Chapter 83
Cayani explained in detail what had happened at the bank.
He told how they learned about Mille’s father fighting for the Lunos family, and how the Merrow couple had entrusted their asset management to Mille after learning that April trusted her with money despite her not being a banker.
“That’s wonderful news. Yes, it would be strange for someone from our family to entrust money to anyone other than a Virta.”
“Indeed.”
After hearing this, April’s face showed unmistakable relief and joy.
As Cayani was about to leave after their conversation, April said,
“By the way, Cayani. I have a favor to ask on your way back.”
“Yes, anything.”
April looked into Cayani’s bright, intelligent eyes and spoke softly.
“You know the twin mountains in the north of our territory?”
“Yes, they’re there.”
“Do you… remember what they were used for?”
“I remember visiting them when I was young. But what they were used for… I’ll ask Father when I get back.”
“Yes, but.”
“It’s to be kept secret from outsiders, right? Yes, I understand.”
Cayani nodded. Then he finally spoke what he had really wanted to say on his way here.
“How did you endure it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Reaching out to… the clan?”
Cayani gritted his teeth as if feeling April’s anger himself as he asked this.
However, compared to the questioner’s gravity, April’s voice was calm.
“The Lunos family always stayed wary of sailors. And loved them too. Though knowing every sailor on the Right Island was a pirate, they trusted them and loaded their ships with brilliant jewels for trade.”
“…”
“I’m just doing the same thing.”
“If it’s the same, then…?”
“I’ll be wary, and love.”
Her face was as composed as her voice as she answered.
Cayani’s gaze was caught by her golden hair that made even winter brilliant, before discovering her eyes red as the sun. Then Cayani smiled gently.
“I know it’s rude to say to an elder, but… your eyes are really sparkling right now.”
“Yes, that is rude.”
“I apologize.”
Cayani smiled, bowed in apology, and left the mansion.
Shortly after, April also left the reception room and headed to the study where Mille was waiting.
Two chairs were placed by the study’s window, with some distance between them and a small table beside them for tea. Baumann had moved them there.
It was because of Cayani’s advice that when discussing money matters, it was better to have separate tables for tea rather than sharing.
April found this natural as well.
When she appeared too quickly, Mille asked, unable to hide her bewilderment,
“Is Young Master Cayani leaving so early because of me? I heard he waited here all day.”
“Lunos family women never keep men waiting.”
“I’m sorry, but Young Master Cayani is from the Merrow family…”
“Is that important right now?”
“No, it’s not.”
Mille made a gesture as if telling her to forget everything said before. Then she exclaimed at seeing the table with her tea.
“I’ve never seen such a large cup!”
“Baumann made it. He has many colleagues with kilns, so he had them fire these.”
“Please sell these in front of the bank.”
“That’s what they were made for.”
There was a saying that the Grand Duchy Central Bank employees lived by: ‘A banker who dies working can go to warriors’ heaven.’
Mille had thought it pathetic how her father habitually repeated those words.
But after joining the Central Bank, she began to understand. This was that kind of place. Where money was synonymous with warriors’ heaven.
At the Central Bank, a ‘saint’ meant someone who brought lots of money to the company.
Mille Virta too was gradually joining that flow.
Thinking about it, everything her father had said was right. She was becoming more attuned to the idea that bankers needed to keep their seats warm.
Anyway, as Mille was gradually given more banking duties, she started drinking coffee like other bankers. And like other bankers who considered it a waste of time to get up and sit down for coffee, she poured a full cup at once.
For such bankers, the huge teacup Mille held with both hands would clearly prove highly effective.
Watching Mille pour a full cup of coffee, April said,
“Of course, we won’t sell them, we’ll gift them.”
“Pardon?”
“Who else but bankers would buy these? It’s to curry favor with the bankers.”
Mille felt strangely moved by April’s matter-of-fact words.
Trade, after all, was about knowing what was abundant here and needed there. April, like her ancestors, had some of that instinct.
Mille nodded.
“Yes, I guarantee the bankers’ hearts will be thoroughly won over. Since it saves them one coffee trip.”
“Honestly, they’re crazy people.”
“I won’t deny that.”
They laughed together at this, and Mille brought up the main topic.
“As you probably expected, the gas payment has been handled. By the second son of House Deus.”
“Did he have that kind of money?”
“I can’t share other clients’ information. And the responsible banker wouldn’t give me exact information anyway.”
“Ah, yes. That’s true.”
April agreed with Mille’s words and sighed.
“About that money, I’ll ask Fejin when I see him.”
“Yes. And here are all the expenses for the funeral.”
April checked the funeral costs Mille handed over. It was a funeral that had invested most of the money she had.
She nodded and asked Mille,
“Would you like to see the funeral hall? It’s somewhat ready.”
“I’d like to see it on the day. Would that be alright?”
“Yes, of course.”
Mille checked the time and stood up first.
“Then I’ll be going. I have much to do.”
“Yes, then.”
April stood up together and saw her off, loading small gifts into her carriage.
Afterward, she moved to write a letter to be sent to the Grand Duke’s residence to resolve the most important issue regarding the funeral.
April entered her father’s study, which she hadn’t entered for a very long time.
The study had been cleanly repaired by Baumann’s hands. It was almost the same as when her father was alive. Truly magical hands.
April looked at the various papers from all over the world that Fejin had given her.
“…Too precious to use.”
“And I like you a little.”
She squeezed her eyes shut as she recalled her words to Fejin.
“I must be crazy.”
Why had she said such things when nothing could be done about it?
No, thinking more about it, it was Fejin’s fault.
Wasn’t it because he suddenly said nonsense about white clothes suiting her that such words slipped out of her mouth too?
April heaved a deep sigh, took a sheet of paper, and sat at the desk. She intended to write a letter requesting the return of her parents’ remains.
Seven years ago, Miller Deus should have moved them to the cemetery in Lunos territory right away, but he hadn’t. Though it angered her that she had to write this letter first, there was no helping it.
