I’m Quitting Everything and Selling Cola

Chapter 121

Chapter 121. Situational Awareness… (3)

Penelope walked through the streets of Nortaris, luggage bag in hand.

She had no particular destination in mind. She had made up her mind to accept Great-Uncle Hector's proposal.

What came after was obvious. Penelope would be married off in an arranged political marriage almost immediately. She would be sent off to a place far away, both politically and geographically.

Clarisse would want that too, and most likely, she would never have reason to return to Nortaris again.

The weather had turned to autumn. A refreshing breeze filled the lively streets in a pleasant way. Penelope tidied her hair as it fluttered in the wind and looked around.

The Richfield Hotel came into view.

Nortaris's landmark, visible from anywhere in Lichfield Square. Penelope had been put in charge of its management, but in reality it had been little more than a place of exile with absolutely no actual authority.

She had done everything she could to maintain her footing in social circles and watch for a chance at a comeback, but people's reactions had been cold. Cold to the point of being cut.

The whispers that had followed her everywhere. The days she had stubbornly planted herself on beds of nails as people openly snubbed her.

"How did I ever get through that……."

She was certain that if she had kept that up for even one more year, she would have lost her mind.

Wandering without direction, her feet eventually carried her all the way to Brellum Shopping Street.

"This place brings back memories too."

Brellum Shopping Street, once notorious as a Ghost Commercial District, now had a fair number of people bustling through it.

Word had spread that one particular shop that started on this street had exploded in popularity, drawing other merchants one by one. Jurgen's general store.

"This place brings back memories too."

Where the shop had stood before being reduced to ash, a proper commercial building had been newly constructed in its place.

She had used to come every day, drawn in by the taste of the coffee that impudent Commoner put out.

It had been Penelope's only moment of respite during days when she had nothing to call a pleasure in life.

[Nortaris Autumn, All the More Refreshing. Free Cola Tasting Event Underway!]

Right beside it, a Cola Pub came into view. A recent trend in Nortaris, it was a place that sold chilled Cola in place of alcohol.

The appeal was being able to drink freshly made, ice-cold Cola at a cheaper price than bottled Cola. On top of that, perhaps because Cola's bright and lively image had taken hold, it had become something of a gathering spot popular with the younger crowd.

This Cola, too, had started out being made one bottle at a time by hand. She had gone around to street stall vendors one by one, begging them, 'Please, just sell our product.'

Bellaby had visited Nortaris, Penelope had pulled off a breathtaking act of lobbying, and it had become the 'exclusive domain of nobles.' Riding that momentum, they had raked in enormous sums of money and made a dazzling return to social circles.

After that, there had been so many things happening day after day it had been breathless.

Blyton of the Gray Council, who had sent the Undertaker to assassinate Penelope. Baron Keystone, who now felt as comfortable as a neighbor next door but had once joined hands with Rex to launch a relentless offensive with Berrymix.

"Truly……. What a tumultuous journey."

Every day had been nerve-wracking, but compared to the time when she had done nothing but exist in listless resignation——well. It had truly been fun.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Penelope's lips.

She moved her feet again.

[Crispy Crown Chicken ―Central Station Branch―]

CCC was still doing unprecedented business today as always. Despite opening so many branches, every single location was packed day after day.

She found herself wondering if there had ever been a restaurant that had captured the public's affection quite like this.

"The chicken wasn't easy either……."

Going all the way to the Soltera Protectorate just to find the Pepper that supposedly went into Seasoned Chicken. And in the midst of all that, Serena getting kidnapped and then pulling off a dramatic escape on her own——it had been absolute chaos.

And that wasn't all. After that, Serena picked up a Princess, and riding that momentum, they were even awarded a Royal Warrant.

But strangely, what stood out most in her memory was……

The time she had gone to the market with Jurgen. The memory of sitting at a sticky table in sweltering heat, eating street food and drinking Tequila.

As she wandered from place to place like flipping through a final photo album, the sun had already begun to sink low on the horizon before she knew it.

"If I'd known it would be like this, I should have left my bag behind."

Lost in a haze of bittersweet memories, it felt as though she had walked for quite some time.

