Chapter : 59
“This can’t be happening.”
I went over the information related to Marquis Quend once again.
As I sensed from Mias’s testimony, the Quend Hotel was certainly faltering in several ways.
In particular, in recent years, it had been struggling with severe financial issues due to overambitious business expansion.
“I sent the letter considering this situation… but I never thought I wouldn’t even get a reply.”
I had already sent several letters to Marquis Quend.
Some were formal requests to meet, while others subtly included information about business ventures that might entice him.
“So there should have been at least one response.”
Yet, the Marquis had thoroughly ignored my letters.
I crossed my arms as I looked at my quiet magical mailbox.
It seemed that business-related bait didn’t work on the Marquis.
“But if I go to meet him blindly, there’s a high chance I’ll be turned away.”
In a situation where my letters were being ignored, it seemed unlikely that Marquis Quend would welcome me.
Besides, it was difficult to leave Tadivna at a busy time like this.
“There’s no other choice.”
I would have to send a letter containing that content!
I hadn’t intended to go this far, but if I wanted to get a strong reaction from the Marquis, this was the best method.
I brightened my eyes and grabbed my pen.
It seemed true that Mias had fallen for Tadivna Island.
He had just been transferred recently, yet he was already producing a steady stream of fragrances.
I sniffed the fragrance samples Mias’s team had made and quietly admired them.
“Fragrances are very subjective… but creating something this universally appealing is impressive.”
“Thank… you…”
Mias, standing in front of me, smiled slightly, clearly pleased.
“To capture the feeling of a resort… I based it on a refreshing aquatic citrus scent… and mixed in the sweetness of Lediv, Tadivna’s symbol…”
“I see. It definitely has a different charm from Quend Amenity’s clean fragrance.”
I particularly liked the first sample—a sweet yet refreshing fruity scent.
My instincts, sensitive to commercial appeal, immediately reacted.
This scent would surely be loved by many.
“It’ll make people remember Tadivna and want to come back again.”
As much as that meant the resort would be crowded and I’d be overworked.
While I was happy that Tadivna was gaining popularity, I couldn’t help worrying about the future.
“Right now, I’m surviving on special magical potions made with the recipes left by the Sun Mage.”
Before releasing this amenity, I’d need to hire individual magicians to supplement manpower.
Just as I set the perfume sample down, there was a hurried knock at the door.
Knock knock knock knock!
“Come in.”
Before I could even finish granting permission, Elin entered my office and approached me to report.
“The guest you’ve been waiting for has arrived.”
There was only one guest Elin would report about in that tone.
“Finally!”
I sprang up from my seat.
I quietly advised Mias, who was standing cluelessly.
“Mias, it’s better for you to stay out of sight for now.”
“Eh…?”
“The guest coming is probably extremely angry~.”
Mias, stammering, was guided by Elin to another spot.
Almost at the same moment, my office door burst open, and someone entered with force.
I beamed.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you~.”
Before my greeting could finish, a newspaper was thrown at my feet.
I glanced down at it.
“Marquis Quend: Divorce Trial on the Brink! First Public Breakdown of a Noble Family—What Really Happened?!”
The headline on the front page caught my eye immediately.
The person who threw the newspaper didn’t hide her grim expression as she spoke.
“Cowardly. How dare you bring up family matters?”
A middle-aged woman with a high, flamboyant hairstyle approached me.
I smiled politely toward her.
“Welcome to Tadivna, Marquis Quend.”
Tirdel Quend.
The owner of Quend Hotel, whom I had only heard about in rumors.
And the most successful—
Female entrepreneur!
Honestly, it was regrettable to meet her under such circumstances.
I had originally wanted to establish Tadivna first and slowly build rapport.
I guess my method was a bit underhanded, even by my own standards.
I preferred not to meddle in her family matters, but what choice did I have?
The Marquis’s main concern now seemed to be her family, so that was where I had to strike.
Quend Marquis narrowed her eyes at my greeting.
“‘Pleasure to meet me’?”
She sneered, raising one side of her mouth.
“Ha! Kids these days clearly don’t know the meaning of ‘pleasure.’ Otherwise, you wouldn’t dare speak like that after mocking me.”
Whether this method worked or not, the visibly furious Marquis poked my solar plexus with the fan she was holding.
“I’ve seen countless people like you. Drunk on sudden success, acting recklessly without care. Since your engagement to Seind, business is going well, huh? Think the world can’t touch you?”
“……”
“Eani Nasel. Since you still don’t understand this world, let me give you some advice.”
The Marquis lowered her voice and whispered.
“High-ranking nobles live by pride and honor. Any insult they suffer is repaid thoroughly. There’s absolutely no reason to hold back.”
So watch closely.
She emphasized every word and continued staring at me intensely.
I studied her for a moment and then obediently bowed my head.
“It may sound like an excuse, but I risked everything to meet you, Marquis. I apologize if my reckless method angered you.”
“Do you think an apology will solve everything?”
The Marquis sneered down at me.
I slowly curled the corner of my mouth, mirroring her.
“Still… in this matter, I think it might work?”
“What?”
“Marquis, will you truly repay today’s insult thoroughly?”
I gently removed the fan still pressing against my chest and tilted my head slightly.
“I thought you had no reason to tolerate an insult—because you’re already stretched thin.”
“……Huh?”
“The businesses you run are faltering financially, the Hyena-like Magic Tower is nibbling at your operations from within, and all the talent supporting the hotel has left…”
I casually bent down, picked up the newspaper, and opened it so she could see clearly.
“Your family is fractured beyond repair.”
How she could still deal with me in this situation…
Her fists clenched tightly at my whisper.
I folded the newspaper neatly and said,
“Oh, don’t worry. This paper is fake and won’t be published publicly. Tomorrow, the front page of Areph News will feature a completely different article~.”
“You…”
“Thank you for your advice. But Marquis, I may not know this world well, but I do know this one thing for certain.”
I grinned and looked at her.
“The person who truly humiliated you and crushed your pride isn’t me—it’s the Magic Tower and your husband.”
“!”
Her eyes widened at my whisper.
“How do you know that?!”
“How did I know the Magic Tower and your husband were working together to devour Quend Hotel?”
Fwoosh!
I ignited the newspaper with magic.
It burned quickly.
Even the photo of Marquis Quend’s husband—the mustached man I had seen at Quend Hotel—was reduced to ashes.
“He was under a spell of obedience, wasn’t he? Only the Magic Tower could cast such a terrifying spell~.”
Of course, aside from me.
“Mage…!”
The Marquis muttered in shock, staring at me without blinking.
“You… were a mage?”
I responded with an innocent smile.
Without harming anyone, the magical flames that burned only the newspaper answered for me.
