TLS : Shenks

  The divorce of Shananet and Vestian in their previous lives was quite a scandal.

  Especially because Lombardy’s internal affairs were always a good gossip and divorce was not so common among nobles.

  But despite being such a hot topic, no exact reason for their divorce has been determined.

  Of course, the rumors ran rampant.

  From the rumor that Vestian had another woman and Shananet knew where the woman lived, which led her to kick Vestian out.

  All sorts of squabble followed together.

  "Is it really a matter of infidelity……”


  To be honest, I didn’t think so.

  Although Vestian Schultz is said to be good-looking and have a likable appearance, that’s really all.

  Even the Schultz family was not treated very well among the nobles.

  No, their existence itself was indistinct.

  After getting married, the Schultz family was on the track to becoming a central aristocrat.

  Among the nobles are Shananet and Vestian, who had a rare marriage of love.

  I thought he was a nice guy, but I don’t think that he is anymore.

  On the other hand, how about Shananet?

  She’s beautiful, elegant, and sweet.

  She is the eldest daughter of Lombardy too.

  Before marriage, Shananet was in charge of all the family affairs.

  Some even said that she would become the next Lombardy matriarch

  But somehow after marriage, Shananet started to lay low and now she’s really doing the bare minimum.

  Acting like someone who wants to be small and invisible.

  Her abilities were wasted.

  "Yeah, something’s not right."

  In retrospect, Shananet and Vestian’s divorce was full of incoherent things.

  "Why didn’t they fight?"

  It is common for couples to fight for custody of their children, no matter what the problem is between them.

  But Shananet did not put up a fight.

  Like someone who got divorced because it was her fault.

  After handing over the twins and substantial alimony to Vestian, she went down to the rest house.

  Malley is Lombardy’s rest house, it’s quite far and takes more than three weeks by carriage.

  Shananet locked herself up there.

  That made rumors in society that the reason for their divorce must have been Shananet’s doing.

  Shananet knew about the rumors but neither explained nor gave a precise reason.

  Before long, Vestian remarried a woman from Schultz’s estate.

  "As if he had been waiting."1

  Suspicious

  Maybe it was because they came from the same estate so they understood each other.

  "Hmmm……"

  While so lost in thought, Clerivan opened the door to the office and came in.

  “You came, Clerivan?”


  "I’m sorry to have kept you waiting."

  "You’ve been very busy lately. It’s natural for me to wait”


  With the diamond boom throughout the empire, Clerivan was really running around to the point of fire on the soles of his feet. [1]

  In particular, the requests from the nobles were pouring in.

  It would be nice to just take orders on a first-come, first-served basis, but that’s stupid.

  The aristocrats who are bent on receiving diamonds before others are easy to handle.

  But I told Clerivan not to be bribed by the nobles.

  You don’t need to ask for a favor to reduce the waiting period just to get a few more pennies.

  Needless to say, it is much more profitable to make them indebted.

  Of course, Clerivan was doing a very good job.

  "Who were you with today?"

  "I’m on my way back from Pentwood, Wallen, and Lombardy."

  “Was grandpa present?”


  “Yes, we were talking about Mrs. Shananet’s necklace……”


  There was a necklace Shananet cherished.

  It was a keepsake of Natalia, the mother of Shananet and my grandmother.

  "It’s a simple sapphire necklace, so diamonds would look good on her. Say you’ll do it in a month or two."

  “Yes, Miss Florentia”


  I looked a little closer at the face of the nodding Clerivan.

  “What’s wrong?”


  “You were too busy these days that I thought you wouldn’t look that well. But now that I look at you, you actually look better?”


  "It’s because I’m cut out for work. The business is going well and booming, so I have no choice but to be energetic."

  Clerivan even showed me that his skin is much smoother than before.

  It’s really milky and glossy like a peeled hardboiled egg.

  Amazing

  "Ah, how’s the preparation for the banquet going?”


  "It’s going smoothly. Most of the people who I invited replied that they would attend."

  “About the guest list……”


  I don’t know if it’s true, but it’s worth the money.

  It wouldn’t be a bad idea to check it out.

  “Is it still possible to add?”


  "Yes, if you’re thinking of the Second Prince, we can add security forces……”


  “No, not Perez”


  “Then who……”


  "Send invitations to Patron Street on Schultz estate. To a woman named Maria."

  Maria Patron.

  The woman who Vestian remarried.1

  * * *

  The Pellet’s shop banquet was a success.

  The new shop’s party, in which only those on the list can enter with invitations, was enough to shrug off those present.

  It is also perfect for creating a bond between the people who have succeeded in entering the banquet hall.

  The atmosphere of the banquet was particularly cordial.

  When everyone had gathered, Clerivan climbed up to the seat on the podium.

  It was different from what the organizer of the banquet just said as just a podium.

