Chapter 117 - The Guildmaster of the Merchant Guild and the Ways of Nobility
As Ivano was organizing some documents, he received a summons from Viscount Jedda, the head of the Merchant Guild.
He was just days away from formally leaving the guild. The summons was likely either a formality or related to some noble’s affairs.
Ivano put on his navy-blue jacket and headed to the guildmaster’s office.
“Excuse me.”
“Come in, Ivano. How much time do you have?”
The voice came from Gabriella, who was sitting on a black leather sofa.
At the back of the room, behind the desk, sat Viscount Jedda, with a male servant standing by his side.
“My morning is free. I’m scheduled to visit the head of the Zola Company in the afternoon.”
“I see. So, do you have anything ‘you’d like to ask us’?”
It seemed Gabriella had found out about Ivano’s meeting with Fortunato the previous day.
Ivano sat down on the recommended sofa across from her, clasping his hands together.
“If possible, I’d like to ask a few things about Fortunato-sama.”
“Since you’ve entrusted me with the noble-targeted foaming pump bottles, we can offset part of the cost, alright?”
“Yes, please.”
“How much do you already know?”
“Last year, the previous guildmaster retired due to illness, and Fortunato-sama became the new guildmaster. He studied in the knight’s department at the High Academy but ended up in the Tailors Guild for some reason. He’s very popular among noblewomen. Despite being a second son, he’s the heir. His wife is from a count’s family, beautiful but a bit strong-willed. They have one son and one daughter. That’s about all I’ve gathered.”
“Not bad, but let me add a bit more.”
Gabriella closed her eyes for a moment, then turned her gaze to Ivano.
“The Luini family has been famous for generations as knights. The previous generation fell into financial trouble, and Fortunato-sama sold himself to the Tailors Guild. He quickly became responsible for noblewomen and became a star at evening parties. Six years ago, he married a count’s daughter and became the vice guildmaster. Even now, he maintains close relationships with noblewomen, especially high-ranking married ones. I’ve heard he still personally recommends dresses to them.”
“Fortunato-dono’s older brother and two younger brothers are in the royal castle’s Chivalric Older. They’re decent with swords but lack political savvy. The eldest brother handed the family over to Fortunato-dono, saying he’d remain a knight for life. The younger brothers married into a viscount’s family and a clothing-related merchant family, respectively.”
Fortunato seemed to be on a straight path to success, with no apparent weaknesses.
The only thing Ivano understood clearly was that it was better not to make an enemy of Fortunato.
“There’s one more thing I’d like to ask. About this ring—how much would it cost?”
Ivano took out the silver ring wrapped in a handkerchief. It was the one he had received from Fortunato the previous night.
“What’s that?”
A low voice came from behind the desk. It was Viscount Jedda.
“Last night, while we were drinking, Fortunato-sama gave this to me. It’s a ring with anti-poison, anti-confusion, and anti-charm properties.”
“Appraise it.”
“Excuse me.”
The servant took the ring from Ivano and examined it through a monocle with a blue lens.
“...It indeed has all three enchantments. They’re mid-level, not complete immunity.”
“Um, if I were to buy this at a magical tool shop, how much would it cost?”
“About five gold coins.”
Ivano was speechless at the unexpected price. He hadn’t imagined it would be that expensive.
It far exceeded his monthly salary.
“Should I not have accepted this?”
“He must have had a reason for wanting you to have it. Was he trying to recruit you, or did he ask about the Rossetti Company’s internal affairs?”
“We had some herbal wine, and I ended up talking a bit about Dahlia-san. Well, Dahlia-san is as straightforward as ever, and I have nothing to hide, so there was nothing troublesome.”
“Herbal wine...?”
“Yes, the kind that loosens your tongue. It worked a bit too well, and I accidentally bit my lip. He gave me a potion as a courtesy. I ruined a handkerchief, but then I got this ring, so I guess it’s a net gain.”
Last night, he had accepted Fortunato’s invitation without telling anyone.
He knew he’d be scolded for being too careless, but he deliberately explained it cheerfully.
“...I see.”
Gabriella’s narrowed eyes turned into a full smile.
Her crimson lips curved sharply, and her fingers interlaced firmly on the table.
It was too late to regret it now.
“The head of the Tailors Guild, Fortunato-sama, went out of his way to teach you the ways of nobility.”
“Ga—”
The name caught in Ivano’s throat.
A chill ran down his spine.
When Gabriella made this expression and gesture, she was truly angry.
The only one who could stop her was likely her husband, Viscount Jedda.
When Ivano turned to Viscount Jedda for help, he found the man wearing the exact same smile.
Ivano was completely out of his depth.
“Now, dear. We must return the favor to Fortunato-sama.”
“Indeed. Shall we raise the price of the Eastern silk we supply to Fortunato-dono by ten percent starting next month?”
“That sounds perfect.”
As the two exchanged cold smiles, Ivano broke into a cold sweat and tried to interject.
“Wait, um, I was fine after the potion, and I did receive the ring, so there’s no need for such drastic measures...”
While he had been annoyed by Fortunato’s noble tactics, he didn’t hold any real grudge against him.
