IACGD 27

 Chapter 27

It was a sentence he had never even thought of in his dreams.

[The glass will be called “Ameti Glass.”]

Ameti… Glass? They’re naming it after me?

For a product whose results weren’t even finalized yet? This meant they weren’t thinking about his possible failures at all.

Moreover, giving a name to an invention is a way to honor and remember its creator for life.

Everyone who used the glass would call it by his name.

Usually, the name of the territory where a patron resides would be attached. Could conditions this generous really exist?

‘Check the terms. The duration. The penalty.’

If he couldn’t produce it within the agreed time, he could owe multiples of the cost. No noble would act this naïvely.

But…

‘Nothing.’

The contract was so generous that he almost wanted to sign it immediately.

Ameti called Rosia over.

“Um…”

“Yes? Speak.”

“Why are you going this far?”

“This far?”

“I hate to say this, but I know the situation in the Duchy isn’t exactly ideal. Yet, you’re offering unlimited support…”

A sense of burden rose in him.

The reason Ameti began researching heat-concentrating glass wasn’t grand.

It started simply because he saw the children constantly wanting to go outside and thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice to live in a house with big windows?”

It was originally for children who couldn’t withstand the cold outside. While those children could now freely go out, he continued the research for future curious children yet to be born.

He considered that his mission.

“Ameti, you just need to produce results as quickly as possible.”

“It’s not like results come out just because you ask…”

“Ameti.”

Rosia interrupted him, smiling gracefully.

“Do you think Your Highness wouldn’t know?”

Indeed, the Pruna Duchy already knew everything. The documents handed over by the former matron contained all of it.

And the one who had provided that information was Ruby.

Letting Ameti, the mage, be left alone came at the cost of information. Ruby had convinced the matron, saying he probably didn’t want to be entangled with nobles.

Since that day, the matron, impressed with Ruby, promoted her to head maid.

But now that Ameti’s failed experiment—the glass that becomes transparent—had been seen, they couldn’t pretend not to know. Many had already observed it.

So, to protect him and also benefit the territory, they contracted with Ameti.

“This is a business that needs to be done anyway, and the money would be spent anyway. It’s fortunate the territory has such a talented person.”

Ameti’s eyes trembled at Rosia’s kind words.

“And feel free to fail. Even failed glass could lead to something we’re thinking of.”

Furthermore, the contract Rosia handed over was an officially recognized magical contract. It reflected the Duchy’s confidence that no one would act against it and was an expression of care for Ameti.

Tears finally welled up in his trembling eyes.

“I’ll work hard!”

And so, Ameti began research under the protection of the very nobles he had disliked so much.

Clémen learned something new that day.

‘Generous conditions can change even those who are afraid.’

Clémen, returning to Zephyrus, shared her insight.

“And I definitely realized the importance of information.”

“Information is always important.”

It was the first time Zephyrus truly saw that importance in practice. He nodded.

“Please let me handle this kind of thing again.”

“Did you enjoy it?”

“Yes. It was a new experience.”

“Think about it.”

Then, Zephyrus rested his chin on his desk and looked at Clémen with an unreadable expression.

“Why? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Just… it’s surprisingly convenient to have a personal maid I can communicate with freely.”

Clémen blinked, then burst out laughing.

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“It’s not a compliment. I mean, convenient as a tool—”

“Alright. You did well this time too, master. Rosia said the contract was well done.”

Zephyrus shook his head, his long hair falling and hiding his flushed face.

“…If you’re going to say useless things, bring a book.”

“Oh, no! I have something to do.”

“What is it?”

Tada!

Clémen pulled something from her pocket, and Zephyrus frowned.

“I refuse!”

“You already told Mother about it, so refusal isn’t an option~”

It was a pair of hairdressing scissors.

**

With a soft but careful sound, silver hair slid through Clémen’s palm.

Loving the smooth texture, she kept brushing it and asked Zephyrus,

“How much should I cut?”

“I’ve never really thought about it.”

“You said you would think about it last time.”

Had she?

Since Clémen arrived, it had been the busiest and most fulfilling day so far.

I remember exactly…

‘That’s me.’

It was shortly after they had first met. His hair, like clouds floating in the sunset sky, lingered in her memory.

“I don’t have time to think about such things.”

“Then I’ll just do it my way, okay?”

Clémen laughed mischievously. When Zephyrus flinched from the eerie feeling, Clémen pressed down on the top of his head.

“Stay still. I’m holding scissors.”

Snip, snip.

Clémen’s hands moved gently. Each time, the sound of cutting hair filled the room, and the strands fell beside him.

It was a strange sight for Zephyrus. Having someone stand behind him was already unusual, but seeing sharp scissors occasionally enter his field of view made it even stranger.

Without realizing it, his body tensed.

“Master.”

“What?”

“Were you nervous?”

“Why would I be?”

Clémen paused, looking down at his feet.

Ice, water, evaporation. Ice, water, evaporation.

It repeated continuously.

“This is your first time having your hair cut like this, isn’t it?”

“…I probably did when I was little.”

He didn’t remember clearly. At his curt reply, Clémen hummed and continued.

Silence returned.

Zephyrus broke it coldly.

“And what about you?”

“What about me?”

“You didn’t cut your own hair when you were young either, right?”

“Ah.”

Clémen paused, her eyes wandering slightly in the air before scanning Zephyrus’s fine hair. Stray strands swayed at his waist.

Even in a similar situation, the difference in hair texture could be so striking. Muttering to herself, she spoke.

“I just let it grow. Burned it a little too.”

“Burned it?”

“When it got annoying!”

Clémen laughed heartily and moved the scissors again. Silence fell once more. Now, only the ends needed trimming. Clémen focused even harder.

“You don’t have much information about me, do you?”

“Oh.”

Clémen’s hands didn’t stop.

“As expected. An interrogation is needed.”

“I see… yes?”

Understanding Zephyrus’s words late, Clémen’s hands stiffened for a moment.

Snip.

The strands she had carefully aligned along his shoulders were now uneven.

“….”

“….”

An awkward tension spread between them as they realized a mistake had occurred.

“…Are you going to interrogate this too?”

Clémen, grasping his fur clothing, waited for his response.

Zephyrus pressed his lips together, then said,

“Was it really that shocking, the interrogation?”

“It’s written beforehand: to investigate a suspect to reveal the truth.”

Clémen grumbled at the harsh word.

“Wasn’t the interrogation already done when we first met?”

“That wasn’t enough.”

Clémen pouted and resumed trimming.

“I’ll just fix your hair, master. Be careful not to let the same thing happen again.”

“Means stay quiet, right?”

“I didn’t say that.”

Even so, Clémen moved her hands delicately, determined not to be shaken no matter what happened.

She finally exhaled after the last cut, forgetting to even breathe during the process.

“Done! Master, how is it?”

She brushed his hair with her hands as she asked.

“It feels lighter.”

“It looks nice!”

“C-could you not say that!”

“I’m serious. Cutting it short makes your beautiful face even more visible.”

“And your jawline is lovely, master. Your neck is beautiful too!”

As soon as Clémen finished, Zephyrus’s face turned bright red.

“Th-this is also an interrogation subject.”

He shrank and covered his neck, shouting, and Clémen jumped.

“Why!?”