[Side story] Both arm scales (2)
This is an emergency.
Although the exact circumstances are unknown, it seems that Yenica Failover has made ‘considerable’ progress with Ed Rothtaylor.
From Lortel Kecheln’s point of view, there is no way to know to what extent it is, but in any case, the fact that it should not remain silent like this seems self-evident.
If that’s the case, it looks like we’ll have to take some special measures… However, there was no particularly great method.
It’s not my place to say it, but Ed Rothtaylor is a terrible workaholic.
He never puts off the work that comes before him and always completes it neatly. Moreover, because they always plan their lives on their own initiative, they never fall prey to the temptations or deception of those around them.
If it is said that Ed Rothtaylor fell for Yenica Palover, what on earth did he use?
Lortel pressed his eyebrows and pondered, but eventually opened his eyes sharply and strengthened his will.
Anyway, when the vacation period ends, Ed leaves for Aken Island to teach students. If you want to increase your chances of winning until then, now is the time.
And anyway, Ed’s help was desperately needed.
*
“Slog Keldlux?”
Ed Rothtaylor and Jenica Palover are returning from a long journey, and a distinguished guest named Lortel is also visiting.
A sumptuous dinner was prepared under Tanya’s instructions. Along both sides of the luxurious banquet table, vassals of the Rosstaylor family and employees of the Chamber of Commerce who followed Lortel were eating luxurious food.
In the meantime, Lortel came to Ed’s side and spoke seriously.
“yes. “He is the current head of the Elte Company and has been a confidant of our father, the Golden King Elte Keheln, for more than 20 years.”
“If you are planning to ascend to the position of leader, I will have to tell that person to prepare to come down.”
“yes that’s right. But this old man is more ambitious than I thought. “The original contract was for me to get my position as chairman back, but a quick look at it shows that they don’t want to fulfill the contract.”
And Lortel spoke lightly, as if the fact was nothing.
“You will betray me sooner or later.”
In the world of business where interests are complexly intertwined, betraying and being betrayed is as natural as breathing.
Nothing could hurt Lortel’s heart as big as a fingernail, such as being stabbed in the back by a close confidant who had worked with him for decades.
“Once you get to the position of CEO, you almost have to take your hands off the practical work. Because it’s physically impossible. So, I tried to finish all the work that needed to be done on the practical side, but it looks like I couldn’t resist that threat and picked something else.”
“… ”
“I told you about Dune’s betrayal. “I can’t bear to feel hurt and sad because an employee I’ve known for decades stabbed me in the back.”
A gorgeous dress and beautifully combed auburn hair. It seems as if the darkness that cannot be fathomed by those who look at it with envy because it is a glamorous and shining life is peeking its head.
“After all, fellow merchants are like stepping stones that we have to cross once in a while. That’s what they think, but there’s no reason for me to think in particular.”
“If you think that way, I have nothing to say.”
“I just need to not betray my senior. “That won’t happen.”
The words spoken lightly with a grin had a strange weight to them.
“The psychology of people who took their place through betrayal is obvious. In the end, because you can’t trust others, you betray again, you always doubt that you will be betrayed, and as you become buried in doubt, you slowly wear out.”
Lortel, who put down his drink on the table and smiled slightly, added quietly.
“Before you ask, I’ll answer from my experience.”
“I didn’t even want to ask.”
“The consideration is touching, but the time to be hurt by such things has already passed. So, sir, to get to the point… “This old man named Slog is very difficult to deal with, as his bones are thick.”
Old fox. If Lortel called him that himself, it was obvious how cunning and quick-witted he was.
The fact that he maintained his own food for over 20 years in that bloody Old Deck suggests many things.
“I’m still taking the stance of postponing taking on the chairmanship while handling practical matters, but if things start to move in earnest, they will try to take me down.”
“How specifically?”
“Justice.”
Lortel raised both palms diagonally and spoke slyly.
“The scales on both arms of Elte Company always remain level.”
Is the phrase he says every time he naturally reveals his hypocrisy something like Elte Company’s catchphrase?
“If you want to cause the downfall of Lord Lortel Kecheln, you have to find a suitable justification.”
“Like when you kicked out Elte Kecheln?”
Jeondae Hoeju swept away the blame for the sale of janggu, poor performance, and suspicion of accounting fraud all at once.
Now is the time for the dagger to fly towards Lortel.
“but… We are fellow merchants who have known each other for almost 20 years. “To some extent, we all understand what tricks each other is using.”
“Even though we’ve known each other for so long, isn’t there any sense of trust…?” “The merchants also live very tiring lives.”
“Really, literally. In fact, it’s even scarier because we’ve known each other for a long time. “As he is an internal enemy, he understands my course of action very well.”
Lortel checks once more to make sure there are no listening ears around, and speaks with a lower voice.
