Chapter 145
Chapter 145: It’s a Really Good Opportunity, You Know? (3)
“The Marquis says no, so I guess I have to visit Count Ailzbur. He’ll gladly accept. Don’t come whining to me later.”
Marquis Branford rubbed his forehead.
‘Ha, that annoying little brat.’
This kid was truly someone one could not disregard.
Rosalyn also supported Ghislaine’s words.
“If that happens, Count Ailzbur’s flag will be flying all over the kingdom. We’ll be laughed at for throwing away an opportunity that came knocking on our door. Honestly, where else can you find such disgrace? Think about the family’s prestige!”
Feeling the Marquis waver, the two didn’t stop.
“Besides, it’s only because Father is your guardian that the Baron came to us first. Don’t you get it?”
“That’s right. I wanted to give this good opportunity to you first, Marquis. I’m glad you understand my sincerity, Young Lady.”
“Father! Please accept it quickly!”
“Marquis! There won’t be another chance like this!”
Marquis Branford’s face flushed, and he finally shouted.
“Shut up! Why are you both talking so much!”
With just one roar, Ghislaine and Rosalyn immediately closed their mouths.
Marquis Branford rarely raised his voice like this. Pushing further would only have adverse effects.
“Ha…”
With a heavy sigh, Marquis Branford stood up and spoke to Rosalyn.
“You handle it. But if any problems arise, I’ll proceed with your marriage before you get any older. This is your last chance.”
“Understood!”
Rosalyn folded her fan and beamed with a smile.
With the validated Shinjai pushing forward, the game was practically over.
Marquis Branford turned to Ghislaine and emphasized.
“For now, let’s assume it’s because we need money immediately. If you mess around or cause any losses to the Marquis household, know that it won’t be pleasant.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure it’s done right.”
“I’m off to rest, so the two of you figure out the rest.”
Marquis Branford turned and left.
Despite having made the decision himself, the feeling of injustice still lingered.
‘Ah, I definitely feel like that guy has gotten the better of me… Ugh, my head is killing me today. I shouldn’t think any more about it.’
As he rubbed his temples, he sighed. It seemed like he would be feeling this way for a few days.
Watching him leave, Belinda and Claude silently cheered.
Their shoulders bumped as they joyfully stomped their feet.
“What’s up? Don’t move away? Where do you think you’re sticking to?”
“Ugh, I feel worse than you do!”
The two looked at each other in surprise and began to growl.
Gillian, who had been quietly supporting Ghislaine from behind, clicked her tongue and forcibly pulled them apart.
Not long after Marquis Branford left, Ghislaine and Rosalyn let out a sigh of relief once they were sure he wouldn’t return.
Ghislaine wore a smile as she turned to Rosalyn.
“Thanks to you, things went smoothly.”
Rosalyn shrugged her shoulders in response.
“Well, I had my reasons too.”
“Well then, I look forward to working well together from now on.”
“There won’t be any issues with the product supply, right?”
“Yes, I’ll expand the facilities as soon as we return.”
“Great. I don’t know why you suddenly need such a large amount of money…”
Rosalyn stopped speaking, suddenly lost in thought. She carefully scrutinized Ghislaine’s face and cautiously asked.
“Are you sure you’re not ill? For example, like receiving a terminal diagnosis and planning to spend lavishly before you die…?”
Ghislaine replied with an incredulous expression.
“I’m perfectly healthy.”
“Oh, I see. Just checking.”
Ghislaine sighed. It seemed someone who wasn’t the daughter of Marquis Branford would have too many suspicions.
Still, Rosalyn’s strength was that once she made a decision, she would push forward decisively without hesitation.
The two immediately drafted the contract. After writing her name under Ghislaine’s, she smiled brightly and said.
“I’m glad I could help like this. Let’s do our best from now on!”
“Thank you. It’s really reassuring to have you as my supporter.”
The gratitude she had previously expressed came close to being mere politeness, but now it was sincere.
In truth, Ghislaine had never thought she would receive such a huge sum of 300,000 gold.
Initially, she had planned to start high and negotiate the shares while reducing the investment amount.
However, thanks to Rosalyn’s involvement, things had gone more smoothly than expected.
‘This is the best outcome. It exceeds my expectations. With this, I should be set for a while.’
Now that they were involved in business as well, the Marquis household would inevitably pay more attention to her.
Moreover, with 300,000 gold rolling in, it expedited the next plans.
Ghislaine suppressed a smile that wanted to spread across her face and reached out to shake hands with Rosalyn.
*
News of the resumption of cosmetic sales spread throughout the capital.
On the day the sales resumed, nobles appeared with soldiers in tow, their expressions filled with determination.
“This time it won’t end like before! I’m going in first!”
“Clear the way! We’re first!”
“Don’t get pushed around! Use your strength!”
Proud nobles hardened their resolve, taking lessons from the previous failure.
At this point, it had become a matter of pride for the nobility, beyond just acquiring the cosmetics.
Soldiers brought by each noble began pushing with force at the front gate, creating a scene reminiscent of a siege war.
Kikikiki! Bang!
The mansion’s door could not withstand the pressure and ultimately collapsed.
“The door’s open! Let’s go in!”
“Get in before that guy! I won’t forgive you if you’re late!”
“Push through!”
Once they entered the vast garden, they began attacking one another.
As long as they didn’t touch Baron Penris, they thought it was fine to fight amongst themselves to secure purchases, truly believing so.
The garden quickly transformed into a large-scale fighting arena.
“Ugh! Don’t step on me!”
“Just leave and run! Get to the mansion first!”
“Capture those guys first!”
Ghislaine and her group watched the spectacle from a distance.
