(Risking My Life) Proposing to Miss Hazel - Chapter 23
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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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Chapter 23
“Got it.”
Felix whispered quietly and clenched his fist tightly.
Who was it that owed Felix a favor? Three weeks ago…
Could it be?
“Felix, are you talking about that noble who fled to Cromwell Castle?”
Felix gave a thumbs up. After spouting nonsense about divine something-or-other, it seemed he really had something to back it up.
‘My goodness…’
Felix really did have a plan.
The back of my head felt numb as if I’d been hit. While I stood there dumbfounded, just blinking, the middle-aged man handed me a gold-plated business card.
“Lady, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Please call me Kaiden.”
“Ah, yes… Please call me Hazel.”
When I checked the name on the card, I thought I might literally fall over in shock.
Kaiden ‘Bashar’.
The head of Bashar Merchant Guild.
The owner of that name I’d only seen in newspapers was standing before me.
‘Why would such an esteemed person come to this humble shop…!’
However, Felix, thinking I didn’t recognize him, whispered information about him in my ear.
“Bashar Merchant Guild is the largest trading company in Benu. That man is the richest person in Benu.”
I know. If you don’t know that, you’re disqualified as a merchant.
How could I not know Kaiden with the golden touch, who makes gold coins rain down on every business he touches?
But…
“How did you know, Felix?”
“You really think I’m an idiot.”
I didn’t deny it.
Felix glanced at me sideways, then completely changed his expression and stepped forward toward Kaiden. His straight-shouldered gait looked particularly reliable today.
“I didn’t expect the guild master to come personally. Shall I serve some tea? Let’s sit and talk comfortably.”
Well done, Felix.
We’re going to seize some opportunity today.
But Kaiden cleanly declined Felix’s hospitality.
“Unfortunately, tea won’t be necessary. I don’t have much time. Let’s get straight to the point.”
Kaiden pointed with his finger at the purification water portions filling the entire wall.
“First, I’ll purchase all of the purification water portions.”
“!!”
‘The day when Golden Sundries Shop will be piled with gold coins isn’t far off.’
Felix’s boastful words that I’d dismissed replayed in my head.
Felix had confidently said all those portions would sell.
And things were really unfolding just as Felix had said.
‘What is this… Am I dreaming?’
There’s no way my life could go this smoothly.
Felix clasped his hands behind his back and smugly gave two thumbs up as if to say ‘I told you so.’ My stunned gaze couldn’t leave Felix’s hands.
“And…”
Kaiden’s sharp gaze swept around every corner of the shop.
Soon his eyes stopped on the new products placed on the counter. His black pupils flashed sharply.
“What’s that?”
“It’s, it’s a new product.”
I peeked my face out from behind Felix to introduce Golden Sundries Shop’s ambitious work, the new product.
With the legendary merchant Kaiden right before my eyes, I couldn’t miss this opportunity.
“This is a drink that relieves even three days’ worth of fatigue, ‘Sleep Away.'”
“…!”
“And that one makes even people who haven’t slept for three days fall asleep, ‘Sleep Softly.'”
***
“Oh ho…”
Fortunately, Kaiden seemed quite interested in Golden Sundries Shop’s new products.
He seriously listened to my explanation of how I came to create health drinks using purification water and Ruden Village’s specialty products.
Though he’d said he didn’t have much time just moments ago, he was now sitting on a stool in front of the counter.
After my explanation ended, he thoughtfully handled the new products and said to Felix.
“Felix, you have a truly brilliant sister.”
“…!”
“To think such talent was hidden in this small village.”
“Are you talking about me?”
When I asked in bewilderment, Kaiden nodded as if it were obvious.
“Miss Hazel has business acumen. Enough that I’d want to take you to Benu and develop your skills.”
“!!”
He said I have business acumen.
Though I’m diligent and meticulous, I’d never thought I had sense or brilliant wit.
To think Kaiden with the golden touch would recognize my talent. This was beyond my imagination.
My chest swelled with emotion and I could barely manage my expression. The corners of my mouth kept twitching and my heels felt like they were floating.
But there was someone even more excited than me—
“Ahem, our Hazel is quite a genius.”
It was Felix, the ultimate sister-doting brother.
Originally, Felix would be twice as happy as me when I received praise, and he was incredibly proud of me.
Though his inability to control that degree sometimes embarrassed me.
“As someone who leads a great merchant guild, you have excellent judgment.”
Just like right now.
“Felix, stop it.”
I poked Felix’s side, though honestly I didn’t feel bad about it.
“Stop what? I was just stating facts.”
“Oh, Felix.”
Kaiden, who had been watching our banter, burst into laughter.
Perhaps pleased with us siblings, he retracted his claim of being busy and even ended up having tea.
Unlike when Axel demanded tea, I brought out the premium tea I’d been saving to serve Kaiden.
“Then, I’ll send someone in three days.”
“Yes. I’ll have the prototypes ready by then.”
“The label design doesn’t need to be sophisticated. Something that captures the sentiment of Ruden Village and Miss Hazel would sell better.”
When I came to my senses, we were seeing Kaiden off, and on the shop counter sat a huge sack containing 150 silver coins.
Ah, with the prototype advance payment, it’s 180 silver coins. Now I don’t have to worry about six months’ worth of taxes.
Moreover, I’m holding something more valuable than that sack of silver coins.
Kaiden’s golden business card.
‘I’ve gained something more precious than money.’
‘Though it seems like a loss right now, I’ll be repaid several times over soon.’
Amazingly, what Felix had said three weeks ago was right. The trustworthy noble who only appears in fairy tales actually existed.
‘Could all of this really be coincidence?’
After Kaiden left, my sense of reality, which had briefly stepped out, returned to its place.
Unresolved questions swirled around in my head.
‘It’s not like Felix had his fortune told by Grandma Lisa, so how did he know something like this would happen?’
As if he had seen the future or something.
But since seeing the future or turning back time is impossible even with magic, I soon erased the thought from my mind.
‘I don’t know, let’s just enjoy it. Why can’t I be purely happy even when good fortune walks right up to me?’
I let out a short sigh to shake off my pointless worries, then decided to be happy without thinking, just like Felix.
“Hazel, why do you look like that?”
“No, it’s just… I can’t believe it. It all feels like a dream.”
“Hurry up and put your hands in the bag of silver coins. If you grab handfuls of silver coins with both hands, all those useless worries will fly away.”
Following Felix’s advice, I plunged both hands deep into the bag. The cold silver coins wrapped around my fingers, bringing peace to my mind and body.
Felix was right. At times like this, Felix’s simple personality is helpful.
Hehehe, a mischievous fairy-like smile spread across my lips. Seeing my smile, Felix laughed happily like someone who owned the whole world.
“Hazel, have you ever touched this many silver coins before?”
“No. I could barely save thirty silver coins each month.”
“So are you happy?”
“Yes. I’m happy.”
“Ha…”
A red tinge gradually spread around Felix’s eyes as he smiled brightly. He sniffled and pulled me into a tight embrace so I couldn’t see his face.
“Hazel, now that your hardships are over and happiness has begun, you need to get used to being happy.”
My nose started tingling too. I didn’t want to cry on such a joyful day, but somehow I felt like I might cry today.
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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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