Chapter 10
Damn Rosenberg
“The ship that departed from Halsborn Port has successfully passed through the Ezra Canal.”
At Daniel’s report, Leonardo gave a slight nod.
His expression was as calm as a still lake, making it hard to believe he had already been processing mountains of paperwork since early morning.
An ordinary person would have needed at least a week to handle such a workload, yet Leonardo completed it all within mere hours. Once again struck by the monstrous competence of his master, Daniel unconsciously swallowed dryly.
The man inspired both respect and awe.
It felt like standing too close to the sun.
“We should finalize the prices for the spices and tea imports soon. Add it to today’s meeting agenda.”
“Yes, Your Grace. However…”
Daniel hesitated.
There was another matter related to that report.
As his words trailed off, Leonardo flicked him a glance signaling him to continue.
“I believe we should prepare for further price increases beyond our last estimate.”
“Why?”
“I’ve heard pirates have become increasingly active lately. There are rumors that insurance fees for ships passing through the Ezra Canal will soon rise as a result.”
“….”
A sharp silence settled over the room.
Holding his breath, Daniel carefully observed the duke’s expression. He had intentionally omitted the name of the person responsible, but there was no way Leonardo had failed to understand the true meaning behind the situation.
Leonardo slowly closed his eyes.
His eyelashes trembled faintly.
The muscle in his jaw twitched harshly.
“…Damn Rosenberg.”
The moment the curse slipped from his lips, all traces of calm vanished.
In moments like this, Daniel had to admit Heinz von Rosenberg was an extraordinary man in his own right.
After all, not many people possessed the ability to provoke the monstrous Duke of Devonshire into genuine anger.
The Ezra Canal was a vital hub on the shortest trade route connecting East and West. It was also the goose that laid golden eggs — one whose shares Devonshire and Rosenberg had fiercely competed to acquire.
Naturally, the battle over its profits had been brutal.
Using every connection at his disposal, Heinz had even pushed through legal reforms requiring every ship passing through the canal to carry mandatory insurance. Quietly, he had also secured shares in the insurance companies involved.
“So he’s finally decided to strike back.”
Watching his master grind his teeth, Daniel’s eyes wavered uneasily.
Things were already tense enough with Adelhardt II pressuring them for months now. Escalating hostilities with the Rosenbergs further was not wise.
Hadn’t Duke Trier exploded in fury during last night’s unexpected telephone call?
A secretary is supposed to do more than merely carry out orders! Shouldn’t you stop your master from pulling reckless stunts?
Daniel had suffered unfair collateral damage, but he could not entirely blame the older duke for his frustration.
How exasperated must he be when his nephew refused to listen to anyone?
“This is my final warning. If I don’t see signs of resolution soon, I won’t settle for words alone.”
Remembering those severe words — now the fifth warning he had heard — Daniel swallowed a complicated sigh.
If even Queen Adelhardt II and her consort could not restrain the Duke of Devonshire, what could a mere secretary possibly do?
Still, Duke Trier’s sharp voice from the previous night continued to linger uneasily in his mind.
“Your Grace…”
Daniel spoke cautiously.
“I believe Count Rosenberg’s actions are personal retaliation. In other words… this isn’t solely about the railway issue.”
The cold edge in Leonardo’s gaze softened slightly.
“It would be best not to worsen the situation further. Perhaps resolving matters with Lady Rosenberg quickly would—”
“I understand.”
Leonardo cut him off as though he no longer wished to hear another word.
Watching the duke close his eyes again, Daniel wisely fell silent.
Sudden irritation surged through Leonardo.
He pulled out his cigar case and slowly brushed his thumb across the leather surface. Then, with a click, he opened it and quietly lifted his eyes once more.
His blue gaze flickered like smoke, reflecting the complete disorder of his thoughts.
Had there ever been a time like this before?
Leonardo had always stood before countless crossroads in life.
And he had always known exactly which road to take.
Whatever choice he made, he possessed absolute confidence in turning it into the best possible outcome.
Within the world ruled by the name Devonshire, such things had always been easy.
Yet these past several days had refused to go according to plan.
Ariel von Rosenberg.
He had even delayed his return to Chesmore just to remain in Kelt for the chance to meet her once.
Every evening, he attended social gatherings rumored to include her presence.
And every evening, he returned empty-handed.
It almost felt as though someone were mocking him.
She’ll be attending here tonight.
No, she’ll appear there instead.
Did this woman have multiple bodies?
