The Diarn family will strive to prevent the decline of their lineage following this incident.
To achieve this, they needed to produce more noticeable results in their trading than before.
They believed that this would enable them to regain their proper authority.
“That will be the most opportune time for us. The Diarn family will not be allowed to bring about its own downfall through recklessness.”
Even if the inside rots, people will still drink if the surface is sweet.
At that time, Aiden intended to strip the Diarn elder of all his authority and bring things to an end. “But why haven’t you discussed this with the Duchess?” Frederick, curious, asked.
Then Aiden’s expression subtly changed as he looked at him. “Do you think I’ll just sit around and wait for that misfortune to come to me?” Aiden said with a meaningful smile.
“True,” Frederick nodded without further questions, seeming to have fully understood.
The reason he couldn’t bring himself to tell Erin was that Aiden wouldn’t simply wait for that misfortune to occur.
It was part of his plan to bring that misfortune upon the Diarn elder.
The methods employed, though, would neither be gentlemanly nor meek. At times, they would be violent and occasionally cruel.
Would Erin truly approve of these methods? Of course, she wouldn’t blame Aiden for his methods, nor would she turn away from him in disappointment.
However, he hoped that even the tiniest speck of dust wouldn’t settle on her heart.
Therefore, it should be okay not to tell Erin about this extent.
***
Erin had sensed their intentions from the day the Diarn lady visited, so she was preparing herself. But for some reason, nothing had happened since then.
The Diarn lady, who seemed likely to visit the salon again, never made a move.
“It’s too quiet, isn’t it?” It was so quiet that it seemed ominous.
“Why is there no news at all? Is there something going on behind the scenes?” While considering whether it would be better for Erin to check on the Diarn lady first, Aiden encountered the Diarn elder in front of the garden.
However, the elder, upon seeing Erin, narrowed his eyes, averted his gaze and then approached reluctantly.
Their relationship had never been close, but his response was unusual. Puzzled, Erin looked at the Diarn elder.
“Lady Aiden, it’s been a while.”
He casually greeted her as if asking when they had last met.
“I met the Diarn lady not long ago.”
Erin mentioned the Diarn lady in a way that seemed convenient, causing a subtle crack in the expressionless face of the elder.
“…Is that so?”
“You visited the salon.”
His voice trembled as if muttering to himself. But when he turned to look at Erin, he forced a smile.
“Haha. I’ve heard that it’s a popular place lately.”
“I thought you would come again, but you didn’t.”
Erin continued to mention the Diarn lady, gazing at him intentionally.
“What business would an older person like yourself have there?” The Diarn elder’s gaze seemed empty as he said this. Furthermore, he appeared weary, as if fatigue had accumulated during their brief conversation.
“I merely stopped by out of curiosity. I won’t be visiting the salon again.”
He spoke firmly, with more strength than before.
“…”
“It seems like you were about to leave. Take care. I’ll take my leave as well.”
The Diarn elder, as if not wanting to be here any longer, moved on without looking back. As Erin watched his retreating figure, her head tilted gradually to the side.
“The fact that the Diarn lady didn’t come, and the reactions… It feels like something has ended without my knowing.”
Erin, lost in thought and blinking slowly, realized that an issue regarding the salon had surfaced somewhere and then subsided.
There was only one place it could be.
“Aiden, probably.”
It was so obvious that it didn’t require further consideration.
Erin had been feeling very good since opening the salon.
She used to share her daily emotions and excitement with Aiden.
“So that’s it. Did I deliberately persuade the Diarn elder without realizing it?” This was a problem.
Now, just the thought of Aiden made her burst into laughter.
As she hummed a tune while thinking of Aiden, Erin quickly calmed down.
“This issue will pass just like this.”
Yet, once again, she became vigilant. The salon would become even more lively and expand in scale in the future.
There would be more and more noble ladies and young ladies wanting to engage in business and various activities.
There was no guarantee that the elders would not interfere then.
For the sake of Erin and Aiden’s future path, the elders’ assembly needed to be resolved as soon as possible.
***
After finishing dinner, Erin spoke up as she and Aiden shared a glass of wine.
“Why are you being silent and hiding things?” At Erin’s question, Aiden’s gaze shifted slowly.
“Surely there were negative remarks about the salon, but you stayed quiet. However, when the Diarn elder mentioned the salon today, you distanced yourself.”
Aiden’s eyebrows twitched in response to Erin’s words.
“Did you handle it, Aiden?” Aiden readily opened up at Erin’s question.
“It was something I genuinely wanted to do properly for the first time. I wanted to do something because I saw you happy.”
