When Tully shrugged, Rishe froze involuntarily.

“My bad, I apologize. Perhaps, that’s a poor choice of words.”

“Chairman Tully…”

“But as I said, we can’t accommodate you in our company.”

“And why is that?”

The power of the Aria Trading Company was absolutely necessary for the measures Rishe has in mind for the future.

The network of contacts and business routes that Tully would be expanding in the future and the suppliers to the artisans who develop products – having a connection with them who would develop into a global scale within a few years would lend her more hands in gaining control over dignitaries of various nations.

Tully maintained that deceptive smile and said, “It’s because the commodities we can offer now don’t meet your conditions.”

“As for my conditions, I…”

“It seems that you’re risking your life on this deal.”

I felt like he could see through my resolve and my expression almost changed spontaneously.

Droopy eyes framed by long lashes, blatantly probed Rishe this time. That look probably meant, [I have no intention of hiding my measuring gaze any longer.]

“If our Trading Company fails to complete the deal, we will incur some serious losses — I’ve seen more than a few faces of people with that kind of desperate resolve to the point of rotting.”

“…”

“You carry more resolve than anyone I’ve ever seen in my life. Despite the fact that you’re only purchasing items for your wedding from a mere merchant.”

Rishe’s mind was filled with the words Tully had once said to her.

[Become a merchant chosen by your customers, offer them products and value that they can only get through us. — Once that happens, we’ll get to be the ones to choose our customers.]

Tully, in fact, has always had a good eye on who he was dealing with.

Even if it was a big client, he would not do business with a customer who would lead to a loss in the long run or who wasn’t in the best interest of the Trading Company.

Rishe was on the verge of being sieved and eliminated right now.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime deal.”

She smiled softly, trying to mask her agitation as much as possible.

“That’s why, I’m just nervous about the arrangements. I’m too embarrassed of my inexperience.”

“Haha, don’t worry. I’m sure your wedding will be a wonderful affair… Unfortunately, what our company can offer you is totally insufficient.”

Tully stood up and gave a deliberately reverent bow.

“Chairman Tully…”

“It was an honor to hear from you. Even so, Garkhain is indeed a wonderful country. We would like to forget about our work for a while and enjoy a few days of sightseeing. This servant is thankful that we’ve been given a nice place to stay.”

“Please wait, chairman. I just need a few more minutes of your time–”

“Goodbye, Your Highness, the lovely future Crown Princess.”Tully left the reception room shortly before Rishe could hold him back.

***

(I didn’t even have an island to cling to…)

With her teacup in hand, Rishe mused absentmindedly.

She removed the lot of jewelry she was wearing and changed into something more comfortable to move around in, and joined the table at the Royal Palace.

There were some freshly baked cookies in front of her, but she doesn’t have the energy to bring them to her mouth.

(I was definitely nervous, but I didn’t mean to show it on my face. I can’t believe he refused to do business with me after seeing through me in that instant…)

No matter how many times I was reborn, I don’t feel like I can beat Tully at all. While I’m pondering the various reasons for my defeat, the handmaidens are chatting happily.

“… He finally proposed to me that night!”

“Wow, that’s great!”

This was a tea party time when maids who had finished their daily study sessions enjoyed sweets and chatting. Basically, it was just a gathering for the girls, but Rishe decided to join in as well every few days.

Today, however, their conversations fell on deaf ears.

“I’m jealous. I want to marry someone nice too.”

(Still, I wonder if it’s simply a case of being forewarned. He’s not someone who jumps into a lucrative business venture without a second thought, no matter how lucrative it seems to be.)

“Me too! I’m also yearning for someone like that!”