The general store, a joint venture of the Babyloa and Hessmann families, was located less than a hundred meters away from my stationery store. It stood directly in front of the Academy's main entrance, a prime commercial area visible to every carriage passing by. The banner of the Duke of Babyloa proudly flew above the building.
Its proximity to the Academy was much closer than my stationery store. If they sold similar items, I would surely lose all my customers. I wasn't certain if Hildegard was starting this new business near the Academy specifically because of me, but it was clear she was trying to impede me. Surprisingly, her tactics were exactly the same as in the past.
I surveyed the building where construction was in full swing. Construction materials were being stacked one by one with the aid of magic, and workers moved materials while wizards busily surveyed the land, coming and going.
As I stood with my arms crossed, contemplating the situation, a wizard approached me. "This is a construction site, so please move out of the way."
I asked him in a clear, neutral voice, "Oh, what is being built here?"
"It's a general store… well, you could call it a shop for children. After all, the Prince's wealth is astounding, isn't it?"
Seeing the wizard reply so sincerely, I folded my arms. They were busy surveying the land and discussing construction methods.
"How long do you think it will take?"
"Oh, it's quite large. Still, it will be built within two weeks. That's what the client requested." The wizard answered my question faithfully. He seemed to think I was an official here, or perhaps he didn't believe it was a secret.
There was only one reason why so many wizards would be mobilized to construct a building so quickly: it meant they intended to completely overshadow my stationery store, which had just begun to gain popularity at the Academy. It was obvious that a grand building would be erected, one that would catch everyone's eye. In this way, my venture might follow the same path that Meldenique and Babyloa had fallen into in the past.
'I was trying to find a way to live comfortably without seeking revenge…'
Why do they keep provoking me?
"I understand."
I had planned to attract children, enjoy a happy life by stroking their cute, round heads.
'Will you continue to be an obstacle in my life like this?'
No matter how I thought about it, this felt like self-defense. I turned and walked back toward my stationery store. Do you think only you can employ despicable tactics, Hildegard?
'I think I should return to the stationery store.'
Since Hildegard had made such a cowardly move, I had to create an opportunity to save the stationery store. And luckily, I had a vague understanding of Hildegard's methods.
'How should I deal with it? Just like removing cancer cells, there's a way to get rid of them.'
I walked away from the construction site and headed towards my stationery store, pondering all sorts of things.
'First thing's first…'
But just then, someone roughly grabbed my wrist as I was gathering my thoughts.
What the heck? I'm so busy I could die, but what kind of person shows such ill manners by carelessly touching someone else's body? I turned my gaze back to look at the man who had rudely grabbed my wrist.
'Huh? Duke Hessmann?'
He appeared at an unexpected moment and grabbed my wrist like a male protagonist in an old movie. This man was not like last year; he just kept appearing. He spoke arrogantly.
"I don't know if you're aware, but Babyloa and Hessmann have decided to work together."
I scratched my chin, feeling the scratchy beard at the corners of his mouth. "…Aha, is that so?"
"We started a project for children at the beginning of this year, and we are going to begin with the Academy."
'This is a bit surprising. Are we going to be direct rivals?'
But I didn't want to concern myself with this adulterous man, so I replied as dryly as possible. "Good luck. I support you. Amazing."
Was he angry because I gave an answer completely different from his intentions? A vein throbbed on his temple.
"We can crush the insignificant business you've set up."
"Oh, yes." I ignored him, pulled my wrist free from his strong grip, and took a step.
"Answer me properly, Lady Meldenique."
"Oh, I don't have a hobby of answering spam messages."
Duke Hessmann's face contorted. How does it feel to be ignored and mocked every time? Let's flirt, man.
"Whether it's the Academy or the young ladies and gentlemen before their social debut, they will all use our establishment."
"…"
"So, get your small business in order before it goes bankrupt. I've decided to cancel the excommunication and make the breakup something that never happened." He raised his lips as if he had shown great benevolence.
Why do you keep forgetting? I'm not the Meldenique Babyloa of the past.
"Whether I fail or not, I decide my future. Enough." I left him and took a step.
But he stopped me once again as I tried to move. "…Well, you've always been ruined when you decided the future, haven't you?"
The word "ruined" flowing from his red lips irritated me. It was true that the Meldenique of the past was always ruined and crushed. However, if it was Lennox Hessmann making derogatory remarks, the irritation I didn't even have would rise even more. I looked at him and snorted.
"Oh, that's right. I said that if you get sloppy with me again, I'll make you a 'national adulterous man,' but did you forget?"
"I swear to God, I have never had an affair. It's not fair to say that I am an adulterous man of the people."
I glared at him and thought seriously. 'One murder is enough to avoid three patiences…'
Lennox looked at me with an arrogant face. I let out a long sigh and looked around. It was to stabilize my mind and body.
Something strange flashed behind him. It was something like a small egg, as if it was wrapping its face in something. But I didn't have time to keep an eye on it. Right now, I had to worry about the man in front of me, so I didn't have time to worry about anything else.
"I don't think you understand. Now, listen. You even went on a trip with Sheria alone."
"There was no physical relationship."
"Everyone in society considered you lovers."
"That's—"
"Have you ever argued against that? You also went to cocktail parties together. You were pretty perfect partners, weren't you?" He clicked his tongue at my firm voice.
"Just a business partner, I've told you a few times!"
"What… Can you say that you didn't have a crush on her at all? Even if you didn't mean to make me laugh, your actions made me look foolish enough."
Lennox, who had been staring at me in annoyance, immediately thrust a bracelet into my hand as if to throw it away. "Receive."
I felt a sense of surprise when I saw the bracelet he handed me.
"This is the gift you have been begging for every time."
"…"
It was the old Meldenique who clung to Lennox and longed for the things he had gifted Sheria. While Sheria had received all kinds of magical artifacts and love letters from him, Meldenique had been filled with envy. I still had to act as if I were that Meldenique, like a pet dog begging for his attention.
"Are you red-flagged by me now?" I held the bracelet in my hand as if it would break.
"Yes, red ship. Ah, ha, I'm sure. Are you going to spread a rumor that I am an adulterous man of the people?" He looked around and then whispered in a low, mean tone, "Who would believe you?"
Lennox looked down at me arrogantly and urged me to answer. Is it a carrot and a stick? Then it's my turn to answer.
"It doesn't matter if you don't believe it, right?"
He doesn't know it, but I've already taken a lot from him, starting with Dominic.
'If you continue to stand in my way, I'll take everything from you.'
It was just when I felt that it was worthless to talk anymore. Something quick and fast began to roll at my feet. Then he raised his hands to block my way. With a little exaggeration, a girl half my height opened her small mouth and glared at Lennox. Her beautifully braided hair swayed quickly in the air.
"Hey, you scumbag, bastard! I believe you, I believe you!"
I was puzzled. So I couldn't help but stare blankly at the back of the head of a young girl who seemed to have never said anything harsh in her life.
'Well, what?'
The girl came in front of me, blocking me, and was glaring at Lennox with her small fists clenched. If you didn't stop her, she might even try to hit him. But I couldn't say anything.
'Wait. She has a similar voice to the little girl who came a while ago, but that face is…!'
She was the youngest princess of Prince Hessmann and Princess Mirissa, Lennox's younger sister.