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“They tucked their tails and ran away!”
It was that afternoon. Having chased away Danae’s party, Mark raised a toast. Then he loudly boasted as if telling a heroic tale.
“The direct line of Windsor left without even daring to protest to me!”
“Oh my, is that really true?”
“It is!” Recalling the morning’s events, Mark burst out laughing.
To be called as a direct member of Windsor, they were nothing special after all. They lost their never just because he shut them out at the gate.Even they looked so pathetic as they left!Just as people said, there wasn’t an ounce of boldness in them.
“Windsor family is a toothless tiger. I heard the duke is a weakling obsessed with making money, and buried himself in paperwork.”
Wasn’t it his trusted confidant, Priest Morius, who told him this?
“He barely looked strong enough to even pick up a pen.”
Having lived in the capital, Priest Morius was well-informed about the outside world. To Mark, who had never stepped a foot outside this estate, he saw Morius as his window to the world.
The Windsor are trash.
Originally, the Windsor were the guardians of this border. But what are they doing now?
“Windsor family is too obsessed with making money that they have no interest in their duty to protect the border.”
The Kurs family had long been Windsor’s vassal, but that was a thing of the past.
Yes. The Windsor we served was a great military family that protected the border. They weren’t the money-grubbing sellouts they are now!
The current Duke Windsor has no interest in the duty of protecting the border. After all, he’s never come to this estate even once!
Right. Windsor estate is protected by my family and me! The Kurs family has defended this border! Surely Windsor knows this too. That’s why they gave up so easily. Though they hold the land deeds, the true ruler of Windsor estate is the Kurs family.
At that moment, his confidant, Priest Morius, approached. “The Malkan Merchant Guild is here.”
At that, his mistress, Bianca’s eyes sparkled. “Oh my? Could it be!”
“Yes. Didn’t I tell you? I’ll get you the Heart of the Moon for your birthday present!”
“Kyaa! Let’s go, let’s go see it now!”
Grabbing Bianca’s hand, they hurried to the parlor.
Bianca chatted excitedly. “I thought you were joking. I never thought you’d actually get it. That necklace is supposed to be incredibly rare. How did you get it?”
“Hahaha. I told you, there’s no jewel I can’t get my hands on!”
With the Windsor official seal given to the acting lord, anything was possible, even acquiring the legendary treasures. And with the enormous funds sent by Duke Windsor for estate management, buying national treasures was easy. However,
What awaited was a young errand boy.
Just a mere errand boy? What do they take me for!
Though Mark was being embarrassed in front of his mistress, he pretended to stay calm. “The Heart of the Moon, where is that necklace?”
“The necklace has been delivered directly to its owner.”
“There must be some mistake. I’m the owner of that necklace.”
“What do you mean that you’re the owner of it, Lord Mark?” The errand boy looked baffled. “That necklace belongs to the Windsor family, doesn’t it?”
“I delivered it directly to the direct member of the Windsor family.”
Mark couldn’t process those words at first.Delivered it directly to the member of the Windsor family? What does that even… Did the member of Windsor steal it?
Mark’s face turned red as he shouted, “What do you mean! I bought that necklace! I paid for it!”
“That’s strange. The order was placed in Windsor’s name. Please check the contact for yourself.”
But Mark snatched the contract from the boy and threw it aside in anger. “How dare a mere errand boy play games with me! Bring the merchant guild leader at once!”
“I think you’re mistaken, Lord Mark.”
“Errand boys should talk to other errand boys. After all, you’re just Windsor’s errand boy too.”
For a moment, Mark was left speechless.Errand boy? Who? Me?
“I came here to tell you this. From now on, deliveries will be made directly to the member of Windsor family. Please understand that.”
It was a clear declaration that they would no longer do business with Mark.
“And one last piece of advice before I leave.” The errand boy looked at Mark with a pitying expression. “No matter how far away you live, you should know how the world works.”
“Please, at least read a newspaper once in a while. Or hire a proper assistant. Try acting civilized.”
That damned brat! Who does he think he’s talking to? Should I just cut him down right here?
But the humiliation wasn’t over yet.
“Hmph. So it was just a bluff, after all.”
“Bi-Bianca, it’s not like that—”
Even his mistress ignored him and left.
Mark slumped down in his seat.Did the direct member of Windsor family intercept the necklace I ordered? When? How?He’d seen them leave in the morning.Had they not actually gone? Well, it doesn’t matter. They will be leaving soon anyway.Mark quickly composed himself.
Just let them wait outside the castle for days and weeks. The gate won’t open! Eventually, they’ll give up and leave.
Right. Windsor family have no real interest in this remote estate.They probably only came here on a whim. If he just holds out, they’ll leave soon enough. And then, just like before, he’ll go decades without seeing them.
When that time comes, the Malkan Merchant Guild will regret betraying me! Besides, it’s not like I only deal with one guild.Mark had more than enough merchant guilds to do business with. Losing just one was nothing.Yeah. Just one.
“We’re in big trouble, Milord!” The door burst open, and Priest Morius rushed in. “All the merchant guilds we trade with have sent word that they’re cutting ties!”
“I had no idea that Mark Kurs was claiming to be the lord of Windsor estate!” A Malkan Merchant Guild executive pleaded desperately. “If we’d known, we would never ever have done business with such a traitor.”
Dana looked at the merchant coldly.
That morning, she had gone straight to the estate’s border gate. Then she told the soldiers guarding the gate.
“If any merchant guild wagons pass through, bring them to me.”
She then handed over her identity badge and some gold coins.
“I’ll pay a reward for each merchant guild you bring.”
After motivating them sufficiently, the first wagon the soldiers brought was from the Malkan Merchant Guild. At first, the merchant raged at the outrageous treatment.
“Da-Danae Windsor? Are you Lady Danae Windsor?”
But after seeing her identity badge, he quickly became meek.
At least this person is a little more civilized and reasonable.
Dana pressed the Malkan Merchant Guild, implying they were in league with Mark. And the merchant’s reaction was predictable.
“It’s true, Lady Windsor! We just thought he was acting as the acting lord! Truly!”
He became desperate to avoid being dragged in. Of course it was only natural. Pretending not to know about someone falsely claiming to be lord was a serious crime, and if Duke Windsor found out, the merchant guild could be ruined.
Who would want to be out of favor with Duke Windsor? But really, did he not know? There’s no way he didn’t know.
Merchants are quick-witted and well-informed. They couldn’t have been unaware.They just pretended not to know, since it was profitable.With a treasure like the Heart of the Moon and all that money being thrown around, there was nothing to lose for them.
“Well, I’m not sure my brother would see it the same way.”
When Dana threatened him clearly, the merchant’s face went pale. If you were marked by Viego Windsor, your merchant guild would end. Literally, bankruptcy was a moment away.
“W-What should I do?”
Dana smiled. “First of all, cut off your business with Mark Kurs.”
“Of course! We will never deal with that treacherous man again.”
“You should also send messengers to inform the other merchant guilds about this. Don’t you think so?”
Dana was sure of it. It wouldn’t even take three hours for this news to reach every merchant guild doing business with Mark Kurs.The merchant union is the fastest source of information in this world.
First, she would cut off all his business partners. And then,
“How many errand boys does Malkan Merchant Guild have?”
“We can mobilize about 50 immediately…”
“Call all of them and send them to every food shop in the estate. Buy up everything, no matter what kind of food it is. Bill it to Danae Windsor.”
“I mean literally everything that can be eaten. And spread the word to the people.” Dana smiled brightly. “Tell them the direct member of the Windsor family will be distributing food for free.”