Chapter 136………………………………………………
A stir spread through the crowd when people heard that Idel had arrived.
“What’s going on? She never shows her face at public events.”
“The Second Prince is with her too!”
“Should we go ask her about the magic stones?”
Recently, the biggest topic of interest related to Baroness Luciviu and the Second Prince was, of course, the highest-grade magic stones.
To exaggerate a little, there was practically no one in the capital who didn’t want Idel’s magic stones.
Many attendees flocked toward the entrance to see the pair who had just arrived.
Even those who had been clinging closely to Liena, showering her with praise, began glancing around nervously.
“…Young Lady, congratulations once again. I’ll go enjoy the banquet now.”
“Ah, I actually promised to meet someone.”
“Oh my, isn’t it getting a bit hot in the hall?”
“You’re right. Lady Liena, we’ll step out to the terrace for some fresh air.”
Just like that, half of the people gathered around Liena scattered away.
“Honestly… it’s late autumn. What do they mean it’s hot?”
The Duchess of Luciano complained loudly enough for them to hear, but the remaining half weren’t much different.
They too kept sneaking glances toward the entrance, clearly curious.
However, compared to those who had already left, they had known Liena longer and felt more attached to her, so they restrained themselves.
Liena bit her lip.
What is going on…?!
Why had Idel, who wasn’t even on the invitation list, appeared here?
At that moment, Idel pushed through the crowd and stopped in front of Liena.
The moment Liena saw the Second Prince standing beside Idel, a forgotten piece of information surfaced in her mind.
Come to think of it, any banquet of a certain scale held in the capital was required to send invitations to members of the imperial family.
And anyone who received such an invitation could bring one partner.
Even though he hadn’t sent a reply to the invitation, she never imagined he would actually show up.
Annoyance surged inside Liena, but regardless, he was still a prince.
“…Liena Cassius greets Your Highness.”
As the host of the banquet, Liena was obliged to greet him.
“My apologies. Since I did not receive a reply to the invitation, I had no idea you would attend. If I had known, I would have made the banquet even more splendid.”
Despite the subtle reproach in her tone, Terrence responded smoothly.
“It’s quite alright. A modest gathering has its own charm.”
Even though he clearly knew her words were merely polite humility, he still called the banquet modest, which irritated Liena immensely.
Especially since she had poured a massive amount of money into preparing this banquet.
After the Iber Merchant Guild collapsed amid countless scandals, the beginning of her new merchant company had to be as dazzling as possible.
That way, the negative impressions people still held might be washed away, even if only a little.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Liena forced a smile and bowed slightly.
“Your Highness! It’s been a long time!”
“Baroness Luciviu, thank you so much for kindly replying to the letter I sent earlier…”
Once the host’s greeting was finished, people immediately began approaching the Prince and Idel.
Even half of the people who had remained beside Liena disappeared again.
So much attention was focused on the two of them that it became hard to remember what the purpose of the banquet even was.
This is too much! Do they know how much effort I put into this banquet?!
As Liena’s expression darkened, the Duchess of Luciano comforted her.
“Our poor Liena. Don’t feel discouraged.”
She glared in the direction of Prince Terrence and muttered quietly.
“Honestly. He’s my nephew, but he has no sense at all. Perhaps it’s because he’s an illegitimate child.”
But suddenly the duchess’s expression stiffened.
A man was approaching Idel Luciviu.
“Baroness Luciviu, perhaps there’s been some misunderstanding. I’m the only one who hasn’t received a reply from you yet. When you have time, I’d like to visit…”
It was the Duke of Luciano.
“Dear! What do you think you’re doing?!”
As the duchess rushed off to stop her husband, the mood around Liena’s group sank even further.
Unable to just stand there and take it, Liena raised her voice.
“Everyone! Please give me your attention!”
People turned their attention back to her.
“Thank you all for gathering here today to celebrate the founding of the Baby Bunny Merchant Company.”
Originally, Liena had planned to give this speech after the banquet was in full swing, but she moved it forward.
“At the Baby Bunny Merchant Company, we plan to sell a wide variety of useful artifacts.”
Then she released the divine power she had gathered within herself all at once.
Her divine energy spread evenly throughout the hall.
“…Thus, the Baby Bunny Merchant Company will take the lead in improving the lives of more citizens by expanding the distribution of artifacts.”
Clap clap clap!
