In This Life I Will Be The Lord Novel - Episode 98

Today was the day I had an appointment with Bate.
I left the Lombardi mansion late in the afternoon and arrived in front of Caramel Avenue just as the sky was beginning to darken.
The shop, which had seen countless people pass through all day, was already dark and quiet, with no one around.
Ting-a-ling.
The sound of the bell as I opened the door echoed clearly in the empty shop.
As I stepped into the dark interior, Bate emerged from behind the kitchen.
“Hello, Bate.”
But no greeting returned.
Bate simply pulled out a chair for me with a stern face.
For any other noble, this would have been quite offensive, but I merely shrugged and sat down.
However, Bate was empty-handed.
“No documents or anything?”
I just asked out of curiosity.
Bate frowned, looking quite offended, and said,
“I have enough brain to hold information.”
“Hmm. That’s not what I meant… My, you’re quite prickly.”
But rather, I found myself more drawn to that side of him.
I liked that Bate remained himself, not subservient, even though he must have investigated me and found out quite a lot.
“Shall we begin?”
I clapped my hands once and said.
“Hmph…”
Bate let out a short sigh and looked directly at me.
“Florentia Lombardi. Currently 11 years old.
The only daughter of Gallahan Lombardi, the third son of Rulac Lombardi.”
His voice was dry, as if reciting information about a mere subject of investigation, not about me, who was right in front of him.
Just like the day I requested information about Perez.
“No special history in infancy other than that her mother was a nomad who flowed into the Lombardi territory one day. Rather, unlike other Lombardi relatives, she was rather timid. But.”
Bate’s golden eyes, fixed on me, seemed to flash for a moment.
“Around her 8th birthday, she began to gain a reputation as a Lombardi prodigy.
She began to show unique prominence among the three successors and received private tutoring from Clerivan Pellet, her education manager.”
“Hmm. That’s right.”
Honestly, nothing was surprising yet.
This much information could be obtained by anyone by just probing a few Lombardi employees.
Of course, it wouldn’t be easy, as those working for Lombardi tend to be tight-lipped.
However, my somewhat indifferent attitude seemed to provoke Bate.
“And from then on, Florentia Lombardi and her surroundings began to change rapidly. Not only did she start to gain the favor of the family head Rulac, but her father Gallahan Lombardi’s actions also completely changed from before.”
Bate’s voice dropped even lower.
“Gallahan Lombardi, who had lived an almost reclusive life for over thirty years, suddenly successfully led the Coroi project, a large-scale joint venture between Lombardi and Angenas. Then, a few months later, he created a new, innovative clothing business with ‘ready-made clothes.’ And to this day, Gallahan’s Apparel has consistently led unprecedented ventures to success. This is where doubt arises.
‘Is all of that truly Gallahan Lombardi’s ability?'”
“So, what do you think, Bate?”
“…It sounds crazy, but.”
Bate gritted his teeth once and answered.
“I believe all of this is the result of Lady Florentia Lombardi’s involvement.”
I forced back a smile trying to escape my lips and asked.
“Isn’t that too much of a leap? I’m just a child, only 11 years old.”
“Exactly. That’s why I said it sounds crazy.”
Bate growled through his teeth.
“But the information all points in that direction.”
“It could simply be that my father is a very smart person, couldn’t it? He just hadn’t had the opportunity before.”
“No.”
Bate shook his head quite firmly.
“If it was just starting the Coroi project and the ready-made clothing business, I might have thought so. But Gallahan’s Apparel’s actions since then are clearly beyond Gallahan Lombardi’s capabilities.”
“For example?”
“Expanding the business to men’s and children’s clothing after women’s wear. And recently, they even introduced the concept of ‘limited edition’ to establish a premium line. If it were Gallahan Lombardi, he would have focused on solidifying the ready-made clothing business. That’s what a ‘normally’ smart person would do.”
So, I’m abnormal?
“Taking such risks and moving boldly is only for those with excellent intuition, or those who can read the overall flow.”
I decided to prod Bate a little here.
“But Father has Clerivan, doesn’t he?”
Bate nodded at my words.
“Yes. However, if it were solely Clerivan Pellet’s work, it wouldn’t explain the ‘Estira Ointment’ that shook the medical world a few years ago.”
Tch. He knew that too.
I subtly clicked my tongue, avoiding Bate’s gaze.
“So, what’s your conclusion, Bate?”
“I believe Lady Florentia Lombardi, under the guidance of Clerivan Pellet, is already showing age-defying activity in various fields, including Gallahan’s Apparel. She possesses immense potential.”
Ah, so he thinks Clerivan is guiding me.
Considering my age, that’s a reasonable assumption.
