The next step after obtaining permission from the temple was wrestling with the central authority. With the central temple’s permission, the northern temple would cooperate. The central temple was quite far from the north. Even using telegrams, it took time. That’s why it was delayed longer than expected. Fortunately, having an acquaintance in the central authority allowed for handling the matter.

After clearing all obstacles, Edward called Adeline to a fur shop located near the temple.

“Edward… Your Grace?”

Edward, who was looking around the fur shop after sending out the owner, turned his head. A pale face chilled by the cold peeked out between his outer garments. Adeline, with her long platinum blonde hair, opened her eyes wide.

“Where is this place?”

This was an unexpected development for Adeline. Edward smiled crookedly at Adeline’s question.

“According to my investigation, there’s someone bothering the Viscountess.”

“Do you mean Lady Esme?”

Adeline immediately pinpointed one person without hesitation. This meant that, as Edward had investigated, Esme was holding Adeline back. Edward nodded briefly.

“It seemed you needed a place to operate freely, so I prepared this. What do you think?”

Adeline swallowed hard. She had been wondering what to do, and Edward had presented a solution. She didn’t have a suitable place to sell the furs she had. And she had no intention of distributing them through the Wessely Company.

She had been thinking of finding someone to look for a place when she had time.

‘Wow. What a stroke of luck!’

Adeline smiled brightly and said,

“Will I be selling furs directly here myself?”

“If you want.”

Edward took off his gloves and placed them on the display case. The shop was clean, located in a prime spot, and seemed to have been recently renovated. What reason would Adeline have not to want it?

Moreover, it’s my shop obtained with someone else’s money, isn’t it? Adeline asked in an excited voice,

“What about the shop owner?”

It was warm inside with a fireplace lit. Adeline took off her outer garment and placed it on the display case.

There was only one reason this perfectly good shop was available.

The counters and display cases were completely empty. There was no supply of furs. In this cold weather, fur was not a luxury but a necessity that everyone should have at least one of.

“He’s probably discussing the contract with Royce right now.”

“Wow… I really like it!”

Adeline moved around the shop with light steps.

This place was now becoming Adeline’s hideout. Ideas of what she could do here flooded her mind.

“It would be good to put a large chair here. And the display cases need to be refurbished. Since monster furs are thicker, we’ll need sturdier hangers than these. And… Oh, we could even recruit mercenaries here. I’d like to work somewhere not associated with Wessely if possible.”

Adeline chattered on without pause. Edward followed her with his gaze, arms crossed.

“Where are the furs now?”

“Did you get permission from the temple?”

Edward shrugged lightly.

“The furs are in the mansion’s basement. We can’t let others see them… But it’ll be hard to move the furs if Esme and Jayden are inside. If they smell money, they’ll try to interfere with us.”

Edward narrowed his eyes. Every one of his movements seemed magnified. It couldn’t be helped. At 14, Edward had grown several times larger than the day they had parted. His shoulders had broadened, and he had grown taller.

However, rather than threatening, all of Edward’s movements felt elegant. Their eyes met.

“Are there any parties or something happening around here? Oh, but that doesn’t mean the mansion will be empty.”

Adeline licked her lips. Edward gazed at the contemplative Adeline with a heavy look.

“…It might be best to set fire to the mansion. Then we can move the furs while everyone’s out.”

“Who will start the fire?”

Adeline opened her eyes wide.

“I will, of course. I have two hands and two feet, so I can do it myself! Plus, I’m trustworthy.”

Edward inadvertently let out a laugh. How many noble ladies would say such things? Looking at Adeline made him feel nostalgic.

A longing for someone unfairly lost without even being able to search for them.

Edward rubbed his face. When he lowered his hand, Edward’s expression had returned to its usual indifference. Edward asked slowly,

“The date?”

“Strike while the iron is hot. How about tomorrow?”

“Rush things and it all falls apart. You’d be dragged off as an arsonist the day after tomorrow.”

Edward said sharply.

“Really?”

“The day after tomorrow. Snow is expected tomorrow.”

Edward said heavily. The day after tomorrow. That would be their first conspiracy together.

*

I left feeling light and returned with a joyful heart.

Now that I have my own shop, I can make proper excuses to Esme. Esme had been making all sorts of excuses to keep me from going out. She’s afraid of me establishing myself.

Moreover, Esme was somewhat cornered now.

What should I do?

“Oh, daughter. Where have you been?”

Esme greeted me with a pale face. I knew she had been struggling to handle the company’s affairs herself, coming to work every day since chasing Thomas away.

How difficult it must be to do unfamiliar work. Jayden was still too young to take responsibility for the company, so she couldn’t pass it off to him.

Thanks to that, it seemed her attention on me had lessened.

“Ah, yes. Viscount Vincent came looking for me.”

“For what reason?”

Esme’s eyes widened.

“Well… It was about distributing fur and food supplies due to the cold. He asked if our company could handle distribution, but I’m not sure about the company’s affairs. Would it be possible?”

Esme grabbed my hands. Her white skin seemed to turn even paler. The soft hands gripping mine trembled slightly.

“What did you answer?”

“I said I didn’t know. I told him I’d ask you, Mother.”

Esme sighed deeply and patted the back of my hand. Her relief was visibly apparent.

“That’s a relief. The Wessely Company has nothing. If Viscount Vincent asks again, just tell him that. Understand?”

It’s probably true that they don’t have much. Thomas had run the company into the ground.

“Yes, Mother. I’ll do that. Oh, by the way.”

“Yes?”

“I was thinking of trying to run a small shop.”

“A shop? Our daughter, you don’t need to concern yourself with such things. Mother will take care of everything…”

“It’s just… I keep thinking about Simon when I’m not doing anything…”

“Adeline…”

Was that an appropriate excuse? Esme gently embraced my shoulders. Her comforting touch truly felt like that of a mother. This is why Adeline would be deceived.

“I just want to try doing something to keep my mind off things.”

“Yes, yes. If there’s anything difficult, tell the company. No, tell mother. Alright?”

“Yes. Thank you. I was worried about what to do if you didn’t allow it, Mother.”

“My good little Viscountess. But mother is worried, so always take a maid with you. The Josephine you brought yourself. She seems to take very good care of you.”

You won’t completely neglect me, right? This is exactly what makes Esme scary. She never lets her guard down.

I smiled while hugging Esme.

“Yes, Mother. I like Josephine too. She makes me comfortable.”

I didn’t know I was such a good actor. Hehehe. Now I just need to figure out how to start the fire? Edward agreed to prepare people to move the goods by 11 PM the day after tomorrow.

In the meantime, I plan to move my valuables as well. I have no intention of losing anything in this fire we’re setting.

I initially thought of setting fire to the outside of the building and then moving it towards the basement. The fire shouldn’t be too big since it needs to die down at the right time.

Conversely, if the fire dies down too quickly, Esme might discover what we’re trying to do. Everything needs to be done in moderation. Besides, I’m not doing this alone.

‘I’ll help.’

Edward was much more cooperative than expected. With Edward there, it would be much easier to move.

Esme, do you know?

This is just the beginning.