“That guy wouldn’t just come here to congratulate us.”
Considering his tendency to speak ill of Anna for being a commoner, it’s highly unlikely that he’s here just to celebrate Annie’s birth.
“Wait, I’m 8 years old, so this year is…”
The Imperial Year 537. Since Annie’s birthday is on February 24th…
“So it must be around March of 537 now.”
The Frost family’s downfall didn’t happen all at once. The financial struggles began slowly, and in an effort to hide it, they took on risky ventures, which ultimately led to their bankruptcy.
And I know that the family’s troubles first began in 537.
What if the Harbor family has already started their plan…
I need to stop any transactions between those two from happening.
How can I eavesdrop on their conversation? After fidgeting for a bit, Hestia suddenly came up with a great idea.
“Mother!”
“Yes, with the cookies… Tia, are you feeling okay?”
Anna, who was preparing snacks in the kitchen with a maid, turned to Hestia.
“I’ll take the refreshments to Father.”
“You?”
“Yes! I want to help my father even a little!”
With this, I could naturally enter the office.
“Ma’am, isn’t it dangerous? What if the young lady spills something…”
“I won’t! I’ll be very careful, so please let me do this!”
Despite the maid’s objections, I clasped my hands and begged, and Anna nodded.
“Alright, since it’s your first time approaching him, I’ll take you to the office. But I’ll only take you to the door.”
Hestia cheered inwardly and followed Anna. When they reached the office, she handed Hestia the tray of snacks.
“Hold it carefully.”
Knock knock—
Anna knocked on the door and opened it. Seeing Anna gesture ‘good luck’ with her lips, it seemed she thought I was going to perform.
‘If they think that way, then that’s good for me.’
There’s a good chance that not just Anna, but the two people inside feel the same.
“I’ll serve the refreshments.”
Hestia said demurely while holding the large tray, and Derrick’s face broke into a wide smile.
“Ha ha, our daughter is working hard for Daddy.”
“How nice it is to have such a cute daughter.”
“I thought you used to find me difficult, but I guess that was just my misunderstanding.”
With a warm hand patting my head, I smiled faintly and carefully served them the tea.
‘I have ten years of experience as a maid.’
Brewing tea was like eating soft rice for her.
Moreover, during her maid days, her masters always said she was the best at serving tea.
“Oh, did you really brew this?”
“…Impressive. Such a deep flavor.”
Even Victor seemed surprised at how good the tea was.
But the important thing wasn’t the tea.
“Ahem, so where were we?”
Derrick set his cup down and continued the interrupted conversation.
“We were discussing the distribution. This is an exclusive offer for the Frost family. It’s currently in high demand in the capital.”
‘That thing…’
What Victor brought was a small case. Inside were white powders used by women.
Hestia inspected the item carefully. As she tried to smell and touch it…
“This is not something for a child to touch!”
Victor, who had just noticed Hestia, yelled and snatched the cosmetics from her hands.
“There are things to discuss among adults, so you should go out.”
His gaze was filled with contempt, as if he found her annoying. Hestia immediately clung to Derrick.
“Father, can I stay here quietly? I want to eat cookies.”
“…Tia.”
‘Is it really not possible?’
To adults, I probably just seem like a stubborn child. If that’s the case, then I’ll have to use another method…
“Why do you call me Father now when you called me Daddy in the morning?”
“…Huh?”
“Father sounds too distant. You should call me Daddy.”
I thought I was going to be kicked out, but a different situation unfolded, leaving them dumbfounded. Victor looked equally bewildered.
But thinking this was my chance, Hestia quickly spoke up.
“Ah, Daddy…!”
“Yes, our daughter. If you want cookies, eat as many as you want. But you must stay quiet since adults have things to discuss, okay?”
“Yes!”
“Lord Frost, having a child in such an important meeting is…”
“Please understand a little. Tia is just happy to be near me. And she’s just a child. She promised to stay quiet, so she wouldn’t be a bother anymore.”
‘That’s right! Good job!’
Hestia cheered Derrick on in her mind while munching on cookies. Victor, who initially had a displeased expression, eventually sighed.
Soon, the two resumed their conversation.
“I’ve heard that people are increasingly interested in beauty these days. My wife seems to be interested as well.”
“In the capital, it’s become a trend. It’s only a matter of time before it spreads to other regions. So how about partnering with me?”
It was a tempting offer, but to be honest, the trend won’t last even a year.
‘Because the cosmetics are toxic.’
When the trend started in the capital and spread to the locals, some of the early users began to show signs of poisoning.
At first, they didn’t know the reason, but soon they discovered that the cosmetics were toxic, leading to a complete halt in production.
“If the Frost family buys it in advance, our family will handle the distribution. Naturally, we’ll give favorable terms to the Frost family.”
And the Frost family, which had purchased a large amount of the cosmetics in advance, suffered a severe financial blow.
‘I don’t know if Victor is aiming for that…’
I cannot repeat the same mistake.
