A Business Proposal

The tea party was a great success. Kalina was able to get acquainted with the daughters of families that would be of help to her and they even planned another meeting.

She also found that she enjoyed spending time with them, even though her mental age was almost twice that of the girls'. In her past life, she had never socialized with anyone aside from Lucille and her mother, which caused her to be very lonely. But now, things were slowly changing.

'Who should I visit first?'

Kalina sat at her desk in her room, dressed in her white nightgown and slippers. She was swinging her legs back and forth while humming a soft tune. In front of her was a list of the girls that had attended her party earlier that day.

"Miss? It's getting late, you should go to bed," Olivia said, placing a mug of warm milk on the table. Lately, she had been sparing no effort in caring for Kalina, which made her mistress very pleased.

"I'll go soon," Kalina answered, downing the milk and handing the empty cup to Olivia.

'I think I'll visit Count Willick first.' Kalina decided after pondering for a while longer.

It was late and her body was still developing, so she began nodding off while thinking. She barely managed to call Olivia to help her get into bed before she fell asleep, exhausted from the long day.

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"L-Lady Kalina! What brings you here? Please forgive my daughter, if she disrespected you..." Count Willick rambled, furiously wiping his sweaty forehead and bowing towards Kalina, who stared at him wordlessly.

'Am I that scary? Here, have a smile.'

Kalina flashed him her typical angel smile in an attempt to reassure him, but Count Willick interpreted it as a devilish smile that seemed to say "I will ruin your family."

Count Willick's face turned white and he began trembling in fear, but just as he was about to kneel and beg for mercy, his daughter Holly appeared.

"Father? And Lady Kalina? What are you doing? Ah, Father!" Holly ran to support her father who was on the verge of collapsing.

"Holly, you're here! Hurry and apologize to Lady Kalina!" The Count exclaimed frantically.

"Apologize? When did I ask for that?" Kalina frowned. She had grown impatient of the Count spewing nonsense.

"What? T-Then, why?"

"Why what? Can't I visit my own friend?" Kalina scoffed, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes. She had an air of intimidation about her,

"Friend?" The Count stopped squirming in his daughter's arms and stood still. "Holly?"

Kalina lowered her eyes as confirmation and Holly gave her father a weak smile.

Ten minutes later, Kalina was seated in the Willicks' sitting room, drinking tea alone. Muffled voices came from the corridor outside and the footsteps of people running around could be heard.

'Don't they know that it's rude to keep a guest waiting?' Kalina thought, bringing the teacup to her lips. The servants around her bowed their heads deeper, urging their master to come soon.

"Holly...friend...Lady Kalina...how...family...Ephraim..." The Count's bewildered voice could be heard through the door.

Kalina set down her teacup with a clang, causing the maids in the room to flinch. She looked them over and beckoned to one.

"You, go tell the Count to hurry up and come in. I have important matters to discuss with him. Oh, and let Holly know that everything is fine and that she should carry on with her day."

The maid ran out of the room and a few whispers could be heard before the Count urgently entered the room. The servants filed out quickly, leaving the two alone.

"I apologize for my rude behavior," he composed himself with a couple deep breaths and dried his palms on a handkerchief before sitting down across from her. "What seems to be the matter?"

'Oh, he's quite well-mannered when he calms down.' Kalina observed. 'It's no wonder he was able to secure many business deals in the past.'

"Ah, yes. Count Willick, I believe that your land is much more valuable than you think."

"My land? I only govern a small territory." The Count didn't know how to respond to the sudden claim.

"I have been informed that there is a possibility of a deserted Jassian mine being on the border of your territory. I cannot disclose the source, but I can promise you that it is a trustworthy one." Kalina folded her hands on her lap. Her gaze was full of certainty that any businessman would have to believe her.

"The border? You mean in the caves? Oh, I see..." The Count paused for a moment. "Alright, I'll take Lady Kalina's word for it."

He called in the butler and whispered a few words in his ear. The butler glanced at Kalina for a moment before swiftly exiting after bowing.

"My men have gone to check it out," the Count told Kalina. "If there really is a mine, I will be indebted to Lady Kalina for your help. However, if...well, there's no harm done."

'I guess he doesn't completely believe me,' Kalina thought. 'Well, I wouldn't believe me either. I'm still only thirteen, so I may not be taken seriously, but I need time to build my resources.'

"Alright. Then, I'll wait for the report," Kalina leaned back, thinking about the day when she would finally be able to reap the benefits of today.

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"Sir..! Sir!" The shouts came earlier than expected, after only an hour of waiting.

"What is it? Speak properly!" The Count jumped out of his seat and ran to the servant that had come with the news.

'Seems like you were more excited than I thought.' Kalina stayed seated, as she had expected this outcome since she had stepped into the Willicks' residence. 'Since it's like this, I'll be able to get more benefits anyway.'

"They've really found a mine! Really! And, and it's a vast one at that! Never in my life have I seen so many crystals! I heard someone saw gold too!"

"Alright, alright, you're startling the Lady." The Count waved his hand and dismissed the servant. He staggered back to his seat and rubbed his forehead. All this was very shocking for him. Early in the morning, he'd discovered that the young lady from one of the most affluential families in the Empire was friends with his daughter. And now, there was a hidden mine on his land that could possibly quadruple his wealth.

"Congratulations," Kalina smiled. Although she had known what would happen, she was genuinely happy for the Count and his family. They seemed to be good and kind people who treated the people living on their land fairly.

"This is all thanks to you, Lady Kalina. How can I ever repay you?"

"Well, there are two things I want."

The Count gulped. What would satisfy a pampered young lady like Kalina, who had been raised with love and affection and never had a shortage of new and expensive things?

"Thirty percent." Kalina said, holding up a finger. "Thirty percent of all the profits from the mine. And I want to be able to take any of the findings I want."

The Count was a businessman, and he always considered profits and losses. But thirty percent? It was too little for someone who had helped as much as Kalina had. Even if Kalina asked for eighty percent, even ninety, he would agree.

"Thirty percent? Isn't that too little?" he asked, not realizing that if he had agreed, he would have made more money. Of course, since he was an honest businessman, he would never think of giving someone less than they deserved.

"I don't intend to take all of the earnings from you. After all, the mine is under your name, and I won't be doing any managing," Kalina explained. "I'm not particularly worried about money, as I am entitled to a fortune. This is just a little extra."

"Alright. I'll draw up a contract right away. What was the other thing you wanted, Lady Kalina?" Count Willick found this reasonable. In his eyes, Kalina was generous yet she knew how to get benefits from those she helped. He was too occupied with the excitement from the discovery of his mine that he didn't question how could be so clever at such a young age.

"Ah, yes. I want you to promise to only share the profits with me." Kalina was worried that once the word got out, other nobles would flock to the Count and try to make a profit.

"Of course, of course."

"If anyone wants to get any portion of the earnings, feel free to tell them about our deal. Just don't mention my name to anyone."

Kalina rose from her seat, indicating that their discussion was over. Count Willick also got up, kneeling down to kiss the back of Kalina's hand.

"Lady Kalina, I will never forget your kindness."