At every crossroads, Leonardo continued choosing wrong.
Tonight, he planned to attend Viscountess Bailton’s party, and for once he held genuine hope.
Considering the close friendship between the hostess and Countess Rosenberg, there was a high chance Ariel would appear alongside her mother.
The fact that he had shown up at the office earlier than usual like a fool, hoping for another “coincidental” encounter, made him feel ridiculous.
Pathetic bastard.
How much longer was he supposed to keep this up?
For a moment, he considered apologizing by letter.
But no.
Considering the rudeness he had shown her, the very least he owed was a face-to-face apology.
He had also thought about arranging a private meeting, but that felt equally impossible. Any halfhearted letter or messenger would obviously be rejected.
The memory of those beautiful eyes glaring at him made him certain of it.
Click. Snap. Click. Snap.
Leonardo repeatedly opened and closed the cigar case absentmindedly before finally noticing Daniel still lingering nearby.
If you have something else to report, say it.
Receiving the subtle signal, Daniel cleared his throat softly and withdrew a thin envelope from inside his coat.
“Miss Sophien left this opera invitation in the lobby. She asked me to tell you she would very much like you to attend tonight’s performance, since it will be her first appearance as prima donna.”
Leonardo’s gaze lingered briefly on the luxurious envelope.
Then he jerked his chin toward the edge of the desk.
“Leave it there.”
Senton Park was covered in lush green grass and brilliant spring flowers.
Walking beneath warm white sunlight spilling over the pathways, Valentin glanced at his cousin beside him — the cousin he had only managed to meet after finally securing an appointment with her.
“Haven’t you been too busy lately?”
“It can’t be helped. I have to fight back somehow.”
Trying to hide her embarrassment, Ariel puffed her cheeks slightly as she answered. Valentin let out a soft laugh at the adorable sight.
“At this point, there’s no one left in Kelt society who doesn’t know the name Ariel von Rosenberg, my lady.”
“That’s been true since the royal audience.”
“Really? I thought it started the day you became a wallflower.”
“Valentin!”
Of all things, he had to touch the most sensitive subject.
Ariel shot him a sharp glare, yanked her hand from his arm, and quickened her pace. Realizing immediately that he had made a mistake, Valentin paled.
“I’m sorry, Ariel. I was joking.”
“There are things you should and shouldn’t joke about! You know how stressed I’ve been because of that lately!”
“I’ve been spending too much time around rough soldiers all day. I took it too far. I didn’t mean it like that…”
Ariel suddenly stopped walking.
Valentin halted as well, only for her to whirl around toward him.
The moment he saw the redness gathering around her eyes, his throat tightened painfully.
A breeze swept gently between them.
“People are saying I’m a withering flower now, aren’t they?”
“……”
Valentin parted his lips.
Even if he wanted to avoid hearing it, rumors about Ariel still reached his ears.
The Flower of High Society who had fallen far too quickly before her delicate leaves could fully bloom had become perfect prey for Kelt’s gossip-hungry nobility.
“Ariel.”
The thought infuriated him.
The brightest woman he knew was suffering humiliation because of a bastard like that.
“Don’t push yourself so hard.”
It sounded like both a plea and a prayer.
Ariel’s green eyes, vivid as a summer garden, trembled violently. Seeing how fragile they looked made Valentin feel as though his heart were being torn apart.
If he could, he wanted to pull his beloved cousin out of this swamp as quickly as possible.
“Don’t let meaningless rumors from high society hurt you.”
“Hurt me? Please. I’m doing perfectly fine lately.”
“I know you’re overworking yourself because Aunt keeps pressuring you. You’re trying to restore your reputation so you can find a suitable husband.”
“….”
Speechless, Ariel stubbornly furrowed her brow while avoiding his gaze.
“Wasn’t that the condition for being allowed to go on the grand tour? That you’d obediently marry according to your mother’s wishes afterward?”
“What other kind of life could I possibly live anyway?”
“What happened to the young lady who used to insist she’d only marry for love?”
“That only works if there’s someone to love…”
“At the very least, you could marry someone who truly loves you.”
Ariel’s eyes lifted again at the sudden seriousness in his voice.
Surprise flickered clearly in those trembling green eyes.
For a moment, it felt as though time itself had stretched endlessly.
The gentle dance of rustling trees surrounded them while Valentin finally whispered the confession hidden deep within his heart.
“If things become too difficult… come to me. And if they refuse because I’m only a second son, then we can always run away together.”
