An Unexpected Deal

“That was awful…”

Inside the carriage on the way to the inn, Jonah pouted.

Since he moved his body with ancient magic, sudden, unexpected events were his greatest weakness—he simply couldn’t react instantly.

Thanks to that, when they fled from Hans, Jonah had tripped and fallen flat.

“I-I’m sorry. But it was your fault, Jonah.”

“Ehhh…”

To Jonah, Marguerite’s claim was completely unfair.

He had played along perfectly with her excuse to Hans and cooperated fully.

“A-anyway, we’re here.”

The carriage stopped in front of the inn, and Jonah stepped down first.

“Lady Marguerite, after you.”

“Huhu… I never imagined Jonah would escort me. Wherever did you learn such manners?”

Smiling, Marguerite took Jonah’s offered hand and gracefully alighted.

Though she teased him, her cheeks were honestly flushed pink.

Still holding hands, the two entered the inn.

“Um… is there a guest staying here named, uh…”

“Is a man named Ottmar staying here? We have business with him.”

While Jonah fumbled, unsure of the merchant’s name, Marguerite spoke for him.

But how did she know the merchant’s name?

“Oh, it’s written right here.”

She pointed to the words “Ottmar Trading Company” engraved on the wooden tag.

Of course—the company name was the man’s own name.

“J-just a moment, please.”

The innkeeper hurried up the stairs in a fluster.

Was it because the Lord’s daughter had suddenly appeared, or because Ottmar was surprisingly well-known?

“This way, please. Master Ottmar will see you in his room.”

“Thank you.”

After being shown the way, the two headed to his room.

The staircase was narrow, so Jonah tried to let go, but Marguerite gripped his hand tightly and wouldn’t release it.

‘Maybe she still sees me as a little kid…’

Jonah wondered that, but one look at Marguerite—cheeks flushed, lips softly smiling—made the real reason obvious.

He had only just turned eleven. It was only natural he wouldn’t yet understand a girl’s subtle feelings.

Reaching the room, Jonah knocked.

“Come in.”

“E-excuse us.”

With Ottmar’s permission, they opened the door and entered.

“Hey! Good to see you, kid!”

“Y-yes. I took you up on your offer.”

The moment he saw Jonah, Ottmar grinned broadly and clapped him hard on the back.

It hurt a bit, but Jonah endured it, knowing it was Ottmar’s way of welcoming him.

“So, what’s up? If I can help, I will.”

He had given Jonah the tag telling him to come if he ever needed help, so he assumed the boy was in some kind of trouble.

However—

“Um… you came here to do business with the Lord, right?”

“…Yeah, but how do you know that?”

Surprised by the unexpected question, Ottmar eyed him suspiciously.

“How do you do. I am Marguerite, eldest daughter of Count Hagenberg. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Marguerite pinched the hem of her skirt and performed an elegant curtsy.

One could almost forget, but she was undeniably a noble lady. Her refined grace captivated both Jonah and Ottmar.

“O-oh… so you are His Excellency’s daughter. I am Ottmar, head of the Ottmar Trading Company.”

Momentarily flustered, Ottmar quickly composed himself, smiled warmly, placed a hand on his chest, and bowed.

Watching his response, Jonah was impressed—Ottmar was clearly a merchant of considerable skill.

“So, Lady Marguerite, judging from what Jonah said… you’ve come about my dealings with His Excellency? Is something the matter…?”

“I simply wish to know what sort of business you are conducting with my father.”

“Haa…”

At Marguerite’s straightforward, unguarded question, Ottmar let out a weary sigh.

Even if she was the client’s daughter, revealing trade details could damage trust. Yet he had given Jonah the tag and told him to come if he needed help.

As Ottmar scratched his head trying to decide—

“Please, Mr. Ottmar! For Lady Marguerite’s sake, tell us!”

Jonah bowed deeply, while Marguerite beside him gazed at Ottmar with pleading, teary ruby eyes.

Seeing the two of them like that, Ottmar’s lips curled into a knowing grin.

“Hoo… I see, I see. That’s how it is, huh. Then I’ve got to help the kid out.”

“…! R-really!?”

“Yeah! And honestly, it’s not that big a deal anyway.”

With a warm, slightly teasing look, Ottmar nodded.

True, it could be seen as betraying a client. But he decided to tell them anyway—simply because he genuinely liked the pair.

“Please tell us! What kind of deal does Father have with you?”

“Well… His Excellency asked me to sell him wheat and grain.”

“Wheat!? Grain!?”

At Ottmar’s surprising revelation, Marguerite cried out in shock.