/
A few minutes later, Kazura and the others moved to the back room of the shop and took their seats across the long table.
Zirconia sat next to Kazura, with Liese and Eira sitting across from her.
“Is it correct to say that we were trying to make a good pre-existing fact and get married without a hitch?”
…
“Oh, I mean, Master Kazura, Master Liese didn’t mean any harm…”
Eira interrupted to protect Liese, who was awkwardly dropping her gaze to the table.
From earlier, Eira kept receiving looks from Zirconia as if to say, “Do something about it.”
”What, no?”
“I don’t think…”
“Hey!　You need to talk them out of it!”
“Well, it doesn’t matter.”
“Ugh.”
“I don’t want you to cry…”
As Liese groaned with tears in her eyes, Kazura sighed and scratched his head, wondering what was going on.
Judging from the conversation between Liese and the others earlier, there was no doubt that Liese’s attitude until now was all an act.
It seems that she was aiming to marry him for money and power, but I didn’t think she was going to have a nighttime visit.
”Because…”
“What’s the matter with you?”
“It’s nothing.”
At Kazura’s prodding, Liese looked down at the table again.
Her usual dignified atmosphere was nowhere to be seen, her shoulders slumped and she back shrank into a small shrug.
“It’s true that Liese-sama adores Kazura-sama. Even when she talks to me every day, there’s not a moment when the subject of Kazura-sama doesn’t come up.”
“No, it doesn’t take much convincing for me to hear him say things like ‘I’m going to make you get down and get you to spend a lot of money’ there is no way to persuade him otherwise.”
”Oh, about money, well… Lady Liese can be a bit money-hungry, but she has a good eye for people. I’m sure, and I’m not the kind of person who would maliciously deceive people. I’m sure he’s not the kind of person who cheats people out of malice…”
“Isn’t that pretty painful… and it sounds like you’re ready to do it when you want to have night time visit and say it’s already happened.”
”Well, um … I was told that there was a woman who was close to Kazura-sama, so I was under the impression that she was close to you. Master Liese was afraid he was going to go!　Then I was just about to act in a damsel-in-distress way!”
Trying to break the situation somehow, Eira desperately spun the words.
After all, there was Zirconia in front of Eira right now.
If she remained silent and did nothing here, her head might fly off later on.
“Maidenhood…”
Kazura folded his arms and snorted, turning her attention to Liese.
Liese, who had been sneaking a peek at Kazura while groaning, looked down at the table with a hint of a swoon when her eyes met Kazura’s.
”Does Kazura-sama not like Liese-sama?”
“It’s not that I don’t like it, but…”
“Then why don’t you take this opportunity to go out with Master Liese? I know that I may have offended your mind with what I just said, but I’m sorry to say that Liese-sama adores Kazura-sama. It’s true. Give it another chance.”
”Yeah…but what kind of quick development is this? There is too much progression at once, isn’t it…”
Eira is pushing him too hard, and Kazura is feeling a little bit of a drawback.
No matter how much, this is too forceful.
”…….Is it not okay?”
“No.”
“Ugh.”
“No, even if you cry.”
When Kazura refused with a snap, this time even Eira was depressed with tears in her eyes.
”Oh, I know that you may have been upset with me for a number of reasons, but at least let’s continue as before, oh. Would you be willing to allow Liese to join us for work alone?”
Feeling that the cloud of conversation was becoming suspicious, Zirconia interrupted this time.
”I’ll tell you tightly later so that you don’t do anything crazy in the future. Liese, you should reflect on that. She will be around so please don’t hate her too much. Because I think it’s true that this girl adores Kazura-san.”
”That’s fine, of course. I know that Liese-san has been working very hard for the territory. Besides, it’s not that I don’t like you, I just want you to continue to help me with my work as before. I won’t stop supporting you because of this, so please don’t worry.”
Zirconia breathed with relief at Kazura’s words.
I never thought that Liese liked Kazura enough to do a nighttime visit to try to get him.
If only Kazura hadn’t found out about Liese’s plans, he secretly regretted it, but what was found out couldn’t be helped.
Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to have been discovered that he was secretly part of the plan to get the two of them together.
It would be best to use that to our advantage and try to keep the situation as peaceful as possible.
Although I had a vague idea of Liese’s true nature, I didn’t expect her to be so aggressive.
She is being sensible right now, but she shouldn’t be so discouraged even if she falls down once, so if I keep the opportunity for them to interact, they may have better interaction little by little.
