Ch.39Manufacture (3)

“Chloe, Ines, you can go in now.”

“I can’t rest while the master is working.”

“No, sir hasn’t finished his work yet.”

Chloe and Ines, who remained in the office even after sunset, flatly reject my suggestion.

“Sigh…”

Thanks to the craftsmen’s cooperation, setting up the factory has become quite manageable.

The craftsmen have explained each step of the manufacturing process for making plain, featureless items, and I’m working on adapting these processes to fit the factory system.

Naturally, this takes an enormous amount of time, but since the manufactory was my original idea, I couldn’t delegate it to someone else. It’s obviously better for someone familiar with division of labor to handle the division of labor process than someone who isn’t.

At first, I didn’t worry about that and just ordered the craftsmen to implement the division of labor, but due to their professional habits, they ended up creating something more like a workshop for training apprentices rather than a factory, so I stopped that approach.

In the end, I had to design each production line individually based on the craftsmen’s advice, then show them to the relevant master craftsmen for review, which naturally led to a heavy workload.

That’s why even after sunset, I’m still in my office working instead of going home. Despite the fact that in the medieval period, with its limited light sources, sunset typically signals time for rest and sleep.

“Aren’t you two sleepy? Don’t people usually go to bed around this time?”

“Master, I’m fine… Staying up late was common when working as a maid.”

“Chloe…”

Despite my repeated concerns, Chloe answers with a bright smile as if telling me not to worry.

She’s trying to hide her dark circles with a smiling expression, but I can see them clearly. Oh dear… sleeping like this will damage her skin.

“Sir, I’m fine too.”

“Ines, don’t push yourself—”

“Since getting married, I’ve been staying up late with you every night, so this is nothing.”

“—!?”

“…”

When Ines innocently mentions their nighttime activities, Chloe’s mood instantly plummets.

The bright smile Chloe had been wearing to reassure me cracks significantly.

‘This is bad…’

Though I’d like to deny it, Chloe has romantic feelings for me and sees Ines as a rival.

Chloe nearly fainted just knowing that Ines and I share a room, so hearing something like this directly—

“Hehe, you’re quite energetic.”

“…?”

Chloe, who usually engages in power struggles with Ines, gives an unexpected response.

Her cracked smile regains its original beauty, and her voice remains perfectly calm. Given the complete absence of any wavering, this response must be Chloe’s genuine feeling.

Ines seems to have deliberately said that to provoke Chloe, but now she’s fidgeting slightly, apparently confused by Chloe’s completely unexpected reaction.

“Master.”

“…What is it, Chloe?”

Ignoring our confusion, Chloe continues speaking naturally.

“Do you remember my birthday 12 years ago, when I was 9?”

“Birthday?”

Why suddenly bring up a birthday, and from 12 years ago at that?

Hmm… I can’t quite remember. Having celebrated Chloe’s birthday faithfully every year, my memories have blended together, making it difficult to recall specifically what happened 11 years ago.

“Ah… you don’t remember. That’s fine.”

Seeing my puzzled expression, Chloe immediately realizes I don’t remember her birthday from 12 years ago, yet she speaks in a refreshing voice as if it doesn’t bother her at all.

…Though her voice sounds cheerful, for some reason, the more I listen, the more anxious I feel.

“I’m… sorry? Just wait a moment, I’ll try to remember.”

“No, no. You really don’t need to remember. Whether you remember or not, our love remains unchanged.”

Chloe continues saying things I don’t understand.

I want to ask what’s going on, but I decide against it, sensing that she probably won’t give a meaningful answer even if I press further.

…I should get back to work.

……….

[When I grow up, I want to marry you, big brother!]

[Haha, sure, sure. Let’s get married when you grow up.]

When I was young, the master treated my declaration about marriage as just a child’s way of expressing affection.

[Promise? Really promise?]

[Chloe, don’t you go falling head over heels for some other man, okay?]

[I won’t! And you shouldn’t either!]

[Okay, I got it.]

[Is that a promise? If you break it, I’ll do whatever I want!]

[Hm? Well… I guess that’s fine. Sure.]

Did he think that as I grew older, those feelings would disappear and I’d fall for another man? The master agreed to my demands far too easily.

Heh… as if I could ever give my heart to another man. From the very beginning, I’ve only ever thought of the master.

‘Ines… should I thank you?’

Until now, I couldn’t make a move on the master because of that promise… but thanks to Ines seducing the master with that scrawny body of hers, he broke the promise first.

Honestly, seeing another woman by the master’s side makes my heart ache terribly. But if that small pain is the price for being able to share love with the master… I can endure it.

