“Don’t tell me you bought all of this…?”

When Amy asked with a trembling voice, Noah shook his head.

“Not exactly…”

“Thank goodness.”

Amy’s sigh of relief was short-lived as the tailor, gazing at the jewels in rapture, said softly,

“He has reserved all of them. The payment will be made over several years.”

“…”

So it wasn’t yet? Amy froze like a statue. Noah, seemingly oblivious to her reaction, urged her to try on the robe. Amy clutched her throbbing head.

“Did Joseph… stamp the seal?”

The purchasing process in the Grand Duke’s estate required the Grand Duke to stamp the payment order, and until he came of age, Joseph, the accountant, would review and make the final decision.

“No, not yet. His Highness said he’d look at the items first and then pass on the invoice.”

At Madam Weaver’s words, Amy felt somewhat relieved. She exhaled and said,

“Take them back.”

“Amy?”

Noah blinked. Amy glared at Madam Weaver. Her reproachful look seemed to ask why she hadn’t stopped this, to which Madam Weaver shrugged. Amy could almost hear her retort: “As if he listens to anyone else.”

“Amy.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Amy quickly turned her head at the low voice. Noah was looking down, clearly dejected. He murmured wistfully,

“Remember when we first left the palace and went to the central market?”

“Yes… we did.”

Amy had an ominous feeling about why he was bringing this up now.

“That was the first time I ate street kebabs. I was overwhelmed by the intense flavors I’d never experienced before. You were so excited, you spent all your money buying everything for me. Remember?”

Noah’s voice was nostalgic, as if reliving a happy memory.

“…It wasn’t quite like that…”

Amy felt cold sweat on her back at this portrayal of her as some fairy granting a poor child’s wish. Madam Weaver and the tailor looked at Amy with expressions of “What a heartwarming story!”

“I loved it so much. I was so happy. So I decided. That someday, I would do something for Amy too.”

Noah turned to face Amy after his impassioned speech. His golden eyes, brimming with moisture, sparkled poignantly. The tailor gasped, muttered “A masterpiece,” then covered his mouth with a handkerchief, startled by his own reaction.

“After many twists and turns, I became Grand Duke, and now I finally have money I can use freely… Won’t Amy grant my long-held wish?”

Noah tilted his head 45 degrees diagonally downward. It was the angle that most dramatically showcased his slightly lowered eyelashes and quivering red lips.

Amy was dumbfounded. Surely, he hadn’t practiced this in front of a mirror? And what did he mean by ‘long-held’? It had barely been half a year…

At that moment, Madam Weaver cut in, as if to summarize the situation:

“Then how about this? We’ll accept just one outfit.”

The tailor’s face crumpled at her proposed compromise. Madam Weaver stepped forward and smoothed out the navy robe Noah had selected.

“Since His Highness wants to show his gratitude to the Head Maid, this much should satisfy both of you… well, of course not completely!”

Madam Weaver quickly changed her words as Noah’s eyes flashed sharply.

“But for now, with the festival coming up, why not be content with this one outfit, and then reconsider when Your Highness has accumulated more personal funds? Once Your Highness is more established, the Head Maid might feel more comfortable accepting gifts.”

Amy’s ears perked up. In the future, when Noah possessed the black gold, receiving ten such gifts wouldn’t even make a dent in his wealth.

“Don’t you think so too, Head Maid?”

“Oh, um. Yes… Your Highness, I really only want one outfit. You’ll do that for me, won’t you?”

Although the target of persuasion had shifted from Amy to Noah, the atmosphere felt all too natural. Noah furrowed his brow, deep in thought, while Amy anxiously waited for his agreement. Yet, she felt something was off.

‘Wait, how did I end up in a position of begging for clothes…?’

She felt like she’d been caught up in something, but at this point, it was too late to object or refuse, given Noah’s mood. He let out a heavy sigh and nodded reluctantly.

“Then I’ll have to wait for another opportunity.”

“!”

Amy and Madam Weaver simultaneously exhaled in relief, but the tailor sank onto the sofa with a sigh, as if all was lost. Feeling a twinge of guilt, Amy quickly stepped forward and snatched the navy robe.

“It’s very well-made, I like it a lot.”

“Yes, well…”

The tailor pouted with an expression that seemed to say “You’re giving with one hand and taking with the other,” but Amy pretended not to notice. Noah smiled weakly and said,

“So you’ll accept that? But… what about matching accessories…?”