“So, you’re going to catch me off guard. I’ll check everything from every angle, but I’m sure I’ll find something unexpected in some way. “I know you are not a soft opponent.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen you so wary. “A person who acted relaxed even in front of the princesses.”
“You must not fall into the illusion that you are in complete control of all variables. “If you want to survive in this world for a long time, you have to always doubt yourself.”
The right-hand man who is the assistant manager of the company, Lortel, and always plays his role reliably.
Slog is likely to be in that position.
“Can’t you catch the pod first and cut out the slog?”
Even as I said that, I was aware to some extent that it was a pointless point.
“He’s really good at his job. His performance is good and his management skills are outstanding, so he leaves nothing to be desired. Since I can’t find a good reason to kick them out, I have to force them out… ”
“… “That would be a justification for Slog to revolt fairly.”
“… is it so. In this fight for justification, the one who acts unreasonably first loses. “The opponent is too big to go out on his own like he did when he kicked Dune out.”
Slog is in the attacking position, and Lortel is in the defensive position.
That’s what it means to keep your position.
“The best thing is to deliberately create an opening and then counterattack.”
The person who loses in the fight for justification is the one who made a ‘mistake’ first.
“Right now, Slog is acting like a conscientious middle manager without giving any excuses, but it would be best to counterattack by preparing for the moment when his true colors are revealed.”
“I think the time when a slog shows its true colors is when victory is virtually assured… “He said he was an old fox.”
“is it so. So, it would be a good idea to prepare a move that can completely catch the enemy off guard.”
Ed ate a few pieces of well-cooked steak and gathered his thoughts.
It’s not very pleasant to be involved in the merchants’ shady power struggle, but Lortel says he’s in trouble, so I feel the need to help him.
“Senior Ed… “I hope it can be a ‘wedge’ for that time.”
“wedge?”
“When the slog reveals a gap, please be a witness who observes that gap. Senior Ed is not only connected to the power of the Saints, but also to the power of the imperial family. “There are only a handful of people in this empire who have relationships with saints and princesses at the same time.”
When Lortel came up with a good reason to kick out Slog, he asked me to be there as a witness.
“Well, that’s not difficult, but… I don’t know if it’s a relationship with the Holy Emperor, but the relationship with the imperial family is something I feel a bit uncomfortable about these days… ”
“yes? “Aren’t you in regular contact with the princesses?”
“Princess Fenia was so busy after she was decided as the successor to the throne that it was difficult to contact her, and with Princess Selaha… “There are some parts that are a bit unfavorable.”
“why? if… “Is this a somewhat personal question?”
“That’s not really true… It’s a bit difficult from my perspective. They invade Ross Taylor’s mansion as they please, create a dark story as they please, and then, as they please, get upset, look down on them, and run away to the imperial palace… Still, I always respond to Tanya’s tea party invitation… ”
“… “I won’t ask for details.”
“Okay, thank you. Anyway, the point is that there are some uneasy parts.”
Lortel clenched his chin in contemplation, and eventually declared that the variables were not that big.
“Anyway, what I was trying to say was that we need to get rid of the slog. “I don’t know when I will reveal my true intentions, but if I make a move to become the leader of the group in earnest, there will be a response.”
“When will that be?”
“Soon.”
Ed tilted his head and looked at Lortel. Lortel then smiles like her fox.
“You get busy when school starts. “Let’s get rid of the bull’s horn as soon as possible.”
“then… ”
“As soon as I return to Old Deck this time, I will immediately announce the story about the Hoeju position. “The slog will also move slowly.”
It was obvious what that meant.
“Senior Ed, would you please accompany me to the Old Deck around then?”
To put an end to the slog, I wanted to take Ed to All Deck.
In response to Lortel’s request that he would take care of both the cause and the practical benefit, Ed simply nodded.
The relationship of trust between Ed and Lortel is stronger than expected, and is not shaken by self-interest or anything like that.
A magnificent amount of gold and silver treasures, the huge building and power of the Elte Company, and all kinds of famous connections.
Lortel felt more reassured by Ed’s firm nod than all else, and ended up monologuing to himself.
Anyway, I want to hug this man for the rest of my life… I thought about it subconsciously.
*
“Master Ed said he would soon go to Old Deck to help Lady Lortel.”
– Kuuk.
Yenica’s movements as she was crunching on the salad suddenly froze.
However, even for a moment… Soon he nodded, munching on the end of the cabbage like a rabbit.
“Yes~ Okay, now that I think about it, I said it was time to renew the school supply supply contract with Elte Trading Company. “It must be difficult for Ed, since he represents the school.”
“Well, it looks like Master Ed is planning on taking care of the academic affairs all at once, but the main point is that he is leaving to help Lady Lortel with her work.”
