Ael sat in her seat, constantly looking around. The place she was guided to was the building of Ash Trading Company nearby.

Ael, who was led to a room usually used for discussions with business partners, was simply amazed that one side of the wall was made of transparent glass, allowing her to view the scenery inside the company.

Although she had never been inside other trading company buildings, she at least knew that other trading companies in Denertum did not have rooms like this.

‘The Empire seems to make reception rooms like this.’

It seemed like a good idea.

While sitting, watching the company people bustling about and working, it somehow seemed to inspire trust in this trading company.

Of course, the sight of the enormous building would also likely give reassurance to those doing business.

Then Ael soon discovered why the people of Ash Trading Company looked so peculiar.

‘There are many women.’

Even without hearing their voices, she could tell they were from the Empire. The shape of their clothes was slightly different, and above all, their movements and attitudes differed from those of Denertum people.

They casually patted the shoulders of other men and laughed, speaking to them without hesitation.

At first, she thought they might be secretaries working for those sitting, but upon closer inspection, she saw that there were more people moving around giving various instructions.

‘Come to think of it, Ms. Nisha, who was said to be the branch manager, was also a woman…’

She remembered how people inside the company bowed their heads in greeting when Nisha entered.

In Denertum, unless you’re a noble woman, you can’t receive such greetings.

When she first entered the company, she didn’t notice properly because her ankle was in pain and she was flustered by the sudden guidance, but there were more women working in Ash Trading Company than she had thought.

As she looked at them, Ael suddenly thought.

‘Could I work here too?’

No store or company in Denertum would hire her.

If she were a commoner, there might be a few places, but there wouldn’t be a single place that would give a job to a noble woman.

But in an Imperial trading company, wouldn’t it be possible?

As soon as her imagination discovered a new possibility, it continued to branch out. Before she knew it, in Ael’s mind, she saw herself sitting among the working people.

Knock knock.

The moment of happiness that came from mere imagination disappeared instantly at the sound of a knock. Ael unconsciously stood up and straightened her posture.

Just as she always did at home, watching for the mood of whoever was entering, to avoid giving any reason for complaint.

“You’ve waited long. I’m sorry for being late… Why are you standing?”

The one who entered was Kalon. He slightly frowned upon seeing Ael.

The doctor said her ankle was slightly sprained.

Fortunately, he said it would soon be fine if she rested for a few days without moving. So he told her to just sit still until she was taken home, but why was she standing there looking so uncomfortable?

It wasn’t just now. Wasn’t she mortified to the point of death just from taking off her shoes and exposing her feet during treatment?

It was fortunate that there was a female doctor in the company; if a male doctor had been asked to examine her, she probably would have refused treatment to the end.

Although it had been barely a day since he arrived in this country, Kalon had already grasped how conservative and stifling Denertum was.

‘It’s even more backward than I thought.’

No wonder there were traces of curses written and then crossed out with a pen in the casual letter that Nisha, the branch manager, had sent along with the report.

That’s why Kalon found this woman even more interesting.

Of course, she could have been someone who approached with some purpose, like that vagrant who tried to steal the documents.

‘But if that were the case, she wouldn’t have done something so conspicuous.’

While others were avoiding getting involved in any troublesome situations, only this woman stepped forward, tripped him, and threw a book to help.

‘Of course, she might have done it expecting something in return.’

Kalon smiled habitually as he organized his increasingly complex thoughts.

“Please sit down for now. If you keep standing like that, the pain will continue.”

“Yes.”

“I was so flustered earlier that I barely managed to tell you my name. If it’s not rude, may I ask for your name?”

“I’m… Ael.”

Ael was about to give her full name and title but quickly decided against it and introduced herself briefly.

She had heard that just as nobles didn’t think well of Imperials, Imperial merchants didn’t particularly like nobles either.

It made sense, considering that it was the noble faction that repeatedly obstructed the advancement of Imperial merchants.

She didn’t have to look far; her father, Viscount Aradis, would habitually badmouth Imperial merchants when drunk.

‘If I say I’m a noble, they might feel uncomfortable.’

Although they had helped her, the company people were being excessively kind to her.

It was burdensome, but she didn’t dislike it. After all, it was practically the first time anyone other than Jena had shown such concern for her.

Once today passed, they probably wouldn’t meet again. If that was the case, she wanted to leave a good impression on each other until the end.

“I see. Then, Ms. Ael, if it’s not rude, is there any particular compensation you desire? We’d like to reward you for helping us in your own way.”

She wanted to say that no reward was necessary. After all, she hadn’t done it expecting anything in return.

But if she went back empty-handed, she’d be scolded for being late and not even bringing back the letter paper.

“Um, then… could I just ask for… new letter paper?”

Perhaps if it were another noble, they would have said not to worry about it and bought new ones on their way back. But Ael didn’t have that kind of money.

“Of course.”

At this straightforward answer, relief finally showed on Ael’s face. At that moment, Nisha entered carrying a tray of refreshments.

“I’m sorry for the late hospitality. Please have some. These are tea and snacks from the Empire that arrived on yesterday’s ship.”

Ael’s gaze turned to the tray Nisha set down. It was filled with unfamiliar porcelain teapots, teacups, and snacks.

No matter how much nobles looked down on things from the Empire, it was hard to deny the fact that the quality of goods coming from the Empire was overwhelmingly superior.

Moreover, among young nobles, consuming more Imperial goods was becoming a sort of bragging right.

Many imported items from the Empire were luxury goods.

Among them, tea sets and snacks were representative.

Once, Elize had received a gift from the Grand Duke and placed something all over the table. They were all snacks imported from the Empire.

Seeing the unfamiliar shapes, not only Ael but also the Viscountess and the maids couldn’t take their eyes off them.

Unlike the rough snacks of Denertum, the Empire’s snacks were so vividly colored as if painted, they looked more like decorations than food.

Of course, Elize had just shown them off and then said it would be difficult to give them to others since they were gifts she received, and took them all into her room.

But it seemed she had shared a few with the Viscountess and her maid, Maya.

Maya had come down to the kitchen and endlessly bragged to Ael and Jena, who were working there, about how fantastically delicious the Empire’s snacks were.

It was natural for Jena to listen to Maya’s explanation with a mesmerized face.

Ael too, while pretending not to be very interested, secretly listened intently to Maya’s explanation. How the texture was, how the beautifully colored parts tasted, and so on.

Maya’s explanation was so detailed that Ael found herself swallowing unconsciously several times.

It was then that Ael regretted for the first time not being able to attend banquets. According to Elize, Imperial snacks were often served at recent banquets.

But what Nisha had brought now looked even more expensive at a glance than the snacks Elize had received as a gift from the Grand Duke.

It wasn’t just the snacks. The aroma of the tea Nisha poured was also exquisite.

“This is a new blend of tea harvested at the end of last year and released for the first time this year. It’s hard to get even in the Empire.”

“Thank you.”

Ael carefully took the teacup and took a sip. A warm sensation spread throughout her body along with a rich aroma.