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He had been waiting for this day since he already scheduled an appointment a few days ago.

As for Clerivan, the reason for his discomfort was not because of Romassie Dillard.

"I haven’t seen you in a long time, Sir Clerivan."

It was because of Willian Dillard, the oldest son of Romassie, who entered the office along with their father.

Willian, who was two years younger than Clerivan, had an uncanny resemblance to Romassie Dillard to the extent anyone could see in just a glance that he was indeed his son.

Unlike Clerivan, who resembles his mother, blonde-haired and had a sharp impression, Willian was an impressive man with pale brown hair and expressive eyes.

From head to toe, there was no corner in his body that wasn’t polite and straightforward at all.

He has an appearance that resembled his youngest sister, Laurelle.

"Yes. It’s been a while, Lord Willian Dillard."

Clerivan greeted him with a business-like attitude, concealing his discomfort.

Judging from the fact that their father was with Willian Dillard, who would soon inherit the leader position of Lombardy merchant guild, he decided it would not be a private visit.

"What brings the people here from Lombardy merchant guild?"

He didn’t have the hobby of talking needlessly with someone sitting across from him while on the job.

When Clerivan asked, Willian glanced at his father, Romassie.

’It looks like you haven’t taken over the right to decide yet.’

It was well known that Willian, the eldest son of the Dillard family and the current merchant guild deputy leader, began his succession wholeheartedly so he can flawlessly take over the position of the leader in the future.

However, Clerivan knew that the process wasn’t going very smoothly.

It was because he was lagging behind in the competition with the Pellet Company in several fields.

However, quite a few people made it an issue because it is related to the legacy of the Lombardy merchant guild, the largest trading organization in the Empire.

It was a long and laborious process. However, whether he takes over or not, the guild’s operations were already fluctuating.

He has to reject them properly today. Clerivan thought so and clasped his hands firmly on his knees.

He doesn’t know if it’s going to be later.

There’s no need for Pellet to share the burden of collaborating with the Lombardy merchant guild, whose standing was now shaking.

"Today..."

Romassie Dillard suddenly took the opportunity to speak up first.

Clerivan’s eyes narrowed slightly. It was because Romassie Dillard seemed very nervous.

What the hell is going on?

"I came here to make a request to the manager of the Pellet Company." Romassie Dillard said, taking turns looking at Clerivan and Willian.

"Please take over Lombardy merchant guild."

There was a moment of silence before Clerivan, who was quietly watching Romassie Dillard, opened his mouth in confusion.

"Take over the Lombardy merchant guild? What do you mean?"

"I mean it in a literal sense. I want the Pellet Company manager to succeed me as the leader of Lombardy merchant guild."

He didn’t hear it wrong. Clerivan quietly looked at Willian Dillard.

Recognizing the meaning of that gaze, Willian spoke in a calm voice.

"I was the one who suggested it first."

"...Why would you do that?" Clerivan asked, raising one eyebrow.

That’s a ridiculous suggestion. Clerivan will succeed Romassie?

"Isn’t he perfectly serving as the deputy leader?"

"Do you think so? I’m glad it looked like that." Willian smiled with a weary face.

"I have tried tirelessly to take over my father’s position over the past few years, but it was just my way of reaffirming that it was beyond my ability."

"I know that the process of succession is not easy. I know what I’m capable of, but I’m not a good enough vessel to lead Lombardy merchant guild."

Willian Dillard shook his head and continued.

"I know that I’ll get used to it over time and I’ll be able to imitate our father. But that’s all there is to it. Even if I do my best, I can only keep the status quo at the merchant guild. But don’t you know that a merchant guild that doesn’t improve is bound to fall soon?" Willian Dillard, who said so, had a very grim face for a man who was only in his 40s.

But Clerivan shook his head lightly.

"That doesn’t explain it. The Lord has three sons."

Not four, but three. Clerivan didn’t count himself.

It was natural for him to think so because he was an illegitimate child who was not officially recognized as a Dillard.

"I don’t know how this might sound, but..." Willian said after a moment of hesitation.

"None of our brothers and sisters, including Laurelle, has inherited our father’s brilliance like you."

Once again there was a heavy silence.

Clerivan looked at Romassie Dillard, who sat opposite of him, still motionless from his initial posture.

With a heavy heart, he opened his mouth to reject their proposal.

"I refuse—"

"Help the Lombardy merchant guild, Sir Clerivan." Willian said with his head down.

"I understand how shameless it is to ask this favor to Sir Clerivan as a Dillard."

There was no sign of humiliation from Willian Dillard, even though he bowed his head to his half-brother.

Willian Dillard was originally that kind of person.

"Please reconsider." Romassie Dillard also appealed to him.

Even at this moment, it was difficult to conceal the complicated feelings of the cold Clerivan.

Clerivan was the product of a mistake.

When he was young, he wandered for a while after he learned of it, but he had already accepted it for a long time.

