“Ahem…”
Enya cleared her throat, then paused for three seconds.
During that time, everyone in the meeting hall focused their attention on her, waiting to see what she would say.
They all had their guesses, but none were certain.
They simply hoped that her words would align with their own thoughts—after all, that was what served their interests.
At this moment of universal attention, Enya found it all rather boring.
Far from the serious demeanor others attributed to her, she spoke in a relaxed tone into the amplifying box.
“I fully support this Anti-monopoly Act. As for why I abstained instead of voting in favor, it’s because I believe one piece of legislation isn’t enough.”
The moment she finished, the hall erupted in murmurs.
Many wondered if the woman had lost her mind—or if she had simply given up on herself.
Of course, there were also those who waited to see what else she might say.
Unfazed by the commotion, Enya continued without pause.
“There are many old systems that are the true obstacles to development. Since we have the Anti-monopoly Act, why not go further?”
Further? In what direction?
Those who had been uncertain now truly thought she was insane.
“Why bother patching up an old, crumbling building when you can tear it down and build a new one on the ruins? I don’t know what everyone else thinks, but I have no objections.”
With that, the corners of Enya’s lips curled into a pleased smile.
The hall fell silent.
What did she mean?
In the deepest part of the Commerce Union Building—a room that no one but a select few could enter—six people were discussing the events of the meeting hall.
Taylor of the Abundant Harvest Chamber of Commerce, a local noble leader in Lakeside City who had always upheld tradition, listened to Enya’s words. His face had darkened to a stormy gray, and it remained that way even after the meeting.
The “old, crumbling building” that required painstaking repair—everyone in that room was shrewd enough to understand the implication.
Taylor spoke with an air of condescension.
“A woman dares to issue a challenge?”
In Taylor’s eyes, Enya was nothing more than a lucky woman from elsewhere with no background.
She had inherited the Lily of the Valley Chamber of Commerce but, instead of cashing out and running, she foolishly dared to challenge the old noble order.
She had quite the nerve.
The others did not respond. But the scar-faced president of the White Wave Chamber of Commerce, Vincent, murmured to himself with interest.
“I was right about her. She’s truly a fiery woman—quite the contrast to her composed exterior.”
“Are you interested in her, Mr. Vincent?”
Penrose, far from upset, was actually rather pleased. Enya’s speech in the meeting hall had stirred up every established power in Lakeside City.
After all, everyone in attendance was from the upper class of Lakeside City—vested interests who would never undermine their own positions.
Thus, Enya’s words could only earn her more hostility!
That was exactly why Penrose was so delighted. Now he wouldn’t have to charge into battle alone.
Vincent glanced at Penrose, sizing him up. In his eyes, Penrose was somewhat effeminate—not much different from Taylor.
Neither were the kind of people he enjoyed being around.
“Of course I’m interested. And that woman is truly a natural beauty, far from the hideous image your rumors have painted. Penrose, aren’t you interested too?”
“Heh. Since Mr. Vincent has taken an interest, I won’t try to compete with you.”
Penrose knew Vincent was no reckless brute, so he avoided provoking him with words.
Vincent let out a cold laugh.
Horn, the shadowy leader of Lakeside City, watched their exchange with cold eyes. Once Penrose fell silent, he slapped the armrest of his sofa and spoke sharply into the air.
“Since the Hall of Shadows can’t help us, we need to find other people. If any of you have connections, try them out.”
“Yes, Mr. Horn.”
Taylor quickly responded with deference.
Vincent averted his gaze and turned to the silent Melita.
They hadn’t forgotten that she had also abstained from voting.
They hadn’t mentioned it only to avoid breaking their superficial unity—for now, they were still on the same side.
Melita noticed Vincent’s gaze and responded with a light laugh.
Horn saw the exchange between them. Suppressing a sneer, he continued in a grave tone.
“We need to get rid of the Lily of the Valley Chamber of Commerce as soon as possible. If all else fails, pin a charge of treason on her and let the military handle it.”
“As for Zephyr, don’t worry about them. The old emperor is getting weaker by the day, and the prince and princess are locked in a bitter struggle. They won’t have the resources to help the Lily of the Valley here.”
Horn had reached this conclusion based on the situation in Zephyr and the Northern Lands. Though he didn’t understand why that Einfel woman would make such an unwise move to incur such hatred, he wouldn’t let this wild card derail his plans.
