ISHM 11

Chapter 11

Johannes Schulz is kind and merciful.
But just as much, he is noble and arrogant. He only refrains from crossing certain lines.

“I am proposing to Miss Prim.”

Even when he spoke those words, his face remained expressionless.
It was utterly ridiculous. At the time, I was so flustered that I’m not even sure if I answered properly.
When I firmly rejected him, he perfectly hid the strange look that crossed his face.
Then he returned to being the gentle Duke Schulz I had met outside—noble, merciful, and kind as I remembered.

“For today, that will do. I’ll see to it that the servants’ unfair treatment improves.”

He behaved as if he had never proposed to me at all.
“W-what the….”
It still doesn’t feel real.
“What on earth is his intention?”
He wouldn’t fire me just because I refused a proposal… right?
The words about quitting had slipped out impulsively. I had no real intention of leaving.
I shook my head quickly to forget the earlier incident, but even then, his voice kept echoing in my mind, so I smacked my cheek and hurried home.

A troublesome visitor was waiting in front of the house.
“Huh…”
I should have come slowly.
A sigh escaped me. I glared at the stacks of papers overflowing in the mailbox and picked up the most noticeable one.

Debt Repayment Agreement – To Isaac Prim

“What now….”
A wave of helplessness pressed down on me. I squeezed my eyes shut.
The amount owed was astronomical: 135 million Berg.
‘Why did Father borrow such a huge sum…?’
The repayment deadline was just a week away.
My hands trembled as I gripped the paper. For a moment, I resented my father.
A fleeting, crazy thought crossed my mind: maybe I should just accept Johannes Schulz’s proposal.

Just because Musen is a peaceful city doesn’t mean there is no crime.
More precisely, it means there are no violent crimes that excessively harm someone’s body.
Other petty crimes occurred, much like in any other city.
The difference was that, being a wealthy city, most businesses were run by merchants, and lending companies naturally flourished.
So, monetary lawsuits were fairly common.
‘Still, this is too much….’
An annual interest rate of 50%. Ridiculous.
I didn’t know why my father had borrowed such a huge sum, but the 100 million Berg had been borrowed three years ago.
He had repaid 110 million Berg, leaving 40 million unpaid. The interest had increased, and now the total was 135 million Berg.
“This is absurd.”
Mrs. Pensler clicked her tongue.
I didn’t know what to do, so I asked for her help, but she too couldn’t hide her worry.
“I don’t know why your father borrowed such a huge amount, but a 50% interest rate… this contract is outrageous.”
“No matter how much I search, I can’t find a copy of the contract. And the repayment deadline is next week. Where could we get such a huge sum…?”
My temple throbbed. I pressed it with my hand as I looked at Mrs. Pensler.
“Before the war, he could have borrowed elsewhere with lower interest, but now everyone is struggling. I’m not sure how it will work out.”
“Could the house be lost?”
“Hmm…”
She wore a skeptical expression.
“First, we should ask to extend the repayment period. I only have 10 million Berg to spare at the moment…”
“No, ma’am! I can’t trouble you. How could I be so shameless?”
I exclaimed, startled. Mrs. Pensler held my hand.
“I’d feel shameless toward your father if I didn’t help you. He’s helped me so much already.”
“But…”
It would have been proper to refuse again, but I couldn’t. Right now, I needed to hold on to anything I could.
She reassured me and squeezed my hand.
“Let’s wait until the lending company comes to see us.”
I nodded. I also resolved that tomorrow, the moment I went to work, I would apologize to Johannes Schulz for my rudeness.

“Yesterday, I was rude. Please forgive me.”
I bowed deeply to Johannes Schulz.
The back of my head tingled. When should I lift my head?
It felt like revenge for rejecting his proposal that there was no reaction, so I slowly raised my torso.
But it was my mistake. He wasn’t paying me the slightest attention; he only flipped through the newspaper.
“I think I overstepped my bounds.”
Even as I said this, Duke Schulz didn’t look at me.
But my pride wasn’t hurt by his silence.
He was a great noble, and right now, the urgent matter was money.
As long as I wasn’t fired, I’d be fine. Staying employed would allow me to get a loan. Servants of noble houses have good credit.
“Please, don’t fire me.”
Finally, he lifted his head slowly. In a monotone voice, he asked,
“Should I take that to mean you accept my proposal?”
I had anticipated this question. I answered calmly.
“No. If you intend to fire me just because I didn’t comply with your request—”
He chuckled.
“I have no intention of firing you.”
He didn’t seem to have changed his mind, nor did he seem curious why I suddenly apologized.
As if he had never proposed to me.
‘Was it whimsy? Or pity…?’
I pressed my lips together for a moment, then smiled and replied, knowing he wouldn’t explain.
“Thank you for your mercy. I will be careful with my words and actions from now on.”
“As you wish.”
“…May I leave?”
The moment he nodded, I fled from Duke Schulz’s office.

In a busy port city, being perceptive is essential.
Even I, born and raised in Musen, was not entirely lacking in awareness—though far behind the merchants.
Even so, the current situation left me bewildered and dazed.
“Good morning, Miss Prim.”
“Today’s lunch is sausage with soufflé. Let’s eat together.”
“Is work difficult? Let me know if you need help anytime.”
The servants’ behavior had changed remarkably.
Not only were they warm in greeting, but they showed no hostility and even acted kindly.
It seemed that the Duke’s promise to improve unfair treatment was not empty words.
It was bittersweet that a single word from Duke Schulz could change their attitude so much, but they seemed genuine to some degree.
They truly seemed to have completely softened their hostility toward me.
Perhaps I was paid less than them. Or maybe it was a temporary kindness until I was eventually dismissed.
Though he said he wouldn’t fire me, that could always change.
135 million Berg…
The thought that the house might actually be lost made a sigh escape me.
Unconsciously, I walked a long way, and before I realized it, I was in front of the office.

The office always smelled of dense forest.
Opposite the entrance was an oak desk, and dark green curtains covered the large window behind it.
I walked slowly and blocked the window.
With the curtains drawn and the door closed, the room became completely quiet, as if I were alone in the world.
It truly was an overly grand space for me. I knew that. So…
“I must be crazy.”
I laughed at my own foolishness, recalling yesterday’s misdeeds.
Kindness for kindness, rudeness for rudeness.
That doesn’t apply to an employer. To the one who gives money—especially unexpected money—you must show deference.
“Is something troubling you?”
Sir Fret, who had come to deliver today’s documents, asked me as I sat at the desk.
I didn’t answer, so he added,
“Your expression looks dark.”
“Ah… I’m a bit tired. I didn’t sleep well.”
I rubbed my eyes with my hand, silently asking him not to press further.
Luckily, Sir Fret was perceptive. I took the stack of documents for today.
“There’s quite a lot today.”
“Feels like I’m finally working.”
I joked, and he smiled faintly.
After the usual pleasantries wishing for a good day, our conversation ended.
Yet the unease didn’t disappear.
Impulsively, I asked him as he reached for the door handle,
“Sir Fret, do you report all our conversations to the Duke?”
He turned around.
“No. I don’t report anything unless it’s important.”
“Then… the Duke hasn’t told you to fire me or anything, right?”
“Eh? Did something happen?”
Sir Fret looked completely unaware—even of the Duke’s proposal to me.
Thank goodness.
“No, it’s fine.”
I smiled faintly and got to the point.
“Could I… receive a certificate proving I am a servant of the Duke’s household? If it’s not too much trouble, of course.”