Without knowing what Lia was thinking after she had scolded her harshly that morning, Erencia was rolling around on the bed, contemplating the next naughty thing to do.
'Now that the debutante ball has been held, I should be doing some work as the successor.'
Nobles who had reached adulthood were able to conduct various businesses in the name of the family. Furthermore, since Erencia was the next head of the family, the businesses she ran would be considered the future businesses of the Novellita family, and she would be able to receive active investment from the family.
“What would be good?”
Erencia pondered what to do.
The first thing that came to mind was buying cheap items and selling them for double or triple the price.
But she didn't like this. Because it was about accumulating Nobelinta's wealth.
Even if the family's honor hits rock bottom and they go bankrupt, as long as you have plenty of money, you won't have any major problems making a living. She had already experienced this in her third life.
Erencia wanted the family to be utterly ruined if possible.
May you lose all honor, power, and money. And through true repentance, may you put an end to Erencia's wretched cycle of repentance.
So, she excluded jobs that would make a lot of money.
One more thing. Harassing commoners was also removed from the list.
This is because even if their reputation among commoners deteriorates, it will not have a significant impact on the Novellita family.
'Is backstabbing the nobles the only thing left?'
What would be better?
After thinking for a while, Erencia thought of the moneylending business.
Money lending was a business prohibited by the state. In the past, as commoners went bankrupt one after another and the economy faltered due to money lending, the Emperor enacted it as law without going through the resolution of the Council of Nobles.
However, it was true that it was happening through word of mouth.
Because there are always people short of money. Erencia targeted the nobles among such people.
'There are always plenty of nobles who need money.'
A nobleman needed a lot of money to live like a nobleman.
However, only some of the empire's many nobles were able to lead a noble life.
The nobles who could not do so struggled desperately to live like nobles somehow. That was borrowing money.
'Alright. I'll lend money to the nobles! If they can't pay it back, I'll torment them!'
It was a classic but sure method that was likely to invite resentment.
There is nothing as petty as money.
Erencia suddenly sat up.
"Miss, where are you going?"
Agnes, holding Erencia's laundry, asked.
“Meet my father.”
She needed money to start a lending business.
***
Duke Novellita frowned as he looked at the report.
Over the past three years, Novellita's revenue has decreased significantly.
The biggest reason is that Duke Novellita took a different path from the previous Dukes.
Up until the time of Erencia's grandfather, the Novellita family earned a huge amount of money by managing the Empire's hidden prisoner-of-war camps.
It was called a POW camp, but it was a business conducted by exploiting the labor of prisoners.
Mines built by foreign prisoners of war were still located throughout the empire.
The era of bloody warfare ended, and as an atmosphere of peace formed, problems began.
The Emperor, who had been living in luxury thanks to the money they had offered, showed his displeasure.
- Isn't it time to bring your family's businesses into the light?
It was tantamount to a declaration that they would exploit the Novellita family's weaknesses and take them along to the very end.
He could not disobey the Emperor who whipped him and offered him a carrot.
Thus, Duke Novellita liquidated the businesses he had been conducting in the shadows.
At the same time, he started a new business.
However, everything he touched failed. It was inevitable. It was because it was completely different from the businesses he had done so far.
With income steadily decreasing and expenses remaining the same, the household situation was a mess.
They had managed to survive until now thanks to the wealth accumulated by the previous Dukes of Novellita, but at this rate, they would soon have to give up many of the things they enjoyed.
'It absolutely must not turn out that way.'
That was a blow to his pride as Novellita.
The moment Erencia was chosen as the successor, Duke Novellita made a decision.
He told himself he wouldn't leave his daughter nothing but the empty shell of Novellita.
'I need to do a highly profitable business.'
High profits come with risks.
The danger Novellita spoke of was distinctly different from the danger ordinary people talk about. He wasn't simply talking about the possibility of losing money.
It was an act that violated the law, and if caught, could result in harsh punishment.
'We will likely fall out with the Emperor as well.'
Deep wrinkles formed on Duke Novellita's forehead.
However, Duke Novellita had no choice but to make a dangerous choice.
He had seen countless nobles kneel and grovel because of money. The reason the Emperor did not treat the Novellita family disrespectfully was also because of money.
But what if that money disappears?
He didn't even want to imagine it.
"Master, Miss Erencia has come to visit."
Sebastian spoke to the heartbroken Duke Novellita.
Duke Novellita did not want to meet anyone, but he allowed an audience with Erencia.
“Bring it in.”
Erencia is the child who will lead the family in the future. It is not right to turn her away at the door without a valid reason. She must be treated as an heir.
Duke Novellita, too, was never refused a request for a meeting by the previous Duke without a valid reason when he was the heir.
“Good afternoon, Dad.”
A bright and cheerful voice was heard.
Duke Novellita's eyes narrowed, then curved like a bow.
The child, who had always been so reserved, became brighter at some point.
He much preferred being bright and energetic rather than reserved.
But when did it change?
'Was it after you proposed to Euclid?'
Duke Novellita stared intently at Erencia.
"Is there something on my face?"
Come to think of it, he was a truly lovely child who resembled only the good qualities of himself and his wife.
Her clear blonde hair, which shimmered in the sunlight, and her translucent skin were full of vitality even without makeup, and her large eyes were slightly upturned, making her look haughty when expressionless, but when she smiled, her eyes crinkled like crescent moons, making her truly lovely.
