Chapter 69
Glance.
Silia cast a sidelong look at Julin. He flinched and quickly averted his gaze. Silia spoke softly.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“……”
The two of them were in the VIP lounge of the Tarnia Trading Company’s first branch.
Silia sat on the sofa, tapping her fingers lightly on her knee as she said to Julin,
“I’ll say it again — you don’t have to stay if you don’t want to. If this is too much, you can leave.”
“No. I’m fine.”
Even as he said it with clenched fists, the tips of Julin’s fingers trembled slightly.
So he really did get it bad, huh.
She’d heard a bit about it before, when she dealt with Aelyn Tarnia, but this time she had managed to get the full story.
“I know the three Tarnia brothers very well. Because I took the brunt of their abuse.”
“Is that so?”
“I was that kind of kid from birth. The son of a servant my father touched as a joke. To him, and to his legitimate children, I was someone better off not existing. I…”
Julin bit his lip. Instead of comforting him with words, Silia gently rested her hand on his shoulder. He flinched at her touch — she could feel the tremor run through him.
“So… are you still afraid of them?”
“……”
If he was still terrified of facing them, she had been ready to let him sit this one out. It wasn’t the first time — she’d kept him from having to meet Aelyn Tarnia face-to-face, too.
But this time, maybe taking it as a kind of challenge, Julin straightened up and said firmly:
“No.”
So she brought him along — though…
He still looks shaken, no matter how I see it.
Silia looked across at Julin’s pale face.
She couldn’t blame him. If she had to meet the debt collectors who’d tormented her the most, she couldn’t guarantee she’d keep her face straight either. Sure, she’d likely take care of them first this time — but wounds carved into the soul that deeply don’t fade so easily.
She had no intention of blaming Julin.
Everyone heals in their own way, in their own time.
No need to rush him. Silia leaned back deeper into the plush sofa, her eyes wandering over the lavish interior decor of the room. Just then, the curtain at the entrance was swept aside.
“Please, stay seated.”
The two men who entered strode confidently toward her — smiling, all charm and politeness. Silia smiled back and crossed her legs. They bowed slightly before speaking.
“Lady Bronieu, your reputation precedes you. I’m Berin Tarnia, and this is Kalin Tarnia.”
Their eyes were the same bluish-violet as Julin’s — but their faces were plastered with mean-spirited arrogance. Every movement they made set the jewelry on their heavy frames clinking and jingling. They looked like walking peacocks. Silia answered coolly.
“Tarnia, hm. The branch managers themselves came to greet me?”
“That’s right.”
“I didn’t know my name carried that much weight.”
“Oh, but it does. We wouldn’t have invited you to this particular room otherwise. Normally, only marquises and above are allowed here—”
“Ah, so.”
Silia cut him off with a wry smile.
“So you’re saying a mere baron’s daughter like me wouldn’t even dream of entering, but you made an exception because of my reputation?”
“N-no, that’s not it!”
Kalin stammered, flustered. Silia laughed lightly, as if to ease the tension.
“I’m joking. I already knew this room was only for high-ranking guests. My guide told me as much.”
At that, both Kalin and Berin turned their eyes sharply toward Julin.
“That may be true, but it would be best not to listen to… malicious interpretations,” Berin said.
“Malicious? I just stated a fact,” Silia replied airily. “Anyway, with a room this fine…”
She rested her chin on her hand.
“…you must be able to host royalty too, right?”
“Indeed,” Kalin said proudly.
“You’ve even hosted Her Highness, the Crown Princess?”
“Of course.”
“I doubt you just served her tea. You must’ve discussed business as well?”
“Ah, well. Nothing too grand. It’s no easy feat to satisfy royalty with our humble abilities, but Her Highness is one of our distinguished patrons…”
Kalin began to boast, but Berin nudged him sharply in the ribs.
“Specific details, I’m afraid, are confidential. We have our reputation to maintain — we can’t simply reveal information about other clients.”
Realizing his slip, Kalin bowed quickly.
“…My apologies.”
“Of course, I understand.”
