I Became A Black Merchant In Another World

After requesting a wise choice from the Baron Ravioli, I set off for a picnic with Chloe as promised.

The place was a small hill near Florence.

Since I was transported to this world, it was a place I often visited with my parents and my brother, who inherited the Medici Baron title.

“This is the place I used to play with my parents and brothers when I was young.”

“Really?”

“Well, we could only come about once a year since both my father and mother were busy.”

Upon hearing this, Chloe looked at me with sympathy.

In Korea, it’s considered normal for parents to take their children on trips far away at least once a year and spend quality time with them.

On weekends, if fathers don’t engage with their kids, they can get labeled as bad dads.

But in the Toscan Empire, there are no such noble fathers.

Most of them marry without love, treating their children as mere tools for the family.

So, even just spending a day out once a year is considered top 1%.

‘Most of a father’s love tends to go to the children born from his mistresses, falling for them based on looks or their personality.’

The family fortune is mostly inherited by the legitimate offspring, while the children from mistresses receive a bit of wealth and a fatherly affection.

Even I find that ridiculous.

“That’s how noble families are. My father is really a gem in comparison.”

“Still, that must have been pretty lonely for you.”

For me, having already lived through one life, it didn’t have much of an impact.

But our Brother Albert must have felt quite lonely since childhood.

His obsession with power and his suspicion towards me might stem from that influence.

“It was lonely, but it was okay. After all, both of them loved me.”

In other families, fathers are said to treat their children as coldly as subordinates.

“What about you, Chloe?”

At my words, Chloe’s smile faded.

“No, I’m sorry.”

What on earth was I saying to someone who lost their parents and siblings due to a famine-related plague?

No matter what, there are things one should say…

Chloe wore a bittersweet smile, looking outside with a gaze full of longing.

“I was poor, but I was happy. My father was a bit strict, but he played with us often, and my mother always told us stories before we went to bed.”

I could vaguely imagine what kind of family that was.

A sturdy yet gentle bear-like father and a kind, gentle sheep-like mother.

Children trailing behind such parents.

They must have been a not-so-wealthy yet fairly happy family.

“And then last year, the lord changed, and we had a bad harvest, and with the plague and the lack of money, everyone died. But still, I was happy.”

Chloe’s eyes glistened with tears.

“I see.”

“But now, I’m really happy to be with you, Young Lord.”

Upon hearing that, I gently patted Chloe’s head.

The past couldn’t be changed, so there was no use dwelling on it.

It’s most important that we can still find happiness now.

“Young Lord, we have arrived.”

After the coachman’s words, I immediately got off the carriage.

A small hill, hidden from view, blooming with colorful wildflowers.

“Shall we lay down a mat and have our lunch?”

Just as I was about to spread out the mat and enjoy our picnic, Sebastian approached me.

“I need to deliver a message.”

Of all the times to discuss work, it had to be during our break.

“Chloe, set up the mat and wait for me. Everyone must be hungry, so feel free to eat some of the snacks we brought and relax.”

We were in the outskirts, and everyone must have walked for at least 2 hours.

No wonder they’d be hungry.

“You really think about the servants, Young Lord.”

In this world, while I’m a noble, in Korea, I was just an ordinary laborer.

I do somewhat understand their feelings.

‘Working hard is tough enough, and being hungry is just cruel.’

“What is it?”

“Baron Ravioli has suddenly died of a serious illness.”

To those unaware of the circumstances, it would be labeled as ‘sudden death,’ but in reality, it’s obviously ‘suicide.’

“He must have nobly died to protect his family.”

Sebastian nodded at my words.

“The Ravioli family has narrowly avoided collapse, and the barony was successfully inherited by the eldest son. However, they will have to live like mice in hiding from now on.”

Even though the duke tried not to escalate the issue by betraying factions, the family itself still existed, but pressures would continue on them.

So, they will have to spend their lives receiving a pension, unable to join society, trapped inside their home.

“That worked out well.”

“Yes, that’s true. But that’s not all.”

“What do you want to say?”

“Baron Medici asked how you feel about marriage.”

Marriage will have to happen someday.

I’m currently in a position where my value is rising at an outrageous pace.

“In a year, I could marry into a much better family than this; there’s no need to rush.”

This era revolves around the predominance of men.

