Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: I've Been Waiting for You
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"Wasn't that Carter's responsibility? And we haven't even started selling the Dran Oil yet—how would the Imperial Palace know about it?"
Two years ago, after Ete had secured their first contract, the merchant group had steadily continued trading with the Imperial Palace.
But most matters related to that were handled by Carter.
Moreover, they hadn't sold a single unit of the product yet, so for Esther, this sudden talk of a contract was utterly bewildering.
"Carter delivered samples of the Dran Oil we brought in last time. And with all the buzz around the returning trade ships, they seem eager to hear about that too."
Esther felt a strange sense of déjà vu at those words.
It had definitely been the Emperor who expressed interest in buying the product back then—not Helios. And she had never heard anything about samples being sent.
Without realizing it, Esther muttered softly.
"The Crown Prince, of all people—and not even the Emperor—wanting to see it at this timing?"
"Merchant Guild Master?"
Dana, startled by Esther's rapidly darkening expression, reached out toward her in alarm.
Esther raised one hand as if to say she was fine and nodded.
"Got it. Did they say when would be a good time to meet?"
"Well, actually..."
Dana fidgeted with her hands, stealing glances at Esther, who already looked distressed. But Dana knew she had no choice but to deliver the message.
"They want you to come to the palace this morning so they can taste some dishes prepared with it and discuss things. And since His Majesty the Emperor also wants to meet the new Merchant Guild Master..."
"So basically, just come."
"Yes, that's what it seems like."
Esther snapped back to reality at this one-sided summons.
Yesterday, seeing him attend Ete's funeral had sparked a faint hope that things might unfold differently this time.
Helios von Evgenia. That man had always been the same.
From the moment she mistook him for a knight and grew close, only to part ways... to when she established herself as Merchant Guild Master and casually received his acknowledgment of her success—he remained unwavering.
[That remarkable skill of yours never fails to impress me.]
[Do you remember meeting me as a child?]
[...I still remember it vividly.]
It had plunged Esther into the feverish joy of first love, keeping her awake for nights on end.
[Remember that the only thing money can buy is a barony.]
[Don't come seeking me out on your own. Only come when I summon you or His Majesty does—that's your role.]
[It's revolting how you cling to propriety when we're both just using each other.]
Yet he had also driven home her lowly status, forcing her to recognize her place.
And in the end, he had used her and discarded her without a second thought.
Esther could never forget that day. In her despair, staring blankly at the red seizure notices plastered everywhere after losing it all, the Emperor's decree had arrived.
[By the will of the Imperial Palace, the engagement between Countess Esther Elpis and Crown Prince Helios von Evgenia is hereby annulled effective immediately.]
He had delivered the ultimate blow when she was at her most vulnerable.
That was all there was to it. That man was that kind of person—a noble Crown Prince who controlled everything at his whim.
"Fool that I am, hoping again..."
"P-Pardon?"
Was it hope? She knew the outcome, knew it was a card she had to discard, yet she couldn't let go. Deep down, Esther knew why.
A sliver of expectation. The concern in Helios's eyes as he looked at her. She wanted it to be genuine.
"Got it. Tell them I'll come."
"Are you sure you're okay, Merchant Guild Master?"
"I'm fine. Could you ask Carter if he'd like to come along?"
"Understood. I'll check with Carter separately."
Even after Dana asked a couple more times if she was really okay, she left the room with a troubled expression.
The moment the door clicked shut, Esther covered her face with both hands.
Darkness veiled her vision. Nothing was visible.
"This is the right answer."
The pitch-black void where nothing could be seen—it reminded her once more that her relationship with Helios amounted to just that.
In the end, Carter couldn't join her. In response to Esther's positive reply, Helios's attendant had insisted on a private meeting with the Merchant Guild Master.
Once again, that arbitrary selfishness trampling over her status filled Esther with disgust as she entered the palace.
The first order of business was an audience with the Emperor.
A man standing beside her at the audience chamber door knocked politely and announced.
"Your Majesty, Esther Elpis, Merchant Guild Master of the Elpis Merchant Group."
"Let her enter."
At the low, solemn voice granting permission, the grand double doors swung open. Esther stepped inside.
Atop the high dais sat a figure on the jade throne. Esther bowed at a perfect right angle before him and spoke.
"I pay my respects to the Sun of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor."
"Good, you've had a hard journey. Raise your head."
It was that same voice that had tormented her. Esther lifted her gaze to meet the Emperor's.
The Emperor regarded her somewhat haggard appearance and spoke.
"The loss of the previous Merchant Guild Master pains Us greatly. We were relieved at the miraculous news of your safe return, yet to think it would end like this."
