I thought it might have some effect.
Ultimately, that was the purpose of the ad.
but.
But…
“Are you sold out?”
“Yes, ma'am.”
Is this reasonable? truly?
No matter what you asked, the answer remained the same.
Mrs. Lenny and I, sitting opposite each other with a cup of cold tea between us as usual, entered into a brief but synchronous moment of contemplation.
“All that Paulita skin spreading around the area…?”
“Everything is being processed, but it is by no means enough to meet the flood of incoming requests.”
At this rate, the soonest we can ship anything will be in a month.
This is bad.
I clutched my head in silent agony.
I had assumed that even if every noble in the empire placed an order, there would be more than enough stock, given that the product was only intended to cover a few bedroom windows – at most, half a dozen per room.
The problem was that I had completely underestimated the sheer size of the Noble Estates and, more importantly, how arrogant they were.
I had no idea either...
Honestly, I didn't even want to know.
I used to think that once the gentry read the book and started using blinds, it would go away as a passing trend in high society.
I never expected that every noble would rush to replace all the curtains in his house.
Not to mention, wealthy commoners and even ordinary citizens will want it too!
“Actually, take-out orders are also pouring in... I've never dealt with something like this before.”
Mrs. Linney's tone, which ranged between laughter and annoyance, reflected my dilemma. I didn't know how to deal with this situation.
I never imagined that my readership would be so global.
This special edition of “” was produced independently, separate from the main story and without a traditional magazine publisher.
Although we had prepared a generous inventory based on past sales performance, unexpected international demand forced us to print several additional editions.
Of course, that was a good thing.
Seeing previously unknown artists, who were completely dependent on sponsorship, finally earning a steady income made me feel really happy.
But… this was far beyond the level of impact I had expected.
No, I should be happy.
I got rid of my growing anxiety and changed my perspective.
The truth is that I now had a lot of wealth. Instead of worrying, I should have first enjoyed my success!
I used to feel stressed about the good things because with every success always came more responsibilities, leaving me physically and mentally exhausted.
"my lady?"
"…Yes."
Mrs. Linney's worried voice brought me back to reality.
“Excuse me. I will ask His Highness the Grand Duke about Pauletta’s leather supplies.”
My reaction must have been a bit inaccurate, as Lady Liney still seemed worried.
I spoke softly, hoping to reassure her.
“Other nearby areas should have surplus buletta leather, so we could consider purchasing from them.”
“Hmm, that's a good alternative.”
“Yes. I also heard rumors of an upcoming burita hunt.”
This means that over time, the problem of leather shortage will be solved.
At that moment, Lady Leni spoke again.
“By the way, ma’am, since we are talking about this topic... I wanted to tell you that all the craftsmen in the workshop are very happy.”
“Huh? Why? Isn’t all this work exhausting for them...?”
happy?
Weren't we just talking about the overwhelming number of requests?
I looked at her in confusion, but Lady Liney just laughed and answered.
"That's exactly why. The fact that they have stable, reliable work is a huge relief to them."
“Oh.”
Seasonal workers often suffer from unstable income. If they lose the competition, they sometimes have to go without food for days. But thanks to this, many of them are considering staying in the Grand Duchy of Blair permanently instead of moving elsewhere.
Her voice held nothing but good intentions.
For some reason, my chest felt warm and comforting.
"…Show."
I didn't want to admit it, but I must have felt an involuntary sense of pride.
Whenever I start a new project, I usually end up exhausted – both physically and mentally.
Drawing manga was just a way to continue my previous hobbies. As for the blackout curtains? It's just a way to sleep better.
However, somehow, these things end up helping people.
While I was silently struggling with my shyness, my gaze met Lady Lennie's bright gaze as she continued her speech.
“All the credit goes to you, ma'am. Everyone is very grateful to you.”
“Me? But I didn’t really do anything...”
Oh my God! How can you say something so depressing?
Mrs. Lenny vehemently rejected my words as I hesitated, stepping back a little.
I didn't need this kind of praise in prison...
As I lowered my head like a ripe ear of rice, Bonita chimed in.
“I also help artists, so I know that. They are all grateful to you, ma’am.”
"I?"
Mohsen? I? Why?
I pointed at myself in disbelief, and Bonita placed her hands on her hips as she answered.