'Would it be better to marry her off after receiving a dowry?'
Wouldn't it be better to marry into a good family and live a life of luxury, rather than inheriting a family that looks respectable on the surface and suffering?
"Father, I have something to tell you."
He was lost in thought, like an old man, when Erencia's determined expression caught his eye. At first glance, she gave off the vibe of a seasoned businesswoman with about 40 years of experience.
"Alright, Erencia, feel free to say whatever you have to say."
Duke Novellita was a busy man.
It has been like that since Erencia was very young.
So Erencia realized that Duke Novellita preferred to state the conclusion first rather than rambling on.
"I plan to start a business. I need money."
"Money?"
Duke Novellita was surprised.
"Yes, Father. I am an adult now, and I need to show you results as the successor in earnest."
Erencia is right. Usually, to become a successor, one must demonstrate to the elders of the family the results of their abilities.
But that is only if there is another successor candidate.
In the Novellita family, no one other than Erencia was vying for the position of successor.
"There is no need to go to such lengths. As you know, haven't your brothers already given up the position of successor?"
He had no intention of forcing them to compete.
"No. I really want to prove it!"
Fearing she might return empty-handed, Erencia answered swiftly as soon as Duke Novellita finished speaking.
Duke Novellita saw Erencia.
Was Erencia interested in business?
He's not sure. Although he was close with his daughter, they never shared their innermost feelings.
However, judging by those eyes, even if she is very interested in the business, she is extremely interested.
"May I ask what kind of business it is?"
Duke Novellita asked softly. There was a hint of expectation in his words, along with the affection of a father watching his cute daughter's antics.
"I plan to start a moneylending business."
"Hmm?"
Duke Novellita took his hand off the teacup as he stroked it.
“Against whom?”
He is also a father.
Watching Duke Novellita not stop her despite it being illegal, Erencia realized once again just how rotten Novellita was.
"Against the nobles."
"If you want to avoid gossip, deal with commoners."
He nonchalantly suggested exploiting the commoners. It must have been advice from the Duke's perspective, but Erencia had no intention of accepting it. Erencia began to persuade Duke Novellita.
"To make a lot of money, you have to deal with the nobility."
"Do you think nobles borrow money easily?"
"There are many nobles who are struggling financially. You know that, right?"
Duke Novellita fiddled with the end of the report, pretending not to be interested.
"There are quite a lot of people who live meagerly, begging the surrounding nobles for a living."
“Of course.”
"How much of a torment must it be for people who value their pride more than food to have to speak weakly?"
"So, are you planning to lend them money for bread and collect a few pennies in interest?"
"Father, think about it. At first, it’s probably just for bread. But since they can borrow money without restraint, do you think they would only borrow for bread? From small things like expensive tea leaves and dresses, to later, money to buy jewelry."
Duke Novellita raised his head, which he had bowed slightly.
Wow, she's my daughter, but she's smart!
"So you're saying there is sufficient market potential."
Duke Novellita took his back off the sofa backrest.
"Will they open their hearts easily? As you know, aristocrats are very closed-off people."
Erencia wore a smile on her lips. In that moment, Duke Novellita glimpsed the wisdom of an old man who had lived a long life in Erencia.
His daughter seems like a different person today.
However, it was only a fleeting moment.
Soon, Erencia smiled sweetly like a green apple and said.
"We have to make them open their hearts. At first, we won't charge interest. Then, we'll gradually raise it. By the time they sense something is off, it will be too late to turn back."
Duke Novellita remained silent.
"Father, I'll do my best."
I won't cause any harm to the family.
Erencia added.
Duke Novellita rolled his tongue around in his mouth, then opened the desk drawer. He took out a blank check and quickly scribbled the amount.
"If His Imperial Majesty takes issue with this, I, your father, cannot take your side."
I love my daughter.
However, he is the head of the family. He had to protect the clan.
"That won't happen."
No! It will definitely happen that way!
Erencia said what was contrary to her true feelings and put the check handed to her by Duke Novellita into her bosom without even looking at it.
She wondered how much he had put in, and she was looking forward to it.
***
How much!
How big a sum is it?
Erencia was very excited.
It was incredibly thrilling to look down on the nobles, bring them to their knees with money, and then later be pointed at with all her might.
If the resentment of the nobles grows louder, the Emperor will have no choice but to take action.
They will likely hold Duke Novellita accountable for damaging the dignity of the nobility.
'Am I going to be imprisoned? Or banished? Or will I lose my estate?'
Whatever it is, it's good.
If only she could end this wretched life.
It felt like a waste of time to have struggled and committed petty evil deeds all this time when she could have solved it in one fell swoop like this.
"You look like you're in good spirits, young lady."
Agnes said this as she returned to the room and watched Erencia grinning broadly.
"Yes. I feel great."
Erencia sat at the table by the window.
'How much did he give me?'
Erencia took the check out of her pocket and looked.
One, two circles. Huh? Two?
Did I see it wrong?
Erencia rubbed her eyes and looked again. But there were still two circles.
"500 silver coins?"
That's ridiculous. How can I run a moneylending business with this?
The value of 500 silver coins is.
'Just the price of two dresses!'
Flap, flap- the sound of flying away is heard.
The sound of the usury business targeting the nobility flying far away.
I had to find a way.
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