  The aristocrats dressed up in colorful clothes with neatly brushed hair looked up at Clerivan, who showed his gorgeous face.

  "I’d like to thank all of you here to celebrate the success of the Pellet Company."

  His handsome face full of confidence seemed to sparkle.

  "With that gratitude, I prepared a small gift. Please bring your invitation to our Pellet Merchants at the entrance before you leave this banquet. That is all.”


  Clerivan lifted a diamond necklace in his hand for everyone to see.

  It was just a simple gold string and a small diamond, but the jewel that glistened under the light was like a star in the sky.

  "I’m giving you all a necklace as a gift."1

  The response was immediate.

  “Wow!”


  “Impressive!”


  Cheers broke out among the nobles.

  "We’ve prepared good food and good music, we hope you enjoy to your heart’s content.”


  The banquet began in earnest after Clerivan had finished greeting.

  As Clerivan went down the podium, he was approached by the head family of Ivan.

  Clerivan was the beneficiary of the Ivan family’s jeweler, Crowly, earning enormous profits in return.

  “Here you are, my Lord!”


  Ivan’s dominion over the nobles was in the wild north.

  He was a man of great physique and tremendous charisma, but when Clerivan greeted him politely, he smiled and laughed.

  "Clerivan! you said you received only a fraction of the fur I sent you this time. What’s wrong with you? You wouldn’t waste a few of those!”


  "Thank you for taking care of such precious things."

  "Haha, come on! If you really need anything later, feel free to tell me!"

  “I will, Lord Ivan”


  The next people would be Lombardy’s.

  Clerivan, who found Lulak and his family gathered on the balcony, approached first.

  “You came, sir”


  "It’s a feast celebrating the cruising of your business, and I can’t miss it. I’m so proud of you and congratulations!"

  Lulak also changed the way he treated Clerivan when he successfully led the Pellet Company after independence.

  It was an act of respect as a businessman, not as a subordinate.

  “Congratulations.”


  Viese and Laurel just uttered short phrases.

  It was a rude attitude for someone who had been invited to the banquet, but Clerivan laughed it off.

  Even though they were trying hard to hide it, you could see that those two were quite depressed.

  “Congratulations, Mr. Clerivan”


  Standing next to Lulak, Shananet said with a beautiful smile.

  “I apologize for not recognizing such a talented person beforehand.”


  The Lombardy family failed to get a chance to display their abilities properly, and Clerivan was only playing house. [2]

  When she saw him succeeding like a fish in water after independence, Shananet felt sorry for him.

  It would have been nice if such a talented person had been recognized earlier and assigned to a key position at the top of Lombardy.

  "I’ve grown up with the grace of Lombardy since I was a child. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help."

  Lulak smiled contentedly at the remark and tapped Clerivan on the shoulder.

  "But I’m glad you took the mine. I heard that Angenas was greedy……”


  “Luckily, I was able to win the bid in a short time.”


  “Yes, that was indeed luck”


  Lulak’s disapproving gaze looked at Vestian.

  Lulak clicked his tongue when he was not with Lombardy’s, but instead greeted and talked to all kinds of people from afar.

  “Father”


  Shananet saw his displeasure and a bitter expression was left on his face.

  Although Vestian has already apologized, saying it was a mistake that he failed to win the bid at the Lira mine, Lulak’s displeasure did not disappear.

  Furthermore, Romassie’s words were stuck in his head.

  "It was strange that the Angenas merchants weren’t so surprised to see us."

  Lombardy’s entry into the auction was top secret.

  Lombardy was to maintain its iron monopoly no matter what.

  So the people that knew their participation in the auction could only be counted with one hand.

  But Angenas was not surprised by their appearance.

  Their bid was even higher than Lombardy’s.

  If you talk about a tiger, it will come. [3]

  Vestian who was chatting among the nobles returned with a flushed face.

  In one hand, he was holding a glass of alcohol.

  "There’s food and a table over there. Let’s go, Father."

  Lulak swallowed his disapproval at Vestian’s impudence.

  Anyway, he seemed to care for and love her daughter Shananet, so he pretended not to know of his shortcomings.

  "Please take a seat and I’ll get you a glass of this wine right away. How nice it smells!"

  Vestian kept talking loudly as he hopped tables.

  He seemed to be enjoying the banquet more than the host, Clerivan.

  "You must tell me the name of this wine later……”


  But Vestian’s words were cut halfway.

  He spotted a woman from far away.8

  ______________________________________________

  Glossary

  [1] ’Fire on the soles of his feet’ - Means he’s very busy going hither and tither that his feet may catch on fire.

  [2] ’Playing House’ - Means they were wasting Clerivan’s talent when he was still working in Lombardy.

  [3] ’If you talk about a tiger, it will come (호랑이도 제말하면 온다)’ - Used when someone shows up after having just talked about him or her.