The Reincarnated Count's Daughter Is the Strongest as She Is Loved by the Spirits, Though She Is Only Wishing for Regular Romance!
Chapter 55
“Are you familiar with cacao beans?”
When asked with a suspicious face, I put on my business smile and tilted my head slightly.
Uh-oh, was it bad that I knew about them?
Didn't they say that cacao beans have been spreading in Luftanen for the past few years?
“Oh, of course. I’m very studious, you know. Just like how you’ve come to the empire to do business, we also... right, Brother?”
I shouldn't show that I'm worried, so I casually pushed the conversation to my brother, Chris.
“When it comes to food, I leave it all to Dia. I haven't had it investigated.”
He must have had other things investigated. There's no way the Marquess wouldn't have spies in neighboring countries.
“I see... How much would you like?”
Hmm, it seems like Mr. Conning looks a bit pale.
“Dia, do you have an idea?”
“Oh, I certainly do.”
Suppressing my excitement, I tugged at Chris-niisama's sleeve. He must have noticed that I was about to start dancing with joy. Rex, standing behind the sofa, was probably ready to hold me down if I stood up on the chair. But I won’t dance for this chocolate.
“Then, we’ll take everything you have.”
As expected of Chris-niisama, so generous!
“E-everything?!”
“What are you going to do with so much?”
“Why do I have to explain?”
“I-I apologize.”
Mr. Conning must not have expected this turn of events. He probably thought we'd be happy to buy the chocolate, strengthen our ties with the Fairy Company, and use it as a stepping stone for business in the empire, eventually reaching the capital. That’s a typical merchant’s thought.
That's why they even brought the company president's grandson. He doesn't seem to be of much use at the moment. Maybe they thought Chris-niisama and I would get along because we’re children.
“If you’re willing to sell, I’ll guarantee regular purchases of a fixed amount each time.”
“That would be... very helpful.”
“If we buy in bulk, you’ll give us a discount, right?”
“Yes, of course...”
“Oh, but I need you to promise one thing. For at least three years, you won’t export cacao beans to anyone else.”
It would be troublesome if our creation was immediately imitated. We need to establish the image that chocolate is synonymous with the Fairy Company.
“Three years?! Is this a formal request from the Fairy Company?”
“Of course. Dia is in charge of our sweets department.”
Mr. Conning looked at me with surprise, and I answered with a bright smile.
“However, three years is... We would need some benefit for ourselves as well.”
Oh, Mr. Conning is putting up a fight against nobility.
“Benefit? The benefit is being able to do business with us. Is that unsatisfactory?”
“N-no, not at all.”
It’s tough for merchants dealing with nobility. Without strong backing, fair trade is often not allowed. That’s why many nobles, including us, establish their own companies to protect talented merchants. We can’t let our domain's specialty products be bought cheaply by others.
The Corquette Company lacks a strong foundation for doing business in the empire. That’s why they brought chocolate to us first, hoping to gain favor. Currently, Berisario’s endorsement holds the most power in the empire.
“I’d like you to refrain from selling this chocolate elsewhere for a while.”
Even though Mr. Conning hadn’t acknowledged the name “chocolate,” he didn’t deny it either. Chris-niisama is brilliant, using it seamlessly and pushing further.
“Um... well...”
While Mr. Conning was wiping his sweat, Kamiru kept his head down, clenching his hands on his thighs. The usually chatty spirits were also silent, hovering worriedly behind Kamiru’s head, looking like the halo of a Buddha, enhancing the solemnity.
“I’m thinking of opening a store in Luftanen soon.”
“... Is that so?”
Mr. Conning’s voice brightened immediately.
“Have you been to our store?”
“The café was crowded, so I just bought a cake to take home.”
“Do you think it will be well-received in Luftanen?”
Facing Chris-niisama’s calm inquiry, Mr. Conning nodded with sparkling eyes.
“Of course. Trends from the empire always make their way to Luftanen.”
“Then how about entrusting the operation to the Corquette Company when we open a store there?”
“That would be... a wonderful opportunity.”
“And if I create something with cacao beans, how about exclusively exporting it through the Corquette Company to Luftanen?”
“Dia, can you make such a promise? You came up with the cheesecake and gelato ideas. I have no doubt about this one either.”
“Thank you, Brother. I’ll make sure to meet your expectations.”
After our little act, we both turned our gazes to Mr. Conning. It was clear we expected him to agree.
“I can’t make a decision immediately. May I take this back and give you an answer later?”
“What? Did the Corquette Company send someone who can’t make immediate decisions?”
“Chris-niisama, they have island-related issues to consider. They can’t give an immediate answer.”
“Oh, I see. Which island are the cacao beans from?”
“Probably the southern one?”
“Then why not get them directly...”
“P-please wait. Give us three days. We can discuss prices and bring a small amount of the actual product.”
Wow, will I get to see cacao in three days?!
That’s wonderful!!
“I’ll do my best to meet your expectations, but I have one request...”
Even with such good conditions, he still has a request?
“So, you don’t need exclusive rights to the finished products?”
“N-no... but...”
This conversation feels odd. He’s too passive for a merchant, not trying to sell. Could it be that the chocolate was just a means to an end? Was this his goal all along?
“Chris-niisama, shouldn’t we at least hear him out? We might be dealing with him for a long time.”
“Hmm. Fine. Speak.”
Chris-niisama’s cold demeanor must make him look like an arrogant child to those who don’t know him. He’s doing it intentionally, though, our eldest son.
