“Cake, cake, delicious cake!”
Rose, delighted by the purchase of the cake, started hopping around while singing.
Ian, watching Rose with a pleased expression, entered the townhouse.
“You’re back?”
“Yes. What about the tailor?”
“They have arrived.”
Ian nodded and handed the cake he had just bought to the butler.
“It’s for Rose, so make sure it’s well-packaged.”
Holding Rose, who couldn’t hide her excitement about eating the cake, Ian headed to the drawing room. The tailor, who had been waiting with various fabrics laid out, quickly stood up.
“Greetings, Duke.”
“You may sit now.”
Ian sat on the sofa while holding Rose.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
“It’s nothing. On the contrary, I am honored to be able to make a dress for the Lady.”
“Good. Let’s start by checking the fabrics.”
“Yes.”
The tailor promptly began presenting the prepared fabrics.
The materials, designed to suit spring, were all light and beautifully colored.
While Ian inspected the fabrics, touching them to get a sense of their texture, Rose pointed at one with her finger.
It was a fabric with a diamond pattern featuring flowers.
“Uncle, I want this one.”
When Ian picked up the fabric, Rose nodded enthusiastically.
The tailor quickly spoke up.
“This is a newly produced fabric. The diamond patterns are embroidered with gold thread, while the flowers and petals are embroidered with red and green threads. It’s a material that requires a lot of work. The Lady has a fine eye.”
Hearing the compliment about her discernment, Ian’s lips curved upward.
‘Our Rose does have good taste.’
Internally agreeing, Ian spoke.
“What’s your plan for the design?”
“One moment, please.”
After examining the fabric Rose had chosen, the tailor swiftly retrieved their design book.
Flipping through the pages quickly, the tailor stopped and presented a design to Ian.
“I plan to make it like this. However, since the banquet hall will be crowded, it might feel a little warm. I suggest making the sleeves loose but breathable, using sheer fabric for ventilation, and using the dress fabric for lace on the cuffs. I’ll add punched lace at the hem for a more distinctive touch.”
Before visiting the ducal residence, the tailor had gathered information about Ian.
They had learned that Ian was generally easygoing when it came to his clothes but extremely meticulous regarding the Lady’s attire. Thus, the tailor explained every detail of their design carefully.
“Hmm. Won’t it feel heavy?”
When the tailor suggested wearing a choker to avoid a bare neckline, Ian frowned slightly.
The tailor hastily waved their hands.
“Not at all. The jewel used will be smaller than the one on the chest, so it won’t be uncomfortable for the Lady.”
After some deliberation, Ian nodded, prompting the tailor to add more details.
“I recommend keeping the hair simple, perhaps accessorizing with Loenbaum flowers tucked behind the ear.”
“Loenbaum flowers?”
“Yes. They carry symbolic meaning and would suit the Lady perfectly.”
When Ian nodded, the tailor secretly sighed in relief.
“Let’s proceed with that.”
“Thank you.”
While Ian discussed the design with the tailor, Rose managed to devour the entire cake they had brought.
Ian tapped Rose on the nose and said,
“What are we going to do if you eat all of it? Didn’t you say you’d share some with Fenrex?”
“Oh, right!”
Rose, flustered, looked at Ian.
“What should I do? If Fenrex finds out I didn’t save any, he might get angry.”
Ian scoffed.
‘Who is that wolf pup going to get mad at?’
“Then let’s kick him out.”
“What?”
“If he gets mad at you, we just won’t let him into the house.”
“What kind of logic is that?”
Rose burst into laughter, thinking it was a joke.
‘But I’m serious,’
Ian thought, then said to Rose,
“There should be some cake made at home. Go ask the butler.”
“Okay!”
Rose jumped off the high sofa and ran out of the drawing room.
Claude, who had been standing nearby, quickly followed her.
Ian told the tailor to complete the dress as soon as possible and then headed to his study.
“My lord.”
Fred, who had been reviewing documents at the small desk beside Ian’s, stood up.
“Give me the report.”
“Alright.”
Ian, who had unexpectedly come to the capital, had summoned Fred from the Quarch estate to the townhouse.
Claude had also been called in, just in case.
Although Ian had no intention of attending the imperial banquet, he had been forced to come to the capital because of the High Priest.
However, the High Priest, who had claimed to be looking for Ian, suddenly entered silent prayer, leaving Ian puzzled about Edelmar’s motives.
Wanting to leave the capital quickly, Ian asked when the High Priest’s prayer would end. A priest kindly informed him that it would end the day after the imperial banquet concluded.
Suppressing his boiling anger, as it would have been inappropriate to express it in the sacred temple, Ian returned to the townhouse. This time, he found an invitation to the Emperor’s banquet waiting for him.
The invitation even had Rose’s name written on it.