Her final destination was Jurgen's Townhouse.

No one had set it in stone, but gathering together for a meal whenever there was nothing particular going on had, at some point, become an unspoken arrangement. Around this hour, everyone would probably be gathered there.

"What a shame……."

Now that she thought about it, the days of eating Brigitte and Jurgen's special cooking as a matter of course every day were also coming to an end. She had been eating so deliciously that she had skipped lunch to avoid putting on weight.

"I'm back."

As expected, a wonderful smell was drifting from inside the house. Stepping into the kitchen, she saw her colleagues in the middle of preparing dinner.

Brigitte was the first to greet her.

"Penelope! It's been a while!"

"Hello, Brigitte. What's on the menu today?"

"Today it's Braised Ribs!"

"Braised Ribs?"

"Yes! It's a dish where pork is seasoned and then slow-cooked in a pressure pot until it's really tender."

Lately, Jurgen had been experimenting with all sorts of dishes using Ganjang as a base, starting with Seasoned Beef Ribs. Judging by the smell, the Braised Ribs must be another one of those experiments.

"Sounds good. It smells delicious."

"Yes! You can look forward to it! It's incredibly tender!"

Brigitte's ever-present cheerfulness made anyone who saw her smile in spite of themselves.

Across from her, Serena gave a light wave in greeting.

"Penelope, where have you been? I haven't seen you around lately."

"I've been a bit busy. How have you been?"

"Me? Same as always. Working, studying, working, studying……."

Serena had trembled at the mere sight of Penelope's face when they first met, but she was considerably more familiar with her now. To a degree that the old Penelope might have considered impertinent.

But Penelope didn't dislike Serena's attitude. She was, by any measure, the first friend she had made, and a colleague.

Without her, Y&P Trading Company wouldn't be what it was today.

"You work hard."

"Hard work, you say. I need to get ahead in the world. Y&P has to do better so I can go higher too."

"Even so, I'm always grateful."

"……W-why are you being like this all of a sudden? You didn't eat something strange, did you?"

Serena blinked rapidly.

And last. Jurgen came out from the kitchen side carrying a large bowl with an apron tied around him.

"Penelope, you're here too. Perfect timing."

"Hello."

Jurgen. The partner Penelope trusted and relied on more than anyone.

Everything that had unfolded over the past two years could not have come to be without Jurgen.

It was because she had stood beside Jurgen as he painted his dream of a Culinary Revolution that she had been able to dream dreams she never could have otherwise.

And for that reason, he was more precious to her than anyone, and for that reason……

"Are you going somewhere?"

She was about to leave. She felt that if she did it now, while she felt somehow at peace, she could leave with a smile.

"Yes. Everyone, there's something I'd like to say. Will you hear me out?"

Penelope drew everyone's attention. The three of them looked puzzled but settled around the table.

"Brigitte."

"Yes!"

"Your food has truly been a heavenly taste. I believe you are the finest cook in all of Britannia. And being so young, your future is all the more promising."

"Ehehehe! You're too kind!"

"Keep supporting Jurgen well going forward. And don't neglect your studies."

"Yes! I want to become as amazing as Teacher Jurgen someday!"

Brigitte scratched the back of her head with an unclouded smile.

"Serena."

"……Yes, Penelope. What's this warm words session about all of a sudden? You always said you hated this kind of thing."

"Just listen."

Serena, on guard that Penelope might have eaten something strange, was eyeing her with a look of suspicion. She was genuinely insufferable all the way to the end, yet impossible to hate.

"I truly think you're remarkable. Of course, I am who I am——a 5th Rank Alchemist with outstanding beauty and business acumen on top of that——but…… you really got to where you are on ability alone."

"……?"

"Thank you for working so hard alongside me until now. I'll be counting on you going forward as well. Please become the pillar of Y&P Trading Company."

"Wh-why are you acting like this all of a sudden? Did you crash my car again?"

"No, and I told you last time too, it wasn't on purpose."

"I-I'll forgive you if you just come clean right now……!"

"I'm telling you it wasn't me!"

"Then why are you suddenly acting like this! You're scaring me!"

The way the color drained from Serena's face in escalating horror was quite a sight.