That is if Kazura really has a dislike of Liese.
”But in the future, please don’t try to do any more strange schemes. Marriage by night time visit to create a pre-existing reason, isn’t that a way of half ignoring the other person’s feelings? You may have had many thoughts about it, but it’s not something you can really admire.”
While inwardly pouting, wondering if he could say that he was the one who was currently deceiving so many people, Kazura frowned and told Liese.
Honestly, he couldn’t imagine what would have happened to him if Liese had come to his room in the middle of the night and seduced him.
Even if it was only because Kazura has the tendency to be fascinated by Liese’s appearance, there is a very good chance that he would have fallen into it if he had been pressed again in the same manner as she was trying to get into his room.
Nevertheless, now that he had found out that she had been seducing him for money and power, Liese’s stock price had dropped with Kazura.
”Yes…I’m sorry….”
Liese looks up at Kazura with tears in her eyes and honestly apologizes.
The fact that she looked so defeated made Kazura less inclined to say anything else.
More than anything, it was true that she had been working hard and trying to help Kazura as much as she could.
He was shocked when he found out about Liese’s true personality in the conversation, but since no real harm was being done, there was no point in blaming her any further here.
However, when it comes to the line that Eira and Zirconia had said many times, “It’s true that she adores Kazura”, Kazura doesn’t trust her.
After hearing the “nighttime visit” remark earlier, there was no way he could trust it, although it wasn’t very good.
”Well, let it be that much. This girl must be in a lot of trouble, being forced to see a man she doesn’t like every day. When a man you like finally appeared, you got a little carried away and tried to force his hand. I can’t blame you for that, can I?”
Claire, who had been quietly preparing the tea until then, admonished Kazura while holding out a ceramic cup in front of everyone.
”No, I don’t think it’s unavoidable…”
“Don’t let a man get hung up on the details. And what is it that you don’t like about the little girl? I’ve been looking all over the country for a woman who is so beautiful and comes from a perfect family, and is popular with both the nobility and the people. There’s no one else like her.”
“Yes, that may be true, but knowing that they were trying to get him for money. How could it be a good idea?”
“Normally you will. If the post-marital benefits are great, you’ll be willing to settle for a few things.”
”What a foolish thing to say” Claire asserts with a look of, “What a foolish thing to say.”
“If you’re one of the most influential people in the Clayrats, you’ll be able to see how much benefit you’ll get from marrying a young lady. You know what the big thing is, right?　And I don’t know how much of a voice you have in the Clayratz, but I don’t know how much of a voice you have over here in the country. If you marry a young lady and marry your son-in-law, then you’ll be the lord of the Isteria territory in the future. If you turn down such a good offer, you’ll definitely regret it later.”
“What?　……..Oh, I see.”
When Claire persuaded him with a very serious expression, Kazura was momentarily taken aback by the fact that she was trying to persuade him.
However, she immediately understood the meaning of those words and turned her attention to Liese, who was looking at Kazura with tears in her eyes.
There was a little bit of anticipation in her eyes as she wondered how she caught the meaning of the “Oh, I see” that Kazura had let slip out.
But unfortunately, that wasn’t the word that Liese had leaked in the sense that she was expecting.
Both Liese and Claire leaked the words after realizing that “they both think Kazura is an influential figure in the Clayrats.”
Aside from Claire, it would be better to talk to Liese later about the fact that Kazura is Greysoir.
It may be for the convenience of having her continue to help you with your work in the future, but if she believes it’s Greysior, Liese should be willing to give up on the marriage.
”Well, I’ll have a long talk with Liese about that matter later. But for now, it’s about this gem. Ms. Zirconia, please.
“Yes”
When Zirconia was shaken out of the conversation, she turned to Claire and began to explain her original purpose.
“A lot of colored obsidian, huh…”
Claire snorted seriously as she picked up and looked at the neatly shaped blue glass that was offered to her.
“I’d like to have it sold to another territory or another country in some inconspicuous way, can you do it?　If you take it on, I can guarantee your safety within the territory. Besides, I think I can give you some flexibility in your future business dealings.”
“Well, you don’t know what happens if you don’t accept it?”
“I didn’t say that. If you don’t want to take it on, then we can both pretend this whole day never happened.”
“‘Today,’ huh? …. well, it must be a good profit for me.”
Claire put the glass down and pulled the ceramic ink bottle and quill from the corner of the table into her hand.
