Episode 43. Grabbed the Bite
It was morning. Martha was looking at documents in the study when Maxim knocked on the door.
"Princess, a letter has arrived from the Golden Lion Merchant Guild."
Martha stopped what she was doing. She put down the documents and looked at Maxim.
"Bring it here."
Maxim entered holding the letter. Martha took it and opened it. It was a short letter. It didn't take long to read.
We accept the counter-proposal. We will prepare the contract.
Golden Lion Merchant Guild.
Martha slowly placed the letter on the table. Then she muttered to herself.
"They snatched it up."
Lucy took out a notebook from beside her. Martha looked at Lucy.
"Don't write this."
Lucy paid no heed and scribbled something into the notebook. Martha looked at Lucy again. Lucy closed the notebook and said.
"It's all history."
Martha let out a chuckle. Then she called Maxim over.
"Please let Father know. And please contact Prince Leon and the Duke of Ashford as well. I will set the contract date for two days from now."
Maxim nodded and left. Martha looked at the letter again. The Golden Lion Merchant Guild had accepted it without a word. They were lured by the figure of 80 percent for one year. They probably had no idea how much that number would actually amount to.
Martha thought as she folded the letter. It starts now. I'm going to rip them dry. The day before the contract. Five people gathered in Claude's study. Claude, Edward, Martha, Prince Leon, and the Duke of Ashford. The draft contract sent by the Golden Lion Merchant Guild lay on the table. Prince Leon unfolded it and began to go over each clause one by one. He went through them meticulously, one by one.
Edward quickly flipped through the pages, marking the important parts. Martha went through them alongside him.
"The income distribution clause is specified as 80 percent for one year, just as counter-proposed. The clause on contract nullification remains the same."
Martha nodded. Prince Leon paused briefly as he turned to the next page.
"There is a clause defining total income "
Martha looked at that section. The definition of total revenue was written there. All income is generated from the hot springs. Admission fees, revenue from auxiliary facilities, and revenue from merchandise sales. Everything was included.
"Do I need to request a revision? If auxiliary income is included, the amount we have to pay them could increase."
Martha glanced at the clause for a moment and said.
"No. Just leave it as is."
Prince Leon looked at Martha. His gaze was one of questioning.
"What do you mean?"
Martha said, looking at the contract.
"For this clause to be triggered, we would have to actually pay 80 percent of the revenue to the Golden Lion Merchant Guild while operating the hot springs for a year. But if the Golden Lion Merchant Guild faces Imperial sanctions before that year ends, or rather, much earlier, the contract itself becomes null and void."
Prince Leon froze. Martha continued.
"You saw the contract nullification clause, right? It states that the contract becomes immediately null and void the moment the Golden Lion Merchant Guild receives Imperial sanctions for illegal acts. In that case, it doesn't matter how the total revenue definition clause is written. Because the contract itself disappears."
Claude looked at Martha.
"Then this clause is just bait."
"Yes. Honestly, we could have just executed the contract as is, but it is bait designed to lure them in with the 80 percent figure and make them bite. No matter how much the total revenue is, they won't actually take that money. Because we will make the first move."
Prince Leon glanced at Martha for a moment. His eyes held a mixture of emotions. Then, turning his gaze to the next clause, he spoke.
"My lady."
"Yes."
"I must verify this clause as well, regarding the construction period."
Martha said, looking at the contract.
"I am looking at it."
Prince Leon looked at Martha. Their eyes did not meet. Martha was looking only at the contract. Whether she was intentionally avoiding his gaze or genuinely concentrating on the contract, Prince Leon wanted to verify something while watching her. However, there was no way to do so.
Duke Ashford watched the scene and leaned slightly toward Claude.
"Is there something going on between those two?"
Claude said, looking elsewhere.
"I don't know."
Duke Ashford hummed to himself.
"Clearly, there is something the atmosphere feels different."
Prince Leon's gaze wavered. Ignoring the sound, Martha turned the page of the contract and said.
"This clause is important. Look."
As if nothing were wrong. Her voice was calm. Her eyes did not waver as she examined the contract. Duke Ashford looked at Claude. Claude looked at the ceiling.
The day of the contract. The reception room of the Valois ducal estate. Duke Vid Kreuz arrived again. This time, he brought the contract himself. The vice-representative of the merchant guild followed a step behind.
