For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 12
I listened with satisfaction to Ribolto’s angry voice, timing when to reveal that I was the proposal’s author.
“At this rate, I cannot enter into a contract with the Glioced Margraviate.”
“No, Guildmaster, please reconsider…”
“Where is the person who wrote this proposal, and why have you seated someone who knows nothing at the table?”
Yes!
I mentally clapped my hands. I never thought I’d see someone make my tiger-like father shrink back.
I felt a wave of satisfaction.
I liked Ribolto, whose personality was as sharp as his business acumen.
“Let’s take a break, Guildmaster.”
My father, sweating profusely, suggested a break to Ribolto.
Ribolto, needing to clear his head, went outside with Viscount Bilgor fawning over him.
‘He’s got quite the stern character.’
I whistled internally and watched my father, who was furious.
He was taking out his frustration on the innocent aides.
“What are you even getting paid for! If this Golem Trading Company contract falls through, you’ll pay with your lives!”
I thought the timing was right and stood up.
Then I spoke confidently.
“I’ll secure that contract.”
The margrave scoffed, calling me a fool who didn’t know my place.
“I’m the one who wrote the proposal that brought the Guildmaster here. So, I believe I’m the only one who can persuade Guildmaster Ribolto. I know the answers to the questions Viscount Bilgor couldn’t answer earlier.”
“…Are you saying you really wrote that proposal?”
The margrave narrowed his eyes.
“Yes. I wrote it myself.”
Normally, the margrave wouldn’t have even looked at me, but he coveted the contract with the Golem Trading Company so much that he reluctantly accepted my proposal after some hesitation.
“If the contract falls through, you’re as good as dead.”
“If I manage to secure the contract, what then?”
“What?”
Despite the Marquis’ fierce roar, I continued resolutely.
“Then, please grant me just one wish.”
***
Ribolto adjusted his glasses and looked at me.
“So, this proposal… was written by this girl?”
“Nice to meet you, Guildmaster. I am Estira Glioced.”
“Glioced…”
His green eyes, shining through his silver-rimmed glasses, scanned me up and down.
Distrust. And curiosity.
These were the emotions mingled in the cold color of his eyes.
“…Yes. Adjusting it that way should alleviate any concerns about the commission.”
As a mere aide at the negotiating table, I, Estira, successfully secured Ribolto’s contract.
Ribolto’s previously stern expression had softened slightly, like thin ice on a spring day, by the end of our negotiation.
Even my father, who had initially distrusted me and growled, was now almost ready to pour tea into my cup, seeing how I handled the negotiations to Ribolto’s satisfaction, demonstrating my understanding of both business and the political landscape within and outside the empire.
Rustle.
After a long negotiation, Ribolto finally hinted at agreement with, “Let’s do that.”
He then signed the document with his elegant signature.
Ribolto straightened his back as he placed the final dot. Then, in his usual stiff tone, he spoke.
“I would like Estira to handle all future matters related to the trading company.”
He looked directly at me, not the margrave, the highest decision-maker.
His cold green eyes focused intently on me, causing my heart to pound.
Here was someone who recognized my worth.
My fingertips felt like they were burning.
“What? Estira is still young and lacks the experience to handle all these responsibilities, Guildmaster. Please reconsider.”
The margrave tried to dissuade Ribolto, claiming it was unreasonable.
Ribolto shot the margrave a sharp look.
“But it is true that this supposedly inexperienced child wrote this proposal.”
Ribolto waved the proposal I had written in front of the margrave.
“…If that is the Guildmaster’s wish.”
The plan was successful.
***
After Ribolto left, I visited my father’s private office to voice the wish I had mentioned earlier.
He frowned deeply, as if he hadn’t expected me to actually come to make a wish, but he didn’t object strongly.
‘Probably because of the Golem Trading Company.’
With a reluctant expression, he asked what my bothersome wish was.
Smiling brightly, I answered.
“My slave needs support. Medical and financial assistance.”
“…Is that all?”
“If anyone lays a hand on my slave, please allow me to punish them.”
The margrave, thinking my wish trivial compared to the contract with the Golem Trading Company, casually agreed.
He never imagined the person who would end up getting punished by my own hands would be his beloved daughter.
