The Crafty Noble

Do you know what phrase swindlers love to use?

It's "leave it to me, and I won't treat you poorly."

If you trust those words and leave things to them, before you know it, everything will be taken from you.

Past experience has taught me to be wary of anyone who uses that phrase.

When Yohane was young and had just started running his shop, various offers came his way.

Most were worthless nonsense, but some were legitimate business proposals.

However, when you listened closely, behind their skillful words were schemes designed to make only Yohane lose out, or attempts to take over his shop.

Without fail, those people would say the same thing.

"I won't treat you poorly," they'd say.

"Cut it out."

I tried to hold back the maids who'd stripped half-naked right before my eyes as they closed in on me.

But they paid no heed and surrounded me.

I couldn't deny feeling some excitement, but honestly, this situation was a bit frightening.

If I wanted to ingratiate myself with Finance Minister Morman, I should be happy to go along with it, but I already had a prior commitment with Princess Tianis.

And Lady Anatia too.

If I fell for such a honey trap, they would surely look down on me.

"Yohane-sama, please do accept our services. We guarantee you'll feel good."

"That's quite enough. Count Morman, please stop them."

"Why? Ah, are you worried that if you enjoy yourself, you'll be obligated to do me favors? You're a cautious man. Don't worry. This is just a welcome service. I'll even leave the room during the act… A rosy future awaits you."

I wanted to praise myself for not shouting "What kind of service is this!"

They were clearly intent on winning me over.

This was how they'd been winning people over all along.

Money and women. Simple but powerful.

The proof was that while Finance Minister Morman's face was smiling, his eyes weren't smiling at all.

They were the eyes of someone who only saw others as pawns.

The maids were certainly beautiful. You could tell they'd been gathered specifically for this purpose.

Their figures were lovely too, and they pressed their well-endowed bodies against me without reservation.

That was close. If I hadn't built up resistance through Elza and Alexia, I might have drowned in this.

But if they got leverage over me, I'd be at their mercy forever.

"Following that little girl will only bring you hardship. Lady Anatia is a bit wiser, but… you can't expect this sort of thing from them."

When the maids reached for their underwear, I stood up from my seat.

There was no need to stay here any longer.

I understood Finance Minister Morman's position perfectly now.

He wanted to peel people away from Princess Tianis and make her a puppet.

"Indeed, Princess Tianis is still young, and governing the nation will be challenging. But she cares about the Kingdom more than anyone. At least more than you do."

"Hmm. I pride myself on doing my utmost for the Kingdom. And I don't think it's wise to make an enemy of me, do you?"

"If I won't be your ally, I'm your enemy? What a typically noble way of thinking."

Finance Minister Morman chuckled under his breath.

The maids seemed slightly frightened.

"Interesting brat. I see, so those little girls do have at least some eye for people."

"It's not just that. They have Duke Baroba behind them."

"… The other royal house, is it."

If it were just Princess Tianis and Lady Anatia, the great nobles including Finance Minister Morman could probably unite and handle them somehow.

But the backing of Duke Baroba was powerful enough to repel that.

That's precisely why he'd summoned a mere commoner and thought to graciously entertain me, to chip away at that power even a little.

They really looked down on me.

Besides, if I touched those maids, Elza would definitely find out.

I knew she had feelings for me, but I couldn't imagine what would happen if she found out.

"Then I shall take my leave. This incident won't make me speak ill of you to Princess Tianis and the others, so rest assured."

"That's helpful, but unfortunate. I wish we'd met sooner."

Finance Minister Morman had been handling the Kingdom's finances for many years.

He couldn't be ignored when Princess Tianis took over the Kingdom's administrative duties.

What a monster of an old man, feeding on desires.

Having to deal with people like this, I could understand why Princess Tianis slumped over her desk with her head in her hands. I could understand why she'd become distrustful of people.

At the Finance Minister's signal, the maids finally stepped back and put on the underwear and clothes they'd removed.

Finally, I could breathe.

The perfume and the maids' sweet scent had nearly overwhelmed me.

"What a shame. You were exactly my type."

The most beautiful one, with bangs covering one eye, said that while giving me a sidelong glance.

Her allure was incredible.

"It seems we'll have a long relationship. I look forward to working with you, Yohane-kun."

"Likewise."

We exchanged empty words with no heart behind them whatsoever, and I turned around to leave the room.

I didn't want to turn my back to him, but there was no helping it.

I would never entrust my back to this old man.

When I gripped the doorknob, I remembered something I'd wanted to ask.

"Finance Minister Morman. There's one thing I'd like to ask."

"What is it?"

"Did you, by any chance, sell off a large amount of Kingdom promissory notes?"

The position of Finance Minister allowed him to know about the Kingdom's treasury, foreign exchange, and note circulation faster and more accurately than anyone.

Using that position, it must have been easy to amass enormous wealth.

The nobles who held enough notes to significantly move exchange rates must be quite limited.

"I told you. I wished we'd met sooner. If you'd been in on it, you might have felt like partnering with me, and you'd never have had to worry about money for the rest of your life."

"I see. As a merchant of the Kingdom, I'm glad it didn't work out that way."

I forced the doorknob open.

As I left, a maid called out.

"Your companion is in the room two doors down."

"Thank you."

"Not at all."

The maid curtsied toward me.

But since she spread her short skirt to the sides, her thighs and garter belt were visible.

I closed the door, went to get Elza, and left the mansion.

I might have been more mentally exhausted than if I'd entered a dungeon.

"I'm exhausted… Let's hurry back and sleep."

"Yes, let's."

Elza came close and brought her face near my neck and shoulders.

Apparently, she was sniffing me.

"Master. I smell other women on you. Did something happen?"

"Nothing happened. Really. I swear to the gods."

"Is that so. If you'll go that far, I'll believe you. But."

Elza spread her arms and hugged me.

The soft sensation of her chest and thighs pressed against me.

"In exchange, I'll be overwriting their scent with mine."