As soon as her speech ended, thunderous applause erupted everywhere.
“Lady Liena! That was amazing!”
“I’ve never heard such a moving speech in my life!”
This was a technique Liena had mastered after repeatedly using the Blessing of the Goddess.
It was called “Overwhelming Presence.”
Although it consumed an enormous amount of divine power, it strongly imprinted her presence on everyone within a certain radius for a short time and drew out favorable reactions from them.
Until now, Liena had used this technique very effectively at important moments in her life.
She smiled confidently.
Idel, it looks like you tried to ruin my banquet—but it’s useless!
As if reading her thoughts, Idel approached her right then.
“Lady Cassius.”
With a mysterious smile on her lips.
“What is it?”
“I was deeply moved by your speech. In relation to that, may I also say a few words to everyone here?”
It was hardly a question directed at Liena.
“Of course! Please, go ahead!”
“Yes! We’d love to hear Baroness Luciviu speak!”
Those who had been flattering Idel nonstop to gain her favor immediately agreed.
“Then I won’t refuse.”
Idel cleared her throat, and Liena snorted inwardly.
How foolish. No matter what you do, you can’t change the atmosphere once I’ve captured it.
Liena’s speech had seeped into people’s hearts through divine power.
“Everyone, I have a surprise announcement.”
Unless something extremely shocking happened, it would be difficult for them to forget Liena’s presence anytime soon—
“Our Luciviu Mining Company has decided to significantly lower the price of top-grade magic stones for a while.”
The eyes of those intoxicated by Liena’s presence widened instantly.
“After hearing Lady Cassius’s speech, I too felt a sense of duty to contribute to the spread of artifacts. If we lower the price of magic stones—the main material for artifacts—wouldn’t their distribution accelerate?”
When Idel announced the new price of the magic stones, someone even dropped their glass.
“M-My goodness! That’s half the price of the temple!”
“Will you even make any profit selling them like that?”
“This is a chance! We need to buy as many as possible before the discount period ends!”
Excited, people started shouting and rushed toward Idel the moment she finished speaking.
“Sell to me first!”
“No, me first! Do you know how many letters I sent you?!”
“Long live Baroness Luciviu!”
“She’s a rare example of a true noble in these times!”
They were all people blinded by money.
I’ve been outplayed.
Darkness filled Liena’s vision.
Even if Idel lowered the price of magic stones, the Baby Bunny Merchant Company couldn’t buy them from her.
Partly because of Liena’s pride—and partly because doing so would damage her relationship with the Temple.
After long negotiations, Liena had already reached an agreement with the Temple to receive a large supply of magic stones at a slightly cheaper price than others.
But if she broke that agreement and bought from Idel—and then Idel suddenly raised the price?
The Baby Bunny Merchant Company, already out of the Temple’s favor, would have no choice but to either pay whatever Idel demanded or give up top-grade magic stones altogether.
Furthermore, the world was already full of cheap imitations of Kais’s inventions.
Their craftsmanship couldn’t compare to the real ones, but the core performance of artifacts depended heavily on the quality of the magic stones used.
Price was also an issue.
Other merchant companies that bought cheap magic stones from Idel would likely lower their artifact prices as well.
…What should I do now?
While she was thinking, Liena noticed Idel and Terrence leaving the hall.
Apparently they had some business and were leaving early.
What business? They’re just running away after successfully humiliating me.
Rage flooded Liena’s mind.
Idel had already destroyed the Iber Merchant Guild by turning Cecil and Elliot against her.
Now she was ruining Liena’s new merchant company as well.
“Ah, Lady!”
Without realizing it, Liena followed Idel out of the banquet hall.
She was about to grab Idel’s shoulder and force her to turn around, but Prince Terrence naturally stepped between them.
After confirming that no one else was nearby, Liena spoke toward Idel’s back.
“Are you picking a fight with me right now?”
Idel calmly turned to face her.
“Why? Did you think I would just sit still? The one who declared me an enemy first was you, Liena.”
“What did I do that was so wrong?”
“The fact that you still don’t know is honestly impressive.”
“I tried to give you the most comfortable life possible as compensation! That’s why I married you to my brother Leandro!”
At that moment, a third voice suddenly interrupted.
“What are you talking about?”
A figure that hadn’t been visible until now stepped out from behind a garden tree.
“Liena… what do you mean, you married me off?”
It was Leandro Cassius.
