I stopped by the butcher shop to buy ground meat, and bought bread, fruit, and milk as well. As the number of stores we visited increased, so did the Duke’s load.

“Alright, we’re done shopping now.”

“Already? That’s a shame.”

The little one glanced sideways at the Duke, whose hands were full of bags. Her cheeks were twitching as if something was very amusing.

“It took longer than expected. We’ll need to start cooking as soon as we get back to the mansion.”

“I want to help too!”

At the little one’s exclamation, I looked at the Duke. I intended to ask permission since it involved using fire and knives.

“Go ahead.”

The Duke lowered his gaze to answer, having sensed my thoughts. But the little one had already run off towards the carriage.

I said with an awkward smile,

“Thank you for your help.”

If I had come out with just the little one, we couldn’t have shopped this comfortably.

It’s thanks to the Duke who firmly supported us from behind. Even carrying the bags and all.

“If Rublion needs a guardian’s consent for what she wants to do, proceed as you see fit. There’s no need to ask my permission for every little thing.”

“Ah, yes.”

He looked at me once before walking towards the carriage. I thought he was a really hard person to figure out.

‘He seems caring but also aloof…’

Why is someone of the Duke’s status still single? He’s wealthy, capable, and good-looking.

‘Ah, his size preference was different.’

I lowered my head and looked down for a moment. I’m not lacking in that department either. If he wants someone bigger than this, that’s certainly unusual.

‘…This is tough. The little one’s request.’

It was a thought that suddenly occurred to me.

* * *

After sending off the Baron’s daughter and Rublion. The secretary who came to the market after being contacted said in surprise,

“Why are you here?”

“It just happened.”

Askal got into the carriage the secretary had brought. Then, loosening his tie, he picked up some documents. It was a record of how the secretary had handled the work that should have been done today.

“Your Excellency, your gloves are dirty.”

“So they are.”

The secretary held out a pair of new white gloves. Askal slowly changed into them while asking,

“How long until the banquet?”

“Three hours, sir.”

“Then let’s go to the collection point. I need to check what’s come in before we go.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

The secretary told the coachman the destination and sat across from Askal. He read the guest list for the banquet and went over the key points to remember again.

“Rimon, I’m curious about something.”

“Please speak.”

Baron Rimon Tirel, his secretary and loyal subordinate, stopped his explanation and straightened his posture. Askal hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.

“Rublion seems to like her so much, I’ve been watching all day to see why.”

“You mean Baron Deli’s daughter?”

Askal nodded almost imperceptibly.

“I can’t figure out what aspect has captivated her heart. She’s not particularly more attentive than others, nor does she have an abundance of charm that children would like.”

“Wouldn’t an adult’s perspective differ from a child’s?”

The secretary subtly observed the Duke, whose expression remained unchanged.

“How did Your Excellency perceive the young lady?”

“I didn’t pay particularly close attention, but.”

“But?”

“She looked radiant when she smiled. Her emotions show clearly on her face, so I thought she must be an honest person, that’s about it.”

The secretary, who had expected a negative opinion, tilted his head in confusion.

“Other than that, I’m not sure. Why Rublion follows the young lady so devotedly.”

The secretary muttered, feeling awkward about the discrepancy between his expression and the tone of his words.

“It seems you observed quite closely.”

* * *

After checking the spices and other trade goods at the collection point, Askal moved straight to the banquet time.

Arriving at the entertainment district that becomes even more lively at night in the bustling Lübeck, he sat at the head seat, receiving greetings from arms dealers and small investors who had already arrived at the appointed place.

“We rented out this entire lounge to welcome Your Excellency.”

The arms dealer said with a broad smile, rubbing his palms together. Askal looked at him keenly and said,

“I invited someone who should be here with us, is that alright?”

“How could it not be?”

At the arms dealer’s gesture, a waiter who had been standing by moved chairs around to create a seat right next to Askal.

As soon as glasses and tableware were placed on the table, someone entered the lounge.

“Excuse me. It seems I’m late.”

Pink hair and a slender build.

A man in his middle years with slight nasolabial folds appeared.

“Isn’t it Baron Deli? It’s been a long time.”

One of the small investors stood up, acknowledging him. The Baron responded with a rather stiff smile.

“Indeed, it has been a while.”

The Baron sat down, guided by the waiter. Confirming that everyone had arrived, the arms dealer placed prepared blueprints and samples in front of each person and said,

“Now, this is the musket of the Kingdom of Bersia.”

The arms dealer explained the procedure for obtaining the blueprints and the costs involved in production. He emphasized the profits to be gained from investing, doing his best to maintain the interest of those gathered so they wouldn’t get distracted.