Going this far would only worsen their relationship, and that worried him.
As Ivano searched for the right words to defuse the situation, Viscount Jedda’s deep black eyes turned to him.
“Don’t misunderstand, Ivano. This isn’t for your sake. I am the head of the Merchant Guild and a guarantor of the Rossetti Company. And the ‘Jedda family’ does not remain silent when our ‘disciple’ is harmed.”
This was the first time Ivano had heard Viscount Jedda speak in such a cold tone.
At the same time, he finally realized that the two in front of him were nobles.
Though he had worked with them for a long time, what he had seen until now was their demeanor when dealing with commoners.
“I’m not well-versed in the ways of nobility, but that’s his area of expertise.”
“Indeed, it’s my area. If Fortunato-dono wants to fight on noble terms, I’m ready anytime. He can choose whether it’s as a guarantor of the company or as guildmaster to guildmaster.”
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The usually calm and composed Viscount Jedda seemed surprisingly combative.
Thinking about it, a man who remained calm but unmoving wouldn’t have lasted long as the head of the Merchant Guild.
At this rate, Ivano might end up having to apologize to Fortunato.
“...Um, I’m grateful, but for this matter, I’d like to handle the payback to Fortunato-sama myself, so please, I beg you...!”
As Ivano bowed his head, the two fell silent for a moment.
“Starting next month, we’ll raise the price of Eastern white silk by twenty percent.”
“That might still be a bit insufficient, but it can’t be helped.”
“Um... Eastern white silk is the fabric used for noble bridal gowns, right?”
“Yes, it’s the top choice for upper-class nobles.”
“My concession ends here. Ah, Ivano, from now on, call me Leone. Tell Lady Dahlia the same.”
“Huh?”
Viscount Jedda, who rarely allowed anyone to call him by his first name, had just given Ivano permission.
As far as Ivano knew, even the heads of the Merchant Guild’s companies could call Gabriella by her first name, but few were allowed to call Viscount Jedda “Leone.”
“It’s a name that carries some weight among nobles. I am a guarantor of the Rossetti Company, so there’s no issue.”
“...Thank you.”
Ivano bowed his head again, expressing his gratitude sincerely.
Just when he thought he was getting the hang of things, dealing with nobles turned out to be a completely different game. It felt like he didn’t even understand the rules of engagement.
Right now, the Rossetti Company was like a chick under Leone’s wing.
“It’s best not to tell Volfred-dono about this. Lady Dahlia wouldn’t be able to keep a straight face either. It’s still too early for both of them.”
“Even Volf-sama?”
“He’s gentle, but his family isn’t. It would be troublesome if the Tailors Guild’s head, who just took over last year, were to change again so soon.”
Though the words were spoken casually, they carried an ominous tone that Ivano found hard to grasp.
Despite his appearance, Volf had become someone Ivano could relax around. He hadn’t realized Volf’s family, the Scalfarottos, were so fierce.
“Excuse me, but it’s almost time, Leone-sama.”
“Ah, right. I’ll head to the royal castle. I’ve got a few loose ends to tighten up.”
At the servant’s reminder, Leone stood up, looking somewhat pleased. Ivano sensed something ominous but couldn’t bring himself to ask.
He and Gabriella watched as the man, now exuding a different aura, left the room.
“Gabriella-san, um, should I not have spoken up? From my perspective, this seems a bit excessive...”
Ivano couldn’t help but mutter in frustration. The two had been truly terrifying earlier.
“If it were just about being charmed by Fortunato, getting drunk, or being surrounded by beauties, I’d have let it slide. But drugging wine with a truth serum is a different matter—it’s against the rules. And when a noble’s name is tarnished, we can’t stay silent. Besides, I think Fortunato probably expected this level of response.”
“Nobles are really something...”
Just like yesterday, he keenly realized it again today—this world was one he still had so much to learn about.
He had memorized noble etiquette, but the nuances of their business and negotiations were still beyond him.
“Still, starting with truth serum-laced herbal wine is such a noble way to welcome someone. I couldn’t have taught you that. Should I introduce you to someone through my husband?”
“No, thank you. If I rely on that, the ‘apprentice’ will never be able to stand on his own.”
Earlier, Leone had said:
“The ‘Jedda family’ does not remain silent when our ‘disciple’ is harmed.”
Having been offered such wings of protection, Ivano didn’t want to overindulge.
Fortunately, the Rossetti Company, even as a chick, could find its own food.
Someday, it would leave the shelter of their wings and perhaps even clash with them.
“For now, I’ll look up to the head of the Zola Company and Fortunato-sama as my teachers. Let’s aim for equal coexistence and mutual prosperity with Fortunato-sama first.”
“Equal coexistence and mutual prosperity, huh...”
Gabriella narrowed her eyes like a cat, staring at Ivano.
Her gaze wasn’t one of doubt but concern, something Ivano had come to recognize.
“Well, I plan to win before I die of old age.”
“Could you do it while I’m still alive? I’d like to see my disciple’s complete victory before I die.”
Gabriella’s hopes were quite high.
Ivano chuckled wryly and replied:
“Give me about twenty years, Master.”
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