In This Life I Will Be The Lord Novel - Episode 80

“Is there a direct branch of the Ivan Territory on Sedacuna Street?”
“Yes. It’s just in the next alley.”
“Let’s go there.”
The Ivan family of the North, whom I had met when Father received the Order of National Foundation, was famous for minerals.
Perhaps because it was a mountainous region, there was no mineral that couldn’t be found, from gold to graphite and coal, which were commonly used in daily life.
In particular, the gems from the Ivan region were famous for their high luminosity and large size, so they operated a direct branch on Sedacuna Street.
It was a place that only sold items made by skilled jewelers from the Ivan region using gems found there.
So the shop was always bustling with nobles, and today was no exception.
People busily came and went through the door under the bright sign that read “Ivan.”
And here was the artisan who had transformed that raw gem, which no one had successfully polished, into the most beautiful jewel in the world.
“Please enter, Lady Florentia.”
Clerivan held the door open and said.
Inside, I saw people sitting around the spacious store, consulting and buying jewels.
Some of them happened to turn and whisper among themselves.
“That child who just came in…”
“From the Lombardi family, right?”
“I think so…”
Thanks to the Founding Festival banquet and my birthday banquet, some people had started to recognize me.
After all, being born a Lombardi, it was an unavoidable fate.
I walked towards the innermost display case, receiving people’s gazes.
A man in uniform, standing under the bright and luxurious lighting, seemed to be the manager here.
“Welcome, Lady Florentia Lombardi.”
As expected, he knew who I was.
In places that dealt with nobles like this, it was a competitive edge to know the identities of important people in advance.
When I assisted my grandfather, the first thing I studied was such information.
Information like the family trees of high-ranking noble families in the east, west, south, north, and center of the empire, and the relationships between important figures.
“This is your first visit to ‘Ivan,’ isn’t it?”
Did that mean he had already assessed me?
I slowly nodded and said to the man, “I’d like to see the ‘special items,’ not these.”
The ‘special items’ I requested referred to unique jewels crafted as works of art by Ivan’s artisans, not mass-produced by ordinary jewelers.
The man, still smiling, paused slightly and then looked at Clerivan standing behind me.
“Is he with you?”
It meant he knew me but not Clerivan.
Clerivan seemed to sense it, too, and frowned slightly as he answered, “I am Clerivan Pellet.”
“Hmm. Since Lady Lombardi guarantees his identity, he may enter with you.”
The man said primly and opened the door leading inside.
Clerivan, who had been treated as someone of unclear identity, seemed to be upset.
In this life, Clerivan, who had succeeded his father Romassie Dillard as the head of the Lombardi Trading Company, was a very famous person, but not yet.
In the clothing store, his father played a role as a kind of signboard, so Clerivan tended to be overshadowed.
I gently patted Clerivan’s back.
Just be patient for a little longer.
After this is over, there will be no one who doesn’t know the name Clerivan Pellet.
Because the Pellet Trading Company, named after him, will become famous throughout the empire.
Following the manager, we passed through a soft-carpeted hallway and entered an inner room.
The security was tight, requiring several locks to be opened.
When the door opened, I saw bright lights sparkling finely from where the jewels were displayed.
I tried my best to suppress my pounding heart and casually looked around the items in the glass display case.
I had only heard about the special items inside Ivan; this was my first time seeing them in person.
“Are you looking for any particular gem?”
I looked through the display case to find the item that was the purpose of my visit.
Then the man presented a cushion with several different gems laid out on it in front of me.
“How about this?”
I looked at the items and then back at the man.
I felt like laughing.
This person, he’s ignoring me.
I was momentarily off guard after he brought me to the inner room.
The white-gloved manager had only shown me large gems that were poorly cut or of terrible purity.
The man was testing my discernment.
If it looked large and flashy, someone without an eye for gems would buy it without realizing it was a dud.
He probably looked down on me because of my young age.
I spoke to the man standing there with a brazen face.
But I didn’t get angry or express any displeasure.
I just spoke in a tone that seemed to be magnanimously overlooking his mistake.
“I’ll give you another chance. Bring out proper items.”
“…Understood.”
The man lowered his gaze and bowed politely.
“No. I’ll choose them myself.”
I said that and slowly walked along the display case.
And before long, I found it.
“That one.”
The gem placed in the very center of the special items, where the light shone brightest.
Unlike the rather dull and monotonous other items, it was a finely cut, pale green peridot that maximized the beauty of the raw stone.
“The person who made that piece, are they here? I’d like to meet them.”
“How did you… No, that’s difficult.”
I knew he’d say that.
The Ivan family head wouldn’t easily let me meet the artisan he cherished so much.
So I had prepared for this.
I stepped half a pace to the side and looked at Clerivan.