Askal sought advice on firearms from Baron Deli sitting next to him. The Baron also diligently shared his opinions to the extent of his knowledge.

The arms dealer’s explanation ended. Askal was somewhat disappointed.

‘I was hoping for modifications to the kingdom’s design, not just using it as is.’

His willingness to invest was fading. Meanwhile, Baron Deli chimed in,

“Your Excellency, the Bersian musket has a long loading time and is greatly affected by weather. It’s not suitable for use in the north.”

He rubbed his chin. It was a habit he had when pondering something.

That’s when it happened. A group of women bustled into the lounge.

Askal’s expression hardened instantly.

“I’ve personally prepared this to thank you for gracing us with your presence.”

The arms dealer raised his hand slightly towards the elaborately dressed women.

“Please enjoy yourselves comfortably.”

Watching the arms dealer grin, Askal gritted his teeth. Lavishly adorned women also approached and sat next to him and Baron Deli, filling empty glasses and offering them.

Baron Deli looked at the woman smiling coquettishly and exclaimed in alarm,

“What is all this!”

The arms dealer spoke gently, seeing him burst out,

“A drinking party feels lacking without women, doesn’t it?”

At his words, Baron Deli stood up abruptly. Then, looking at Askal, he said,

“Your Excellency, I apologize. I cannot participate in such a gathering.”

Askal, who had been silently listening to a small investor say, “How old are you to be acting like this?”, pushed away the arm of the prostitute who was still offering a glass. Then, standing up, he said,

“The investment… we’ll discuss it again later.”

“Your Excellency, why are you doing this? If there’s anything you want, please tell us.”

The surprised arms dealer hurried over. Askal looked down at him fiercely and replied,

“If you wanted to provide proper hospitality, you should have known what I dislike first.”

The expressions of those who had been planning to have a great time hardened coldly. The atmosphere in the lounge became as if cold water had been poured over it.

“Let’s go, Baron.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

The two left together, leaving behind those who had frozen in place. The arms dealer scurried after them, but Askal drove him away with a look.

Stepping out onto the main street of Lübeck, Askal spoke to the Baron who was still fuming,

“Baron.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Askal recalled the musket he had just seen and asked,

“If I procure a Bersian musket for you, could you modify it based on that?”

“Modify… you say?”

“To suit the north. The research costs can be as much as needed.”

He hesitated for a moment before answering,

“I’ll try, Your Excellency.”

“We’ll discuss the details at the office tomorrow.”

Askal patted his shoulder. It was a gesture meaning he was counting on him.

In the meantime, a rickshaw had stopped. Baron Deli left after saying he would see him tomorrow.

‘Damn it.’

It was a bustling night in the entertainment district. The gazes of the passing men and women were so intense it was hard to even put into words.

“Your Excellency!”

Rimon, who had been nearby, rushed over having heard the news. The Duke’s carriage was also approaching from a distance, having just been called.

“Have you been waiting?”

Askal shook his head at the secretary’s question.

“It’s fine.”

Rimon’s gaze fell on Askal’s hands.

“Did something happen?”

“…”

Askal avoided answering. The secretary, who had been looking at him seriously, said as soon as they got into the carriage, holding out new gloves,

“Your hands are shaking a lot.”

Rimon asked, as Askal put on new gloves with trembling hands,

“Was it the arms dealer? Don’t tell me he brought women to the business meeting?”

Askal squeezed his eyes shut. He was reminded of the women who used to flirt in his father’s arms when he was young.

His father, or rather the man he didn’t even want to call father, who was busy satisfying his primal urges, coveting women with strong perfume and red lips.

He vividly remembered his mother, who had to die without even being able to scream once, knowing her husband was rolling around with prostitutes while she lay in a dark room, stricken with illness.

Askal had made a vow while watching his father, who didn’t even attend his wife’s funeral.

That he would love only one woman for his entire life. That even if that love cooled and disappeared, he would not hurt others by loving someone else.

“Askal, calm down and breathe.”

Between Rimon’s urgent words, he seemed to hear the pleasure-filled voices of women. That sound he had accidentally heard from his father’s bedroom when he was young remained as a trauma, tormenting him.

“Do you need medicine?”

Rimon had already changed from a secretary addressing his superior to a friend.

“Damn it…”

Rimon hurriedly took out a sedative from his bag and opened the cap, holding it out. Askal drank it in one gulp without hesitation.

The effect was quick. His heart, which had been pounding violently, began to calm down, and the trembling in his hands stopped.

Only after confirming Askal’s breathing becoming stable did he say,

“I’ll take you to the mansion, Your Excellency.”