Chapter 145: It’s a Really Great Opportunity, You Know? (3)
“Since the Marquis said no, I guess I’ll have to visit Count Ailzbur. They’ll gladly accept it. Just make sure you don’t complain to me later.”
Marquis Branford pinched the bridge of his nose.
‘Ugh, this irritating little brat.’
He couldn’t afford to ignore that one; he was truly that kind of guy.
Rosalyn also backed up Ghislaine’s words.
“If that happens, the banners of Count Ailzbur will wave all over the kingdom. We will be laughed at for kicking away an opportunity that came knocking at our door. Seriously, where else would we face such humiliation? You must consider the family’s prestige too.”
Feeling the Marquis waver, the two didn’t stop their persuasion.
“Thanks to your father being the guardian, the Baron came to us first. Don’t you see it?”
“Exactly. I wanted to offer such a good opportunity to the Marquis first. It seems the Young Lady understands my sincerity.”
“Father! Accept it quickly!”
“Marquis! There won’t be another chance like this!”
As Marquis Branford’s face grew increasingly red, he finally exploded.
“Shut up! Why are both of you talking so much!”
With that thunderous shout, Ghislaine and Rosalyn immediately closed their mouths.
The Marquis rarely raised his voice like that. If they pressed any further, it would only backfire.
“Ugh….”
Letting out a deep sigh, Marquis Branford stood up and said to Rosalyn.
“Do as you see fit. However, if any problems arise, I will arrange the marriage before you get any older. This is the last chance I’m giving you.”
“Got it!”
Rosalyn folded her fan and beamed with a smile.
With the validated Ghislaine pushing forward, the game was as good as over.
Marquis Branford turned to Ghislaine and emphasized.
“I’ll assume you need a large sum right away. If you pull any funny business or harm the House of Marquis, it won’t be pretty.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure it’s done right.”
“I’m off to take a break now, so you two handle the rest.”
Marquis Branford turned and walked out.
Even though it was a decision he made himself, the feeling of unfairness still lingered.
‘Ugh, I feel like I just got played by that brat… Ugh, my head hurts so much today. Better not think about it anymore.’
The Marquis rubbed his temples and sighed. It seemed he would feel queasy for a few more days.
Watching his retreating figure, Belinda and Claude silently cheered.
“Hey! Why aren’t you letting go? Where do you think you’re sticking to?”
“Uh, it’s kind of making me feel worse here!”
Startled, the two glared at each other.
Meanwhile, Gillian, quietly cheering for Ghislaine, clicked his tongue and forcefully pulled the two apart.
After Marquis Branford left and they were sure he wouldn’t return, Ghislaine and Rosalyn sighed in relief.
Ghislaine turned to Rosalyn with a smile on her face.
“Thanks to you, everything went smoothly.”
Rosalyn shrugged her shoulders in response.
“Well, I had my reasons, too.”
“Then I’ll be counting on you from now on.”
“There shouldn’t be any issues with product supply, right?”
“Of course, as soon as we return, we’ll increase our capacity.”
“Sounds good. I don’t really know why you suddenly need such a large sum of money, though…”
Rosalyn suddenly paused, lost in thought. She scrutinized Ghislaine’s face and cautiously asked,
“Are you feeling unwell? Like, did you get a terminal diagnosis and you’re spending money like crazy before you go…?”
Ghislaine replied, bewildered.
“I’m perfectly healthy.”
“Oh, got it. Just checking.”
Ghislaine sighed. Of course, being the daughter of Marquis Branford, there was a lot of suspicion around here.
But once Rosalyn makes a decision, she doesn’t hesitate — that’s her strength.
The two promptly drafted the contract. After writing her name under Ghislaine’s, she beamed and said,
“I’m glad I could help even a little. Let’s do our best from now on.”
“Thank you. Having you as my patron gives me so much confidence.”
Her earlier gratitude felt more like polite formalities, but now it was genuine.
In truth, Ghislaine hadn’t expected to receive such a whopping sum of 300,000 gold.
Initially, she thought they’d negotiate back and forth, tweaking the shares or reducing the investment amount.
But thanks to Rosalyn stepping in, everything fell into place much more smoothly than expected.
‘This is the best outcome. Beyond my expectations. With this, I should be set for a while.’
Now that they were financially linked, the Marquis must pay her more attention.
And with 300,000 gold rolling in, it meant she could accelerate her next plans.
She pressed down a smile that threatened to spread across her face and met Rosalyn’s outstretched hand for a handshake.
*
News of the cosmetics sale restarting spread throughout the capital.
On the day sales resumed, nobles showed up with soldiers, exuding an air of confidence.
“We won’t let it end in disappointment like last time! I’m going in first this time!”
“Clear the way! We’re going first!”
“Don’t crowd! Push through with strength!”
Proud nobles, having learned from their previous failure, were resolutely determined.
Now, this became a matter of nobility pride rather than just obtaining the cosmetics themselves.
The soldiers each noble brought clashed, pushing against the main gate in a scene reminiscent of a siege war.
Creak! Bang!
With so many people surging forward, the mansion door couldn’t hold and eventually gave way.
“The door’s opened! Let’s go in!”
“Get in before that guy! I won’t forgive you if you’re late!”
“Push through already!”
“Push them over!”
They entered the wide garden and started attacking each other.
As long as they don’t touch Baron Penris, it was absolutely no problem for the nobles to fight and subdue each other, thinking that they’d take each other down first.
The garden quickly transformed into a large-scale fighting arena.
“Ah! Don’t step on me!”
“Leave them and run! Get to the mansion first!”
“Take those guys down!”
