(IN) Chapter 058 - Bad People To Trust

*Yawn* Vivian woke up still groggy from a busy night. After the meeting with Nuir, Vivian decided it was better to consolidate her position and met with other Merchant and Nobles she thought could be beneficial in gaining a monopoly over Grain, and so Vivian set to work.

She first met with the Humanitarian faction of Merchant-Nobles in the Consulate under Philippe.

Philippe: "Well hello there miss Vivian, your rhetoric was quite fluent and graceful during the meeting yesterday"

Vivian: "I am more touched with your willingness to vote for the good of the poor sir Philippe. Your noble charity touched me deeply"

"Noble charity, huh?... I don't believe selling something everyone needs to live for what its worth can be considered 'Charity' milady..." Philippe answered back, denying Vivian's praise.

"Haha, your stubborn and noble soul is what keeps the Consulate from falling further into depravity, sir. Philippe... Let me get to the point, I will be needing help with Grain distribution and votes for my proposals during Consulate meetings..." Vivian curtly said.

"Votes? Are you telling me to go under a new faction you're creating?... And as for the Grain distribution, why would you... Don't tell me?! This has something to do with the Right-To-Sell contract, hmm? The new Madam Countess of Maine?" Philippe interrogated as he scratched his chin, emphasizing Vivian's position as Maine's Countess due to her history of owning the RTS contract.

"You're quite sharp, sir Philippe. Yes, I got Bermont to agree in handing it over to me... How? You may ask, well... Lyons might look prosperous right now, and the common people might look rich, but that's only because of the charitable and noble interventions of people such as you and sir Bermont. But in the end, handing out money can only go so far... And so, if Bermont's under the Medicis because of money, I offered him a bigger cut. I'll monopolize the Grain trade through the RTS contract, then sell cheaper than the Consulate... Who do you think the people would buy from?..." Vivian smiled slyly at Philippe as she continued to give even more evidence to Philippe.

"Wha-... o-of course, haha... It was so simple yet... Haha, interesting Lady Vivian!"

After getting Philippe's attention, Vivian proceeded to contact the Commoners Merchant's Guild...

Don't be fooled by the name, however, as commoners had lesser mercantile rights compared to Nobles, the Commoners Merchant's Guild was but a small shabby bar where men could gather and discuss amidst the wooden tables and creaking wooden floors. If not for the fact that this pub was frequented by merchants, it would've been no different from a common pub.

"Haha, what are you doin' here missy? I think you might be lost?" A stout yet muscular man went up to Vivian.

"Oh don't mind me, good sir, I am a fellow merchant looking for Muron, was it?" Vivian kindly replied, sadly she was met with laughter and mockery. Though it wasn't as deep as it was in Noble society, misogyny still existed within commoners.

"Hahaha, you? A Merchant?! Haha, good one lass! And what would ya need from the boss eh? Don't tell me ya fell for him? Don't ruin your life for an old man like him lassy, go for me instead, I'm cuter" The man in front winked at Vivian as she just stared blankly at the man...

"Hey hey, settle down everyone! Why'd I hear my name all of a sudden?" Muron, the merchant Vivian met at the Consulate gates came out.

"Greetings sir Muron, we meet again... I have a proposal for you and your wagons..." Vivian smiled.

"Oh, it's you, lass! What would this proposal be?" Muron kindly asked with no shred of sexism, much like how he was during their first meeting.

"Would you believe me if I told you that I could make you a lot of money, and at the same time get the people of the South the cheap grain they deserve?" Vivian's smile continued to shine as the Sun's rays radiated behind her.

The rowdy merchants became quiet as they stared at Vivian...

"H-How? Did ya get one of those C-Contracts?" Vivian's confidence awed the people. And even Muron, who, despite his logical mind scowling at her words, oddly trusted Vivian.

"Right-To-Sell. I got the RTS contracts"

Such simple words, but they were enough to convince the rowdy lot as Muron and some of the merchants even began falling to their knees. A testament to the RTS contract's infamous power.

