Rose's heart pounded as she left without a second glance.
"I got excited and put a deadline on the table."
Rose tapped her fingers and slowly spoke.
"Tell them to come to the Artaeum Estate. You can also have them send a letter."
"To the Artaeum Estate?"
"Yes. Because if we accept them now, it seems like the benefits the fifteen people are receiving will be halved."
In reality, receiving their list wouldn't have made a difference, but visually, it seemed that way.
It would be better to accept only fifteen people here and have the rest apply at the estate.
That was the way to maximize special treatment.
The knight nodded at Rose's words.
"I'm sorry, but the rest of you, except for the fifteen, can come to the Arteum Estate in person or send a letter."
"Why bother with all this?"
Rose smiled leisurely at his curt words.
"It's not for me, but for the representatives. Some of you may still be undecided. Some of you may be standing before me, flustered, because others have moved."
A few flinched at Rose's words.
"That's why I'm giving you plenty of time. Go back and reconsider my business. And when you're sure, come see me."
Rose's words seemed to make sense, and the complaints died down.
The knight looked quite surprised at Rose's commanding presence.
It was Neruan, disguised as a knight.
Because he was wearing a helmet, Rose didn't recognize him. The unusually disguised voice also played a part.
He had been quite surprised when he heard Rose's speech while standing guard outside the door.
'You were so confident in your business... So there was a reason.'
It was understandable.
The reason she could be so confident in front of these scheming men, who had been in business for months or even decades, was that she had the confidence that her business would succeed.
It wasn't something she could prepare for in a day or two.
Neruan had no choice but to acknowledge Rose's efforts.
He also realized how narrow-minded his thinking had been.
He felt ashamed for the moment he had dismissed Rose due to his own misguided prejudice.
Then, a familiar man entered Neruan's field of vision.
'Is that Count Wence?'
Eric was walking in the distance.
Neruan glanced at Rose beside him.
Rose didn't notice Eric coming.
"I'll visit each and every one of you in person."
She was already exchanging final farewells with the brand representatives.
'I have to stop him.'
He had a government, and worse, he'd gotten married right after his divorce.
But judging by his continued lingering attachment to Rose, he seemed to be the type who couldn't be satisfied with just one woman.
Normally, she would have let Eric approach Rose, but not anymore.
Rose was now someone he had to serve. She was about to marry the Grand Duke.
Neruan was accepting the Grand Duke and Rose's relationship for the first time.
Neruan was staring at Eric with a wary gaze.
But he couldn't stop Eric. Because Eric had suddenly vanished without a trace.
'!'
Neruan's eyes fluttered like aspen leaves. Suddenly disappearing...!
There could only be one person who would do such a thing.
He scanned his surroundings anxiously. And then he spotted the culprit.
The Grand Duke of Artaeum was at the end of his gaze.
The Grand Duke of Artaeum smiled wickedly, as if he was enjoying something so wonderful.
'Your Highness, the Grand Duke!!'
Fearless.
To use magic in such a crowded place...!
Unlike Neruan, whose hands and feet were trembling, the Grand Duke seemed remarkably relaxed.
Perhaps he sensed Neruan's gaze?
The Grand Duke turned his head toward Neruan. When their eyes met, he snorted nonchalantly and turned his head away.
'What on earth is wrong with you!'
Fortunately, no one seemed to notice Eric's disappearance.
After all, all eyes were on Rose in the first place.
It was a blessing in disguise.
Neruan sighed deeply and muttered to himself,
'I'm truly dying because of Your Highness the Grand Duke.'
He had kept his powers well hidden, yet he became so excited whenever anything related to Rose occurred.
'...I suppose that's because he's determined not to hide them anymore.'
Neruan knew better than anyone that the Grand Duke wasn't a man swayed by emotion.
The Grand Duke held the upper hand in the current situation.
He had set traps for the Emperor and his followers. Furthermore, with Serun diligently acting as a spy, he was fully aware of the plans of those targeting him.
He no longer seemed fearful.
The Grand Duke was no longer a helpless child; he possessed the strength to protect the nobles who followed him.
The situation was turning, but Neruan remained uneasy.
