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“Huh…”

Dmitr let out an admired sound as he opened the velvet box and laid eyes on the glass pen.
Ekaterina couldn’t help but smile. A sigh the moment he saw it—that was surely a compliment worth a million words.

Dmitr took out the glass pens one by one, gazed at them intently, and then clasped them in his hand. It seemed as though he were imagining the sensation of writing with them, or perhaps simply savoring their texture. A pen with a blue-green and black twist, a pen adorned with lavish gold accents, and—the pen of the goddess of beauty.

Like a sleeping, unborn goddess of beauty within a transparent pearl cradled by lapping waves, he admired her with his gaze before clasping her in his hand.

“Heh heh,” Dmitr chuckled.

“Ekaterina… your craftsman truly understands beauty. Yes, a woman’s image is most beautiful when she is teased by what remains hidden and yearns for more, rather than when everything is revealed. It’s truly lovely.”
“I’m delighted to receive such praise from you, Uncle, who are renowned for your refined taste.”

Ekaterina smiled brightly.
It was Aleksei who unexpectedly reacted to those words.

“Ekaterina… um, where did you hear about His Grace’s reputation as a man of taste?”

Seeing her brother furrow his brow in concern, Ekaterina thought, “Oh.”

She’d heard it from Khalil, the Director of Commerce and Distribution. He seemed to be an old acquaintance of Dmitr’s, and when he learned they’d run into each other during the delivery of glass pens, he told her all sorts of things. He described him as an excellent businessman, a connoisseur with a taste for beautiful things, a man of style, and a sociable person who enjoyed the company of others.

However, there was a problem—or perhaps a handicap—in that Duke Dmitr’s wife was not allowed to appear in the presence of other men. The princess, who had once been the daughter of a great nation beyond the Summit of Gods, still adhered to the customs of her homeland. Apparently, this was a condition set by her father, the king, when he sent the princess to marry in a distant foreign land.

In the Imperial Court’s social circles, it is standard for men and women to attend as partners. Parties hosted by other families are typically attended by married couples. Not only that, but when a noblewoman hosts a party at her own home, she must entertain guests as the hostess. However, even when a party is held at Duke Jursein’s residence, the Duchess cannot even appear before the guests.

To compensate for this disadvantage, for some time after their marriage, Duke Dmitr would often invite “women skilled in hospitality” to handle the reception of guests, while hosting lavish events that were a cut above ordinary parties. At times, these events were so eccentric they left guests speechless; at other times, they were the epitome of sophistication, earning the admiration of royalty. It’s said to be something of a legend in the imperial capital’s social circles.
Consequently, this earned him the respect of royalty from other nations and allowed him to form friendships, which apparently led to his current position as Minister of Foreign Affairs—a perfect example of how good and bad fortune are intertwined like the strands of a rope.

His reputation as a man of refined taste dates back to that time.
However, this term carries not only the meaning of “a person with good taste” but also the connotation of being a “connoisseur” of the red-light district—or “flower district,” as it’s sometimes called.
In fact, Prince Dmitr seems to be immensely popular with the women in those circles. But he himself is by no means a playboy. His popularity began when the women he had once asked to entertain him treated him with great respect, received generous tips, and—on top of that—praised him for introducing them to high-profile clients through events hosted by the Jursein family. Mr. Khalil strongly emphasized that, in reality, Prince Dmitr is, in fact, a devoted husband.
Apparently, his wife’s brothers—who are princes—have told him that if he ever betrays his wife or makes a move on another woman, they’ll cut off his head. It seems it’s acceptable to have multiple wives and treat them equally, but that’s simply not possible in the Imperial Kingdom.
In any case, that’s probably not the kind of thing a young lady should know. Oh no!

…Pushing that thought—which had flashed through her mind in an instant—somewhere to the back of her mind, Ekaterina smiled brightly at her brother.

“Onii-sama, reputations are a thing that reaches one’s ears through means unknown. They do say rumors come through the wind’s whispers. Surely, the words of praise that the Wind Spirits spoke about Uncle must have blown on a gust of wind and reached my ears.”

Dmitr laughed heartily.

“Those are kind words. Wise and kind Ekaterina, if Sylphid the Wind Spirit were a man, he would have spent all his time whispering praise for you—there would have been no room for my reputation to reach your ears.”
“Oh, those are truly lovely words. I am delighted.”
“……I, too, believe there is no doubt that Your Grace Dmitr possesses an exceptionally refined sensibility.”

Although Aleksei spoke solemnly, the corners of his mouth were slightly turned up. He was in high spirits because his sister had been praised.

.

After testing all three glass pens, carefully checking their smooth writing feel and the number of lines one could write in a row, Dmitr nodded several times.

