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Ayla's offer was certainly attractive, but there was still something bothering her.
"I really appreciate the offer... but there's one problem. The cosmetics I developed contain an ingredient called Momon Fleur. But it's very difficult to cultivate in ordinary soil."
Yuria sighed deeply and continued.
"The reason I decided to contract with Jordik despite hearing his bad reputation is because of that. Among the lands he owns, there happened to be a place with very suitable conditions..."
Ayla gently asked back, without showing any displeasure at Yuria's words.
"What's the reason why Momon Fleur only grows on land owned by the Jordik Merchant?"
"Ah, that's... Momon Fleur only grows on land with almost no Mana. But as you know, there's hardly any such land in the Empire..."
"What if I knew of such land? And even a place much larger than the land currently being cultivated?"
Yuria was startled and raised her head. And for the first time, she met Ayla's eyes head-on.
In Ayla's topaz-like yellow eyes, there was a deep conviction. Unlike herself, they were so dazzling that it was hard to look away.
"Don't worry. Yuria has nothing to worry about. I can somehow acquire the land."
"But, Jordik won't leave me alone..."
"Don't worry about that either."
Ayla turned to the side and gave a friendly smile.
"My lover is the Heir of Duke Argenta's family."
Yuria, who had been blankly staring at Ayla, slowly turned her gaze towards Felix.
When their eyes met, he nodded awkwardly with an embarrassed face. It was a polite gesture that was hard to believe from a high-ranking noble.
"And I have another friend who will join this business. Someone who has the ability to protect you as much as you need."
"......"
Yuria's eyes wavered greatly.
Of course, she knew it too. That she should be suspicious of someone who only presents favorable conditions to her.
But Ayla was different from Jordik.
From beginning to end, she had been polite to her, and unlike her soft tone, she accurately pointed out the core of every word she said.
Her proposal was very specific, as if she had thought and prepared a lot even before coming here.
Although it was a short meeting, she somehow felt that she could trust this person.
After hesitating for a moment, Yuria opened her mouth.
"If I can stably receive Momon Fleur as you said... I would like to contract with you, Ayla."
At those words, Ayla smiled contentedly and touched her face.
After confirming that red marks had reappeared on her clean face, she opened her mouth again towards Yuria.
"Then you know what we need to do from now on, right?"
Jordik stared at the door of the reception room with a nervous face. Fortunately, it was still quiet without any particular signs.
'He just gave me a scare, he didn't really intend to make a big deal out of it.'
It was when he was quietly letting out a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, the sound of someone being slapped hard on the cheek came from inside, followed by a sharp scream.
"Can't you apologize more properly?"
It was truly a terrifying voice that made one's hair stand on end.
Then the woman scolded for a long time, and again the sound of slapping echoed.
Jordik flinched, holding his own cheek for no reason.
'Was I too harsh on Yuria... What if she says she's going to terminate the contract because of this?'
It was then, filled with worry, that the reception room door burst open.
Soon, two familiar people appeared.
The two had brightened faces, but the knight following behind them had a completely blank look on his face.
In this gap, Jordik peeked inside.
Yuria was kneeling on the floor, crying with a sad face.
Seeing her shoulders shaking and tearfully crying, Jordik was horrified inside.
'What on earth did she do to vent her anger...'
Whatever the woman named Ayla did inside, it was clear that she had inflicted tremendous verbal abuse and violence that the weak-hearted Yuria could not bear.
'So that knight also has a completely soulless face.'
Unlike himself, who was filled with shock, the silver-haired noble young man was still sending a kind smile to his lover.
"How is it? Are you feeling a little better now, Ayla?"
"It won't heal my face right away, but... well, somewhat."
The woman, who was catching her breath with her chest heaving, soon looked at Jordik with a refreshed face.
"I'll wrap up today's matter to this extent, considering your sincerity."
"T, thank you, Ayla. Was the problem resolved well?"
Ayla half-closed her eyes and answered leisurely.
"Originally, I was going to give you a bigger punishment. But Yuria said she would give me all the products currently released, including the new products that will be released soon. So I decided to let you off this time only."
"I, I see..."
"If something strange happens to my skin again in the future, I really won't let you off. Don't be too relieved."
"Ahem."
"Oh, right. Pack a few right away and load them into the carriage. I'll take them with me."
At those words, Jordik frowned.
'She's Duke Argenta's lover, but she's really acting like a beggar. She made a fuss about a single rash, and now she's even taking things for free...'
His eyes trembled.
He was dumbfounded by the way she changed her words as if flipping her palm, saying she didn't need compensation just a moment ago.
He wanted to say something, but before he could, he met Felix's eyes.
Jordik quickly bowed his head and rattled off words of apology.
"We are grateful that you have forgiven us with just that much. We will thoroughly educate our employees so that this does not happen again in the future."
Jordik, who was flattering with a polite attitude, then carefully wrapped the cosmetics in high-quality wrapping paper and even tied a ribbon.
He handed the finished product to Yetien. But the knight didn't say a word even while receiving the item.
Seeing him with a blank expression all the time, it seemed that what happened inside was quite shocking.
Ayla looked at Jordik with a satisfied expression and said.
"Still, you're not completely clueless. I hope you have good cosmetics when I come next time."
"......"
It was an extremely brazen tone until the end. Soon, the three of them leisurely left the cosmetics store.
Jordik sighed deeply with a face as if he had met a worse villain than himself.
He felt like all the energy in his body had been sucked out just by dealing with one troublemaker.
"Don't ever come again... Ugh, spit."
The three of them left Fleur's cosmetics store with light steps.
Felix looked at Ayla with a smile on his face.
"It's a shame to part ways like this, should we stop by one more place?"
"One more place? Where?"
"The Anamel dessert shop I mentioned earlier."
"Wasn't that just something you said because of the acting?"
"I don't make empty promises."
Felix smiled good-naturedly and suggested that they go since the store was nearby.
Thanks to the successful operation, Ayla's mind was much lighter, so she nodded without much thought.
However, the moment she arrived in front of the store and got out of the carriage, Ayla couldn't help but be surprised.
Not only were all the tables already full beyond the glass window, but there was also a long line outside the store.
"Uh... it seems like there's no place for us to enter?"
"It's okay. I made a reservation in advance."
Felix reassured Ayla, who was hesitating, and called out to a passing clerk. When he said a few words, the clerk's expression changed to a polite one in an instant.
Soon, the three of them were guided through the crowded hall to a spacious and secluded space isolated from the noise outside.
As soon as they sat down, desserts and drinks were placed one by one on the table.
Ayla's eyes widened at the sight.
"You didn't order the desserts in advance when you made the reservation, did you?"
"Yes, in case we came late and they were all sold out. Do you like it?"
"......Yes, they all look very delicious."
Ayla nodded shyly.
A tart with plump strawberries and raspberries densely placed on top, a chocolate mousse cake coated in black and shining.
In addition, a golden cheesecake with a browned color scorched by fire.
At the appetizing scenery unfolding before her eyes, Ayla's face, which had been indifferent until just now, turned slightly red.
And Yetien, who was sitting at the same table, was watching all that scenery with a half-gone face.
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