Chapter 68
The evaluation meeting was scheduled to be followed by a banquet.
For them, it had been advertised as a gathering where they could enjoy a light drink and discuss the future development of the western market.
Mikhail probably believed that as well.
“…But of course, no banquet will be held.”
What awaited them wasn’t a banquet, but something darker and far more miserable.
When we sat down, the merchants who had failed in their attempt to catch our attention smacked their lips and returned to their seats.
A few merchants had not approached us at all, and among them was Yulkes, the head of the Goldrail Company.
Other than his hair color, which was similar to Jane’s, he bore no resemblance to her whatsoever.
The greedy glint in his eyes as he scanned the surroundings reminded me more of a well-dressed thief than a merchant.
“Well, I can’t really blame him. Anyone’s eyes would go wide at this sight.”
In the corner of the banquet hall—where food would normally have been set out—the tables instead displayed bribes the merchants had prepared.
Boxes gaudily wrapped in gold thread, oversized gemstones sealed in glass cases, even a golden sword that looked more like a decorative piece than something meant for use…
The treasures were so extravagantly gaudy that I felt sick just looking at them.
In a voice too low for the merchants to overhear, I called out to Mikhail.
“…Do they usually send this much?”
“Mm, this time does seem excessive. Normally, the items offered at least relate to the trade goods, but…”
Although some of the companies were large, even accounting for that, the amount was overwhelming.
That only showed how desperate they were for this evaluation.
The twenty companies I had gathered weren’t just from Layton, but were well-known names across the west.
And indeed, pride was written across their faces.
There was no such thing as “a guilty conscience needs no accuser” here.
At the appointed time, the host of the event appeared on stage.
“Now that the Queen of Winter has faded, the sunlight of spring shines forth…”
Boring greetings and flowery praise for the Duke of Layton dragged on before the evaluation finally began.
I discreetly glanced at the seat in the far corner, where a woman with a large hat sat.
The twenty-first merchant: Jane.
Clad in clothes far flashier than what she normally wore, she kept her eyes fixed calmly on the stage, waiting for her turn.
“She’ll do well.”
The script was already written.
She had quickly grasped what kind of presentation I expected from her and produced something even more perfect than I had anticipated.
Now all that was left was for her to perform it well.
Strangely, I was the one feeling more nervous.
As I brushed my neck under the pretense of fixing my hair, Mikhail spoke cheerfully beside me.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what Mother’s plan turns out to be.”
From his tone, he really did sound expectant—there was no trace of sarcasm.
“It’s out of my hands now. It all depends on Jane.”
“I’ve never met her myself, but from what you’ve said, she must be a very clever merchant.”
“Yes. She’s far more intelligent than I am.”
Mikhail’s eyes widened in surprise, as if he hadn’t expected me to praise someone so openly.
But even without exaggeration, the fact remained: Jane was a genius.
“Until now, I was the only one who knew this… but not anymore.”
The merchants had come here in hopes of seizing a once-in-a-lifetime chance. That applied just as much to Jane.
“Now then, let us call upon the first merchant. The Milksee Company, please come forward.”
The host called the first merchant, and a middle-aged man climbed onto the stage, his expression a mix of tension and confidence.
“Gr-greetings to the esteemed Duke of Layton. I, Roik, as the head of the Milksee Company…”
Though called an evaluation meeting, in truth it was just a childish contest where the merchants came forward to boast about themselves.
They flaunted the value of the treasures they brought, emphasizing how profitable it would be if the Duke contracted with them.
The speeches were so monotonous that there was hardly any need to pay close attention.
“Well, a business leader doesn’t necessarily need to be a skilled speaker.”
One could call it straightforward; one could also call it unconvincing.
In any case, they clearly didn’t place much weight on the presentations themselves.
Had they wanted to impress, they would have hired orators rather than speaking in person.
To them, this was merely a pretext to showcase their bribes. They surely thought the real event would be the banquet afterwards, where they could converse with Mikhail.
“Recently, I heard potato prices dropped significantly after a good harvest. How have you prepared for that?”
“O-of course, Your Grace. Our Tona Company has been working to secure more buyers in order to reduce surplus stock and—”
Mikhail occasionally posed questions to the merchants, but most of the answers he received were hollow and meaningless.
He grew more and more disappointed, and by the later turns, he hardly spoke at all.
Finally, the last turn came: the twentieth merchant, Yulkes Goldrail.
“…Next, the twentieth merchant: Goldrail.”
“An honor to meet you, Duke of Layton.”
Unlike the earlier merchants, he walked up with great composure.
His brief greeting, almost aristocratic in tone, seemed designed to flaunt himself before the audience.
“How arrogant.”
At an ordinary banquet, Yulkes would never have dared speak so casually to Mikhail.
He began his explanation, but it was little different from the others’.
Mikhail shot me a bitter smile, and I clicked my tongue softly.
“And as a gift, I bring these mushrooms, considered precious in the northwest region…”
“Surely, he didn’t bring them for me… did he?”
Unwilling to meet Yulkes’s eyes, I turned my gaze instead to Jane, waiting backstage.
At last, Yulkes finished his turn.
“Ah, my apologies for not informing you earlier. There is one more participant in the evaluation. The twenty-first merchant, please come forward.”
The host deliberately refrained from announcing her name.
Jane, her hat pulled low, slowly stepped onto the stage.
Now it was beginning.
The merchants, startled that there was still another turn, stared as she walked forward with confidence.
Bang!
“Ow!”
…But blinded by her oversized hat, she tripped and fell hard on the stage.
“….”
Silence fell over the hall.
She had sprawled out so loudly that the echo still seemed to reverberate through the hall.
“Pff—Puhahaha!”
“What is this, a clown show?”
“Miss, get up already!”
Laughter exploded through the room. My cheeks burned red as I instinctively covered my face with a hand.
Of course, this mishap was not part of the script.
“She must’ve been nervous. Why on earth wear such a big hat…”
Jane pressed her hat down firmly as she slowly got up.
Even from a distance, I could see her ears and neck were scarlet with embarrassment.
She brushed her clothes off a few times, then awkwardly walked to the podium and glanced around.
Then she bowed politely.
“…My apologies. I was nervous.”
“Hahaha!”
“Next time, you might want to avoid such inconvenient outfits!”
Though clearly flustered, she even added a small joke, easing the atmosphere.
Mikhail chuckled softly, praising her.
“If that’s acting, she’s remarkably skilled.”
“I doubt it…”
Still, her ability to recover was praiseworthy.
After such a blunder, most people would’ve forgotten their entire script, yet she continued smoothly.
“My name is Jane, and I run a small company. By chance, I was given the honor of being invited here today, and I thank the great Duke for this precious opportunity.”
But even as she spoke earnestly, laughter still lingered in the hall.
From her voice, the merchants realized she was far younger than they were, and their laughter grew—a mix of mockery and reluctant encouragement.
Jane, with a playful tone, spoke again.
“My mistake seems to have ruined the mood. I might make another mistake… so, if I ask you to be quiet, will you forgive me just once and listen?”
“Of course we will! Hahaha!”
“You should be asking the Duke that, not us!”
“The Duke himself must agree…”
Mikhail raised a hand and nodded briefly.
It was his sign of approval.
Jane bowed gratefully.
“Thank you for your generosity. Then, allow me to show you the gift I, Jane Goldrail, have prepared.”
“…What?”
At last, Yulkes realized whose voice it was.
Jane stepped backstage and returned with a large teaching chart.
She set up the long wooden pole, hung the oversized paper sheets, and began turning them one by one—like a lecturer with instructional materials.
