I'm Done Being Your Best Friend

Logan sent a letter to my father the very next day. It stated that he wanted to visit the Marquis to talk about business.

My father was a little surprised by the duke’s letter, but immediately gave a positive response.

Hence, our mansion started preparing to welcome a precious guest after a long time.

“The mansion is very bustling today.”

On the day Logan was supposed to come, Nancy said as she helped me dress up.

What Nancy said was true. All the servants and maids in our mansion had been mobilised since this morning because he was visiting. Sweeping, cleaning, and polishing; even the garden, where was unsure whether Logan would visit or not, had also been renovated. Everyone was probably busy refurbishing this old mansion.

“Right? Because duke Harrison is coming after all.”

“From what I’ve heard, it’s hard to see duke Harrison’s face. Yet that person is visiting today? The miss is really amazing!”

“I didn’t do anything though? You don’t have to boost it like that, Nancy.”

“From the first time I saw him, I already thought he would not be a commoner like me. But he would look even nicer today, right? Since he is known as a duke now!”

Seeing how she shouted with excitement, it seemed she was really looking forward to it. In response, I chuckled.

“I boasted to my friends that the Duke of Harrison is visiting our mansion!”

“You said that?”

“Uh…was I not supposed to say that?”

Nancy’s expression darkened rapidly. She was worried that she might have made a mistake.

“No, I didn’t mean to scold you…What family do they work for?”

To my question, Nancy named two noble families. Both of them were not very familiar to me. They were not people that Daisy would occasionally meet.

It seemed fine, but… just in case, I told Nancy.

“From now on, let’s keep things about the duke a secret from your friends, alright?”

“Yes, miss. I won’t say anything!”

“Good.”

I responded to Nancy’s words with a smile.

Whether it was because of Logan’s visit or because of her slip of tongue, Nancy dressed me up more carefully than usual. It seemed she tried to follow the makeup method Chloe gave her last time as much as possible. Though it’s not exactly the same, I was satisfied.

Dinner time eventually arrived. Logan and my family all gathered in the dining hall. It was like a feast as grand as a year-end party. As I admired the table with all kinds of dishes on it, my mother also expressed her admiration…

“I heard you are young, but I didn’t know you were this handsome.”

…But at Logan’s appearance. As expected, good looks seemed to work regardless of age. Harper, who was sitting next to my brother, was also blushing. Meanwhile, my brother seemed quite uncomfortable at the sight.

While I was observing the couple, my father spoke up in a slow tone with a glass of champagne in his hand.

“As you may know, my family has never done anything like a business. I am a bit doubtful about nobles’ doing commercial activities…Isn’t that what commoners do? To make money, I mean.”

Father, that’s why our family is not developing. I said softly.

“But it’s hard to see nobles who only run the estate these days. You know that too, father.”

My father furtively gave me a hinted warning with a dry cough. He then spoke again to Logan.

“We tend to be a bit conservative. I have a belief that what has been handed down must be preserved and continued in the future. Even if we decided to do business, I wondered if it would be successful.”

“My father is right. We are a little cautious to proceed hastily.”

My brother intervened. As if he had anticipated what father and brother would say, Logan replied without a hitch.

“As you may have heard, lady Nelson is not on her own in this business. I plan to operate it with her idea and my own capital. I gave a positive answer to lady Nelson’s words because I thought there was a good chance of success.”

Logan continued, looking alternatively at my father and brother.

“This winter, I plan to invest a small amount first to check the marketability, and then to grow the business in earnest by the end of this year. Half of the profit will be given to lady Nelson. If you ask me, I don’t think it’s a bad opportunity.”

“But our Sienna is too young. To decide on the business after hearing my child’s words, I can’t help but be concerned. I don’t know if she’s bothering the duke with wrong thoughts…”

“Father, I already told you. It’s being used in the Empire and the kingdom of Brew.”

Shortly after I first brought the business up to Logan, Logan did his own research. As I suspected, it was already widely popularised in Brew, and in the Empire, it was confirmed that a very small amount was used in clothing stores for nobles. It was also proven that most of them entered the imperial family and was difficult to obtain.

After being rejected once by my family, we presented the data, but my father still did not believe it just because I was the one who told them about it. So how could I not be frustrated?

Meanwhile, Logan was hesitant to say that he was confident in his business skills. Because the person who found the item was me! Logan looked at my father for a moment, then calmly said.

“I think it’s time for you to acknowledge her as an independent adult rather than just thinking of her just as a young daughter. Hasn’t her coming-of-age ceremony already passed?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Trust me, Father.”

I intervened once more.

“I have my own thoughts. We have already presented data based on the recipient in other countries. We have to start when no one else is doing it. Please look at the possibility rather than blindly oppose it just because it is my words.”

My father was still displeased and I was impatient at the sight. Nonetheless, for whatever reason, this was an opportunity not to be missed. I must definitely persuade my family today.

“You may think the fact that a noble lady is running a business itself is a problem. But these days, there are many aristocrats who judge families based on how many assets they have.”

This was a fact that even my father had to admit.

“We are a family with a long history, sure. But among the nobles, the ones with real influence are those with overflowing wealth.”

“…”

My father didn’t say anything more to me. It’s a pity that I had to bring out the limits of our family, but I couldn’t help it.

“It is an era that welcomes nobles who have become rich by taking part in commerce. I’m sure there are many aristocrats who will see our family in a new light by doing business with the duke.”

I was also confident of the honour my father wanted. Thus, I encouraged my father.

“If we make a lot of profit from this business, we can improve the family’s name. I’ll show you.”

“Lady Nelson is right.”

Logan backed me up.

“Lady Nelson’s eyes are clearly penetrating the market. After listening to the lady’s words and examining the situation in other countries, it’s almost the same. If she already has this kind of insight, I think she’ll do well enough even without my help. Please believe in your daughter and leave it to her.”

To my father, who seemed to be shaken, Logan stated one last decisive fact.

“And for me, I don’t do business that is bound to fail.”