NOVEL NEXT Chapter 62: 62: Investment
The hall quieted after that. The torches flickered, casting long shadows against the sacred walls. Ethan stood straight, his face unreadable.
To those watching, he looked cold and composed, a man who accepted gains and challenges alike without letting his heart waver.
Inside, though, his resolve only grew stronger. The path ahead would not be easy, but it was his to walk.
Once the handling process finished, Ethan wasted no time to reply but just as he was about to leave, Bishop Joseph appeared with a smile.
"Sir Blanks,you are surely blessed by the Goddess."
"Blessed?"Ethan muttered inwardly with a frown.
"Yes you are…I can sense a dazzling aura of brightness emerging from you."
Ethan froze a bit and looked at the Priest 's smiling face and then looked at the statue of the lady.
And for some reason,he felt a faint smile tucked on the lips of the statue.
'Huh!Am I hallucinating!'
He rubbed his eyes a bit and then saw the statue's lips were in normal position.
Ethan bowed to Bishop Joseph's and bid farewell.
.....
He immediately gathered Oliver in a quiet corner of the church courtyard. His tall figure stood straight, his sharp blue eyes calm yet filled with determination. "Uncle, we need to take over things swiftly. Delaying won't be good," Ethan said, his voice low and firm.
Oliver, who had been expecting this, nodded. "Yes, I was thinking the same. However…" His words trailed off, leaving the doubt unsaid. Ethan understood without needing to hear it.
The real question was whether the mines still had reserves, and whether the dungeon was still producing.
Or had they already been stripped empty before the transfer? Ethan's lips curved into a faint, cold smile as he shook his head.
"Whether they can be used or not isn't important. Do not forget our main task this time. It was never about profits. It was about showcasing the Blank family's might and proving myself. Everything else is secondary."
Oliver studied his nephew for a moment, then bowed his head slightly. "Understood."
Ethan's gaze sharpened. "Uncle Oliver, take a small group and head to the Slate Mines at once. At the same time, send word to the estate. Tell Uncle Randall to inspect the dungeon thoroughly and report to me."
"I will act quickly," Oliver replied. "But my lord, when will you depart?"
Ethan paused for a moment, his expression unshaken but his tone softer. "I planned to leave today. Alas, the Duchess has summoned me. She seems to want a word."
...….
Later, Ethan found himself standing before Duchess Emma.
She sat with elegance, her every gesture refined and deliberate. The way she held her cup, the calm curve of her posture, and even the tilt of her head carried the mark of a woman trained to rule and command.
She was beautiful in a way that held distance, a woman both dangerous and captivating. Ethan's gaze lingered briefly before he shook his head inwardly.
'How cumbersome.'It looks impressive, but living with such stiffness would be exhausting.
"Your Highness, you called me," Ethan said, bowing slightly, his tone respectful yet confident.
Duchess Emma took a sip of tea, her eyes studying him over the rim of the cup. "I heard of your plans from Julia," she began. "You want to create your own fashion brand, is that right?"
Ethan raised his brows but said nothing, waiting for her to continue.
Emma set her cup down gently. Her cold gaze locked onto his. "You feel responsible for the exploitation of the workers who have been sewing your designs."
"Yes, Your Highness," Ethan replied evenly. His calm voice did not waver. "I had not planned that far, but after seeing how much those women suffered, I cannot ignore it." His steady blue eyes reflected no deceit, only sincerity.
Emma searched his face, looking for cracks. But what she found was a wall of calm conviction. "Being magnanimous does not fit well with business," she said softly.
"I know," Ethan replied smoothly. "But exploiting others doesn't fit either. It may bring profit at first, but resentment grows like fire. One day it will burn everything down."
Their words circled carefully, neither revealing too much. Emma tested his mind, probing for weakness, while Ethan explained enough to show his reasoning but kept his true thoughts hidden.
Inside, he grew weary of the questions.
'If I am not careful, this woman will strip my plans bare and turn them into her own empire.'
One cannot be too trusting. Nobles are infamous for draining others dry.
A silence lingered after his words. Emma's fingers tapped lightly against the table before she leaned back, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Your idea is interesting. I am not opposed to it. I am not benevolent either, but as the Lady of this Duchy, I know business well." Her tone dropped colder. "And my instincts tell me you will create something far greater than this kingdom has ever seen. I want to be part of it."
Ethan's eyes widened slightly and a grin flashed onto his lips.
She is quite sharp indeed.
It didn't matter whether she supported him or turned into an enemy.Cause in case of trouble he just needed to stay low for awhile and once he gets powerful,he will simply crush the enemy.
Thankfully….
Emma's voice grew softer, but her words carried weight. "Besides, this is not only my plan. It was Countess Rina who pushed it forward causing me to take a deep look.If that woman believes in you, then there must be something extraordinary here."
Ethan's heart stirred at the mention of that name.
"I am not pushing you," Emma continued smoothly. "But I am willing to invest in your venture. We can form a contract and share the partnership. I want thirty percent." She said it casually, but her gaze bore into him like steel.
Ethan smiled faintly, his composure never breaking. "Your Highness, I need time to think. If you are investing, then the matter of shares must be considered carefully. Thirty percent is not small."
Emma tilted her chin, amused by his calm resistance. "Of course. Take your time."
Ethan gave a polite bow, then turned to leave. His steps through the corridor were steady, his face unchanged, but inside his mind grew complicated.