140 – timid revenge
Touanel, where the Cefer family is located, was originally nicknamed the sleeping city.
This is because Touanel has a particularly short period of time compared to other regions, and the exact reason for this is that even when scholars discuss it head-to-head, no significant results have come out.
However, geographically, it is also a transportation hub that can go to all kinds of places on the fertile plain, so it was transformed into a land of new opportunities by the hands of the Chefer family who ruled here.
If there is an object that is like a symbol of this revolutionary achievement, it is an ore named blue oil stone produced in Peron, the tip of the north and the ruling land of the Loveheim family.
In fact, it originally looked very similar to a stalactite and got its name because of its blue appearance, but it was an object with no special features.
However, it is known that this ore has the ability to emit light for a very long time even with a small amount of magic power, and it has been recognized as a valuable ore along with mana stones.
Of course, there were many inventions that emitted light through magic in the past, but the efficiency of blue oil stone was overwhelmingly good, and of course it was not even compared to oil lamps.
As the existence of these blue yu-seok became known, the most eye-catching was Touanel.
For them, who always needed light because it was a city where the sun sets early, this blue oil stone was like a sweet rain during a drought.
Thanks to this, it has been changed to a city that produces so many industrial products that it has been nicknamed the city without night due to the existence of blue oil stone, but it also means that it is heavily dependent on blue oil stone.
In other words, the reason why the Cefer family was more squeamish about the Loveheim family than other families was because they had the right to decide on the Blue Yuseok.
‘I don’t know when my mind may change, so I have to look good in my spare time.’
Although this was a story even before Briwood’s father was born, the previous head of the Loveheim family had said that he would not raise the unit price of blue oil stones paid to Touanel above a certain level.
But that’s a promise from the ancestors.
Besides, I didn’t leave any evidence as a piece of paper, it was just to keep the words that I had spoken verbally.
Blue Yooseok is not created infinitely in any land, and the limit will be revealed someday.
Even if that time did come, it was an overly optimistic prediction for the aristocratic and merchant Briewood that he would be able to purchase it at this price.
That’s why he tried to please the new head of the Loveheim family even while coming to this distant northern land.
Even if the price rises in the future, it was his duty to maintain an appropriate level that would not have a fatal effect on profit distribution.
‘In that respect, it was very fortunate that I was acquainted with Mirabel.’
At the last coming-of-age ceremony, I heard that my daughter had met Ariel and talked for a while, so I brought her, who didn’t even need to bring her, to this place.
And, in Briwood’s eyes, it seemed to work quite well.
Even if he rose to the position of the owner of the Grand Duchess of Amman, he was still at an age where he would be weak in affection and relationships, so he wanted to build a friendship with Mirabel, who was of the same age and could become a friend of the same sex.
To be honest, he didn’t expect that a relationship that wouldn’t even be at the level of just brushing his collar would shine like this, but he was glad that the result was good anyway.
‘It’s obvious.’
The problem is that these processes were all within Ariel’s palm.
In the first place, from the time Ariel heard the name of the Cefer family, he had already guessed his main purpose.
It was because the Cefer family was included in the list that Yulken had told them beforehand that they were the families to keep an eye on before inheriting the title of head of the family this time.
So at first, I thought I would just adjust to moderate flattery and take no action.
Anyway, Yulken said firmly that he thought he was power and did not want to wield it, and Ariel felt the same way.
But what if the current head of the Cefer family is the father of the one who poisoned her friends?
Then the story will be a little different.
“I heard that more than 20% of the production of turquoise stone is used in Touanel every year, right? So my father also said that he wants to maintain a good relationship as much as possible.”
“hahahaha, this is really… I don’t know how to express my gratitude to you for even recognizing the grievances of people below you.”
Ariel, who had been having a meaningless conversation with Mirabel for a while, suddenly brought up a story about Cheong Yoo-seok to Briwood.
It was a rather heavy topic to bring up at such a celebration, so Briwood was also paying attention, but when she readily talked about it, her eyes twinkled.
Even in the midst of that, it was a skillful response if you were really good at not rushing at it as if it was right, but looking at her complexion and painting it with gold first.
However, the story that followed was not as hopeful as he expected.
“But what about this? In fact, this time, the production of cheongyuseok has decreased slightly compared to last year.”
“Yes? The production of sapphire crystal has decreased… Hey, it’s the first time I’ve heard of it.”
At the unexpected remark, Brywood replied with a look of embarrassment, not even time to hide her complexion.