It seemed the second brother was sharper than the third. Silia brushed a strand of hair from her face.
“Come to think of it,” she said casually, “Her Highness’s dress at the Royal Academy exhibition became quite the topic. The one that looked so similar to mine.”
She gestured toward the corner of the room, where a black silk dress embroidered with golden thread stood on display — nearly identical to the Crown Princess’s outfit.
“You’ve got a good eye,” Kalin said with an oily smile. “We made that one. The Trading Company runs a boutique as well.”
That confirmed it — they had probably used information from another boutique about Silia’s custom order to make a similar dress for the Crown Princess.
Silia’s eyes moved back and forth between the two brothers.
“I’ve been thinking of getting a new dress myself. I suppose Tarnia could make me something even better.”
“…Is that all you wished to discuss?” Kalin asked, sounding dazed.
“Should there be anything else?” Silia asked innocently.
“N-no, I didn’t mean—”
Berin smoothly cut in, eyes fixed on Julin.
“For instance, we could discuss information networks that may be of use to you, Lady Bronieu.”
Julin’s fists tightened. Normally, he’d have greeted them with some playful remark or a smirk the moment they entered, but now his eyes were glued to the floor.
Berin raised a hand suddenly. Julin flinched.
Berin only used the hand to rub his neck casually.
That bastard.
He did that on purpose. From Julin’s reaction, Silia could tell — they must have beaten him badly, over and over. Her eyes turned cold.
“Actually, it’s convenient that you’re here,” Silia said lightly. “I’d been meaning to send you a letter. It’s better to speak directly, without any interference.”
“Interference?”
“Yes. When we send letters, we have to consider who might intercept them on the way.”
Ah. So they knew Julin screened every letter or invitation that came to Silia before handing them over. That little boast about their information network was deliberate.
Though I doubt Julin would have withheld your letters, Silia thought. He’s passed along worse without question.
She only smiled in response.
“Lady Bronieu,” Berin said, his tone turning formal, “we’d like to offer you an investment — under the name of Tarnia Trading Company.”
“An investment?”
“Or, if you prefer, a sponsorship. A fine opportunity indeed.”
“I’m already backed by the Diaman family,” she said.
Berin and Kalin spoke quickly, one after the other.
“There’s no need to rely on a single sponsor. If multiple houses wish to support you, why not accept? There’s no loss to you.”
“If you’re concerned about Diaman’s reputation, rest assured — our support would be framed as a gift. Their honor will remain intact.”
“And of course,” Kalin added with a smug smile, “our help wouldn’t be limited to finances. We also have…”
Berin’s eyes flicked toward Julin.
“…reliable, verified information. Our sources rival any informant in the capital.”
Kalin continued with a cruel grin.
“That’s right. Unlike someone who exhausts himself chasing scraps, we have real resources. No matter how hard he tries, he’ll never match the heir of a major trading company. We could shoulder that burden for you. How is life in the capital, anyway, Mr. Julin Sarga? Are you eating well?”
Berin added smoothly,
“I heard your dear mother remarried recently. Is Madam Sarga doing well?”
The mention of his mother made Julin’s face go deathly pale. Silia stepped in.
“I don’t see why you’re bringing up Mr. Sarga while making me a business offer.”
“Oh, my apologies,” Berin said smoothly. “We simply have some prior acquaintance with him. If we’ve made you uncomfortable—”
“Yes, very uncomfortable. Please refrain. We were talking about me — so why leave me out of it?”
“…Truly, our mistake. Now then—”
Berin’s gaze sharpened.
“So, Lady Bronieu. Would you be interested in the investment — or rather, the sponsorship?”
“Well,” Silia said thoughtfully, “Tarnia is the top trading company in the kingdom. I suppose that’s not bad.”
At that, Julin flinched — then, after a moment, gave a small, hesitant nod. Even he seemed to think it was a good offer. He didn’t protest, choosing instead to let Silia decide.
Silia smiled at him — and then turned back to the brothers.
“But I don’t want it.”
“…Pardon?”
“I said, I don’t want to work with you.”
A heavy silence fell over the VIP lounge.