She thinks this will intimidate me?
Ridiculous!
Horn stroked his beard with a self-satisfied smile, as if victory was already in sight.
Clearly, he believed that his power was far beyond what a mere Lily of the Valley Chamber of Commerce could resist.
Not to mention that vase of a woman!
“Ahem…”
A soft cough sounded. Melita had risen from her seat without anyone noticing. Her gaze swept over the others before settling on Horn.
“Mr. Horn, I have other matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave.”
“Hmm…”
Horn frowned inwardly but acquiesced to Melita’s request.
Even if he refused, Melita would leave anyway.
Horn’s influence as a representative of the Three Kings was on equal footing with the organization behind Marigold.
He could rely on the Three Kings to suppress Taylor, Vincent, Penrose, and Cleveland, but that leverage meant little against Melita.
With the beautiful, golden-haired, blue-eyed woman gone, the room was left with only men, all unsure where to direct their gazes.
The others were annoyed, but since Horn said nothing, they couldn’t very well dictate Marigold’s affairs—part of their assets were still tied up there.
—
On the other side.
Enya, accompanied by her two personally tamed little maids, carried a covered birdcage as they walked through an elegantly laid-out estate. Every landscape exuded grace.
And wealth.
They had come to the estate where Melita resided.
A maid from the estate led the way, bringing them to a grand dining hall in the main building.
It was large enough to host a banquet for a hundred people, with ample space for each guest. Even a ball would not be out of the question.
In the center of the hall, a long table was laden with a diverse array of dishes, spanning delicacies from the north and south, complemented by desserts and fruits, and adorned with fresh flowers.
Such extravagance, yet only two people would be dining.
Maids?
Could maids even sit at the same table as their mistress?
Enya didn’t mind, but Lucia absolutely refused.
Wendy was more than willing—she desperately wanted to eat those delicious foods. But Lucia grabbed her and even covered her mouth.
Enya took her seat, with a black-clad maid and a blue-clad maid standing behind her chair.
At the opposite end of the five-meter-long table, the golden-haired, blue-eyed woman smiled at her. Melita’s face was bright with cheer as she spoke.
“Lady Ainfiel, you have such amusing maids. Unlike mine, which are all dull echoers.”
As Melita said this, the estate maids standing nearby lowered their heads.
Enya made no comment.
She picked up the knife and fork and sampled the food.
After a few bites, she addressed Melita.
“So, why did you invite me to dinner?”
“… “
Melita’s smile froze. She hadn’t expected Enya to say that. Shouldn’t those words have been hers to speak?
But Melita was a shrewd woman, deep in thought. She followed up with a probing question.
“I’m very curious, Lady Ainfiel. What cards do you hold that allow you to treat the Chamber of Commerce Union as nothing in Lakeside City?”
“Hmm…”
Enya raised an eyebrow and smiled. Instead of answering, she asked Melita a different question.
“Melita, what cards do those people hold?”
“… “
Melita narrowed her eyes.
Enya’s smile grew wider as she continued.
“Personally, I never like bullying kids. But old farts? I’ve kicked plenty of them. Tell me, what kind of cards do they have?”
The implication was clear: Enya’s trump card was that she could tear up everyone else’s trump cards. Simple and brutal.
Melita was taken aback, but quickly recovered.
“Their biggest card is, naturally, the Three Kings of the Northern Lands and the Hall of Shadows in the hands of one of those kings.”
She deliberately omitted the fact that the City of the Other Shore had been sealed off, hoping to test whether Enya knew about it and whether she was responsible.
Enya rolled her eyes.
“Oh.”
So that was it? She had been hoping for something like an Evil God or an apostle. What a letdown.
She resumed eating. After a few bites, she looked up at Melita and asked another question.
“By the way, what’s the relationship between Marigold, Golden Town, and the Golden Opera House?”
“… “
Melita fell silent again. This time, the smile vanished from her face. Her blue eyes fixed on Enya.
Enya ignored her, continuing to enjoy the chef’s exquisite cuisine.
After a moment, Melita spoke.
“Lady Ainfiel, you—”
“Shh.”
Enya raised her index finger to her glossy, grease-kissed pink lips, making a silencing gesture toward Melita.
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