Claude, Martha, and Prince Leon greeted them in the reception room. As Vid Kreuz took his seat, he looked at Martha. His gaze was similar to the last time. A look of weighing something. It was the look of someone who still hadn't figured out what kind of person this princess was.
"Conversely, your proposal was interesting. The condition of 80 percent for one year was extraordinary. I suppose that shows just how confident you are in the hot springs."
Martha said, taking a sip of tea.
"After all, hot water is always welcome."
Vid Kreuz took out the contract and placed it on the table.
"I sent you the draft. Have you reviewed it?"
Claude nodded. After confirming Claude's intention, Martha said.
"I've seen it. There are no revisions. I think we just need to sign it."
Vid Kreuz glanced at Martha for a moment. His gaze had changed slightly. It was a look that seemed to say he hadn't expected her to accept so quickly.
"I see. Then."
Vid Kreuz spoke as he unfolded the contract.
"There are a few clauses we would like to add."
Martha looked at Vid Kreuz.
"Please speak."
"We would like to receive regular reports on the status of the hot spring's operations. I believe this is a natural right as an investor."
Oh, look at these guys. While Martha was thinking for a moment, Prince Leon's gaze sharpened.
"Isn't it an excessive condition for an investor to intervene in operations? This is the Valois Ducal Family's hot spring, not the Golden Lion Merchant Guild's."
Vid Kreuz looked at Prince Leon. There was a sense of composure in his eyes. It was a look that seemed to indicate he had anticipated this level of resistance.
"It is not intervention, but verification. Since we are investing funds, don't we have the right to know how it is being operated?'
Just as Prince Leon was about to speak, Martha interrupted.
"I will provide reports on the operational overview quarterly."
"..."
"Not a detailed breakdown, but the overall status."
Vid Kreuz looked at Martha. Martha spoke calmly.
"Is that sufficient?"
Vid Kreuz looked at Martha for a moment, then nodded.
"It is sufficient."
A clause was added to the contract. However, as if seizing the opportunity, Vid Kreuz spoke again.
"Also, I would like our personnel to visit the site regularly during the hot spring development process. This is to check on how the construction is progressing."
Just as Prince Leon was about to speak, Martha lightly stepped on his foot. Prince Leon froze. Martha furrowed her brows, pretending to think for a moment, then said.
"That is a bit difficult. If outside personnel come and go during construction, it interferes with the work. There are also safety issues."
Vid Kreuz did not back down.
"Then, how about limiting the frequency of visits? About once a month?"
Martha sighed and spoke as if she couldn't resist.
"To that extent? What should I do?"
Martha scrambled about, feigning panic. She stomped her feet and pouted, pretending her mind was blank. Vid Kreuz thought he had the upper hand, thinking, 'What's a young princess doing challenging me?'
Martha pretended to be deep in thought for a while, then looked straight at Vid Kreuz.
"Hmm, then, would you be willing to provide the laborers to lay the foundation? We need a lot of manpower in the early stages of construction anyway. If you can reduce those labor costs, I can allow you to visit the site. On the contrary, thanks to those workers, you won't need to visit the site separately; you could simply receive reports."
Vid Kreuz spoke, his eyes briefly glistening with calculation.
"That is possible."
Martha thought to herself. I threw a candy, and he gave me a chest of cash. Another clause had been added to the contract. However, Vid Kreuz looked as though he were deep in thought. Martha had a hunch. He was going to ask for something else. Vid Kreuz spoke again.
"And after the hot springs are completed, I would like to be assigned a private room exclusively for the Golden Lion Merchant Guild. A VIP room level."
Martha spoke again, pretending to be defeated.
"What?! You're too much! Please give me a moment to think."
Martha whispered close to Duke Claude's ear.
"Please pretend to be deliberating, then pretend to nod reluctantly. Acting! Acting!"
Claude's heart suddenly raced at the thought of acting, and his face turned red.
"Ugh, what a wimp."
Seeing Claude like that, Martha spoke in a low, quiet tone, one loud enough for Vid Kreuz to hear.
"Father, really? We're losing too much. You're saying the Golden Lion Merchant Guild deserves that kind of treatment? What can I do? I don't know."
