RBAR 10

The Duke of Adelheit’s eyebrows shot up. Another method?

“What do you mean by that?”

“They said… they would only sell in limited quantities for the time being, until the rumors die down.”

“Hah, what a cunning trick!”

After hearing the report, the Duke let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.

“I’d like to see the face of the bastard running that place.”

Caleb, standing beside him, frowned. He was already aware that there had recently been a shop getting under his father’s skin.

But it was rare for someone to persist this stubbornly.

“Could it be the Grand Duke’s doing?”

The Duke’s face twisted viciously.

It wasn’t as if he hadn’t considered that possibility.

In fact, it had been the first thing that came to mind.

There was nothing the Adelheit family’s intelligence network couldn’t uncover. But if Killian Orfeo, the Grand Duke, was backing it, then things were different.

‘Killian Orfeo.’

At the thought of him, the Duke ground his teeth.

A great mage who had achieved remarkable feats in the southern war. Treated as an unprecedented hero, he had risen to the position of Grand Duke in an instant.

The way he was honored even more than most nobles was deeply irritating.

“Just who the hell is that shop owner…”

Caleb also fumed in frustration.

The Duke irritably stubbed out the cigarette he had been smoking in the ashtray.

Elisa, who had been nervously reading the room, cautiously spoke up.

“Could it be… Edith?”

“Hah! Edith?”

Both Caleb and the Duke sneered at the same time.

But for a brief moment, Caleb recalled the Edith he had encountered during the Buchanan acquisition rights competition.

“Puhaha! Elisa, with what ability could Edith run a place like that? We even blocked all her investment routes.”

Feeling uneasy, Caleb forced a laugh as if the idea were ridiculous.

“She’s not capable of something like that.”

The Duke nodded in agreement.

“We’ll find out who that damned shop owner is and grind them down so they can’t even set foot in this capital.”

After those words, a strange silence settled over the Duke’s office. No one could completely shake off the unease brought by Elisa’s suggestion.

“So what will you do?”

The Duke’s ominous blue eyes gleamed.

“Tell them to enjoy this moment. People always fall into despair when the tower they’ve built collapses.”

A cruel smile spread across his lips.

“And then… we’ll crush them again.”

At that, Caleb’s face lit up. His golden eyes gleamed like a beast before a hunt.

“An excellent idea, Father.”

Two months later.

Outside the window, white snow had piled softly on the bare branches.

The shop business, having recovered its sales, was now running smoothly.

“Something’s strange.”

I frowned as I looked at the sales report.

“Hm?” Daisy approached with a warm cup of tea and asked,

“What is it?”

“Look here. The sales suddenly spike at regular intervals.”

I pointed at the chart. Daisy tilted her head as she examined it.

“Could it just be a coincidence?”

“A coincidence that keeps happening for an entire month?”

That didn’t seem right…

I looked at the chart again.

It was exactly a weekly cycle.

Once a week, sales would surge sharply, then return to normal. I couldn’t figure out why.

‘It’s not like we’re running any events.’

The shop operated the same as always. There were no special drinks sold only at that time, and no discounts either.

Looking at the calendar, today happened to fall on that same cycle.

‘I need to see what’s going on.’

I pulled on a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, making sure I was fully disguised, and left the mansion.

When I arrived at the coffee house, I quickly understood the reason.

There were far more customers than usual. And not just a few—a lot.

The manager, who recognized me, approached.

“You’re here?”

“Yes.”

Noticing a crowd gathered in front of the VIP tea room, I asked,

“Why are there so many people?”

“Ah… there’s a special guest inside.”

I frowned and whispered so only the manager could hear,

“If you leave it like that, how can other guests use the tea room comfortably?”

“But the people outside… aren’t ones I can handle carelessly…”

I narrowed my eyes at the nobles standing outside the door. They looked like barnacles clinging to a rock.

But then I realized something shocking.

Every single one of them was dressed in expensive boutique clothing.

In other words, these “barnacles” were actually high-ranking nobles.

‘Just who on earth is inside…?’

Even if the Emperor himself came, it probably wouldn’t draw this much attention.

Just then, a bell rang from inside, and the manager hurriedly opened the door.

“D-do you need anything?”

“One more Black Cocktail, please.”

“Yes…! I’ll bring it right away!”

That voice… it sounded familiar.

Sure enough—

Killian Orfeo was sitting alone in the tea room, reading a book.

Even that sight looked like a painting.

No, wait!

