Shadow Queen

Chapter 53

“…”

“If not, I’m sorry. Let’s just move on to something out of topic.”

Elena couldn’t help but admire, though she was silent.

‘You have a great eye.’

It is often said that success or failure depends on the eye of the merchant. This is because transactions are based on a person’s personality and character as much as credit is based on. In that context, Emilio had a great eye. He instinctively felt the mood and grace of Elena that she was trying to hide.

“You’re half right and half wrong.”

In the past life, she was the empress. But not now. Princesses are a class of great nobility, but are not strictly royal. So, half is right and half is wrong.

Emilio looked surprised for a moment, but quickly returned to his true self.

“I don’t think I asked you anything. I’ll erase what you just said from my head.”

“Thank you.”

Elena had a different feeling about the tycoon. In her past life, the company was blinded by Lucia’s treatment of the Northern fever and was on the verge of bankruptcy, but now that history has changed, she was looking forward to how much Emilio and Castol would grow.

Slowly.

Emilio took an envelope out of his arms and put it on the table.

“What is this?”

“This is the transfer of the Chamber of Commerce of Castol in the Empire.”

“…!”

Elena’s eyes got bigger. The branch was the stronghold of the local Castol Corporation. The transfer of the branch was tantamount to giving Elena all the income generated from the local transactions.

“I must have told you. I’ll accept your heart.”

“… My daughter told me. She’s so happy to see her dad again, and she’s glad she can’t see him sad because of you.”

Emilio had a faint smile on his face. He almost lost his daughter, who is almost everything in the world to him, so he had no choice but to be grateful to Elena for saving his daughter.

“So go and help them.”

“…”

“I saw you today and felt it. You’re obviously an extraordinary person… You really need my help. That’s why I want to give it to you.”

Elena couldn’t readily decide how to deal with it. In the meantime, she pursued something clear and certain. People who did not have contact in the past she refrained from contacting or approached carefully no matter how capable they were. This is because she cannot rule out the possibility that they will become a source of anxiety beyond Elena’s influence. That’s why, even if it’s difficult to go back, there are people who can stay with her until the end.

In that context, Emilio was a character outside the field that does not exist in her plan. He has a reputation to the extent that no one does not know about his love, but she did not know his character or humanity. For this reason, the relationship with Emilio ended by providing Lucia’s cure for northern fever. It was enough to secure Lucia’s identity in the academic institute.

But the situation has changed. As Ren intervened, a contact with Emilio was created. She has been told that she is a benefactor and that he will transfer part of the Castol Chamber of Commerce. This was not in the plan. However, the income from the Castol Chamber of Commerce mentioned by Emilio was too attractive to refuse. Although it is not a good idea, the branch of Castol Chamber of Commerce, which occupies a place in the top ten seats on the continent, will have enormous commercial rights, sales networks, and asset management.

“You’re putting me in trouble.”

“I apologize for that, too.”

Emilio replied politely. Then he added words to Elena, who was hesitant to make a decision.

“I must have been mistaken.”

“What?”

“The benefactor seems to be hesitant to take over the branch of the Castol Corporation. It will take some time, but I will organize the branches and prepare them in gold coins, which are imperial currency. I think this is better for you.”

“W-wait a minute.”

Elena was quite embarrassed and stopped talking. She was surprised when he presented the transfer of the branch of the Castol Corporation, but she couldn’t say anything when he said he would sell the branch and prepare it in gold coins. What’s more shocking is that it’s not just a word, but a sincere heart.

“I don’t know why you’re making it so difficult for me.”

Elena sighed quietly. She knew it was a favor, but it was too much for her.

“I beg you, too. Please let me be a decent father to my daughter.”

Emilio bowed politely. He wanted to give everything as if he had no regrets while giving his own. Elena had to make a choice, too.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to receive any gold or branch of the Castol Corporation.”

“But the benefactor….”

“They aren’t mine. But I don’t think it’s exactly the right thing to ignore Emilio’s sincerity.”

When Elena left him room, Emilio held his breath and waited for the next word. After thinking dozens more to be cautious, Elena opened her mouth.

“Let’s work together.”

“Did you say partnership just now?”

Surprised Emilio asked again. It was an unexpected remark from her.

“I’m not confident that I’ll do as well as Emilio even if I’m in charge of the branch. I’m tied up, and I don’t have a business person. One day, I’m going to influence other companies and go bankrupt.”

Elena judged her ability coolly. She was building various foundations based on the memories of her past life, but that was all. The merchant was not the way she wanted to walk, and even if she was transferred to the branch of the Castol Corporation, she was not confident of competing with other superiors.