Aiden didn’t think Erin wouldn’t know what he had done. So, he spoke to prevent her from misunderstanding his sincerity.
As Erin looked at Aiden intently, she smiled and said, “Thanks to you, the salon issue passed by smoothly.”
Then, she spoke a little more seriously, “Thank you.” Erin meant it.
Even if the elders raised an issue, they could resolve it. It wasn’t difficult in itself.
However, if a dispute arises, the lady and the young masters will no longer be able to frequent the salon as comfortably as before. They would naturally feel uncomfortable due to the attention from others.
Erin had been slightly concerned about that. However, thanks to Aiden quietly resolving the issue, all those worries disappeared.
Erin lightly clinked her wine glass against Aiden’s.
“And there’s one more thing.”
Aiden took out a document from a drawer and showed it to her.
As Erin examined the contents of the document, her eyes widened slightly.
“The trading rights of the Diarn family?” It was a certificate containing the authority to oversee and manage the overall commercial activities within the capital.
“It seems like you deemed it too burdensome and returned it,” Aiden said nonchalantly.
However, “…That can’t be right,” Erin murmured, gazing intently at Aiden as if it were obvious.
When Aiden meaningfully lifted the corner of his mouth, it conveyed something between them.
“Are you giving this to me?”
“Yeah, take it,” Aiden said jokingly as Erin playfully brandished the certificate.
The trading rights had completely passed into Erin’s hands.
***
Thanks to Aiden, the salon continues to be peaceful,” Erin thought with a contented smile as she watched the harmonious atmosphere among the noble ladies and young masters in the salon.
Recently, Princess Angelina had been spending most of her time at the cafe “Angela.”
Meanwhile, Claire had been busy with preparations for her upcoming engagement to the crown prince in two years, and Yulia was as focused as ever on her sculptures.
Naturally, the salon had been frequented by the presence of other noble ladies and young masters.
Erin was about to get up after exchanging a few words in conversation, but at that moment, the salon’s door opened.
Erin turned her head absentmindedly, and the hesitant figure entering the room was very familiar.
“Sister?”
Erin’s eyes widened and blinked slowly as she confirmed that it was indeed Mila Zahard. Mila had come to the salon.
Erin quickly got up from her seat to greet her.
“Welcome. It’s been a while.”
She greeted awkwardly, glancing around, and Erin kindly gestured for her to sit without discomfort.
“The salon has become very famous lately. I was curious and wanted to come and see for myself,” Mila said.
“I had hoped you’d come at least once. Come over here and have a seat,” Erin replied.
“I don’t really understand, but it looks impressive,” Mila exclaimed, wide-eyed.
“Since you’ve come all this way, I’ll give you a detailed tour. There are other spaces inside once we go in,” Erin added.
“Really?” Mila looked skeptical.
Taking Mila’s arm, Erin led her inside. As they ventured further, they discovered additional hidden areas, just as Erin had described.
“What exactly is this place for?” Mila asked, bewildered.
“It’s not for anything specific. Of course, you can do whatever you like here,” Erin explained, showing Mila the various rooms within the salon.
“Lately, there have been young ladies who want to learn professionally, so we’ve invited instructors to come,” Erin said.
Mila listened attentively, as if she had just discovered a new world.
“It’s okay if you don’t know what you want to do yet. We can simply chat about your interests,” Erin said with a light laugh, offering Mila a cup of tea.
Mila still seemed a bit awkward but appeared to enjoy herself.
Her eyes moved busily, as if everything was fascinating. Erin made sure she could enjoy herself to the fullest.
At one point, Mila saw a group of ladies interested in business discussing accounting, so she joined in, helping them solve their problems and engaging in the conversation.
In a short time, Mila’s exceptional calculation skills made her stand out among the ladies.
“You’re excErint at business calculations,” a lady exclaimed in amazement.
“I just know a little,” Mila replied modestly.
“You’re the best among us.”
“Yes, please come often. I want to learn from you,” another lady chimed in.
The ladies were in awe of Mila and asked for her help.
“Even a small talent can be helpful,” Mila replied modestly.
“It’s not small at all, it’s an amazing ability,” one lady insisted.
“Then, next time, if you want, I’ll help you,” Mila promised.
Before she knew it, a connection had formed between Mila and the ladies.
Mila bid them farewell with regret. “I should be going now,” she said.
As the ladies expressed their disappointment, Erin made no attempt to stop her, knowing she had to leave to avoid Helena and Gael’s notice.
“Can I come again tomorrow?” she asked shyly just before leaving.
Erin’s eyes widened slightly.
She then smiled brightly and readily replied, “Of course. Anytime, as much as you want. I’m always happy to see you.”
