The Female Lead Takes Care of Everything - Chapter 106

The Roslen Trading Company had emerged just a year ago, quickly establishing itself through aggressive sales strategies.

They carved out their place in the market by taking over the distribution and sales of products previously handled by other companies. By offering those same goods at lower prices, they easily captured the attention of customers.

“Roslen is terrible. That’s why I’m a little worried.”

Nivellia’s brows drooped, her gaze locked seriously on the article in the newspaper. Her expression was solemn and thoughtful, the kind you would expect from someone truly responsible for a trading company.

“They’re always picking fights with the Pelea Trading Company. And they keep trying to take the Rospe mushrooms and medicines we sell. They’re always watching for a chance.”

“They clashed with Bellue not long ago over that, didn’t they?”

“My aunt wrote to me. She said, no matter what happens, I need to crush Roslen and teach them a lesson.”

“Lady Armiphera really is remarkable. To entrust something like that to her seven-year-old niece…”

Deter chuckled and gently shook her head.

Bellue was a mercenary company established a few months ago in the western Latro region.

True to her promise from two years ago, Armiphera had created a company that would protect and lead mercenaries. It had not been easy. Factions had split, tensions had risen, and there had even been bloodshed. That chaos lasted for nearly a year.

In the end, Armiphera and her allies were victorious, and Bellue was successfully founded just a few months ago.

“Bellue and the Pelea Trading Company are allies. We can never betray each other. Only Pelea is allowed to sell Rospe mushrooms.”

Nivellia’s voice was full of conviction.

Thanks to this alliance, Roslen’s aggressive strategies had failed to impact Pelea.

“We’re going to beat Roslen!”

Nivellia declared it proudly.

“If anyone can do it, it’s you.”

“Cheer for me again!”

“Our young lady is the best. Please give Roslen a taste of their own medicine.”

“Okay!”

Fueled by the encouragement, Nivellia clenched her small fists with determination.

Deter watched her, thoughts quietly swirling.

Roslen truly was a problem. Some praised their tactics as innovative, but most criticized them as unethical and selfish. Their constant clashes with Pelea only added to that reputation. The issue with the Rospe mushroom was a prime example. Roslen had even gone so far as to confront Bellue, claiming it was unfair for Pelea to have exclusive rights.

They really had no sense of fear.

Armiphera’s letter had made that clear.

“Nini, your aunt recently learned something very important. Do you know what it is? When something is so outrageous, you might feel like you could kill someone. Of course, I haven’t yet. But if I see that Roslen or Rozalin or whoever they are one more time, then really…”

It was not exactly appropriate content for a letter to a seven-year-old, but it showed just how furious Armiphera was with Roslen’s selfish behavior.

Which led Deter to one realization.

That must be why Madam Celletina assigned this task to her daughter. She had given Nivellia the difficult job of personally supplying new products to the Rubeo Department Store.

Roslen had been poking into markets everywhere lately, but their conflicts with Pelea had become especially intense.

Even in that situation, Celletina never once stepped in to help. Neither did Caleo.

They wanted her to handle Roslen on her own.

It seemed harsh.

Nivellia was still a child. She was innocent, full of curiosity, and lacked much experience. Her parents knew that better than anyone. They loved her deeply.

But instead of stepping in, they had given her this task.

Because they believed in her.

As a partner. As a leader.

They believed she would face Roslen head-on and win. They were waiting and watching with hope.

“Deter.”

“Yes, young lady?”

Deter, who had been quietly overcome by emotion, quickly responded.

“Could you bring me a map? Before I go, I want to study what the Tepe region is known for.”

“Of course, young lady.”

“And also…”

Nivellia began folding her small fingers one at a time as she listed off what she needed.

A map. The Rubeo Department Store’s sales trend report. A collection of the latest designs from several clothing boutiques. And more.

She might actually succeed.

Deter felt her heart swell with pride as she looked at the girl who had grown so much already.

“And chocolate cookies and milk!” Nivellia added brightly.

“Isn’t the young lady kind of a genius?”

Aref wiped the sweat from his chin with the back of his hand after sparring. He wasn’t really asking for an opinion—it was more like a confident declaration.

“Sometimes I think so too.”

The problem was that Soles, like Aref, was a very doting older brother.

So naturally, the two continued the conversation under the shared belief that Nivellia was indeed a genius.

“She’s going to the eastern region herself in a week.”

