My Stepmom is Too Pretty, and It’s Troubling Me – Chapter 134

“This means you want me to help Lady Nordal with her business, right?”

“That’s right. I’m glad we understand each other.”

“Um.”

Well, this is quite a bewildering topic.

It wasn’t something I had expected, but the fact that they had dug into my past and were speaking to me based on that information was rather absurd.

I had done similar things when I was running my own business back then.

But that doesn’t mean I could easily grasp the current situation.

“What exactly do you want? Do you want me to directly manage the business? Or do you want me to give advice to Lady Nordal?”

“I need you to help me achieve results.”

“Results, huh…”

Results in business can be a really ambiguous term.

It’s fine to look at results simply as profit in business, but apart from that, various results can be achieved. What kind of results are we talking about here?

Profit?

Business growth?

Impact on society?

What kind of results are we discussing?

“Can you specify what part is important? Or could you clarify a bit more why we need to do business together?”

So I asked Nordal once more while looking directly at her.

There must be a solid reason for her to seek my help, and to accept that, I needed to listen first.

I wasn’t foolish enough to join in on some nonsense without thinking.

“To become the head of the family.”

“The head?”

“Yes. It’s proof of becoming the head of the family… you could say it’s a sort of trial.”

“Hmm…”

To prove qualifications to become the head and to rule the North, I need the help of Lady Leonhardt.

Ivana Nordal said this while looking at me.

Is she really just drawing this conclusion based solely on my past business experience?

If that’s the case, I think it would be better for her to seek help from more experienced entrepreneurs and noble families.

“Wouldn’t someone else be better? I think there are better helpers than a mere first-year Academy student who’s just 13 years old.”

“That’s true. It does seem a bit disappointing to entrust a task to a lady younger than me.”

“Yes, but why specifically me?”

Honestly, I thought she might just be saying this out of annoyance.

Suddenly hearing about Lady Nordal and ruling the North… it all felt like a sudden grand scale story.

I didn’t really want to get tangled up in something that seemed bothersome and troublesome for me.

“You were first in the written assignments for the Academy and managed to rank high even with a lackluster practical performance. Plus, you’ve made a lot of money through the businesses you’ve run at such a young age.”

“…I see?”

“You, a mere 12-year-old. Even if you had some starting funds, in a few years, you’ve amassed a fortune nearly equivalent to several Barons’ families combined.”

“……”

Hmm. You know that much?

I hadn’t expected her to know my personal wealth.

I had deposited part of it in various banks, and some of my assets were with the Information Guild. I hadn’t imagined she’d keep track of that so well.

“You really did your homework.”

“That’s why I’m saying this.”

“Haha…”

It seems I’m now in a situation where I can’t refuse.

Even if I say no to this here…

“Why not just use the wish card I gave you the last time? After all, there doesn’t seem to be another occasion to use it.”

“That might work. Lady Leonhardt seems to have already grasped the situation.”

“Haha…”

Initially, I couldn’t picture Ivana Nordal being this kind of person.

But she turned out to be more… intelligent, calculating, and intimidating than I expected.

Her normally expressionless and emotionless demeanor had led me to truly underestimate her.

Without my realizing it, she had been gathering my information and even my Academy grades… Hmm.

Of course, I couldn’t really criticize her actions since they were things I had willingly engaged in.

“…So, the conclusion is that Lady Nordal wants me to help her become the head of the Nordal family, right?”

“Yes, exactly. Of course, that doesn’t mean I plan to ask Lady Leonhardt for a mountain of tasks. Just the business-related aspects— that’s what’s lacking.”

“Sigh…”

Still, during my time at the Academy, I had planned not to engage in business or money management.

I never thought it would turn out like this.

It was an unexpectedly complicated topic, but the answer was already apparent.

“I’ll help, so why don’t we consider the wish card I mentioned previously as used for this?”

“That’s entirely up to you. If that’s what Lady Leonhardt wants, then so be it.”

It was a situation where whether I used the wish card or not, I had to accept the offer.

After all, this was none other than Ivana Nordal, the first daughter of the Nordal family, destined to rule the North.

She had asked for my help, yet she was already being considered the next head of the Nordal family even without my assistance.

I had no idea what I would do in the future.

But becoming close to someone with immense power could only be beneficial.

Though, it did seem like it would be quite a hassle?

“Are you accepting then?”

“Yes, I’ll accept. You’re saying you’ll use the wish card, so how could I refuse?”

…It was somewhat semi-coerced, but I replied with a smile.

As I had worried about before, running into fearsome assassins from the North while out and about was indeed a bit terrifying.

“Then I look forward to working together. I’m not sure how much help I can be, but…?”

I extended my hand toward Nordal as I spoke.

Since we were now somewhat like colleagues, a handshake was in order.

“I suppose… Lady Leonhardt is somewhat different.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing much. I also look forward to working with you. Shall we skip formality and just call each other by our names?”

As Ivana Nordal said, grasping my hand.

It was indeed only Ivana Nordal among those around me who still used formal titles.

Karen was called by her name along with ‘sister’, Ella was simply ‘Ella’, and Grace just started to be called ‘Grace’ without any title after a while.

“Hmm… Should we?”

While I had kept in touch with the club members, it seemed that Ivana Nordal alone was a bit detached from the rest.

I figured that bringing everyone together and fostering a friendlier environment would be my responsibility as the club leader.

“Lady Ivana? Hmm… it feels a bit awkward.”

“Hmm…”

“Is it okay to call you like that? It still feels a bit strange, but it will improve with time, right?”

“…Yes, I think that would be fine. Camelia.”

Though we ended up having a rather sudden conversation while heading home from school, I felt like I had gained something worthwhile.

Of course, it also meant that I was getting pulled into extra troublesome matters again.

But overall, it felt like a win.

*

“Lady Ivana, how about we go somewhere after finishing at the Academy today?”

“Sounds good. Camelia.”

The next day in the Academy classroom, I casually struck up a conversation with Ivana Nordal.

True, the other students around us were looking this way more because I spoke to her… but it was already known that I had a connection with Ivana Nordal.

I didn’t think there was any need to hide that now.

“…What’s going on?”

“What do you mean? Lady Grace?”

“I mean, what’s with you…?”

“?”

Suddenly, Grace stared wide-eyed at me.

Is something strange?

Today, my appearance was as ordinary as ever, exceptionally pretty and cute, so I couldn’t think of anything that could be off in this situation.

“Why are you acting like this?”

“Camelia, you. When did you get so close with Lady Nordal?”

“Um… it was yesterday. We spent time together and became friends. I realized that calling her by her title every time felt too formal.”

I vaguely explained to Ella, who had asked.

The explanation was pretty vague, honestly.

Anyways.

“Ah, how about you, Ella and Grace? Do you want to hang out somewhere after classes? I heard there’s a new clothing line at the Academy store; it might be fun to check it out.”

Initially, I had intended to get closer to Ivana Nordal and discuss business.

But I thought it’d also be fine to simply enjoy some time together and bond.

“…Tch.”

I thought I heard something from Ivana Nordal behind me, but it was probably nothing.

If she had something to say to me, she would have spoken up about it.

“What do you think? Is everyone alright with that?”

“I’m fine with it. But maybe we should consider Lady Nordal’s perspective too?”

“Oh, right. What do you think, Lady Ivana? Is it okay if Ella and Grace come along?”

“…I don’t mind.”

“She says it’s fine.”

With Ivana Nordal’s own permission, it seemed we could confirm that we would all go shopping and hang out after the Academy that day.

Karen wasn’t here right now, but anyway, Karen always hung out with us after classes.

So, it should be no problem.