But before that. There was something she needed to say to her honestly.

"Serena."

"Yes?"

"You're my most precious friend. I'm sorry for never being able to say it directly. I was embarrassed."

Serena's mouth fell open. Her gaze snapped over to Jurgen.

"J-Jurgen. I think Penelope may have been hit with dark magic……."

"I don't think that's it……."

Despite saying so, Serena's ears had gone bright red. Her fingertips fidgeted.

"I mean, why are you suddenly saying things like this, good grief……. It's embarrassing……."

She seemed considerably more flustered than Penelope had imagined.

Last, it was Jurgen's turn.

"Jurgen."

"Have you got words of encouragement for me too?"

"Yes."

"I'm ready."

Ideally, she would have liked to speak with him alone. But with an arranged marriage already half a foregone conclusion, she had an instinct that doing so would only leave lingering feelings behind.

"Thank you for never getting angry, even though I grumbled at you every single day."

"……."

"Thank you for holding me when I was at my lowest."

"What?! Really?! Did something like that actually happen?!"

Brushing aside Serena's interjection appropriately, Penelope said the words she absolutely had to convey.

"Thank you for letting someone who had nothing dare to dream."

"Mm……. Well, think nothing of it."

There was actually one more thing she wanted to say—— But she didn't.

It wasn't something to say in front of Serena and Brigitte, and it would be far too cruel to him.

While everyone was left speechless with their mouths hanging open. Only Penelope continued speaking as though nothing had happened.

"I've accepted Great-Uncle Hector's proposal. My stake will be transferred to you, Jurgen. I'll return to the main family, and after that, there will be no reason for the Rosemore family to move against Y&P. I secured that commitment."

"Wha…… What?!"

"I'll be leaving today. I'm sorry for deciding on my own, but I believe this is the best course of action. I'm not running away like someone driven out. This was simply the extent of what I could do."

She had wanted to say it as calmly as possible, but the words were coming out faster. Serena, who had been listening quietly, spoke.

"……So saying I was your precious friend, and then dropping a confession on Jurgen……."

"I did not confess! And 'dropping a confession'—what kind of vulgar expression is that! Anyway…… that's how things are."

It was a bit different from the atmosphere she had envisioned, but she thought it was better this way. She had managed to avoid the undignified spectacle of breaking down in tears.

There was no farewell more unsatisfying than dissolving into a crying session at the very end. It was a decision for everyone's sake, so parting with a smile was the right way to go.

But then.

"Ufufu, Penelope. So you wanted to be friends with me, did you? Well, that's perfectly fine! I'll be your friend!"

"……?"

Without warning, Serena burst out laughing. Parting with smiles was all well and good, but…… it was a laugh that sent a chill crawling down her spine. Penelope turned to look at Jurgen in bewilderment and found him struggling to hold back a grin.

"……What? What is it?"

"It's a letter Hector Rosemore left behind. Why don't you read it?"

"Great-Uncle……?"

Still thoroughly baffled, Penelope unfolded the letter bearing the Rosemore family Seal.

To summarize its contents briefly——

The fact that Cecily had survived thanks to Stella. An expression of deep gratitude and a sense of indebtedness felt through the whole ordeal. An apology for having treated Penelope so harshly all this time. A promise that Y&P Trading Company would be recognized as a Rosemore family internal business, and that Hector himself would personally mediate the conflict with Clarisse.

In plain terms——

Penelope no longer had to leave Y&P.

A moment later.

"Forget it! Forget all of it! Forget it absolutely!!!!!"

Penelope erupted.

"How could anyone forget that? Penelope's heartfelt, wistful friend declaration will even appear in your life flashing before your eyes. Right, Brigitte?"

"Yes! It was so moving! I want a friend too!"

"You should have told me this first!!!!"

"Hmm? Why should I? If I had, I wouldn't have been able to hear Penelope's tearful, heartfelt talk. Right, Brigitte?"

"Yes! Serena is so clever!"

"Penelope! No Alchemy——Alchemy is off the table!"

It was an added bonus that Serena, who had been teasing from the sideline, had nearly gotten caught up in an Alchemy attack.