The Secretary of the Northern Grand Duchess Has Run Away

Chapter 40:  Reviving the City (4)

「That concludes the first part of the event. We kindly invite our distinguished guests to enjoy the refreshments prepared in the lounge bar.」

With those words, I ended the amplification spell cast by the Grand Duke’s magician.

The red carpet stretched from the hotel entrance.

From the rows of chairs lined up on either side, the guests all rose in unison.

Then, following the staff’s guidance, everyone moved toward the lounge bar.

So many people had come that dozens spilled out into the lobby, enjoying cocktails.

Perhaps it was because the clothing industry was so closely tied to the arts.

The sight of designers filling the hotel gallery left a strong impression.

“Mr. Julius Roger.”

Just as I stepped down after concluding the event, a familiar voice called out from afar.

Turning my head in response, I spotted Lady Loriang.

“Ah, Lady Loriang. What a surprise.”

Just a few weeks ago, she had laughed off my ambitions.

Today, however, her gaze had turned unusually modest for some reason.

“I’m relieved. I wasn’t sure if you’d remember me after just a month.”

She removed her hat and extended her hand to me for a handshake.

I looked down at her gesture with calm, unshining eyes.

“Today is the day I mentioned—the day of our promise. That’s why I’ve come.”

For the first time, Loriang’s expression tightened with nervousness.

And she waited to see how I would react now, at this moment.

To think I had managed to draw in this many members of high society into my orbit.

Now she seemed uncertain whether her presence still held any value to me.

But—

“Ah, I’ve been waiting a long time.”

I responded to her with a warm smile.

Then I clasped both of her hands with mine and shook them earnestly.

“For the day when you would come to find me, Madam.”

Perhaps because I remained humble even after hosting such a grand event—

Lady Loriang blinked absentmindedly, her eyes as clear and luminous as emeralds.

“To think you’ve managed to host a clothing design contest of this scale…”

“Well, to win your goodwill, I had to show at least this much sincerity.”

The truth was, I didn’t act this way simply because I respected her.

Loriang Arthur was undoubtedly a great magnate, but she wasn’t among the high nobility.

“In business, trust is what matters most.”

Beside the train of Loriang’s long dress, I caught sight of a blonde girl.

I knew that child.

Her name was Loriang Rocellia.

Ten years from now, she would rise to fame as Nord’s leading pianist.

It’s rare for a celebrity’s mother to be well known, so I hadn’t recognized her at first.

But later, while researching promising talents whose value had soared, I came across her name.

“By the way, what’s your relationship with the Grand Duke’s House? It’s hard to believe a mere secretary candidate could propose something like this.”

Even as she was swept up in the atmosphere, Lady Loriang still asked a sharp question.

I replied to her with the most roguish smile on my face.

“It seems the Grand Duke’s House is looking upon me rather favorably.”

She gave a faint smile at that.

“I heard you're part of Lady Echina’s inner circle. That must be why, correct?”

“Well, it probably helps that the founder of Erian Hotel happens to be my mother. Ha ha—.”

Loriang had surely conducted a thorough investigation into me.

But no matter how deeply she had dug, the only exaggerated rumor she could’ve found was that Echina had purchased the hotel under my name, even though I was just a secretary candidate.

Because of that, she likely assumed Echina had been the one behind organizing this entire event.

‘This is exactly why I don’t show off.’

“So then, shall we proceed with the contract right after the party ends?”

“Let’s do that. I’ll wait until the dinner banquet.”

At my gracious demeanor, Lady Loriang lifted the corners of her lips into a smile.

She took a sip from the cocktail offered by the staff and wore a satisfied expression.

“It’s truly an honor that you would wait for me personally.”

I placed a hand over my left chest and offered a respectful bow.

To that, Loriang merely shook her head gently, benevolently.

“I can tell you’re not someone who’s going to remain just a small-time hotel owner.”

A trusted aide of the Grand Duke’s daughter.

A man capable of organizing such a massive event with a single whisper to her.

Now that she understood that, it seemed Loriang had finally decided which side to join.

A massive financial connection was now being forged.

‘That’s one major concern off my chest—.’

I turned my head and covered my face slightly with a sip of wine.

And as I imagined a large-scale performance hall and an exclusive contract with a future pianist for my hotel, a wicked smile crept across my face.

“Haa…”

After downing half the wine, I looked around the room.

That’s when I caught sight of our workshop’s handsome man, Jake, and his son, Jack.

Both dressed in sharp suits.

The sample uniforms suited them so well, they were apparently now even receiving modeling offers.

“How is it, Jake? Does the drink suit your taste?”

“Haha… I’m not even sure I belong at an event like this.”

I gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

Though he was at least ten years older than me, Jake had started addressing me respectfully without realizing it.

“Of course you belong. You're here today as an official model for the contest.”

“Even so… I’d like to focus on the workshop work for now… This is all very overwhelming.”

A pure-hearted young man of the workshop, unsure how to handle such excessive joy.

I looked at him with satisfaction, narrowing my fox-like eyes even more.

“I understand, I understand. Take your time thinking about the modeling.”

“Still, thank you so much. President Roger, you’re a lifesaver!!”

I waved it off, laughing at the idea of being some kind of savior.

Then, I cast a glance downward at his son, Jack.

‘Even if the father refuses the modeling job, the son will end up fulfilling that dream in his place.’

Golden hair and blue eyes.

He had the typical look of an imperial beauty, and right now, he was staring straight at Lady Loriang and Rocellia.

“Two peach juices, please.”

I flagged down a staff member carrying a wide tray of cocktails.

After receiving the two glasses of sweet, non-alcoholic juice, I quietly handed them to our handsome young man.

“Jack, are you thirsty? Here, have some juice.”

“Thank you, sir… but why are you giving me two?”

The bright-eyed boy looked up at me curiously.

With a gentle smile, I leaned in and whispered.

“Share it with a friend.”

“Thank you, I’ll enjoy it, President.”

He gave a polite bow.

I looked at him warmly and told him there was no need to be so formal.

“President, huh—? Just call me Uncle. That’s fine with you, right, Jake?”

“Ah, of course…!! Jack, he’s the host of today’s party. You should thank him properly.”

Like a devil orchestrating some wicked little plan.

Jack stared for a moment at my sly grin, clearly unsure how to react, then picked up the two glasses.

And just as he turned his head again—

His eyes met Rocellia’s, the daughter of our newest financial backer.

“My hands are full… would you like one?”

The two young ones glanced between the two glasses, then naturally stepped toward each other.

Rocellia accepted the glass from Jack and shyly spoke.

“Sure, I’ll help you.”

The meeting of a future model and a future pianist.

On one side, the father was indebted to me. On the other, the mother was bound in a close contract with me.

‘Well now—looks like the hotel mascots are already set, aren’t they?’

I wore a lecherous smile as I admired the crowd of distinguished guests filling the lobby.

It felt like gazing at a beautiful painting.

But—

That smile of mine vanished in an instant.

The Northern female knight had silently approached me without a sound.

Echina Luton stood behind me, watching my grin with a sullen expression.

“With that face, anyone would think you’re a criminal about to blow up this hotel, Roger.”

She wore a stylish jacket labeled “Luton Arms Dealer” over her shoulder.

Looking up at me with the dignity of a queen in her eyes.

“Would I ever? This place is my property, after all.”

I replied with a worldly, overly smooth smile.

Echina stared at me coldly for a moment, as if I were some greasy old man.

Then she crossed her arms and turned toward the bustling hotel.

“How did you know? That my father would approve this event.”

Even though Echina was his daughter, the Grand Duke of the North wasn’t the type to easily allow an event requiring this much capital.

But having served him for ten years, I knew the truth.

‘The Grand Duke’s actually quite the doting father.’

“Well, isn’t it because Lady Echina has recently shown such outstanding performance?”

Duke Luton was generous—more than anyone—toward those who produced results.

And that impressive individual just so happened to be his youngest daughter.

“She’s been allowed into the weekly meetings on a regular basis now. He must’ve believed she was capable of handling an event of this scale.”

If it were me, I’d be head over heels in love too.

“That’s not the only reason.”

Still, Echina didn’t waver under the shower of praise.

Though the success was surely credited to her name, she maintained the cold, expressionless face of a ruler.

“Father must’ve also understood just how much this event would raise the value of Old Luton.”

“And since you were the first to analyze and report on that, he probably took it quite favorably, didn’t he, ‘Lady Grand Duke’s daughter’—?”

A fox, clinging close to a beast and flattering it sweetly.

Echina must’ve felt an urge to pinch my chewy cheek—her fingers twitched slightly.

“Haa… whatever. Either way, your guess turned out to be right again.”

She removed the jacket draped over her shoulders.

Then she tied it nonchalantly around her waist and muttered.

“Honestly, sometimes I feel like you understand my father better than I do.”

At that sharp remark from the Grand Duke’s daughter, my thick eyebrows twitched just slightly.

I looked at her kindly, as I always did with perceptive Echina, and gave a slight bow.

“Your praise humbles me. I shall strive even harder in the future.”

A deep, 90-degree bow offered in front of all.

As the host of this grand event showed such courtesy, the surrounding guests began sneaking glances at Echina.

