“I appreciate the thought, but this is a project I’ve been handling from the very beginning, so I’d like to start it in Greze. I’ve already submitted the paperwork to the Imperial Court to obtain exclusive production rights.”
The Count’s eyes narrowed. He’d thought she was simply floating an idea without much thought, but that wasn’t the case. If she had already secured the exclusive production rights from the Imperial Court, it would be illegal for any other territory to produce the wigs without Greze’s permission. In other words, she intended for all profits from the wig distribution to flow directly into Greze.
“Well, production rights can always be transferred. I’m only saying this because I’m worried you might have a hard time. You’ve never ran a business before and there’s bound to be some trials and errors…”
“Who knows. Success might just be a breeze if I take after you, Father, don’t you think?”
“Hmm, I see. In that case, for financial support… how does 1 million gold sound?”
“Hk.”
It wasn’t Cassia who gasped but Zester. One million gold? That was an amount he had never possessed before so he couldn’t help but stare wide-eyed.
But Cassia had a very different perspective. She intended to distribute these wigs not just in the north, but across the entire continent, including the south. A mere one million gold wouldn’t even begin to cover the scale she envisioned.
She could tell right away that the Count had no intention of offering any meaningful support unless he was granted the production rights.
‘I know he’s a businessman to his core, but this is too much. Here is his daughter trying to make a little money for her poor territory, and he’s trying to steal it from her.’
Hiding her disappointment, Cassia simply shrugged.
“Alright then. That sounds like enough.”
“What? Are you sure that’s enough?”
“Yes. I’m sure you’re offering what you believe is best for me, Father.”
This wasn’t going the way he hoped. Count Ruberno’s eyes narrowed further.
“If I find myself short on funds, I can get support from the neighboring territories in the north. In return, I can grant them distribution rights and a portion of shares in the business, 5% or less, depending on their contribution.”
“W-who would invest for such a small share?”
“Hm, you’re wrong there, Father. I have confidence. Confidence that this business will succeed. And with the money you’re lending me, I plan to make a few prototypes and start promoting them. That will show whether or not this business has potential to succeed…getting support can come afterward.”
Those who invested would receive the right to produce and sell the wigs, but they would only get a small portion of the profits, no more than 5%.
Even though that was a rather disappointing percentage, if it was a business with huge potential for success, it was undoubtedly a great proposal for those who could invest. People with a good smell for money wouldn’t hesitate to be generous in their support.
My, my. Count Ruberno swallowed a sigh of regret.
From his perspective as a calculating businessman, this ‘wig business’ was very likely to succeed. The fact that it appealed to someone like Estella, your typical noble lady, was proof enough. It would thrive much faster if launched from Ruberno than in a meager territory like Greze.
He thought Cassia would be willing to give up a small stake if he coaxed her, but she flatly refused to transfer the production rights. She even seemed to be planning to seek out shareholders willing to invest in the business, clearly already anticipating its success. In other words, she was thinking several moves ahead.
It was undeniably a business destined for success. He couldn’t take it from her entirely, but he still wanted a piece of it…
Seeing the Count’s troubled expression, Cassia smirked and gave a suggestion.
“To be honest, I was going to ask if you’d like to invest in exchange for shares in the business. But since you’re only offering one million gold, I guess Ruberno’s finances aren’t doing so well these days so I’ll leave it at that. Still, since we’re family, I wouldn’t feel right giving you just 5% so I was thinking of offering you 10%, Father.”
“Cassia.”
“Yes, Father?”
With a bright smile, she answered immediately. The Count sighed deeply, as if in surrender, and chuckled.
“You’ve gotten even craftier since I last saw you.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“I’ll cover the full cost of the production for the first batch. In return, I’d like the distribution rights for the south.”
Perfect. This was more than enough of a win. Since this business was bound to succeed, Cassia fully intended to produce the wigs in bulk right from the start. Of course, without using any of her own money.
“That sounds good to me. And since it’s you, Father, you get a special 10%.”
***
While the Baron and Baroness went off to settle their luggage, the Ruberno family remained gathered in the reception room.
“Our Sia hasn’t changed a bit, even after going to Greze. If anything, I think she’s gotten even shrewder.”
“Well, she is my daughter.”
“Huhu…”
The Countess chuckled with amusement, spinning the black wig she’d received in her hands with satisfaction.
“She even got the better of you. How amazing.”
“My daughter ought to be at least that capable.”
“I don’t know much about business, but I can definitely see the potential. It could appeal to not only noble ladies, but also to young nobles and older noblemen.”
“Indeed. It would be a quicker success if she starts it in Ruberno, but she’s too stubborn.”
“Gosh, seriously, Dear. Stop trying to steal your daughter’s stuff.”
“Heh, didn’t hear Sia speak? You think that child will just sit back and let someone steal what’s hers?”
“Haha… that’s true.”
“Still, I wouldn’t say it’s a loss since she gave me the South distribution rights and even a 10% share. I’ll have to bleed a little to cover the initial production batch though.”
“Sia’s being considerate of her father, Dear. You should be grateful.”
The Countess tugged affectionately on the Count’s arm.
“Urgh, if only I didn’t have to send her anywhere and could just keep her with us. Such a shame.”
The Count swallowed hard as he thought of Cassia.
Before Allen was born, Cassia was trained to be the heir but that wasn’t simply because she was the eldest daughter. Cassia was the only suitable successor at the time but even if she wasn’t, the Count likely would have considered passing Ruberno over to her regardless. She had the brains, the insight, the ambition, and the decisiveness to steadily grow a territory.
