There was a moment of silence on the terrace.

  Grandfather was looking at me without blinking.

  And the moment I thought that a smile slowly passed through those eyes.

  "Hahaha!"

  Grandfather burst into laughter.

  "That’s so…… hahaha!"

  It was a big and cheerful laugh that the wine in his hand flowed out of the glass.

  I waited quietly until my grandfather’s laughter calm down.

  "That’s the gift you chose, Florentia."

  "Yes. It’s an adult birthday present, so I was greedy for something nice, grandpa."

  "Greedy……"

  Grandfather murmured, rubbing his trim beard.

  "It’s an authority that anyone in my lineage has. Even if you don’t ask it as a birthday present, it’s already yours."1

  I shook my head firmly to my grandfather.

  I’ve had a more Lombardy-like childhood than anyone since I returned.

  Therefore, as in my previous life, I’m in a situation where I am criticized for having a mother whose origins are unknown.

  But that’s not all I have to go over.

  "What I want on my birthday is not just exercise the authority, but my grandfather’s support for it."

  "Why do you think you need my support?"

  "Of course, I’m fully qualified to exercise my authority. I’m an adult, your granddaughter, and I’m pretty smart."

  My grandfather laughed low as if he agreed with me.

  "But at the same time, I’m a woman. I’ve only become an adult. I’m well aware of the obstacles in my way, Grandpa."

  I looked straight at my grandfather.

  "If I exercise my authority and touch the business, there will be resistance."

  That’s exactly how Viese would do.

  Up until now, he has considered only Shananet to be his rival and has been growing his strength outside Lombardy, but he will try to cut the buds for fear that even his young nephew will stand out.1

  "Just once, please support me. I don’t need any other help."

  I’m already all set.

  A strange smile bloomed on my grandfather’s face, who was silently listening to me.

  "Okay, I’ll do as you say. You want it as a birthday present. I’ll have to pay for that."

  My grandfather’s love for me seemed to be overflowing many times more than usual.

  "When are you going to get your birthday present?"

  "Soon."

  "Soon?"

  "Yes, very soon."

  I must have gotten my grandfather’s promise.

  Just in time, there’s no need to wait any longer.

  Grandfather smiled at me and said.

  "I’ll be looking forward to it."

  * * *

  One corner of the banquet hall was full of people dressed up.

  There, raucous with music and all sorts of noises, Gallahan sat quietly on the comfy sofa, lost in thought.

  He was a man with such a great modifier, it was not that he caught the glances of the nobles who were glancing at this moment.

  It was the face of an outstanding Gallahan, lost in thought with his long legs folded loosely.

  "Hmm."

  It was when Gallahan blinked slowly and sighed low.

  "Do you have any concerns?"

  "Oh, Clerivan!"

  Gallahan’s expression brightened with the appearance of Clerivan, who had been talking softly.

  "It’s Lady Florentia’s birthday banquet, and Sir Gallahan doesn’t look good today."

  "Oh, is that so…… Mr. Clerivan is right. I should think about it later and enjoy Tia’s birthday."

  Gallahan scratched his cheek, awkwardly.

  Looking at the figure, Clerivan shook his head as he sat near Gallahan.

  "We should share our concerns, rather than procrastinate. If you tell me what’s going on, I’ll think about it with you."

  "Ah……"

  Gallahan conflicted.

  He’s sure there’ll be a good solution if he can think with Clerivan about it together.

  He didn’t doubt it that way.

  But he couldn’t bother him, who was busy leading Pellet’s business.

  "It’s all right, Clerivan. I’ll figure it out on my own……"

  "Now, don’t you need my help?"

  "No way!"

  Gallahan jumped and shook his hands.

  "But I’m sure you’re busy with Pellet’s business, and I’m too embarrassed to put a burden on you when Tia owes you one."

  "Don’t say that."

  Clerivan said in a low voice.

  "You are not only the father of Lady Florentia. You were also a partner who once founded the Gallahan clothing store."

  "Sir Clerivan……"

  "You’re already a special person to me like a family. But if you say that, I’m rather disappointed."

  "……Thank you for saying that."

  Gallahan laughed helplessly.

  "Now tell me what you’re worried about."

  Clerivan said, with ease, raising one foot and crossing his legs.

  "It’s not about a Gallahan Clothing Store. The clothing store is stable enough without me. It’s just that the Chesire territory……"

  "You mean the Southern lands awarded with the National Founding Medal. I know, you’ve been on Chesire territory a lot lately."

  "Yes, it’s a relaxed and peaceful place, as Aunt said. But……"

  Depth reappeared in Gallahan’s face.

  "It’s hard to finance the Chesire territory, perhaps because I haven’t been given the territory for a long time because of the work of the clothing store I"ve been doing."

  "Perhaps because of my work at Gallahan Clothing Store, I have not been paying attention for a long time even after I was awarded the territory, so the finances in the Chesire territory are difficult."

  "How much do you want?"

  "Oh, of course, the citizens don’t get hungry, that’s all."

