Ch.125125. A Kind of Reckless Impulse?

Viscount Roden couldn’t hide his discomfort at Selden Alphonse’s sudden request for a meeting.

Despite it being his wife’s funeral, dozens of men had already approached him seeking marriage arrangements with Elina Parseche.

Of course, he was grateful to “Selden Alphonse.”

He knew that the rumors about him being a scoundrel from the eastern continent’s edge were all false.

After all, wasn’t he the one who restored their finances with the Pale Fruit business rights?

However.

Separate from that, Viscount Roden harbored one negative feeling toward Selden Alphonse.

He admitted that his own intentions regarding marriage had been impure.

It was an unavoidable choice due to pressure from the Cardrian family.

But it was an undeniable fact that Selden was the one who had inflicted the wound of “broken engagement” on his beloved daughter Elina.

‘He probably changed his mind after seeing Elina’s appearance.’

That’s what Viscount Roden thought.

Though he was indebted to him, Elina Parseche was now a daughter who would be an asset to any family.

Rather, there was now a truckload of families approaching him first, offering conditions of what they could do for him. So he couldn’t look favorably upon Selden Alphonse, who had once hurt his daughter.

But.

Selden Alphonse’s first words in the reception room made Viscount Roden realize that his thoughts were mere imagination.

“…Are you suggesting we do business together?”

“Yes, while time to collect oneself is important, the development of the Parseche territory is also necessary.”

“What kind of business are you talking about?”

“I’ll only share information once I know we’re proceeding together.”

“Do you even understand what you’re saying? Who would agree to something without even hearing what the business is about?”

As Viscount Roden’s voice grew louder, Elina Parseche fidgeted nervously beside him.

However, Selden Alphonse paid no mind and clearly dusted off his palms as he stood up.

“I apologize for wasting your valuable time. As I mentioned earlier, if you won’t agree to proceed together, I cannot share any information.”

Some kind of bluff?

No, Selden Alphonse seemed to possess some inexplicable confidence.

His expression, showing no concern about potential loss, said it all.

Yet it would be unseemly to try to stop him now.

In the first place, the proper business etiquette is to have sufficient discussion before deciding whether to partner or not.

Unfounded trust could become poison to the family.

Just as Viscount Roden steeled himself not to lose the initiative…

“I’ll work with you, Lord Selden Alphonse.”

Before Viscount Roden could stop her, Elina Parseche grabbed Selden Alphonse and calmly continued.

“You could have discussed business with me…”

At that, Selden Alphonse gave a gentle smile.

“Even so, I thought I should get permission from Viscount Roden.”

“If my father doesn’t give permission, could I still work with you using my own funds?”

“Yes, of course.”

What’s the point of raising a daughter if she loses her head over a man…

Despite his help in restoring the family finances, to think he had such a naive side. Viscount Roden cleared his throat forcefully and stared at Selden Alphonse, who had sat back down.

“Well then! At least tell us the contract terms first. That’s unrelated to the information, so you can share that, can’t you?!”

There was only one reason Viscount Roden urgently asked about the contract terms.

What if he was using business as an excuse to pursue Elina or propose some absurd contract conditions?

As a father, he wanted to protect his daughter.

“I was originally planning to ask for 40% of the net profit, but since I was rejected once, I’d like 50%.”

Though the contract terms had nothing to do with Elina, Viscount Roden let out a hollow laugh at his preposterous proposal.

“You took 30% of the net profit for the Pale Fruit, and now this ridiculous—”

As Selden Alphonse began to rise from his chair again, Elina Parseche nodded without hesitation.

“I’ll agree to that.”

“E-Elina! What do you think you’re doing?!”

“If you refuse, Father, I’ll operate with just my own funds as I mentioned earlier.”

“Contracts have proper procedures. Ignoring all those procedures—”

Ignoring Viscount Roden’s words, Elina stood up.

She knew Selden very well.

If she dragged out the conversation any longer, even the 50% that was proposed would be reduced to 40%.

