IWRY 14💖

Chapter  14

“So we have to return this. It was never ours to begin with.”

Aster closed the lid of the pocket watch and placed it back into his inner coat pocket. Then he stood up.

“Where are you going?” Seoden asked, quickly following behind him.

“I already said. I’m returning it. Now that I’ve fixed it, it should go back to its rightful owner.”

“You’re really going to return something like this just like that? This is an incredible ancient magical artifact, and you’re just giving it up so easily? Who exactly is the owner? If you’re offended and don’t want to talk to them, I can try persuading them— mmph!”

With a lazy gesture of his finger, Aster cast a silence spell. Seoden’s mouth snapped shut.

Seoden struggled, making muffled noises through tightly sealed lips, while Aster watched him and said,

“I really prefer you when you’re quiet. Stay here until I return. Don’t follow me.”

Aster smiled smoothly, pulled up his robe to cover even his head, and disappeared from the suite.

At the same time Seoden had been arguing with Aster, Ariel had been overwhelmed since early morning.

A guest had suddenly sent word that they would be visiting the Marquis’ household.

It was already quite rude to send notice in the morning, but this guest had declared they would arrive the very same afternoon. Their response was closer to a unilateral notice than a request.

The blatant discourtesy made her frown, but she could not refuse them. It was the Kunno Trading Company, which was deeply entangled in a massive debt relationship with the Blanté Marquis House.

Ariel had no choice but to force her heavy body to move. Her condition was not good—she had fallen ill after the ordeal at the Baierne Marquis House’s party.

It wasn’t because of Sier.

What had kept her awake all night was Kairlans.

The way he coldly ignored her and then calmly kissed Sier’s hand was burned into her mind every time she closed her eyes. She couldn’t sleep.

Why Sier, of all people?

The Baierne Marquis House had wealth, but it was not a prestigious noble house. Moreover, even their wealth could not compare to that of a grand ducal family.

He could have met someone far better. He had the right to do so.

So why Sier—her friend, of all people?

What was he thinking? Or rather, since when had it started?

Thinking about his infidelity now was pointless, but she couldn’t stop the thoughts from resurfacing. And she resented him for it.

Perhaps because of that resentment—or because of her exhaustion—her chest ached again.

Just as she pressed a hand to her throbbing chest, the voice of a maid was heard.

“Miss, it is ready.”

Ariel opened her eyes, which she had closed from fatigue. She looked at herself in the mirror.

Perhaps because she had dressed up after a long time, her reflection looked surprisingly composed, despite her turbulent emotions. Ariel quietly praised the maid.

“Good work.”

She stood up.

At that moment, from the open balcony doors, she heard the sound of the estate gates opening. The Kunno head merchant had arrived.

Letting out a tense breath, Ariel left the room with her maid.

When she descended to the foyer, she saw the Kunno Trading Company head already stepping down from his carriage.

He stroked his long moustache and immediately revealed a displeased expression upon seeing her, then lifted his chin stiffly.

He held the rank of baron, while she was a noble young lady of a marquis house. Etiquette required him to bow—but he had already ignored proper visiting protocol from the start.

Of course, he had no intention of bowing.

Still, this was not the time for confrontation, so Ariel spoke first.

“Nice to meet you. I am Ariel Blanté.”

“Hmph. Pleased to meet you. I am Pedlin Kunno, head of the Kunno Trading Company.”

Ariel forced the corners of her mouth upward.

“You arrived so suddenly this morning that we were unable to prepare properly for guests. Still, tea has been prepared in the reception room, so if we could continue the discussion there—”

But the merchant raised a hand, cutting her off mid-sentence.

Ariel’s expression stiffened at the blatant rudeness, but he ignored it and waved his hand irritably.

“Lady, I did not come here to sit in a reception room and exchange polite conversation. I will get straight to the point. I demand that the Blanté Marquis House repay its debt to my company within this month.”

Ariel narrowed her brows at the absurd demand.

“Within this month? That is unreasonable. Head Kunno. Although it is true our household’s situation has worsened, you made a formal contract with my father. The repayment deadline is clearly stated in the contract—”

“Lady! That contract was made when the Blanté Marquis House was still intact! If I had known the Blanté Marquis would die so irresponsibly, I would never have signed it. This is practically fraud against me!”

He raised his voice, cutting her off again as if to intimidate her.

But Ariel was not intimidated. Instead, her mind became strangely clear.

She already knew what she had to do about the Kunno debt.

She looked calmly at the shouting merchant and said,

“If you consider it fraud, then I have nothing further to say.”

The merchant paused, surprised by the shift in her tone.

Ariel continued evenly.

“The Blanté Marquis House will repay the debt according to the contract, whether you accept it or not.”

“What…?”

“So if you believe this contract is fraudulent, then you should proceed with the proper legal procedures.”

“Procedures… do you mean… a trial?”

“Yes. That is correct.”

The merchant’s eyes widened in shock. This was not what he had expected.

Of course it wasn’t. Even Ariel had not intended to take it to court.

She had assumed he would demand some of the remaining estate lands or family heirlooms, and she had already concluded that giving up some assets would be more realistic than litigation.

But what could she do? He had crossed the line first, so she had to respond firmly.

Moreover, given how prepared he seemed, negotiation at her expected level would not work anyway.

Ariel added indifferently,

“As you can see, the Blanté Marquis House cannot repay such a sum immediately, and you are being inflexible. If you do not wish to speak with me or believe the contract is fraudulent, then please file a lawsuit against us.”

She spoke as if she were genuinely considering trial.

“That… I understand the current state of your finances would not withstand a trial…” the merchant said cautiously, studying her expression.

He was testing whether she truly meant it.

But Ariel showed no hesitation.

“That is our concern to handle. And even if the situation is difficult, preparing one million krang within a month is even more unreasonable, don’t you think? If necessary, we could simply declare bankruptcy. Then your claim would be completely void.”

At her unwavering gaze, the merchant’s face slowly turned pale. He realized she was serious.

He cleared his throat and backed down slightly. If this continued, they would gain nothing from the estate.

And if she truly declared bankruptcy… the trading company would suffer enormous losses.

After the Marquis Blanté died and the Grand Duke abandoned them so coldly, he had assumed she would be crushed.

No—his advisor had specifically said the young lady would be completely intimidated. That if they pressured her, she would hand over family heirlooms without resistance.

But contrary to expectations, Ariel Blanté became even calmer the more he pressured her. She maintained the dignity of a noble without faltering.

The merchant shot a sharp glare at his panicking advisor beside him.

Then, quickly changing his attitude, he spoke carefully.

“Ahem… Lady Blanté. I believe I was too emotional due to the situation. Coming so suddenly was also improper etiquette. So I apologize for my earlier rudeness.”

He bowed his head.

Ariel did not immediately accept the apology and remained silent.

He was the man who had insulted her father and disrespected her household.

Part of her wanted to refuse and tell him to prepare for court immediately—but emotions alone could not solve this. It was not a matter that concerned only her.

Moreover, she had not intended to truly fight him today.

What she wanted—or rather, what she had to do—was not a trial, but negotiation.

Ariel swallowed a heavy breath and finally parted her tightly closed lips.