“Halil, make the arrangements; Kimberly, treat it as a new business. Oh, Ekaterina, is this your first time seeing Kimberly?” (Alexei)

“Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” (Ekaterina)

A skinny man who looked to be around sixty years old stood up and bowed. He looks strong-willed, with a large eagle nose, bald head, and eyes that are more silvery than gray.

“My name is Emelyan Kimberly, and I am honored to serve as Treasurer of the Duchy of Yurinova. I’ve heard rumors about you, young lady, but you’re more than you seem.” (Kimberly)

What kind of rumors are you talking about, now I’m afraid!

“Kimberly-sama, it pains me to ask this of you, even though we have never met before. If you were the treasurer, I’m sure you would have been offended by the prospect of wasting such a substantial sum of money.” (Ekaterina)

Ekaterina said with trepidation. But Kimberly’s eyes widened as if he had been told something unexpected, and he shook her head with a smile.

“This is not something you should be uncomfortable with. It’s not a waste of money, it’s something I’m really looking forward to as treasurer.” (Kimberly)

Ekaterina’s POV

Oh, exciting? What are you talking about?

“But the Murano Workshop, that’s really something to look forward to, isn’t it?” (Kimberly)

Halil chuckled.

“The master’s fame is unrivaled. The prices of his works have gone up in the market, and I’m certain that if a direct apprentice were to create a work of art of his own and put it out under the name of Murano Workshop, it would sell like hotcakes.” (Halil)

Oh, the appeal of the presentation is spoiled!

Halil’s marketing research skills are too good. There’s nothing he doesn’t know about the movement of goods in the Imperial Kingdom, isn’t there?

“You don’t have to worry about making money. When I said new business, I only meant accounting, so you can let the workshop make whatever you want.” (Alexei)

Alexei smiles sweetly.

Huh?

“Oh, Big Brother, I’m so sorry for being so selfish. I know I said I wanted to buy it casually, but the amount is, um…” (Ekaterina)

“Did you even check the price?” (Alexei)

No, Big Brother, why do you look like you’re smiling?

Why do you look like you’re smiling?

“Is it a fair price for the Imperial City Workshop?” (Alexei)

“It should be hard to sell, since the equipment would be specialized for glass, and it would be hard to destroy the furnaces and other equipment that can withstand high temperatures to use it for other purposes. They’ll probably make you drop the price even more.” (Halil)

No, wait, Big Brother, Halil-san.

I wonder what’s going on. This is not what I was expecting.

I came here to make a presentation to you all, but I was prepared to be taken aback by Big Brother.

“It’s interesting that it’s called glass. I’ve heard that the raw material is white sand. Perhaps there is a place in the Duke’s domain where we can collect it. I’m sure your great uncle, Dr. Isaac, would know.” (Aaron)

No, Aaron-san, how can you add more work to your busy schedule?

But if you do, you might be able to buy the raw materials discounted… don’t get too carried away!

No, wait a minute!? I can’t keep up with you, but have you decided to buy it?

“Big Brother, please give me your honest opinion as the head of the family. Isn’t it selfish of me to make such a request? Please give it some more thought.” (Ekaterina)

“As long as I am the duke, everything you want is yours. There is nothing selfish about that.” (Alexei)

Big Brother said all of that with a straight face….

“No, Big Brother, please don’t say such a thing. You can’t expect an inexperienced person like me to have everything I want.” (Ekaterina)

People change, you know. What if I become corrupt and want to be ridiculously extravagant?