Imagine how the Count felt, being asked to send off his brilliant daughter, who could handle anything without needing to be taught, to marry a low-ranking nobleman of commoner origin? When he received the emperor’s edict that day and saw his stunned daughter trying to process it, he tried to be cold and forced himself to joke, ‘If only you weren’t so beautiful,’ but inside, he was shedding tears of blood.
In truth, even before the imperial war broke out, the Count had been plagued by the Emperor tirelessly urging him to marry off his daughter to the North. He vehemently didn’t want to, but he thought she would at least be married off to a territory of suitable status. The despair he felt when he was told to send his daughter to Greze, of all places…
“Anyway, I really don’t like him.”
“Who? Ah, Baron Greze?”
“Who else?”
“Hmm… why not? I found him surprisingly okay. You know I hated him most before we met, right?”
“What part of him was okay?!”
“He seems like a kind person. And he kept looking at Cassia from time to time and his expression was just, hng, even I felt embarrassed. It’s clear how much he adores her.”
“Of course, he adores her! He married someone way out of his league. He should obviously treat her like a goddess!”
“You’re absolutely right, Father.”
Allen, who had been listening quietly, suddenly joined in. The Count and Countess turned to their son with wide eyes.
“I can’t accept Baron Greze.”
“Oh my, Son. What does it matter if you don’t? Sia’s already been married for a while now.”
“Still, I refuse to acknowledge him. He’s exactly as I expected. Baron Greze doesn’t suit eldest sister in the slightest. He might be a titled noble now, but I can still see the traces of his low birth. It’s awful.”
“Hahahaha! Ah, Allen, you’re too funny!”
Estella, still admiring her reflection in the mirror with her light brown bob, burst into laughter.
The Count let out a heavy sigh.
“I agree with you but remember your manners as a noble. It’s fine for us to talk like this among ourselves but be careful what you say outside.”
“Father, I’m not a fool. I know that much.”
“Yes, I know you’re not a fool, but you’re still young and mistakes can happen.”
“Don’t worry. Sister Estella, come. Let’s have a talk.”
“Huh?”
Estella tilted her head, puzzled but followed Allen out of the room. Watching them go, the Count rubbed his forehead and sighed again.
Clever beyond his years, Allen was, in a sense, the perfect successor. He was as brilliant as Cassia, and unlike his eldest sister, who was a bit soft-hearted, he had the mindset of a ‘lordly’ noble to his core.
In other words, he was exactly like his father.
***
Inside Estella’s room.
–
Even after entering her room, Estella stood in front of the full-length mirror, admiring her wig from every angle.
With a click, Allen locked the door, and shook his head.
“Sister, do you truly think this friendly atmosphere toward Baron Greze is correct?”
“Huh?”
“Before he came, you, me, and Mother were certainly all gnashing our teeth. We were talking about how Baron Greze could possibly the right match for our eldest sister.”
“Uh, true, but now that I’ve seen him, he seems pretty okay.”
“Big Sister!!”
“Ack, that startled me. Why are you yelling?”
“Think about it. Do you remember who our eldest sister is? Father even said she’s the kind of talent that only comes around once in a century in Ruberno. Didn’t you see her just now, negotiating without flinching in front of Father, who has countless businesses under his belt?”
“Yeah…”
“And now all the profit will go straight to Baron Greze! Without him doing anything! All he did was marry our clever elder sister! So that poor, hideous territory will be revived, and everyone will hail Baron Greze as its great lord!”
“Y-you’re right.”
“He didn’t life a finger, but I bet he starts thinking he deserves it, right? That’s just how people are. Right now, he might think he’s unworthy of eldest sister but as time goes by, he’s going to start taking it for granted.”
“No, that can’t happen. Big sister’s life is being wasted on him. He should be grateful to her for the rest of his life.”
“Exactly. We have to clearly show him their difference in status. If we don’t, she might suffer in Greze without ever getting the acknowledgement she deserves. Do you understand?”
“Yeah, yeah. I get it.”
Estella nodded and her eyes were shining at this point.
“Plus, remember what you used to always say. Only a noble as handsome and successful as Viscount Havelyn deserves our big sister. They looked horrible sitting side by side! Like an angel and a beast!”
“Hm, well, he didn’t look like a rough beast as I’d heard. Actually, his physique was rather nice, and he’s got a pretty handsome face. I think he’s Big Sister’s type.”
“Sister!”
“Oh, uh, right. Yeah. Brother Ian is more handsome, for sure. No, wait. I think they’re just different kinds of handsome…”
“Siister!”
Allen yelled, taking a sharp breath.
“We talked about this before the Baron got here. Don’t forget that, big sister.”
They had decided to give it their all to torment the Baron. It was a fitting punishment for the man who had snatched Cassia, their brilliant and kind older sister, who was a ray of light for them, her younger siblings. Even if he’d been an impressive noble, they wouldn’t have been pleased but he was a commoner with a meager title.
Cassia’s two siblings exchanged determined glances, their eyes glinting. They were going to use every clever, cutting word they knew to torment Zester.
“If we’re too obvious, elder sister will definitely not like it so remember to maintain a fine line.”
“Got it.”
“And after we’re doing eating, let’s try to talk with him alone. We must take this chance to engrave in the Baron’s mind just how unsuitable he is for our sister.”
“Right, right.”
The eyes of the two siblings gleamed as they hatched their sinister plan.
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapters 42-43 - November 8, 2025
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapter 41 - November 4, 2025
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapter 40 - October 30, 2025