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“…All we really got was a lot of attention from people.”
Marie grinned.
“What? If you’re trying to protect the White House, you should be getting to work right away!”
Mildred’s face was filled with worry.
She didn’t seem like someone who would quit once the contract period was over.
“It’s fine. I didn’t expect interior design requests to start coming in just because I went to one ball.”
“So what will you do now?”
But Marie just shrugged and answered calmly.
“It’s fine. There are things I need to prepare anyway before the first request comes in.”
—
The next day.
Marie toured materials suppliers around the capital.
Most of the suppliers in Leongrad sold similar kinds of products.
They were like general supply stores, selling everything from stationery and art supplies to interior goods.
“There’s not much variety here. Nothing’s categorized properly either.”
After checking out the capital’s top suppliers, she made her last stop at a place run by a man named Ludik.
“Ludik’s shop is definitely better.”
Marie couldn’t hide her relief as she muttered.
At least Ludik’s shop had a wider selection and better-quality items than the others.
“What’s this…?”
At the painting tools section, she noticed a huge pig-hair brush, about the size of a broom.
“Developed by Ludik’s Shop! Easily paint large surfaces.”
There was a sign next to it saying it had been developed and patented by Ludik’s shop.
She spotted similar patent signs all over the store.
Apparently, Leongrad had a surprisingly thorough patent system.
“Miss, are you interested in that brush?”
Mildred asked from beside her, notebook and pen in hand, looking every bit the secretary.
“No. I’m actually wondering if there’s business potential in registering patents ourselves.”
“A pig-hair brush? How much could that even make?”
“Well, you’re right.”
“Surely you’re not thinking of selling brushes directly to noble ladies, are you? Not much profit left in that…”
She had a point.
But—
“Don’t you think someone might be interested in the patent itself? Someone who can sell that brush?”
“Oh! You can sell patents too?”
“Of course.”
Marie smiled confidently, showing a hint of her white teeth.
“Wait, are you saying you could invent something like that too?”
Mildred had already realized her master had changed completely lately.
But this? That still felt like a stretch.
“Well, I’ll try. But… where do we even register a patent?”
“Hmm, probably under royal patent authority… I think.”
“Right. Then once we’re back, look into the patent application process.”
“Yes.”
Marie put down the pig-hair brush and looked around at the other goods.
“But even here, the texture and pattern variety in the interior materials is lacking. Basic tools are missing too…”
Even Ludik’s shop, which was supposed to be the best, fell far short in both variety and manufacturing techniques.
Which made sense in a way.
Leongrad had focused all its efforts on military expansion.
Being a kingdom under the Empire’s interference, self-sufficiency came first, and only recently had it begun turning attention to technological development.
That too, only because the Arsen Empire had started rapidly expanding its cultural influence across neighboring countries.
“No basics? Really!”
At that moment, a gruff voice rang out from deeper inside the shop.
An angry voice.
“Who’s that?”
When Marie turned, a stout middle-aged man appeared from the back.
He had a thick brown beard down to his neck—he looked like a hairy bear of a man.
He wore a navy-blue flat cap and a matching long apron.
“You think there’s a better supplier than Ludik’s Shop in all of Leongrad? If you know a better one, go buy from them!”
The way he yelled as soon as he appeared made it clear he was furious.
“Are you the owner?”
“Yes, I’m Ludik, the owner. But I won’t sell to you, miss. Go try somewhere else!”
He seemed to have overheard Marie muttering and misunderstood her as insulting his store.
This was bad.
They needed to do business, but this was a terrible first impression.
“Wait, I think there’s a misunderstanding…”
Mildred stepped in.
“No misunderstanding! I, Ludik, would rather take a loss than sell to someone I dislike!”
“H-Hey, calm down—”
“No need! Leave! Now!”
The more he spoke, the angrier he seemed to get—worked up by his own words.
He was an extremely hot-tempered man.
Then Mildred snapped.
“Excuse me! Do you even know who you’re speaking to so rudely?”
“Who is she? Why are you making a fuss over who she is?”
When Ludik asked, Mildred shouted back with a face as red as a tomato.
“This is the daughter of the Count of Whitehouse!”
