I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 77

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 77

The voice that slipped through the closed door was faint, but unmistakably Sherry’s.
I shook my head urgently at Jack Jack. He stopped pecking at the window.
I held my breath, dreading the moment the door might open. Fortunately, one of the maids called out to Sherry, drawing her away.
[Little Quartz, come down!]
Akum pressed his ear to the door in my stead, monitoring the situation.
‘That was close—I nearly got caught!’
I stepped onto the auxiliary chair and pushed the window open. Jack Jack hopped inside with a flutter of wings.
“Jack Jack, if people see you pecking at the window, they’ll find it suspicious.”
“Why? I would simply appear to be a harmless Great Tit, wouldn’t I?”
Jack Jack tilted his head quizzically.
“More like a remarkably clever Great Tit that knows telegraph signals?”
“Then I shall employ a different method next time.”
Jack Jack answered with characteristic nonchalance. The way he accepted my suggestion told me he found merit in my words.
“What brings you here today? Did the interim representative send you?”
“No. Your magnificent grandfather did.”
“Grandfather?”
Curious. What business would prompt him to send Jack Jack?
Jack Jack continued.
“He instructed me to stop by before you visit the Education Hall tomorrow.”

***

Why did Grandfather call for me?
Surely he wasn’t going to change his mind and say I couldn’t choose the Diamond Mine after all…!
My overnight deliberation proved worthless. What I heard from Grandfather, whom I’d visited in secret, was far beyond my imagination.
“Aunt Mariane is also preparing gems? If those gems don’t please the Dwarves, you’ll give me 15 percent of the jewelry shop’s shares? Why?”
“It’s the price for meddling in the middle. And the price for rummaging through my drawers without permission.”
Uncle by Marriage had stolen a peek at the letter in Grandfather’s drawer. Because of that, Aunt Mariane had grown greedy for the sake of her performance metrics.
“Hmm.”
“That’s the face of someone who doesn’t understand? I thought you’d be pleased, since it’s a chance to gain a fortune.”
“I don’t understand why Aunt Mariane would accept such a proposal.”
“Explain yourself more specifically.”
“First of all, 15 percent of the shares is too much.”
Aunt Mariane’s jewelry business had been started with the Trabel Family’s money. Because of that, while 50 percent of the net profit was reflected as her performance, 50 percent of the shares belonged to the Trabel Count Family.
So the maximum share Aunt Mariane could hold in the jewelry business couldn’t exceed 50 percent. Regardless of how much she currently held, she was making a deal where she could lose 15 percent to someone else?
“And?”
“I have nothing to lose even if I fail, but if Aunt Mariane fails, she loses 15 percent of the jewelry shop’s shares. The loss is too great compared to the probability of success. I would never do it.”
“There’s no such thing as ‘never.’ It’s better not to use such words carelessly.”
Grandfather stroked my head. And his voice that followed was tinged with melancholy.
“This is the kind of position where people do incomprehensible things just to possess it.”
“I don’t want to possess it.”
“My troublemaker says something irritating. If my children heard that, their hearts would turn inside out.”
Seeing the laughter mixed into his words, it was clear he was joking.
I laughed along playfully and changed the subject.
‘Still, something feels off.’
If this matter succeeds, I will come to possess part of Aunt Mariane’s wealth.
It felt different from taking what my relatives would have gained in my other memories.
“By the way, Grandfather.”
“Yes?”
“What if an outsider finds out who I am? When I receive the shares?”
“That’s a problem for after your gems have pleased the Dwarves. You’re thinking ahead quite far. You’re very confident, aren’t you?”
“Oops.”
Grandfather flicked my forehead lightly.
“Who do you think I am? I’ll create a perfect false identity for you.”
“Wow.”
“Think of an alias to put in the contract.”
I nodded at Grandfather’s words.
There was still an unsettling feeling, and I truly couldn’t understand Aunt Mariane—but.
‘This fight wasn’t something I intended anyway!’
It was only proper to do my best to win a battle that had come to me.
And thanks to that, some things had worked out well.
Heh.
I’ve thought of a good way to resolve the pearl earring problem.

