"The Marquis refuses, so I suppose I'll have to approach Count Ailesbur. I'm sure they'll gladly accept. Don't complain to me later if you feel slighted."
The Marquis Branford pressed his hand to his forehead.
'Ha, this cunning brat.'
This guy was truly someone who couldn't be ignored.
Rozalin chimed in to reinforce Ghislain's words.
"If that happens, the flag of the Count Ailesbur will flutter across the entire kingdom. We'll be mocked for turning away an opportunity that fell right into our laps. Honestly, what could be more humiliating? You must consider the family's dignity."
Sensing the Marquis Branford wavering, the two didn't stop talking.
"It's only because Father is a guardian of Baron that he approached us first, you know that, right?"
"Exactly. I wanted to give the Marquis the first opportunity. I'm glad Miss Rozalin understands my sincerity."
"Father! Accept it quickly!"
"Lord Marquis! You won't get another chance like this!"
Marquis Branford's face turned increasingly red until he finally erupted in a loud voice.
"Quiet! Why do you both talk so much?"
With a single shout, both Ghislain and Rozalin immediately shut their mouths.
Marquis Branford rarely raised his voice like this. If they pushed him any further, it would likely have the opposite effect.
"Hah…"
With a deep sigh, the Marquis Branford stood up and addressed Rozalin.
"Do as you please. But if any problems arise, I will proceed with your marriage before you get any older. This is your final chance."
"Understood!"
Rozalin closed her fan and beamed with a bright smile.
With her decisive and well-proven abilities, the matter was practically settled.
The Marquis Branford turned to Ghislain and sternly emphasized.
"I'll assume this is because you urgently need a large sum of money. But if you pull any tricks or cause losses to the Marquisate, don't expect any leniency."
"Please don't worry. I'll handle it properly."
"I'll go rest now. The two of you handle the rest."
Marquis Branford turned and left the room.
Even though he had made the decision himself, he still couldn't shake the feeling of being duped.
'Ah, I feel like I've been played by that brat… Ugh, my head is pounding today. I better stop thinking about it.'
The Marquis rubbed his temples with a sigh. It seemed the stress would linger for days.
As he trudged out, Belinda and Claude silently cheered.
Overwhelmed with joy, the two bumped shoulders in their excitement.
"What's your deal? Can't you move away? Why are you clinging to me?"
"Excuse me? I'm the one who's more disgusted here."
Startled, the two glared at each other, growling.
Gillian, who had been quietly supporting Ghislain from the sidelines, clicked his tongue and forcefully separated their shoulders.
After the Marquis Branford left and it became certain he wouldn't return, Ghislain and Rozalin finally let out sighs of relief.
Ghislain smiled slightly and turned to Rozalin.
"Thanks to you, everything went smoothly."
Rozalin shrugged her shoulders and replied.
"Well, I had my reasons too."
"Then I look forward to working with you."
"There won't be any issues with the product supply, right?"
"None. I'll expand production facilities as soon as I return."
"Good. I don't know why you suddenly need such a large sum of money, but…"
Rozalin paused, a thought crossing her mind. She carefully scrutinized Ghislain's face before cautiously asking.
"You're not sick, are you? Like terminally ill and planning to splurge your fortune before passing away…"
Ghislain responded with a look of utter disbelief.
"I'm perfectly healthy."
"Alright, just checking."
Ghislain sighed. As expected of the Marquis Branford's daughter, her suspicions knew no bounds.
Still, once she decided on something, she was bold and unwavering. That was Rozalin's strength.
The two quickly drafted a contract. After signing her name beneath Ghislain's, Rozalin smiled brightly.
"I'm glad I could help in some way. Let's do our best."
"Thank you. It's reassuring to have you as my sponsor."
The earlier thanks had been mere courtesy, but this time it was heartfelt.
Truthfully, Ghislain hadn't expected to secure the full 300,000 gold.
His initial plan was to negotiate, increasing the shares he'd give away or reducing the investment amount.
However, with Rozalin's involvement, the matter was resolved far more easily than anticipated.
'This is the best possible outcome. It exceeds my expectations. This will be more than enough for now.'
With this, the Marquisate would have no choice but to keep an eye on his business, and he now had the 300,000 gold to accelerate her next plans.
Suppressing the grin threatening to surface, Ghislain shook Rozalin's outstretched hand.
***
News that the cosmetics would be sold again quickly spread throughout the capital.
On the day sales resumed, nobles arrived in droves, bringing soldiers with them, their expressions full of resolve.
"We won't leave empty-handed like last time! I'm going in first this time!"
"Move aside! We're going first!"
"Don't get pushed around! Use force if you have to!"
Prideful nobles, taking the lessons of their previous failure to heart, had steeled their resolves.
This wasn't just about getting the cosmetics anymore—it was a matter of their dignity.
Their soldiers began pushing against the gates, resembling a siege.
Creak! Bang!
As more people crowded in, the gates finally gave way.
"The gate's open! Go inside!"
"Get ahead of them! Don't be late!"
"Push them aside!"