“Wow. That kind of initiative.”

“She wants to see the Tepe fabrics herself and sign the contract in person. And I’m going with her.”

Aref looked proud as he spoke.

Nivellia had personally asked him to come along.

“You’re my knight, remember? You’re supposed to protect me. But I’m the leader too, so I’ll protect you. Partners should never be apart unless it’s during a fight. You’re mine, so we have to stick together.”

Nivellia had grown so skilled at persuasion that she gave Aref a perfectly sound explanation for why he had to accompany her.

But the only words that truly struck Aref were:

“You’re my knight.”

Her knight.

No one else could ever have that role. Only Aref, her partner, could claim that title.

The realization made his heart race so hard he could feel every beat.

His pulse quickened, his whole body flushed with warmth, his mind sharpened and dazed all at once, his cheeks turned pink, and his eyes sparkled with heat.

Only Nivellia could make him feel like this.

“I’ll make sure to protect her well.”

This was his first official mission as her escort.

Just as this journey was important for Nivellia, it carried deep meaning for Aref too.

“Is your brother going with you?” Aref asked.

“No. I’ll stay behind.” Soles drooped his shoulders dramatically. “Nini didn’t invite me.”

“Oh…”

“What? Does that make you happy?”

“N-no! Not at all!”

Aref quickly denied it, flustered. His face turned as red as his eyes.

Soles laughed and patted him on the back.

“I was joking. You’re just fun to tease.”

“Please don’t…”

Aref pouted slightly.

“Everyone loves teasing me.”

“Really?”

“It’s true! Even Lord Rubens teases me, and so does Lord Al. Lately even Lady Leticia teases me every time we meet, and I’m older than her!”

Despite the complaints, he wasn’t truly upset.

In fact, Aref loved having those conversations with them.

When others teased him, he always responded playfully and sometimes, he even started the teasing.

Unlike the cruel jabs he endured at the orphanage, their teasing was full of warmth and affection.

So even while pretending to be annoyed, a faint smile tugged at his lips.

“That’s why we can’t help teasing you.”

Soles thought Aref’s sincerity was one of his best qualities. Everyone saw it, and that’s why they all liked him.

“Anyway, make sure to watch over Nini carefully.”

This time Soles spoke more seriously.

“You never know what she’ll get into, so really keep an eye on her.”

“I will.”

Aref also straightened his face and nodded solemnly.

“Finished talking?”

Ardores appeared from the annex. In his hand was a small tray with two glasses of refreshing lemon drink.

Aref and Soles each took a glass.

“Grandfather,” Soles asked, “Do you think Roslen will try to mess with Nini again?”

Aref’s expression hardened at the mention of that name.

Roslen wasn’t just targeting Nivellia’s Pelea Trading Company anymore. Recently, they had even stirred up suspicion about Rubeo Department Store and the Deiamor Bank, trying to spark investigations without any real cause.

They were starting to feel like immature people consumed by their own grudges.

But to Soles, something about it all felt strangely familiar.

It was certainly upsetting that anyone would antagonize the Deiamor family but the feeling wasn’t just anger. It was something deeper.

“Where have I felt this before…?”

The familiarity was eerie, like something long buried was trying to surface.

While he was lost in thought, Ardores answered.

“You don’t need to worry about every little thing.”

His words were blunt and sharp.

“If Nini can’t handle something like that, she shouldn’t be running a business. You two should know by now, just from watching your parents. Making money is not easy. It’s hard and complicated.”

Business is like hunting.

You need strategy and cunning to chase profit.

You must be ready for interference at any time and quick to adapt when things go wrong.

One moment of carelessness could ruin everything.

Even with good luck, setbacks happen.

“So far, she’s made it with the help of adults. But now it’s time for her to take the lead and try running things herself.”

His words were cold, but his face held a faint smile.

“But for some reason… don’t you think she’ll pull it off?”

Nivellia sent a letter to the Tepe village. Of course, it was Deter who wrote it down for her.

“You always have to contact them first before visiting. That’s the polite thing to do.”

She had learned this from the adults and followed it carefully.

The reply arrived five days later. It was a positive letter, welcoming the Pelea Trading Company’s visit.

The very next day, preparations began for the trip to Tepe village.

“Since I won’t be at the academy for a while, the Tower Master better not cry because he misses me. Got it?”

Magia gave the noisy little cat beside him a baffled look.

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