Women with high status or wealth can become practically impossible to marry off into nobility once they cross a certain age, while men face no such limitations.

‘Sometimes, you even see a 60-year-old marrying a 20-year-old noblewoman!’

“I understand.”

As Sebastian was about to retreat from his spot, he asked,

“But what do you think of Chloe?”

“In some ways, she’s like family. I mean, we’re always together, and she’s cute and kind, right?”

Sebastian was suggesting that if I cared that much, I should make her mine.

Chloe had started to open her heart to me, but we had only known each other for just over two months.

There’s no need to rush things; we can take it slow.

Sebastian sighed as he looked at me.

“Being too gentle can sometimes lead to cruel consequences, Young Lord.”

While Fabio was chatting with Sebastian, Chloe spread out the mat and opened her lunch box.

“Thin ham and lettuce, sandwiches with cheese, milk. My favorite cake.”

Of these, only the sandwiches and milk could be enjoyed on special festive days during peasant life.

But the milk and sugary cake seemed like something I would never have tasted in my lifetime.

Fabio often bought them for Chloe just because she liked them.

‘Even though she’s a bit clumsy with sweet things, he still always eats with her.’

There probably isn’t another Young Lord in the world who treats a mere maid this well.

“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have enjoyed such happiness.”

Though it’s painful to think, she would’ve likely been sold off to an unknown man at a high price.

Sold off to a man, forced to lose her virginity, and destined to live her life wishing for his favor.

Chloe reflected on her near fate of becoming a sex slave.

Simultaneously, the anger towards the townspeople who sold her after her parents died, just to survive, surged within her.

No matter how much they wanted to live, the townspeople had been like family.

“I have no one else to trust now but you, Young Lord.”

The despair she felt when she was betrayed and nearly hit rock bottom.

The prince who had saved her from that fate.

“That’s why I have to do my best to earn your love. Even if I can’t become the legitimate one.”

It would be a lie to say she wasn’t upset that her status prevented her from monopolizing Fabio.

Still, just being able to be by his side was enough.

Being near Fabio was safe, comfortable, and made her happy.

Just then, she heard Fabio calling out.

“Are you hungry? Let’s eat.”

“Yes, Young Lord.”

Chloe naturally moved closer to sit next to Fabio.

She deliberately made her body brush against his.

The warmth that slightly transmitted through the clothes.

The reassuring comfort of being beside this person.

“This sandwich you made tastes really good, Chloe.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, and it looks pretty too. It’s almost a shame to eat it.”

Normally, the Young Lord would be eating much better meals prepared by professional chefs rather than something like this.

Although he’s a kind person who praises all the food he’s given, regardless of the chef…

“I’d want to eat this again tomorrow. Can you make it for me again?”

He always insists that he wants to eat the food she made again.

Even if the food might be a little awkward.

Just watching Fabio enjoy her food warmed a corner of Chloe’s heart.

Unlike other nobles, there was a sense that this one young lord, a mere maid—no, practically a slave—was genuinely cherished.

As always, Fabio gently patted Chloe’s head.

Occasionally, his gaze would drift towards her chest.

From childhood, the men of the village had been looking at her, and some even stared.

Back then, she found it distasteful and questioned why they had to.

‘But I don’t mind it when the Young Lord looks at me.’

So, Chloe decided to pretend not to notice when his gaze fell that way.

If she showed any sign of noticing, he’d likely hastily look elsewhere.

However, if she relied solely on her looks, there was a chance that one day Fabio might leave her.

“Young Lord, I have a request.”

“What is it?”

“I want to study a bit. I want to help you, even a little…”

It was a request that a mere maid shouldn’t dare to make.

“Really? Then I’ll buy any books you need, and you can study next to me while you work. I’ll even hire a suitable teacher for you.”

Chloe felt deeply thankful to Fabio for being so generous.

At the same time, she painfully realized.

‘I can’t live without the Young Lord anymore.’

“If you keep studying consistently, I’ll reward you. So, work hard at it.”

Then Chloe made a decision.

As a reward, she would ask him to let her remain by his side and give her the opportunity to get closer.

And watching this from a distance, Sebastian sighed.

“……Is the Young Lord really a bit of an airhead? Did he really rise so high in just four months?”

Not long after, Fabio formally established his own trading company.

As soon as the company was set up, he immediately moved to make Bio Village his base.

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