However, while I was hesitating, those surrounding Lord Joseph and me were already raising their voices amongst themselves.

To exchange even one more word with me.

To make an appointment to visit and propose to me!

It was difficult to escape alone. I needed someone’s help.

But the noble ladies who had initially greeted me warmly were already pushed back by the momentum of this crowd.

‘I must be crazy. Of all times, to attend a place where it’s obvious men would be gathered in droves without any defense.’

And yet, I couldn’t brazenly hope for Lord Joseph’s help.

Because this gathering wasn’t an ordinary social event, but an explanatory meeting arranged by Lord Joseph to attract investors.

So Lord Joseph shouldn’t upset their nerves unless absolutely necessary…

“It would be best if you all stopped.”

However, contrary to my thoughts, Lord Joseph didn’t just stand by and watch me in distress.

But it was a strange thing.

Lord Joseph didn’t particularly raise his voice.

Yet at that one statement, everyone who had crowded around fell silent, unable to make even a breath of sound.

I was the same.

For a moment, as if enchanted by that beautiful voice, my thoughts stopped, and I could only focus entirely on him.

It was like a magical charm.

“Isn’t the Duchess looking very flustered? If it were me, I think it would be difficult for affection to sprout towards those who are troubling me at this moment.”

Moreover, his charisma was as persuasive as his voice.

Though it wasn’t particularly an extraordinary statement, those gathered looked at each other and sheepishly took a step back.

“Well, I unintentionally committed a discourtesy, Duchess.”

“I was just so pleased to see you in social circles after such a long time…”

“I, I’m truly sorry for today. When we meet again next time, I’ll greet you properly then.”

What followed was instantaneous.

Those who had crowded around me dispersed in the blink of an eye, as if they had never been there. Like dust blown away in a puff.

I blinked, dumbfounded.

Well, it’s good that they’ve retreated from around me, but…

“…”

Is this considered resolved?

Of course, they’re still lingering within my sight, standing cautiously and watching.

But isn’t this good enough? It doesn’t hinder my ability to socialize.

Rather, from my perspective, it’s better if they pay attention to me in this way.

After all, they too are people with whom I need to maintain friendly relations for the smooth operation of my domain.

“I wonder if I’ve interfered unnecessarily. I hope this hasn’t caused you any trouble, Duchess.”

“Ah, no.”

Lord Joseph’s words snapped me back to attention.

Only then did I realize that I had been lost in thought.

“On the contrary, I’m grateful to you, Lord Joseph. I was really in a difficult situation and couldn’t calculate how to resolve it in the moment. I hope it hasn’t caused you any inconvenience instead.”

To this, Lord Joseph smiled, his eyes crinkling, and said,

“I understand your concern, but there’s no need to worry. I’m confident I’ll secure the investments for certain.”

I was about to ask what the basis for such confidence was.

“Ahem, ahem. There you are.”

Finally, they’re here.

A man approaching with a pompous gait and another man with a small build entered my field of vision.

Curiosity would have to wait for now. I turned towards them appropriately.

“Count Alperon, it’s been a while. And Duchess Daiern as well.”

“Count. It’s been some time. And it’s my first time meeting the Duchess. It’s an honor to meet you like this. I’m the manager of the Bloria Theater.”

The Bloria Theater is a massive opera house that could be called a symbol of the imperial capital.

It’s also the place that has an exclusive contract with Master Ernestine.

Simultaneously, it’s the place that Lord Joseph acquired for an enormous sum of money.

“The Bloria Theater, it seems you have important matters to discuss. Then I shall take my leave. Lord Joseph, I’m very much looking forward to the investment presentation later.”

“I’m glad you have high expectations. I won’t disappoint you. I’ll see you shortly.”

Having already coordinated with Lord Joseph in advance, I didn’t forget to exit appropriately at this timing.

Besides, the noble ladies who had been forced to retreat earlier were now waiting for me with sparkling eyes.

“Is it all over now? Can we talk with you now, Duchess?”