”I’ll take it on. However, since the items we handle are rare and expensive, it will take a lot of time to convert them into cash. How about the price of the work, with the priority of future business and land flexibility in the territory and the wholesale unloading of clothing and furniture supplies. Great. I don’t mind the commission on the sale of jewelry that will be passed on from you.”
”Well I don’t have a problem with the business and land dedication, but I can’t make a decision about wholesale relations here. I’ll discuss it with Nelson when I get back. In the meantime, maybe you’ll take the job with that.”
“Well, what’s wrong…”
Claire snorted thoughtfully as she folded her arms.
“Claire…”
Claire was snarling and Liese, who had been silent until then, called out to her.
Claire saw the look on Liese’s face and sighed, oh dear.
“All right. I’ll take care for the time being.”
When Claire said this, Liese glanced at Kazura.
Then, when their eyes met, she dropped her eyes to the table, looking squirmy again.
”Prioritize wholesale…. well, as long as you can make it somewhat convenient, that’s fine. You can make a list of available items and send it to me later.”
“All right. But don’t expect too much.”
“I’m sure it’s going to be intertwined with existing interests. Don’t worry, I’m aware of that.”
As Claire said this, she ran her quill over the leather paper that was close at hand.
In the blink of an eye, an instant contract was ready.
“You don’t have to sign this. I’ll make another one up now.”
(What a tough but she is…)
That was how Kazura felt about Claire, who interacted with him in a real, imposing manner.
The carpenters and well-diggers he’d met so far seemed to shrivel up in front of the zirconia, so Claire’s reaction was refreshing.
Normally she would at least use a respectful tone, but she wasn’t going to do even that.
‘    ‘Before that, could you tell me where and how you are selling out? It’s a complicated situation for us as well, so we need to know the distribution channel.”
“I’ve been approached by my contacts in one of the countries I’m assigned to, through a middleman. They’ll never know the source.”
“Would it be possible to bring one of our merchants along for the ride?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You can’t do that.”
”Well, I also wonder if we can talk again tomorrow at the mansion before I sign the contract. I’ll summarize the compensation and write it down in the contract as well. We’ll discuss it again then, along with the job description.”
“Okay.”
Claire sighed and nodded at Zirconia, who didn’t seem to be willing to sign at this point.
“Thanks. Just come back tomorrow afternoon when it’s convenient for you.”
“Okay. I’ll see you this afternoon at a reasonable hour.”
Zirconia smiled as she fulfilled her promise.
She seemed relieved that she didn’t let Claire completely take control of the flow of negotiations.
”Have we reached an agreement? Well then, I look forward to working with you in the future.”
Kazura bowed to Claire and sat up, then turned to Liese, who remained slumped in her seat.
“Liese, would you like to come home with me?”
“Yes”
When Kazura called out to her, Liese staggered to her feet with a shabby look on her face.
After returning home.
In a room of the mansion, which was dyed in the color of sunset, Kazura was pouring hot water into a glass pot filled with herbs.
Beside her, Liese is sitting in her seat with a sultry look on her face.
There was only Kazura and Liese in the room.
Zirconia had gone to report the results of the earlier negotiations to Nelson, and Eira was getting ready for dinner.
“Well, don’t be so downhearted. Have a cup of tea.”
“Thank you…”
Liese smiles awkwardly and thanks to him when he offers her a cup of herbal tea in a teacup.
She freezes for a moment at the sight of the glass pot and teacup, but she doesn’t seem to want to ask any questions about them.
She puts the cookies she brought from her room out on the table, and Kazura sits down in a chair as well.
Eira had made them for Kazura last night, and she was very proud of them.
”Well, let’s talk about what we talked about during the day.”
“Um, Kazura-sama, I did indeed say something rude at the time, but I really…”
“Well, that’s the whole point.”
When Liese was about to say something, Kazura waved his hand in a flutter.
”Ugh…”
“That’s why I didn’t want you to cry.”
“…Um, are you still mad at me?”
“Yes”
…
When Kazura nodded, Lise slumped down with tears in her eyes.
Kazura’s expression was as calm as usual, but the way he said things were vaguely cold.
In fact, Kazura consciously said it that way.
”But I’m not denying that you’ve even tried your best so far, Liese? You even helped me with things that I didn’t have experience in, and he did his best to help me think through things on his own. I’m very grateful and respectful of the fact that I was there.”
“Yes…”
“Still, that line was indeed excruciating. Claire said that but I don’t like it, but it’s not like I like it, but it’s a fact of life that I’ve created for power and money. It’s a little hard for me to accept the idea of forced marriage because of this.”