After all, there was no way they could control these pride-stricken nobles by their own strength.
If they tried to intervene, they would only join in the punch-throwing fun without making any actual control.
Ghislaine joked with a smile as she turned to Rosalyn.
“Well then, I’ll leave it to you, Young Lady.”
“Understood.”
Rosalyn proudly lifted her chin and walked toward the brawl.
Those who had been throwing punches felt an unexplainable chill and started to stop one by one.
Realizing the situation, they found soldiers with weapons had surrounded the area.
“Uh, what’s going on?”
“Are those soldiers from Baron Penris?”
“When did they gather such a force…?”
The confused nobles widened their eyes at the sight of the woman standing before the soldiers.
“Could it be…?”
“Ro, Rosalyn Branford?”
“Why is the daughter of Marquis Branford here?”
Their excitement subsided as confusion washed over, only to be replaced with realization as they noticed the family crest on the soldiers’ armor.
“That’s the crest of the House of Marquis Branford?”
The nobles looked at Rosalyn with astonished expressions.
With a face as expressionless as her father, she opened her mouth.
“I have been entrusted by Baron Penris, and from today, the House of Marquis Branford will manage this place.”
At those words, the nobles turned pale.
It meant they had just assaulted the Marquis household’s soldiers.
Seeing the stunned faces, Rosalyn spoke.
“It seems you didn’t know, so I’ll let this one slide. However, if this continues, it will be troublesome. Make sure to follow the order.”
The chaos was sorted out in an instant. No matter how much the nobles acted freely, they could not ignore Rosalyn and, behind her, Marquis Branford.
Once the atmosphere settled, the nobles began to sneak glances at Rosalyn’s face.
Some had seen her at feasts, but many had only heard rumors and hadn’t seen her properly.
Clear, shining skin. Her beauty was utterly unbelievable for someone who had hidden away due to a skin disease.
‘Is it true? Has she really recovered?’
A nobleman from the countryside boldly asked.
He knew this question was a bit impolite, but he just couldn’t help but ask.
“Um… Is it true that cosmetics cured your illness?”
Fortunately, Rosalyn didn’t appear displeased and smiled gently.
“That’s correct. While the Baron did treat me, the cosmetics played a big role. That’s why the House of Marquis Branford decided to take care of the cosmetics.”
She lied without blinking an eye.
‘Well, it’s not a lie, as the products were indeed proven effective.’
At Rosalyn’s response, the nobles exchanged meaningful glances.
With visible evidence and the fact that the House of Marquis Branford was in charge of sales, their trust soared.
‘Though it’s expensive, I should buy as much as I can while I have the chance. I’ll need to bring some home for my wife too.’
‘Since they’re so popular, who knows when they will sell out? I should buy now and sell them for a higher price later.’
‘Phew, if I use that, I’ll definitely look more handsome, right?’
Swoosh!
Rosalyn opened her fan wide and spoke softly.
“Alright, let’s line up now, shall we?”
At her single phrase, a spectacle of nobles immediately formed lines.
Though it took some time, everyone patiently queued to purchase the cosmetics.
With so many people gathering, and now with Rosalyn stepping in, sales on the first day were astonishing.
She smiled brightly and cheerfully said.
“There’s plenty of stock, so there’s no need to fight over who gets to buy first. Please continue to line up like this in the future.”
With the soldiers from the House of Marquis Branford on standby, they couldn’t create a ruckus.
So the nobles didn’t need to tire themselves out fighting to get in line.
Nobles who didn’t want to line up began sending their servants again, and the Crow Mansion regained its peace.
“Wow, the mansion has quieted down, but cosmetics are flying off the shelves like crazy.”
Claude muttered in admiration. Ghislaine nodded in agreement, looking relieved.
Though she gave away a bit of her shares, she secured the required funds and passed off the troublesome matters.
Moreover, it seemed Rosalyn was resolute, even personally advertising and pushing hard to sell cosmetics.
‘Could it be that she wants to recoup her investment quickly, or is it that she wants to earn her father’s recognition? Either way, thanks to her, the other interest groups will have a hard time making a move.’
Just as Marquis Branford had known he was the guardian but still caused a ruckus at Ghislaine’s mansion, there were undoubtedly those drooling over the cosmetics.
Those crazed for money would still be scheming to take it for themselves, but as long as Rosalyn held her ground, they couldn’t recklessly indulge their greed.
‘Who knows how long this will last because of Duke Delphine, but that’s a problem for later.’
Though it was a sudden change of plans, things had actually turned out better in many ways.
Now, all that remained was to head back with a peaceful mind.
“Let’s head back now. On our way, we’ll stop to buy any materials needed for the territory, so make a list.”
“Understood.”
As Claude and his close associates packed up and prepared to leave, Ghislaine also went around and gave suitable farewells to the influential nobles of the capital.
Finally, at the House of Marquis Branford, she heard some good news.
“Thank you for all your help in various matters. Now, I’ll be returning to the territory.”
“As promised, the first batch of support supplies for Perdium is ready. How about we leave together?”
“Is that so? Then I’ll gladly accompany you.”
It might slow them down to leave with the support troops, but she didn’t mind.
Since she could adjust the distribution of supplies at her discretion, it was rather a good thing.
“We’re waiting outside the castle gate, so we can set off together. The royal family and various households have sent soldiers, so there’s no need to worry about protection.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Ghislaine slightly lowered her head in gratitude.
Receiving assistance was a good thing, but it was a deal based on mutual interests, so there was no need to go overboard with her thanks.
As they exited the castle, they saw wagons loaded with supplies stretching endlessly.
Her close associates marveled at the sight of countless food supplies, war horses, and military weapons filling the scene.
