Irene Brown was poor. Her husband, who had been running a business, fell ill and passed away, leaving her with massive debts and a daughter, Lizzy.

Nevertheless, Irene did not consider her marriage a failure. Her husband was a good person, and she couldn’t imagine a world without her daughter Lizzy.

Irene didn’t want the debt to crush her daughter. She couldn’t be entirely happy when Lizzy, who enjoyed learning something like her mother, entered a boarding school. The current income made immediate living difficult.

Amidst the dark prospects of next semester’s tuition, debts, and life, a recruitment notice appeared before Irene—it was the recruitment from Baker & Co.

Where in the world would such conditions exist? Money, welfare, everything was good. Irene wanted to secure this dream-like job, and a miracle happened. Rumor had it that even renowned household teachers applied for the position.

‘The reason I was chosen is probably because I wasn’t curious about anything.’

A noble young lady who lived in the Bourgeoisie’s house from a foreign country. Moreover, the two were not married.

Though they were called engaged, they didn’t have an engagement ceremony. This was not an uncommon relationship among the wealthy in Grazian.

Jen and Dia were people who anyone would find interesting. However, Irene pretended not to be curious… No, she pretended not to know anything.

‘I’m really fortunate to work here.’

Thinking about repaying debts in the future was daunting, but Irene felt fortunate to be able to pay for her daughter’s next semester’s tuition right away. Being able to occasionally meet them was also a great joy.

“Irene! Come on in. It’s been a while.”

The owner warmly welcomed Irene, who visited the stationery store she used to stop by before heading home.

“Hello. Have you been well?”

“Oh, I’m always doing well. How’s Lizzy these days?”

“I think she’s doing well at school.”

“You’ve raised her really well. She aced the boarding school exams.”

“I did my best. Lizzy grew up on her own.”

When Irene seemed embarrassed, the owner said, raising his hand.

“When I asked before, she said she wants to become a great teacher like her mom!”

“Did she say that?”

Irene smiled, her face turning red. The stationery store owner showed a satisfied smile.

“But why did you come today? To buy notebooks for Lizzy?”

“Yes, and also to buy gifts.”

“Gifts? Who are they for?”

The reason Irene came to this stationery store today was, as mentioned, to buy stationery for Lizzy and to buy gifts for Dia and Deborah.

Irene was initially uncomfortable with Deborah. She was anxious that the person who interviewed her might be easily offended, especially when following Dia around closely. However, Deborah was not a meticulous person looking for mistakes, and she wasn’t someone who laid traps with a smiling face like the Mistress.

‘She’s not the type to set traps with a smiling face like the Mistress.’
Deborah was a considerate person. She was also an intelligent individual who worked hard to achieve good results together.

Encountering such a person in the workplace was unexpectedly difficult, considering how many maids struggled with their duties alongside governesses.

‘She helps me a lot with my work… In that quiet mansion, the reason I can smile and get by is thanks to Miss Deborah.’

Because of this, despite the tight circumstances, Irene wanted to give a small gift. She wanted to encourage Dia, who was working diligently.

Unable to explain these circumstances in detail, Irene responded with a subtle smile.

“For the people I’m currently living with. They are women. What would be a good gift?”

“I think many people often give suits or fountain pens as gifts.”

After silently examining the items, Irene decided to give fountain pens as gifts.

“Something not too expensive, can you recommend that?”

“How old are the recipients?”

“They are in their early and late twenties.”

“In that case…”

It was a moment when the owner was contemplating, rubbing his temple. Sage appeared, aligning with the commuting hours.

“Oh, you came at a good time! Sage, Irene needs you to pick out some products for women in their early and late twenties. Your sense is probably better than mine, being younger.”

“What’s young about me.”

“You’re younger than me!”

With a faint smile, Sage asked Irene.

“Do you use pens a lot?”

“Yes. I think so.”

“Then, let me recommend this product. The weight of the pen holder is just right, so it’s easy to use for a long time. The design is also favored by young women.”

“The gold-colored pen tip is really pretty. In that case…”

Examining the pens recommended by Sage, Irene eventually chose a white fountain pen and a green fountain pen. Of course, she boldly selected notebooks for her daughter to use.

“Here. Give this notebook to Lizzy.”

“Huh? You don’t have to give me things like this.”

“Oh, why be so formal about this! Go ahead, take it!”

As Irene left, expressing gratitude, Sage asked the owner.

“Why did you give it as a service?”