Ghislaine and his group stood back, watching the scene unfold.
There was no way they could control those nobles driven mad by their own pride.
If they tried to stop it, they’d just end up happily throwing punches too.
Ghislaine chuckled playfully and spoke to Rosalyn beside him.
“Then I’ll leave it to you, Young Lady.”
“Understood.”
Rosalyn confidently lifted her chin and walked toward the battlefield.
As the fighters were in the midst of their brawl, they suddenly sensed a chilling atmosphere and began to stop one by one.
Coming to their senses, they found soldiers armed to the teeth surrounding them.
“Huh, what’s happening?”
“Are those Baron Penris’s soldiers?”
“When did we get this kind of troop…?”
The nobles, with puzzled expressions, widened their eyes as they saw the woman standing in front of the soldiers.
“No way…?”
“R-Rosalyn Branford?”
“Why is the young lady of Marquis Branford here?”
Once their initial shock died down, they noticed the emblem on the armor of the surrounding soldiers.
“That’s the emblem of the House of Marquis Branford?”
The nobles looked at Rosalyn, bewildered.
With a poker face, just like her father, she spoke.
“I have been entrusted by Baron Penris, and starting today, the House of Branford will manage this place.”
At this statement, the nobles went pale.
They had essentially attacked the soldiers of the House of Branford.
Seeing the hesitant people, Rosalyn said, “It seems you didn’t know, so I’ll let it slide this time. But if this happens again, it could be a problem. Everyone, please follow the order.”
The chaos was settled in an instant. No matter how unruly the nobles were, they couldn’t disregard Rosalyn and her backing, the House of Branford.
Once the atmosphere calmed down, the nobles stole glances at Rosalyn’s face.
Some had seen her at the feast, but there were even more who had only heard rumors and had never really seen her.
Her skin was clean and radiant, a beauty that was hard to believe could have come from someone who had hidden due to skin disease.
‘It’s true. She really is better now.’
An audacious noble from the countryside asked.
Though he knew it was somewhat rude to inquire, his curiosity got the better of him.
“Uh… Is it true that you healed with cosmetics?”
Fortunately, Rosalyn didn’t seem offended and smiled, saying, “That’s correct. While the Baron did help me, these cosmetics played a significant role. So the Marquis House decided to manage the cosmetics.”
She lied without batting an eye.
‘Not exactly a lie; after all, the product’s effectiveness is proven.’
At Rosalyn’s answer, the nobles exchanged meaningful glances.
With the visible evidence and the fact that the House of Branford was handling the sales, their trust skyrocketed.
‘It’s expensive, but I should buy as much as I can while I can. I should also get some for my wife.’
‘It’s so popular that I never know when it might sell out. I could buy it in advance and sell it for more later.’
“I don’t know if it will sell on this day. I might buy it in advance and sell it for a higher price later.”
“Phew, I guess using that will make me look more handsome?”
Swish!
Rosalyn gently spread her fan and said, “Alright, now it’s time to line up!”
At that single remark, the nobles immediately fell into an orderly line, creating quite the spectacle.
It took a bit of time, but everyone patiently waited their turn to buy cosmetics.
With so many people gathered, Rosalyn stepping in meant that the sales were phenomenal right from the first day.
Feeling good, she smiled brightly and said cheerfully, “We have enough stock, so there’s no need to rush. Please keep lining up like this in the future.”
With the soldiers of the House of Marquis Branford stationed outside, there was no chaos allowed.
So the nobles didn’t need to bother struggling to line up themselves.
Those who didn’t want to stand in line began sending their servants again, and the Crow Mansion regained its tranquility.
“Wow, the mansion has quieted down, but the cosmetics are flying off the shelves like crazy,” Claude marveled, muttering. Ghislaine nodded in agreement, looking relieved.
Though they had given up a slight share, they managed to collect the necessary funds and handed off the troublesome tasks.
Furthermore, Rosalyn seemed determined, promoting the cosmetics herself with fervor.
“Maybe she wants to quickly recover her investment, or perhaps gain her father’s recognition. Either way, thanks to her, other interest groups won’t be able to easily eye my share.”
Just as Ghislaine knew the Marquis Branford was her guardian, there were definitely those drooling over the cosmetics too.
If there were money-crazy folks still scheming to snatch it away, they’d find it hard to act with Rosalyn holding strong.
“I have no idea how long this will last due to Duke Delphine, but that’s a matter for later.”
It was a sudden change of plans, but it turned out better in many ways.
Now, all that was left was to head back peacefully.
“Let’s return now. We’ll buy the necessary materials for the territory on the way, so prepare a list.”
“Understood.”
While Claude and his close associates packed their things and prepared to leave, Ghislaine went to bid a suitable farewell to the influential nobles of the capital.
At the final visit to the House of Marquis Branford, good news was also heard.
“Thank you for your assistance in various matters. I’ll be heading back to my territory now.”
“Since the first support preparations for Perdium are complete as promised, how about leaving together?”
“Is that so? Then I’ll join you.”
Traveling with the support troops would slow them down a bit, but that was fine.
Being able to handle the distribution of supplies however she wanted was, in fact, a better outcome.
“They’re waiting outside the castle gate, so we can set off together. We needn’t worry about escorts as soldiers have been sent from the royal family and various houses.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Ghislaine bowed her head slightly in gratitude.
Receiving support was great, but since it was a deal struck with mutual interests, there was no need to bow too low in thanks.
Once they exited the castle, a seemingly endless line of wagons loaded with supplies stretched out before them.
The sight filled with vast amounts of food, military horses, and weapons had Ghislaine’s associates gasping in admiration.