That’s why I’ve changed my plan from trying to keep Ines away from the master to accepting their relationship.

Right now, Ines may be one step ahead for having shared love with the master first, but once I share love with him too, he’ll naturally choose me over someone like Ines. The small gap can be easily bridged.

“…But I’m not sure where to make my move.”

The bedroom and office won’t work because Ines sticks to him like a dust mite.

Other places in the castle like the dining hall or bath are the same. There are too many servants and attendants, and I can’t do anything in front of them.

…For now, I’ll stay by the master’s side and wait for the right moment.

……….

“Hmm… this production process looks problem-free.”

“That’s… a… relief…”

Whew, I thought I was going to die.

After staying up late and waking up early to design the production line, I finally get the OK sign from the craftsman.

“Tell the technicians to build the production equipment according to this design… Ah, and make plenty of copies just in case.”

“Understood, Duke.”

“You should also go to the technicians yourself. If there are any issues, you’ll need to advise them…”

“Ah, yes. I will do so, Duke.”

The attendant who received the design from me bows respectfully before leaving, and the craftsman also nods in agreement and follows after him.

Good… now I can finally rest… First, I’ll take a nap—

“Um… Duke.”

“What is it…?”

“We still have the beer and clothing factories left.”

“…”

Oh.

Turning my head at those words, I notice the brewing and tailoring craftsmen still standing there, unable to go to their sites because they haven’t received their designs yet.

How could I forget something so important…

“…Please wait a little longer. I’ll make them soon…”

“We… we’re fine. Please take your time.”

The craftsmen, who have had to close their workshops for days while being held at the castle unable to do anything, would have every right to be dissatisfied, but they aren’t, seeing my tired face.

“I appreciate your understanding… I’ll be going now.”

“We’re really fine! You don’t need to push yourself for our sake!”

“I’m truly fine… don’t worry about me.”

By the standards of this era, a duke working so hard for commoners must seem very touching.

I can hear the moved craftsmen worrying behind me, but I insist I’m fine as I hurry to make the next design.

The longer I delay, the more everything gets pushed back… and since I started this, I need to finish it.

“Master, you don’t look well. Let me support you.”

“Chloe… thank you.”

Once the craftsmen are out of sight, Chloe comes to my side and supports me.

The height difference between us makes it difficult to stand properly even with her support, but it’s better than nothing.

“Hmm… there’s a garden just ahead. Would you like to rest there for a bit? It’s not like things will finish any faster just because you rush a few minutes.”

“Well… that’s true.”

“Yes, you’re tired and need rest, Master.”

If things could be finished quickly by saving just a few minutes, I wouldn’t be working late nights like this.

Given what the craftsmen said and Chloe’s concern, maybe I should rest a bit…

“You’re right, Chloe. I should rest a little.”

“Yes! Hehe… it’s been so long since we’ve walked together, just the two of us.”

“…Indeed.”

Chloe beams with joy at my response.

Just moments ago she was supporting my shoulder, but now she’s walking through the garden with her arm linked with mine.

The garden is normally only accessible to the gardener except on special occasions, and since today is the gardener’s day off, there’s no one in the garden except Chloe and me.

“Even after all this time… the height difference is still the same.”

“I was hoping Chloe would grow taller.”

“Hehe…”

Chloe, who would normally restrain herself due to others watching, shows her affection openly with great joy.

Walking together with a happy smile, Chloe spots a bench and speaks with a slightly excited voice.

“Ah, there’s a bench. Let’s sit down for a bit.”

“Shall we?”

“Yes!”

Following Chloe’s suggestion, we both sit on the bench.

Clouds are spread across the sky in pleasing shapes, warm sunlight shines down on us, and the sound of birds chirping reaches our ears.

The surroundings are filled with trees and bushes, a sea of green that seems to heal my eyes, tired from processing paperwork.

Haaah… sometimes it’s good to come outside instead of resting indoors. Very nice.

“Hmm…?”

“What’s wrong?”

After sitting there for a while, Chloe suddenly tilts her head and looks at the bushes behind us with a puzzled expression.

“There was something there.”

“Really? There shouldn’t be anyone here. Maybe a bird or something?”

“No, there was definitely something. Just a moment…”

Chloe shakes her head, then gets up from the bench and goes into the bushes behind us.

“Um… Master.”

“What is it?”

There’s a rustling sound from the bushes, and after a moment, I hear Chloe calling me cautiously from within. Her voice is trembling as if slightly excited.

“Just… just come over here for a moment.”

“What is it?”

“It’s really important… truly. Please come here quickly.”

Despite my question, Chloe only says it’s important without giving a proper answer.

She just keeps repeating that I should come into the bushes.