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“Welcome, my lady.”
“Lev! Have you really finished it already?”

Greeted by Lev in the workshop, Ekaterina asked with a smile full of excitement and shining anticipation. Lev, his expression faintly dazzled, nodded once.

“Yes, I believe it’s complete. Please, take a look.”

On the table of the sofa set in the corner of the workshop lay a black velvet cloth, and on it were arranged several glass pens. All of them were entirely transparent.

“I haven’t used colored glass yet. The additives needed to bring out color are expensive, and I wanted you to check the nibs first.”
“That makes sense. That’s the most crucial part.”

Even so, the shapes were already beautiful—some twisted elegantly, others like a string of beads. Colored glass would no doubt make them even more splendid, but the quiet charm of pure transparency was also lovely.

I picked up one of the pens and gazed closely at it. Fine spiral grooves were neatly carved into the nib.
When I dipped the nib into the ink bottle prepared beside it, the ink flowed smoothly along the grooves, tracing a delicate spiral pattern.

Yes, this is it!

There was even paper prepared for test writing, so I tried it out. I began by writing my name. It flowed smoothly—less scratchy than a quill.
Beneath my name, I drew the crest of House Jurnova. No matter which direction she moved the pen, there was no catching at all. That was the beauty of glass pens.
And even as I nearly finished drawing the crest, the ink still hadn’t run dry.
When I bought a glass pen in my previous life, the advertisement had said that a single dip could write about a postcard’s worth—I tried it right away, and it was true, and more besides. I had explained to Lev that if the grooves on the nib were carved properly, it should draw up that much ink—and he had passed that test perfectly.

The pen Ekaterina was testing now fit her hand just right.
She picked up another. This one was slightly larger, heavier in her grip. It would surely suit Aleksei’s hands better. When she tested it, the ink again drew a beautiful spiral pattern and flowed with a smooth glide.

“Um… how is it? Should I design it to hold more ink? That might make the balance look a little awkward, though.”
“No, this is perfect.”

Ekaterina gently set the pen down.

Then, clasping Lev’s right hand in both of hers, she exclaimed:

“Lev, you’re a genius! To have brought something this complete to life from just a single drawing, in such a short time! I’m truly moved!”
“Ah—! Um, n-no, not at all!”

Blushing furiously, Lev shook his head.

“No, it couldn’t be done without a remarkable natural talent. You have the instincts, insight, and understanding of a true craftsman. And the curiosity and courage to take on the unknown. How fortunate I am to have met you.”
“M-my lady, thank you. I—I don’t know what to say…”

Lev looked as if he might cry.
At that moment, Mina, who had been standing quietly to the side, stepped forward. She gently took Ekaterina’s hands and peeled them off Lev’s, then glided back to her place.
Ekaterina snapped back to herself. Oh no—that was improper. A lady shouldn’t be grasping a man’s hand like that. And of course, being praised so effusively must have made poor Lev feel awkward.
But honestly, I still hadn’t said enough! I really am impressed! To produce something of this quality so quickly—what a prodigy! It was so amazing that if you tried to make a one-hour program about it, there wouldn’t even be enough *footage* to fill the time.
No doubt he had hit a few walls at first—but he must have overcome them right away with cleverness and ingenuity.
He was what—twenty-two? He might even surpass his master, the great Murano, one day.
Yes, he truly was a star on earth. The kind of person the swallow foretells about¹. I couldn’t wait to see what he’d create next.

How wonderful that we’d bought the Murano Workshop. The ducal house really was amazing—to think we could become the patrons of a genius! It was almost like the Medici family from my previous life.

“Um, my lady. Would this design be suitable for His Grace the Duke?”

Ah—right! I’d completely forgotten. The pen for my brother’s birthday still had to be remade in colored glass. It was already incredible that the prototype was finished in time for me to test, but there weren’t many days left before the celebration.

When Lev brought up the practical matter of the design, Ekaterina’s mode switched instantly back to business.

“Yes, this twisted design feels very comfortable to hold. And this one, with the thicker grip—it’s wonderful how the engraved pattern is not only beautiful but also functions as a non-slip texture. And then…”

All the designs she had requested while reviewing the sketches last time were faithfully made. Among them was the intricate design modeled after the beautiful dagger sheath she had seen in the Duke’s weapon chamber.

“This one really does suit my brother best. Can it be made just as well with colored glass?”
“Yes, that won’t be a problem.”
“Then, let’s go with these three. Please finish them splendidly—fit for a gift to the Duke of Jurnova. And keep the colors just as I requested before, with no changes.”

Lev’s eyes sparkled. He was already seeing the finished glass pens in his mind’s eye—the image clear as day.

“Please leave it to me, my lady. I’ll devote myself to it completely.”
“Thank you, I know I can count on you.”

Ekaterina smiled—and then, her expression turned serious.

“Lev. There’s one thing I absolutely need you to promise me.”
“Yes, anything you say.”
“Eat properly every day, sleep well, and take care of your body. That’s all I ask of you. People with talent like yours find happiness in creating, I’m sure. You’ll feel it’s more fun to keep making things, even more than eating or sleeping. But you mustn’t forget to rest and eat. Sleeping and eating are necessary for living. I don’t want you to wear away your life just to make a gift for my brother. Even if it’s a little late for his birthday, he’ll still be delighted. Your life is one of a kind—irreplaceable. Please, cherish yourself above all else.”

Honestly, those were words I wished I could’ve told my past self.
Back then, while working, I’d always thought, *No matter what, I have to get this done!* But was it really worth shaving down my life for?
It was *my* life, after all. I should’ve valued it more myself.

So now—since I possess the memories of my previous life—I have to make the most of that experience and do everything I could to make sure no one ever worked themselves to death again!

“…”

Lev seemed struck speechless.
After a moment, he muttered, almost groaning:

“…I-if my lady says so.”
“Thank you. It’s a promise, all right?”

Ekaterina smiled warmly. Lev averted his gaze slightly and mumbled:

“But somehow that just makes me feel like I should work so hard I could die for it.”

Hey, no! Absolutely not, why would you—!