Chapter 109: Chapter 17. Conversation

When I suddenly said that, Jeremy and Yufil stared at me in surprise at the same time.

— «A flower shop?» — the friend asked in surprise.

— I’ve never heard more nonsense from you in my life... — there was a predictable unpleasant reaction from my brother. And yet...

— You said that a business should not require large financial investments from us and at the same time be able to generate income all year round... I said, embarrassed., — I thought a flower shop would be a good option.

The baron’s youngest son was still looking at me in surprise.

— But why the flowers? — he asked.

— The flower business is relevant all year round, regardless of the change of time and season, — I explained, — Therefore, for such novice entrepreneurs as us, it can be the solution with the least chance for risk.

«...»

First of all, flowers were an absolutely universal gift for any holiday and even for no reason if people wanted to make each other feel good. In addition, in the south of the empire, where summer lasted almost all year round, there would be no particular difficulties with the supply of goods. Flowers were not a particularly expensive attribute, and both aristocrats and commoners could afford them.

When I told him about all the advantages of the idea that had come to me, Jeremy listened attentively and nodded his head.

— That sounds good... — he said with satisfaction, — The flower business, you say? I think we can really do it.

«Really?» I was delighted.

— yes. This is a really good idea!

I was glad that for the first time I was able to present any useful idea. And besides, first of all, I was very grateful that my friend supported me.

— Nevertheless... — Meanwhile, Jeremy spoke again, — First of all, we will need to resolve the issue of renting the building.

«You’re right,» I agreed, «but where can we find a suitable building? Do you have any options yet?

The baron’s youngest son nodded shyly.

— Actually, while we were walking here, I just noticed some suitable place on the way, — the guy said, — So I think we can go there this afternoon to talk with its owner.

— Okay, then we’ve decided!

Yufil, watching our current conversation, just sighed irritably.

— I take it you’re not going to take my opinion into account again? — He intervened.

I asked, «Brother, don’t you really like my idea?»

— «Like it?» How can I like that? — Yufil declared indignantly.

I was confused.

— What’s wrong with flowers? Isn’t that sweet?

— .....

The duke’s eldest son just slapped his forehead at that moment, as if asking the whole world where he had done so wrong to end up with these two idiots. But Jeremy and I, who had already come to terms with each other about this, just looked at each other and shrugged our shoulders.

In short, in the afternoon we really went to the place that Jeremy had liked until recently. Previously, we also tried to make our appearance as presentable as we could in our current situation...

After walking not so long from the city center, we soon reached the desired location.

We were standing in front of an old but nice building that we were planning to rent for our business. Its facade was decorated with carved wooden balconies, and the windows were framed by colored shutters, creating a pleasant and even somewhat fabulous atmosphere. No matter how you look at it, this place was just perfect for opening a flower shop here!

It is worth saying that the reality has completely exceeded my expectations. Actually, I didn’t expect Jeremy to have such good taste.

There was also a sign on the front door that said «for rent» in red, so I was sure we weren’t mistaken.

In the end, we went inside full of hope and ambition. The owner, a middle-aged man with yellow hair and penetrating eyes, met us and invited us to discuss everything in his office. Having settled there, Jeremy started the dialogue first.

— My wife and I would like to rent your building for a flower shop, — the guy began, trying to sound confident. — We have ideas on how to make it popular and attractive to the citizens.

The owner, crossing his arms over his chest, just nodded.

— It sounds interesting, but... What about the payment? — the first thing he asked was.

After hesitating, Jeremy and I looked at each other at that moment.

It so happened that of the three of us, only Yufil had some savings, while my friend and I were practically penniless after our escape. Yufil’s savings were nothing more than our family’s heirlooms, which the guy managed to take with him before our ancestral estate was destroyed. With difficulty, but I managed to persuade the guy to pawn these jewels in order to get the funds necessary to start our business.

Yufil was really categorically against it and resisted this idea to the last. In the end, I had to assure him that if our business went well, he would be able to buy those jewels back. But anyway...

— Isn’t that enough as a deposit for six months?

The baron’s youngest son put a thick purse with all our current savings on the table. Glancing through its contents, the man was clearly not too impressed, and this was clearly reflected on his face.

— Well... — he cleared his throat, — Your offer does sound interesting, but I already have several offers from other tenants... Besides, they are willing to pay more.

At that moment, feeling my heart constrict with disappointment, I tried to add:

— We really believe that we can make this place special! We have unique ideas and a lot of energy...

But the owner just spread his hands, clearly eager to end our conversation as soon as possible.

— I’m sorry, but business is business. You understand that I can’t miss out on better deals just because of your request...

«.....»

And at that moment, when I turned to my friend with a desperate face, as if non-verbally asking him what to do next, the guy’s expression, on the contrary, remained neutral. Soon after, he spoke dispassionately:

— Eugene, you can come in.

At that moment, when Jeremy called him softly, Yufil, who had been waiting outside the door, entered the room. The guy also took off his raincoat, which he had been wearing all this time, so as not to attract too much attention to himself because of his appearance. And now, when he appeared in front of the building’s owner in his full «role,» the man’s eyes immediately bulged out of their sockets.

«It can’t be...! Are these two people under the protection of the Crown Princess?!» When he saw the knight in black armor, this shocking thought flashed through his mind in the blink of an eye.

The building’s owner couldn’t believe that this ordinary-looking married couple could actually have such connections... Really... These two might also not be who they say they are?!

At the very thought that he might have just accidentally crossed the path of some influential figures in the empire, a chill immediately ran down the man’s spine.

«Well... if you’re really not ready to cooperate with us, then there’s nothing you can do about it,» Jeremy said in a neutral voice, getting up from his chair., «In that case, we don’t dare waste your time anymore.

— me...

— I’m sorry to bother you. We’ll leave now.

«...»

At first somewhat confused by what was happening, I eventually also got up to follow Jeremy and my brother. In fact, I couldn’t believe that we were really going to leave just like that. However...

— W-wait!

When we were about to leave, a scream suddenly came from behind us.

The baron’s youngest son stopped for a moment.

— What’s the matter? — he asked.

A moment of silence hung in the air, and the building’s owner, clearly afraid of the possible consequences for what had happened today, tried to quickly rehabilitate himself.

— I... O-okay! I agree! — The owner exclaimed with a ragged breath.

— What...?

— I... agree to lease my building to you!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read