“Is that so? You must have had a hard time.”
Then he patted Nathaniel’s back with overflowing affection.
Nathaniel had been able to remain in the position of deputy head of the merchant guild largely thanks to that kind of attitude.
He was endlessly attentive and pretended well in front of his father—the man who provided the capital.
Because of that, even though rumors painted Nathaniel as a degenerate, their father continued to trust him to the very end.
“More importantly, Rose, you said you want to work in the guild?”
Nathaniel, who had already come up to stand in front of me, playfully ruffled my hair.
He looked like a kind older brother teasing a cute younger sister.
In reality, he didn’t have even a shred of affection for a younger sister.
Ugh.
In both my past life and my current one, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a moment this absurd.
“Our Rose has really grown up. Thinking of helping your big brother like this.”
“But Father said no.”
Setting aside my personal feelings, I answered in a slightly spoiled, pleading tone.
At that moment, I thought I might be able to use Nathaniel.
“I can do as well as my brother. I’m Father’s daughter and your sister. I’m a Pieren.”
As I looked back and forth between Nathaniel and Father, fluttering my eyelashes, Father let out a long sigh.
“Nathaniel. Say something. Even if she’s young and immature, this is—honestly.”
“Why, Father? I think it’s fine. Letting Rosenia help out.”
Father, shocked by his son’s betrayal—who he had expected to be on his side—turned his head sharply.
“What did you say?”
“I understand you cherish Rose, but shouldn’t she also gain some social experience?”
“Which noble lady works outside like that? I’ve raised her carefully, without letting her get her hands dirty!”
“Father, that’s an outdated way of thinking. Women work hard these days too. Just last night—no, yesterday—I met so many passionate people.”
Wait. Did he just say “last night”?
There were so many suspicious parts, but I stayed quiet.
Go on. Keep talking.
“So you’re saying you’ll make your younger sister work?”
“Of course Rose can’t work alone. She’ll probably make mistakes. But if I just take her along and let her observe, that should be fine, right?”
“That’s right, Father!”
I quickly jumped in.
First, I needed permission just to enter the guild.
If I didn’t secretly start my own business, Father’s approval was essential.
Of course, I could sell my assets and start something in secret.
I was confident I could succeed that way too.
But I didn’t want to create something new.
I wanted what was already mine—Pieren, which I could rightfully claim as mine.
Besides, if things continued like this, Pieren would inevitably collapse.
And then what about the countless people working under Pieren?
They would all become unemployed in an instant.
It wouldn’t just be the servants of the estate.
It would be all the employees of the Pieren Merchant Guild, and everyone who did business with it.
Some might quickly find new jobs, but…
There would definitely be those who couldn’t, falling into hardship.
All because of Nathaniel—just that one useless degenerate.
“Father, please.”
Just leave it to me.
One day, you’ll be grateful to me too.
Because I’ll save this family that was on the verge of total collapse.
“Father, just allowing her to observe isn’t a bad thing. Don’t worry too much. I’ll take care of her.”
“…Can you really take good care of your sister?”
“Yes.”
Father covered his face with one hand and sighed.
I waited anxiously for his decision.
And after a moment, the answer finally came.
“Fine. I’ll allow you to accompany your brother to the guild for one month only.”
“Thank you, Father!”
“I’m allowing access to the guild, but don’t cause any trouble. And Nathaniel, take good care of your sister.”
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
“Since it’s come to this, let’s have dinner together. Both of you go outside for now.”
At Father’s words, Nathaniel and I left the room.
It had been difficult, but I had finally secured permission to go to the guild.
As I smiled faintly in satisfaction, Nathaniel spoke beside me in a slick voice.
“You owe me one.”
Instead of answering, I smiled brightly.
Yes, I do owe you.
And I fully intend to repay that debt.
By taking away everything that belongs to you.
You already hate working anyway.
I’ll do my best to make you step down from the guild heir position and go live peacefully in the countryside for the rest of your life.
The first and second days at the Pieren Merchant Guild passed in a blur.
I set up my place in the central branch building, met people, and roughly learned what I needed to do.
“Alright then, you handle the rest.”
Perhaps because he was conscious of Father, Nathaniel had initially acted as if he were looking after me.
But on the third day, he vanished completely.
He left me alone in a temporary, empty room that had barely been prepared for me.
Well. It was already a miracle he stayed obedient for two days.
That alone was enough for me to confirm he was far below my expectations.
Nathaniel was, quite literally, a degenerate.
And perhaps because the deputy head was like that, the guild employees didn’t exactly welcome me either.
“If you need anything, please call us. Please don’t try to handle anything yourself and cause trouble, young lady.”
Their faces were as cold as winter winds.
To them, I probably looked like some spoiled noble girl throwing a tantrum and trying to “play business” like a child.
That’s why they still called me “young lady.”
“This won’t be easy.”
Still, I had made some progress.
On my desk were contract documents and account books from the past five years.
It seems I had been too quiet until now.
That’s why everyone ignored me.
Shall I show them a dance of blades that makes them cry?
“Where would unaccounted money come from? They just skimmed it.”
Classic embezzlement—inflating expenses and underreporting income.
Most of the stolen money went into Nathaniel’s pocket.
But a considerable portion was also distributed to those who cooperated.
“I did intend to save the people who might become unemployed because of Nathaniel…”
But I never intended to protect parasites like these.
I’ll cut off the collaborators and block Nathaniel’s flow of money.
If I set fire to his tail, he’ll have no choice but to cut it off himself.
He wouldn’t want to fall out of Father’s favor.
And for the time being, he’ll likely lay low.
Then I’ll use that opening to clean house entirely under the excuse of embezzlement.
A warning to everyone who has been ignoring me.
Knock knock.
“Yes. Come in.”
Rarely hearing a knock, I looked up from the documents.
Margaret, the female employee Nathaniel had assigned to serve me, entered and bowed.
Her clothing looked slightly disheveled.
And soon I noticed an improper mark on her neck.
“……”
When Nathaniel introduced her to me, they had seemed rather close.
And those marks…
I suddenly felt like replacing Margaret first if possible.
“Lady Rosenia, a guest has arrived looking for the deputy guild master.”
“Oh?”
I replied calmly, hiding my thoughts.
But that’s strange.
Why would someone looking for Nathaniel report to me?