As he showed interest in the dazzling jewels again, Amy quickly intercepted him.

“Later, yes! Later… I’ll be sure to accept them gratefully then…”

“Hmm, is that a promise? You won’t make me out to be an ungrateful scoundrel, will you?”

“Oh, Your Highness. How could you say such a thing… A promise, of course, haha. Well then, I’ll go and carefully store away my gift.”

With an awkward smile plastered on her face, Amy hugged the navy robe and hurriedly left the reception room.

The moment the door closed with a thud, Noah snapped his fingers. Immediately, Madam Weaver stepped forward and handed another money pouch to the tailor. The tailor, who had been despondent just moments ago, accepted it respectfully with a bright expression, as if he had never been upset.

“Then we’ll keep the purchased jewels in our shop’s vault. We’ll also make all preparations to tailor the gowns and robes according to the latest fashions whenever needed.”

Noah sat in a single armchair, crossed his legs, and nodded with a satisfied expression.

“I trust you’ll do well.”

He didn’t forget to praise Madam Weaver either.

“Your strategy worked well. Good job.”

“You’re too kind.”

It was Madam Weaver who had suggested that after overwhelming Amy with an excessive amount of clothes and jewels, she would surely accept if they negotiated for just one outfit. Not only that, but they had already paid for all the jewels and clothes behind Amy’s back…

The two conspirators, Noah and Madam Weaver, smiled at each other mischievously.

The spring festival was decided to be held on a small scale in the village below the Grand Duke’s castle due to the short preparation time. Guards rushed to deliver the news to the northern vassals’ territories.

Though there might not be much reason to attend, the shrewd ones would persistently come to spy. It was a good opportunity to confirm the Grand Duke’s leadership, drive, and hidden wealth.

“We’re going to announce the plan in the hall.”

Amy entered the hall with Noah. The employees who had arrived earlier all stood up and bowed. Noah took the seat of honor.

On the temporary platform, Joseph, who was in charge of the announcement, was busy with last-minute preparations, shuffling through documents with James.

The festival plan approved by Noah was as follows, but there was one thing to know first.

After the frozen ground thawed, a unique flower never seen before was discovered throughout the North. It seemed to be a plant that had once grown naturally in the North before the weather worsened. Noah and Amy decided to make this flower the symbol of the North and the Grand Duke’s family, and to utilize it from this festival onward.

Finally, Joseph stepped to the center of the platform and cleared his throat to begin the announcement.

“Good day, everyone. I am Joseph Wenli, His Highness the Grand Duke’s assistant, in charge of today’s announcement.”

As soon as he finished his introduction, applause broke out. Then, along with a whistle, someone shouted,

“We saw you dancing on the stairs, Mr. Assistant!”

Laughter erupted, and Joseph’s face turned bright red. He fanned himself with the papers and gulped down water. After barely regaining his composure, Joseph spoke again.

“First, I have something to tell you. We will engrave it on all seals used in the Grand Duke’s castle, including the family crest. It will also be on the employees’ nameplates and clothes, so please be careful with their storage.”

The audience murmured at his words.

“It’s a change befitting the new Grand Duke and the new North.”

Amy, who had come up with the idea, nodded with satisfaction. Beside her, Noah looked at her with proud eyes. Joseph continued,

“The first plan for this historic spring festival, proposed by the craftsmen, is the sale of amulets that can only be obtained from the Grand Duke’s castle.”

The most common suggestion among the submitted plans was to sell items symbolizing the Grand Duke who brought spring to the frigid North.

After much deliberation, it was decided to make them in gold, the color of Noah’s eyes, but to differentiate them from other amulets, the newly chosen symbol flower of the North would be engraved on the outside.

The basic size would be suitable for personal possession, but various types would be sold, including those that could be attached to horse armor, armor, or weapons as decorations.

“The second plan is an idea from James and me. It’s also a measure to secure the funds lacking in the Grand Duke’s family, given the North’s characteristic of paying taxes in kind, such as grains or livestock.”

He smiled proudly.

“We’re going to mint coins.”

The coins that will circulate in the North will also be minted with the new symbol flower engraved, and for the next five years, they can be exchanged at a rate 10 percent higher than the face value of the exchanged currency.

In other words, if you bring 100 of the imperial currency, you can take 110 of the North’s coins. Those with surplus funds will surely not miss this opportunity, so they will come to the festival for this reason alone.