[Finally... a Noble who'd listen to our needs] Muron emotionally thought as he realized Vivian's plans, while some of the Merchants who fell to their knees who realized the meaning behind Vivian's words hailed her as a saint...

And so, after convincing Philippe, winning the Merchants to her side, and sleeping for a meager four hours due to the backed-up paperwork she had to finish, Vivian woke up groggy from all the work she had to do yesterday...

Since Vivian had no maids, she herself had to get up and dress herself for the day, it wasn't particularly bothersome as Vivian was used to it. Despite her routine today could be considered normal for anybody else, no one would believe Vivian was a Princess before if they saw her quietly dressing herself up.

After readying for the day, Vivian was greeted by a letter only handed to her by Bardis now as he and Dan didn't allow themselves to go inside Vivian's room.

"It's from Sir Bermont" Bardis stated.

Vivian began to read the letter out loud: "Dear ms. Vivian, I know it's abrupt, but I have just scheduled the signing of the "contract" you've asked me for, please meet me at the consulate this evening. Sincerely, the Lord of Lyons"

"Haa, it came so soon! I thought it'd take longer... Well, a blessing from the Gods shouldn't be ignored, hehe"

Vivian cheerfully waited for the appointed time. And when the time came, she punctually arrived at the Consulate.

Vivian was kindly guided towards a smaller room than that of the Meeting hall. The room was designed to host smaller and confidential meetings.

"Ahhh hahaha... Miss Vivian! How nice to meet you today!" A voice echoed in Vivian's ears. A derisive and mocking voice that Vivian seethingly hated.

"Silvan?! What are YOU doing here?!" Vivian staggered as she saw the sly man sit in between Nuir, the only person other than Duke that she truly trusted to the point of considering her as a real sister, unlike the abusive biological sisters she had, and Bermont, a great and almost legendary Admiral whose virtuous deeds and morals Vivian admired very much.

Silvan smiled as he pointed Vivian towards the seat in front of him which was also next to Nuir and Bermont as the table the met at was circular.

"Isn't this supposed to be where I would sign the contract? Where is it?" Vivian asked.

"Oh, you mean this contract?" Silvan snickered as he saw Vivian's eyes twitch and almost tear up.

"Why do you have that contract? Isn't that supposed to ours?" Silvan could hear Vivian's voice tremble as if she couldn't understand what was happening.

"Hahaha, this woman! That look on her defeated STUPID FACE! HAHAHA, Bermont! Look at her! She actually thought you'd betray me after all those years you worked like a dog for the Medicis! Hahaha" Silvan couldn't stop laughing as threw the contract he was holding over to Bermont.

Bermont quietly took the contract in front of Vivian and Nuir and signed on the Consulate's Head Chairperson and Previous owner sections.

Then he handed the contract over to madam Nuir who had an insidious smile as if mocking the person looking at it.

Nuir too silently signed the contract under the guise of a Sponsor.

"Hahaha! Perfect, see that Vivian? Your little town Maine is NOTHING in front of our great Family! Do you hear me? No-thing... You even thought you could take over the Black Turtles? Ms. Nuir of all people? You thought you can persuade the most money-hungry person on this Continent?! Hah! The Medici's have been scheming with the Black Turtle long before you even started exchanging letters! Ha, I almost pity your stupidity!... Why so silent? Are you reflecting on your errors? Well... Maybe if you beg me and lick my shoes, maybe I can give you a position as one of my concubines hahaha... You are quite the beauty..." Silvan wicked enticed Vivian as he held out his hand over to Nuir.

Since the Consulate Head, Previous Owner, and Sponsor blanks have already been signed, it was finally Silvan's turn to sign.

"Huh? Ms. Nuir? Hello?" Silvan asked Nuir, confused by her reluctance to hand him the contract. Even more confusing and even slightly terrifying was the eerily vicious and insidious smile Nuir had...