“They’re not only beautiful but also highly practical. These glass pens are sure to be highly sought after even in the lands beyond the Summit of Gods.”
“Oh, I’m so happy! If someone as distinguished as you says so, there’s no doubt about it.”

It was Lev’s masterpiece, and since Khalil—who’s a native—had already mentioned the possibility of selling them to other countries, I was confident. But if Prince Dmitr, who’s so skilled in trade with those nations, says this, then it must be true.
Exporting them someday… My dreams are expanding!

“Ekaterina, are you interested in the cultures of other countries? If so, I’d be happy to take you there sometime.”
“Really?! How wonderful!”

A voyage by ship?! Sailing on a sailing ship?! I’ll get to see a scene straight out of a Caribbean pirate movie in person?!
That’s just too wonderful!

“Ekaterina.”

Ekaterina snapped back to reality when Aleksei—who, unusually, had turned so pale it was obvious even to an outsider—called her name.

“Your Grace, I appreciate your concern, but this girl is frail. Traveling to another country is simply out of the question.”
“Is that so?”

Dmitr looked puzzled. It was only natural, since Ekaterina standing before him seemed perfectly healthy.
Aleksei took his sister’s hand.

“Ekaterina, do you want to go to another country?”
“Yes… only if you permit it, Onii-sama…”

Ekaterina said timidly.
Aleksei clasped her hand with both of his and began to speak earnestly.

“If it’s your wish, I want to grant it in its entirety. But traveling by sea is out of the question. It’s far too dangerous. If the ship you board sets sail onto the open sea, the Sea God will surely stir up a storm in an instant and invite you to his palace on the ocean floor. Your radiance captivates both gods and demons alike. The sea folk, with their scales and fins, would welcome you with joy. The sirens would be enchanted by your song; they’d learn it and make their own voices even more alluring. Every sailor would be bewitched, and every ship would be wrecked. It’s a dire situation.”
“Oh, Onii-sama…”

You’re really taking this way too far.
Just because I said I’d like to visit another country, you’ve concluded that every ship will be wrecked… You’re being way too overprotective and causing too much damage. What a wonderful imagination—just like you, Onii-sama.

Ekaterina smiled brightly.

“It’s impossible for the Sea God to stir up a storm just for me. However, I was wrong. While I do think visiting other countries is a wonderful thing, the only place I want to be is by your side, Onii-sama. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Ekaterina…”

Aleksei’s voice trembled.

Ekaterina did her absolute best to ignore the fact that Dmitr, visible at the edge of her vision, seemed to be struggling with all his might to hold back his laughter.

“Regarding this glass pen—since you’re suggesting I give it to my father-in-law as a gift from my wife, could I order another set? If I have my second son deliver it to His Majesty, I’m sure he’ll be delighted.”

Ekaterina was delighted by Dmitr’s words.

“So his grandson will be delivering a gift from his beloved daughter, who has married into a foreign land. He will undoubtedly be delighted.”
“Next time, please come visit my wife. The wing where she lives is entirely decorated in the style of her homeland. You can experience the atmosphere of a foreign land while still in the Empire—though I can’t invite Aleksei, so it will have to be another time.”
“Oh… I’m so happy. It would be an honor to meet her highness. Onii-sama, would you give me the permission?”

Seeing his sister properly seeking his permission, Aleksei smiled and nodded.

“Of course. I’m delighted that you’ve found a connection worthy of you. It’s a great honor for your workshop as well. For the nobility of that country, glass pens will surely be a coveted item.”

At Aleksei’s words, Dmitr chuckled softly.

“The birth of a ‘coveted item’ found only in the Imperial Kingdom is truly a cause for celebration for our family as well… You’re wonderful, Ekaterina. I’d be delighted if our sons and I could continue to socialize as a family from now on.”

For some reason, Aleksei’s mood soured.

.

After chatting a bit longer, the siblings took their leave of the Jursein residence.

“Please give my regards to young Khalil.”

Hearing Dmitr say this at the very end, Ekaterina’s eyes widened.

“Excuse me, but how do you know Lord Khalil?”
“I’ve known the youngest son of the Kamal Trading Company since he was just a child. He was a sharp-witted child even back then. Magdalena took a liking to him and tried to recruit him into her ranks, but Duke Sergei snatched him away by luring him with the position of commercial advisor to Jurnova. Magdalena was bitter about it for a long time, but only Duke Sergei could pull off such a bold move—giving a teenager a position like that.”

I see…
Wait, Khalil, were you actually the subject of a bidding war between Her Imperial Majesty the Empress and Grandfather?!
That’s amazing!
And Grandfather, too—he really would stop at nothing to secure talent, wouldn’t he…