“But…”
“Yes?”
“I’m … no, I’m really sorry.”
Liese looked up to say something, and when she met eyes with Kazura, she slumped again and fell silent.
The first time I saw Liese, she scratched her head as if to say, “Oh dear.”
Looking at Liese, who looks like she’s about to cry, I feel as if I’m bullying her.
Although the discomfort remained in my mind, I didn’t want this to become an awkward relationship.
“Liese and I were born and raised differently, and I think it’s only natural that we have different values. It is. This time, too, she said, it was shocking to me, even if it was natural for Liese to accept it.”
At Kazura’s words, Liese looks up a bit as if to see how she is doing.
“I said earlier that I’m angry, but because of this, my life is in an awkward state. I don’t want to have to deal with this. Liese has apologized to me, and we’re going to put an end to this and we’re going to have to deal with each other from now on. Why don’t we treat each other honestly? I will continue to help Liese to have a better life in the future in the form of reconstruction of the territory.”
“…Yes, thank you.”
Liese replied to Kazura in a fading voice, and then closed her mouth and slumped down again.
When Liese waited for a few moments but didn’t seem to speak, Kazura sighed.
“Well, let’s do this. How about we treat each other with honesty from now on, just the way we are?”
“What?”
Liese looked up at Kazura, who suddenly spoke to her in a casual tone, with a puzzled look on her face.
”Being Honest……..?”
“Yes, Honesty. No acting, no honorifics, and just be honest with each other. It’s just that you’re used to acting. You’ve always been very straightforward with Claire and Eira, haven’t you?　I want you to treat me like that, too.”
“No, no, not like that!　It’s not about acting or anything like that!”
“Liese”
As Liese mended in a hurry, Kazura called out her name with a serious expression.
Kazura couldn’t help but hate this situation, which made him wonder if even her current stern attitude was an act.
He felt like he was going to seriously dislike her if he didn’t, and he sincerely appealed to her to let that happen.
“ I’m sure you’re confused and anxious to be told this all of a sudden. But I want to continue to be a good friend to you. It may be difficult for you to suddenly change your attitude, but I’m sure you’ll try your best. I want you to stop thinking about the issue and all that and become friends with me.”
“And be your friend…?”
“My friend?”
Breaking his previous hard expression, Kazura turned a smile on his face.
”… Yes!　please do!”
Liese’s face lit up with a flash of realization that she could get out of the worst of it.
When he was affirmed that he was angry, as expected of Liese, he thought that she hated him completely.
However, Kazura didn’t reprimand her out of hand but reached out to her to build a good relationship.
I’m curious about the point of treating him with honesty, but there’s no other option here but to nod.
”Yeah, nice to meet you. Also, from now on, no respectful language is allowed. No acting either. Treat them as you would like a friend.”
“Yes, yes…”
”Well I know it’s going to be hard to do it all at once, so it’s fine to do it little by little. Also, I should tell you who I am, right? Just like the fact that you mistook me for an influential member of the Clayrats is the reason for this whole mess”
When Kazura said that, Lise’s eyes widened in surprise.
”What? Isn’t Kazura-sama the one from Clayrats?
“No honorifics. And you can call me Kazura. You don’t have to call me that.”
“Oh, I’m sorry I’m sorry.”
Kazura almost gushes at Liese, who looks like she’s having a hard time doing anything.
Seeing Kazura like that, Liese turned her slightly disapproving gaze to Kazura.
”No, I’m sorry. So, I’m from, but I’m not from Clayrats. I’m from another world, deep in the thickets of Grisea Village, deep in the woods. The villagers and Mr. Nelson and the others call me ‘Greysior’.”
“…What?”
Liese became pensive at Kazura, who said it in a tone as if he were making small talk.
“Have you ever heard of Greysior’s Lore?”
“Yes, I have, but, Kazura, are you saying that, you are Greysior?”
While forcibly correcting her language, Liese asked Kazura back.
An atmosphere of wondering what she was going to say all of a sudden oozed out of her expression.
”Well, you won’t believe me if you say that all of a sudden. I’ll show you proof. Let’s go to my room now.”
With that said, Kazura went and took a look at the teacup and cookies on the table.
“I’m sure you’ll be able to enjoy this tea, but I think it’s gotten lukewarm…”
Kazura sipped the completely cooled herbal tea and frowned, “It’s tepid,” she said.
Liese picked up a teacup herself and sipped it while looking at Kazura.