Chapter 31

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 31

Chapter Title: Retrieving My Royalties

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Mrs. Rainy ultimately couldn't refuse the conditions I'd laid out and surrendered.

"…I'll do my best."

It was only natural, really.

No one could turn down such generous terms.

As the saying goes, a good start is half the battle. With Mrs. Rainy's permission, I took my first step forward and headed straight to Liam's office.

Knock knock.

"Come in."

Not long after I knocked, a weary voice drifted out.

I cautiously opened the door. There was Liam, buried under a mountain of documents just like the Duke.

His once pale, smooth face looked visibly haggard at a glance. The guy I'd always found annoyingly smug suddenly seemed a bit pitiable.

"What brings you here?"

"…Um, are you busy?"

Scritch scritch. The quill that had been gliding elegantly in his hand came to an abrupt halt.

Liam looked up at me with an odd gaze, his lips parting slowly.

"No, not busy at all. Even though contracts for comic distribution are pouring in from everywhere, interview requests are flooding my desk, I'm handling tax filings… and wrapping up the construction project with the Black Eagle Unit, plus sourcing Polleta hides, so I can't even remember the last time I got a proper night's sleep… Yeah, not busy."

His words tumbled out like machine-gun fire. My conscience stung, and I ducked my head sheepishly.

But that didn't mean I could just turn tail and leave.

I steeled myself once more and met his eyes again.

"Ah, I see. Well, I won't take up much of your time then."

I strode forward briskly.

Leaning in close, I whispered,

"Where's my money?"

"…Pardon?"

Liam narrowed his eyes, sizing me up for a moment, then pushed up his glasses.

"You mean your royalties?"

"Yes."

"Her Highness's share is being kept separately."

So, where exactly?

I didn't think they'd embezzle the money I'd sweated blood(?) for, but I pressed on in a subtler tone.

"I… kind of need some cash right now…."

"Hm?"

His sharp gaze swept over my face again, making me feel inexplicably guilty.

"It's, uh, for something really important."

"As you can see, I can't accompany you at the moment."

He gestured around the room.

True to his word, documents were scattered everywhere—enough to keep him buried for an all-nighter without making a dent.

"O-okay? Then what should I do… Maybe come back later? It's urgent, though…."

He might have secretly hoped I'd give up and leave quickly, given how swamped he was. But I was just as pressed for time.

Mrs. Rainy was ready to dive into work, and I needed funds to pay her—and to hire the manpower!

"Haa."

Thankfully, my persistent passive assault wore him down. With a long sigh, Liam stood up.

"Very well, then."

Creak.

He opened a drawer under his desk and pulled out a small pouch, handing it over.

"What's this?"

"The Brail Ducal House seal and key. Take them to the Pascal Trading Company, and they'll guide you through everything you need."

Ah. I opened the pouch and nodded at the round seal and intricately engraved key inside.

Banks didn't exist in this world yet, so people either hoarded cash at home or entrusted it to reputable trading firms.

The Pascal Trading Company was a massive operation with branches all over Salt Kingdom—plenty trustworthy.

"Hmm, but…"

I closed the pouch and turned back, only to find Liam already nose-deep in a stack of files.

'Can I really go alone?'

Wasn't I still technically a kidnapped prisoner here?

Doubts swirled, but interrupting his focus again felt too rude.

In the end, I shrugged lightly and offered a farewell.

"Thanks, Liam. You got this!"

Just hang in there a bit longer—I'll get you some killer blackout curtains as a gift!

And so, with a mix of tension and excitement at heading out after so long, I climbed into the carriage with Bonita.

"Come to think of it, this is my first time going out with you, miss. You never really liked leaving the house much before, did you? Hehe."

"…Yeah."

Her bubbly voice brought a wave of reality crashing down.

When had my peaceful(?) homebody life turned into this whirlwind?

'But once I get rich from this, it'll all be over!'

Passive income!

A dream space where I'd never get bored alone!

A comfy life free from slaving away for anyone!

Daydreaming about my not-too-distant future, I spun my hopeful fantasies until the carriage suddenly stopped.

Stepping out the door the coachman held open, I immediately spotted a rare high-rise building and gaped.

<Pascal Trading Company - Brail Branch>

The massive custom sign hung over a huge building swarming with crowds.

"There's even a line?"

Bonita, beaming proudly beside me, replied,

"Pascal handles so much business that this area's always packed."

"Oh, really?"

I wandered a bit, then naturally slipped behind the people queued up in a neat line.

"Miiiiss!"

If Bonita hadn't come running with a startled look, I would've found a spot just fine.

I stopped at her flustered call and blinked at her in confusion.

"Oh, miss, you don't need to wait in line!"

"…Why not?"

"Because you're a guest of the Brail Ducal House!"

Thud!

Bonita grabbed my wrist and dragged me toward the doorman managing the entrance.

Having been drilled my whole life that cutting in line was rude, I felt a pang of awkwardness.

"Hello?"

"What business brings you?"

Bonita greeted the burly doorman politely and pulled out the seal.

His eyes widened like saucers at the ducal seal studded with pricey gems.

"Ah, right this way, please!"

His panicked scramble made me feel sheepish instead.

Like a VVIP sweeping into a department store.

The brief commotion died down quickly. Soon enough, the trading company head appeared, sweating bullets with an awkward grin.

"From the Brail Ducal House… wh-what business brings you here…?"

The man mopped his brow nonstop with a handkerchief, glancing between the key Bonita handed him and me.

"The vault key, I see?"

"Came to retrieve something we have stored here."

"Ah, of course, we can arrange that anytime. If you'll follow me?"

Trailing him, we reached a massive iron door guarded by two armed soldiers.

Creeeak.

Beyond it stretched an endless staircase downward.

I noted the chill deepening with every step, careful not to trip.

'Feels just like the wizard bank vaults in Harry Potter.'

While I mused, the manager passed several identical vault doors before stopping at one engraved with a matching pattern to my key. He stepped back.

"This is it."

'Ooh.'

I slowly inserted the key into the vault's slot.

The heavy door swung open silently, revealing a small room about 100 square feet.

Stepping inside, I halted before the large pouches piled on the floor.

'H-how much is all this?'

I'd guessed the comic royalties would be substantial, but this was insane!

A heavy silence fell amid the tense atmosphere.

I nudged one pouch lightly with my foot, and gleaming gold coins spilled out.

"Bonita."

"Yes!"

I'd worried my voice might tremble, but Bonita responded briskly and steadily.

Exhaling shakily before this unimaginable fortune, I spoke again, my tone thick with emotion.

"Let's pack it up."

"Yes, miss!"