Chapter 162
Alter rode around the capital in a carriage with Brillie, visiting various places.
As the next head of house, he needed to observe the lands and merchant companies under the duke's house to check the flow of funds.
At the same time, he intended to pull out connections and closely examine the overall business practices.
"These lands would be better off sold; why have you held onto them until now?"
"You never know. Didn't the land I received increase in value when its mine was developed? Keeping it as is can also be a strategy."
"Still, from what I see, it seems like too much trouble. It's not that your insight was wrong, Alter, but didn't luck have something to do with it?"
"It's true I was lucky. But we're not short on money. Why insist on selling land?"
"Hmm... Should I buy you more clothes, perhaps?"
"Luxury is often for self-satisfaction or only for show. There's no need for excessive waste."
"You never let these things go, Alter. Can't you accept at least a bit of it?"
"If you're responsible for the house, you must judge on a broad scale. Personally, I only belong in the private sphere."
Alter decided to let go of his own greed, even for Brillie's sake.
Someday, Brillie would be called the Duke of Illenat and would lead the house proactively.
Even minor issues couldn't be allowed to occur, so now was the time to clearly separate their respective roles.
"My private life is important too. Are you telling me to treat my husband coldly?"
"If necessary, yes. The house must not be shaken just because of me."
"Why do you think the house would be shaken because of you, Alter?"
"If I'm the head's husband, I could abuse that power at any time. Wouldn't people think it strange if you, Brillie, always protected me in that situation?"
"No. There's no need to care about such things. If I say I will, who could interfere?"
Brillie looked at Alter with an unhurried expression.
Alter was briefly flustered but quickly continued.
"That won't do. There's such a thing as the authority of a duke's house, and you must maintain your own dignity. It's better if you act more rationally."
"Alter, don't I always say something? Do you know what it is?"
"Uh... Something like you think too much, or are too careful, maybe?"
"You remember well. Then why do you act this way even though you know?"
"Because it's for your sake, Brillie......"
Brillie didn't listen any further and leaned in toward Alter.
Alter was caught off-guard, and their faces ended up touching.
Brillie lightly brushed his cheek as if examining him and then brought her lips close to his ear.
"You... Aren't you underestimating me? Do you think I don't know?"
"... You probably do know."
"I married you, so I have to take responsibility. I'm sure you feel similarly. But our circumstances are different, right?"
"......"
"It's not that I want to ignore you. I just want to say our roles are different."
"......"
"You only need to stay by my side. You're part of me now, and you're linked to Duke Illenat's house. Doesn't that mean I should definitely take care of you?"
"......"
"If I don't stand up for you, it'll only arouse more suspicion. Pride fights exist even among nobles, so I can't avoid a bit of luxury. Even so, do you still think I'm wrong?"
"... No. I suppose you're right about that, Brillie."
Even Alter couldn't deny that fact.
Down to the details, he too was linked to Brillie's honor.
If Brillie were to scorn him, harsh rumors would circulate about Duke Illenat's house.
"I know what you're worried about. You think my judgment might waver, or that the house's foundation could crumble, right?"
"That's right. You'll be running the house from now on, Brillie."
"That's so typical of you. Being careful isn't bad, but you can't go too far, right? So why don't you relax a little?"
"Yes. I know my way isn't always right."
Only after hearing his answer did Brillie finally draw her body back.
Even after marrying him, Alter hadn't changed a bit.
Because of that, her trust in her husband only grew deeper, but she couldn't help but feel a bit frustrated.
'I wish he'd use me a little more.......'
It was always a lingering regret and faint longing.
Even as he was considerate of her, Alter never tried to take selfish advantage.
Still, since they were married, shouldn't he allow himself at least a little extra ambition?
'That's why I just can't dislike him. He's still so cute.'
Brillie hesitated for a moment and then carefully turned her gaze away.
She had never been honest with her own feelings, never truly looked inside.
In the end, it was only after marrying Alter that her feelings for him became clear.
'Maybe I... truly love this man.......'
* * *
Brillie briefly reviewed the lands belonging to the house and assessed their value.
Some buildings had been erected, but many were so old and crumbling that they couldn't really be used as residences.
Of course, there were some with valuable locations, so they could be reassessed in the future.
'Some of these were probably purchased by Father... but most must have been passed down in the family.'
