Please Don’t Come To The Villainess’ Stationery Store!

Duke Hesman strode into Prince Cassian’s palace with relentless steps.

He walked, recalling one by one the reports from the spies he had planted everywhere.

‘Sheria will be returning soon.’

The report from a spy embedded in a competing company, the report from a spy attached to a collaborating company, and finally……

‘Meldenik Babeloa is also preparing for a business, wasn’t he?’

The Duke recalled the report sent by a spy dispatched to Meldenik.

‘Something about fooling a dumb wizard to start a small shop with big plans.’

He thought of the sinister eyes of the spies reporting back to him.

Somehow, their pupils seemed empty.

However, these were spies he had brainwashed and implanted near Meldenik himself. There was no way they would lie.

‘Meldenik, the rebellious streak is particularly long.’

He smirked.

‘After all, if we don’t agree to the annulment, that’s the end of it, how foolish.’

The notice of annulment sent by Meldenik Babeloa had long been forgotten.

Has that woman ever managed to pull off anything substantial?

He was curious how she, who had spoken ill of him, would conduct a great business or how she could be so shameless.

Indeed, Meldenik was Meldenik.

‘Boring and uninteresting. This time, too, she’ll try to start a business, fail, and end up whining.’

Always a pathetic woman. But a useful pawn, so she will be treated like a precious tool until the marriage.

‘If she spouts any nonsense about annulments or whatever again, I’ll make sure to crush her spirit properly.’

Lennox entered the drawing room with a snort.

“It’s been a while, Cassian.”

“Indeed.”

Duke Hesman, sitting opposite Prince Cassian, crossed his legs arrogantly and thought with arrogance.

‘Getting approval for every little thing is such a hassle.’

But the justification is always important.

As the Second Prince overseeing the royal treasury, Cassian had to be briefed on the new business venture.

This new venture, a collaboration between the Hesman and Babeloa dukedoms, was particularly significant.

The adult social circle was conquered without trouble.

Most noble families buy goods from either the Hesman or Babeloa firms.

Their target was no longer grown adults.

In the future, children and teenagers, as well as the gradually increasing elderly population, would become the potential customers for the family business for over fifty years.

The negotiations between the Hesman and Babeloa dukedoms were already concluded, and prototype development was in its final stages.

Soon, they planned to receive royal approval for the business plan and even proceed with a grand launching party.

Just as his life had been an unbeaten march, there would absolutely be no failure this time either.

“Lennox.”

“Yes.”

“I’ve reviewed the business proposal you submitted to the palace in advance.”

Cassian hardened his expression as he looked at Duke Hesman sitting opposite him.

‘Was it about targeting a specific age group with their business?’

However, he was simply following the existing methods.

He planned to aggressively push forward by pouring initial capital into the business and play a game of chicken with other leading and small-scale merchants.

It was also written that he would spend a lot of money on publicity to win this game of chicken.

In other words, it was a method of forcing a trend.

Would there be any place within the empire that could withstand his business, pushed by capital?

Definitely not.

While reading the business plan, Cassian brushed his silver hair back and spoke.

“Show me the prototype.”

A look of pride covered the confident face of Duke Hesman.

He took out a small perfume and a fountain pen from the pocket of his handkerchief.

Cassian, holding the fountain pen Duke Hesman had placed on the table, exclaimed softly.

“A fountain pen and perfume?”

The body of the fountain pen was elegantly and delicately carved.

In the central part, there was a carving that looked like an angel’s head. Such delicate craftsmanship would not be possible if it were not for the Duke Hesman family.

“It’s a piece of art itself. Unlike ordinary fountain pens, it’s encrusted with diamonds here and there.”

Prince Cassian looked at the fountain pen and whispered softly.

“Won’t it be uncomfortable for children to use? It might cause calluses.”

“That’s a small matter.”

“It doesn’t seem like it would have a good influence. It’s excessive.”

Duke Hesman lazily smiled.

“Good influence? What does that matter?”

“Invest in it. Our business is guaranteed to succeed. Kids always imitate adults, right? And they don’t even have the financial power. The real target is the parents. And they are our loyal customers at the top.”

Thinking about money, it wouldn’t be wrong to say.

Prince Cassian’s blue eyes gazed down at the fountain pen.

But, is this fountain pen really harmless for children? A fountain pen studded with jewels seems rather uncomfortable for their small fern-like hands.

Cassian, watching his arrogant attitude, casually rested his chin on his hand.

Duke Hesman, unconcerned, spoke again.

“Moreover, we will be partnering with the Babeloa family again this time. Especially, I will be working with Mrs. Hildegard and Miss Sheria.”

Hildegard took on the role of financing, and Sheria jumped into the business with her.

She was on a business trip to the Holy Nation according to the new business plan.

‘It seems she enjoyed a vacation by the way.’

Duke Hesman smiled softly, thinking of his loved one’s happy moments.

