I No Longer Have Love to Offer You - Chapter 16

A month had passed since Mirabelle was hired by Albert.

“Today we have a morning meeting regarding the textile business, and in the afternoon, representatives from Fortuna will be arriving to discuss heat-resistant crops.”

Inside the carriage heading to the trading company, Mirabelle shared the day’s schedule with Albert.

“Fortuna, huh? That country’s been closed off, but it’s fortunate we finally managed to arrange this meeting.”

The Kingdom of Fortuna, which bordered Esperanza, had always been insular with little interaction with other nations. Yet in recent years, exchanges between citizens had gradually increased in areas mutually beneficial to both countries. Today’s discussion would focus on the distribution of heat-resistant plants developed by Fortuna.

“I never imagined they’d agree to deal with the Albert Trading Company, which some might call upstart, rather than the established firms in the royal capital.”

“The so-called prestigious companies tend to be arrogant by nature. For Fortuna, which never favored foreign relations to begin with, they probably preferred dealing with a newer company willing to accommodate their needs.”

(That’s true. The major trading houses in the capital do tend to look down on others.)

Mirabelle sighed as she recalled the attitudes of employees from those companies.

Originally, the trading houses in the capital, much like the Albert family’s business, were mostly founded by younger sons of nobility. Some even inherited one of their family’s many titles. Dealing primarily with aristocrats and often being asked for favors, their attitudes had likely grown haughty over time.

Of course, they wouldn’t act that way toward customers, but they certainly showed a different face to business partners.

“If this deal goes well, it’ll be great news for the Lumière territory.”

Albert’s words, spoken while glancing at documents in his hands, left Mirabelle momentarily speechless.

(He’s been concerned about the territory’s struggles with poor harvests due to heat in recent years.)

Mirabelle had never shared details about Lumière’s internal affairs with Albert. Yet his consideration now left her with an indescribable, ticklish feeling.

Of course, as a business venture, Albert wouldn’t engage in unprofitable deals. Still, even knowing that negotiations with foreign nations were more challenging than dealings with domestic nobility, she couldn’t help but wonder if he had taken this on partly for her sake.

“Yes. I hope it goes well.”

Since starting as Albert’s secretary, Mirabelle had become acutely aware of how busy he was.

The fact that she rode to work with him in the same carriage meaning they left from the same residence was partly because of this.

Originally, Mirabelle had planned to live in the company dormitory. It had a dining hall, and arranging for baths in advance wouldn’t be a problem. Given her income, dormitory living was highly appealing.

But Albert wouldn’t allow it.

“Live in the dormitory? No.”

“But renting elsewhere would cost more, and commuting would be harder. So if I could stay in the dormitory, it’d be a big help.”

True, the dormitory was mainly for commoner employees. Having Mirabel technically still nobility suddenly move in might unsettle them. Still, she was prepared to make an effort to be accepted.

“The contract guarantees housing, doesn’t it?”

“So that doesn’t mean approving the dormitory?”

Or perhaps he meant providing a housing allowance or leasing a room elsewhere through the company. Either way, it seemed costlier than the dormitory.

“Mirabelle’s residence is already decided. My mansion.”

“Eh?!”

Albert lived in a mansion not far from the company. With ample rooms and servants, housing Mirabelle alone wouldn’t be an issue. But having a recently divorced noblewoman living there would surely invite misunderstandings.

(If I were like Marietta engaged to Albert, it wouldn’t be a problem. But that’s not the case.)

Though Albert had confessed his feelings, their current relationship was strictly employer and employee.

(And despite what he said back then, Albert hasn’t pushed his feelings on me since not even hinted at them. It’s almost as if those words were a lie.)

An employer forcing a relationship on an employee would make refusal difficult for the latter. Perhaps aware of this, Albert never made any demands of Mirabelle.

“But what about appearances? I can’t possibly stay at your home.”

“I couldn’t care less about what outsiders think—”

“It does matter!” Mirabelle insisted, but Albert continued.

“I understand why you’re concerned. But personally, I’d rather court you outside of work.”

His grin made Mirabelle’s cheeks flush. It was an outright ambush.

(Saying something like that out of nowhere is cheating!)

“Well, that’s the truth, but it’s not the only reason.”

“…?”

“I did say I’d need you to handle household tasks too, didn’t I? You could commute, but that’d waste time, and emergencies might arise. Plus, we can work during the ride between the mansion and the office. For efficiency’s sake, it’s better if you live there.”

Considering the daily commute, the wasted time added up. But nobles valued appearances, Mirabelle thought.

After some back-and-forth, she eventually relented. At this point, her own reputation was already in tatters, and Albert hardly cared about his.

And once she moved in, she realized just how true it was that Albert was so busy, even commuting time was a luxury he couldn’t afford.