# 29
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“What puts you in a good mood?”
Evelyn realized she was still smiling at Merlin's question.
To her surprise, she quickly accepted that it was Differin.
Evelyn simply thought about how nice it would be to live with someone she saw every day.
“It's just that my husband has been so nice lately.”
Evelyn didn't particularly try to hide it. After all, she was keeping the concept of Dyffryn's love superficially as the original Evelyn had done.
“Oh my God, don't even mention it, ma'am. I kept my mouth shut because I didn't want to seem like a chatterbox, but even on the nights he came home late, he would call me separately to ask how you were doing.”
"truly?"
“Yes! The master has finally opened his heart to you, my lady.”
Merlin immediately regretted her words, realizing that she was insinuating that Dyffryn was cold towards Evelyn.
How could a servant dare suggest that her mistress was not loved by her husband?
Merlin felt anxious, and lowered her head almost to the floor of the carriage.
“I'm sorry, ma'am... I made a mistake.”
"That's not entirely wrong. Just be careful with your words in front of others. They might misunderstand you."
Merlin's eyes filled with tears at Evelyn's compassionate response. But she skillfully wiped away her tears with her sleeve, not wanting to cry in front of her good lady.
When Evelin saw this, she smiled contentedly.
‘She is truly suitable for the position of head maid.’
Although Evelin loved Merlin personally, she also needed someone loyal and wise to deal with Amelia's schemes in the future. Merlin was the perfect candidate.
Evelyn spent her time in the carriage doing embroidery. The laurel wreath embroidery on the handkerchief was almost complete.
“For whom are you putting all this effort into this? Is it for the master?”
"No. It's for someone more important."
'Who could be more important to a lady than her husband?'
Merlin seemed curious, but Evelyn couldn't tell yet.
She was expecting to hear news soon that the owner of this handkerchief would be coming to the capital, but she had heard nothing yet.
As she finished the last laurel stalk, the smell of the sea began to waft through the window.
“Ma’am, I can see the sea!”
Merlin cheered excitedly as the cries of the seagulls echoed out.
Evelin put down her embroidery and looked out the window. The vast blue sea stretched out before her, just as Merlin's excited voice had indicated.
This place, about three hours away from the capital, was not a place they visited unless there was a special reason, so Merlin seemed happy.
Evelin also felt a rare flutter in her heart when seeing the sea for the first time in her current life.
Unlike the capital, the coastal village was full of burly men in casual clothes, perhaps shipyard workers, fishermen, or merchants from a trading company.
Everything looked so different from the capital that it caught her attention.
The car soon stopped in front of a large building. It was the headquarters of the trading company operated by Oakley.
Oakley was standing in the doorway.
Evelyn grabbed her gift and got out of the carriage.
“Lady Evelyn!”
"Miss Oakley. How are you?"
Evelyn responded with a bright smile to Oakley's cheerful greeting.
“Well, given how business is going, saying I'm fine would be a lie. But if you go into detail, it might upset a sensitive person like you, so let's leave it at that for now.”
At Oakley's delightful joke, Evelyn burst out laughing and handed over the gift she had brought.
Oakley, who said there was no need for such a thing, could not hide her delight at the mention of fine wines.
It seems that Rykal chose the gift exceptionally well.
“Should we go inside first? Since you brought such good wine, I will invite you to have some excellent tea. I have some rare tea leaves that arrived today.”
Following Oakley's instructions, Evelyn entered the Trading Company building. The walkway was decorated with treated stones, the pride of Loyum Trading Company.
Oakley led Evelyn into a reception room at the end of the hall. Inside, there was a large window overlooking the sea.
While Evelyn and Oakley were sitting on the couch, a crew member brought over a tea set.
Oakley seemed intent on making the tea herf, as she placed the tea leaves in the teapot and poured hot water.
“This is green tea, which is currently popular in the Eastern Continent. They say it is very beneficial for the skin.”
"green tea!"
Evelin's eyes sparkled as she eagerly watched the yellow tea being prepared.
"I'm glad you liked it. Skin care is a concern for both men and women, after all."
Oakley seemed to think Evelyn's interest in green tea was because of its skin care benefits.
Evelin didn't mind the misunderstanding, so she nodded. As Oakley handed her the properly prepared tea, she spoke.
“The building looks a bit messy, doesn't it?”
It was what Oakley said.
