Chapter 79

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 79

Chapter Title: Manuscripts and Gifts

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Knock knock.

In the largest workshop of the building used by the painters in one of the annexes of Brail Manor.

Ashley jumped up from her seat at the sound of someone knocking on the door there.

"Who is it?"

"It's Bonita."

"Oh, come on in."

When she opened the door, Bonita stepped inside, clutching a thick bundle of documents to her chest.

Hanging sturdily from her arm was a basket containing freshly baked cookies still steaming and orange juice squeezed early that morning.

Ashley quickly stepped forward and took the documents from her.

"This is…"

"It's from Mrs. Merrygold. Miss April polished it up a bit more."

"I knew it. I've been waiting."

Though they spoke in code, both Ashley and Bonita knew exactly what that hefty stack of papers was.

What Bonita had brought at April's request was the next storyline for Safety Rules of the Haunted Duke's Castle.

In other words, the plot that Ashley now had to work on through the night with storyboards.

"Hold on a sec."

With a quick apology, Ashley skimmed through the documents.

They used ciphers, but since she knew the rules, it wasn't hard to understand.

And once again, Ashley could breathe easy.

"Mrs. M… no, Mrs. Merrygold's skills are truly impressive."

It wasn't late for the deadline, but Baroness Pavron usually sent the package a day or two early.

That sped up April's schedule too, so receiving it right on the deadline felt almost late.

But still.

"Anything else to fix or pass on to Miss April?"

"Nope. It's perfect!"

In Ashley's opinion, the work was so excellent that even a later delivery would have been fine.

The previous issue's Safety Rules of the Haunted Duke's Castle had wrapped up a major incident neatly, tying up all the loose ends perfectly.

She'd worried that jumping into a new episode might feel a bit awkward…

But Baroness Pavron proved that concern unfounded with her own hands.

How on earth did Lady April find someone like this?

Ashley nodded, once again marveling at how April managed to scout talent and place them perfectly.

"What a relief. Anyway, Miss Ashley, focus is good, but eat these while you work."

Bonita said as she unpacked and laid out the snacks she'd brought.

"The rumors are flying around the manor. None of the painters are getting a proper night's sleep."

"Ah, haha… Yeah, with so many helpers gone all of a sudden, that's how it is."

Ashley and the other painters too.

The fact that they were all working frantically enough for the entire manor's staff to notice was largely due to the sudden absence of the apprentice artists.

"Whew, that must be tough. But good people will come back soon, right? Hang in there just a bit longer!"

Ashley gave Bonita's encouragement a weary smile. But her mind was still racing even now.

We can only hold out like this for a month at most.

Grinding away at stamina wouldn't last forever.

It was true that their pay had improved their lives and brought color to their faces.

But handling such a heavy workload every day was no easy feat.

Ashley swallowed a sigh, hoping she wouldn't have to complain to April anytime soon.

Thud!

After stamping the final document, I looked at the pile of papers on my desk and let out a huge sigh.

"Finally done…"

From morning until now—what would normally be time for dessert after lunch—I'd been glued to my desk without a single break.

"I need to rest."

My brain was overheating, so I dove straight into bed.

Even so, my mind naturally started sorting through everything that had happened.

First, the blackout curtains.

The refunds weren't as big as I thought.

I knew better than anyone how many people had flocked to Lady Rainy's leather workshop.

Baroness Pavron had even expressed worry, saying the capital's newspapers had made a huge fuss about it.

Even foreign papers had splashed the blackout curtain refund scandal across their front pages, so we'd braced for massive refunds.

But surprisingly? The actual amount was less than 10% of total sales.

Of course, we'd done our prep work diligently.

We sent letters to customers explaining the hygienic cleaning and processing of the blackout curtains, detailing the production process.

At the end, we promised refunds even without coming to Brail Duchy, working to rebuild trust.

We only offered 70% back since monster hide wasn't a product flaw.

And just like that, refund requests dropped sharply.

Maybe no one can live without blackout curtains anymore?

Morning sunlight forcing your eyes open? No one likes that.

But blackout curtain users had learned a simple way to avoid it.

Once people taste convenience, they never go back—that's an ironclad truth, unless there's an overwhelmingly better alternative.

Lots of folks probably think hanging monster hide is better than dealing with harsh sunlight.

Of course, about 10% disliked monster hide, and that was valid feedback. Even if pricier, we needed alternatives.

But that was a future task, not an urgent fire.

We could mull it over slowly.

"Haaah."

Unlike the blackout curtains, which were somewhat resolved… plenty of untouched issues remained.

First: Supplementing the overworked painters.

Second: The unflagging bad press on thermoses.

As the blackout curtain fallout faded, Lady Elegance started hyping the counterfeit thermos issue as if it were a flaw in the genuine product, submitting articles to every newspaper and magazine.

Other journalists piled on, chasing the buzz.

Until now, I didn't know enough about Kletan Empire internals to tackle it head-on.

Sure, I knew administration from Salt Kingdom and public facts better than average.

But I was clueless about where rumors in the Kletan Empire started or spread, and weak on sensitive noble intel.

You had to dive into Kletan high society to learn that.

So I made up my mind.

Even though I'm an extreme introvert…

A hardcore introvert whose energy drains five times faster than average around strangers!

"Lady Marchioness Embrass, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."

Long story short, I got invited to Lady Marchioness Embrass's party.

The official theme was culture and book club, but really, it was a gathering of noble ladies and ladies who adored Safety Rules of the Haunted Duke's Castle.

And not as a distant Brail branch noble lady, but as one of the creators of the comic Safety Rules of the Haunted Duke's Castle.

That was my request to Lady Marchioness Embrass.

That way, I could easily win favor and slip into the group at the party.

I've got a plan too, you know.

Tomorrow's departure, so I needed to pack without delay.

But maybe lie here a bit longer?

My stomach growled—I'd skipped meals for work—but getting out of this comfy bed was torture.

Then.

Knock knock.

"Ah, Miss! Are you in?"

Bonita's slightly trembling voice came from outside.

"Yeah? Bonita, what's up?"

Maybe because of all the recent chaos.

I bolted up, wondering if something had happened again, and hurried to the door.

But.

"His Grace the Duke… sent a ton of dresses and jewelry for you!"