This wasn’t the time to admire his looks. A realization struck me.

‘Don’t tell me… the reason sales kept rising…!’

It was him.

While I stood frozen like a statue, the manager returned and whispered to me,

“Boss, His Highness the Grand Duke says not to stand there tiring your legs—he invites you in.”

“…”

A chill ran down my spine. When had he noticed me?

He must have seen me through the brief gap when the door opened.

His senses were truly animal-like.

As I stepped forward, all the nobles around me turned their eyes toward me at once. It was incredibly burdensome.

“Oh my, you can’t go in there without permission.”

A haughty voice stopped me. The tone assumed I had no permission.

I looked at the noblewoman who spoke. Her gaze was full of disdain, as if I were some insignificant nobody.

The others were no different.

Funny, coming from people who had been clinging there like barnacles just to see one person.

I snorted and, without replying, knocked and opened the door.

Ignoring the shocked stares behind me, I shut the door and greeted him.

“Hello, Your Highness.”

“It’s been a while, Miss Diel.”

“Do you come here once a week, by any chance?”

“That’s right. How did you know?”

Killian looked at me with mild curiosity.

Thinking of the nobles outside, I joked,

“I’m interested in you too, Your Highness.”

“That sounds very believable.”

His face clearly said the opposite. I felt a bit awkward.

Then he struck right at the point.

“Isn’t it your sales you’re interested in?”

“…Excuse me?”

“They should be. Unless you want retaliation from me.”

He smiled as if joking—elegant and charming.

But I couldn’t laugh.

“Haha…”

My laugh came out painfully awkward.

‘Right… that’s another problem.’

I needed to increase sales somehow.

Then I remembered—sales increased fivefold whenever he visited.

My eyes lit up.

“Your Highness, do you like the coffee and Black Cocktail?”

“And if I do?”

“I’m grateful to you, so I’ll provide them for free… would you come here whenever you have time?”

“You want to use me as bait for customers.”

…Did he have to say it so bluntly?

Embarrassed, I clamped my mouth shut.

After taking a sip, Killian spoke first.

“I’ll consider it.”

“But… why are you smiling?”

His smile felt oddly ominous, so I asked.

“Many people want to use me, but you’re the first to say it so openly. It’s refreshing.”

“I apologize if it offended you.”

“Fortunately, I prefer people who don’t hide their greed.”

“…Ahem.”

I cleared my throat.

‘Did he just call me greedy to my face?’

Not that it was wrong… but hearing that from someone who practically controlled the empire’s wealth felt ironic.

And he even liked it? What a strange taste. Maybe because he’s like a devil.

I rang the bell.

“I’ll have a Black Cocktail too.”

“Yes.”

After the manager left, I asked something I’d been curious about.

“Your Highness, why did you give me the acquisition rights?”

“Oh, no particular reason.”

“What?”

“People like to divide things into good and evil, and they love stories of karma. But what if…”

His gaze turned to me.

“…someone in the role of a villain, a swindler, ends up thriving instead? Wouldn’t that be interesting?”

That was such a devilish way of thinking.

It almost sounded like we were the villains.

‘Well, as long as he helps me, that’s all that matters.’

I comforted myself.

After our conversation, I left the VIP room.

An odd silence filled the café.

The noblewoman who had criticized me earlier approached.

“What is your relationship with the Grand Duke?”

What kind of question was that?

As I stared at her, she spoke again, slightly flustered.

“I’m Ashley Bogaton.”

The Bogaton Marquis family—a more prestigious name than expected.

Normally, it was best not to leave a bad impression on important guests, but—

‘This is annoying.’

I spoke casually.

“Are you interested in the Grand Duke? Well, if you weren’t, you wouldn’t act like that. Then shall I tell you one of his preferences?”

“What is it…?”

“It’s a bit unusual, but I’m not joking, so don’t be offended. He likes… people with a lot of greed.”

“…Greedy people?”

The empire outwardly upheld noblesse oblige.

So his preference was completely contradictory.

Her expression turned strange, then flushed red.

“Are you making fun of me? How dare you!”

I shrugged.

“If I spread lies like that, wouldn’t I be the one to earn his displeasure? I’m not brave enough to risk that.”

At that, she seemed convinced.

“Well… that’s true.”

“I’ll be going then.”

I left calmly.

After that, a strange rumor spread—

That Killian preferred greedy people.

And according to Daisy, it led to a bizarre trend where everyone began showing off just how greedy they were