A lie.
"To depart this world so suddenly due to illness. I hear you're the only daughter of the former Merchant Guild Master, Ete Elpis. Our condolences."
Another lie.
"It must be burdensome taking over as the new Merchant Guild Master, but as his child, you'll surely manage. On that note, We've grown curious about this new trade good you're pursuing."
A spark flickered in Esther's empty eyes. This was business she had no choice but to settle.
"One of your people delivered these samples to Us. The claim that it enhances flavors intrigued Us, so We tried it with the Crown Prince as well."
Esther already knew what this meant.
It was about the oil given as samples during Carter's monthly trades.
"We're honored by Your Majesty's interest in our goods."
Esther bowed her head and uttered the soulless response.
The Emperor dismissed it indifferently, tilting his head to reveal his true intentions.
"However, it seems your Elpis Merchant Group's product, while well-regarded and satisfactory to Us, may yield disappointing results. You've planned to import quite a quantity, I hear, and We've pondered long on how to broach this."
"I'm afraid I don't follow, Your Majesty."
The Emperor leaned forward at her reaction and said.
"Many find its smell foul and off-putting. We quite favored the previous Merchant Guild Master, so We wished to dissuade you. But We can't show favoritism, so how about this proposal?"
The Emperor paused briefly before continuing.
"Wouldn't it benefit you if We bought it cheaply to draw attention? If the response improves, you can expand shipments under Our favor. What say you?"
Esther barely suppressed the bitter laugh rising in her throat.
As if. Enhancing food flavors with it would only bring acclaim—never negativity.
The devilish man who had deceived her for his gain right after she took over as a young girl was targeting her again.
[Surely you haven't forgotten that your first deal as Merchant Guild Master was with me?]
The Emperor had bought up their small stock from the merchant group, then used his influence to promote it in high society.
As nobles flocked to buy the oil amid the hype, the palace resold it at exorbitant prices. When Esther confronted him, the Emperor brazenly retorted.
[There were no rules against reselling. What's wrong with making your product known like this? That was our deal.]
[B-But...!]
[The deal succeeded, didn't it? Now bring in more via trade ships. With the nobles hooked, it'll sell even better next time.]
He lured them into importing massive quantities, then as demand waned, accused the old stock of being off-tasting and demanded refunds, squeezing them dry.
That led to the gradual decline of the once-modest Elpis Merchant Group.
Now the Emperor was trying the same trick on her. But Esther had no intention of falling for it again.
"Trade is a high-risk venture. Larger groups can absorb some losses, but for us, every voyage stakes everything we have. If it only cost us our own funds, we could manage somehow..."
"..."
"An investment could poison a group our size. And We'd hate to cause Your Majesty any worry."
In essence, it was a warning: his investment would be poison to the group, so stay out if he didn't want to lose money.
The Emperor's expression hardened as he tapped his chair lightly with the hand propping his chin. A brief silence hung in the air.
"Hahaha...! Entertaining. Indeed, that's how it is."
The Emperor laughed heartily, eyeing her with amusement.
He'd thought her just a girl filling a seat, but she had more spine than expected.
Dealing with this sharp-clawed kitten of a female Merchant Guild Master would have to wait.
"Very well, We'll consider that matter further. I hear you have a meeting with the Crown Prince next. You may withdraw."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Endless glory to you for striving for the Empire's prosperity today."
Esther observed every courtesy until the end as she left the audience chamber. The Emperor watched her receding red hair, a intrigued smirk curling his lips.
"That boy Helios will handle her well if he's got any sense."
The Emperor had no intention of releasing prey once he'd clutched it in his grasp.
As Esther emerged from the Emperor's palace, a man approached as if he'd been waiting.
"I'm Elick Lucas, attendant to the Crown Prince. You're Esther Elpis, Merchant Guild Master of the Elpis Merchant Group, correct?"
"Yes."
"His Highness awaits. Please follow me."
With an impassive yet impeccably polite demeanor, Elick led the way ahead of her. He was unmistakably the man she'd seen at her father's funeral.
And in the past, he'd always been the tight-lipped shadow at Helios's side.
"Please enter."
Elick turned to her before the doors and said.
Esther nodded and opened them. The heavy doors swung open more smoothly than expected. And then...
"I've been waiting for you."
Sunlight streamed through the window, making the table and chairs before it gleam dazzlingly. Helios, seated there, met her gaze and rose from his chair with a hint of urgency.
"Merchant Guild Master Elpis."
Helios wore a soft smile utterly unlike the one who'd cast her aside in the past, waiting for Esther.