Episode 9. Ridiculous
She was quite clever, mouthing the words clearly without making a sound to avoid getting caught. Annoyingly so?
Gray thought there was no helping it now. If persuasion wouldn't work, what else was left? A drawn-out end meant only one thing: blackmail.
"Publishing a newspaper requires permission from the palace, which a capable clerk like you surely knows. I'm curious if 'Addie's News' has that permission."
Adel's expression remained utterly impassive. But from her stiff, lengthy retort that followed, Gray could sense her mood had soured considerably.
"Permission for newspapers or news pamphlets is only required when distributing to multiple locations in large quantities or printing content that could stir public unrest. However, my news pamphlet is only available at Hawks House and contains only information necessary for the voyages of honest merchant ships. It has no relation to public sentiment."
"Who knows if it's only honest information needed for voyages."
"What do you mean by that?"
"What if that information is later proven false, causing major damage to merchant ships? They could then deliberately isolate our kingdom's trade. Or it could unite them under some other coordinated opinion. How can you guarantee none of that threatens the kingdom's public order?"
If the woman was truly clever, she'd grasp the implication. 'I can claim parts of your news pamphlet are false. So let's compromise here before blood is spilled later.'
Fortunately, she really was clever. Her round, pointed chin was visibly clenching.
She appeared expressionless still, but grinding her molars behind that face. In that instant, Gray felt an inexplicable thrill.
"Objectivity is something I verify sufficiently…."
"Verify sufficiently…. Is that even possible? The sea changes anew every single day? Calm today, but savage enough tomorrow to swallow this pier whole. What kind of verification does your news pamphlet undergo? If it's revealed not 100% factual, can you take responsibility for all related damages? You?"
Finally, Adel's face hardened completely. Gray clearly sensed it. Those deep pink eyes behind the glasses were gleaming sharply.
Thus, he savored the moment. He hadn't wanted it to come to this…, such hypocritical thoughts might occur, but he didn't want to miss this petty thrill of victory.
Yes, he admitted it. It was quite enjoyable. Cracking that impassive face.
Gray flashed another gentle smile.
"What happens to an unlicensed news pamphlet that damages palace merchant ships with false information? If shutdown is all it gets, that'd be fortunate, wouldn't it?"
Adel, whose lips had twitched faintly up to the corners, finally averted her gaze. She drew a small breath, exhaled deeply as if sighing from her chest, and soon regained her composure.
The pink eyes that must have sparkled intensely moments ago quickly calmed behind the black lenses. Gray felt a strange surge of competitive spirit. He could provoke her more….
But this time, Adel provoked Gray with her characteristic calm voice.
"I understand how desperately you wish to use my news pamphlet, young master, but that desire will not be fulfilled."
Gray's lips twitched. He stepped one step closer to Adel. He grabbed a strand of her neatly bound hair and wound it around his index finger.
"Really going this far? I didn't want it to come to this either. So how about we make it easy?"
Standing this close, he could see inside her glasses. He could see the depths of this impassive woman's eyes finally rising. An indescribable ecstasy washed over him. Though the hand holding her hair was quickly swatted away.
"I won't take that path, so no need for you to go to such trouble."
"Why?"
Adel furrowed her brows and shut her mouth. Then she glared at Gray.
"Because it's all the same to me anyway. Whether my news pamphlet is cornered by manipulation from someone with impure intentions, or I was taking their orders from the start and printing false information—the result is identical for me. The pamphlet's information becomes false either way."
It was a valid point. Gray grew even more intrigued.
"So it's merely a difference of ending quickly or slowly, but my news pamphlet's lifespan ends regardless. Thus, I choose to reject your proposal."
Adel acted like David facing Goliath. Acknowledging her disadvantage while remaining ridiculously dignified. Gray forced his twitching lips into place and shrugged his shoulders.
"Lifespan ending? No need to go that far."
But Adel's voice, cutting him off, grew even more resolute.
"Because sailors, unlike you, are people who stake everything. Their dreams and hopes, freedom and lives. They stake it all with every voyage into the sea."
Gray's amused smile froze. Contrary to his expectations, Adel's lips twisted before his own.
"Thus, information related to voyages or trade must be handled with care. The moment 'Addie's News' is even slightly suspected, the pamphlet's life ends. That is far more shameful to me."
Adel pushed Gray's shoulders—close enough to feel his breath—away. She brushed past him immediately.
Gray didn't move until she emerged from the building's shadow toward the sea. Adel, who had seemed ready to leave without hesitation, suddenly paused just before exiting his view.
She caught her breath briefly, then turned to look at Gray, left alone. Her glasses obscured the details, but Gray was certain she was glaring at him. The lowlife white sheep who had sweetly threatened her business and life.
"You said 2 shillings?"
The fishy smell of shellfish wafted from nearby fishing gear. Seagull cries echoed from afar.
The hot sunlight outside the building's shadow, dazzling water scales, salty sea air. Everything around seemed distorted by Adel's dignified stance at the center.
"Ridiculous. My news pamphlet would sell well even at 3 shillings."
Gray blankly stared at the silhouette backed by sunlight. The black shadow seemed far more emotional than the woman herself. Childish.
"Still, I have no intention of raising the price from 1 shilling. Because this isn't for publication profits."
"……."
"The news pamphlet is made so sailors carrying imports can wander here and there safely and ultimately return to this harbor unharmed. So they can pay me tariffs on time, without delay, in full."
The long hair she'd slightly wound moments ago fluttered like dancing. Her clear, resonant voice danced along, like bursting water droplets.
Rainbow-like rays of sunlight trailed along Adel's silhouette against the bright backdrop.
"If I had other selfish motives, the news pamphlet would probably already be 3 shillings. But abandoning the greater, stable original purpose for such petty selfishness would be foolish."
Adel understood the value of trusted information better than Gray did.
Gray narrowed his eyes and pointed at himself.
"So you're calling me the fool now?"
"I hope you grasp it appropriately."
Gray let out a scoffing laugh, and Adel vanished with a whoosh.
"Ha."
Gray stared at the empty space left by the departed silhouette before finally bursting into greater laughter.
"The century's worker has arrived."
This bold David was ridiculously principled.
***
Gray leisurely enjoyed the sea view before returning to Hawks House. Adel had already left after finishing collections.
"What did you talk about?"
Hawk asked slyly. Gray, reseated, winked one eye.
"I made advances, but they didn't work."
Not wrong. An iron wall among iron walls.
Hawk clicked his tongue, turned, and polished a clean glass again.
"Yeah. Addie won't do."
What was he getting at? Gray lifted one corner of his mouth long, laughed, and changed the subject. He had business with Hawk anyway.
"Right. Why'd I waste time? Should've seduced you instead, Hawk."
"Why this old man?"
"Obviously, because there's plenty to gain?"
Hawk glanced back. Gray smiled and pointed at his long-cold mug of coffee.
"Who brought these beans?"
"Why, did you like them?"
"Yeah. From Yumen? Which ship?"
"Hm. What was it. First ship this time, so the name's… Heard in passing, Mocha? Said it departed from that port. Ah, still there. That ship's owner."
At the end of Hawk's pointing finger hung a foreign merchant with a goatee-like mustache. Dark-skinned, black-haired, short stature—typical southern features.
As Gray stared at the merchant, Hawk whispered.
"But those are ridiculously expensive; won't balance the books."
"Sounds good."
"What?"
"Fragrant, expensive, rare."
Gray's lips curled more loosely.
"Has all the virtues of a luxury good. Tempting enough to stir the loins."
