"Show them that you can be of benefit to them. You're a businessman, right? Show them that you're resourceful."
"Show me your business acumen?"
"As an early Investor in the Cartania trade business, why don't you introduce this to your acquaintances? It's good to hear that Hawk Group is looking for more investors."
"I thought you weren't listening."
"I understand that much."
Isaac was a little confused.
I thought you didn't understand at all, but suddenly you understand to some extent?
Bridget didn't give Isaac time to think deeply.
She encouraged him gently.
"Show your boldness when introducing investments. You have wealth that even the nobles don't have. You have to show it off. So that the nobles don't look down on you. Show your strength. Show that you have a power that cannot be ignored."
If Bridget was weak to her family, Isaac was weak to recognition.
So, he fell in love with Penelope who flattered him and was quick to flatter others.
Isaac looked at Bridget, feeling proud.
He thought she was just a stiff and boring woman.
'You were looking at me like that?'
Today, he felt like he was on good terms with Bridget.
The thought that she was an ignorant person who didn't know anything about investing has completely disappeared.
But seeing her not wanting to look ridiculous to others made him think that she was taking care of him as her husband, and he found that quite cute.
'Bridget may be stiff, but she's very affectionate.'
He can tell just by looking at the way she takes care of her family.
If you think about it, isn't her husband a part of her family?
Isaac, feeling better, praised Bridget generously.
"You are a very wise woman. I am sure His Majesty is pleased with you. Haha!"
"Tell me about your time hanging out at the club later."
"Yeah, that's right."
Since Bridget had shown interest, Isaac would soon come back to her again, if only to flirt with her.
Bridget, who had naturally invited him to her next visit, finally sent him away.
Isaac left happily, saying he would come again without any doubts.
Not even realizing that Bridget was looking at his back as if she was offended.
'Anyone who only knows me is shallow.'
It can't be helped.
Because your field of vision is narrow, you can only see yourself, and because you are trapped in your own thoughts, you are shallow.
Selfishness and shallowness are closely related.
***
Isaac left the parlor and headed for the carriage.
He felt so good that he even hummed a song.
But it didn't last long.
That was because he ran into Julian... who was standing in front of the carriage.
"I, I, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, hello, no, I greet you..."
Isaac was once again receiving instruction from a teacher of etiquette.
It was because he felt he needed to learn it more thoroughly since he was going to be entering the palace.
The greetings he had learned from his etiquette teacher kept lingering in his head.
When Isaac actually saw Julian, he felt frustrated and couldn't remember anything he had learned.
Standing in front of the person who had held his life in his hands so many times, only the fear that had been imprinted on him came back to him, and his memory was worse than usual.
Julian snorted.
"You look happy."
"Huh? Ah..."
Isaac rolled his head, sweat dripping down his face.
He doesn't think Julian would like it if he had a pleasant conversation with Bridget in a situation where it was obvious that he was going to meet her.
"Oh, no! Not really..."
"No? I could hear your humming outside."
"Well, it's just that the weather is nice and I feel light today."
"Did Bridget call?"
"Oh, that's right. She has a favor to ask."
“A favor?”
"No, it's nothing special."
Julian frowned in astonishment and took a step forward.
Isaac took a step back, sweating profusely.
"She asked. What is that?"
"Ah, ah, I'm sorry! I didn't know if I could dare say something like that..."
"You're a businessman, but you're so clueless? It's frustrating."
Well, what kind of business is that? It was a bit odd to call such a dirty thing a business.
".... I just wanted to let her know that the investment that Bridget asked me to make worked out really well!"
"Yes?"
Julian wasn't asking because he was particularly curious.
Julian took another step forward with a mischievous expression on his face.
Isaac took another step back.
One more step. One more step.
Then Isaac's back hit the wall of the carriage.
"Ugh."
He cringed in surprise.
The fear imprinted on Julian came back to life and he broke out in a cold sweat.
Julian laughed at him like that.
"If anyone saw me, they'd think I was eating you."
"Oh. I'm sorry."
Bang!
Julian slammed his fist into the side of Isaac's head.
"Ugh!"
Isaac screamed in surprise, covered his head with both arms and looked up at Julian with a blue face.
"Why, why are you doing this..."
"Are you normally that stutter-prone?"
"Oh, no. That, that's not it..."
"What's with the trailing edges of your words? Are you sick?"
Isaac hiccupped and shook his head.
"It's annoying to hear. Fix it."
"Yep! Hiccup!"
“Tsk.”
Julian clicked his tongue and looked Isaac up and down.
Either way, he doesn't like it.
As he watched Isaac bowing, he felt annoyed.
Of course, It would be even more frustrating if he acted like a snake.
'He really did such a dirty thing with such guts.'
If they kept staring at each other, he felt like he wanted to cut him in two regardless of the procedure.
'There's nothing more to nitpick about.'
He sighed and released Isaac.
"Go."
"Yes! Then, I'll go, take care."
As soon as Julian turned around, Isaac quickly climbed into the carriage and disappeared.
"That pathetic guy.'
Julian vented his anger, but he still didn't feel satisfied.
Isaac didn't seem to be violent toward Bridget this time, but he still hated the sight of him.
What did you and Bridget talk about that got you so excited that you came out humming?
Bridget doesn't love Isaac.
He could guess that there must have been some circumstances surrounding her marriage to him.
Still, the fact that he is Bridget's legal husband is true.
It was complicated.
Julian burst open the living room door and walked in.
Bridget was still there.
"Julian."
Bridget got up from the sofa and greeted Julian without any surprise as if she had known he was coming.
Julian noticed the jewelry box in front of Bridget.
Inside the open jewelry box was a gorgeous necklace.
"I think I misunderstood."
Don't be childish, don't be angry, she's mine, Bridget came to me of her own accord and Isaac willingly gave up his rights as a husband.
Julian suppressed his emotions.
But eventually, sharp words came out.
"I didn't know you were close enough to exchange jewels."
"It's a bribe disguised as a gift."
"Whatever it is."
Julian touched the necklace for no reason.
"It's not a pretty sight."
Julian tried hard not to associate this with his past relationship with Bridget, who had received money from Josephine.
"Isaac had to bribe me and I pretend to like him. That doesn't mean anything to me."
Bridget looked at Julian without avoiding his gaze.
Julian gazed into those beautiful eyes. Just looking at them made his heart soften slightly.
He loves Bridget.
But he hates the past and doesn't trust her.
In a relationship without trust, there is no sense of betrayal.
Julian felt a sudden fatigue and reached out his hand to Bridget.
"Come here."
Bridget took his hand and sat down next to him.
Julian lay with his head on Bridget's lap.
"You're tired?"
"A little."
"Do you want me to purify it for you?"
Julian was silent for a moment and then answered.
"Yes."
Bridget felt that Julian had just given up something.
His fierce demeanor calmed down with a single sigh.
She wanted to ask what he was suppressing and bring it out, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.
She's afraid too much will come out.
Bridget had a secret she wanted to keep from Julian forever.
People who have something to hide tend to avoid honest conversations.
Instead, he carefully placed his hand on Julian's chest.
A soft and gentle energy spread through his body.
Bridget's hands were warm and her light was as pleasant as ever.
That made Julian sad.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment