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“Welcome, my lady.”

The day after the informal party where she had invited her classmates, Ekaterina once again arrived by carriage at the Murano Workshop. Greeted with a joyful smile from the glass artisan, Lev, she returned the smile.

“Good day, Lev. I must have surprised you with this sudden matter—I do apologize.”
“Not at all! I can’t thank you enough for granting my reckless request so soon. I still can’t believe it—the workshop isn’t for sale anymore, and I get to light the master’s furnace myself. It’s such joy I can hardly believe it’s real.”

That’s right. The purchase of the workshop had already been completed.

Ekaterina had consulted Aleksei about buying the Murano Workshop just last weekend. Acting on his orders, the head of commerce, Khalil, had arranged everything almost immediately.
Early the following week, one of Khalil’s subordinates, assigned to handle the purchase, identified and contacted the current rights holder of the workshop.
Negotiations began at once. It took three days of haggling to cut the initial asking price nearly in half.
The agreed amount was paid in full on the spot, and with a smile and a handshake, they received the workshop keys—the day before yesterday.
Yesterday, Ekaterina received the keys from the buyer’s agent and entrusted them to Mina, who then delivered them to Lev.

So fast!

I’d always heard that Japanese companies are notorious worldwide for their slow decision-making, but I guess the Empire really is more European in that sense. This is a business speed that could absolutely compete with global standards from my past life.
In the companies I worked with before, even after a whole week, the best you could hope for was finally convincing your boss to let you *make* a presentation to request budget approval. That’s how far you’d get. Progress? Barely. But in big conglomerates, that’s seriously just how it was.

And even after cutting the price in half, the workshop still costs several times my annual salary from my past life…
I mean, sure, my old company was a black company, but at least they paid decent overtime. My income wasn’t bad compared to my peers.
But *several times* that…

…Yeah, and I ended up dying of overwork before I could even spend most of it. My savings probably went straight into the national treasury…. W-well, no point dwelling on that.

Anyway! My overprotective big brother and even the top brass of the duchy spoiled me rotten by helping me buy this workshop.
And *because* they spoiled me, I have to make sure I don’t start depending on it.
Even in my past life, tens of millions of yen was enough to change someone’s life. In this world, where the gap between rich and poor is so wide, that kind of money could change countless lives. Since they’ve spent that much on me, I have to make sure I don’t let the ducal house suffer any loss because of it—I’ll do everything I can!

“Lev, I have high expectations for you. I want you to create many beautiful things that bring joy to people.”
“Thank you. I’d very much like to do that too.”
“That makes me happy. You see, I know nothing about glasswork. You’re the only one I can put my trust in.”

Ekaterina smiled brightly, then quickly tightened her expression.

“However, I don’t intend to place the entire burden on your shoulders. This workshop is now under my name. In the name of House Jurnova, I’ll make sure this workshop benefits from the privileges of the ducal house—and in time, the workshop shall repay that favor with contributions of its own.”
“Privileges… and obligations?”

At Lev’s puzzled look, Ekaterina nodded.

“First, tell me. You said Master Murano wasn’t good at business. How about you? Do you wish to handle all aspects of the workshop, including sales, or would you rather focus entirely on your craft?”

Lev drew in a sharp breath, his gaze wavering.

“Um… I’m sorry, but I’m completely hopeless with money or business. The master always said, ‘You’re worse at business than I am. You’re better off as a hired craftsman than owning your own workshop.’”
“Well then, we’ll simply divide the roles.”

Ekaterina said cheerfully.

“When it comes to selling this workshop’s products, the ducal house’s commercial division will handle the marketing and distribution. They’ve already guaranteed that Murano’s works will be in high demand. They’re practically itching to start selling them.”
“That’s a great relief to hear.”

Lev smiled, visibly relaxed.

“What I just mentioned concerns the workshop’s regular products—like glassware. As for the glass pens, I’m sure it’ll take some trial and error before you can make ones of commercial quality. Until the workshop is fully stable, the ducal house has granted permission to cover the costs of new product development. —Mina.”
“Yes, my lady.”

Mina placed a pouch before Lev. Coins clinked softly.

“Your wages for this week. Mina told me you were dismissed from the Garen Workshop after speaking with me, weren’t you?”

Firing someone on the spot without paying what they’re owed—what a trash employer.
He probably noticed that Lev had talked to me. And since Master Garen got his arm twisted by Mina when he tried to grab mine, I’m guessing he took it out on poor Lev instead.

“You can’t develop products properly if you’re struggling to make ends meet, so this is an advance payment. It’s the same amount you earned at the Murano Workshop, for now. Later, we’ll sign a proper contract. Let’s work hard so that you’ll receive a salary worthy of someone running the workshop.”
“That’s incredible… as expected of a great house! Thank you so much.”

Holding his wages gingerly in both hands, Lev looked as if he could hardly believe he was awake.