In the end, Mrs. Linyi could not refuse the terms she set and gave in.
“…I will do my best.”
That was normal.
After all, who could turn down such a good offer?
As the saying goes, “A good beginning is half the work.” With Ms. Lenny's approval, I took my first step and headed straight to Liam's office.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
A tired and depressed voice answered shortly after my knock
I opened the door carefully and entered, and found Liam drowning in a pile of papers, just like the Grand Duke.
His once beautiful and smooth face looked visibly tired and exhausted, making the man I had always found annoying look almost pathetic.
“What brings you here?”
“…Hmm, are you busy?”
The elegant movement of the feather pen suddenly stopped.
Liam slowly looked up at me with a mysterious expression before opening his lips.
“No, not at all. Although I am receiving an overwhelming number of interview requests and contract offers related to comic book distribution, tax reporting, supervising the final stages of construction with the Black Eagle Mercenary Corps, and providing the rare Bulleta skin… Honestly, I don’t remember the last time I had a good night’s sleep. But no, I’m not busy.”
When I heard his quick response, my conscience pricked me, so I lowered my head a little.
But that doesn't mean I can simply leave.
After I calmed myself down, I looked back at him.
“Oh, I see. Okay, I won't take up much of your time.”
With quick steps, she approached him and whispered in a low voice.
“Where's my money?”
"…Sorry?"
Liam narrowed his eyes as if trying to gauge my intentions, then adjusted his glasses
“You mean your property rights?”
"Yes."
“The princess’s share is kept separately.”
Okay, but where exactly?
Of course, it never occurred to me that they would embezzle the money I worked so hard to earn, but I pressed on a little nonetheless.
“I need some money...”
“Hmm?”
His intense gaze swept over me again, making me feel strangely guilty.
“I, uh, have something important to pay.”
“You see, I can't accompany you now.”
Liam gestured with his hand to his surroundings.
In fact, the papers were so scattered everywhere that it would be impossible to read them all in one day.
“Oh... I see. So what should I do? Should I come back later? But it’s urgent...”
Maybe he was hoping I would give up quickly, but I was just as desperate as he was.
Ms. Lenny had to start work immediately, which meant I had to pay her and hire the necessary staff immediately!
"…sigh."
Fortunately, Liam was moved by my continued passive-aggressive attack, and he let out a long sigh before getting up
“Okay then.”
clatter.
He opened a drawer under his desk and took out a small bag
“What is this?”
“Blair Duchy Seal and Key. Take them with you to Pascal’s Trading Company, they will guide you through everything you need.”
Yes.
When she opened the bag, she found a circular seal and a finely engraved key. I nodded in understanding.
Since this world did not yet have banks, people usually stored their wealth in their homes or entrusted it to reputable trading companies.
Pascal Trading Company was a large company with multiple branches in Sault, so its credibility was well established.
“Hmm, but...”
As I closed the bag and turned around, Liam was already immersed in his papers again
Can I go alone?
Wasn't I still technically a captive who had been kidnapped?
I had many doubts, but I felt bad about interrupting his work again.
In the end, I just shrugged and said a light farewell.
Thank you, Liam. You can do it!
Be patient, I'll be sure to get you some amazing blackout curtains!
* * *
So, feeling a mixture of nervousness and excitement to be out for the first time in a while, I climbed into the carriage with Bonita
“Thinking about it, this is my first time going out with you, miss! You never seemed to like going out that much. Haha.”
"…Okay."
Bonita's cheerful voice made me realize the reality.
When did my quiet, introverted, at-home life start getting too busy?
“But all this will end once I get rich!”
Passive income!
A dream space where I'm never bored, even when I'm alone!
A comfortable life without being exploited in my work!
While I was drowning in optimistic dreams about my near future, the carriage stopped.
I leaned through the door opened by the carriage driver, and was immediately greeted by the sight of a rare high-rise building.
Pascal Trading Company - Blair Branch
A huge handmade banner was hanging above the entrance, and the area was crowded with people forming long lines.
“Is there even a line?”
“Since Pascal Trading Company handles a lot of business, this place is always crowded,” Bonita answered, standing next to me with a proud expression.
“Oh, really?”
I walked around for a bit before naturally lining up behind the others
“Miss!”
If Bonita hadn't bolted in panic, I might have just waited there
I was terrified by her screams, so I stopped and looked at her in confusion.
“Miss, you don't have to wait in line!”
“…why?”
“Because you are a guest of the Duchy of Blair!”
Knock!
Bonita grabbed my wrist and led me straight to the gate guard manning the entry line.
I had been taught since childhood that jumping a turn in line was inappropriate, so I felt a little guilty.
"Welcome!"
“What are you doing here?”
Bonita politely greeted the intimidating gatekeeper and took out the seal
The man's eyes widened when he saw the crest of the prestigious duchy, encrusted with precious gemstones.
“Oh! Please, come inside immediately!”
His reaction was so visibly nervous that I felt a little embarrassed – like a VIP customer entering a luxury boutique.
After a short commotion, it didn't take long for the same branch owner to appear in front of me, sweating profusely.
“How can I help the Duchy of Blair today…?”
As he wiped his wet forehead with a handkerchief again and again, he glanced back and forth between the key Bonita had handed him and Benny.
“A safe key?”
“I came to retrieve something stored here.”
“Ah, of course! Please follow me.”
I followed him as he led me to a heavily secured iron door guarded by two armed soldiers.
squeak.
Behind the door was a staircase that seemed endless.
As I was descending, I noticed the temperature gradually dropping, and I took extra precautions not to trip
“This place looks like a vault from Harry Potter.”
I was so deep in thought, I almost didn't notice that we had arrived at a section full of identical cabinet doors. The branch owner finally stopped in front of a locker with the same logo on my key, then stepped aside.
“This is what is required.”
"Yes".
She slowly inserted the key into the keyhole.
With a silent click, the heavy vault door opened, revealing a small space of about three or four square meters
She walked inside and stopped in front of the large bags piled on the floor.
How much does this cost?!
I was expecting good returns from selling comic books, but not this much!
The room was silent, a dense silence shrouded in indescribable tension.
I pushed one of the bags with my foot, and gold coins scattered from it, shining brilliantly.
“…Bonita.”
"Yes?"
I wondered if my voice was shaking, but Bonita answered energetically
After taking a deep breath, she spoke again, this time with more enthusiasm.
“Let's take it.”
“Yes, miss!”