Although he’s not from the Loveheim family, he can’t be familiar with the production of sapphire, but things like that usually get out of the way even if he tries to hide them.
But, to be sure, there was no news that the production of turquoise stone had decreased in his ears.
“It’s not that severe. Of course, there will be some changes in shipment volume and unit price.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Ariel smiled and said it insignificantly, but Briwood couldn’t put on a bright expression like her.
I’m just saying that because the seat is the seat, but in reality, it’s a pretty serious matter, so you’ll only know when you open the lid.
‘But why bother revealing this fact?’
Moreover, the most notable point was that Ariel herself revealed this fact out of the blue.
Even if it is an important matter, since the position of the owner of the grand duke’s family is not easy, originally, it is only necessary to have the subordinates discuss it.
That would mean she had a reason to step in.
But Briwood couldn’t figure out what the reason was.
‘No, whatever the reason, it’s important not to express it as much as possible here.’
The unit price increase itself had to be seen as a set procedure.
If so, Briwood decided that it would be better to earn points with a humble appearance here.
“Anyway, isn’t the blue oil stone the private property of the Grand Duke’s family? Please, if you choose to benefit the Grand Duchess, we will gladly accept it.”
Briwood lowered her head, shuddered in humility, and smiled inwardly as a winner, but the problem was that even this reaction was just a trap Ariel had dug.
“It’s private property… Well, that’s also true. That must also mean power that we can wield at will, right?”
“… Yes?”
Ariel’s tone, which had been friendly, sparked a sharp alert for an instant, and Briwood unconsciously raised her head, wondering if she had heard it wrong.
“In fact, my father told me not to touch Cheongyu-seok if possible, but I wondered if it would be right to keep it for the sake of the family.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Yes, so I guess… I thought it wouldn’t be bad to raise it by about 30% from the current state.”
30%.
Briwood widened her eyes and trembled her lips at the sudden jump of Cheong Yoo-seok.
Mirabelle, who was watching from the sidelines, was so pale that her feet rolled.
“Four, three quarters… Are you saying that there was a disruption in production that much?”
“Please. It’s just the family’s private property, so I thought it wouldn’t be bad to give it a little change depending on my mood.”
Ariel said that with a fresh face, but in Briwood’s eyes, it was as if she could see a yaksha behind her.
In the first place, it was a little bit of a change, because it was nothing short of thunderous news from the perspective of the Chefer family, who use 20% of the total production of blue oil in Touanel.
“Me, Your Highness. I’m sorry to say this, but raising the unit price by 30%… … .”
As Brywood chanted quietly, feeling like she was holding on to a straw, Ariel opened her eyes wide and acted as if she was surprised.
“For 30% all at once, I can’t believe it. There will always be some deviations.”
“Well, I’m glad that’s the case. I know it’s rude, but in the case of the blue milk stone that is supplied to Touanel… … ?”
“Hmm, well.”
Ariel stroked her chin and showed an expression that looked like she was really worried, but her eyes were always on Mirabel.
In the first place, he really had no intention of increasing the supply price of blue oil stone.
It’s just that this 30% ratio was a quantification of the anger towards the fox in front of him, who had temporarily lowered the honor of his friends.
If water was thrown in the face, what would be 30%? I was thinking of going beyond 50% and calling 70%, but it wasn’t that much, so I wanted to forgive it at this point.
“Originally, at a meeting like this, we should exclude personal feelings and only think about the position between the families… … .”
Ariel, who swallowed her whispers, sneaked up to Mirabel, who was looking at her, and tapped her on the shoulder a couple of times.
At least you have to know why you were put in this situation so that you can either realize your mistakes or be criticized by your father.
“Oh, come to think of it, I heard that you really wanted to talk to me?”
“Yes? Me, Your Highness. What do you mean I’m fine… … .”
Mirabelle had no time to question the title that had plummeted from ‘Princess’ to ‘that way’ before she knew it.
The chill that radiated around her was so cold that it felt like her hands and feet would freeze at any moment.
“is that so? That’s strange. Apparently my ‘friend’ said so… I must have heard wrong.”
‘Have you met at the coming-of-age ceremony? with my friends.’ Ariel added, patting her on the shoulder once again and casually walking past the two of them.
It wasn’t a scene I wanted to show to Edgar so much, so I asked him to leave, so I had to find him.
She was somewhat questionable as to whether it had been a satisfactory revenge, but seeing the backs of the father and daughter as they stood still, I thought it wasn’t too bad.