Rushing into the spacious garden, the nobles began to attack each other.
As long as they didn't touch Baron Fenris, they believed there was no problem with fighting amongst themselves for the goods.
The garden quickly turned into a battlefield.
"Argh! Don't step on me!"
"Leave him and run! Get to the mansion first!"
"Stop those bastards first!"
From a distance, Ghislain and his group watched the chaos unfold.
Trying to intervene would achieve nothing but getting caught up in the brawl.
Ghislain chuckled mischievously and turned to Rozalin.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Miss Rozalin."
"Understood."
Rozalin, chin held high, strode confidently toward the fighting crowd.
The brawling nobles felt an eerie chill in the air and gradually stopped fighting.
As their senses returned, they realized that armed soldiers had surrounded them.
"What's going on?"
"Are those Baron Fenris' troops?"
"When did they deploy such a force…?"
Before they could process the situation, they spotted the woman leading the soldiers, and their eyes widened.
"Could it be…?"
"Ro-Rozalin Branford?"
"Why is Marquis Branford's daughter here?"
As their confusion grew, they noticed the emblem on the soldiers' armor.
"That's the Branford family crest."
Rozalin spoke, her expression calm and imposing, just like her father's.
"I've been entrusted by Baron Fenris to manage this property under the Marquis Branford."
The nobles turned pale at her words.
In effect, they had just attacked the Marquis Branford's property with their soldiers.
Rozalin, seeing their hesitation, added firmly.
"I'll let it slide this time, as it seems unintentional. But if it happens again, there will be consequences. Please queue up in an orderly manner."
The uproar was quelled almost instantly. Even the most arrogant nobles couldn't ignore Rozalin or the powerful Branford Marquisate.
With the chaos subsided, the nobles began stealing glances at Rozalin.
While some had seen her at social events, many had only heard rumors about her.
Her flawless, radiant skin made it impossible to believe she had once suffered from a skin disease.
'It's true. She's fully healed.'
Unable to resist their curiosity, one bold noble from the countryside asked hesitantly, though aware it might be impolite.
"Did you… really cure your illness using cosmetics?"
Fortunately, Rozalin wasn't offended. She smiled and replied smoothly.
"Yes, Baron Fenris treated me, but the cosmetics were a huge help. That's why the Marquisate has taken on their management."
She lied effortlessly without batting an eye.
'Well, it's not really a lie. The product is proven effective.'
Her response only bolstered the nobles' trust.
'They're expensive, but I need to stock up while I can.'
'I'll buy extras. I can resell them at a higher price.'
'If I use it, I'll look even more handsome, right?'
Snap!
Rozalin elegantly opened her fan and said softly, "Now, shall we form an orderly line?"
Her words triggered an almost comical scene as the nobles immediately began lining up.
Though it took some time, they eventually purchased the cosmetics in a calm and orderly manner.
The day ended with astronomical sales figures. Rozalin, in high spirits, warmly addressed the crowd.
"There's no need to fight. The supply is sufficient, so please line up like this in the future."
With the Branford Marquisate's soldiers stationed on the premises, the nobles had no choice but to comply.
Those unwilling to wait in line sent their attendants instead, restoring peace to the estate.
"Wow, the mansion is quiet now, but the cosmetics are selling like crazy," Claude marveled. Ghislain nodded with a satisfied smile.
Though he had given up some shares, he had secured the funds he needed and offloaded troublesome tasks.
Moreover, Rozalin, seemingly determined, had gone all out, even promoting the cosmetics herself.
'Whether it's to recover her investment or gain her father's approval, it's working out in my favor.'
Any rivals eying the cosmetics business would now have to contend with the Branford Marquisate.
'Who knows how long this will last with Duke Delphine looming, but that's a problem for later.'
For now, everything had fallen perfectly into place.
Now, all that was left was to return home with peace of mind.
"Let's head back. On the way, we'll purchase the materials needed for the territory, so prepare a list."
"Understood."
While Claude and the attendants prepared the luggage and got ready to leave, Ghislain went around to bid farewell to the prominent nobles of the capital.
The last stop was the Marquis Branford's residence, where he heard some good news.
"Thank you for all the help you've provided. I'll now return to the territory."
"As promised, the first phase of support for Perdium is ready. How about departing together?"
"Is that so? Then I'll accompany you."
Traveling with the support unit would slow them down, but that wasn't an issue.
Being able to personally oversee the distribution of the supplies meant he could arrange things to his advantage, making it a favorable arrangement.
"They're waiting outside the city gates, so you can leave with them. The royal family and various noble houses have sent soldiers, so there's no need to worry about protection."
"Thank you very much for your consideration."
Ghislain gave a slight bow to express his gratitude.
Receiving support was certainly beneficial, but it was also an agreement born of mutual interests, so there was no need to lower himself too much in expressing thanks.
As they left the city, they were met with a staggering sight: an endless line of wagons loaded with supplies.
Packed with an abundance of food, warhorses, and weaponry, the scene left Ghislain's attendants repeatedly gasping in amazement.
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]