Chapter 78
“No, how on earth is this here…!”
Among the items displayed on the table, what Baron Rost focused on was the floral ornament.
The main material, dried flowers, was something he had tried in vain to obtain since last year.
With trembling hands, the baron picked up the ornament and quickly lifted his head. He wanted to check which family’s tent this belonged to.
To his surprise, the tent belonged to none other than the host of the bazaar—the Marquis of Ravello.
“Ha… this won’t do. Excuse me, where might I find Lady Ravello?”
Snapping out of his daze, the baron asked the servant guarding the tent.
Before the servant could even reply—
“Are you looking for me?”
A gentle voice came from behind. Turning, he found Claire standing there with a bright smile.
“What luck! Lady Ravello! Where… where did you get this from?”
The baron held out the floral ornament to her, his tone desperate and urgent.
Instead of answering directly, Claire kept her pleasant smile and made a discreet suggestion.
“If you’d like to know, please follow me.”
“Ah, yes! I’ll go wherever you say!”
The two moved into the reception room of the mansion. Becca came in, served tea, and left.
Claire leisurely sipped her tea, observing the restless baron.
William Rost.
About ten years ago, he had grown wealthy after his perfume business—based on rare flowers—became a success.
His small perfume workshop, once tucked away at the end of Fourth Street, had flourished enough to expand nationwide for a time.
Though now, it’s barely hanging on.
The reason Claire knew so much about him was because he had once been a business partner of the Duke of Muton.
Baron Rost had sourced the rare flowers for his perfumes from Duke Muton.
He had endured paying nearly half of his profits to the duke, bowing low in submission.
There was no helping it—the flowers were almost impossible to obtain naturally.
Even if unfair, to borrow the power of the “Blessing,” he had no choice but to endure.
That’s why he suffered so many humiliations at Brian Muton’s hands.
Recalling the baron’s frequent hardships she had witnessed in her days as Priscilla, Claire slowly spoke.
“What is it you wish to ask me?”
“I want to know where these flowers used in this ornament came from. Please, tell me!”
“I got them from the Minerva Trading Company.”
“……!”
Baron Rost’s eyes bulged.
These flowers were none other than Vaneracia, the same rare blossoms he used for his perfumes—flowers that bloomed only once every ten years.
“If you’re interested, shall I connect you with them?”
“That would be wonderful—!”
He almost jumped at the offer but stopped short.
Being introduced to Minerva by Claire would mean severing ties with Muton’s trading company.
It was a decision that required caution.
Seeing his hesitation, Claire asked calmly.
“May I ask why you’re hesitating?”
“Well, that is…”
“Is it because of your current trading partner? I heard your terms with Muton Trading are quite unfavorable…”
Her precise words made the baron flinch, but he couldn’t deny it. He only lowered his head.
In the trade of Blessed goods, Duke Muton was undoubtedly in the dominant position.
His tyranny was nothing new, but since last year, it had grown unbearable.
Not only had he quintupled the purchase price of Vaneracia flowers, but he also demanded sixty percent of the profits.
And this past year, for some unknown reason, even when money was paid, no flowers were delivered. Just last month, Rost had been forced to shut down two branches.
At this rate, he’d lose not only the branches but also the main shop and the entire business.
“…I can’t deny it. Muton has always been capricious, but lately it’s been worse than ever.”
Rubbing his face with embarrassment, the baron added,
“But still, Muton is Muton. His influence and power can’t be ignored.”
In other words, he couldn’t easily break his contract and switch to Minerva.
Anticipating this, Claire pressed further.
“So, you’ll keep enduring the unfair treatment and continue dealing with Muton, even if it makes you look like a fool?”
“…My lady, it’s not as if I want to endure it. Even if I trade with Minerva and somehow make perfumes this year, what about next year?”
The baron’s voice rose, his emotions spilling over.
“If Minerva can’t secure Vaneracia flowers next year, I’m finished!”
“I assure you, signing a new contract with Minerva will be far more advantageous.”
Claire replied, calm but full of conviction.
“Minerva will rise to the top within this year.”
“…How can you be so certain, my lady?”
“Because I am the owner of Minerva.”
She answered smoothly, smiling brightly. At this revelation, the baron’s jaw dropped.
Until now, she had hidden her ownership of Minerva.
But to build a force against the Muton duchy, she needed to recruit allies. Revealing part of her hand would help win their trust.
Especially Baron Rost, who must have built up deep resentment toward Muton.
With just a little push, he would cross over. That’s why she had chosen him as her first target.
“Join hands with me, my lord.”
Looking at his troubled face, Claire spoke firmly, her tone lower and more resolute than usual.
“Vaneracia flowers aren’t exclusive to Muton. Minerva can supply them to you regularly.”
“Hmm…”
“If you still don’t trust me, would you read this?”
Since his hesitation lingered, Claire pulled out a prepared document from the side table and handed it to him.
The baron’s eyes widened as he read it.
“Th-this is…!”
“We’ve created a dedicated Vaneracia garden for you. So you won’t have to worry about supply for the next ten years.”
They had prepared seeds of varying cycles—from nine-year to one-year varieties—ensuring the flowers would bloom annually in the garden.
Of course, she couldn’t reveal the role of the Blessing, but she had devised a way to reassure him nonetheless.
Seeing his wavering expression, Claire pressed on.
“If you side with me, the worries you fear won’t come to pass. My father is a mage who researches plants, and I’ve been interested in them since childhood, working in related fields. Thanks to that, I’ve established distribution networks others don’t even know about.”
In other words, she could provide rare plants just as reliably as Muton.
The baron suddenly recalled Minerva’s first hit product—Starlight Cream.
The Blue Trute used in it was also extremely rare, yet Minerva had continued selling the cream steadily.
That alone proved Minerva’s strength. Her claim of carving out her own channels seemed believable.
“Baron Rost, trust me and Minerva.”
Claire held out her hand. The baron, still clutching the document, fell into deep thought.
How much humiliation had he suffered from Duke Muton? How many times had he begged, only to be trampled?
Just days ago, he had crawled to the duke’s mansion, pleading for Vaneracia, only to be thrown to the floor and kicked out.
How much longer must he endure such disgrace? Even if the current duke stepped down, his son would inherit, and nothing would change.
Perhaps instead of regretting later, it’s wiser to seize the opportunity right before me now…
At last, the baron made his decision and declared solemnly,
“Very well. I will join hands with you and Minerva!”
He grasped Claire’s hand firmly. Claire smiled sweetly.
“You’ve made the right choice.”
The baron was just the beginning.
With the experience and information she had gained as a duchess, she would take Muton down piece by piece.
The bazaar ended in great success.
Not only did Claire sign an official contract with Baron Rost, but she also donated all the bazaar’s proceeds to charity, earning public acclaim.
With Minerva’s dedicated flower garden, the baron was able to resume his perfume production.
His business, which had struggled with limited supply, quickly revived.
“Thank you! Thanks to you, my lady, I’ve made a profit for the first time in months!”
Baron Rost came to Claire, brimming with excitement and gratitude.
“Of course, it’ll take time to recover from the accumulated losses, but with the garden, I have no worries!”
“Oh my, that’s wonderful news.”
Claire replied lightly with a smile, but at his next words, her eyes sparkled.
“Ha ha, I don’t know how I could ever repay this debt of gratitude.”
“In that case, perhaps you could introduce our company to some of your other contacts?”
She slipped the request in naturally, as if she had been waiting for the right moment.
“Why, of course! Is there any place in particular you’d like?”
