“When I arrived in the capital, I couldn’t figure out where anything was. No matter where I went, the same buildings kept appearing. If I hadn’t run into Pablo by chance, I might still be wandering around,” the treasurer admitted with a sheepish expression.
It seemed that was why Pablo had accompanied him.
“Well, you made it here, and that’s what matters. Daniel and Fiora were each sentenced to 25 years. I just came back from witnessing the court’s decision myself.”
“Is that so?”
The treasurer stroked his beard, looking satisfied with the outcome. It appeared Penelope was the only one displeased with the ruling, as she pouted slightly before speaking.
“How are the others at the estate doing?”
“The other vassals are as lively as ever. Still quarreling over trivial matters and yelling like children. Hmph. But ever since Sir Sain disappeared, the estate has been a lot quieter.”
“Oh, Sain is doing well here. I should have told you earlier, but Ahwin brought him over so suddenly that I didn’t have the chance.”
“No need to apologize. It’s better for Sir Sain to be with you. As long as he’s healthy, that’s all we could hope for.”
The treasurer smiled warmly as he spoke, then suddenly placed the bag he’d been carrying on the table.
“The cosmetics production is complete, so I brought some prototypes for you to review personally.”
“Already?”
The treasurer carefully removed green-tinted glass jars from the bag and lined them up on the table. They contained a set of products: a rich cream, a lotion, and a toner. Penelope’s face lit up with delight.
“You can use these yourself or gift them to others if you like. I brought plenty since I thought you might need them as gifts for your social engagements. The preliminary results from trials in the territory were very positive.”
“This is wonderful news!”
Penelope beamed. The cosmetics had been completed sooner than expected. She could now present the green herb products during her social activities.
‘I’ve been worried about finding the right gifts to reciprocate the ones I’ve received from nobles. This is perfect.’
“I’ll personally gift these to the ladies.”
Pablo, seizing the opportunity, offered his opinion.
“We should consider expanding the soap workshop and establishing one for cosmetics as well.”
“That sounds like a good idea. Once you return to the territory, please draft a proposal.”
“Understood.”
“And please relay to the administrator that we need to produce lavender and jasmine-scented soaps. Pablo, make sure to provide the oils for them.”
“Of course.”
Pablo responded promptly, as if he’d been waiting for this task.
“Also, we might be starting a new business soon. I’m working on it with Ahwin and Professor Olan from the Imperial Academy. I’ll share the details once the project takes shape.”
“Another groundbreaking invention, perhaps?”
The treasurer asked, clearly impressed, while Pablo’s eyes widened with curiosity.
Penelope hesitated briefly before explaining, “The components and facilities require advanced magical engineering expertise, so the business will likely be based in the capital. However, investments and management will be handled from Halo. If the scale grows, we’ll bring in external investors, but the Pablo Trading Company will handle distribution and sales.”
“Understood.”
The treasurer nodded, deeply impressed. He had assumed Penelope was entirely preoccupied with the capital’s bustling social life, but it turned out she had been advancing a new business venture in the meantime.
‘It seems I need to work harder instead of growing complacent with age.’
The treasurer resolved to push the estate’s vassals to be more diligent upon his return.
Just then, a faint noise came from outside the room.
Everyone in the parlor turned toward the door, their attention drawn by the soft sound of footsteps, followed by a light knock.
Knock, knock.
Penelope couldn’t suppress a smile.
“Sain, you can come in.”
With her permission, Sain opened the door and peeked his head in. His wavy auburn hair swayed as his pale blue eyes came into view.
The treasurer’s face lit up with joy.
“Sir Sain!”
“Grandpa Treasurer!”
The treasurer spread his arms wide with a beaming expression, and Sain dashed toward him.
“Careful!”
When the treasurer lifted Sain into the air, the boy burst into delighted laughter.
“Have you been well? Are you eating properly?”
“Yes! What about you, Grandpa Treasurer?”
“I’ve been doing fine. You’ve grown taller since I last saw you. And heavier too!”
“Really?”
Sain happily wrapped his arms around the treasurer’s neck, while the treasurer’s face split into a wide grin.
Penelope watched the two with a bewildered expression.
“They’ve already grown this close?”
She had been away from the estate for barely two weeks, yet the treasurer was treating Sain like a long-lost grandson.
“Is it possible the treasurer came here to see Sain, not me?”
It was a reasonable suspicion.
“Grandpa, I want to get down now,” Sain said.
The treasurer gently placed him back on the ground. Sain hesitated for a moment before looking up at Penelope.
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“Lady Penelope, can I show Grandpa Treasurer around the house?”
“Of course. We’ve already discussed the important matters, so you can go ahead.”
“Thank you, Lady Penelope.”
The treasurer couldn’t hide his eager smile as he responded, taking Sain’s hand and walking out of the parlor together.
Pablo, too, turned to Penelope to bid her farewell.
“I’ll take my leave now. I’ll see you next time in Halo.”
“You’re heading back to Halo already?”
“There’s much to oversee: expanding the workshops and producing the lavender and jasmine soaps. I’ll leave Heshi behind in the capital. Please don’t hesitate to use his services if you need anything.”
“Will do. Travel safely.”
“Take care of yourself as well, my lady.”
Pablo cast a brief glance at Ahwin before bowing to Penelope and turning to leave.
As he reached the door, Pablo paused, debating whether to mention something.
“Should I tell her the Imperial Bank’s branch manager tried to approach me?”
Specifically, the manager had attempted to bribe him with a large sum in an underhanded effort to take over the territory’s business ventures.
Pablo shook his head silently. Having already refused the offer, he saw no point in troubling Penelope with unnecessary information.
“No need to burden her with this. It’s something I can handle on my own.”
Halo’s debts to the Imperial Bank had already been paid off, and there was no further reason to be entangled with the branch manager.
“I need to focus on expanding the workshops and increasing production first.”
With his resolve set, Pablo strode confidently out of the parlor.
***
The Next Morning
“Aaahhh!”
A scream rang out from Penelope’s bedroom.
Giselle rushed into the room, her face pale with alarm. Ahwin followed, his hair disheveled as though he had just woken up.
Penelope sat on her bed in her nightgown, trembling as she clutched a newspaper in her hands.
“What happened?!” Giselle asked, her voice frantic.
“T-this... What is this...?”
Penelope threw the newspaper to the floor as though it were something vile.
Both Giselle and Ahwin looked down at the discarded paper.
***
*[The Scandal of the Century?!
The Tower Master and the Grand Duke of Rahinsel appear to be openly pursuing Penelope Ash Halo.
If one were to name the Empire’s most attractive men, these two would undoubtedly top the list.
So, which one will Penelope choose? Can you even guess?]*
“Oh my goodness...”
Giselle was at a loss for words, while Ahwin narrowed his eyes dangerously.
Penelope’s rumored love triangle had made front-page news.
Later that morning, Penelope sat with her arms tightly crossed, glaring at the table in front of her. Beside her, Ahwin stood with his own arms crossed, a matching scowl on his face.
Ten newspapers lay spread across the table. Six of them featured headlines about Penelope’s supposed romantic entanglements, while the remaining four focused on the trial results of Daniel and Fiora.
In other words, the capital was abuzz, revolving entirely around Penelope’s affairs.
“This must be the side effect of being caught between the Tower Master and the Northern Grand Duke.”
Caught in the middle of two colossal whales, Penelope, the shrimp, was suffering the consequences.
“If I begged them to leave me alone, would they listen? Probably not. Ugh.”