“Yes, I see~. You must be very busy, Ed~. Of course, all responsible and capable people are so busy and having such a hard time~ I hope you do your best. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”
Yenika was still humming and munching on her food. After she returned from Pulan, she had a vague expression on her face, as if she was in a dream, so it was not difficult for Belle to guess what had happened.
Belle came next to Yenika, who was in the middle of breakfast, and whispered seriously in her ear so that the other maids could not hear.
“Did you sleep with Master Ed?”
“Pukkahak! “Kahaak!”
There was no need for an answer. With that response, it’s as if the conclusion has already been said.
“B-Bell, what kind of manly words are you talking about?”
“I just wanted to say something for Miss Yenika. “The point is, you shouldn’t lose your mind just because you think you have a solid opponent.”
Bell’s words always cut to the core. Yenika also knew that fact, so even though she looked embarrassed, she was strangely listening to Belle’s words…
“Well, what does that mean… “Hey?”
“You know the saying that all men are wolves? Of course, Master Ed is always a sound and sincere person, but he doesn’t know what will happen if the other person uses various tricks. Especially if it’s that Lortel girl, she will never stay still.”
From Bell’s point of view, it wasn’t very comfortable to cheer for someone, but at least she didn’t want to see good-natured Yenika sitting around blankly, unable to do anything, and having Ed taken away.
“Well, you don’t have to worry about that!”
However, Yenika was strangely assertive.
“Ed whispered to me! Because I’m here, Ed can gain strength… ”
“Miss Yenika, you have a loud voice.”
Yenika looked around and saw several maids with blushing faces quickly passing by holding cleaning tools. Yenika was sweating profusely and fanning herself with her hands to blow away the heat.
“Uh, anyway… Ed promised a future with me… ”
“Is that so… ”
Belle felt strangely moved by the fact that she had made more progress than she expected. I feel like Yenika is finally starting to do her part, and I feel like a parent who has watched her child grow.
However, there are still things to check and do.
“You… are you sure you said this clearly?”
“What, what?”
“If you clearly stated that you would draw a line with other women… There is no need to doubt, as He always keeps His words… ”
After talking up to that point, Yenika also reflects on the conversation she had with Ed.
Just by sleeping together, I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness rising through my heart, and I was completely out of my mind.
But if you think about it again…
“… ”
“… ”
“… ”
“… ”
“… Well, Miss Yenika… Why am I speechless… Did you stop? ”
Immersed in that sense of happiness and joy, I exchanged many words with Ed while interacting with him… As for how that conclusion was reached…
“that… if… bell… ”
“… yes?”
“I, that…” I guess I was swept away by the atmosphere… .”
Yenika says with difficulty.
“Dear Ed… . The wind… I might have allowed it… … … .. It just so happened that… .”
A moment of silence.
Although I clearly understood what Jenica said verbally, I could not understand its meaning right away.
Bell, who was frozen like a stone for a moment, had no choice but to look down at Yenika with a meaningful expression and ask back.
“… … What on earth is that… You mean… .?”
*
“Then, I’ll contact you again. Senior Ed.”
The next day, when the business case for Seonghwangdo was concluded, Lortel got back into the carriage heading to Old Deck.
Lortel’s expression was quite calm as he spoke with the window rolled down.
“I’ll see you at Alldeck soon.”
“Yes, Lortel. Take care of yourself too. “It looks like there is a high possibility that you will be involved in something dangerous.”
“Hehe… You don’t need to worry that much. Anyway, from a slog perspective, it would be difficult to harm my body directly. As I said, it is ultimately a fight for a cause.”
Whoever crosses the line first loses his cause. When the powers of each other are equal, the winner is often determined by who holds the legitimacy.
“It’s not an easy opponent, but I hope we can celebrate victory together the next time you come to All Deck.”
I said my best wishes and sent Lortel away.
Anyway, Lortel is a person who knows how to take care of himself. No matter how much of a veteran slog it is, it won’t be easy to outmaneuver and defraud that sly Lortel.
With that thought in mind, I quietly let Lortel’s carriage go away.
Once the situation is somewhat resolved, they will invite me to All Deck.
And, the sender of the letter from Elte Trading Company next week is… It wasn’t Lortel.
A letter from Lortel’s most trusted confidant, Chief Secretary Rienna. If she was Rienna, she was completely loyal to Lortel, so she was a trustworthy human being.
The content, written in hastily scribbled letters, contained almost no specific details. Was he afraid that the contents would be leaked to someone?
However, the words written clearly and clearly… It made me tense up between my eyebrows.
– ‘I bow my head with all my heart to Master Ed Rosstaylor of the glorious and great Rosstaylor Mansion.’
This was an SOS request.
– ‘Deputy Hoeju is seriously injured and has nowhere to turn for help. Please protect Assistant Manager Hoeju at Ross Taylor Mansion. ‘I ask you with all my sincerity.’
Something is happening in Alldeck.
I knew that fact for sure.
‘
