CHAPTER 20…………………………………………
“We’re planning to sell the Thales abandoned mine soon. Publicly, the reason will be that the security costs for the mine have become too high…”
“So there’s another reason hidden beneath that.”
“This isn’t exactly new to Your Highness, is it?”
The smile on that face as they spoke was so mischievous it was almost insolent.
Justin twirled his paddle idly and let out a small chuckle.
Meanwhile, the people in the auction hall continued to speculate eagerly among themselves.
“There may be a hidden treasure in this auction that we aren’t aware of.”
Treasure, my foot. They were just pretending to go after a mine that had long since dried up.
“In that case, it would be wise to secure the items that he shows interest in, even if we have to stretch ourselves a little.”
That was exactly why they had come here.
Justin tilted his head slightly, letting his long eyelashes cast a shadow over his eyes.
The current situation was boring enough to make one sick, yet watching people act according to Miena’s plan was immensely entertaining.
Who would have expected the heir of the Everdin family to act as a decoy at an auction?
“An interesting child.”
It was fascinating how, despite treating others casually as if he had completely forgotten he was of a noble house, he surprisingly never crossed the lines he set himself.
“It’s possible because of his ambition.”
His desires were so vast that he didn’t chase fleeting gains.
Justin liked that.
Though his expression usually appeared indifferent, as if nothing could interest him, when something could benefit his family, he would throw himself at it without hesitation.
The fervor that could seep into his seemingly fleeting blue eyes in an instant.
Despite a body that couldn’t even properly lift a teapot and wobbled as he hurried to stand.
The courage to never back down.
Miena Sidus is an invaluable talent.
In Justin’s eyes, she was the perfect business partner.
It wasn’t exactly an evaluation one would make of a mere twelve-year-old, but it was the truth.
Even disregarding her innate abilities, the level of situational judgment and courage she displayed wasn’t something one could acquire just by wanting it.
“Of course, she has her foolish sides as well.”
At that thought, Justin’s hand paused mid-gesture. A memory from the past had resurfaced—one that felt distinctly different from previous recollections, making it feel more alien.
“You must know how my family fell into ruin, don’t you?”
After wrapping up a general discussion with the girl who would become his business partner, they were on their way to Count Sidus’s study to formally propose a contract.
Miena Sidus, who had been guiding him, suddenly started speaking.
“Even after pouring everything in, we ended up with debts equivalent to a third of Lorraine Johnson’s inheritance.”
The abrupt statement was oddly at odds with the composed persona she had previously shown.
“Even for a grand ducal family, covering my life-sustaining treatment would be like pouring water into a bottomless pit.”
“….”
“I don’t know what makes you invest so aggressively in me, but perhaps Your Highness’s instincts are wrong this time.”
She added phrases like: “Information symmetry requires mutual respect,” “Even if you tried to recover your investment later, I’d no longer be in this world,” “This is a minimal declaration of conscience for you.”
As if she were simply offering the warning she naturally had to.
Her sudden, somewhat unexpected words naturally made him slow his steps.
Noticing that he wasn’t following, Miena Sidus also stopped and turned around.
At that moment, what he saw was utterly surreal.
The straight light streaming through the window, and the girl standing under its slanting lines.
Her silvery hair glinting softly in the settled sunlight.
Half swallowed by shadow, half buried in light, giving off two entirely different atmospheres.
Her deep blue eyes, serious and dark this time, as if the radiant light had been devoured and corroded.
Those eyes, dry and hollow to the point of emptiness.
So surreal.
So heavy and deep that it made one forget to breathe, staring without reason.
“Your Highness?”
“Ah.”
Only when Miena stepped forward, calling him with concern, did he finally regain his composure.
The strange feeling was unfamiliar to him, so he quickly covered it with a casual tone.
“A statement that conscientious for someone trying to sell a worthless abandoned mine at multiple times its worth—it’s almost too honest.”
“Do you enjoy picking fights with your business partners?”
Fortunately, Miena Sidus quickly returned to her bright, open demeanor.
For some reason, that was a relief. And Justin decided to exaggerate even further to ease her worries.
“Isn’t it better than passively waiting for your partner’s death? In terms of reputation, or at least to ease the guilt stemming from shallow pity.”
“You’re very straightforward.”
“And I trust my instincts.”
Even if it became pouring water into a bottomless pit, it would not be her fault.
It would be his fault alone—for trusting his instincts too hastily, as always.
Perhaps this minimal conscience was not only for the younger, fragile girl but also to ease his own guilt.
Her grimace at the phrase “I trust my instincts” was so amusing that Justin unconsciously smiled as he let the last strands of memory dissipate from his mind.
In truth, Miena Sidus’s advice was hardly necessary for him.
If she opened the path for this negotiation, the resulting gains would be incalculable.
“It’s not just about the magic stone trade.”
With the magic stone trade as the starting point, international trade would truly begin.
More merchants would traverse Somnium, imports and exports would rise, and diverse industries would flourish.
And the Everdin family would seize this opportunity to amass even greater wealth.
So in reality, this was a completely safe investment.
“She didn’t realize it herself, though.”
She didn’t fully understand his value or what could be accomplished with his abilities.
“No, rather… it felt like she had given up.”
As if sensing he wouldn’t live long, the girl younger than him discussed his death calmly.
She worried about the lives of those left behind rather than his own.
What a foolish, naive person.
“This auction item is the Thales abandoned mine and surrounding land rights.”
The auction had progressed quickly, and it was almost his turn.
Justin finally lifted his gaze to the auction in front of him, his expression utterly indifferent.
“The real estate appraisal value is 300,000 Peon.”
300,000 Peon.
Since Lorraine Johnson’s assets had already passed to the Sidus family, 300,000 Peon would already be a considerable gain for Miena Sidus.
“If the Thales mine’s price exceeds the expected value of the treasure, people will abandon the purchase. So the proper limit must be maintained.”
Hence, Miena Sidus instructed him to bid only up to a reasonable point rather than taking risks…
Amid the cautious, gradual bidding, Justin lifted one corner of his mouth in a subtle smirk.
“320,000 Peon.”
“320,000 Peon.”
“330,000 Peon!”
“340,000 Peon!”
It was a perfect opportunity to impress his precious talent and partner with the significance of the Everdin name.
Justin elegantly raised his paddle and bid:
“2,000,000 Peon.”
The day after the auction opened.
I placed the mail delivered to the Sidus mansion on the table and blinked blankly.
Before me, Justin Everdin sat with noble composure, sipping tea leisurely.
I glanced at him once, at the certificate in front of me once, and then muttered:
“The final price seems a bit strange, Your Highness.”
The appraisal value had been 300,000 Peon. So why did the certificate of full payment list 3,000,000 Peon?
How had it inflated tenfold over the appraisal…?
“Of course, that’s thanks to my partner’s skill.”
Justin smiled brightly mid-tea, even his usually tired eyes sparkling.
What was that expression, soaked in madness?
Was he asking for praise? Well, he certainly deserved it.
But how…?
