Episode 18

“Then why are you here? The front door and your office are far apart.”

“I thought it was time for my wife to come back. I confirmed she had arrived.”

“That’s what we usually call ‘waiting.’”

“No, I don’t think so.”

His cold, handsome face held no emotion. I clicked my tongue.

“Let’s not be too negative even if we say we had a loveless marriage.”

Even if there is no love, isn’t it possible to confirm each other’s life and death?

“Anyway, I’m glad you came. If you’re tired, you don’t have to do this, but…”

“Okay, I won’t be coming out again.”

I meant it as a thoughtful remark, but it was quickly snatched away. I don’t think I’ll ever run into him in the hallway again.

“And about the window display you suggested. Ollie’s been working on an effective promotional plan.”

I never asked you to do that.

“You are a very diligent person who creates and does things yourself.”

“that,”

“Okay. I’ll talk to the aide.”

The husband, who had been quietly taking his time, suddenly spoke.

“I don’t think we can have dinner together today.”

“…….”

“Well then, that’s it.”

This was the main point.

I forced my trembling lips to lift and replied, “Okay.”

That evening, I ate two portions alone at the large dining table, deciding on the first promotional stage for the window display with Ollie.

This is really exciting. Exciting.

***

A few days later. A shopping district in the heart of Betra.

The downtown area, which appears a little further down the street with the canal, is so majestic that it makes your mouth drop open.

In particular, the core area of the shopping district was a large arcade lined with luxury goods stores and stores selling imported goods.

Named after the first Duke of Vetra, the arcade was renowned beyond its territory as the empire’s premier shopping center.

A luxurious street stretched out beneath a transparent ceiling made of domed glass.

Here, the bright sunlight streaming through the glass illuminates the interior streets in a sophisticated manner.

“Okay, everyone! If each store puts up a glass window and displays their wares, wouldn’t people walking down the street be interested?”

At the center of the arcade extending east, west, south, and north was a small indoor plaza.

I gathered the shop owners there and announced my grand ambitions.

“Right now, the items are hidden inside the store, but the moment they are revealed, the streetscape will change.”

Today, standing next to me was Valentina, the successor to the target group.

“Anything like a teacup, a bag, a dress, shoes, accessories, etc.”

As expected, people were naturally skeptical. At this point, I exchanged glances with Valentina.

I knew this would happen. Thanks to the support of the Valentina family, I recently finished renovating a store.

“Today, we will unveil the first store with a shop window installed in this arcade.”

“Oh?”

The first store in question was an imported hat shop run by Valentina’s family.

Valentina, who invited me to the tea party last time, gave me one of her family’s many direct stores to sample.

“Introducing!”

The huge carpet curtain that had been hiding the shop was lowered.

One side of the previously closed and rigid wall of the store was now open, revealing a vast expanse of space. Inside the glass window hung the store’s selection of hats.

People who saw the scene outside the store were in an uproar.

“I thought it would be a plain and bland exhibition. No, it wasn’t.”

“That’s unexpected.”

It was exactly as he said. The space I designed, the show window, was a small exhibition hall.

The angle of the items being sold, the lighting, and even the color of the floor were all sensually produced.

“What do you think? Wouldn’t this make the product’s merits and appeal more apparent?”

It’s not that it wasn’t, but already several people were glancing at the hat in admiration.

“I usually don’t have much interest in hats, but under the lights, it looks a bit… okay?”

“The sky blue ribbon hat in the middle is pretty. Should I buy it?”

It was a good response for a start.

“The window display and exhibition design were done by Valentina Yang, a graduate of the Imperial Design Academy.”

The merchants smiled happily at the students I introduced them to. It was only natural, since they all had sons and daughters like me.

“Will you provide any support if we install a display window? Even the smallest project will cost money.”

“The Betra Dukes will provide special security glass for the shop windows. Security guards will patrol this densely populated arcade regularly.”

The hearts of those who listened to my explanation and the students’ designs alternately began to tilt.

“Well, it’s good.”

“And those kids. They’re the same age as my child. Should I leave them in charge of our store too? Hey, they’re so special.”

“It’s not a big project, so let’s give it a try! It’s all about winning.”

Valentina and I gave it our thumbs up. Our experimental collaboration was a huge success.

“Thank you for introducing me to your juniors. Thanks to Valentina, I’ve been able to ease my design worries.”

“Our juniors will be even happier to have found jobs thanks to Dogaresa.”

Now, those juniors will be running another small business with my support, managing the window displays and displaying the merchandise.

Valentina will help arrange business and gain favor with the people involved, and since she’s become close to me, the new Duchess, she has nothing to lose. It’s perfect.

“It’s great, it’s great!”

At that moment, an indifferent voice mixed in with the warm calculations going on in the arcade.

The man next to me, clapping his hands enthusiastically and welcoming me, is Philip Justis.

He was busy today too, following me around and flirting with me wherever I went.

“It’s all thanks to Dogaresa. How did you come up with such brilliant ideas!”

“It’s not just my fault.”

“You are so humble. You are brimming with the virtues of a virtuous lady. As expected, a noble lady is different no matter what.”

He has a strange talent for making people feel bad with every word he says.

“The beautiful Miss Valentina has been such a wonderful assistant. What a wonderful collaboration.”

Sir Philip, who approached Valentina as soon as he had a chance, flirted passionately.

“Isn’t it similar to Miss Valentina and I, both of us, who rose to fame from commoner backgrounds? But—”

“Strictly speaking, I inherited a merchant family, and you ran away from it, so our positions are different.”

“We’re all just commoners, aren’t we? If it’s alright, I’d like to talk to you privately sometime.”

“I’ll contact you when I have time. Someday, if possible.”

Valentina indirectly rejected him. Philip, who watched Valentina walk away with a blank expression, was literally a fool.

As expected, Valentina had a good sense of humor, as expected from a daughter of a wealthy family.

***

The change in the territory was soon known throughout the empire.

As usual, outsiders who visited the city to browse imported goods were surprised by the changed scenery of the arcade.

“The exotic atmosphere really comes alive when unfamiliar objects are displayed everywhere.”

Whenever I heard compliments from visitors from all walks of life, I smiled kindly and acted humble as if it were nothing special.

“Did you like my idea? My husband was happy to help me think freely.”

“Oh!”

Thanks to this, the reputation of the Duke and Duchess of Betra, who were good friends, also rose.

“how is it?”

Month-end evaluation and dinner.

I sat across from Ezekiel and leaned back against the chair. Across the table, Ezekiel, who had been reading the headlines of a local newspaper, put down his paper.

Betra Estate, transformed into a unique shopping mecca, is ranked as the #1 vacation destination.

He was deep in thought. He seemed to be calculating his profits and losses.

“It was a brilliant choice to simultaneously enhance my reputation and that of my spouse.”

“I guess the Emperor will consider me a formidable opponent now?”

“I am sure it will be so.”

As a short-term contract partner, I think this would be a pretty good deal.

If I don’t have my husband’s affection, I can strengthen my position through business interactions.

“I have something to say too.”

At that moment, Ezekiel held up a letter he had been keeping at his elbow. I wondered why he had brought it to the dinner table, but it was understandable.

“Sir Philip sent me a letter asking for a meeting.”

“Phi, Sir Philip?”

“Isn’t he someone you’ve spoken with a few times? From what I’ve heard, he seems like a capable person.”

“Well, if you’re competent….”

I paused, wondering how I could successfully persuade her to cancel the meeting. But wait a minute.

“How did you know I knew Sir Philip?”

I never mentioned that person in front of this man?