Chapter 157: A Clean Sweep
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 157: A Clean Sweep
It was a bright, sun-drenched afternoon.
Jamer, a jeweler who ran the shop 'Lumina' in Gold Lane, stepped outside, massaging his throbbing temples. He had stopped by his shop for the first time in several days, only to find that the number of accessories sold in his absence could be counted on one hand.
At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before I go bankrupt.
His business had begun to tilt downward a few years ago, but starting this year, sales had plummeted. Most shop owners based in Gold Lane were in a similar predicament. It was only natural, as external merchant guilds often signed contracts based on a branch's popularity or sales volume.
Standing on the quiet main road of Gold Lane, Jamer narrowed his eyes as he looked toward Cafe Delitar across the diagonal intersection.
I shouldn't have listened to the Association President back then.
If he had just taken the subsidy when it was offered and opened a shop by the lakeside, he would be whistling a happy tune by now. But there was no use crying over spilled milk.
As complaints from merchants had begun to pour in recently, Baron Gelfry had holed himself up in his mansion, using illness as an excuse to avoid the nuisance.
Jamer wondered why the carriages were moving so slowly today. Just as his internal frustration was about to boil over, he saw someone posting a new public notice in front of Cafe Delitar.
Sensing that he shouldn't miss whatever it was, Jamer hurriedly crossed the street.
「 We are providing support for the cost of painting the exterior walls of shops in Gold Lane.
Transform your dull walls into something bright and vibrant, and be reborn as a shop that catches every eye! 」
They’re giving out money for exterior painting?
Jamer tilted his head at the unexpected proposal, but his eyes soon fell on the instructions at the bottom.
「 Painting costs will be supported on a first-come, first-served basis with tiered subsidies:
1st Group (5 shops) – Full Support
2nd Group (10 shops) – 50% Support
3rd Group (15 shops) – 10% Support
Shop owners who wish to apply for painting must visit the Grand Duke’s Castle in person. 」
Without a doubt, the Grand Duchess must have been the one to put up this peculiar notice. Whether his shop actually needed a new coat of paint wasn't the point.
This is no time to dawdle.
Forgetting his dignity, Jamer ran toward the coachman who had just arrived in front of his shop.
"Master?"
"Now! To the Grand Duke’s Castle! As fast as you can!"
He had no intention of repeating his past regrets.
*
Perhaps I was a bit too hasty.
In the guest room of the East Wing, Jamer took a sip of water, trying to swallow his embarrassment.
— "Mr. Jamer, you are the first."
When he had subtly asked the administrative official what number he was, the answer made him realize he had made far too much of a fuss. After all, he had come running before the paste on the poster had even dried.
He didn't even particularly need the exterior painted. What was the point of such things when his revenue was barely hanging on?
I wish she’d just given out subsidies like last time.
Just then, the door to the guest room opened, and to his surprise, the Grand Duchess entered, followed by several administrative officials.
"I have heard much about you."
At those words, the corners of Jamer’s mouth stiffened.
"The official tells me he has received several letters from you."
The Grand Duchess offered a soft smile while delivering those pointed words. The officials sitting across from him subtly averted their eyes.
In truth, he had sent several letters demanding measures be taken for Gold Lane. Since Baron Gelfry, the Merchant Association President, was feigning ignorance and the surrounding shop owners were doing nothing but sighing, Jamer felt someone had to properly warn the authorities about the current situation. Those letters had also included protests against the Grand Duchess giving excessive benefits to the Valpid Shopping District.
"It seems you had some grievances with me?"
Faced with her directness, Jamer swallowed his discomfort and replied.
"It was merely my way of saying that I hoped Your Highness the Consort would show as much concern for Gold Lane as you do for the lakeside."
"It’s a bit disappointing to hear you say that. I certainly gave Gold Lane the first opportunity."
Jamer hesitated for a moment before letting out a sigh.
"……To be honest, the Merchant Association did make a mistake regarding that matter."
He didn't know what kind of person the Grand Duchess was, but Jamer believed it was best to cleanly admit what needed admitting. Of course, this apology should have originally come from the Association President.
"However, if Gold Lane dies, all of Blenheim will suffer a great blow."
In Jamer’s view, Gold Lane and the Valpid Lake shopping district had different market characteristics to begin with. There was plenty of potential for them to coexist.
"Please, do not turn your back on us."
He hoped the Grand Duchess would consider the plight of the numerous shop owners beneath the association, rather than emotionally excluding the Merchant Association as a whole.
However, in response to his logical plea, the Grand Duchess pursed her lips in a manner quite unlike a noblewoman.