***

Mariane’s Main Jewelry Shop was located in the Imperial Capital.
Hevanth and Yosel had primarily started their businesses near the Trabel Estate, but Mariane’s vision was different.
To reach the heights, one had to begin in the Empire’s capital.
‘Diamond House must become mine!’
In truth, Mariane’s jewelry business had been remarkably successful.
A jewelry shop in the Imperial Capital that sold the finest gems to the imperial family and nobility—she had etched that perception into people’s minds, and it was the very foundation of her branch stores’ success.
‘The most perfect gem is ultimately subjective.’
That was why Mariane was confident. To sell gems to those of high station, the finest grade alone would not suffice. Her specialty lay in elevating those gems to absolute perfection.
‘The story is what matters.’
The value of a top-grade gem varied infinitely depending on what narrative accompanied it.
Even the same topaz, if it carried a poignant love story from centuries past, would become a unique topaz in all the world.
“This is a diamond from the crown worn by the Empress of a fallen empire at her coronation. It contains no impurities and boasts the clarity and purity of transparent ice crystals. At seventeen carats, I’m certain it will please you.”
“The rarity is appealing, but do you have something with more of a story? This is a very important client, and I’d rather not disappoint them.”
“Madam, what about this? It’s an obsidian that a legendary Alchemist held in their hand at the moment of death. It has the characteristic of shimmering softly even in darkness—some say it appears as though the Alchemist’s very soul dwells within the obsidian.”
“Hmm. Obsidian doesn’t hold much value as a gem. The story is good, so set it aside for now.”
Mariane sat in the Manager’s Office of the Main Jewelry Shop.
Shop Managers from each branch were bringing her valuable gems and reporting on them at her command.
Knock, knock. A sound at the door.
“Come in.”
At Mariane’s permission, an Employee entered through the door. It was someone who typically attended to customers on the sales floor.
“Madam, a customer is requesting an audience with you.”
“A customer?”
Mariane carefully withdrew a diamond with her gloved hand as she asked.
“Are they royalty or of the imperial family?”
“No. They are a baron. This is their first visit to our shop.”
“Then tell them I am unavailable.”
Under other circumstances, she might have gone to at least see their face, but now was not the time to spare for such things.
She needed to present a flawless gem to the Dwarves before the outsider Laksek mentioned could arrive.
Her eyes blazed with focus as she examined the diamond. The Employee was bowing and about to withdraw when—
“Yes. I will convey that to Baron Oldman’s representative.”
Mariane’s hand froze.
“…Baron Oldman’s representative?”
Mariane murmured and lifted her gaze from the diamond, turning to face the Employee. The Employee flinched at the intensity in her eyes and answered.
“Yes? Yes. The representative has arrived.”
“What is the baron’s full name?”
“That is….”
The Employee hesitated, unable to speak easily. His demeanor irritated Mariane.
“I distinctly told you to memorize customer names. Shop Manager, how are you training your staff?”
“I-I’m terribly sorry.”
“Oh, no! Yes, I know! It’s… Baron Platinum Oldman!”
Startled by Mariane’s rebuke of the Shop Manager, the Employee hastily blurted out the Baron’s name.
The managers in the Manager’s Office exchanged bewildered glances.
The name sounded less like that of a nobleman and more like something a newly rich fool obsessed with money would jest about. The family name Oldman itself was entirely unfamiliar to them.
“Is it… an alias…?”
One of the managers muttered.
“No.”
Mariane carefully set down the jewel, removed her gloves, and rose to her feet.
“It’s his real name.”
It’s the name written on the contract, after all.
Mariane smiled wryly. She addressed the Employee.
“Show him in. To the Baron Oldman’s representative.”

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