He couldn't let his guard down until the very end.
He sent silent pressure at the Grand Duke as he approached Rose. The Grand Duke ignored Neruan and approached Rose.
"That was wonderful."
He watched with a delighted expression, but offered only one word.
"I'm glad you thought so,"
Rose replied, her tone more gentle than the morning. Now that the conference was over, she was no longer on edge.
However, she couldn't smile brightly at the Grand Duke.
She wanted to ask.
Your Highness, you weren't listening to my speech, were you chatting with the Princess?
'What were you talking about?'
For some reason, her mouth wouldn't open.
They were just starting to date, and she didn't want to be labeled as obsessive.
'You two have repeatedly emphasized that you're not related, but if I don't believe me and keep asking, he'll tire of me.'
Even now, the sight of the two clinging tightly to each other was quite disturbing.
Julius, seeing Rose's expression, patted the Grand Duke's arm.
"It seems my prediction was right, Lucas. Look at those piercing eyes. Isn't he so different from usual?"
Rose's heart sank at this sight.
Julius, oblivious to Rose's movements, pressed closer to the Grand Duke and whispered.
Rose muttered to herself, using mind control.
'It's okay, you two are just friends.'
Rose's mouth trembled as she smiled awkwardly.
Julius finished speaking and ran towards Rose with a loud shout.
"Young Lady, you were so cool! How can you be so powerful!"
He grabbed Rose's hand, and his eyes sparkled.
The Grand Duke, as if he couldn't even tolerate holding her hand, grabbed Julius's neck and dragged him away. He didn't forget to glare at him with his blazing eyes.
"I agree, you said it was wonderful."
At that moment, a graceful voice rang out.
Diana appeared with her escort.
"You have a remarkable ability to captivate people, don't you think?"
"That's flattering, Your Highness."
Rose blushed at Diana's enthusiastic praise.
"Even I'm captivated."
She playfully remarked and looked at Rose. Her eyes were filled with goodwill.
"Why don't you have tea with me sometime? I have many questions about the department store business, and many things I'd like to share with you personally."
"Of course. It would be an honor."
It was a golden opportunity to become close to the Princess.
She would be able to attract VIP clients, including her, to her tea party.
"Can I go to that party?"
Julius walked towards Diana.
"I was so busy earlier that I didn't get to say hello. It's been a while, Diana."
Diana twitched her eyebrows and looked up at Julius.
At that moment, Count Wence's house.
Eric, who had disappeared from the palace, was lying on the bed.
Eric, who had closed his eyes, flinched and opened them.
"What... why am I in the bedroom?"
He had clearly been in the palace just a moment ago.
Eric was extremely confused.
He had heard rumors that Rose was coming to the palace, so he, too, had set off.
He had clearly taken a carriage to the palace. And he had clearly seen Rose standing in the distance.
But, lying in bed...?
Eric felt as if possessed.
"What the heck...?"
Had he really been to the palace in the first place?
Had he just dreamed of Rose again, as usual?
He had been dreaming of Rose frequently lately, so he was extremely confused.
The moment Eric raised his upper body, the door creaked open.
"Oh, Count?"
The person entering was Eric's mistress, Doana.
Doana's eyes widened the moment she saw Eric.
"The Count came to my bedroom first?"
Since being kicked out of Rose's room, Eric hadn't come looking for her even once.
Doana's face broke into a smile.
She rushed over and sat down on the bed.
"I see you missed me."
She ran her hand seductively over Eric's chest. However, Eric roughly swatted Doana's hand away.
"Why are you in my room? I told you not to come in without my permission."
"Huh? What are you talking about? This is my room, and the Count came into my bedroom."
Eric's eyes wavered at Doana's words.
He hurriedly looked around the room. This really wasn't his room.
It was Doana's bedroom.
The Grand Duke of Artaeum had sent him to Doana's bedroom.
It was telling him not to covet other women and to focus on his own.
"I got excited and put a deadline on the table."
This wasn't what she'd planned. But it was even more satisfying.
Behind her, she heard the sound of noisy footsteps.
It was the sound of people chasing her.
'I set a deadline, and now this crowd is flocking here.'
