The Isolated Marchioness Just Wants to Make a Living - Chapter 128
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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 128
But people’s words naturally travel a thousand miles without feet, and especially the phrase “that’s so delicious” spreads even faster.
Before long, merchants came flocking after hearing the rumors…
I shook my head, expressing my difficulty.
“I didn’t grow them to sell. I didn’t even plant them in earnest.”
However, since I planned to sell them at very high prices from the next harvest, I gave them small strawberry pieces one by one to appease them.
“I’m planning to grow a lot more in earnest from now on, so come back then.”
The merchants who tasted the strawberries began clinging to me in shock.
“Wh-why are these so sweet? What variety is this? Huh? Can I get these seedlings? What? You say they’re just ordinary strawberries from the Southern Region?”
“You’re really planning to cultivate these in earnest, right? Can I pre-order? What price have you set?”
The rumors spread even more.
I firmly refused distribution, and after some time, I even put up a sign saying “Merchants Prohibited.”
But people still started flocking.
“Then is it okay to buy and eat them in Sears? If you won’t sell them outside Sears Territory!”
“They say it’s so delicious, I just want to try one!”
Many people who wanted to eat something delicious came to Sears from dawn.
“Well, if that’s the case.”
I didn’t particularly refuse that much.
“Limited to 50 per day, only for people from the Central Region and the Capital. I’ll sell them anywhere for money starting next winter anyway.”
“Winter? You mean this winter, right?”
“That’s right.”
Even with that explanation, many people said 50 per day was too few. The line filled up instantly, and quite a few people had to return empty-handed.
Harrison took charge of dealing with those people’s complaints.
“Um… is there some problem?”
When Harrison approached with a deep smile, regardless of age or gender, everyone answered like this:
“I couldn’t buy strawberries, but it’s okay. I feel better now. I can come again tomorrow. You’ll be here tomorrow too, right?”
“Ah, what if you make another wasted trip tomorrow?”
“That won’t happen. Today wasn’t a wasted trip either.”
Indeed, it was a face I did well to bring to Sears.
Suddenly there were many more visitors to the territory, but it wasn’t a bad phenomenon.
Many people toured Sears while they were here and spent money on Jezel Street.
“From now on, people who already received some can’t get more.”
I began my strawberry power play like this.
“People who haven’t eaten any should get to try them too.”
If word spread, I could set higher prices for Sears strawberries next year, so as many people as possible needed to try them.
Before long, rumors spread to nearby noble houses too. Eventually, servants began lining up on their employers’ orders.
Among them was a maid with dark brown hair and light purple eyes.
“Excuse me… I’m trying to get Sears strawberries, should I stand in this line?”
Alpheus, who was announcing to visitors “Maximum one per person, 50 silver each,” looked at her in surprise with wide eyes.
“Huh? Isabela? That’s Isabela, right?”
As soon as I heard that name, I whirled around.
Alpheus was grabbing a girl his age in maid clothes and making a fuss.
“Aibella Dotson! That’s right! It’s me, me! Alpheus! Do you remember?”
Good heavens.
Aibella Dotson, how could I forget that name.
She even looked exactly as described in the original work.
So the female protagonist I had been wanting to find all this time had come looking for me on her own from dawn!
* * *
Aibella Dotson.
She was the only daughter of Duke Backhun, hiding her identity.
Among people, she was known to have gone missing early in the Northern civil war.
She hadn’t appeared since then, so everyone thought she was dead…
‘But in reality, she’s a character burning with revenge while drawing up big plans!’
Aibella was twenty-two years old.
She was the same age as Alpheus.
“Aibella! It’s really been so long!”
Alpheus smiled brightly and jumped around.
“Wow, have you been well? What have you been doing? Wow, I’m so happy to meet you like this!”
He made a big fuss then grabbed my hand and pulled me over.
“Brisa, this is Aibella Dotson. She worked part-time at a tavern when I was in the Northern Region!”
I doubt it. She was probably gathering information.
“I was wondering where you went after that tavern closed down since no one knew. You must have really suffered!”
Aibella was probably the one who made it close down.
“How is the tavern owner? I heard rumors that he’d be hospitalized for life!”
That was also Aibella’s doing.
Alpheus poured out words without giving Aibella a chance to answer.
“So how are you living these days? Where are you and what are you doing? Wow, it’s really been so long. Right? Your hair has grown so much too!”
Aibella stepped back slightly and looked at Alpheus.
“Ah… Yes. Marquis… I heard the news. That you became the owner of Sears.”
“Ahh! This is so awkward! You calling me Marquis! Don’t do that!”
“I’m sorry, but if I don’t act awkward, I’ll be arrested.”
While Alpheus was talking with Aibella like this.
I quickly turned around and secretly wrote a letter to Leopold.
[Come to Sears Marquis Territory as quickly as possible. A hidden direct descendant of Duke Backhun’s family who can use <Purification> is here.
‘Contamination’ is the Western Region’s problem, so you’ll need to persuade her.
Personally, I think it would be better if you came instead of Grand Duke. If she feels pressured, she might just leave entirely.
I’ll somehow hold onto her until you arrive.
P.S.
They say the Western Region’s intelligence network is so amazing, but did you hear about our territory’s strawberry rumors? Come eat some.]
And I whispered to a maid.
“As quickly as possible, send this to Leopold at Duke Nogen’s Residence. If you say I sent it, they’ll guide you straight to Leopold. If Leopold is away, deliver it to Grand Duke at least.”
The maid departed like lightning.
Meanwhile, Alpheus was still laughing heartily while holding onto Aibella.
“Hey, still be comfortable, comfortable! We were close friends, right? Right?”
Then Aibella muttered reluctantly.
“…Marquis… hasn’t changed at all…”
Apparently the female protagonist wasn’t fond of the male protagonist who hadn’t turned dark.
She already looked tired. The fact that they were close seemed to be only Alpheus’s idea.
Aibella spoke politely.
“Anyway, to tell you about my current situation, I’m working as a kitchen maid for Count Petanan’s family in the Capital. Young Lady Robina said she really wanted to eat Sears strawberries.”
I immediately thought.
‘She infiltrated.’
Count Petanan’s family was the Empress’s maternal family. She must have entered directly to find the Empress’s weaknesses.
Since Aibella was a member of the dark information guild, <Black Eagle>.
“To buy strawberries, should I stand in this line?”
She asked again with a drained face from dealing with Alpheus since morning.
Alpheus excitedly suggested.
“Yes! But we haven’t seen each other in so long! Let’s talk for a bit! Old connections in life are always welcome and precious! No, stay for a few days! Langsi and Philip are here, all our mercenary group members!”
Then Aibella muttered as if troubled.
“I didn’t know Marquis would personally manage the strawberry line…”
It clearly meant ‘I expected not to run into you.’
Now Isabela had an expression showing she desperately wanted to go home. But I also had no intention of letting her go home.
“Brother is right.”
At that, Alpheus looked at me in surprise. His thoughts had momentarily stopped at the word ‘brother.’
“It seems like you were with brother during his difficult times, so I’d like you to stay for a few days. I’m asking you this as a favor.”
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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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