“Gold money is not worth talking about. I feel like I’m red-handed with your daughter’s life. Depending on what happens, it can sound insulting.”

“I didn’t think about that. I’m sorry.”

Emilio quickly apologized after realizing that he was too much. Even though he said he thought deeply and acted, he realized that it could be misunderstood enough. Elena smiled openly.

“No, I don’t know if that’s why you felt sincerer. Money is everything to merchants.”

“Thank you for taking care of me. If I may ask, why did you suggest a partnership?”

“People…”

Emilio muttered the words, blurring the words. He had emphasized the importance of people as well, but when Elena said that, he thought deeply.

“That’s what you said earlier. You told me I needed Emilio’s help badly. It’s actually like that.”

“Benefactor.”

“Please stay with me. And then help me. Then I can promise you this one thing.”

Emilio looked up and stared at Elena at the word “promise.” Elena, whom he saw, was a noble and noble woman of birth. Even if she tried to hide it as a disguise, the grace and dignity that were revealed secretly proved it. That Elena mentioned the promise. The weight of the promise was different. It will not be a promise that precedes only one merchant’s words, but it will be a promise to keep even if the world collapses and has two sides.

“A new era will come soon. A time when the world is turned upside down and many things are starting anew.

“New era…”

Emilio brooded on the low-pitched word. It was too big a word for a merchant to put in his mouth and understand. Only Elena could fully understand and handle the weight of the word.

“I dare to promise you your place in the new era.”

“…!”

Elena smiled around her mouth. Her smile was full of confidence, though it was a promise that would sound more provocative and reckless.

***

“You know, I got goosebumps and I can’t get rid of them.”

Khalif, who met in just a few days, couldn’t hide his excitement and talked. Elena, who answered back, was calm.

“Really?”

“Yes! I understand why your father is respected by people. I’ve only told him about my business plan, but he caught the thread I missed all of a sudden.”

Khalif gave a dry mouthful of praise for Emilio. Elena, who joined hands with Emilio, arranged a meeting between the two, judging that it would help Khalif, who still lacks experience. The result was more positive than expected. As the passion and wit of Khalif added to Emilio’s experience, the scope of his thoughts widened.

“Yes, but why did you change your mind all of a sudden? You told me you’d be in trouble if you got caught doing business behind your father’s back.”

“That? I got caught.”

Although it was an absurd excuse, Khalif accepted it without any doubt.

“Oh, that’s why he knew. Didn’t you get in trouble?”

“Rather, he complimented me. I will apply, so he asked me to endure it until graduation. Of course, under the premise that I am not neglecting my studies.”

“Compliments are compliments and studies are academic.”

Khalif, who was deceived by Elena’s lie, was convinced and accepted.

“Have you met Randol?”

“Huh? Uh, I met him. I saw him and I felt like I was going to kill myself.”

“What are you talking about?”

Elena asked back with a slight frown at the harsh expression.

“Why are there so many geniuses in the world? You’re a genius, but he’s more a genius. There’s a real sense of shame.”

“That’s fair.”

Elena shook her head as if she was convinced. Randol was a great architect who would remain on a page of history. In the art world, there is a saying that an era’s master cannot be done by effort alone. In other words, he must be born with genius.

Elena did not see the completion of the Santa Maria Cathedral, a collaboration between Khalif and Randol. It was because she was kidnapped and almost killed just before completion. However, she remembered seeing the library, known to have been designed by Randol. Although not as huge as the Cathedral of Santa Maria, his unique construction, the dome shape using the palace, was a glimpse into his genius.

“The world was so wide. The academy was in a well. I don’t know anything about architecture, do I? But just looking at the construction and design drawings he showed me, I was thrilled to order them.”

“I understand.”

“He thanked L from the bottom of his heart. Thanks to L, he can focus on architecture. He said he wishes them well from now on.”

Randol became the first customer of Khalif to take his first step as an art broker, just like the original history.

It was hoped that Elena’s intervention would show better results than the original history, as the timing was advanced.

“Please tell them that I really appreciate it. For choosing me. I will never disappoint.” (T/N: this is Randol’s thanks to Elena.)

“I did it anyway. He trusts you. He didn’t say anything else. Do real geniuses have good personalities? Oh, except you.”

Elena asked Khalif, who was outspoken about Randol.

“Looking at you talking, you’ve gotten pretty close?”

“My drinking buddy.”

“You have a best friend.”

Elena smiled as if she knew everything. Even in the past life, there was always alcohol in their friendship to the extent that it was a relationship made by alcohol. Khalif was in the fourth year, graduating from the academy, so he was considered an adult. So it was possible to build friendship by drinking with Randol.