Rose slowly turned around. Turning leisurely, Rose couldn't hide her bewilderment at the larger crowd than she'd expected.
"Lady Serviat!"
"Let's sign the contract right away. I approve of your plan!"
In reality, most people thought Rose's business was ingenious.
They simply couldn't easily step forward due to the public ridicule and objections to her plan.
The three-day deadline provided an easy justification for her to step forward.
The promise of prime locations for the first 15 people seemed to have excited the brand representatives.
Rose hesitated and took a step back as the crowd rushed towards her in disarray.
She knew she might be surrounded and harassed all day if she made a mistake.
Someone blocked Rose's path as she stared at them with a pensive expression.
"This is going to be problematic."
It was a knight from the Grand Duke of Artaeum.
He stopped the excited representatives and spoke calmly.
"Wow, I'm really surprised."
Rose let out a deep sigh behind the knight in his sturdy armor.
"Lady Serviat said it's a first-come, first-served fifteen, so please tell me the brand names one by one."
He quickly sorted out the situation.
The brand representatives, who had been hesitating, quickly lined up without a word.
Rose peeked out from behind the knight.
"We need a representative from the Hermea brand..."
Ermea was currently the most popular brand among the ladies.
Rose desperately wanted to recruit Hermea. If she could, she would go to the best seat on the first floor.
"Ah!"
Rose's face, which had been anxiously looking around, brightened.
"There you are."
The representative of the Hermea brand was standing in front of the knight. And quite a bit closer.
One, two, three, four.
"If you're the fourth, you'll still get a good spot."
Rose smiled with satisfaction and nodded.
The knight picked up a fountain pen and began listing the brands in order.
He had written down fifteen, but there were still many people waiting behind him.
At first, there had only been fifteen, but it seemed more had gathered.
He put down his pen and turned to Rose.
"What should we do with them?"
Rose pondered the knight's whispered words.
"Accepting them now is fine, but..."
Behind her, she heard the sound of noisy footsteps.
It was the sound of people chasing her.
'I set a deadline, and now this crowd is flocking here.'
Rose slowly turned around. Turning leisurely, Rose couldn't hide her bewilderment at the larger crowd than she'd expected.
"Lady Serviat!"
"Let's sign the contract right away. I approve of your plan!"
In reality, most people thought Rose's business was ingenious.
They simply couldn't easily step forward due to the public ridicule and objections to her plan.
The three-day deadline provided an easy justification for her to step forward.
The promise of prime locations for the first 15 people seemed to have excited the brand representatives.
Rose hesitated and took a step back as the crowd rushed towards her in disarray.
She knew she might be surrounded and harassed all day if she made a mistake.
Someone blocked Rose's path as she stared at them with a pensive expression.
"This is going to be problematic."
It was a knight from the Grand Duke of Artaeum.
He stopped the excited representatives and spoke calmly.
"Wow, I'm really surprised."
Rose let out a deep sigh behind the knight in his sturdy armor.
"Lady Serviat said it's a first-come, first-served fifteen, so please tell me the brand names one by one."
He quickly sorted out the situation.
The brand representatives, who had been hesitating, quickly lined up without a word.
Rose peeked out from behind the knight.
"We need a representative from the Hermea brand..."
Ermea was currently the most popular brand among the ladies.
Rose desperately wanted to recruit Hermea. If she could, she would go to the best seat on the first floor.
"Ah!"
Rose's face, which had been anxiously looking around, brightened.
"There you are."
The representative of the Hermea brand was standing in front of the knight. And quite a bit closer.
One, two, three, four.
"If you're the fourth, you'll still get a good spot."
Rose smiled with satisfaction and nodded.
The knight picked up a fountain pen and began listing the brands in order.
He had written down fifteen, but there were still many people waiting behind him.
At first, there had only been fifteen, but it seemed more had gathered.
He put down his pen and turned to Rose.
"What should we do with them?"
Rose pondered the knight's whispered words.
"Accepting them now is fine, but..."
Rose tapped her fingers and slowly spoke.
"Tell them to come to the Artaeum Estate. You can also have them send a letter."
"To the Artaeum Estate?"
