Chapter 34……………………………….
The First Principle of Battenberg
Battenberg exists for the sake of price stability.
‘It’s basically the FED of this world.’
The male lead was a walking bank.
If too much money is printed and the amount of currency in circulation increases, the more common money becomes, the more prices rise. This is called inflation—rising prices.
Battenberg was an institution that existed to stabilize prices.
In other words, the main male lead, Perez, had the power to print or burn money, and the authority to raise or lower interest rates.
‘When loan interest rates are low, people pay less interest, so they borrow more money. That increases the money supply and leads to rising prices. On the surface, money becomes abundant, investments increase, employment strengthens, and people grow wealthier. It looks like a boom, and everyone feels happy.’
The economy has cycles.
Where there is prosperity, recession always follows.
If low interest rates suddenly begin to rise, or high rates remain in place, eventually a downturn or economic depression arrives.
‘Interest becomes expensive, loans become harder to obtain, delinquency rates soar, investment funds dry up, zombie companies collapse, and unemployment and suicide rates skyrocket. Money becomes scarce and cash grows precious—everyone thinks of it as winter.’
“There’s a saying that if you can correctly predict the direction of interest rates just twice, even when they’re decided every three months, you can become filthy rich.”
Such words were common in the financial world.
That was also why Perez, the main male lead, was so indifferent toward money.
Markets love low interest rates.
Because that’s when assets rise.
But if inflation isn’t restrained at the right time, money becomes worthless trash, and the side effects grow even worse in the end.
That was why Battenberg alternated between a hawkish stance (a hardline attitude that seems to favor high rates) and a dovish stance (a gentle attitude that seems to favor low rates), drawing the full attention of the nobles.
“No one knows who the head of House Battenberg truly is.”
‘Right. I’m the only one who knows the male lead’s identity.’
“Ppojjak. Where on earth did you hear the name Battenberg?”
“…People talk about it sometimes. They say Battenberg is the only one who won’t care about Berkshire’s influence. So… if it’s something I could receive as a birthday gift… I honestly want to meet him.”
“That’s impossible. I’m sorry. Even I have never met the head of House Battenberg.”
Ariana felt strange.
Of course, Perez’s true age was 665…
But outwardly, he was still a young boy whose growth had stopped at eight.
Seeing her father use such extreme honorifics toward Perez felt unfamiliar.
‘Perez must be an unbelievably great existence… far more than I thought.’
He had always been impressive enough that she’d panicked at the quest demanding she raise his possessiveness level.
But now, Ariana mentally raised the quest difficulty even higher.
‘…I already knew Perez was shrouded in mystery. But suddenly it’s scary. How am I supposed to seduce the male lead?’
If she failed…
Even Berkshire would be wiped out…
It felt as though a blade had been pressed against the inside of her throat.
As she swallowed hard, the Duke patted her back gently and asked again.
“Rather than such an unrealistic wish… is there anything else you want?”
“…Then. Could you perhaps arrange for me to meet the Master of the Magic Tower?”
“The Master of the Magic Tower?”
Adrian tilted his head.
“Our little Ppojjak… I suppose you’re interested in magic.”
Magic was fascinating, of course.
But Ariana’s reason for wishing it as a birthday wish wasn’t simply because it was interesting.
“That’s not too difficult. It’s my daughter’s birthday wish—how could I refuse?”
Ariana was disappointed, but she didn’t show it.
‘It can’t be helped. Even if it’s not the Battenberg head… meeting the Master of the Magic Tower through Dad might still be a pretty decent gain.’
In any case, her birthday ball was only a month away.
Time always passed faster than expected.
Soon enough, Ariana would meet Perez.
‘Still… I wanted to see Perez at least once before the ball. If my proposal comes too suddenly, the male lead might erase me without thinking.’
Then, the Duke brushed Ariana’s hair behind her ear and asked,
“I heard there will be a fireworks festival in the capital tonight. Shall we go together?”
Ariana hesitated briefly.
But soon, she silently shook her head.
“Are you very busy?”
“Even if I’m busy, could I really be busier than you, Father? It’s just… I missed studying for two days, so I’m a little worried.”
“You study that much? May I ask why you live so diligently?”
‘Is Dad on my side?’
Ariana fell silent for a moment.
But in the Duke’s warm embrace, she slowly became certain.
Her father… was on her side.
Then…
‘…I can be honest.’
Hiding her abilities and ambitions was only necessary in front of those who weren’t allies.
“…I plan to inherit Berkshire.”
“……”
“Are you going to laugh?”
“Of course not.”
Even if he did, she wouldn’t be too hurt.
But Adrian remained quiet.
“Instead, I feel sorry. If I had known, I shouldn’t have become so estranged from the head of the family…”
“It’s okay.”
The biggest reason Schwaben and Adrian’s relationship had soured was because of Moltke.
Ariana didn’t want Adrian to relive bad memories, so she cut him off.
“…I know what you’re trying to say. But Grandfather likes me a lot. So don’t worry.”
“……”
She wanted to tell him he didn’t need to force reconciliation because of her.
But perhaps that was too much overstepping as a child.
Adrian gently stroked her hair.
“…If there is ever anything you need, you may tell me anytime. You don’t need a pretext like a birthday gift. If you want to meet the Master of the Magic Tower or anything else… ask me. If it’s within my power, I will grant it.”
‘He’s so kind. It makes me want to rely on him.’
Just by existing, Adrian was supporting her.
Even in this tyrannical world where wealth was favored, strength mattered just as much.
“Father… I found out yesterday, from overhearing the servants… that you’ve been dealing with my assassins for me.”
“…I didn’t want you to know that.”
Ariana laughed lightly.
“I’m stronger than you think. I’m not weak enough to shrink just because someone hates me.”
The people who wanted her dead didn’t do it because they personally disliked her.
They made such choices because of interests and politics.
She didn’t need to be wounded by assassination attempts she hadn’t even known about.
From the moment she entered Berkshire’s grand ducal castle, she had already prepared herself.
Even the gossip she’d heard at tea time had been intentional—she’d wanted to know her reputation.
But she didn’t need to say that.
e.
Adrian already seemed unsettled by how mature she was.
Perhaps that was why his doubts about her hadn’t faded.
Rumors had long circulated that the Duke was cracking down on the underworld…
So eventually, Ariana would have learned.
“…Still… thank you.”
“For what exactly?”
“Lady Chloe…”
Ariana trailed off.
Adrian chuckled softly and ruffled her hair.
Ariana blushed and fell silent.
Later
“Father, I’ll head back now.”
“Yes. Come visit me anytime you return to the capital. Even if I’m away on campaign, all the servants will welcome you.”
Before boarding the carriage back to Berkshire, Ariana hesitated.
‘This much cuteness should be okay, right?’
She walked up to Adrian.
When she looked up at him without speaking, the Duke froze.
Ariana grabbed the edge of his sleeve, then lightly tapped her cheek.
“…Ppojjak?”
“Kiss.”
