CH 32

The size of the Grand Duke’s castle was enormous, and there were quite a few servants who settled their accommodation and meals there. In addition, it was clear that the amount and type of goods used would be significant if people lived around, commuting to and from work, even customers came in and out.

Even if only a few items were delivered, the profits at the merchant group would be significant, and at the same time, it was an opportunity to trade with numerous nobles, including Grand Prince Tertius.

“However, the representative at the top asked for her to come out in person. He snapped and referred to ‘Dana Deniz’.”

“Do they really have to… Why?”

“Well, since he is a high-ranking nobleman, he may want the level accordingly, or it may be in terms of solid trust. Anyway, if ‘Dana Deniz’ doesn’t come out in person, he said he’ll forget about it.”

Rian moaned and smoothed his chin. It was strange that he had to point out Dana Deniz, but he thought it could be the case for aristocrats who were polite or formal at times.

The problem was that there was no need.

“But it’s such a waste to miss it like this… It’s been a long time.”

Harbert also nodded at Rian’s words. The Deniz merchant group was once the top of the country, but now it is just one of the largest groups. Competition between the top players had intensified, and the market has narrowed.

Now, the key was which merchant group monopolized the market of the Haschel Empire.

After the death of her predecessor Deniz, the Deniz merchant group was run by a group composed of his aides. However, Harbert, who was in the branch, returned and pushed them out one by one, and he took control for himself.

He siphoned off goods and smuggled them, and was accumulating quite a large amount of wealth by taking care of them. The revival at the merchant group was essential for himself and for the future.

Then, when Deniz’s heir became an adult and officially inherited management rights, he felt like he was losing his position. Dana wanted to let go of management somehow, but she had no justification.

I didn’t know he’d really kill her.

So he joined hands with the young aristocrat in front of him.

At first, he was just going to put him, a half-hearted aristocrat, as the representative of the merchant group. This was because they needed name values to moderately pass on these illegal things happening at the merchant group.

But for that, Rian was now quite a big shot. He thought Rian was just Dana’s secret lover, but he became the son-in-law of the Duke of Hamilton!

However, he, who seemed strangely cowardly, it was unexpected to see him kill a person this easily. In addition, it was strangely frightening that he didn’t blink even after killing his former lover.

Anyway, Harbert swallowed it all and rolled his head.

“There are only a few people at the merchant group who know her face properly anyway. They thought she would be kidnapped for money, so my master Nari hid her and raised her. Sometimes, I even became a stand-in.”

“Hang on. You’re getting someone to act as a stand-in?”

At that moment, their eyes met. The remaining merchant group officials did not know Dana Deniz’s face properly.  Harbert only saw her a few times when she was young, but she hadn’t seen him recently.

This is because he was in charge of managing branches in each region while Dana Deniz was alive.

Rian’s face brightened, and Harbert got up from his seat with a light nod.

“Let’s find the right person.”

* * *

In a separate part of the Imperial Palace, there was a corridor, a social place for aristocrats.

The Duke of Hamilton, who was walking leisurely down the hallway after getting out of the corridor, paused when he saw the person coming across.

He tried to loosen his stiff face and greeted the other person with an awkward smile.

“Isn’t it Your Grace?”

“Oh, Duke Hamilton. I see you here again.”

They were both Duke’s, and furthermore, it had been a long time since he was pushed out of politics by riding the wrong horse over the crown. However, Duke Hamilton was far below Duke Tertius, in terms of age, years, and social position.

Moreover, there was a time when he was trembling due to Duke Tertius for a long while when he was only a Marquis, and when he saw Duke Tertius, he lowered himself on his own. The Duke of Hamilton was embarrassed by this situation, and he did not like Owen Tertius, who still treated him naturally.

But he couldn’t show it right away.

Even if he’s a toothless tiger, he’s a tiger. He’s more like a Grand Duke.

The Duke of Hamilton, who remembered that far, smiled brightly and talked to Owen a little more.

“Is everything okay these days? Your son… How is he doing? He disappeared quickly at the last party, so I couldn’t even say hello.”

“I’m having a hard time because of the Grand Duke’s marriage.”

“Marriage…! Do you have any family in mind?”

Hamilton reacted surprisingly and quickly rolled his head. Recalling the spirituality of the prominent families, he calculated whether their union would benefit him or not.