In This Life I Will Be The Lord Novel - Episode 18

“That concludes today’s lesson.”
Clerivan said, ending the class.
Even so, I was the only one who had been listening properly, but Clerivan didn’t seem to mind much.
“And there’s homework again today.”
“Haa…”
The children sighed, as if the ground were sinking, upon hearing the word “homework.”
No matter where you are, kids hate homework.
“The assignment I’m giving you today is relatively simple. Of course, it’s not entirely so.”
What kind of hot iced tea talk is that?
I felt my curiosity piqued and looked at Clerivan.
“The homework is to think of an answer to the question, ‘What is the most valuable asset to a merchant?'”
“Money, of course.”
Giliou answered immediately.
“Then that will be your answer, Young Master Giliou. We will discuss the homework further in the next class.”
Clerivan tidied the blackboard, signaling the complete end of the class.
I tidied up the seat I had been sitting in throughout the class and stood up.
Mayron, who was straightening his cushion beside me, grumbled.
“I don’t know how the teacher knows so much about commerce.”
I almost laughed.
Others might not know, but I do.
How much of a self-made person Clerivan Pellet is, and how terrifyingly astute he is.
I nudged Mayron and said,
“Of course! Clerivan is such a—”
I was about to say “such a person!” when I felt a gaze pierce the back of my head and immediately shut my mouth.
Clerivan never misses anything that happens in this classroom, and I’m supposed to know Clerivan only as a teacher.
“I wonder what kind of person he is? Hahahaha… That was close.
As I quickly changed the subject and tidied the perfectly placed cushion again, Mayron tilted his head.
“Tia, you’re suddenly sweating. Are you sick?”
“Oh, sick? No way. This cushion is so pretty, isn’t it…”
I vaguely deflected and quickly changed the subject.
“By the way, Bellezac isn’t here today?”
It was such a pleasant learning environment without his snoring.
Today, the lesson content seemed to sink in even better.
“Bellezac went to a meeting with his father.”
A quiet voice answered.
“Hello, Lorraine.”
“Hello, Florentia.”
Lorraine, beautiful as ever, was wearing a white dress with lots of frills today.
We, who were originally very awkward, had become acquaintances who sometimes exchanged short conversations and greetings while taking classes together.
But I was always the one who initiated the conversation; it was the first time Lorraine had approached me like today.
“Hey, Florentia.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Florentia… what color do you like?”
I was a little flustered by the sudden question.
What’s my favorite color?
I blinked a couple of times and then answered.
“Red.”
“Oh, I see. Alright.”
Was that truly all she wanted? Lorraine turned and left without hesitation after hearing my answer.
The twins approached me, still standing dumbfounded.
“What’s wrong? What did Lorraine say?”
“She suddenly came and…”
“Suddenly came and?”
“Asked what my favorite color was.”
I expected the twins to react with something like, “Ehh, what’s that?” or “What a boring question.”
But they widened their eyes and smiled brightly.
“Tia likes red!”
“Red, red…”
The twins’ reactions were also strange.
Mayron seemed delighted as if he had learned very valuable information, and Giliou kept murmuring “red” as if trying not to forget it.
Lorraine is strange, and the twins are strange too.
No, the twins are always a bit strange, but they were even stranger today.
“I should just go take a nap.”
I sighed and started tidying the classroom.

In the southern district of the Imperial Capital, a residential area where noble townhouses were concentrated.
Commonly known as ‘Noble Town,’ this place boasted an exterior far more luxurious and beautiful than any other district.
Among them, the Cedacuna shopping street, where high-end shops gathered, was bustling with nobles and wealthy merchants today as well.
The restaurant ‘Victoria Place,’ which had opened recently and had been fully booked every day, did not accept other guests today, exclusively serving one group of customers.
This gathering, hosted by Viese Lombardi, the eldest son of the Head of Lombardi, once every season, was very popular in high society.
“I heard that Lombardi and Angenas are starting a joint venture this time?”
“I heard that too! How exciting!”
The first topic of conversation among the nobles gathered today was always the same.
The hot topic in high society these days was, without a doubt, the cooperation between the two families.
Lombardi, called the noble above nobles, and Angenas, who had produced four empresses already, joining hands to embark on a business venture.
Even though it hadn’t been officially announced yet, word was already spreading by word of mouth.
“I heard it’s a textile business. What on earth could it be?”
“Isn’t it buying and importing silk from some western region?”
“That could be. Angenas originally has roots in the west, and with Lombardi’s merchant guild, such long-distance trade would be possible.”
Viese’s lips trembled as he struggled to maintain a smile amidst the people eagerly speculating.
It hadn’t been long since he had returned to his normal routine after losing sleep over Gallahan’s matter.
He had comforted himself, thinking, What’s the big deal? I’ll just consider it giving a business to Gallahan, who has never done anything until now.
However, seeing that business plan become a topic of discussion among others made his stomach churn again.
“Viese.”
A hand stroked Viese’s stiff shoulder.
It was Selal, Viese’s wife.
“Others are watching, dear.”
She said with a painted smile, as if whispering sweet words, but Viese was jolted awake by her sweet voice.
Sure enough, other nobles who had been chattering about the textile business were glancing sideways at Viese.
Those quick to spread rumors would certainly know that he was the one who had initially pushed for the cooperation between Lombardi and Angenas.
Even knowing what had happened, they were dramatically talking about the textile business in front of Viese.
This place was a battlefield.
Viese quickly hid his expression behind the glass he held.
Those who had expected Viese, who was usually quick to anger, to explode, could not hide their disappointment when he regained his composure.
Their faces showed that they had missed out on an interesting spectacle.
“Shall we get some fresh air?”
Selal made Viese get up from the table.
And with graceful steps, they headed towards a deserted area.
After confirming once more that no one was around, Selal said,
“It’s about time Lord Gallahan earned his keep, isn’t it?”
Selal patted her husband’s shoulder.
“That’s right. And it’s just a textile business. How successful could it possibly be?”
“Exactly. So don’t worry about it.”
Selal understood Viese’s anxiety.
Though he was Rulac’s eldest son, he was a very lacking person.
She was someone who could objectively evaluate her husband.
That’s why she spoke in an even warmer tone.
“Lord Gallahan is just the youngest who’s been playing around as a loafer until now. Look around you. In high society, Lombardi is your name.”
It was nothing special, but Viese’s face brightened considerably as he looked around as his wife suggested.
It was a statement only Selal, who knew what he was sensitive about and what he valued, could make.
“Bellezac, come here.”
Selal called Bellezac, who was tormenting a butterfly in the distance.
“Which family’s children are you supposed to play with today?”
“Hmm… the Maimbert family and the Belletyron family. But Mother.”
Bellezac frowned and squirmed, saying,
“But they’re so boring. Can’t I just play by myself? That’s more fun.”
To Bellezac, the second son of Maimbert and the third son of Belletyron were just cowards who didn’t know how to play properly.
“Bellezac, what’s the most important thing for living like a noble?”
Bellezac pouted his lips, recalling the words he heard ad nauseam every time his mother scolded him.
“Connections. You said who you associate with is the most important.”
“Yes, that’s right. So go and greet Young Master Maimbert and Young Master Belletyron. Don’t forget to smile as if you’re happy to see them. Understood?”
“Ye-es…”
Bellezac eventually slumped his shoulders and walked off to pretend to be friends as his mother instructed.
“You also need to come to your senses now. Lord Gallahan… won’t be around for long anyway, will he?”
Selal didn’t think Gallahan, who was initiating the business, would achieve proper results.
So, she planned to watch for an opportunity and then speak to the Angenas family to start a new business with Viese.
A moment later, the couple returned to the table, intimately arm in arm.
As if nothing had happened, they led the gathering with smiling faces.