At that moment, Derrick seemed to be pondering with a frown, not finding the proposal that appealing.
“Though we’re distant relatives, aren’t we family? As part of the Winston branch, we should help each other.”
His casual mention of the family was disgusting. Finally, unable to hold back, Hestia spoke up.
“You are so kind, Lord!”
Victor looked at her with a puzzled expression.
“I never share what I like with my siblings. But you are sharing good things with Daddy, so you’re kind!”
Most people don’t want to share good things with others. Especially when it comes to money.
Moreover, if something goes wrong, the Frost family, which bought the products in bulk, will bear all the risks. The Harbor family can just back out anytime.
“I’d prefer to do it alone. But I have many ongoing matters right now. And isn’t it family that helps each other?”
‘He talks so smoothly.’
That guy would definitely keep his head above water even if he fell into the water.
“So what happens if this trend loses popularity? When did it become popular among people?”
“It’s only been half a year since it was made. What would a child know? Stop being a nuisance and just eat your cookies.”
Seeing him trying to shut her up, Hestia clenched her fists.
‘This jerk seems to know that it causes poisoning…’
In six months, people would start complaining and showing symptoms of poisoning.
It might be popular now, but by the time they purchase and resell the cosmetics, their market value will have dropped significantly.
‘But this will be enough.’
Derrick would understand how big a risk this deal carries.
“I’m sorry, Lord Harbor. It seems that a partnership will be difficult.”
“No, why is that? Opportunities like this don’t come often!”
“I know it’s a good proposal. However, I’m currently too overwhelmed to start another business. I will appreciate your proposal.”
“Don’t say that—think about it one more time. I’ll leave the products here.”
Victor stubbornly left the cosmetics behind as he exited the office. While Derrick went to see him off, Hestia hurriedly examined the cosmetics.
“I can’t let Father pay attention to this again.”
There must be a good way…
While she was deep in thought, something shiny caught her eye.
“This…!”
It was the necklace she had tearfully pawned in the past due to lack of money.
It was a gift that Derrick had given to her the first time they met.
Even though she resented the existence of her new dad, she always carried the pretty necklace with her.
“This will be enough!”
Hestia quickly put the necklace into the cosmetics container. Then she closed the lid and shook it vigorously.
* * *
After seeing Victor off, Derrick sighed.
“…Our finances aren’t that stable.”
To be honest, it was tempting. He knew the cosmetics were trending because he had heard about it.
But the price was higher than expected, and if anything went wrong, the losses would be obvious, making it hard for him to take the plunge.
‘To handle big money, you have to be bold like a man. If you change your mind, feel free to contact me.’
Victor’s words echoed in his ears before the carriage left. Besides, wasn’t the Harbor family quite skilled in business?
“Now that a third child has been born… I need to think a bit more.”
As his responsibilities grew, the weight on Derrick’s shoulders as the head of the family became heavier. Returning to his office, Derrick froze at the sight of the mess.
“Hestia!”
“Ah, Dad…”
The cosmetics Victor left behind were scattered across the sofa and carpet. It was clear she had been playing with them.
“You shouldn’t play with cosmetics.”
“I was just trying to make the necklace pretty.”
“The necklace?”
“Yes! Makeup is for looking pretty, right? I wanted to make my necklace prettier too!”
Seeing Hestia smiling brightly with her face covered in white powder, Derrick found himself at a loss for words.
He quickly brushed off the powder from her clothes and face.
“I understand your intentions, but you can’t play with Daddy’s things from now on, okay?”
“Yes! But Dad, look at this! The necklace looks prettier, right?”
Derrick let out a helpless laugh at the necklace covered in white powder. But then he realized it was the necklace he had given her.
“You’ve kept this… all along?”
“It’s a gift from you, Dad!”
Derrick pressed his lips together tightly.
Four years ago, when he first met Anna and Hestia, the little girl was busy avoiding him.
Even when the second child, Elvin, was born, and just days ago when Annie was born, it was strange that the child who had been shy around him had changed overnight…
‘Maybe it was just hard for her to come to me.’
He had only thought she disliked him, and realizing that wasn’t the case made his heart swell.
“You don’t need to do things like this; our Tia is the prettiest in the world.”
As he said this, he brushed off the powder on the necklace. As the white powder disappeared, the black surface was revealed. Feeling something was off, Derrick tilted his head.
“…Tia, was it like this from the beginning?”
“Huh? It used to sparkle, but it turned black. Why is that? Why doesn’t it look pretty?”
The discoloration of silver indicates toxicity.
If Hestia said it was originally just a regular silver necklace…
Derrick’s gaze fell on Hestia, whose face was now white with powder.
In an instant, his face turned pale, and he hurriedly lifted Hestia.
“Dear! Get the bathwater ready! Right now!”
Realizing the cosmetics were toxic, Derrick rushed to wash Hestia off.
In his flustered arms, Hestia secretly smiled.
‘This is good, just as planned.’