"Yes. Because if we accept them now, it seems like the benefits the fifteen people are receiving will be halved."
In reality, receiving their list wouldn't have made a difference, but visually, it seemed that way.
It would be better to accept only fifteen people here and have the rest apply at the estate.
That was the way to maximize special treatment.
The knight nodded at Rose's words.
"I'm sorry, but the rest of you, except for the fifteen, can come to the Arteum Estate in person or send a letter."
A murmur of complaint erupted from all sides at his words.
It seemed they were worried that they might not be able to open a store at Rose's department store.
Rose moved next to the knight and calmed them down.
"You have three days, so don't worry too much. Except for the fifteen, the rest of you can visit the Arteum Estate as he instructed, or send a letter."
It seemed they were worried that they might not be able to open a store at Rose's department store.
Rose moved next to the knight and calmed them down.
"You have three days, so don't worry too much. Except for the fifteen, the rest of you can visit the Arteum Estate as he instructed, or send a letter."
"Why bother with all this?"
Rose smiled leisurely at his curt words.
"It's not for me, but for the representatives. Some of you may still be undecided. Some of you may be standing before me, flustered, because others have moved."
A few flinched at Rose's words.
"That's why I'm giving you plenty of time. Go back and reconsider my business. And when you're sure, come see me."
Rose's words seemed to make sense, and the complaints died down.
The knight looked quite surprised at Rose's commanding presence.
It was Neruan, disguised as a knight.
Because he was wearing a helmet, Rose didn't recognize him. The unusually disguised voice also played a part.
He had been quite surprised when he heard Rose's speech while standing guard outside the door.
'You were so confident in your business... So there was a reason.'
It was understandable.
The reason she could be so confident in front of these scheming men, who had been in business for months or even decades, was that she had the confidence that her business would succeed.
It wasn't something she could prepare for in a day or two.
Neruan had no choice but to acknowledge Rose's efforts.
He also realized how narrow-minded his thinking had been.
He felt ashamed for the moment he had dismissed Rose due to his own misguided prejudice.
Then, a familiar man entered Neruan's field of vision.
'Is that Count Wence?'
Eric was walking in the distance.
Neruan glanced at Rose beside him.
Rose didn't notice Eric coming.
"I'll visit each and every one of you in person."
She was already exchanging final farewells with the brand representatives.
'I have to stop him.'
He had a government, and worse, he'd gotten married right after his divorce.
But judging by his continued lingering attachment to Rose, he seemed to be the type who couldn't be satisfied with just one woman.
Normally, she would have let Eric approach Rose, but not anymore.
Rose was now someone he had to serve. She was about to marry the Grand Duke.
Neruan was accepting the Grand Duke and Rose's relationship for the first time.
Neruan was staring at Eric with a wary gaze.
But he couldn't stop Eric. Because Eric had suddenly vanished without a trace.
'!'
Neruan's eyes fluttered like aspen leaves. Suddenly disappearing...!
There could only be one person who would do such a thing.
He scanned his surroundings anxiously. And then he spotted the culprit.
The Grand Duke of Artaeum was at the end of his gaze.
The Grand Duke of Artaeum smiled wickedly, as if he was enjoying something so wonderful.
'Your Highness, the Grand Duke!!'
Fearless.
To use magic in such a crowded place...!
Unlike Neruan, whose hands and feet were trembling, the Grand Duke seemed remarkably relaxed.
Perhaps he sensed Neruan's gaze?
The Grand Duke turned his head toward Neruan. When their eyes met, he snorted nonchalantly and turned his head away.
'What on earth is wrong with you!'
Fortunately, no one seemed to notice Eric's disappearance.
After all, all eyes were on Rose in the first place.
It was a blessing in disguise.
Neruan sighed deeply and muttered to himself,
'I'm truly dying because of Your Highness the Grand Duke.'
He had kept his powers well hidden, yet he became so excited whenever anything related to Rose occurred.
'...I suppose that's because he's determined not to hide them anymore.'
Neruan knew better than anyone that the Grand Duke wasn't a man swayed by emotion.
The Grand Duke held the upper hand in the current situation.
He had set traps for the Emperor and his followers. Furthermore, with Serun diligently acting as a spy, he was fully aware of the plans of those targeting him.
