How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 71.2
“It looks like everyone is panicking, Grand Consort. Things are turning out rather amusing, are they not?”
I laughed and agreed. Memories of being treated coldly at every shop we had visited until now flashed before my eyes, and once again the corners of my eyes threatened to heat up. Back then, it had truly been miserable.
Once we tested the waters with a few merchant houses, the reaction came immediately. The rumors spread by excited merchants seemed to have swept through all of Ashrana. In just a few days, the area around the dock where the fleet was anchored, as well as the vicinity of our lodgings, became incomparably more bustling than before.
“I did not expect the fervor to reach this level,”
Tristan muttered quietly as he looked down at the streets of Belforte from the second floor window of the lodging. I shrugged as I flipped through documents organizing the trade goods and replied.
“Weren’t these goods that only trickled in through camel caravans in tiny quantities? We brought them in by filling three large ships, so of course it would cause an uproar. See, I told you it would work out. This is all thanks to me, isn’t it?”
I quickly discarded the tadpole like days when I trembled at the thought of losing the Grand Ducal estate and shamelessly boasted. Tristan nodded and replied in a serious tone.
“Everything the Grand Consort says is correct. Naturally, this is all thanks to you.”
“….”
It had been meant as a joke, but when he responded with such gravity on that handsome face, I was the only one left feeling awkward.
As the days passed, the situation grew louder and more chaotic. Employees sent by major merchant houses visited our lodging constantly. Before long, merchants began rushing over at daybreak and lining up in the alleys near our lodging. Every one of them begged us to sell them as large a quantity as possible.
In the end, we decided to remain in Belforte for the time being and slowly sell off the trade goods over time. There was no need to rush the goods onto the market, and encouraging competition would allow us to raise the prices even further.
Moreover, this was the imperial capital. Although his condition had improved, it seemed better for Valter, who had yet to fully recover, and the others as well, to receive treatment from Belforte’s excellent physicians.
The knights and sailors, who had not yet shaken off the fatigue of the long voyage, welcomed the chance to rest in the capital. Color was gradually returning to Valter’s face as well, now that he could at least walk again.
Most importantly, the most critical task was completed without incident. We visited the bank and repaid all the debt incurred during the construction of the fleet. The bank president personally came out and bowed repeatedly as he attended to Tristan and me. It was a completely different attitude from when he had issued the loan.
“We survived. Truly.”
The moment the noose around the Grand Ducal estate, which had been held as collateral, was fully loosened, it felt as though my chest had finally opened up. Tristan glanced at me and laughed quietly.
“Did I not say it would be fine even if the worst came? No one would have blamed you.”
“I would not have been fine. I would not.”
I had no idea what he was saying so casually about property. No matter how much the Grand Ducal estate of Hezekia was an old, crumbling castle, was that not far too bold?
Thus, with the return of a peaceful daily life after so long, I was finally able to let my guard down. However, our leisurely days did not last very long.
There was no way the noble society and imperial court of Belforte would be unaware of this commotion. In particular, with the Grand Duke of Hezekia and the Grand Consort at its center, news that the fleet had returned laden with valuable goods from the Eastern Continent had already reached deep into the imperial palace.
It was just after Tristan and I had finished breakfast. From outside, we heard someone urgently knocking on the reception room door.
“Your Grace. It is Mildred.”
“Enter.”
Unlike usual, Sir Mildred entered in a hurry with a visibly tense and anxious expression and opened his mouth.
“Grand Duke, Grand Consort. An official notice has just arrived from the Belforte Imperial Palace.”
News that arrived like this was never good. I set down my utensils and swallowed dryly. Tristan turned toward Mildred, his brow furrowing.
“From the imperial palace?”
“Yes. It is a notice that a trade inspection delegation will be dispatched to the Hezekia fleet.”
At that moment, Tristan’s expression hardened.
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