Even Marie, standing next to her, was startled by her booming voice.
“Count of Whitehouse?”
Ludik flinched and seemed to shrink back a little.
Wasn’t that the noble house once in charge of royal palace interiors?
There was no way Ludik wouldn’t know that name.
“Hmph. I’ve heard the count passed away. He always treated Ludik’s Shop as a partner… That’s a shame, young lady.”
Ludik removed his cap and bowed slightly.
But still, past fame belonged to a deceased count.
He had no reason to feel any respect toward Marie.
“Our family has been running Ludik’s Shop for three generations. And do you know any other shop that invests this much into developing new products?”
Ludik looked around the store proudly.
He stroked his chin, visibly proud of the patent signs all over the displays.
A stubborn look of someone proud of a trade passed down generations.
“Our products are well known, not just in Leongrad but even in the Arsen Empire. You won’t find a wider selection anywhere. And you say we lack basics?”
Marie spoke to him politely.
“Ludik, I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. That wasn’t what I meant. I hope you know I wasn’t looking down on your shop.”
He looked slightly embarrassed to be receiving an apology from a noble.
But his grumpy expression didn’t change.
“…If that’s the case, then fine.”
“I’m starting an interior design business. I want to work with Ludik’s Shop.”
Marie got straight to the point.
“You, starting an interior business?”
Ludik didn’t bother hiding his surprise.
“Yes.”
“But why? The Count of Whitehouse was the best in interior design, yes—but he only did it for honor. He never once tried to profit from it.”
It seemed Ludik had indeed known Henry well, as he’d said.
And it was true.
Henry had no great desire for money.
He had studied interior design in the Arsen Empire purely for honor.
He found satisfaction in sharing his knowledge as a professional.
The income from the estate had always been enough for him.
Why he suddenly had to borrow a huge sum of money remained a mystery.
“Well, that was the past. I’m going into the business seriously now.”
“I see. But I don’t think that’ll be possible.”
“…Why not?”
“Actually, a noble house is currently negotiating with us for an exclusive contract.”
“Exclusive?”
A family big enough in interior design to monopolize an entire material supplier?
“Who is it?”
“…Sorry, can’t say. Negotiations aren’t finalized yet.”
“Still, is exclusivity really necessary? Wouldn’t it be better for your shop to trade with multiple businesses?”
“No, it’s not just about the money.”
“Then what is it?”
Ludik nodded with a solemn face.
“Well… since you’re the Count’s sister, I’ll tell you.”
“Go ahead.”
“I recently realized a problem with Ludik’s Shop.”
“A problem?”
Ludik sighed deeply.
He had always lived with the pride of running the best supply store.
But after visiting Arsen, his confidence had taken a hit.
“I went to Arsen not long ago. Their products? Far more diverse than what I carry.”
“Understandable. Their civilization is more advanced than here…”
Ludik admitted honestly, looking disheartened.
“In the end, a supplier is just a seller. We lack the design sense of actual interior professionals.”
“True.”
“But over there, the suppliers work with design companies to invest heavily in new product development!”
Marie’s earlier mutterings had clearly hit a nerve—triggering his frustration.
“And what does that have to do with your exclusive contract?”
At Marie’s question, the burly bearded man slumped slightly.
“I’m trying to partner with a top interior company to develop new products myself. And they agreed—on the condition of exclusivity.”
“Ahh…”
There was a noble family, long overshadowed by the Whitehouse name, now finally stepping into the interior business.
They must’ve pitched their design skills and other strengths to Ludik convincingly.
“If you’re starting a business, I’d love to help… but I’m truly sorry.”
“Hm…”
Marie looked wistfully at the items on display in Ludik’s shop.
—
The next day.
Josh had just returned from negotiating details about his investment in the Whitehouse estate.
“Hm, the young lady is way too meticulous about contract clauses.”
He understood—after all, he managed business for a duke’s household.
But it baffled him how someone who had stayed home all her life could be so skilled at wording contracts.
“Well, the lord did say to accommodate her as much as possible… but this is getting too favorable to her.”
Swish, swish, swish…
Just then, a familiar sound reached his ears.
“This sound…?”