“Hello, Grandfather!”
I bowed deeply as I entered the office.
“Florentia, you’ve come. I’ve prepared juice and cookies for you, so eat plenty.”
“Yes, Grandfather! Wow!”
It was perfect timing; I was a bit hungry.
I let out a childish cheer and rushed to the sofa in front of the table laden with food.
“Father, I’ve also arrived.”
“Alright.”
Wow, Grandfather’s mood swings are extreme.
He was smiling contentedly at me, then, when Father greeted him, he returned to his usual stern Grandfather face.
I chewed on a cookie, looking utterly delighted by the sweets, and listened intently to Grandfather and Father’s conversation.
“Perhaps because it’s a fabric they haven’t encountered before, the order volume isn’t satisfactory yet.”
“What’s the current production volume?”
“Enough to supply the entire Cedacuna clothing district immediately. We’re adjusting production slightly according to order status, but we can’t fully reduce the number of weavers.”
“Then you wouldn’t have the capacity to produce if a large order came in.”
“Yes. So…”
Is it not going well?
Neither Father nor Grandfather looked particularly good.
I, too, became anxious.
This textile business must be a strong stepping stone for Father.
I focused on eavesdropping on their conversation, even muffling the crunching sound of my cookie.
“Have you consulted with Clerivan?”
Grandfather, who had been tapping the armrest of his chair and deep in thought for a moment, asked Father.
“I have consulted him, but there seems to be no particular breakthrough.”
“Then we’ll just have to wait.”
“Yes, Father.”
Although he seemed to be trying not to show it, Father’s face was stifled with worry and burden.
I would feel the same way.
Even if it was Grandfather’s command, he had, after all, abruptly taken over the business proposal that his older brother, Viese, had brought in.
And to make matters worse, the business he was now responsible for was a large-scale project involving the Imperial Family.
I sighed softly.
“Let me see the fabric for a moment.”
“Here it is.”
At Grandfather’s words, Father held out a large piece of cut Coroy-Yung fabric.
“It turned out softer and lighter than expected. It’s easy to dye in various colors, and its breathability is excellent, so its utility will increase even more in summer.”
“But summer is still several months away.”
It seemed the problem was that there was no immediate outlet for the fabric currently being produced.
There was about a week left until the official launch of sales.
It was time to secure stable clients for delivery.
Feeling frustrated, I put down my cookie and approached Father.
“Daddy! I want to see too! Me too!”
Father smiled helplessly and gave me a piece of fabric the same size as he had given Grandfather.
“Wow…”
Father was right.
The Coroy-Yung fabric was incomparably softer than fabric woven solely from Coroy.
The fabric was slightly thick, but because it was so light, it barely felt heavy on the skin, so it wasn’t burdensome.
Touching it with my fingertips, I was confident that it would have good absorbency as well as breathability.
Moreover, perhaps because of the ‘Yung’ (fleece), it even had a subtle luster without needing to be dyed separately, making it look luxurious.
“At present, waiting for the reaction of the few clothing stores in the Cedacuna shopping street that we plan to supply seems to be the best option.”
Father said, as if making a decision.
“The product is good, so if we wait, there will definitely be a reaction.”
But Grandfather remained silent, seemingly still contemplating other methods.
I felt the same way as Grandfather.
Making such a good product and then just sitting back and waiting was not the best approach.
If the problem was low recognition, it was important to let people know, even if it cost a little money.
Just being a collaboration between Lombardi and Angenas would already garner some interest from nobles.
Father only needed a small trigger.
A small, portable trigger that would naturally advertise itself.
‘What could it be?’
My eyes scanned the surroundings and landed on the teacup placed in front of Father.