But what truly made Silvan wet his pants, was the fact that the smile of death was pointing at him, while the contract that should've been his was instead handed over to Vivian...

"Pftt... Puwahahahaha! Ahhh..." Vivian started to laugh as she held the Contract in her thin yet smooth fingers...

"BWAHAHAHAHA!" Jugurta finally couldn't hold down his laughter anymore as he started to laugh along with Vivian and Nuir, with her cat-like laugh "NYAHAHAHAHA!"

"BOHOHOHOHO!" Bermont too boomed out a large sailor's laugh.

Bermont, Nuir, and even the scary black man behind Nuir began to burst out in laughter as if they couldn't take it anymore as Silvan's terror grew.

"Nuir Bermont what is the meaning of this???" Silvan asked in panic.

"Meaning, you ask? Ya asshole. Didn't I tell ya?! Don't mess with THE SOUTH! Not everything can be bought with money!" Bermont's commonly composed attitude burst out in righteous fury as his eyes filled with anger stared at the panicking Silvan.

"Eeep!" Silvan almost squirmed as he felt Bermont's murderous intent. After becoming cocky due to his "genius" plans working out better than he thought, Silvan began to disrespect Bermont, and completely forgot the reason why Bermont, despite lacking any financial stability could keep the Southern Nobles who valued Mercantile skill on hold.

Yes, Silvan temporarily forgot the reason why Bermont was known as "The Sea Dragon" of Brune.

In fear, Silvan turned to his final only possible ally left in the room, holding her hands as he asked "Madam Nuir?! What is the meaning of this?! Please tell me!"

"Isn't it simple, O GREAT and SMART, Silvan De Medici? Hmm? Perhaps your great house could enlighten us about this situation that obviously looks to me like I, no we the Pendragons won?" Vivian smiled an insidious smile as she sarcastically mocked Silvan back.

[The look on the cunt's face was simply priceless!] Vivian would tell Duke when they meet once more after this.

"Ha? Why do I have to answer your question? Are you stupid? Or maybe dumb? Oh my~ I shouldn't be talking badly about mentally disabled children like you, but you're just too darn STUPID! Hahaha, the moment I saw your letter asking me to hand over Vivian to you, you didn't even care to check our real relationship, I could've been her past lover from another life for darn sakes, but you just made the idiotic assumption that money would be enough to win me over. I pity you. Now unhand me!" Nuir added to Vivian's mockery as sharp words pierced the confused Medici.

"So? How'd you like our little play, hmm Silvan?" Vivian asked with a derising tone.

"I-I'll give you money! More than what that wench is giving you! Anything! Please! My father will name Marco the successor if I fail this! Please! I'll lose my position!" The normally calm and level-minded Silvan uncharacteristically and desperately hung to the last rope of hope he had, begging Nuir to reconsider her decision... despite the piercingly fierce look Nuir gave him.

*Slap* His hands that he normally trained hard to wield their family's golden spear was flung to the air like it was nothing, all the effort and hard work he did was nothing in front of the black man's slight flick.

"You! You've been holdin' my bebe girl's hands for a long time now! She said unhand her ya fool! Don't you see how distressed my girl is?! Normally you wouldn't see her facial expressions, but since her meetings with ya, she's been givin' ya the scary "Imma' KILL ya' " smiles..." Jugurta finally cracked burst open as he was forced by Nuir to maintain his 'poker face' all this time.

"Do that again, and I might just really hav' ta' KILL ya!" Jugurta's intimidation worked as Silvan squealed back into his chair.

Sensing that he had been defeated on all fronts, the dejected Silvan finally gave up as he asked:

"Why?! If you already got these two on your side, why did you even go along with my plan?! I don't understand?!!" Silvan began to desperately shout.

"Hmmm, what was that really funny quote you heard from some stupid idiot again, Nuir?

Ah! Yes...

How can I enjoy victory, if I can't even gloat at the losers? Isn't that right?" Vivian tilted her head as she cutely smiled...