“Potential…”
I chewed on Bate’s words.
Of course, they were pleasant to hear.
But it also meant an uncertain future.
And Bate wasn’t someone who would entrust the ‘information guild’ he intended to create to such an undefined future potential.
I made a decision and said.
“It seems I’ve won this bet.”
“…Excuse me?”
Bate asked back with a stunned face.
He probably thought he had won, having thoroughly investigated me.
“If you’re trying to force it because of your pride…”
“No. It’s not forcing it; unfortunately, Bate’s investigation had a limitation.”
“Ha. What on earth is that limitation?”
Bate grumbled, still completely unaware of how to control his expression.
“Just a moment.”
I stood up from my seat, opened the shop door, and called out to the person waiting nearby.
Just in case, I had told them the appointment time and place and asked them to wait in the carriage.
It was a good thing I did.
“Clerivan.”
At my call, Clerivan immediately entered the shop.
“Did you call, Lady Florentia?”
Bate’s brow furrowed at Clerivan’s excessively polite demeanor, which was unusual for a teacher addressing a student.
“I thought Clerivan being here would give Bate some trust.”
“You just said I was being guided by Clerivan earlier, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I did.”
Bate still looked as if he didn’t understand where he had gone wrong.
I then lifted my skirt slightly and bowed politely to Bate.
“This time, I’ll properly introduce myself. I am Florentia Lombardi, the true owner of Pellet Trading Company.”
“Ex…cuse me?”
Bate, whose face was stunned, poked his ear with his finger.
Then he looked at Clerivan, demanding an explanation.
“Lady Florentia’s words are correct.”
“Is, is that really true, then?!”
Clerivan nodded.
“B-but the name Pellet Trading Company…”
“It’s just a name.”
Clerivan replied coolly.
“Still, she’s only 11 years old…”
“Isn’t it amazing!”
“T-then, is it really Lady Florentia Lombardi who…”
“She is the light and hope of Lombardi!”
“Ha, haha…”
Bate laughed emptily like someone who had lost their mind.
He looked at me once, then at Clerivan standing beside me.
Then he laughed again.
“Then the ready-made clothes…”
“That, surprisingly, was my father’s idea.”
“But Lady’s involvement…”
“There was some. Your guess was correct, Bate.”
“Ah, as expected…”
Bate seemed to need some time to himself.
He rested his chin on his hand, thought deeply about something, then nodded and muttered to himself.
“I see. Then it all makes sense…” I couldn’t know what thoughts were busily flowing through his mind.
Then he lifted his head sharply and asked.
“Then the diamond mine… what about that incident where Lombardi and Angenas were outbid in the auction? Was it luck?”
“If you consider by how many gold pieces Pellet Trading Company won the bid, you’ll have your answer.”
Angenas had bid 2000 gold, and we, who bid 2050 gold, snatched the mine.
“Ahhh…”
Bate crouched down as if to tear at his hair.
I approached Bate and patted him on the shoulder.
“You’ve only just entered the information business, so I think that’s quite a commendable ability.”
“H-how did you know? That I started an information business!”
Bate gasped, startled.
“Hmm. How do you think I knew Angenas would bid 2000 gold?”
“Uh… uh…”??
“…?”
Bate’s face was filled with indignation.
He seemed angry that I knew more and had a more accurate grasp of things than he did.
I then made him another offer that he couldn’t refuse.
“Shall we make another bet, you and I?”
Bate gritted his teeth and asked.
“What is it this time?”
“What was the hottest topic at the recent noble council meeting?”
“It was the relief measures for the eastern drought. The final decision was passed to His Majesty the Emperor.”
As expected, he knew.
Information about internal affairs of the noble council must be very difficult to obtain.
“What do you think His Majesty the Emperor will decide, Bate?”
“Since taxes were already exempted last year, I believe it will be difficult this year. The national treasury would take a big hit.”
“Then I’ll bet against that. I’ll bet five years’ worth of your shop’s rent.”
“F-five years’ worth…”
Bate swallowed hard.
“Then if I lose, what do you gain, Lady Florentia?”
“If I’m right…”
I spoke casually, as if dropping bait onto calm water.
“Give me priority in information. The right to be the first to view any information you collect from now on.”
Bate was silent for a long time.
I held my breath with him.
And finally, Bate nodded.
“Alright, I’ll take that bet.”

“Whoa, whoa-”
The sound of the coachman soothing the horses echoed in the quiet mansion.
I had deliberately left the window open and was lying under it, enjoying the gentle breeze, when my eyes sparkled open.
“You’re back.”
Bellezac, who had gone on a hunting trip with Astana for over a week, had finally returned.