Common Sense of a Duke's Daughter

CHAPTER 95-96

Chapter 95: Negotiations

Marquis Rudolf was one of the nobles who was part of the second prince's faction.

I don't know what he thought but after he attended the commemoration party of the foundation of the nation, he sent me an invitation to a party he was hosting.

...Now then, one thing bothers me here. Why did he react so much to Marquis Rudolf's name?

The answer to that is simple. That is he wanted to hide his connection to Marquis Rudolf.

"...Sorry but, why bring up Marquis Rudolf's name here?"

"You are very close with him, right? So much that you were able to ask Edward-sama for your request."

"......!!"

Vuld was so surprised that his mouth opened wide in reaction. Ah, he gives off such interesting reactions.

Hiding my smile with the folding fan, I just silently looked at him.

"....More importantly, let's move on to the main topic."

"Main topic, you say?"

"Yes, that's right. It is about our management collaboration with Bennel conglomerate and Azuta conglomerate."

"If I remember correct, we were supposed to provide funds in exchange for Bennel conglomerate's location and personnel in the capital and other places... right?"

"Yes, you are correct."

"...I am sorry but, I cannot consent to that."

"....Wha!"

"It is certainly true that we need places and labour. But it would be fine if we just acquire them from other sources... I do not think I want them as much as to pay you the amount you asked for it."

"That might be true. However... If I may say something, Iris-sama, I had assumed that Azuta conglomerate wanted to have connections with Edward-sama, though."

There it comes. Using 'Edward-sama's connection' as his lance and shield, he is trying to bring about conditions advantageous to himself.

However, I do not plan on agreeing to their terms.

After all, the fund they requested was absurdly high. To the point where it makes you wonder how they loaned such an amount of money...

"Yes, it is exactly as you assumed, Vuld-sama. We, the Azuta conglomerate, want a connection with Edward-sama to make a foothold in the capital... However, after thinking it through, we decided that we could just consult someone else. Just as your company consulted Marquis Rudolf."

"How do you...!"

He didn't even try to keep up his appearances anymore. He expressed his surprise just like that.

"Fufufu, our company has quite the big ears, you know? I would suggest you to not always find faults in your employees. After all, if they were to complain at a pub, it would spread very easily."

This is why I appreciate Tanya. Really, her information gathering skill is amazing.

"Kuuhh.....!"

"We have gone astray from the topic, haven't we? Even after you went to all the trouble to ask Marquis Rudolf for a 'request' to make a connection with Edward-sama and got labor from Azuta Conglomerate, now your company's internal condition is that of a fiery chariot. It's already in a precarious state.... If I were to reject today, you would have to close down your shop tomorrow, wouldn't you?"