"You are right. I do know that if you did not say anything, he would continue to make a fuss. This is for the best." I watched as Adel sighed. "I just know I will be hearing it from Father when I get back."
"Oh, why is that?" I asked. I did not understand why Adel would be getting an ear full when she has done nothing wrong.
"Because it is partly my fault that my brother was not able to woo you. I tried to tell my father that trying to marry you to brother would not work out well, but he still decided to do it. So now I will be yelled at because I am sure he will blame it on me for why my brother failed." Adel explained, which made me realize this might just be true if the prince goes back and makes a fuss. But from his actions just now, he might not do that.
"Well…." I paused and a teasing smile formed on my lips. "You can always tell your father that I am yours, and no one can take me away from you. Like you did to your brother."
"Faith! I didn't mean it like that!" I watched as Adel's face turned bright red. I know she didn't mean anything by it but teasing her for it was something I couldn't resist.
I gave her a playful grin before turning to Sophie, who had been quiet this entire time. "Sophie, you okay?"
"Fuwah!?" I guess I surprised her because she made an interesting sound when I spoke to her. "Ah yes… I was just… I am not good with guys right now…."
"Sophie, don't worry. I promise on my name Adellia Gravos that no noble will be able to touch you. You will be safe staying with Faith. And your family will be moved from their current home to the Cyrilia Village." Adel's words shocked me. She never told me that she actually went as far as to move Sophie's family!
"Adel…." I almost teared up. Adel always goes far and beyond. But I guess I was not the only one moved because Sophie began crying.
"Hehe…. If you are friends with Faith, then there is no way you are someone bad. I trust Faith's ability to judge people, and since she became your friend, that makes you my friend, so of course, I would make sure all things are covered. I know Count Freedman, that petty man, will definitely try something. Why I didn't say anything before was because I was waiting to get confirmation that things were set." Adel blushed as she rubbed her nose. I could help but toss my arms around her and hug her.
"Adel, you are an angel!" I said with a big smile and tears in my eyes. I will make sure to always be on Adel's side no matter what happens in the future. I do not care even if she becomes an enemy of this kingdom. She is someone with a good heart. Of course, this is only if she has not become a tyrant. If that happens, I will be sure to flick her forehead and make her snap out of it. But I will be with her through thick or thin. She is definitely a true friend.
Sophie's eyes were red with tears as she looked at Adel. "Thank you… Thank you so much…. I have been worrying about my parents' safety ever since I ran away the first time. But now. Now… Whaaaa!" Adel and I both looked at Sophie and smiled warmly before pulling her into a group hug. Sophie must have been very worried this entire time but bottled it up in order not to trouble us.
Sophie calmed down by the time we reached Thurul's place. She decided to lay down in the space in the back of the carriage that Adel and I used during our trip to take a nap while Adel and I headed inside the shop. We were now currently sitting in the guest meeting room sipping on tea while Thurul read the contract.
Thurul scanned the contract over and nodded his head. "This contract is rather strict on both parties and leaves no room for anyone to screw the other over. I see nothing wrong with it, but before I sign, are you sure you want to give me ten percent? By the fact that I know these things will take off and will be sold out almost instantly, you will be handing over quite a huge chunk of change."
"Thurul, if I did that, would I not be screwing you over? The materials alone will cost a good sum of money and if you got too little, you would barely be able to make even. Ten percent is what you deserve since all I am doing is selling while all the hard work lies with you." I said while setting my teacup down and looking at him straight in the eye. "Take the ten percent. To find an honest business partner and keeping them happy is hard to do. I do not wish to lose you before anything can even get made." It was true that Thurul will be doing the brunt of the work. If I lost him, I would have to search for another blacksmith I could trust. I have many more ideas, and I only wish to stick with one person.
I do, however, plan to make a factory that will do mass production on pens before I go and start my next venture. There are many things I know I can build, and will need a knowledgeable person here to help me. I mean, I could spend points on blacksmithing in my skill menu, but it will never become something I truly wish to do later on in life, so I do not wish to spend all my points.
"Then I will not stand on ceremony anymore." Thurul smiled at me before pulling out an actual ballpoint pen and signing the contract. I looked at him in shock as he looked back at me with a wide grin. "By the way, this is the first one I made, it works like a charm."
