Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

Kaede’s family name is Kioin, a prestigious noble house that was allowed to travel abroad even during the national isolation — in other words, a great noble family.

They were also successful merchants, primarily trading with Shaina. Among their most profitable goods were seafood — not only food but also coral and pearls.

Since ancient times, the seas of Mizuho have been known to produce high-quality natural pearls. Kaede’s father, the current head of the family, applied the business management skills he learned during his studies in Oracle to succeed greatly in trade. The family amassed wealth beyond what could be spent in generations.

— And it was the youngest daughter, Kaede, who had too much money and freedom.

From a young age, she frequented her father’s study, immersing herself in Oracle’s academic books and researching how pearls are formed. Using her “allowance,” she bought a large number of shells and began experiments in pearl cultivation. After ten years of trial and error, she succeeded in producing pearls stably enough for commercialization. Shaina was overjoyed and bought everything, and Kaede brought even greater profits to the family than her father had.

“—That said, in Mizuho, it’s not proper for women to be openly involved in business. So all the achievements in cultured pearls are credited to my father.”

Kaede said this lightly.

…Her tone held no trace of frustration, so she must be getting rewards beyond just fame.

Lord Cyrus seemed to think the same. Sitting beside me, he narrowed his eyes suspiciously, just like I did.

Kaede responded with a bright smile.

“Well, it’s no big deal. I’m a woman from Mizuho—I understand my place and always take a few steps back to support the gentlemen.”

“If you opposed her, she’d threaten your real father with exposing the truth and do as she pleased,” Mr. Angelo added.

“Normally, only the family head is allowed to access certain things, but most of those were in Kaede’s room. She went to places forbidden to women, and eventually even bought an Oracle ocean trade ship… She formed an Oracle study abroad group, hid in a barrel to sneak past checkpoints, and reigned as the captain of a global cruise ship…”

“…That’s… well, impressive.”

“I was also forcibly taken away from my castle duties and made to board it. It’s such a bother,” said Mr. Angelo, yet without any real despair. He wiped his eyes with his sleeve, but no tears came.

…Somehow, this person feels like the same kind of person as Kaede.

Listening to their stories, I was left speechless. Kaede is my gender and looks about the same age, yet our worlds are vastly different.

I was born into a lord’s family and managed affairs in place of my father, but I couldn’t relate at all. I never even thought about using funds to launch new ventures or threatening my father to get my way.

Hearing Kaede speak so naturally, I let out a breath.

“Kaede, you’re amazing. So energetic and cool.”

“Really? Thanks!” she said, striking a pose. The image of the refined lady from just yesterday was completely gone.

As I looked at her with admiration for what I lacked, Lord Cyrus groaned in a deep voice like thunder and begged me.

“Marie, please, don’t try to imitate her.”

That’s okay. It doesn’t seem like something one can imitate even if they wanted to.

— Well then. For now, we know who they really are. But there’s still a problem.

Lord Cyrus sighed deeply, placed his hands on his hips, and straightened his back.

Then, with a sharp gaze, he looked down at them.

“So? In the end, you were trying to investigate how the Granado Trading Company would be involved in this pearl incident as people related to the pearl cultivation industry?”

“Hm, well, something like that,” Kaede replied vaguely but affirmatively. Lord Cyrus’s expression darkened.

…The pearl incident… recently, it had stirred up jewelers nationwide.

As I discussed with the island chief, mass production and cheap market distribution of cultured pearls threatened those involved in natural pearls. If cultured pearls, which could match or even surpass the quality of natural ones, flooded the market, many would be forced out of business. Not only that, but the value of pearls themselves would plummet.