On my way from my meeting with Marquise Larose, I have been thinking about Count Isaac’s words. I'm more confused than ever after my conversation with Marquise Larose. Why did he say that last part? It also made me reflect on my meeting with Marquise Larose.

  “It has been a long time, Marquise Larose. Thank you very much for accepting my request.”

  “Long time no see, Duke Willow. I hope you are doing well.”

  At night, I met Marquise Larose at his mansion in the capital.

  “I am doing well. It is all thanks to your effort in taking care of my people.” I tried to get to the heart of the topic.

  In response, Marquise Larose smiled as he poured me a drink. “Oh, so you have just realized?”

  “What do you want? Why are you dragging Count Issac into this?” I casually asked him as I accepted the drink he offered.

  “hmmmmm. Don’t you think you are too late to ask these questions? I never knew that you were a procrastinating person.”

  I could not deny that this matter has been overdosed. So, in response, I could only give him silence.

  “Let me correct it for you. It was not I who dragged him. And it was he who was willing to do it.”

  So, it was my second guess? “……….. I see.”

  Then, Marquise Larose asked me as he put down the drink and leaned back. “So, why are you coming here?”

  I could not allow him to shift the topic. I had to take control of the conversation; thus, I tried to confirm with him again. “Why are you doing this?”

  “……….. what is your guess?” Marquise Larose gave me a teasing smile.

  With his laid-back attitude, I tried to test the water. “Is it war?”

  “………… hmm, not for now.” Marquise Larose gave me a response that I could not take at face value.

  “15 years ago, I lost my wife and daughter.” As I said that, Marquise Larose halted his drink. “You, too, also lost something precious.” Since Marquise Larose was a very rational man, I tried to prob him with an emotional card first to limit the options. “Are you trying to protect what remained?”

  Marquise Larose continued his drink, as he said. “I never knew you were an emotional man, or have you become one because the romance with Ms. Iris is going well, or you found a new daughter?”

  “…. As we get older, we tend to become more emotional. Don`t you think so, Marquise?” I see. More than emotion, his actions were the result of his reason.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  At least I could ensure that I could reasonably negotiate with him using logic. “…. So, was it not enough with the East, why do you need to extend your hand to the South?”

  “…. Duke Willlow, noble is noble after all.” The eyes he gave me as he said that were very unfriendly. I thought maybe I touched his interest.

  I had no choice but to try to open his cover. “Will you reconsider withdrawing your hand?”

  However, Marquise Larose did not respond. Instead, he put his drink on the table. I thought we still had room for negotiation.

  “So, what do you think?” I asked again.

  “What would you do after that?”

  “The South will take care of the South. And the East will take care of the East. As one has already eaten enough, one should get some rest.” I offered him the middle ground.

  “………. As I said, Duke Willow, noble is noble after all.” He picked up his drink. So, it was off the table? Then he said, “You have disappointed me many times today, Duke Willow.”

  So, you had no intention of backing down, I thought to myself. However, I could not afford to escalate our conflict further. “What is it that you want?” I tried to check what he wanted to propose for the deal.

  After he finished his drink, Marquise Larose asked me back “….. What did Count Issac tell you?”

  “………… Did you threaten him?” I was not sure why he brought Count Issac here. Was it related to his threats to Count Issac?

  “Let me correct you once again, Duke Willow. It was he who came to me.” Marquise Larose began to pour his drink again. “It has nothing to do with me. It was his will.”

  I silently stared at him as he refilled his glass and mine.

  “Let me give you my word. I will continue to do it. However, I will be civilized with you. If you do not want it to happen, you can compete with me. Rest assured, I will not manipulate the market price. I will only buy it at the market price. If you prove yourself, I will consider taking my hand off the South. You can have my word.” After he said that, he pushed out his drink to me.

  “………… when will the plague take place?” I could not return his gesture yet, as I have to confirm this one fact.

  “………… I do not know. But it won’t be far.”

  After hearing this, I returned his gesture. After we sealed the deals. Marquise Larose said to me. “If you have time, try talking with the saintess. I think she will be delighted to hear news about Ms. Iris.”

  It came to me. So, it was his way of telling me that the saintess would appear during the annual prayer. I, too, was planning to meet the saintess. I just realized how close his connection is with the saintess, or rather, the clergy faction. It was worrisome. However, his next word put me in more disarray.

  “Once, just once, I will use every power at my disposal to help you. So, choose your time wisely.”

  His word was too heavy for a simple promise. It felt like a declaration. Yet, it was not like an alliance was forming between us. It felt like a favor he would grant to his peer. Was it his way to make amends? Since he has strongly proclaimed so, I would gladly welcome his help.

  “…….. I will not be polite.”

  Then, I prepared to return to my mansion. As I was about to leave the room, Marquise Larose said as his back faced me.

  “You wish to have an audience with the emperor, right? You may do so three days after the annual prayer.” As I was about to leave the room, Marquise Larose spoke to me.

  “Was it intentional?” My audience with the emperor was delayed because of him. It was his doing. It also confirms that he has become a central pillar of the imperial faction. Was it his announcement to me?

  “We could not allow others to speculate on the intention of your visit tonight, right?” Marquise Larose answered as he turned back to me.

  “I see. So, my purpose in visiting today was to request an audience with the emperor?” I confirmed with him while lowering my voice.

  “You do not have to thank me.” Marquise Larose slyly smiled at me.

  This sly bastard. He really lived up to his reputation as a sneak in the business world.