<span>When Tully shrugged, Rishe froze involuntarily.


    <span>“My bad, I apologize. Perhaps, that’s a poor choice of words.”


    <span>“Chairman Tully…”


    <span>“But as I said, we can’t amodate you in ourpany.”


    <span>“And why is that?”


    <span>The power of the Aria Trading Company was absolutely necessary for the measures Rishe has in mind for the future.


    <span>Thework of contacts and business routes that Tully would be expanding in the future and the suppliers to the artisans who develop products – having a connection with them who would develop into a global scale within a few years would lend her more hands in gaining control over dignitaries of various nations.


    <span>Tully maintained that deceptive smile and said, “It’s because themodities we can offer now don’t meet your conditions.”


    <span>“As for my conditions, I…”


    <span>“It seems that you’re risking your life on this deal.”


    <i><span>I felt like he could see through my resolve and my expression almost changed spontaneously.</i>


    <span>Droopy eyes framed by longshes, tantly probed Rishe this time. That look probably meant, [I have no intention of hiding my measuring gaze any longer.]


    <span>“If our Trading Company fails toplete the deal, we will incur some serious losses — I’ve seen more than a few faces of people with that kind of desperate resolve to the point of rotting.”


    <span>“…”


    <span>“You carry more resolve than anyone I’ve ever seen in my life. Despite the fact that you’re only purchasing items for your wedding from a mere merchant.”


    <span>Rishe’s mind was filled with the words Tully had once said to her.


    <span>[Be a merchant chosen by your customers, offer them products and value that they can only get through us. — Once that happens, we’ll get to be the ones to choose our customers.]


    <span>Tully, in fact, has always had a good eye on who he was dealing with.


    <span>Even if it was a big client, he would not do business with a customer who would lead to a loss in the long run or who wasn’t in the best interest of the Trading Company.


    <span>Rishe was on the verge of being sieved and eliminated right now.


    <span>“This is a once-in-a-lifetime deal.”


    <span>She smiled softly, trying to mask her agitation as much as possible.


    <span>“That’s why, I’m just nervous about the arrangements. I’m too embarrassed of my inexperience.”


    <span>“Haha, don’t worry. I’m sure your wedding will be a wonderful affair… Unfortunately, what ourpany can offer you is totally insufficient.”


    <span>Tully stood up and gave a deliberately reverent bow.


    <span>“Chairman Tully…”


    <span>“It was an honor to hear from you. Even so, Garkhain is indeed a wonderful country. We would like to forget about our work for a while and enjoy a few days of sightseeing. This servant is thankful that we’ve been given a nice ce to stay.”


    <span>“Please wait, chairman. I just need a few more minutes of your time–”


    <span>“Goodbye, Your Highness, the lovely future Crown Princess.”


    <span>Tully left the reception room shortly before Rishe could hold him back.


    <span>***


    <span>(I didn’t even have an ind to cling to…)


    <span>With her teacup in hand, Rishe mused absentmindedly.


    <span>She removed the lot of jewelry she was wearing and changed into something morefortable to move around in, and joined the table at the Royal Pce.


    <span>There were some freshly baked cookies in front of her, but she doesn’t have the energy to bring them to her mouth.


    <span>(I was definitely nervous, but I didn’t mean to show it on my face. I can’t believe he refused to do business with me after seeing through me in that instant…)


    <i><span>No matter how many times I was reborn, I don’t feel like I can beat Tully at all. While I’m pondering the various reasons for my defeat, the handmaidens are chatting happily.</i>


    <span>“… He finally proposed to me that night!”


    <span>“Wow, that’s great!”


    <span>This was a tea party time when maids who had finished their daily study sessions enjoyed sweets and chatting. Basically, it was just a gathering for the girls, but Rishe decided to join in as well every few days.


    <span>Today, however, their conversations fell on deaf ears.


    <span>“I’m jealous. I want to marry someone nice too.”


    <span>(Still, I wonder if it’s simply a case of being forewarned. He’s not someone who jumps into a lucrative business venture without a second thought, no matter how lucrative it seems to be.)


    <span>“Me too! I’m also yearning for someone like that!”