Previously
The desperate merchants beg Emma to recover their stolen goods, unaware she orchestrated the theft. Emma stages a heroic 'subdual' of the bandits using her mercenaries, winning the fervent gratitude and loyalty of the local citizens.
I asked the exact same question again.
Baker, who had blurted out his answer the moment I finished speaking before, now faltered.
Once when he came to me asking for more vigilante subsidies, and once when he came asking me to resolve the bandit attack. Even though he had opportunities to confess the truth and seek forgiveness, he chose to keep deceiving me.
So, this is the final chance.
“…”
His face turned pale, and his lips trembled violently. I waited in silence until he answered.
Finally, unable to endure the silence, Baker collapsed onto the floor and began to beg.
He trembled all over before a girl half his size. I wouldn't be surprised if his cold sweat was dripping onto the floor.
The Merchants' Association’s supply of raw materials was vital to Tesis, as many people bought goods from them to process and sell in the markets.
Because that fact had been acknowledged, they thought they were something special and tried to become a new power in Tesis. In some ways, they were a power more harmful to the people of the territory than the nobility.
‘There were many who cursed the Barony of Tesis, but just as many who cursed the Merchants' Association.’
The merchant who acted overbearingly every time I went to buy cosmetics was also an executive of the association. I can't say the annoyance I felt back then didn't influence this matter.
Regardless, it was now time for the grand finale of this elaborate play.
I handed down the sentence to Baker, who was rubbing his hands together in desperate prayer.
He lifted his hollow eyes. Knowing the terror lurking in those pupils, I felt a little sorry for scaring him this much. Just hang in there; it’s almost over.
Even after I said all that, Baker was still trembling with his hands clasped together. He seemed to think there was more to come. Six hundred million Gilden was a lot of money, but if divided among the twenty members of the association, it wouldn't be an insurmountable burden.
However, I had already decided to show the mercy of the vast ocean.
I couldn't afford to make enemies of the people yet, and killing these men might actually cause the commercial district of Tesis to collapse. Taking too much of the money that needed to circulate within the territory would be a long-term loss.
I leaned my upper body a bit further forward as I spoke.
The other executives, who had been trembling beside him, also prostrated themselves on the floor in gratitude.
Yes, this is how you receive thanks even while dealing out punishment.
There was a time when I, too, was grateful to those who tormented me. Grateful that they stopped at this much when they could have tormented me even more.
Since I’m using that in reverse… I really won’t be going to heaven.
The Merchants' Association repaid all the money within three days, not a week. Whether they took out loans or had so much stashed away that paying this didn't hurt them, I didn't know. Nor was it my concern.
Seeing the suddenly replenished treasury, Glen’s face brightened from early morning. I think it was the first time I’d seen this man look so joyful.
Glen, who had conspired with me to fleece the Merchants' Association, asked with deep admiration.
But since I couldn't tell him the true circumstances, I decided to use the deceased Baron as an excuse.
No. What you knew was correct. That man was completely thoughtless.
But there was no harm in glorifying the previous Baron. Even if I didn't do this, the past tends to be beautified, and the idea that Adam Tesis was a surprisingly decent lord could give Glen more reason to be loyal to me.
So that part was surprising. It certainly wouldn't have been easy if I were the real Rosaline.
But I am from the same lower-class life and know the nature of mercenaries well. At one time, I often took requests from labor offices and did work that was no different from being a mercenary.
So I knew very well what they obeyed, what they feared, and how to make them listen to me.
I substituted a detailed explanation with the kind of smile a haughty young lady might wear.
Although I had collected some money, the fire under my feet was still burning bright. Even today, the bank interest would be multiplying.
I decided to start paying off the debts immediately. Glen was also very pleased with that decision.
Fearing I might change my mind, he immediately left the Baron's castle to carry out the task.
It was just as I thought I could catch my breath.
A guard came in place of the out-of-office Glen to announce a request for an audience.
I thought I had misheard. But no matter how many times I pressed the guard, the name did not change.
Why is that man in Tesis? Is it someone with the same name?
No, really, does this man only have this one case? Why follow me all the way to Tesis?
I came up with several ridiculous assumptions in disbelief before finally snapping out of it.
‘I have no reason to avoid him. Let's not be afraid.’
Since no one in Tesis knows my true identity, he couldn't have come here knowing anything. …Right?
Watching him rush out, I also quickly moved to the drawing room, tidied my appearance, and waited for Ash.
‘It’s no big deal. At first, I was a bit intimidated because he was so handsome, but after seeing him a few times, I think I’m slowly getting used to that face.’
But the moment he entered the drawing room, those thoughts vanished completely. From the very second the tip of his boot stepped onto the drawing room carpet.