Romassie Dillard, did not publicly acknowledge Clerivan, but he took responsibility through financial support.

So, he had no feelings of resentment that he would have at this age. No, he just thought so.

"Please take over Lombardy merchant guild."

However, there seemed to be something left in his middle-aged heart. Seeing how this important man of the Dillard family bows his head and the bitterness he felt.

"I have no desire to join the Dillard family anymore." Clerivan said with a stiff face.

Romassie Dillard replied.

"You don’t need to change your last name to Dillard. I’m just proposing to the Clerivan Pellet, who does a great job over the Pellet Company, to become the next Lombardy merchant guild leader."

"But if that happens, the Dillard family will lose their rights to the Lombardy merchant guild."

"I guess so." Romassie Dillard replied so easily as if he was already prepared for it.

"But there is something more important than the Dillard family."

"...The Lombardy merchant guild."

"Right, the Lombardy merchant guild should be led by the right person. If there is no such person in the next Dillard generation, it should be handed over to someone with the same ability to lead. That is my duty as Lombardy’s vassal."

He has a terrible sense of loyalty.

But Clerivan could understand that mind. He would have made the same decision if he were in Romassie Dillard’s shoes.

"If so, there are conditions."

"...Tell me." Romassie Dillard said with a small sigh with a determined look.

"Even if I become Lombardy’s merchant guild leader, Dillard’s people should not be pulled out from the guild."

"... What?"

"The people you hired from the Dillard family should not quit their jobs just because I will feel inconvenience."

"Well, that’s...."

Rather, it was a request from the Dillard family.

"But then, wouldn’t that be problematic for Clerivan?" Confused, Willian questioned.

Clerivan spoke coldly to Willian.

"It’s going to be years before the merchant guild adapts to the management change if all of Dillard’s people suddenly resign. I can’t risk the guild’s standing just because I want to work at my convenience."

His loyalty to Lombardy is indefinite. And even more so if it’s for the future Lombardy that Firentia will lead.

"Thank you, Clerivan!"

As if he had a weight off his chest, Willian, with a bright complexion, bowed his head once again as he thanked Clerivan.

"Don’t thank me yet. I can’t give you a definite answer until I get permission from my employer."

"Oh, then..."

Willian seemed to look puzzled. Knowing his thoughts, Clerivan answered.

"Shouldn’t I have to get permission from my employer, Lady Firentia? She is the Lady I serve after all."

***

"Who is it?" I asked coldly.

"...Yes?"

"Who are those bastards that tempted Clerivan?"

Oh, I’m getting mad. Unknowingly, curses came out of my mouth.

Who dares to take our Clerivan away?

"I’ll do better no matter what conditions you have so don’t go."

I sound like some crappy ex-boyfriend, but I’m serious. They can’t take Clerivan away!

"Wait. Are you thinking of becoming independent?"

Then it’s not good to stop him.

I can’t be a bad boss blocking my employee’s path to his future.

"Then you can do everything you want to do, however..."

"...."

I’ve been wrapping my head around for a while the thought that Clerivan will leave and set on his own path, but Clerivan’s reaction was a little weird.

Seeing my struggles, Clerivan started to laugh.

"Hahaha!"

"Clerivan?"

"Sorry, I’m sorry... Ahh. Lady Tia is so cute..." Clerivan said, wiping the tears from the corner of his eyes.

"Lord Romassie Dillard has been proposing to me to take over as Lombardy merchant guild leader."

"Guild leader?... Ah!"

Right!

In his previous life, Clerivan had succeeded Romassie as the Lombardy merchant guild leader.

When my grandfather died, he left Lombardy and set up Pellet Company.

Clerivan seemed to have mixed feelings.

That’s quite understandable.

He wasn’t using the Dillard’s name, but he suddenly has to take over the position of Dillard in Lombardy.

"Then, you can hand over the Pellet Company to Violet."

"That’s what I think. Violet will do well."

"From Pellet to Lombardy... So Clerivan’s still my person, right?"

Clerivan, who opened his eyes wide, soon smiled and nodded.

"Yes, that’s right. The person of Lady Firentia."

Clerivan’s face was a little red saying that.

"Are you relieved of your anger now?"

"Yeah, I’m fine now. I thought someone was stealing Clerivan away."

I was really distraught. That nearly took ten years of my life span.

"Thank God."

Clerivan smiled broadly at my words.

I looked at the smiling face for a moment. In my previous life, Clerivan wasn’t that bright.

He had always a dark and sharp look, and sometimes he was wearing a smile bordering cynical.

"... I’m very glad to meet you, Lady Firentia."

Clerivan said that out of a blue.

"So do I."

We’re sitting across from each other.

Both me and Clerivan, how different we have become in this life.

It was a new feeling.

I said to Clerivan with a smile.

"I look forward to your kind cooperation, Clerivan Pellet of Lombardy merchant guild."