“This is Kamiru, grandson of the Corquette Company President, Viscount Branton. He wishes to discuss something important regarding spirit beasts with you, Lady Diadora.”
“With me?”
“...”
Kamiru glanced at Mr. Conning with a frown.
He doesn't look like he wants to consult me at all. What’s going on?
And I didn’t know the Corquette Company was run by nobility.
... Yet they sent a commoner like Mr. Conning to negotiate with us?
“Oh, the grandson of Viscount Branton. I heard his son doesn’t have any children yet. He’s young but adopted, I see. A holder of all elemental spirit beasts, no wonder they call it the Land of Spirits.”
“...”
Kamiru endured Chris-niisama’s cold stare, returning the gaze. I had assumed he was a quiet child because he cried four years ago, but it seems that’s not the case.
“Thank you.”
Oh, Mr. Conning might be clueless.
He didn’t catch Chris-niisama’s sarcasm.
“He possesses all elemental spirit beasts and is spreading the knowledge of raising spirits in the Northern Island. We heard you also give lectures on spirits in other territories, Lady Diadora. Even a brief conversation would be invaluable.”
“So, he’s here for that.”
“He’s doing similar things in Luftanen as I am.”
“Oh, a viscount’s grandson from another country wants a private conversation with my sister, known as the Fairy Princess?”
Chris-niisama, I didn’t know you could sound that menacing. Your husky voice is quite striking.
Wait, don’t make that scary face. You’re ruining your pretty-boy image. Though some might find this appealing.
Everyone in the room is tense. Mr. Conning looks like he’s about to faint.
“No, Mr. Conning seems to have misunderstood. I never intended to request a private conversation with the Marquess’s daughter.”
After taking a deep breath, Kamiru started speaking resolutely.
“If you could spare a moment, I would like to consult with someone about the Spirit King.”
Wow, a viscount’s grandson with all elemental spirit beasts, Luftanen really is something.
In our country, those who possess all elemental spirit beasts are all high-ranking nobles.
Judging from Chris-niisama’s words, Kamiru must have been adopted as the viscount's heir.
A consultation about the Spirit King?
There must be something significant. This is a red flag.
“You don’t have any questions about spirits at this point, do you?”
Kamiru glanced at me, quickly averting his eyes when they met.
Suspicious.
“Isn’t it convenient for a merchant? You can use spatial magic, right?”
“What?”
His beautiful amber eyes widened in surprise.
Thinking I wouldn’t notice and asking to talk to me was naive. I’m practically a spirit sommelier.
“You’re aware of my position, aren’t you?”
I waited for Kamiru and Mr. Conning to nod before continuing.
“Even prominent nobles in our country often want to ask me directly about spirits. But it’s endless, isn’t it? I’m still only ten years old, and my father and the crown prince have instructed everyone to go through the Ministry of Spirits. Do you think you can bypass that and talk to me directly?”
“I know I’m asking a lot. Even five minutes would be enough. If you hear me out, you’ll understand why I’m making this request.”
“Please go through the Ministry
of Spirits.”
“Even if they approve, I wouldn’t meet alone. At least Chris-niisama and Alan would be present.”
Chris-niisama is unwavering.
“And you made an unworthy request to speak directly to my sister, the Fairy Princess. Swear to tell the truth without any lies or deceit.”
“What do you mean by...”
“Don’t you understand?”
“I-I apologize!”
Suddenly, Mr. Conning shouted and knelt on the floor.
“I apologize for my inappropriate behavior and request, taking advantage of the Lady’s kindness.”
“...Conning.”
What’s going on? Why the sudden change in attitude?
Even Kamiru looked at Mr. Conning in surprise.
“We will bring the cacao beans in three days. Please accept them.”
Mr. Conning continued to apologize while kneeling, promising not to sell chocolate or cacao elsewhere without our permission, and left. Kamiru’s frustrated and regretful look lingered in my mind.
Did he think that seeing me being carefree before meant I’d say, “Sure, let’s talk!” He probably thought chocolate would make me happy too.
If we’d run into each other in town, we might have had a casual conversation, but not in a formal business setting.
“Brother, what do you know?”
“About what?”
“About Kamiru.”
“I don’t know anything.”
“Huh?”
“I just heard about cacao and chocolate for the first time, and I’ve never heard of Kamiru before.”
Wait, didn’t you say something about not lying or deceiving?
“I haven’t taken over the spies from Father yet. If needed, I ask Father to investigate. But something is up with this.”
“Right?”
Mr. Conning probably thought we had thoroughly investigated Luftanen and them.
“I’ve seen Mr. Conning a few times, so he’s our contact, right?”
“No, our contact from the Corquette Company is a woman named Leah. Conning... he’s not a merchant.”
“Then what is he?”
“A babysitter for the grandson?”
Was Kamiru’s babysitter regularly visiting the company?
For what purpose?
Chris-niisama quickly contacted various people, gathering information and reporting. Even though he’s a child, a noble talking about consulting on spirits is serious.
I hurried back to my room and opened Wiki-kun alone.
I’m curious.
Depending too much isn’t good, but information is a weapon. Knowing early might help friends or prevent problems.
Yes, it’s better to check.
Corquette Company’s Kamiru-kun.
...Oh, found it. Kamiru Eisdale Duke.
What? A duke?! How can a viscount’s grandson be a duke?!
No way, no way.
Calm down, me. Let's see...
A former fifth prince who renounced his claim to the throne.
He’s royalty!!