He no longer seemed fearful.
The Grand Duke was no longer a helpless child; he possessed the strength to protect the nobles who followed him.
The situation was turning, but Neruan remained uneasy.
He couldn't let his guard down until the very end.
He sent silent pressure at the Grand Duke as he approached Rose. The Grand Duke ignored Neruan and approached Rose.
"That was wonderful."
He watched with a delighted expression, but offered only one word.
"I'm glad you thought so,"
Rose replied, her tone more gentle than the morning. Now that the conference was over, she was no longer on edge.
However, she couldn't smile brightly at the Grand Duke.
She wanted to ask.
Your Highness, you weren't listening to my speech, were you chatting with the Princess?
'What were you talking about?'
For some reason, her mouth wouldn't open.
They were just starting to date, and she didn't want to be labeled as obsessive.
'You two have repeatedly emphasized that you're not related, but if I don't believe me and keep asking, he'll tire of me.'
Even now, the sight of the two clinging tightly to each other was quite disturbing.
Julius, seeing Rose's expression, patted the Grand Duke's arm.
"It seems my prediction was right, Lucas. Look at those piercing eyes. Isn't he so different from usual?"
Rose's heart sank at this sight.
Julius, oblivious to Rose's movements, pressed closer to the Grand Duke and whispered.
Rose muttered to herself, using mind control.
'It's okay, you two are just friends.'
Rose's mouth trembled as she smiled awkwardly.
Julius finished speaking and ran towards Rose with a loud shout.
"Young Lady, you were so cool! How can you be so powerful!"
He grabbed Rose's hand, and his eyes sparkled.
The Grand Duke, as if he couldn't even tolerate holding her hand, grabbed Julius's neck and dragged him away. He didn't forget to glare at him with his blazing eyes.
"I agree, you said it was wonderful."
At that moment, a graceful voice rang out.
Diana appeared with her escort.
"You have a remarkable ability to captivate people, don't you think?"
"That's flattering, Your Highness."
Rose blushed at Diana's enthusiastic praise.
"Even I'm captivated."
She playfully remarked and looked at Rose. Her eyes were filled with goodwill.
"Why don't you have tea with me sometime? I have many questions about the department store business, and many things I'd like to share with you personally."
"Of course. It would be an honor."
It was a golden opportunity to become close to the Princess.
She would be able to attract VIP clients, including her, to her tea party.
"Can I go to that party?"
Julius walked towards Diana.
"I was so busy earlier that I didn't get to say hello. It's been a while, Diana."
Diana twitched her eyebrows and looked up at Julius.
***
At that moment, Count Wence's house.
Eric, who had disappeared from the palace, was lying on the bed.
Eric, who had closed his eyes, flinched and opened them.
"What... why am I in the bedroom?"
He had clearly been in the palace just a moment ago.
Eric was extremely confused.
He had heard rumors that Rose was coming to the palace, so he, too, had set off.
He had clearly taken a carriage to the palace. And he had clearly seen Rose standing in the distance.
But, lying in bed...?
Eric felt as if possessed.
"What the heck...?"
Had he really been to the palace in the first place?
Had he just dreamed of Rose again, as usual?
He had been dreaming of Rose frequently lately, so he was extremely confused.
The moment Eric raised his upper body, the door creaked open.
"Oh, Count?"
The person entering was Eric's mistress, Doana.
Doana's eyes widened the moment she saw Eric.
"The Count came to my bedroom first?"
Since being kicked out of Rose's room, Eric hadn't come looking for her even once.
Doana's face broke into a smile.
She rushed over and sat down on the bed.
"I see you missed me."
She ran her hand seductively over Eric's chest. However, Eric roughly swatted Doana's hand away.
"Why are you in my room? I told you not to come in without my permission."
"Huh? What are you talking about? This is my room, and the Count came into my bedroom."
Eric's eyes wavered at Doana's words.
He hurriedly looked around the room. This really wasn't his room.
It was Doana's bedroom.
The Grand Duke of Artaeum had sent him to Doana's bedroom.
It was telling him not to covet other women and to focus on his own.
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