Refusing an invitation from the Emperor could be construed as treason, so attending was unavoidable.
Given the circumstances, Ian suspected this might have been Edelmar’s ploy to ensure his attendance at the banquet.
With the banquet attendance confirmed, Ian resigned himself to staying in the capital and decided to deal with the backlog of work.
“When the bank first opened, people who deposited money began receiving interest, attracting more depositors. The same trend is visible with the merchants. Most merchants operating in the northern region are using our promissory notes. They appreciate the convenience and the ability to quickly secure funds from the bank when needed. Some merchants have even asked if there are plans to open banks in other territories.”
Ian nodded.
As a newly established institution, the bank would become an unshakable pillar once it solidified its position.
“Are you planning to open banks in other places as well?”
Ian shook his head.
“It’s too early for that. Bank employees must be from the duchy, but we don’t have enough personnel. For now, we should focus on strengthening the foundation and gradually expand once we secure enough staff.”
“Understood.”
“What about the land I asked you to look into?”
“We’ve been looking around the plaza area, but somehow word got out, and property owners have banded together to raise prices.”
Ian smirked.
‘Humans are the same everywhere.’
“Stay away from areas close to the plaza. Look for places with low populations but ensure they’re convenient for people to access.”
Fred nodded.
“The Guguma has completed its first harvest. Seeds have been sorted out, and the rest has been given to chefs in the duchy to experiment with recipes.”
“Tell them to create recipes that taste consistent no matter who makes them. They should be simple yet delicious.”
“Understood.”
“The rest pertains to the duchy’s affairs.”
Ian listened and responded as Fred gave his report.
Despite Ian’s extended absence before his reincarnation and his prolonged stay in the capital, the duchy was running smoothly.
“What about the collateral branches?”
“There’s been no significant activity.”
Ian nodded.
“Handle the remaining matters and report back.”
“Yes.”
Once Fred finished his report, Ian sat down at his desk and reviewed the detailed documents Fred had prepared.
He meticulously checked for errors or additional instructions needed. While he was examining the papers, a knock and a familiar voice came through the door.
“May I come in?”
“Come in.”
May entered with quick steps, holding a square wooden box.
“The skeleton watch is complete!”
The wooden box, with its natural grain visible, featured an engraved golden rose on its lid.
“Did you change the box design?”
“It’s ‘royal,’ after all. Since it’s for His Majesty, I thought it should be a bit special.”
“Well done.”
When Ian opened the box, it revealed a skeleton watch with a large gold-plated gear and intricately engraved silver mechanisms inside.
“Was it the craftman’s idea to gold-plate the large gear?”
“No, it was an idea from one of the craftman’s assistants. Only the Emperor’s and the Grand Duke’s watches have this feature; the ones for auction will remain silver.”
While Ian carefully inspected the watch for any potential defects, the hands of the clock moved.
With a clicking sound, the golden gear began to turn.
It was a very subtle motion, but due to its size, it stood out clearly.
“Well-crafted.”
Fred, who had come over to watch, commented with sparkling eyes.
“Right? Honestly, I thought visible mechanisms like this might look grotesque, but seeing it in person, it’s absolutely stunning. Now I understand why the Duke chose to present a skeleton watch to the Emperor.”
Though May’s face showed signs of fatigue, her eyes were bright.
Ian chuckled quietly and returned the inspected watch to its box.
“Is this the one for the Grand Duke?”
“Yes, my lord. You can deliver it yourself.”
“I will.”
Ian placed the box on the corner of his desk and was about to return to his documents when he noticed May hadn’t left.
“What is it?”
May beamed and held out her hand.
“You need to give it to me.”
“Give what?”
“The design for the women’s version.”
“Ah.”
Ian pulled out the pre-drawn designs for the women’s watch from his drawer.
“Wow. It’s completely different.”
Although the women’s watch designs Ian handed over were similar, they were more focused on aesthetics.
Instead of a simple leather strap, the designs featured braided gold chains or jewel-encrusted bands resembling bracelets.
The interiors also replaced the <Rose> engraving with decorations using small gemstones to create a rose motif.
Each of the five designs possessed its own unique charm.
After examining the final design, May commented.
“I’m so curious about what’s inside your head, Duke.”
While Ian was annotating documents, he replied nonchalantly.
“Nothing special.”
May shook her head vigorously.
“That can’t be true! You’re capable of imagining such things! It’s truly amazing!”
Ian, letting her words go in one ear and out the other, waved his hand dismissively.
“Go and make them quickly.”
“Just one question. Are these for mass production or premium quality?”
“Mass production. Make ten of each.”
“Huh? Why only ten?”
“Because female nobles shop more often than male nobles.”
May, initially puzzled, soon nodded enthusiastically.
“Got it! I’ll head to the craftman now!”