She let out a faint laugh, perhaps stunned by my theatrical show.

Then, accepting a cocktail from a passing hotel staff member…

She gently placed the glass on top of my fluffy head as if using it as a tray.

“…?”

Startled by the careless little joke, I glanced up at her.

At that, Echina turned away and sipped from the glass.

“What exactly was that supposed to mean…?”

“It was just… you were being too much.”

After finishing her drink, the Grand Duke’s daughter handed the glass to a passing staff member.

And then, after the brief encounter, she headed toward the hotel’s main entrance alone.

“You’re leaving already? Won’t you stay for the second part of the event?”

“No thanks. I just dropped by for a moment.”

I stared at her retreating figure.

Each time she walked, the Luton Sword fastened to her waist caught the light.

Its handle had been polished more finely than usual.

“She came here before a sparring match.”

She clearly wasn’t one of the fashion show’s models.

Yet every time she walked down the red carpet, her commanding presence rivaled that of any celebrity.

With that aura she inherited from the Grand Duke of the North, designers and artists alike couldn’t take their eyes off her.

Then, once people realized who she was, they all hastily bowed their heads.

‘That family really is built different from birth.’

If I’d been born with that kind of appearance, I’d have been perfectly happy just being a celebrity my whole life.

But the Grand Duke’s ambitious family always seemed to want more than that.

“……”

Thinking that, I ascended the spiral staircase.

And with a wine glass looped between my fingers, I gazed down quietly at my hotel.

Just a month ago, it had been a shabby building in a ghost town.

Now, it was filled with a crowd of imperial dignitaries.

Standing above them, I narrowed my eyes and took a small sip of wine.

‘The foundation is set now.’

The day Erian Hotel would stand tall as one of the Empire’s premier luxury hotels—

That day, the world would come to know the name Julius.

And from then on, everything would begin.

The rise of the Julius family—a force even the mighty Grand Duke’s House could not ignore.

「――――――」

The very next day, it happened.

A breaking news headline took over the front page of Gold Morning, one of the Empire’s Three Major Newspapers.

「The Grand Revival of Erian Hotel.」

Below the vast hotel building, dozens of investors stood in a straight line.

At the center, Loriang and I stood side by side, holding onto black velvet.

“Thank you, everyone. With your support, we will grow Erian into the Empire’s finest hotel.”

Together, we cut the velvet with a pair of scissors.

Then, smiling before a crowd of journalists, we held a grand ribbon-cutting ceremony.

「Loriang Family Signs Sponsorship Deal Worth 50,000 Gold. Largest Indoor Performance Hall Planned on Top Floor.」

Just below the headline, there was an illustration of me holding up a placard with a formal smile.

The card read:

「Erian Arts Foundation.」

A foundation established to support impoverished musicians and artists.

The article also mentioned that, impressed by the initiative, the Imperial Family planned to visit for an official review.

Perhaps because of that—

The financial column just below the front page also heavily featured Old Luton.

It reported that the value of the city had skyrocketed by an incredible “28 times.”

Copies of the newspaper rained down across Nord, the Empire’s largest northern city.

And all those who picked up the paper…

Began heading for the once-forgotten entertainment district—

Now reborn as a new city of hope:

「Old Luton.」

“Mansachs, don’t you think they made me look a bit too greasy?”

I waved the newspaper lazily toward my business partner as I asked.

The man sitting next to me at the lounge bar simply shrugged.

“What are you talking about? All of Gold Morning’s illustrators are from the Academy of Arts, you know.”

A blond noble heir snickered as he pointed at my face.

“A guy claiming to support the arts can’t even tell what’s well drawn?”

“Come on now, isn’t a bit of flattering touch-up the least they could do for such good news?”

I shook my head at his playful teasing.

Then I turned to look fondly at the guests bustling about since early Saturday morning.

“Well, good for you. The hotel’s value really did skyrocket just like you said.”

Mansachs yawned as he stirred his coffee.

But he soon had to stop swirling his teaspoon.

Because the expression he expected to be stretched in a wide grin… was instead calm and serious.

“No, there’s still one more gate to pass.”

“Gate…?”

At my business partner’s question, I turned my head toward the window.

Looking out at the rising sun illuminating the horizon, I said quietly,

“The Founding Festival.”

The upcoming Founding Festival—the Empire’s greatest celebration.

During that time, the Second Prince would come from the capital.

The most cunning, intelligent man on the continent—

A tyrant who snuffed out any budding threat to the Imperial Family without hesitation.

‘They’ll surely focus their attention on the changes happening in Old Luton.’

“It’s about time I head back to the Grand Duke’s House.”