Watching him, Cassian rubbed his temple hard.

“Sure… the collaboration between Babeloa and Hesman, it can’t possibly fail.”

Yet, something felt like itchy sand left in his mouth.

Cassian was aware of the scandal spread widely in the social circles between his friend and Lady Sheria.

Everyone praised their beautiful love story. They were also well-matched business partners, and that too was a subject of praise in the social circles.

But now, Cassian felt differently.

“I want to ask. Are you and Lady Sheria just business partners, or are you thinking of marrying her?”

The Duke of Hesman’s eyes narrowed.

“Now, my marriage partner is Meldenik Babeloa.”

Cassian raised an eyebrow at the curt reply.

“Then it might be wise to keep your distance from Miss Sheria.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“You have a fiancée, Lady Meldenik, don’t you? It’s a disservice to both ladies.”

The Duke’s expression hardened as if he felt his privacy was being invaded.

However, Cassian’s tone was firm. Regardless of Lady Meldenik’s character, they were engaged, weren’t they?

“Because of your actions, high society is already forecasting your break-up with Lady Meldenik.”

“It’s not because of my actions, but because her behavior is so odd.”

The Duke of Hesman frowned, remembering the woman who told him to get lost and left.

Cassian raised his eyebrows at his indifferent expression.

“If you’re going to marry someone, shouldn’t you protect Lady Meldenik’s honor?”

Prince Cassian had also heard about Meldenik Babeloa’s strange behavior.

But there was a point that needed to be insisted upon.

“If you truly intend to welcome Lady Meldenik as the duchess, it’s only right that you treat her accordingly.”

He was not particularly interested in Meldenik. However, what was wrong was wrong, so he just added a word in passing.

At Cassian’s words, the Duke of Hesman narrowed his eyes.

“This is a matter within the family, you need not concern yourself.”

There was no one who did not know about the wickedness or evil deeds of Meldenik Babeloa.

Even disregarding her own sister, Lady Sheria, and ultimately trying to kill her. There was no reason to respect such a woman.

‘Besides, she even told me to get lost.’

Duke Hesman bit the inside of his cheek in frustration.

He just wanted to use Meldenik for his own ends, as his father had commanded.

But why was the woman, who had been acting as he wished until now, suddenly acting this way? He had intended to use her and then dispose of her when convenient.

“Compared to what that woman is doing, I am still treating her quite humanely.”

Cassian stared at Duke Hesman’s furrowed brow and tightened his lips.

“It seems an investment on the scale of the imperial court is impossible.”

Lenox scoffed lowly as if he had not expected anything in the first place.

“Well… the royal family usually doesn’t get involved in large-scale businesses, so I understand completely.”

At Cassian’s words, Duke Hesman nodded, his face showing no regret.

“However, it’s a pity to kick away an opportunity that could benefit the royal budget as well.”

If the business Duke Hesman was involved in could strengthen the empire and include even the common people, he would have been willing to invest any amount.

But Duke Hesman always worked only for the revival of his ducal family and for himself.

“…With the Hesman Corporation controlling most of the streets in the capital, the rate of small business owners shutting down is increasing. The royal family has no reason to support that activity.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to become a vassal to our family rather than being the owner of a doomed, low-quality business?”

“……”

“As you know, the weak are bound to lose.”

What should I respond?

Cassian pressed his throbbing temples.

He had no idea how to persuade Duke Hesman from where to start.

The relationship that had been maintained superficially seemed to be creaking. The more they talked, the more tiredness accumulated.

Lennox changed his expression neatly and answered.

“……Well, it seems that you can’t invest, that’s the conclusion.”

“Yes.”

“Then, I’ll take my leave now.”

As Duke Hesman’s confident back was in view, Axion’s words came to mind in Cassian’s head.

“Mel wishes for every child to be happy!”

The claim that every child wishes to be happy is neither sensible nor ridiculously extravagant.

In Cassian’s experience, people who make overly idealistic claims are usually likely to be scammers.

“So that’s why I came in front of the academy!”

However, Axion’s clear voice and his happy face kept coming to mind.

The feeling was like the ringing of a bell in his ears, saying he came to the academy for the happiness of all children.

Prince Cassian muttered low, folding the business proposal Duke Hesman had handed over in half.

“I’d rather be an idealist.”

Of course, idealists like the lady who owned ‘Mel’s Stationery’, usually face the bitter taste of reality and become disillusioned.

It’s the nobles who use others as means to make money, like Duke Hesman, who ultimately seize victory.

He took a sip of the slushie that was still on the table. The cold first taste and sweet aftertaste lingered in his mouth.

‘A stationery store for the happiness of all children.’

He felt sentimentally emotional for no reason. It was because this slushie reminded him of the cold, sweet snacks he used to eat in his childhood.

As he reminisced about the past when his siblings were alive, he washed his face.

It was time to return to reality.