I Inherited a Beautiful Wife and a Territory - Chapter 123

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Inheriting a Beautiful Wife and Estate Episode 123

123. Symbolism

Priscilla gazed at the sleeping Cliff.

‘He’s so firm.’

There was no wavering.

That was the thought she held. She nestled into his embrace.

His scent stirred her emotions.

Right after finishing his conversation with Cliff, Jaide turned back as he left the room, wearing a dejected expression.

‘I’ve been given a difficult task. Really… I can’t match up to His Grace the Duke.’

But that emotion was only momentary.

Soon his eyes began to burn with determination.

This matter wasn’t simply about finding a gift between spouses. It was different from finding a simple woman’s gift.

Priscilla was the Queen, the mother of this nation.

‘Neither Ospal nor Serpal would have items suitable as gifts for Her Majesty the Queen.’

Of course, that might not be the case.

Especially Ospal’s auction house. Good items were gradually starting to appear there. A fine piece suitable as Priscilla’s gift might appear at that auction house.

But rushing to Ospal based solely on that possibility would be amateurish.

“So that’s why you’re setting sail like this?”

“That’s right. I need at least something that can compare to the jewels of the Aidi Kingdom.”

“But wouldn’t it be too tight to make a round trip to the Aidi Kingdom?”

“That’s right.”

Jaide immediately agreed with his adjutant’s point.

The adjutant seemed puzzled by Jaide’s attitude and trailed off.

“Then where are you planning to go…?”

“Belast.”

Jaide answered without hesitation to the question.

Belast Port.

It was the area where Cliff had once saved Elbarun. And it was also one of the leading trade ports in the southern Yusta Peninsula.

However, this very fact posed a problem.

“Are you really going there? Hasn’t that area become awkward with our homeland recently?”

Belast was the major city closest to the Elimis Duchy.

That was precisely the problem. A new power rising nearby. To them, the Elimis Duchy was a threat.

So now, as the adjutant pointed out,

“That’s right. Lately there has been tension flowing between our duchy and them.”

This situation had arisen.

They too were spreading an anti-Elimis alliance throughout the Yusta Peninsula.

While there might be instigation from the Kingdom of Alpeo, Belast had been the most supportive of it. So the Elimis trading guilds had also been avoiding entry into Belast recently.

‘But that won’t do.’

Jaide said firmly.

“That’s exactly why I want to go see.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

Jaide recalled what Cliff had said.

‘He said he discusses the future with me.’

Those words might have just been bait to entice him.

But Jaide didn’t think so. Then wouldn’t this mission be the same?

‘This is necessary work for the future of this country.’

Because he thought so, he decided to set sail now.

He was going to Belast.

And he had to change the currents and tides flowing in Belast.

“They’re merchants after all. They won’t treat customers badly.”

With what could be seen as shameless words, Jaide dismissed his adjutant’s anxiety.

Indeed, Belast didn’t stop Jaide from entering port. However, they were suspicious.

“What brings you here?”

“Our Queen of the Elimis Duchy will soon celebrate her birthday. I’ve come to find a gift for her beforehand.”

Jaide was confident.

The customs official showed a troubled expression at those words. He seemed to be pondering whether it was alright to let Jaide in like this.

Jaide knew what was needed at this moment.

“If Belast cannot permit our entry, I won’t leave this pier. Instead, I’d appreciate it if you could broker introductions to the excellent jewelers here.”

While speaking, Jaide handed over a small pouch.

The pouch contained numerous gold coins. The customs official who received it finally felt at ease.

“Ahem. If you’re planning to purchase goods from our Belast merchants, we can’t be inhospitable. I’ll connect you with good merchants. So who did you say you’re buying a gift for?”

“The Queen of the Elimis Duchy.”

The customs official’s eyes sparkled.

“…You won’t need to see any low-quality items.”

Jaide nodded at those words.

“Of course. If the transaction is satisfactory, there would be no need to make the long journey to the Aidi Kingdom.”

Wanting jewels from the Aidi Kingdom.

At the mention of desiring gems from Mount Idi, considered the finest among jewels, the customs official showed a satisfied expression.

‘This could earn me a solid profit if I collect brokerage fees twice.’

Belast was strongly influenced by merchants.

Brokering a big-spending customer who could make them act proudly.

“Ahem. What’s your budget?”

“I received orders from my trading guild’s master to obtain it at any cost.”

No upper limit on price either,

‘Very good.’

Soon the customs official called several jewelers from Belast.

A big spender had arrived.

Hearing this, the merchants came on their own. They met with Jaide and had conversations.

‘A big catch!’

‘I must secure this deal!’

The tension between Belast and the Elimis Duchy.

Such things meant nothing to these merchants.

They each brought the most expensive jewels they possessed. Jaide examined them carefully.

‘All top-quality goods.’

But there was disappointment.

Jaide showed a dissatisfied expression.