“By the way, you’re really popular. Not that I’m envious, though.”

“But isn’t it unfair that you look so good even in mourning clothes?”

Indeed, the hotel investment presentation was more formal than I had imagined.

I wonder when Lord Joseph had prepared all this.

The noble ladies beside me murmured their impressions, covering their mouths with fans.

“Oh my. It’s so beautiful!”

“Is this what it will look like when it’s completed? I feel like I could live here for the rest of my life!”

“Duchess Daiern, you must have known that Lord Joseph was planning something like this. How could you not mention a word about it until now?”

Well, that’s because I didn’t know he was preparing something like this either.

In the center of the banquet hall, there was a tall, wide, and large furniture-like object that had been covered with a white cloth since before we arrived.

It was none other than a model of the completed hotel.

When the white cloth was first removed, even I was surprised and opened my eyes wide.

My goodness! I’ve heard of making dollhouses modeled after the interiors of mansions, but this was the first time I’d seen a model that so delicately reproduced both the exterior and interior of a hotel.

Moreover, this hotel model seemed to have immense artistic value on its own. The monetary value must be astronomical!

“Oh, is that the most special suite right above the cliff?”

“But is this really a theater? A theater inside a hotel?”

“Wait a moment. This hotel has up to 10 floors? I’ve never heard of such a building!”

Hotel Chronos.

This hotel, named with the meaning of ‘human time’, could be said to be particularly well-suited to the beautiful scenery, which is the greatest advantage of the site.

If the natural landscape is a creation shaped by divine time, did he say that countless human hours would accumulate in this beautiful hotel in the future?

‘Lord Joseph is quite a romantic person, isn’t he?’

In any case, people seemed to be completely absorbed in the model recreating the completed appearance of the hotel.

Understandably so, as the hotel was quite impressive not only in its interior design but also in its exterior.

Clean white outer walls built with marble, even the guest rooms have a white and noble feel.
Reminiscent of the image of a temple that lost its lineage hundreds of years ago, perhaps?

On top of that, the hotel’s amenities were diverse as well.

Not only restaurants and cafeterias, but also sports facilities where one can enjoy lacrosse, outdoor and indoor swimming pools utilizing the lake, and even an opera theater is included!

The most astounding point is that this hotel is planned to be built up to 2 floors underground and 10 floors above ground. Is it some kind of tower?

For reference, even the Tower of Honor, despite its name, is actually only a 5-story building.

‘Of course, how else would people climb up more than that every time?’

So, while everyone was admiring the model of the hotel, I was the first to raise my hand.

“Yes, Duchess Daiern. Do you have a question?”

Lord Joseph pointed to me.

“First, I would like to express my admiration for the beautiful design of Hotel Chronos. I believe that if it is completed safely, it will certainly be a place worthy of its name and meaning.”

That should be enough for greetings. I immediately moved on to the main point.

“However, there is something that concerns me. This hotel is a high-rise with as many as 12 floors including underground and above ground, so if one were to reserve a room on the 10th floor, would they have to climb those high stairs every time?”

It seems people were quite curious about that part as well.

At the same time, there was concern mixed in their eyes as they looked at Lord Joseph.

“I was just about to explain that part. Would you please look at this?”

When all their attention was focused, Lord Joseph gestured to an employee to bring something.

What the employee brought on a wheeled cart was another model.

However, this time it wasn’t a building model.

Rather, it looks more like a specific, small structure with applied physics.

At the end of a sturdy long pillar, a box is suspended by a rope wound around a wheel…

“A pulley?”

And upon seeing that structure, I reflexively opened my lips.

“That’s correct, Duchess. This is a pulley. And…”

He continued speaking with that enchanting smile in his eyes.

“It will be called an ‘elevator’ from now on, the core structure of this hotel.”

Lord Joseph immediately began explaining about this thing called an elevator.

A movable space that can conveniently travel between each floor…!

Only then could I understand the secret of the investment funds that Lord Joseph was so confident about.