Though Rina wanted to go separately, Ethan asked Rina to visit Barony at least once and greet the people that have now become family.

Rina felt a bit odd and stifled yet she melted under Ethan's persuasive enthusiasm.

"So, you are Countess Rina. It's nice to meet you," Diana said politely, her tone filled with respect as she slightly bowed her head.

Rina smiled gently, her eyes calm and graceful. "Don't call me Countess. You can just call me Rina," she replied softly.

Diana hesitated for a moment, wanting to mention something about her being older, but she stopped herself and simply nodded with a small smile.

Lia stood a little behind, her fingers gently clutching the edge of her sleeve. She looked nervous, her shy nature showing through as she gave Rina a small nod instead of speaking.

Rina noticed her quiet demeanor and gave her a kind smile, making Lia relax a little.

Sophia stepped forward next, her usual composed expression brightened by a warm smile. "It's been a while,Mam Rina," she said.

Rina's eyes softened. "You have grown more mature," she said kindly. "And your looks have become more pleasing. You've really changed."

"All of it is thanks to Ethan," Sophia replied, her tone filled with quiet pride. After a brief pause, she asked curiously, "So, will you be staying with us for long?"

Rina shook her head lightly. "No. I will be taking over the merchant group and expanding it further," she said.

"Merchant group? So you're finally opening it fully?" Sophia asked with surprise.

"Yes," Rina nodded with a faint smile. "It's time."

Sophia looked pleased and quickly shifted the topic toward something more casual. She began talking about Ethan's food ventures, the restaurants, and the dress shops that had been attracting so much attention lately.

"By the collaboration of the two, we can smoothly take a firm stand on the grounds of Ruthiana," Sophia said confidently, her eyes bright with vision.

Rina smiled at her words and agreed, "That's true. A joint effort will surely make the progress faster."

As the conversation flowed, the four ladies began discussing plans and ideas together. The air turned light as laughter occasionally filled the room. Diana and Lia listened carefully most of the time, while Sophia and Rina exchanged thoughts with ease.

After a while, Diana asked curiously, "What is the name of your merchant group?"

Rina smiled and replied proudly, "It's called The Global Symphony."

Diana's eyes brightened. "That's a good name," she said sincerely.

The others nodded in agreement. The name carried both grace and ambition, reflecting Rina's personality perfectly.

...….

Months passed quietly after that meeting. The once-busy and tense atmosphere around the Blanks estate began to settle into peace.

Both Lia and Diana had become pregnant, and their gentle glow of happiness filled the household with warmth.

Life in Blanks was calm, and for the first time in a while, everyone could enjoy the peace that surrounded them.

The Global Symphony, which had been a small and cautious operation before, started conducting business openly under Rina's lead.

Unlike before, when it only managed trade routes and secret exchanges, it now expanded into a legitimate and powerful network that reached across Ruthiana and beyond.

And all of this while Rina's identity was kept hidden.

Meanwhile, Ethan's businesses continued to thrive at an astonishing rate. His dress shops and restaurants began to spread throughout the duchies, slowly forming a chain that reached even the capital city.

However, Ethan was careful. He knew how fast fame could attract unwanted eyes, so he decided against opening the ultra-luxury branch in the capital. Instead, he focused on fast food chains and casual dining spaces that appealed to the growing middle class.

Despite that, his dress shops became a sensation across the kingdom. Each new design turned into a topic of admiration among nobles. At every ball, banquet, or party, someone would be wearing one of Ethan's dresses, and it would instantly become the talk of the evening.

Oddly,though the Kingdom was at war and taxes were at all time high,the events never stopped.

The noble still relished and enjoyed themselves.

Unlike before, people now had to wait in line to place an order. The demand had risen dramatically, far beyond what anyone had expected.

He was no longer just an ordinary baron living quietly in the countryside. His reputation as a designer spread far and wide, reaching nobles even in distant empires.

Some of them managed to secretly acquire his dresses, proudly claiming them as rare treasures.

And this even extended to nearby Empires.

What they didn't know was that Ethan monitored every sale closely. Each of those "rare pieces" was sold deliberately through The Global Symphony.

Rina's group created the illusion that they had gone through great effort and expense to obtain the dresses from secret sources, increasing their value even more.

Behind the scenes, Ethan's vision was slowly influencing the world. His practical and elegant designs reshaped the way people viewed fashion, while his expanding business laid a foundation for future dominance.

Under Rina's guidance and with Sophia's support, his empire of craftsmanship and commerce was growing quietly but steadily. The blend of fine taste and calculated strategy began to ripple through Ruthiana's society.

What started as a small collaboration had now turned into a growing network of influence that touched nobles, merchants, and even distant lands.

And though everything appeared peaceful on the surface, those who looked closer could sense that this was just the beginning of something much larger.

A silent revolution built from vision, trust, and unshaken ambition.

...…..

Somewhere in Blanks.

In the dim outskirts of the expanding town, a brothel stood silently beneath the dying glow of lanterns. Its red curtains fluttered weakly against the night wind, and faint laughter leaked through the wooden walls—laughter that hid secrets darker than the night itself.

The door creaked open. A group of men entered quietly, their footsteps muffled by the damp floorboards. They looked like travelers, yet there was something cold in their eyes, something that didn't belong in a place meant for pleasure.

One of them, a tall man with sharp features and dark hair tied back, approached the counter. The madam smiled faintly, her expression wary. "Welcome, gentlemen," she said softly. "We have fine girls tonight."

The man gave a thin smile and pointed toward a woman sitting by the window.It was a fair-skinned beauty with deep brown eyes and a quiet charm.

"I'll take her," he said.

"That's a fine choice sir."The Madam smiled and spoke.

"Attend to the guest,"she ordered.

"I am Kellan,nice to meet you."he introduced.

The woman rose gracefully, her movements elegant yet cautious, and led him up the stairs into one of the rooms. The door shut behind them with a soft thud.

Inside, the room smelled faintly of perfume and candle wax. The woman smiled sweetly and poured him a drink. "You seem tired, dear sir," she said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Kellan smiled back, his tone warm. "A little, yes. But your presence makes it better."

She giggled lightly and leaned closer, her fingers tracing the edge of his sleeve. Her gaze softened as she drew nearer with her lips inches from his. Just as their breaths met, a sharp sound echoed in the room.

The woman froze. A thin blade of metal pierced her chest. Her eyes widened in disbelief as blood spilled down her gown.

"Dear sir…" she gasped weakly, trembling in shock.

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