“These are of quality that would be hard to find in the Aidi Kingdom.”

“That’s true, but… ahem. You’re saying something is lacking in each one.”

“What… do you mean by that?”

It was a frustrating reaction from Jaide for the merchants.

Jaide put down the jewel and looked around at them. He could tell from their reactions.

‘None of those here now have anything better than this.’

It was understandable too.

They really were fine items. As the boastful merchants claimed, they might be jewels hard to find even in the Aidi Kingdom.

But that alone wasn’t enough.

“The item I’m currently seeking is a jewel that His Grace the Duke will gift to the Queen he loves.”

“We understand. But the items here are not shameful for the wife of a nation’s ruler to use.”

“I acknowledge that. They are the finest quality.”

Jaide nodded.

“But isn’t each one lacking something?”

One each is lacking?

What is?

The merchants looked at Jaide with frustration and confusion. When everyone had gathered like this, Jaide lifted the corners of his mouth.

‘What would His Grace the Duke have said if he were here?’

He had been pondering this from the moment he started his business trip.

And he remembered.

The best move suited for the current situation.

“It’s symbolism.”

“Eh?”

Symbolism.

They were flustered.

But they too were ultimately merchants who had each secured a position in this Bellaast. They understood little by little what Jaide was saying.

‘He’s talking about… symbolism.’

Symbolism.

Brand.

A strategy different from simple gem quality, where adding worthless stories could multiply prices several times over.

However, it was strange. Jaide had mentioned this symbolism now.

“Rather than simply obtaining the finest gems, if we add a new story to these gems… if such gems are given as gifts, wouldn’t their meaning rise even higher?”

Jaide said while looking around at the jewelers.

The customs official of Bellaast had called three merchants in total.

All three had brought their finest items.

‘Red diamond pendant, blue diamond brooch, and…’

Lastly, a bracelet set with various small gems.

It was incredibly beautiful.

All were of the finest quality. But Jaide hadn’t come here simply to buy gifts.

“Hmm. First, this pendant…”

Even the pendant’s cord wasn’t ordinary string or thread.

It was certain.

This silver-lustrous thread with mana flowing through it.

‘It’s mithril.’

Weaving mithril so precisely into thread was the realm of a master craftsman.

In other words, this could be called a masterpiece in itself.

And the red diamond connected to this thread.

‘Beautiful.’

Within its transparency, it emitted multiple layers of brilliance.

“Red symbolizes blood. Blood also signifies covenant. In other words, we imbue this pendant with the meaning of oath.”

“Oath… you say? Something like Duke Elimis deeply loving that queen?”

The merchant who had brought that pendant spoke up.

Jaide shook his head.

“I’m not talking about something so clichéd.”

He then picked up the brooch.

“Blue light represents water. Fire extinguishes water and has the power to revive life, so it stops conflict. In other words, this blue diamond can be seen as representing ‘peace.'”

Peace.

“Next is this bracelet. Very beautiful. Also, various gems harmoniously display their individual brilliance. This harmoniously embraces diverse people… Yes. It’s like friendship.”

Having mentioned this far, Jaide looked alternately into the eyes of the three merchants.

The merchants’ expressions changed. They too knew the relationship between Bellaast and the Elimis Duchy.

“…What you’re saying now doesn’t seem like simply choosing a gift for the duchess?”

Shrug.

Jaide merely moved his shoulders.

A relaxed attitude.

In that state, he spoke.

“But if that symbolism is added to these gems… how much would the price soar?”

And he asked back.

A promise of peace and friendship.

Right now, Jaide was recommending that Bellaast become a friend of the duchy.

This was already diplomacy, not trade.

And originally, it would be difficult for a mere merchant to decide such matters.

‘But Bellaast’s situation would be different.’

In Bellaast, the real power holders were the merchants.

Among them, these were jewelers. As they sold precious items, they had much money and also great influence.

“What will you do?”

Jaide asked them.

“If this matter is handled well… wouldn’t our duchy’s merchants increasingly use this Bellaast in the future?”

The three merchants looked at each other alternately.

They too were troubled.

One spoke with difficulty.

“…This matter isn’t something we can handle among ourselves.”

“There isn’t much time. Let me speak honestly. Even without symbolism, I will purchase these gems.”

Jaide told them.

But he added.

“However, I’ll only buy one of these three. Unfortunately, it would be difficult to obtain better items than these.”

He had to buy Priscilla’s birthday gift.

He didn’t deny that.

He added.

“But that value will only stop at a fixed few thousand gold. But if all the symbolism I mentioned is added…”

Even one item’s value could skyrocket.

Not only that.

“I will obtain all those symbols and present them to His Grace the Duke. What will you do?”

Jaide was confident.

These were merchants.

They weren’t people who would settle for small profits and miss out on great gains they could have.

‘And if I say I’ll purchase all of them, these three will join hands and move together anyway.’

Now he just had to wait.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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