  Chesire was not a small territory with a population of tens of thousands.

  In other words, the lives of tens of thousands of people now depend on Gallahan.

  And for Gallahan, who has recently begun to look after the Chesire territory, the burden has come too far.

  "It’s okay in the year when the farming is good. They have something to eat. However, in the years of famine, hundreds of people die. It is the result of the entire territory dedicated solely to farming."

  "To be honest. It’s not uncommon for the common people to live that much in the Empire."

  Clerivan said coldly.

  "I know. But……"

  There are deep wrinkles on Gallahan’s frown.

  "I’ve seen my father run Lombardy all my life. Although Chesire doesn’t grow as big as Lombardy in the short term. At least there is another way for people of interest to earn a stable return. Like the citizens of Lombardy."

  "……You’re greedy."

  At the words of Clerivan, Gallahan burst into a sour laugh.

  "Haha. I’m a little bit like that."

  "But now that you’re in charge of the territory, it’s a wonderful concern."

  "Tha, thank you. I can’t believe I got such a compliment from Sir Clerivan."

  "……I think I’m a cold-blooded person who doesn’t say a good word."

  But Gallahan smiled awkwardly and avoided answering.

  Clerivan looked at such Gallahan a little unhappy and said.

  "There’s one more asset on the Chesire territory other than the open plains to farm."

  "What is it……"

  "It’s a river. Isn’t the Chesire territory located at the bottom of the great Nocta River?"

  "Oh?……"

  "And a little way down the Nocta River."

  "Crossing the Elby River to the eastern Luman Territory!"

  "That’s it."

  A faint smile hung over Clerivan’s face.

  "Finally, it’s the main point of land transportation between the central and southern regions. There seems to be ample potential as a starting point for a good water trade route to bypass the rugged mountainous terrain to the east."

  "As expected of you, Clerivan!"

  At Gallahan’s cheers, Clerivan shrugged briefly.5

  It meant, ’It’s nothing?’


  Then, Shananet’s twins joined the two.

  "Why did she come here?"

  "It’s a crowded place, so she here to show off."

  "What do you mean, Gilliu, Mayron?"

  The twins exchanged glances briefly and answered Gallahan’s question.

  "The Empress…… She’s picking a fight with Tia again."

  "To kill Tia’s spirit every time she runs into her at the banquet."

  "Why does she keep doing that when she’s never been successful?"

  "And so did my mother. She…… she didn’t attend the banquet because she was bothered by the Empress."

  "Ugh, I hate it."

  Gallahan’s complexion darkened when he heard the twins talking.

  His hips were already halfway off the chair.

  "Maybe it’s a good time for me to go……"

  "She’ll be fine."

  Clerivan said, dissuading such Gallahan.2

  "Don’t worry too much."

  It would be better to worry about the Empress who quarreled with Florentia, instead.

  Clerivan thought so and swallowed his laughter.

  "Lady Florentia is a wise and smart person, so she will pass it well."

  "She will."

  Gallahan sat down again, nodding at Clerivan’s words.

  But that’s also for a while.

  Gallahan jumped out of his seat, unable to resist.

  "I can’t."

  "Sir Gallahan."

  "I’ll have to go check on Tia and come back."

  "Tia is fine."

  There was one more voice that stopped Gallahan.

  It was Perez who was deprived of his time with Tia by Lulak.

  "……Your Highness Second Prince?"

  Gallahan, who only remembered Perez’s childhood, ask doubtfully.

  "Long time no see, Lord Gallahan Lombardy."

  "I, I don’t recognize you."

  Gallahan stuttered in surprise.

  Perez’s change was surprising.

  "I’m on my way back from meeting with Tia. Tia is talking to the Patriarch right now, so you don’t have to worry too much."

  "Is that right……"

  Gallahan’s complexion that hardened by concerns about his daughter, has become brighter.

  Meanwhile, standing next to Gallahan, Clerivan opened his eyes wide and could not take his eyes off Perez.

  He knew that Florentia and Perez were constantly exchanging letters.

  Thanks to this, he often heard from Florentia about the Second Prince.

  But the news was mostly just ’who did you get along with’ or ’what test did you get first place’ or something like that.

  As time passed and watched Florentia grow, Perez in his head was just a child who always left for the academy.

  But Perez, who appeared six years later, was beyond imagination.

  ’It’s beyond my expectations.’ Clerivan thought so and looked at Perez.

  Now he’s gently talking to Gallahan, but if that person stares at me with hostility, then……

  Gulp.

  Clerivan frowned unconsciously.

  To the best of his knowledge, Lulak was the only one with this level of charisma.

  Although he had faced Emperor Jovanes several times at Imperial Banquets, he had no such strong influence as Perez.

  The moment he thought like that.

  Clerivan and Perez’s red eyes met.

  "There you are."

  And in it, Clerivan could read some of the fast passing emotions.

  "Lord Clerivan Pellet, owner of Pellet Corporation."

  It was an incomprehensible vigilance mixed with a little curiosity.