Volume 7 Chapter 80: I Also Own A Merchant Group

"Ugh," Krystal groaned. That caused Keith to tilt his head, "What's the matter with you?" This was not the first time; five times. The girl had been groaning and sighing left and right.

"There's a lot of work here." In front of Krystal was a bunch of paperwork that had yet to be completed. That giant pile before her swayed back and forth; one breath was enough to knock everything down!

"How could there be so much work?"

Keith thought, "Your mother hasn't been working for months now. And I doubt Rodrick would properly do his work either." That was enough to make so much work.

"Ugh," Krystal sighed as she felt her head was going to explode. All that work was now thrown onto her. Keith reminded, "Remember, you're a lady." Actually, he shouldn't be witnessing this.

"Ugh." Krystal scoffed at him.

"Good luck with all of this," Keith sipped on some tea on the side as he watched.

Krystal frowned, "... Can't you help me out?"

"Ugh, this is not my expertise."

"Bull! I know you like to do these kinds of things!" This kid ran two different businesses. Paperwork came at him in droves the last time she checked.

"Don't you like to do these kinds of things?" Krystal was one of the types who loved to work.

"This is too much." It was like Rodrick didn't do anything.

While the two argued, Winston entered the door, "Young Miss, we have a situation!"

"Hmm?"

"None of the merchants are selling their goods in the duchy!" Winston had gone around to examine the duchy.

"What?"

"They said they refuse to sell it because the duchy betrayed them, and they're going on strike."

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"…" Krystal's expression darkened when she heard that.

"What are your orders?"

"We do nothing. I doubt they will not sell after a few days." A bluff. There was no way those merchants wouldn't do anything about it.

"..."

"What?" A strange glint appeared in the boy's eyes.

"Nothing, you do you."

...

Right now, Rodrick is drinking with some people.

"I hope you all will follow my lead on this."

"Of course, we will follow the next grand duke of Rustchil." The merchants grinned. This was a matter of business. What occurred with the previous head made the grand duchy vulnerable.

That vulnerability meant there was an opportunity. The merchants were going to use this to their advantage.

...

"..." A dark expression appeared on Krystal's expression as she held her head. What should I do? It had been a few days since she called their bluff. However, it was anything but that.

"Dear," Violet stared at her daughter's turmoil. She was about to say something, but,

"You assumed the merchants would fall in line after a few days of doing nothing. However, what you didn't equate was their ruthlessness. They know when they can hold out." Those merchants had been here for quite some time. Coins were definitely amassed during that period.

"And you didn't recognize how vulnerable the duchy is now." The merchant understood the duchy's condition better than the girl! Anything could change the tide.

"Keith," Violet scratched her head. All of his words were like swords piercing through Krystal's body!

"Ugh." Krystal grabbed her head when she heard all of this. While she mulled over this defeat,

"Young Miss, the count is calling for you," Winston called.

"..." He's going to use this to his advantage. Krystal knew it. She had caused this blow to herself, and now Rodrick came over to further deepen that wound.

As she wondered what to prepare, Violet placed her hand on Krystal's shoulders, "Dear, you don't have to worry about anything. I will be there. Rodrick won't mess with you as long as I'm here." Over the days, her health improved further. She could take control whenever she wanted, but she left it to her daughter.

"Mmhmm." Krystal smiled. Like that, the four headed over to the living room.

"Uncle, what is it?"She noticed there was someone else there.

Rodrick grinned, "Krystal, I would like to introduce you to this gentleman. His name is Pete Miconal."

Pete stared at Krystal as he froze. But then he quickly raised his hand, "Hello, Grand Duchess, Princess Krystal. My name is Pete Miconal."

"..." Krystal frowned as she quickly stated, "I'm not marrying him." She instantly understood what Rodrick was doing.

"Rodrick, how dare you set up my daughter on a date." Violet's eyes glowed dark as she glared. That definitely caused Pete to shiver. The glare from a grand duchess was deadly. Rodrick remained calm as he explained,

"Sister, it's not good for the duchy right now. After all the merchants have decided to have a strike, we're in a worse-off state. We need new people to join our family and make it shine brighter."

"Genius?" Krystal turned to Pete, "How is he a genius?"

"Ms. Krystal, I have run three shops, and all of them have been incredible! I also made connections with other merchant groups!" Pete tried to reason. He was quite an up-and-coming merchant from the south.

"He's perfect to be your husband."

"Perfect? That's pretty cheap." Keith chuckled.

"What do you want?" Rodrick was frankly tired of this brat. He always had one more thing to say about everything.

"To sell off Krystal like that is frankly a dishonor to Krystal."

"Then do you have anyone else in mind?" Arnie scoffed.

Keith's voice was playful, "Of course. If you guys really want to marry Krystal off, how about me?"

"Eh?" Everyone gasped at the boy. Krystal's cheeks turned red when she heard such a bold statement.

"You? You're just a child."

"And he's a few years older than me." The pot calling the kettle black.

"You think you can marry into the Rustchil household?!" Arnie scoffed at him.

"If we're talking about status, I also own a merchant group." Keith grinned.