Vid Kreuz, having overheard the conversation, raised the corners of his mouth slightly.
"Duke Kreuz, a private room seems a bit excessive. It would be a loss to operate if it were left idle for even a single day. How about a reservation pass? So you could book on your preferred dates with priority."
"Let's do that."
Before Martha could finish speaking, Vid Kreuz accepted, and Martha immediately took over.
"Then we have one more favor to ask. In return, please supply some of the materials needed for the hot spring development at a discounted price. I mean the materials coming in through the Imperial Palace supply route. Even with the support we receive, the initial construction costs are so high that it is a burden. I can't ask the Duke for any more money"
Vid Kreuz looked at Martha. His gaze changed for a moment. It was a calculating look. Yet, in the end, he nodded
"Understood."
Martha thought to herself. He's taking off his clothes, and now his panties. Another clause was added to the contract. Vid Kreuz's expression lit up, as if he thought he had won this deal. Then, looking at Martha, he said.
"It's good that the Princess is so feisty."
"Since we're exchanging blows so freely."
Martha said calmly while sipping her tea.
"Thank you."
Prince Leon watched the scene and thought to himself. It's not that we're being bold. You're the one getting ripped off, old man. Claude and Vid each signed their respective contracts. The contracts were exchanged. They each took a copy. Vid Kreuz stood up from his seat and looked at Martha.
"I hope we have a good partnership."
Martha said.
"Indeed."
Vid Kreuz left the reception room. The Vice President followed behind. The door closed. Only Claude, Martha, and Prince Leon remained in the reception room. There was a moment of silence. Prince Leon looked at Martha.
"You stepped on my foot earlier."
"It was slippery."
Prince Leon looked at Martha. His gaze held both disbelief and something else entirely.
"You managed to get something out of them every time they added a clause."
Martha said as she folded the contract.
"It is only polite to receive as much as you give."
Claude looked at the contract and said.
"The Golden Lion Merchant Guild has agreed to provide the laborers and supply materials at a discount."
"We are building the hot springs with their money, doing the work with their laborers, and filling it with their materials. The Duke of Valois's money isn't going to be used at all."
Prince Leon looked at Martha. He looked at her for a while. A mixture of emotions filled his eyes once again. Martha stood up, holding the contract, and said.
"Now, let's prepare to start construction on the hot springs."
"I will verify that the construction company is entering through the Ashford ducal family's military route."
"Understood."
Martha thought as she left the drawing room. The Golden Lion Merchant Guild. I will make good use of the money, laborers, and materials. Very, very good. I have to finish this within a year, before the construction is finished.
Lucy, who had been waiting in the hallway, saw Martha.
"How did it go?"
"I signed the contract."
Lucy followed, taking out a notebook. Martha looked at Lucy.
"What are you writing down now?"
"It's all history."
Martha let out a smirk.
That evening. Martha sat alone in the study, looking out the window. It was the last night of July. The lavender flowerbeds were shining silver in the moonlight. Looking at them, Martha thought. I finally signed a contract with the Golden Lion Merchant Guild. Now that construction begins, they will be coming and going from the site. In the meantime, I need to gather more evidence. What else can I find in the Imperial Palace supply route? What illegalities exist in the material delivery process? Within a year, within a year. I'm ending this. I'll show them properly that playing games with my money leads to ruin!
Martha looked at the contract one more time. Then she put it in the drawer. Lucy knocked on the study door.
"Princess, I've brought the tea."
"Come in."
As Lucy placed the tea down, she took out a notebook. Martha looked at Lucy.
"What are you writing down this time?"
"Your gaze, Princess."
"What's wrong with the look?"
Lucy said as she wrote in the notebook.
"You looked like someone facing a war."
Martha looked at Lucy. Lucy said.
"No, you looked like someone who had already won."
Martha said, taking a sip of tea.
"Say that after I've won."
"Because I think you will win."
Martha looked at Lucy. Lucy closed the notebook and said.
"You'll know as you live."
Martha let out a smirk. The lavender flowerbed outside the window swayed quietly in the moonlight.
[Lucy's Secret Shock Journal Episode 43]
With their money, over there. The Princess said that she would build the hot springs with laborers and materials from over there. The Golden Lion Merchant Guild seemed to think they had won. I guess you'll find out as you live on.
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