Chapter 27: Meeting Charlotte (2)

Ooooh

Milton could not stop a sound of awe from escaping his mouth.

The elegant young daughters of the noble families that Milton Forrest had seen while living in the capital, and the countless beauties that he had seen on TV in his previous life as Park Moon-Soo...

Including all of them, there had been no one with features as beautiful as the lady before Milton right now.

Brilliant blonde hair and blue eyes like twin lakes, and soft skin reminiscent of white jade without a single blemish; these came together to form her aesthetically-pleasing face.

More than anything, the air she exuded was awestriking. The energy enveloping her was not the result of feminine qualities such as purity or beauty, but rather was a mysterious sense of majesty.

He had heard the saying that your soul would be taken if you keep complimenting a beautiful face, but

Today was Miltons first time actually living and breathing this saying.

This would be my first time meeting you. I am Viscount Milton Forrest.

For a moment Milton had indeed lost his soul, but he came back to his senses and formally introduced himself.

I am the owner of Charlotte Merchant Company. I would prefer if you would call me Charlotte.

Milton pondered as he watched her greet him gracefully.

She doesnt have a surname. A commoner? No. That cant be.

Her posture, her voice and tone, and down to the etiquette with which she greeted him

The courteous demeanor of this woman in front of him was so elegant that it made Milton, a countryside noble, look rather awkward. This was not a form that could arise unless one was drilled with the proper rules surrounding etiquette from a young age, so as to artlessly imprint it into ones body and mind.

Shes not a commoner. She probably hasnt mentioned her surname to hide her identity. If anything, the name Charlotte itself could be an alias.

There was almost no information that Milton could conjecture about the young lady in front of him at this moment. As these things tended to go, an adversary whose identity was unknowable could be more dangerous than one who openly displayed animosity.

Milton snapped back into full focus and sat facing her.

Id like to first give you my thanks. Its due to you good people that this major income has come into our stead.

It is my pleasure. It would be splendid if we may use this opportunity to begin forming a good relationship.

Hearing her words along with her gentle smile, one could go well beyond the level of a good relationship and degenerate to a sell-out serving up every part of himself to her.

How could a womans looks be so

If a womans looks were to be classified as a weapon to use, the lady in front of him would be a master class without a doubt.

Milton refocused his wandering attention and quickly got to the point.

Although, I must admit that I simply cannot understand this, no matter how much I mull over it.

What are you speaking of?

I am speaking of your winning bids at the auction. Do you mean you can generate a profit at the price at which you purchased the goods?

At Miltons words, the lady took a sip from her tea without a word. As she dodged answering this question with her powerful silence, Milton continued to press on.

You see, the other merchant companies have lodged a complaint with me. They ask why I had opened such a meaningless auction, when we appear to have already come to terms on a secret agreement.

Oh? Dear me, were there such bad people amongst our crowd?

As far as I can see, this goes beyond the realm of understanding. With all due respect, the price you bid was just that ludicrous.

I did not think that buying things at an expensive price would become such a problem. Did this cause trouble for you in some fashion, Viscount?

No, it did not.

Then I believe theres no further reason for me to be questioned like this, Viscount. Would you not agree?

Have a load of this woman

Milton could feel her backing him into a corner. It was certain that she was plotting something, but it appeared she had no plans of telling him.

If that was the case

They probably have their own motives in responding to my summons so readily in the first place, right? Then should I try pulling instead of pushing?

Milton first put on a stern expression, and spoke to the lady as if he was conceding.

That does seem to be the case. My curiosity may have been excessive.

.

Then it appears we have no more business to tend to. Congratulations on your success at the auction. If thats all

Milton stood up from his seat as if they were finished.

But as soon as he did so

P-please wait just a moment.

The branch manager who was standing behind Charlotte hurriedly held Milton back.

Tsk

The chairwoman clicked her tongue at the state of affairs, and Milton silently cheered at his victory in his mind.

Looks like you guys really did have some sort of aim in answering my call after all.

If Milton had not called them over himself, the other side would likely have arranged for this meeting themselves with whatever excuse they could find. Milton sat himself down again and put the ball in Lady Charlottes court.

Please, if you have business left to speak of, go ahead.

The woman sighed quietly at his words and began talking. It seemed that no advantage would come out of dragging this along any further.

Viscount Milton Forrest. It has been brought to my attention that you shouldered your forefathers debt as soon as his peerage was passed onto you, and you found yourself facing the crisis of having your title and fief taken from you.

Well, strictly speaking the title was- Well, thats not all that important so please continue.

Yes. And so you jumped into the fray at the Western Front of the Strabus Kingdom in order to remunerate the debts you owe our company. Furthermore it appears you garnered quite the accomplishments during your service.

Hmm

Milton crossed his arms and neither confirmed nor denied her claims.

The owner of Charlotte Merchant Company formed a smile and continued.

You brilliantly impeded the Hildess Republics plans of seizing the Strabus Kingdoms supply depots in the commercial city of Pratinos. Then, you operated a supply unit through the goodwill of a frontline commander and amassed your funds. Not only that, but you overcame a crisis where Crow Fortress, the station you served, almost fell due to the betrayal of an insider. Furthermore

Thats enough.

Milton waved his hand to stop her ballooning breakdown of his activities.

It seems you have carried out quite the investigation on me.

Youve piqued my interest, you see.

Pardon?

Milton felt his heart momentarily leap on its own.

How was he able to prepare such a large sum to remunerate the debt in that short time? We investigated your past to answer this question and this was the information we stumbled upon.

Oh. Yes I see.

Go figure. What was I thinking?

For a flash, Milton was disappointed but regained his composure. In any event, it seemed it would be better to think of the woman in front of him as a wicked fox and a trickster rather than a merchant.

As a result of those investigations, I assessed that Viscount Milton Forrest will most definitely become an important figure in the future.

Its quite the honor to hear that. Then is it safe to assume that the sum you paid at this auction was an investment in my expected growth?

Yes, its safe to see it as that. To start with, the relationship between you, Viscount, and us at Charlotte Merchant Company has not exactly been cordial. If we are able to erase our bad blood at least through this ordeal, we believe it would be beneficial for the both of us.

I can see it would be.

Milton nodded his head in agreement with Charlotte. But in his mind

Thats a lie.

Milton did not trust a single word that the woman no, the wily fox said to him.

An investment