.”

Ares was smiling warmly like the spring sunshine melting a frozen river, even though he was making dangerous remarks.

“Ruin the Saintess enthronement ceremony, I didn’t have any such thoughts.”

I shook my head and looked at my brothers.

“I’m just so excited about how to congratulate her.”

A smile that resembled Ares’s was on my face.

A very, very kind and bright smile like the spring sunshine.