As I had hinted to him earlier, Clerivan stepped forward.
“Allow me to introduce myself again. I am Clerivan Pellet, manager of Gallahan’s clothing store and Pellet Trading Company.”
“Ah…”
The manager blinked in surprise.
The person he had openly disregarded was the manager of Gallahan’s clothing store.
He must have been shocked.
As if taking revenge for a moment ago, Clerivan made his demand confidently in a low, cold voice.
“Could you tell the artisan who polished this jewel that I wish to meet them?”
***
“Who wants to meet me?”
Croyley, who was busy working in the workshop on the upper floor of the ‘Ivan’ direct store, frowned his wrinkled eyes and showed annoyance.
“It’s the manager of Gallahan’s clothing store.”
“Why would such a person want to see me?”
“Well…”
“Tsk.”
Croyley, who hated being interrupted while working, cursed but still took off his apron.
After all, the manager of Gallahan’s clothing store was a person in a position that couldn’t be ignored.
Croyley came down to the room where the special items were gathered and was greeted by a young girl and a tall man with sharp eyes.
Croyley ignored the child and approached the man to greet him.
“I heard you were looking for me.”
In Ivan, Croyley was treated as well as a noble as an artisan, but his status was still that of a commoner.
Moreover, wasn’t this the manager of Gallahan’s clothing store, who was said to be earning all the money in the empire these days?
Croyley, who was known for his stubborn personality, also took off his hat and bowed.
“Nice to meet you, Sir Croyley. I am Clerivan Pellet.”
But the man, who seemed to have a temper, smiled kindly and extended his hand for a handshake.
“Ah, yes…”
Croyley instinctively grasped his hand.
“I apologize for disturbing you when you’re busy. There’s something I absolutely wanted to tell you in person.”
After moving to the imperial capital, where there was a good physician to treat his granddaughter’s illness, it was the first time he had received polite address from a noble.
It felt a bit awkward after such a long time, but feeling recognized as an artisan, the annoyance of being interrupted in his work melted away like snow.
“I’ve heard of the fame of Ivan’s best artisan. So, I would like to make a request to you, Sir Croyley.”
“That’s a bit difficult.”
Croyley said, waving his hand.
In fact, his schedule was open, but Croyley found it bothersome.
And if he granted one noble’s request, endless requests would surely follow.
“My schedule is packed just with Ivan’s jewel work.”
Croyley knew well how to turn away nobles who tried to commission his work.
“But this is a good opportunity for you, Sir Croyley…”
“If only this old man were a little younger, he would have the strength. I apologize.”
“That’s…”
When Croyley coughed slyly, Clerivan couldn’t push any further and was at a loss for words.
“Ahem!”
At that moment, the young girl who had been quietly looking at the jewels in the corner cleared her throat loudly.
And as if on cue, Clerivan’s subdued momentum rose again.
“I know you’re busy, but I hope you’ll consider it, Sir Croyley.”
“But I already have a schedule…”
Croyley felt a little annoyed.
He didn’t seem like he would give up easily.
So he pulled out his ace in the hole.
“Actually, my granddaughter is ill…”
“Ah…”
“I have to take care of that child, Sir Pellet. Please understand.”
His granddaughter was growing well with the treatment of a skilled physician, but this excuse was perfect for evasion.
As expected, Clerivan was also speechless.
“Then I’ll return to the workshop now. Please be careful on your way…”
“How about a raw gem you’ve never handled before?”
It was the young girl who had cleared her throat a moment ago.
“Little noble lady.”
Croyley finally revealed his true nature.
The words of a noble child, similar in age to his granddaughter, had touched his pride as an artisan.
“There is no gem this old man has not yet polished.”
“I don’t think so.”
“I said no!”
“Can you take responsibility for that statement?”
Her smile was utterly annoying.
“If I, or rather, if Mr. Clerivan here brings you a raw gem you’ve never seen before, what will you do?”
“I’m telling you, such a thing doesn’t exist in the first place!”
“If such a thing exists, are you willing to take on the challenge?”
“Ch-challenge… Ha!”
A challenge to Croyley, who was unparalleled in jewel polishing!
He didn’t know who this impudent little girl was, but she had definitely gotten under Croyley’s skin.
His wrinkled face flushed, and his mustache twitched with each snort.
“Fine, it’s a deal!”
Croyley straightened his bent back and thumped his chest.
“If such a gem exists, I’ll put everything aside and work on it for you!”
The girl, who had been looking at Croyley with an enigmatic “Hmm,” narrowed her eyes as if unconvinced and asked,
“On your honor as an artisan?”
“Th-that’s right!”
He flinched for a moment, but Croyley readily staked his pride, which he valued more than his life.
“Good.”
She said that and smiled annoyingly again, just like before.
Croyley felt a chill run down his spine and shivered.