Chapter 32

“It will cost an unimaginable amount of money and take a long time to research,” Peter said. “I’ll take care of him from now on while you take care of the family.”

Juno also knew she had to keep moving, but… “Teacher.”

“You are Juno Sergien. Now show me Juno Sergien.”

When Juno first arrived here, she made up her mind. She was going to inherit House Sergien and its reputation. Waking up Jupiter was a slow process, and Juno still had to make a name for herself. The family’s reputation will be damaged at this rate. Juno glanced at Jupiter. To protect you, I must protect my family.

House Sergien was also Juno’s home. She had to protect it for John, Hebe, and Peter. After a long silence, she looked at Peter. His expression with its twisted smile was the same as the one back when he held out his hand to her.

“What are you going to do, Juno Sergien?”

Juno’s answer was the same now as it was then. She won’t give up. She won’t miss this opportunity. She grinned; her own arrogant smile was similar to Peter’s. “…I should reclaim what’s mine.”

Peter threw his head back and laughed. “Yes, that’s the apprentice I know.”

It was time to move as Juno Sergien.

***

Juno snorted as she reviewed the information collected by the insect dolls. “As expected.”

“Indeed, they would suffer greatly without our products.”

Many of the nobles who declared they wouldn’t do business with House Sergien because Juno was the family head still secretly bought Juno’s products. In addition, Marquis Thunia, the loudest of Juno’s opposition, had a close connection to Peter.

“What about the others?” she asked.

Some families bought Juno’s products. Others delivered materials to Juno while publicly saying they wouldn’t do business with her. Rather than persuade them, Juno planned to find new clients.

“There is one not in the empire, but in another kingdom.”

“And the emperor?”

“We are still figuring out the details.”

Most of the necessary preparations were complete. Juno nodded and left the room. John followed after her.

She smirked as she entered the carriage. “It’s all right to be a bad girl every once in a while.” She was going to make sure everyone knew not to mess with Countess Sergien.

John faintly smiled at her remark.

“What about Jupiter?”

“The same as before,” he said.

Juno focused her attention away from the mansion. “I see. Let’s go.”

The location was nearby, and Marquis Thunia had already arrived. As Juno entered the restaurant, people stared at her. She ignored their gazes and approached the man at the head of the table.

“Thank you for your invitation, Marquis Thunia.”

Marquis Thunia wrote a letter saying he wished to meet her in person and that there was something they needed to discuss. Yet when Juno actually appeared, he was surprised.

“No, I should thank you for accepting my invitation, Countess Sergien,” he said.

John pushed the marquis’s servant to the side and pulled Juno’s chair out himself. Juno smiled as she sat down across from Marquis Thunia. “It seems there are a lot of customers here who I haven’t heard from in a while.” She glanced at the other nobles.

Marquis Thunia laughed. “As I mentioned in my letter, we have a lot to discuss.”

Juno said, “Let’s cut to the chase.”

The servants who were about to put food on the table paused. The marquis realized Juno wasn’t here to grovel. He sent the servants away. “Do you plan to drag House Sergien’s name through the mud?”

Covering her mouth with her hand as if she didn’t understand, Juno replied, “Oh, what do you mean by that?”

“You seem to be unaware since no one’s around to help you. With your current behavior, everyone will turn against you. Why don’t you be more polite? The count who protected you is dead.”

In other words, he wanted Juno to bow before him, hand over her family, and ask for mercy. Some nobles in the restaurant were shocked by the marquis’s harsh words; others looked at Juno with disdain.

Smiling, Juno said, “…Are you referring to how I no longer do business with House Thunia and the aristocrats who secretly trade with you? Or are you wondering if I found a new customer?”

The marquis scoffed. “Is there anyone left who wants your products?”

Many high-ranking nobles, wary of Marquis Thunia, decided not to buy anything created by Juno; however, Marquis Thunia’s power was limited to the empire.

She shrugged. “Other countries have nobles who want to trade with me. I already signed a contract with one of them.”

“Are you out of your mind? You bought materials from another kingdom?”

Juno frowned. He was a funny man. Why did he think she’d only trade with the nobles of the empire? Dolls were used throughout the entire continent; Count Sergien also interacted with the high-ranking aristocrats of other kingdoms.

“House Sergien worked with them before, and the quality of materials is much better. There was a lot of profit to be made.”

“You’re not a true noble! How could you join hands with another kingdom?”

There was only one reason the marquis was like this despite there being aristocrats who traded with nobles from other countries. He’s aware of the business expenses accumulated by House Sergien within a year. It was a pain to think that the money lost was comparable to a nation’s annual tax.

“What else could I have done? My lord didn’t want to do business with me. Also, a majority of my customers have close ties to you.” It was something he’d been hiding for a long time, but Juno found out by using a worm doll. “I’m in quite a dilemma.”

With a startled expression, the marquis looked at the other nobles.

The sight of his pale face was worth it. Juno continued, “How absurd would it be for high-ranking nobles to go along with whatever Marquis Thunia says?” The families who cut ties with Juno because of him would be furious if they found out.

“…What do you want?”

Juno waved her hand. “Just continue what you’re currently doing.”

“Excuse me?”

“No matter what you do, my behavior won’t change. I won’t do business with you in the future as you wanted.”

The marquis clenched the apple in his hand. “If you are offended by my actions—”

“Are you feeling regretful? We both know you aren’t. I figured we needed to tell each other where we stand.” Juno arrogantly looked down on him.

The marquis, unable to contain his anger, cried, “Do you think I’m the only one?”

It was impossible for others to act in accordance with Marquis Thunia when they found out they were deceived by him.

“You still want to fight when the results have already been decided? I should learn a thing or two from you.” When the marquis remained silent, Juno rose from her seat. “I think I’ve said everything that needed to be said. I shall take my leave.”

Marquis Thunia tried to follow after her. “Wait a min—Augh!”

John, who had been watching the situation, held back the marquis.

“How dare you!”

Juno watched as Marquis Thunia took out his anger on John. “I stayed as long as I could like the count.” She put on a pitiful expression. “But everyone says they don’t want that, so I had to think of something else.”

She pretended she was in a difficult position. Then, giggling, she looked at the marquis. “I’m a shrewd woman as the rumors say. I’m fickle, and I love bribes. Don’t you already know that? So, from now on, I’ll only work with people who give me what I want.” With a beautiful smile, she said, “Cheer up, everyone, and get what I want. There’s a lot of things I’d like to have.”

Juno left the restaurant.

“Well done,” John whispered.

“You think so? I’m glad.”

According to the rumors, Juno was a cruel woman who manipulated people. Rather than be criticized for not making things easy, shouldn’t she make use of that? Juno was pleased with herself as she got into the carriage.

Her first outing as Juno Sergien ended quite spectacularly.