“Lord Selden, my father can’t strongly oppose it anyway since it’s my own funds. Shall we move to a quieter place and continue our conversation?”

“Does this father truly not exist in your eyes?”

Paying no heed, Elina approached Selden, grabbed his arm, and tried to force him to stand up.

Seeing this, Viscount Roden clutched his throbbing head and gritted his teeth.

“…Fine, I’ll join that damned business too.”

*

-That bastard is with Lady Elina again?

-When will we get a chance to talk to her?

-Don’t misunderstand, I heard they’re business partners.

-Really? Well, our family is much better than the Alphonse family anyway.

-I should propose a good business deal to Viscount Roden too.

-Right?! Why didn’t I think of that?

-Our family has nothing to lack in business compared to the Alphonse family!

After finishing a brief conversation with Viscount Roden and heading to the terrace to have tea with Elina Parseche, I could hear men’s whispering voices from a distance.

But why have they become so friendly with each other?

Did they unite because they all fell for the same person?

If they had been born nobles with any sense of dignity, they wouldn’t be behaving like this…

Then again, any man who has seen Elina’s beauty would struggle to maintain his composure, dignity aside.

It’s fortunate that none of them have turned malicious like Tras.

Rather, it was Elina Parseche who whispered with an uncomfortable expression.

“Lord Selden, I’m sorry. Should we go somewhere else for tea?”

“Why?”

“Well, I thought you might be uncomfortable…”

“It’s fine.”

I glanced at the men and gave them a smile full of superiority.

Then.

-D-did he just smirk at us?

-Ha! Selden Alphonse? Looking like a gigolo and acting distastefully!

-Does he think he’s something special just because he’s talking with Lady Elina?

At that, Elina Parseche sighed deeply and stood up.

“This won’t do. I’m the one feeling uncomfortable now.”

“Please sit down.”

“No, I don’t want you to be insulted because of me—”

“I deliberately chose this open space.”

“…What?”

“Didn’t you hear what those people were saying earlier? They’re inspired by me and planning to propose business deals to the Parseche family.”

Elina blinked in surprise.

“Are you saying this was intentional?”

“Didn’t I tell you? Beauty is a kind of weapon. You should strike while the iron is hot.”

I spread my arms, shrugged, and continued.

“The reason they haven’t returned to their own territories even after the funeral is to have a conversation with you, Lady Elina.”

“…Is that so?”

“I simply showed them a natural way to have a conversation with you.”

Elina stared at me as she slowly sat back down.

“As I felt with the Cardrian family, I should never make an enemy of you, Lord Selden.”

“Haha, what reason would there be for us to become enemies, Lady Elina?”

I laughed heartily, and Elina put her thumb to her lips and tilted her head.

“But, while I don’t distrust you, do you really need to do business with our family? Demonic beast blood doesn’t require much financial investment…”

The price of demonic beast blood will skyrocket soon.

I plan to travel to all territories to purchase it for financial gain, but I face several limitations.

First is the monster wave, and second is the lack of trustworthy personnel.

The Pale Fruit could be dismissed as a stroke of luck, but if I profit from demonic beast blood too, I risk drawing scrutiny from other families.

Therefore.

Even if I improve my business acumen with this demonic beast blood venture, I need someone discreet since I plan to keep it confidential.

The most suitable person I judged was Elina Parseche.

Especially since we had already built a solid relationship through the Pale Fruit business.

“It’s because I trust you, Lady Elina.”

“I-I see.”

Having completed everything I needed to do in the Parseche territory, and with the men’s intense gazes becoming uncomfortable, I firmly placed my palm on the table.

“Then I’ll depart today as planned.”

At that, Elina scratched her reddened face and spoke.

“I won’t hold it against you if the price of demonic beast blood doesn’t rise. I’m always grateful to you, Lord Selden.”

“…Pardon?”

“I mean, even if the business doesn’t go well, don’t worry about it. See you soon!”

I smiled brightly at Elina, who had offered such touching words while adjusting her clothes.

“I’ll make sure the business succeeds so you won’t get scolded by Viscount Roden. Let’s meet with smiles then!”