"You've helped artists like Ashley secure their livelihoods. While I don't know the details, there are rumors that you played a big role in the Wizards' Tower as well."
“This…this only happened by chance…”
“Even if we ignore all that, I gave everyone blackout curtains as gifts! I have lived in noble houses since my childhood, and I can tell you that it is extremely rare for a master to give a personal gift to his servants.”
Bonita smiled slightly as she finished speaking.
However, I felt a little embarrassed when they called me a philanthropist.
In the end, from my perspective, I only did what was necessary.
“Everyone appreciates your kindness, ma'am.”
Thank you for saying that, but…
How did the conversation suddenly take this direction?
I found myself stuck between Mrs. Lenny and Bonita, and eventually I felt my cheeks heat up and lowered my head.
"Haha, anyway, that concludes my report for today. I'll look into any emergency supply sources and let you know if I find anything."
“...Yes, Madam. I will also check with His Highness the Grand Duke...”
When Lady Lainey bowed and left the room, the room was briefly silent.
I touched my cheek, still feeling the residual warmth.
Thinking back, it was true that my actions had a positive impact on people.
“They actually look healthier.”
What made me happiest was the change in the people closest to me.
Since the blackout curtains were installed, the members of the Grand Duke's household seemed visibly more comfortable.
Even Bonita, who was standing next to me now, had much lighter dark circles under her eyes.
“Um… ma’am.”
“Hmm?”
Bonita spoke cautiously as our eyes met.
“When do you think Sir Ian will stop standing around like that...?”
"Yes!"
Only then did I regain my attention.
The man who had recently been appointed as my bodyguard – Ian – was still standing at the door, completely motionless.
“Have you considered my offer? I have received Your Highness’s approval!”
Hearing my words, Ian hesitated for a moment before answering firmly.
“I've thought about it, but it will be difficult.”
“Oh... really? But last time you said you'd think about it...”
"...I didn't realize it at the time, but I have another job. I don't have the time."
Flat refusal.
But, unwilling to give in, I asked cautiously,
“May I ask what your other job is?”
“It is a personal matter, so it is difficult to disclose...”
“In that case, I can adjust my schedule as much as possible! So please reconsider. Okay?”
“…Three hours a day. I can’t provide more than that. The minimum working hours for a bodyguard are usually eight hours…”
“Three hours is the perfect time for me?!”
I clung fervently to Ian's words, which he seemed to have thrown out to reject my offer outright.
“I'm stuck in my room most of the time anyway, so three hours is more than enough!”
“...I can't put in three hours in a row. An hour and a half in the morning, and an hour and a half in the afternoon. My working hours have to be flexible according to my schedule.”
“That's okay. Honestly, I barely spend more than an hour and a half outside on any given day.”
“I can't go on trips at all.”
“I don't travel either, so no problem!”
“There may be times when I'm very busy and need to take a few days off.”
“I probably only go out three or four times a month at most. Haha.”
As someone who was born to be a homebody, having a full-time bodyguard actually seemed like more of a burden.
In other words, Ian's part-time arrangement was perfect for me!
In addition, it was best if he only accompanied me on necessary outings. This means that my privacy will remain protected.
Eventually, she broke through Ian's tight defenses and was able to hire him.
He looked completely astonished, as if he had never expected me to accept his terms so easily, but—
Anyway, with our employment contract now in place, Bonita wasted no time in making things right for him.
“Since you are now the lady’s employee, you must address her with proper respect as her bodyguard!”
“...I will do it.”
However, once Ian officially took over the position, he was exceptionally hardworking, even during his short shifts.
He absolutely refused to be complacent. At times, his dedication seemed a bit excessive.
“Ian, you can sit here! There's no one around, and it's unlikely that anything would happen here anyway...”
“As a bodyguard, I can't sit at the same table with my employer... I guess so. I have to refuse.”
“Ah…”
Faced with his polite and firm refusal at the same time, I could only smile embarrassedly.
Well, I appreciate that he takes his job seriously, but isn't that a bit too much?
“You know, there's no law that says a bodyguard has to stay standing at all times, Ian.”
“……!”
I can't lose this battle.
As I was giving my final speech, his facial expression changed slightly, making me laugh out loud.
Knock knock!
A loud, unmistakably serious knocking sound echoed through the room.