Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Translator: Effe

Editor: Yonnee

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To buy back cheap things that she sold at expensive prices, then resell them again at high prices once again.

The Prach Guild didn’t seem to be aware that her guild was buying back the items that had left their stores at an expensive price. 

They thought that once they kicked out the Weaving Guild from Bamberg, they would be able to gradually increase their market share using that place as a base, but it was not how it works.

It seemed that they did not quite understand what it meant when the world was connected by rail transport now.

However, she had to be considerate so that retail store owners like Hans would not go bankrupt. Claire was still struggling with this problem.

“It’s not just a matter of competitive prices. I’ve been thinking about it, but I’m not just going to use this opportunity to sell fabrics…”

As she was about to talk about a completely novel business strategy.

After hesitating, his expression lost, Hans asked a question.

“Is there any hope that the Duke will intercede?”

“The Duke?”

Claire frowned at him. Roger rebuked Hans a step ahead of Claire.

“Didn’t I explain enough already that Duke Klausener is not the kind of person who would intervene in this?”

Hans said with a frown.

“You just stay still and see. I live in the Dukedom, so won’t I know the character of our lord? But this…”

He stammered.

“As an individual, I apologize for asking such questions, but… If the mother of his child asks, will he not do something for her?”

Claire was dumbfounded and opened her mouth, then closed it again. Her head started throbbing.

Hans gauged her mood carefully.

“Isn’t that right? I read in the newspaper that the Baron… With the Duke.”

“Ha, haha!”

The quick-witted Roger grabbed Hans.

“Come to think of it, there was something I had to talk about separately, but I forgot. I’m leaving, Baron!”

“What? Mister Carson, if you suddenly do this…”

Claire lowered her head, closed her eyes, and gently waved one hand. It was a signal to shoo them away.

Suddenly there was the sound of the elevator door closing. Claire pressed her temples with her eyes closed.

‘Ah, my head…’

She felt jittery ever since she read the newspaper in the morning.

《 Who in the world is the father of the blonde-haired boy! 》

《 Breaking! The illegitimate son of Duke Klausener! 》

《Is the Academy a place for dating?》

All the headlines were like this.

There were even illustrations inside. It was a delicate pen drawing of a man hugging and kissing a woman, surrounded by children.

At least, she was relieved that it still took seven hours to take a single picture—the illustration was inaccurate. Compared to Erich, who was depicted with fairly distinct features, it was difficult to recognize the features of the female in the picture.

However, rumors seemed to be circulating separately as rumored.

“Really, irresponsible writers.”

Even though there were media laws and ethics of reporters, there are a lot of bastards who have no conscience. What could she expect in this era where there was no such thing yet?

It’s a shame that Elliot can’t even read the newspaper well yet… That too will be a matter of time.

“Should I hurry?”

Claire sighed, stood up, and went into the room she was using as her makeshift office.

She opened the desk drawer and pulled out the ring box. This was what Gray had left behind.

[ I know you consider this purely formality. Still, marriage is marriage. ]

Grey said with a look she had never seen before.

[ If you don’t want it, please stop me. I will be very happy. ]

His face filled with emotions that Claire couldn’t quite understand. Embarrassed, she didn’t even think to open the ring box and just accepted it.

If we’re going to get married anyway, it wouldn’t hurt to wear it.

Grey was a good person. He wasn’t just the perfect fit for Claire. He was attractive as a man, and just thinking about him being paired up with her was a waste.

“Huu…”

She opened the ring box and looked at it under the sunlight coming through her window. It flashed red like an orange-pink sapphire on fire.

‘Will the rumors be sorted out quickly if we get married quickly? But at this point, it could rather just fan the flames of a scandal… Grey might be put in an awkward position.’

As soon as they get married, the word cuckold might appear in the papers.

Not only that, but she would be frustrated.

[ When I said it was a mistake, I wasn’t talking about holding you, it was that the order was wrong. ]

Erich did say that, but even if he said that, nothing would change.

She didn’t want to be the Duchess of Klausener. She didn’t want to be told that she was a Cinderella who seduced a high-ranking person she shouldn’t have dared touch. Besides that, she didn’t want to make Delford as meaningless as a bowl of water thrown into the sea called Klausener by marriage. 

It was the family that her parents had passed on to her. Like other nobles, she had no special pride in her family, but just because she had become someone’s wife, she didn’t want it to be absorbed.

But strangely, her mind was straying a little. Even if it was comforting, it wasn’t so wrong.

It dawned on Claire that, more than she thought, she had been procrastinating about this for over five years now.

‘So troublesome to think of when it’s not on a whim.’

To stop her thoughts, she took Grey’s ring from the box and put it on.

“He knows my size, huh.”

Well, everyone in Delford knew that he’s going to marry Claire, and everyone would have cooperated if he said he was going to buy a ring.

The simple design and the size of the jewels were just right. The color was beautiful, and it was comfortable to wear, like a well-fitting garment.

Their life as a married couple would be smooth-sailing—that’s what the ring was making her feel.

“Hmm…”

Even so, there was an uncomfortable stumbling block in her heart.

‘Elliot stood out too much. I wonder whether it will work out even if I try to get married right away…’

This was all Erich’s fault. Her original plan was based on the premise that no one was interested in the Delford Barony.

Just then, the bell on the elevator rang.

Knock, knock.

Following the sound of the knocking, the hotel attendant spoke.

“Excuse me, Baron Delford. A guest is waiting for you downstairs.”

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