After organizing the paperwork on the land, Brillie picked up the ledgers for the merchant companies.
She had visited each company in person, but couldn't grasp every detail.
She needed to confirm the financial status with the ledgers and comprehend the profit structure clearly.
'There's some profit moving between regions, but it barely departs from the average.'
She turned the pages, recording the profit rates one by one.
There were no losses, but neither were there huge gains.
They simply bought stable goods from other regions and supplied them to the capital.
In truth, even this market had only been built up thanks to the house's power, so she found no clear advantage.
'If the house wavers, all the trade will stop.'
A well-run merchant company would independently secure partners and generate profits.
But these houses, founded by and dependent on the family, could only rely on it blindly.
So while sales were easy, overall profitability decreased.
'Is that why Father bought the mine? Because the merchant companies alone have no future?'
Belatedly, Brillie tried to infer her father's intentions.
He had accumulated the house's wealth, but it was inevitable to prepare for potential losses someday.
Most importantly, the house's power and fame could only be upheld by wisely managing its funds.
'But I can't leave it as is. I have to increase profits or at least cut losses.'
Thankfully, the merchant companies of the house had a foundation due to support, so they wouldn't collapse easily.
As long as the family survived, basic credibility could be maintained, and partnerships preserved.
Depending on the case, it might also be possible to cooperate with other houses' companies to build a stable profit structure.
'Most goods are brought in from the eastern or southern region. The northern territory is monopolized by the grand duke's house, and there's nothing much worth importing from the western lands.'
Yet, despite the trends, new opportunities had already opened up.
Gold and silver mines were being discovered in the western lands, while monster outbreaks in the northern territory were decreasing, allowing specialty goods supply to rise.
Particularly, her house was in a position to take advantage of those changes, opening new possibilities.
'... I can consult with the grand duke's house. They can't ignore me, not with my husband's connection.'
The grand duke's house probably couldn't handle all the specialty products alone.
They were already supplying through limited channels, so sales volume had to be lower.
If her house took on sales and received a commission in return, profits could be maximized.
'I should look for more mines in the western lands too, and get ready before they run out.'
The eastern mines' output was already slowly dropping.
Because of this, gold and silver ore prices kept rising, but demand showed no sign of shrinking.
Even so, nobles' vanity and pride never faded, sparking bold purchases.
'... Only if I do well will my husband gain recognition.'
She couldn't deny it was a political marriage, but that didn't mean it lacked meaning as a marriage.
Once united, they were bound as partners in fate.
She needed to establish herself as head of house to safeguard her companion's honor.
'I can't break down here. Whatever happens, I must rise—for my husband's sake.'
* * *
Yuenna visited the sanctuary in person to commemorate the anniversary of the holy founding.
Events were being held at the grand cathedral as well as cathedrals and churches all around.
Since it was organized by the Semerune Holy Order, only clergy and holy knights normally attended, but by special exception a few distinguished guests could be invited.
'The Emperor isn't here... Is it because there's no heir yet, so he sent a royal envoy instead?'
Usually invitations were sent to the Emperor and direct royalty, high-ranking nobles, and heroes who achieved glorious accomplishments.
But because of imperial authority the Emperor rarely showed himself, and the nobles would at least make a brief appearance.
As the official letter had arrived directly with the Emperor's message, that counted as a proper gesture of respect.
'The Northern Grand Duke and the Eastern Marquis have difficult circumstances... I suppose this is as smooth as it could go.'
Yuenna calmly studied those sitting in the guest of honor seats.
The imperial envoy, illenat Duke, eiliche Duke, the great mage, Sword Flower, and next great mage.
Even the Sword Saint had been sent an invitation, but for personal reasons he had responded that he would not attend.
'Am I mistaken? No, something definitely came through.'
Yuenna sensed a subtle air from among them.
As the Holy King of the Semerune Holy Order and oracle of Goddess Semerune, she couldn't deny her intuition.
She saw, faint but certain, the radiance of Goddess Semerune.
'Sword Flower, have you embodied Goddess Semerune?'
Yuenna looked at Brillie, then met that very hue.
It was the silver that symbolized Goddess Semerune, forming a faint outline.
Perhaps Brillie had received the blessing of Goddess Semerune.
'She might not even realize it herself. The radiance of Goddess Semerune descends upon those who bring about salvation.'