"Well, saying I turned my back on you makes me feel a bit wronged."
As soon as she finished speaking, Adem, an administrative official, slid a document toward him.
"This is the official notice Her Highness the Consort sent to the Merchant Association yesterday morning."
The Grand Duchess had sent a notice to the Merchant Association? He hadn't heard anything about that. Regardless, Jamer was one of the association's board members. He picked up the document with a puzzled expression, only for his brow to furrow deeply.
The notice contained content similar to the poster, stating that they would support the exterior painting of Gold Lane shops and asking for a compiled list of interested shop owners. There was no mention of first-come, first-served, or tiered support.
"I waited all day, but no response came saying they would gather a list. I couldn't wait forever, so I put up the posters."
"This is……."
Gelfry, you idiot!
Does this mean everyone could have received full support originally?
Jamer clenched his teeth. The Grand Duchess had reached out with a hand of reconciliation first, yet the Baron had tried to engage in a power struggle again.
No wonder the Grand Duchess’s tone was so sharp from the start.
"It seems Baron Gelfry is far too busy to serve as the Merchant Association President."
Jamer let the words slip out indirectly, implying he would look for someone to replace him. He would have to find a way, but if Gelfry was left in charge, Gold Lane would truly be ruined.
The Grand Duchess stared at Jamer’s trembling lips and asked, "Do you have someone specific in mind?"
Her tone was casual, but Jamer was a shop owner whose survival depended on his wits. Asking such a question meant the Grand Duchess had someone she specifically wanted to push forward.
"Not yet…… but we must at least elect someone who is trying to save Gold Lane. Not someone who seems intent on letting it fail."
"That doesn't sound easy, does it?"
Her nonchalant tone, as if she were discussing someone else's problem, was irritating, but she wasn't wrong. After all, the person who had placed Baron Gelfry in the president's chair was Count Arbor.
Even if Count Arbor is keeping a low profile because of his exiled daughter…….
Just as Jamer’s brow furrowed in frustration, she spoke.
"Wouldn't it be faster to just create another Merchant Association?"
At the unexpected suggestion, Jamer blinked blankly.
"Create another Merchant Association?"
When he turned to Adem, thinking it was an absurd idea, the official pulled out a law book.
"There is nothing in the statutes stating there must be only one Merchant Association."
Only after the official pointed out the relevant clause did Jamer realize the Grand Duchess was serious.
Instead of ousting the president, she’s going to just create a whole new association.
"That’s why I’m asking—I want you to create the new Merchant Association."
Startled by the radical proposal, Jamer looked up. The Grand Duchess was watching him with sparkling eyes.
"……Why me?"
Any shop owner would have jumped at such an offer; he couldn't understand why she had chosen him of all people.
The Grand Duchess curled the corners of her mouth upward.
"Since you were the first to arrive, I thought you were the right person for the job."
Just for such a trivial reason? Not because of my ability or character?
Suppressing the heat rising to his ears, Jamer tried to speak rationally.
"But I cannot create a Merchant Association alone. I don't even know how many shop owners would be willing to leave the current association."
At that moment, another official entered the room. It was the one who had taken Jamer’s application earlier. He politely handed a document to the Grand Duchess.
"Your Highness, the third group has been completely filled."
"That was faster than I thought."
Nodding her thanks, the Grand Duchess handed the document to Jamer. The paper listed the names of thirty shop owners who had applied for the painting support, numbered from the first group to the third.
"All thirty spots are filled already?" Jamer asked, unable to hide his shock.
It hadn't even been thirty minutes since he started having tea with the Grand Duchess. To think so many shop owners had applied for support without worrying about the Merchant Association’s reaction.
"As for the new members…… I thought it might be a good idea to start by talking to the people on this list."
The Grand Duchess spoke as she elegantly lifted her teacup.
Indeed, the shop owners who had rushed to sign up in this situation were certainly those who had no lingering attachment to the current Merchant Association. If a new association were formed, they would likely jump ship.
Jamer looked up, swallowing his amazement.
"Don't tell me…… was the first-come, first-served recruitment for the shop owners done specifically for this?"
Only then did he feel he understood the Grand Duchess’s true intention.
"Why? Did you think I set those conditions just because I wanted to see you running here in a fluster?"
Seeing her face full of mirth, Jamer quietly shut his mouth. He felt pathetic for having suspected she might be trying to subtly torment the Gold Lane shop owners.
She is the Grand Duchess, no matter how young she is.
Jamer swallowed a sigh of admiration at a strategy that was far more seasoned than he had expected.