TMLAM 20

Chapter 20

As I watched Christon coming up to the second floor, I took the gift out of the envelope. I had planned to rest, but the present kept bothering me, so I brought it along. After all, it wasn’t as if people in this castle ever truly had weekends off—it wasn’t exactly a rare occurrence.

As expected, I ran into Aidan almost the moment I stepped out of my room. He said he was on his way back after checking on the road construction.

While we were talking about the roads, Christon appeared as well.

“Did you really buy a gift for me too?”

I nodded at Christon’s question. Of course I did. After Lady Rosette’s hat, it was the most expensive item I bought. If I had to name one of the people I was most grateful to in the world, wouldn’t Christon be at the top of the list?

A high salary, a place to live, three meals a day—what kind of boss gives all that?

I spent quite a lot of money on Christon.

“Yes, Your Grace. To be honest, it’s a modest item, so I’m not sure if it suits your dignity, but I chose the best thing I could within my means.”

I took the gloves out of the envelope. I felt a little sorry to Hutnan, but these were three times more expensive than the ones I’d given him.

If Hutnan’s gloves cost 1 ekra, these cost 3 ekra—a premium model. The buckle even had a small gemstone set into it, cheap perhaps, but still decorative. There was gold-thread embroidery as well, giving it a luxurious feel.

Really, money does make a difference.

I just hoped Christon would like them.

“…They’re better quality.”

“Pardon?”

What did he mean? Better than the gloves he already owned? That didn’t make sense. There was no way a grand duke would be using something cheap. They might be expensive to me, but surely not to him.

“I’ve heard that gifts carry the giver’s feelings,” Christon said. “And that the more expensive the gift, the greater the feelings invested. Isn’t that right, Aidan?”

“Well, price isn’t everything, but usually… yes? People tend to put more thought into pricier gifts,” Aidan replied.

Christon nodded in satisfaction. I didn’t know what point he was trying to make, but he seemed pleased, so that was a relief.

A gift truly shines when the recipient is satisfied. That must be why the gloves on Christon’s hands seemed to gleam.

With a faint smile, Christon spoke.

“Thank you. I’ll use them well.”

“I gave them to show my commitment to working well with you. I’ll be happy if you use them often.”

“It seems you bought quite a few gifts.”

“Yes! Since I’ve become Your Grace’s aide, I prepared gifts for the people I’m grateful to. I bought ink for Jaiman—I’ll give it to him next time I see him.”

“And Lady Rosette’s?”

“Of course! I bought her a hat. I didn’t know her exact taste, so I chose something as elegant as possible. I hope she likes it.”

I spoke a little excitedly. Every gift I’d given so far had been a success. My wallet hurt, but it felt worth it.

“She’ll be delighted. Just like I am.”

“That’s a relief.”

Seeing Christon examine the gloves on his hands, I smiled brightly. He really seemed to like them. I was glad I’d asked Hutnan about Christon’s glove size.

Generosity comes from a generous salary. I hoped Christon would continue to be a kind and wealthy boss.

“I look forward to working with you even more, Aidan. And you too, Your Grace. I’ll do my best!”

“More than now? Come on, Miss Roella, don’t push yourself. You’re already doing wonderfully,” Aidan said.

That was when Christon, who had been silently moving his gloved hand, spoke.

“Come to think of it, thanks to you, our treasury was protected—yet I never properly thanked you.”

“No, Your Grace. That was simply my duty. I’m just glad I could help.”

I would continue doing my utmost for the prosperity of the organization. I only hoped the loyalty packed into those gloves was properly conveyed.

* * *

The next day, Sunday morning dawned.

On days like this, Christon usually trained, enjoyed personal time, or toured the territory. There were things you could only understand by seeing them yourself.

But today was different.

“Miss Roella.”

At Christon’s call, Roella came down to the first floor and smiled lightly.

“I heard you were looking for me. You said we were going somewhere.”

“I thought it would be better to see it in person. You had plans for Sunday—am I interrupting?”

“Not at all.”

Whatever she’d planned, Roella didn’t mind. She’d been thinking of reading, but that wasn’t important.

Until the shock of her salary increasing by two million won wore off, she felt like even if Christon ordered her to sing in the garden in front of everyone, she wouldn’t think it was unfair.

‘After all, that’s a 24-million-won annual raise.’

After comparing housing prices in the capital and the north the night before, she felt even more convinced. Her dream of owning a home had moved up by about three years.

“Then let’s go.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Roella obediently boarded the carriage. Considering Christon’s character, she didn’t think he’d take her anywhere strange or make unreasonable demands.

At this point, Roella practically revered Christon like a deity.

“Oh—did Lady Rosette like the hat?”

“Yes, Your Grace. She said she’d definitely wear it on her vacation. I’ve never seen her smile so brightly! Have you posted the job listing?”

“We placed it in the Northern Daily, and Aidan is also looking personally. We should find someone soon. Jaiman said he’d write to his academy classmates as well.”

“I hope we find someone good.”

Christon nodded. As they talked, they soon arrived in the city. Christon stepped down and gestured for Roella to look around.

“Do you notice anything different?”

“Oh!”

Now she saw it. The road construction had reached the plaza. And in the center of the once-barren square, a fountain had been built.

“This was also your suggestion, wasn’t it?”

“Yes! I didn’t imagine it’d turn out like this, though…!”

“The statue in the center is of the first Northern Lord,” Christon explained. “It depicts him fighting a dragon. It was stored in the ducal vault—we brought it out.”

“Wow…”

Roella blinked. It certainly radiated a unique sense of valor. Walking along the much cleaner roads, she felt proud all over again.

“Ah, our destination is this way.”

Christon led her to a general goods store.

A general store? Why here?

Christon removed the gloves she’d given him and opened the door.

The shopkeeper, spotting the grand duke, practically ran over.

Christon spoke.

“I heard there’s a new typewriter out.”

“Yes, yes! That’s right! It’s the latest version of the typewriter you purchased from the ducal castle before, Your Grace! Made by the same workshop! Smoother typing, a more refined design—and I’ve heard it incorporates ergonomic features to reduce strain on the wrists!”

Christon nodded in satisfaction.

Was he buying a new typewriter? For newly hired staff, perhaps?

Roella tilted her head.

“Let me see it.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

The shopkeeper eagerly brought it out.

Truly, once you buy something, it becomes old. The typewriter she’d bought had been the newest model at the time, but now it had already been surpassed.

This one looked luxurious, with smooth curves and an elegant finish.

It must be incredibly expensive. Whoever received it would be lucky. As expected—machines were best when new.

Then Christon gently pushed her back.

“Well? Do you like it?”

“P-Pardon? Me?”

“Yes. I mean you, Miss Roella.”

…The lucky person was me?