MLIIWTFL Chapter 263

263

"Leave that kind of thing to Letticia. Kenneth and I will make sure she learns it well, and besides, she's always been good with words."


Ever since she was six years old, Letticia had never lost in a debate, not even to her cousin, who was seven years older, nor to her brother, who was four years older. As long as she managed that hot temper of hers, persuasion was something she could handle without fail.


But even after Lenard reassured her, Ariette still looked gloomy.


"Lady Sharon is the one contacting the Magic Tower and even reaching out to the Marquess of Eskis... Meanwhile, I feel like I'm just sitting here doing nothing. I really want to help somehow, but I don't know what I should be doing."


"Then you should just focus on doing what you're good at, my lady. To be frank, I don't think negotiations or administrative work really suit you."


Ariette lacked confidence, and once she was overwhelmed by the other party's presence, she could never regain control of the conversation. As a negotiating partner, she was practically a pushover.


On top of that, while she was considerate of others, she wasn't exactly quick-witted. Leaving her in charge of practical affairs didn't inspire much confidence.


But when it came to ideas and creativity, if that field were a jewel, Lenard would have wanted to scout her immediately. She was that outstanding. All she needed to do was stick to that role.


"Since you're in charge of generating ideas, my lady, just focus on that. Think up new products and develop them as best you can."


"But that's not very hard. It doesn't even take that much time. I've been attending social gatherings while working on it..."


"Lady Averil, product planning is a job that takes months of market research and reviewing all kinds of data. My staff members research trends a full year in advance for the next season's products. We even hold monthly internal contests to gather new ideas. It's absolutely not an easy task."


When Lenard said this firmly, Ariette's eyes widened in surprise. It seemed she had never realized just how difficult her role actually was.


She reminded him of brand-new employees, those who had just joined the company and had no clear idea of what their job entailed. They didn't know what they should be doing, but still felt burdened with responsibility, and inevitably failed to perform well.


Even so, Ariette was comparatively excellent. As long as someone reminded her of her role and gave her specific instructions, she managed her tasks quite well.


Compared to those kids who whined about not being able to do anything during group projects, she's practically an angel.


Lenard briefly recalled a few people whose outrageous foolishness and shameless behavior had pushed his patience to the limit, and who had been made to pay the price for it. Keeping his expression under control, he asked Ariette.


"You're still thinking about which fruits to use, and which gemstones would pair well with them, aren't you?"


"Yes... I've been studying with a book on birthstones, but..."


"Then try preparing about five drafts based on that. It'll be better to have concrete proposals ready for when we review them later with the perfumers and magicians. And remember, sometimes an idea seems fine in theory, but once you actually try it, the results are completely different. The more drafts you have, the better."


At his words, Ariette muttered softly to herself as if engraving them into her memory. Slowly, the gloom that had clouded her face began to lift, replaced by a spark of liveliness.


"Once Letticia secures the investment and the contracts are signed, we'll move on to full-scale product development. That's when your role, Lady Averil, will become truly important. Can you prepare yourself well until then?"


"Yes! Thank you so much for listening, Lord Sharon!"


She nodded with such vigor that a genuine smile spread across Lenard's face. Seeing her like that made all his encouragement feel worthwhile, and it made him want to teach her more and help her even further.


In truth, Lenard had held a favorable impression of Ariette ever since she first visited Sharon Jewelry.


Not only because she had wanted to buy gifts for her brothers with money she earned herself, but also because, upon realizing she didn't have much to spend, she adjusted her choices accordingly. He had found that very admirable.


'She was nothing like those women who act as if the jewels already belong to them.'


Most of the women who approached Lenard assumed that just by dancing with him once, Sharon Jewelry's gemstones would become theirs, as though it were only natural for him to gift them.


He didn't mind if someone loved jewelry, that was just personal taste. But the audacity of treating someone else's goods as their own without paying a single coin disgusted him, no matter who it was.


Ariette, on the other hand, was different. When they spoke, although she often felt embarrassed about how much she didn't know, she never put on airs or feigned knowledge out of insecurity.


