LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 30: The Exiled Young Lady Encounters Trouble While Shopping
We quickly checked into a decent inn and headed straight to the Clarinton Chamber of Commerce. Marie led the way to the counter, where a receptionist greeted us.
“Welcome. How can I assist you today?”
“Yes, we’d like to sell some wild boar and forest deer pelts.”
Marie answered as planned. She was handling the transaction this time.
“I see. How many pelts do you have?”
“Twelve wild boar pelts and five forest deer pelts.”
“Do you have them with you now?”
“Yes.”
“Please place them on this counter.”
Patrick and the others placed the pelts on the counter.
“Thank you. I’ll check their condition now.”
The receptionist meticulously inspected each pelt.
“…I see. These are excellent. There are almost no signs of the usual hunting damage, and the tanning process has been done properly. It looks like we can buy these at an A rank.”
“Great. What will the price be?”
“Excuse me, but are you a member of our guild?”
“No.”
“I see. Let me explain. The buying price depends on the type, rank, and size of the pelts.”
“Understood.”
“This is the price list. Both wild boar and forest deer pelts fall into the third category. For standard size and A rank, with proper tanning, the price is five shillings per pelt. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes.”
“Very well. Please fill out this form.”
“Sure.”
The transaction proceeded smoothly, and Marie filled out the necessary details on the form.
“We’ll need your signature here, young lady.”
“Oh, right.”
I quickly reviewed the form, saw no issues, and signed it before handing it back to Marie.
When Marie passed the signed form to the receptionist, her expression suddenly darkened.
“…Is something wrong?”
“Uh, no… It’s just…”
The receptionist’s eyes were darting around.
“I’m terribly sorry. I’ll call my superior. Please wait here for a moment.”
The receptionist hurried off into the back room.
“What’s going on?”
“Maybe she was startled to find out you’re a noble!” Patrick said cheerfully, but I wondered if that was really the issue.
People working in such places likely deal with nobles regularly. Could it really be that they’re scared of a noble family so poor they have to sell furs themselves?
After a while, the receptionist returned with a bald, stout man. He had a large belly that wobbled like a beer barrel and was barely contained by his fancy suit.
“Thank you for waiting. This is Robert, the head of our guild. He holds the title of Baronet Humphrey from His Majesty.”
Oh! This man is a baronet!
A baronet is a title that can be bought with money and is treated similarly to nobility, but it doesn’t confer actual noble status. The title is not inherited, and the family remains commoners without the ability to become landowners.
“I am Olivia, Baroness of Scarletford.”
I introduced myself with a smile. Since my rank was higher, I did not curtsy. Normally, Baronet Humphrey would be expected to kneel before me, but…
“How very kind of you to come all this way.”
Baronet Humphrey continued to smile and talk while standing.
“How rude!”
Marie’s voice was filled with anger, but Humphrey seemed unconcerned.
It was indeed a breach of etiquette, but given my young age, it was unclear if it could be considered a punishable offense.
“Baroness Scarletford, I’m terribly sorry, but we must cancel this transaction.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m sorry, but merchants place great importance on trust. To protect our Clarinton Chamber of Commerce members, we must refuse transactions with the Baroness of Scarletford.”
“We haven’t done anything to warrant this treatment.”
“If that’s the case, then I’m afraid that’s the end of it. Please leave.”
Baronet Humphrey took the form I had signed and set it on a nearby lamp to burn. The paper quickly turned to ashes.
“Wait a minute!”
“There’s nothing more to discuss. Please leave.”
We were firmly told off and left the Chamber of Commerce office, bewildered.
…What just happened!?