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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: A Surprising Negotiation
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The sister he knew was the very incarnation of an impulse buyer.
And yet, *that* Evanjeline was meticulously purchasing items, even checking samples?
“Yes. She said she will prepare a budget proposal accordingly and present it to you later, Your Grace. She also mentioned she would attach the catalogs and price lists separately.”
“Are you certain you’re talking about Eva?”
“Of course. Have you not already given your permission regarding the townhouse’s domestic affairs, Your Grace?”
The butler, in turn, asked Dietrich with a puzzled expression.
“Hmm.”
Dietrich’s expression was inscrutable.
It was true that he had given Evanjeline permission to manage the townhouse’s domestic affairs.
But frankly, he hadn’t had high expectations for his sister’s performance.
He had merely thought it would be a good opportunity for Evanjeline to gain some experience.
That was why he had specifically ordered the butler and administrators to closely observe Evanjeline’s work.
In addition to that, he had given her prior permission to receive help from Lady Ansi…
‘Ah.’
A look of understanding dawned on Dietrich’s face.
“Is Lady Ansi perhaps helping Evanjeline?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
The butler’s smile deepened slightly.
“I believe you can rest assured. Perhaps it is thanks to Lady Ansi’s help, but Her Ladyship’s handling of matters is quite astute.”
“...I’m not so sure ‘astute’ is a word I’d associate with Evanjeline.”
At that moment.
Dietrich felt a strong sense of déjà vu.
The proposal Evanjeline had submitted when she was organizing the salon.
He recalled feeling this same sense of surprise when he first saw it…
“It may be presumptuous of me to say, but I believe Her Ladyship has made a very good friend this time.”
The butler concluded with a satisfied look.
“I agree.”
With a gentle smile, Dietrich picked up the jacket he had draped over his chair.
The butler’s eyes widened.
“Where are you going, Your Grace?”
“If my sister is working so diligently, I should help if there’s anything a brother can do.”
Dietrich, who had been striding out of the office, suddenly stopped.
He then glanced sideways at the butler.
“So, where is Eva now?”
Dietrich descended the stairs with quick steps.
‘Eva is… meeting with merchants in the first-floor drawing room, he said.’
The butler had also added, ‘She is with Lady Ansi, so you need not worry too much.’
“So, you’re saying this teapot set is one thousand five hundred derk?”
As he approached the drawing room, Evanjeline’s distinct, clear voice rang out.
Dietrich unconsciously stopped in his tracks and listened intently.
“Yes. It’s an imported product, so the price is a bit steep… but I can guarantee its quality.”
“Guarantee the quality, you say.”
Evanjeline, who had been carefully examining the sample, soon offered a bright smile.
“Of course, the quality of goods supplied by the Reed Company must be excellent. I have no doubt about that. This sample alone is flawless.”
“Thank you…!”
The merchant’s face lit up.
But Evanjeline wasn’t finished.
“However, paying such a large sum simply because it’s a high-end imported ceramic is a bit of a burden on our end.”
“Pardon?”
“That’s why I’d like you to issue a certificate of quality in the company’s name.”
The merchant looked as if he’d been struck on the head.
“A c-certificate of quality?”
“Yes. It should probably include the components of the teapot set, the date of manufacture, and the warranty period.”
Evanjeline nodded elegantly.
“I would also like a clause stating that if the product needs repairs, the artisan who crafted this set will perform them personally.”
Evanjeline faced the merchant with a smile as brilliant as a blooming rose.
“Of course, I have no intention of being unreasonable. If the fault is ours, we will naturally pay for the repairs.”
“Y-Your Ladyship. That is…”
“Additionally, if the Reed Company has any clauses they wish to add, please feel free to mention them. I will try my best to accommodate them.”
After finishing her piece, Evanjeline glanced sideways at Lalitt, who was seated beside her.
Lalitt quietly presented an envelope.
On it, the logo of the Reed Company’s rival, the Wells Company, was clearly stamped.
‘Ah!’
Her face lighting up with sudden realization, Evanjeline quickly added.
“For your reference, the Wells Company has already promised to provide a certificate of quality.”
At first, he had only come down out of curiosity to see if Evanjeline was handling things well.
But before he knew it, Dietrich found himself completely engrossed in Evanjeline’s negotiation process.
‘Impressive.’
She began with a compliment, stated her desired terms, and then left the other party room to negotiate.
Gone was the girl who used to throw a tantrum whenever something didn't please her.
The part that truly caught the merchant off guard, however, was the ‘certificate of quality’ itself.
Evanjeline usually bought things carelessly, used them, and then tossed them aside for the simple reason that she didn’t like them or grew tired of them.
Therefore, for her to demand a ‘certificate of quality’ and show concern for product repairs meant…
‘Eva has grasped the concept of ‘budget reduction’.’
A peculiar light shone in Dietrich’s eyes.
Budget reduction.
It was an essential virtue for someone who governed a house.
Moreover, the terms Evanjeline demanded were perfectly reasonable, so the merchant dared not object.
And to top it off, didn’t she casually drop the line, ‘Our competitor has already agreed to these terms…’?
It was truly masterful rhetoric.
‘Really, the sun will rise in the west tomorrow.’
Dietrich let out an involuntary chuckle.
‘Did Lady Ansi teach her such negotiation skills as well?’
After the negotiation concluded.
The merchant stumbled out of the drawing room, looking dazed.
It seemed Evanjeline had successfully closed the deal.
Dietrich, watching from a distance, made his way toward the drawing room.
“You did very well this time.”
Through the drawing room door, he could see Lalitt calmly praising Evanjeline.
“Really?”
Evanjeline asked back, her voice filled with excitement.
“Yes. Mentioning the Wells Company was an excellent touch.”
“W-well, that was because Lady Ansi showed me the envelope from the Wells Company…”
“Still, you were quick to notice and emphasized the presence of a competitor.”
Lalitt concluded in a gentle tone.
“Today’s successful deal was all thanks to your outstanding eloquence, Your Ladyship.”
“Hehe.”
Evanjeline smiled with pride.
Lalitt once again reassured Evanjeline.
“Just keep doing what you’re doing. You can do it, right?”
“Of course, you can count on me!”
Evanjeline nodded her head eagerly.
Just then.
Spotting Dietrich, Evanjeline’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit.
“Oh, Brother?”
A startled Lalitt quickly rose from her seat and curtsied.
“Lalitt Ansi, I greet Duke Claudius.”
Ah, drat.
He hadn’t meant to startle them.
Dietrich clicked his tongue internally and returned the greeting politely.
“A pleasure, my lady.”
Then he added playfully.
“My sister is always so indebted to you. I am truly grateful.”
“…”
Evanjeline shot Dietrich a disgruntled glare but didn’t refute his words.
It must mean she considered Lady Ansi a close friend.
The sensitive and picky Evanjeline, of all people.
“You are too kind.”
Lalitt, meanwhile, curved her eyes into a gentle smile.
“On the contrary, Her Ladyship has shown me more kindness than I deserve. I am the one who should be grateful.”
“My, I think you might be painting too flattering a picture of our Evanjeline.”
Dietrich, having smiled at Lalitt, turned to look at Evanjeline.
“So, I heard you’re acquiring a new teapot set for tea time.”