When she didn't know something, she asked. And when she was taught, she made every effort to remember. That, too, had left a good impression on him. It was why, though he hesitated at first, he eventually agreed to share his communication code with her when she asked.


When Letticia noticed, she sent him a peculiar look, and Lenard—caught off guard—hurriedly answered that it was all "because of business." But in truth, he simply enjoyed talking with Ariette.


If the Duke ever found out, he'd probably draw his sword on the spot.


Just as that thought crossed his mind, the carriage began to slow. Looking out the window, he realized that while they had been absorbed in conversation, they had already arrived at the front gates of the ducal estate.


"We're here already. But… something feels off."


Unlike usual, the gates were thrown wide open, and servants and knights bustled about in a restless panic.


When one of the escorts riding alongside the carriage went to speak with the gatekeeper, the man—whose face had been like thunder—suddenly paled, hastily waved them through, and then rushed off toward the mansion along with several others.


"C-could this be because I went out on my own?"


"That does seem likely."


Catching sight of Ariette's face turning pale, Lenard cast her a sidelong glance as the carriage rolled up to the front of the main building. He opened the door first, and there, standing at the wide-open entrance, was the Duke himself, running toward them.


"My lady, step down for now."


"Ah, y-yes-"


"Arie!"


The moment Ariette stepped down, escorted by Lenard, the Duke rushed forward with a ghostly pale face and pulled her tightly into his arms.


"Arie, you're not hurt anywhere, are you? How upset must you have been, to leave only a note behind and run away from home?"


"Run away from home?!"


Ariette stared up at him in shock. She had indeed left a note and gone out by herself, but she had never imagined it would be taken as a runaway!


"Was it because that bastard Alexander tried to stop you? Is that why you got upset? Don't worry, I gave him a proper scolding. Who does he think he is, to dare interfere when my Arie wants to do something?"


"What? No, it's not like that-"


"Negotiations or whatever else, none of that is so difficult. My Arie can do anything. There's nothing my daughter can't do. And if anyone dares to say otherwise, I'll shut their mouth for good. So don't you worry."


"No, I didn't run away! I only went out for some fresh air!"


Ariette, her face burning red, shouted back. At her outburst, the Duke's dramatic fussing froze for a moment. Taking that chance, Ariette wriggled free from his arms and, looking utterly mortified, explained the situation.


"I just wanted to go riding alone and get some air, so I left a note and went out. On the way, I stopped by Faymont for ice cream, and then Lord Sharon offered to escort me back in his carriage."


"Faymont… Lord Sharon?"


Only then did the Duke seem to notice Lenard, who had been standing quietly nearby. His gaze snapped toward him.


And in the very next second, the sword at the Duke's waist was drawn and pointed straight at Lenard's throat.


"What do you think you're doing, Father?!"


Ariette, horrified, grabbed at his arm. But the blade remained fixed less than five centimeters from Lenard's neck.


The Sharon family's guards, startled to see their employer threatened, immediately drew their swords and aimed at the Duke as well. Yet the one with cold steel at his throat—Lenard—remained calm, meeting the Duke's murderous glare with an expressionless face.


"I'm not sure I understand this situation. Is this how Your Grace greets guests in the daytime as well, by pointing a sword at them?"


"Guests? You dare stand before me and call yourself a guest, you shameless wretch!"


"Father!"


Ariette tugged desperately at her father's arm, eyes welling with tears, but the Duke didn't budge an inch. His glare only sharpened, filled with the intent to kill.


"I saw your code written in Arie's communication notebook. Was it you who took my daughter out?!"


"Perhaps, Your Grace, you should first put away that sword. Unless you want me to remind you that if you threaten another noble without just cause, my guards would be well within their rights to respond in self-defense."


Even as the Duke roared in fury, Lenard only motioned calmly toward the sword with his eyes. His unyielding presence made the Duke grip the hilt even tighter.


But thankfully, the weapon never swung with his emotions.


"Father, please, stop!"


Ariette stepped protectively in front of Lenard, tears brimming in her eyes as she glared at the Duke. Terrified that he might accidentally harm his most precious daughter, the Duke hastily withdrew his sword.