“A business?”

Jamie’s eyes widened at the unexpected words. Kei told Lishi to do whatever she wanted, but starting a business was a different matter.

‘Are you trying to open a small tea house? Or maybe a salon…’

It would have been okay if it was something like that, but Lishi presented a business that Jamie couldn’t have imagined.

“I’m going to start a hot spring and bathhouse business.”

“What?”

Hot spring.

Jamie had been to a place called ‘hot spring’ in a certain country before. It was a kind of bathhouse where hot water flowing underground was used directly. Lavishly decorated hot springs were the exclusive property of the nobility, but nobles with luxurious bathrooms in their mansions or villas rarely visited hot springs.

“Do you like unusual things, or do nobles occasionally visit? It wasn’t a profitable business compared to the cost of investment.”

“Sister-in-law. The bathhouse business is a bit… It will be difficult. To start a business, you need to target the nobility or wealthy commoners, but they already have baths at home. If you’re targeting commoners, they don’t bathe that well. Moreover, the initial cost…”

“I have the money.”

Lishi handed over her passbook.

“It’s expected to come in gradually as well.”

Jamie’s eyes, checking the passbook details, widened more than before.

“You sold Meretium. And at a very good price.”

“Yes.”

“But… Even so, wouldn’t it be better to invest in a business that will do well? Like a dressing room…”

“Jamie.”

Lishi moved her index finger back and forth and bowed her body over the table. Jamie, sitting on the opposite side, also bent her waist towards Lishi.

“I have a plan.”

Lishi whispered her plan, lowering her voice.

After listening carefully to Lishi’s plan, Jamie said.
“Indeed, it’s a good plan, but will it work well? There will be resistance from the nobles.”

“Jamie, in this world, which side has more people? Commoners or nobles?”

There was no need to think.

“I understand. So, what should I do?”

“You need to buy land to build hot springs and bathhouses. Explore not only Green Viscountess’s territory but also major cities of the Gavier Empire, the St. Moore Empire, and the Aleczki Kingdom. Secure suitable land, especially here.”

Lishi pointed to a part of the map. It was an empty land a little away from the city of Wyvern in the St. Moore Empire.

“This land hasn’t been much cared for even by the St. Moore Empire, so it will be sold at a low price. Buy it all. Also, recruit a fast construction contractor.”

+++

“Are you telling me to wear this to the New Year’s party? It’s Gweeny Marquis’s daughter’s party. How can I wear this when Caelin, that woman, thinks of me as a rival without even knowing the theme? Huh?”

Britney shouted angrily at the maids. Britney had been extremely irritated lately.

Recently, the financial condition of the Witley Marquisate was beyond words. What used to be a luxury indulgence relying only on the gold mine in Benott had turned into debts several times over.

Money from salaries, taxes from territories, and various small businesses were yet to come in for another month or two. Until then, she had to save money.

Britney had never tried to save money in her life.

She had foolishly said to her father,

“Gweeny Marquis’s New Year’s party requires a dress.”

Only to receive a lot of scolding in return.

Even venting her anger on innocent maids and servants didn’t relieve her frustration. Since Lishi married Kei, nothing had gone well for Britney.

‘Everything goes well for her, why am I like this?’

Just last year around this time, the situation was completely the opposite.

‘No, it wasn’t just the opposite.’

Lishi had been locked in her room for a whole month just for having a brief conversation with a butler while cleaning. She hadn’t properly groomed herself, so she was told to reflect, and she was given only one meal a day, consisting of water and dry bread.

Lishi, who had undergone such treatment, was now recalling her with the title of Green Viscountess, confidently laughing in front of people.

‘And I…’

She couldn’t even host a New Year’s party and was in a situation where she couldn’t buy a new dress.

Though the saying goes, “Even if the rich go bankrupt, it takes three years,” Britney’s lifestyle hadn’t deteriorated significantly. However, not being able to acquire clothing according to the season was a big shock to Britney.

On top of that, becoming a crown princess was also becoming uncertain.

‘It’s all because of Iris, that woman.’

The news that Lishi formally severed ties with the Witley Marquisate spread quickly. Everyone was talking behind her back.
There were many opinions that there shouldn’t be any problem with Lishi becoming the mistress of the guardian family of the holy relics, and the problem lies with the Witley Marquisate.

Rumors spread that Britney was spending money under the table to become the Crown Princess.

“It’s probably a money issue. You indulged extravagantly because of the gold mine, and how much money do you think you spent to become the Crown Princess? It must be a money problem.”

At a recent party, Lishi overheard someone whispering.

With worried eyes, one lady asked,

“Is it okay for Miss Britney to come to such a party?”

It was a sneer disguised as concern.

Meanwhile, unable to host the annual New Year’s party and unable to attend others’ parties in a new dress due to financial reasons, it would become an established fact that Lishi severed ties because of money.

“Miss, how about this dress? You wore it only once three years ago…”

The maid asked while holding up a dazzling dress with a blue tint.

“How can I wear something I wore three years ago? Fashion changes, you know, fashion! Don’t you know that?”

Britney kicked the maid Regina in the shin.

Regina recoiled, groaning, and looked at Britney resentfully. Her gaze reminded Britney of Lishi.

Annoyed, Britney grabbed Regina’s hair.

“What’s with that look in your eyes?”

“W-what kind of look did I give…”

“What look is that? Why are you looking at me like that? Do you dare give me that look? You, from a fallen aristocratic family, should be grateful that I brought you here to live as my maid, wearing nice clothes.”

When Lishi was in this mansion, it was her role to endure Britney’s irritation. But now that Lishi was gone, Britney’s annoyance was directed entirely at the maids and servants.

Tears welled up in Regina’s eyes, but Britney continued to curse without caring.

At that moment, a servant announced that party invitations had arrived.

“Huh, who is it again?”

Annoyed at receiving another invitation, Britney frowned when she saw the emblem of the Green family stamped on the invitation.

“Iris…”

Without even looking, Britney thought about crumpling it but changed her mind, deciding to check the contents of the invitation.

“Princess Mary Catven? Is it that Princess Mary Catven of the Minas Arik Kingdom?”

Britney looked at Regina as if nothing had happened.

Regina quickly wiped away her tears and answered, “Yes, it seems to be Princess Mary.”

“Ah, Princess Mary.”

Britney smiled broadly. The memory of the past rumors circulating between Kei and Mary came to her mind.

Somehow, participating in this party seemed like an opportunity to pull Lishi down.