On their way to the reception room, the staff hurriedly passed through the lobby, apologized, and the items were scattered in front of the building.
“Is it because work is busy?”
“That's true, but it's about to get busier.”
“It's time,” Evelin thought to herf, but outwardly she tilted her head as if she didn’t know anything.
With a sly smile, Oakley continued.
“We will expand our business.”
“Are you planning to export something other than processed stones?”
“No. This time, it's not about exporting; we will import. We plan to bring in the goods and l them within the empire. It's still secret, but I'll tell you privately, ma'am.”
Evelin realized that it was not because she was special, but because the position of Duchess of Leonok was special.
Oakley invited her here because she is the lady of the Leonok family.
‘When you start a new business, you will need new clients’
Preferably, they would be wealthy clients, such as Duke Leonok, whom all the nobles wanted to win over. This may have been why Oakley sent the letter first.
“What are you planning to import?”
“In the Colclaw Empire, they still grow mainly wild varieties like potatoes, carrots, and beans. But across the sea, they are creating new varieties by hybridizing seeds.”
“Oh, this is really cool.”
Oakley's voice rose at Evelyn's enthusiastic response.
"Don't get me started. There are so many wonderful varieties, like carrots that smell like apples, and tomatoes that taste as sweet as honey. They're sure to be a hit."
Oakley was already pleased, as if success was guaranteed, but Evelin almost knew what would happen in the future.
As the Liom Trading Company grew, the vigilant Marquis Binford would plant a spy, steal ideas, and act first.
In the end, Marquis Benford would achieve great success, while Liom Trading Company would not be able to handle the surplus items it had purchased, resulting in large debts.
In the original story, this chapter would have been a turning point for Rachel's family, the Marquis of Binford, if they had gained more power.
Since the idea may have been stolen from the planning stages, the Binford side may have already progressed with their work.
However, there is still a way. A way to save Oakley and also benefit from this ordeal.
“Since you mentioned importing seeds, can I ask Liom Trading Company for a special service?”
Oakley looked puzzled. Although she had invited Evelin here for business purposes, she had not expected her to ask this directly.
Oakley regained her composure and answered.
“Sure, just tell me. I’ll get you anything you need.”
“What I want is the seeds of the Kashyak Bramble bush.”
Oakley raised an eyebrow in confusion.
“Bramble Bush…?”
The Bramble bush was one of the least requested plants.
They were not as beautiful as flowers to decorate the garden, they did not bear fruit, and they had no leaves for making tea.
In other words, the Bramble Bush was a uess plant that no one looked for.
“Yes, Bramble Bush.”
“Is the Duke’s family planning to secretly build an underground prison?”
Bramble bush is often planted around prisons or exile sites to prevent prisoners from escaping.
“Haha, of course not.”
“Then why would someone like you, who doesn't seem to fit in a bramble bush at all, look for the seeds of such a terrible plant?”
“Since you kindly informed me about the business expansion, I will share with you a special story I heard.”
While Evelin was speaking with a serious face, Oakley blinked her eyes.
“The Kashyak bramble will be valuable in the future. Not just any bramble, but the Kashyak variety.”
“…What is the basis of this?”
"This is a secret. I can't reveal all my cards, can I?"
Evelin spoke confidently, but she actually couldn't explain that she knew the future from the original story.
"Then, Miss Oakley. Trust me and buy all the Kashyak bramble seeds available in other countries. l me half of what you buy. They're cheaper than the other seeds anyway, aren't they?"
Oakley mused.
It was with her surprise that she told her that the kashiak bush would become valuable, and urged her to stock it up in advance. Without even revealing the reason.
However, the woman in front of her was no ordinary noblewoman. She was the daughter-in-law of the Duchess of Leonnok and wife of the famous Dyffryn. Dyffryn was also the Crown Prince's closest aide.
It wouldn't be strange for Evelin to learn rare information from somewhere.
In addition, there was something secretly trustworthy in Evelin's confident demeanor. This was probably close to the merchant's intuition.
She liked the gift of alcohol she received.
In fact, this was the first time Oakley had been gifted alcohol. Because of persistent prejudices against noblewomen, she usually received beautiful flower pots or accessories. I was surprised when Evelyn brought alcohol as a gift.
This surprise turned into fondness for Evelyn.
Evelin seemed much smarter than expected. She knew how to win hearts.
In the end, it didn't take Oakley long to answer right away.
“Okay. I will follow your advice, ma’am.”