Nisha had also learned martial arts from Kalon along with Ino, enough to protect herself.

That’s why she noticed that the movements of the two just now were truly sincere.

At times like this, one would typically think with a sly smile, “Kalon, I didn’t see you that way, but you liked this type,” but Nisha couldn’t do that.

‘As if, well done.’

Having worked with Kalon for a long time, Nisha prided herself on knowing him to some extent.

Kalon is unusually affectionate and generous for a merchant guild leader. But that was only within the boundaries he had set.

A person with limited kindness. That’s Kalon.

He had never made a decision based on emotions until now.

He was the kind of person who would mercilessly cut off someone he had laughed and played with just yesterday if it was necessary for the guild the next day.

‘There’s only one exception though…’

Nisha swallowed a sigh.

It was fortunate that this poor girl from a corner country had gained Kalon’s sympathy. Thanks to that, she would be able to escape from this difficult situation.

‘But…’

Nisha worried about Ael, not Kalon.

If this young lady develops feelings for Kalon, there will surely come a day when she gets hurt.

After the brief commotion passed, the conversation flowed back to the content of the work and its conditions.

“Basically, Ash Trading Company operates on a monthly salary system. Some people receive daily or weekly wages depending on the person, but not many. And payment is deposited into bank accounts, but this too can be paid directly in cash depending on the situation. For Miss Aelfrida…”

“I… I think cash would be better. It’s good to keep it in the bank, but I can’t open an account in my name yet.”

She couldn’t open an account at the Denertum Bank since her father no longer responds to contact and she has no husband.

“Then how about an Imperial bank?”

“Pardon?”

“An Imperial bank is entering Denertum this time. Based on Imperial rules, you can open an account there without a male guardian.”

As Ash Trading Company grew within Denertum, the inconveniences for female employees of the company continued to increase. One of these was the banking issue.

Until now, they had been paying salaries by opening several accounts in the name of Ash Trading Company and distributing them, but there were many problems in various aspects.

So Ash Trading Company decided to bring an Imperial bank to Denertum.

They needed an Imperial bank anyway, as there would be large sums of money moving in the future to implement their plans.

“Then can I open an account in my name? Without a guardian?”

“Of course.”

As Kalon nodded, Ael’s face brightened.

“And it would be good to decide on the salary now as well. Given your situation, we’ll pay a weekly salary in advance for now.”

At his words, Ael’s face brightened even more.

“And the salary per week is…”

Ael swallowed dryly.

In truth, she wanted to work here regardless of how much they paid.

If she were to be a bit greedy, she hoped for a salary that could comfortably provide for Jena and the elderly couple left at home, with meals, and enough to fully repair Elize’s room by the end of summer if she worked until then.

Even if it fell a bit short, it would be fine. No other job would be this favorable to her, nor would she be able to utilize what she knew.

‘If it could be 50 gilders a week, that would be really nice…’

Ael was startled by her own thoughts. She knew that most women working in markets or shops earned less than 30 gilders a week.

And even that was for those who were paid well. Most earned less than 20 gilders.

But for her, just starting work, to think of 50 gilders… It seemed like an enormous greed.

“…Is 250 gilders alright?”

“Pardon?”

“250 gilders a week. Is it perhaps too little?”

Was he possibly mocking her now? But there was no hint of playfulness anywhere on Kalon’s face.

‘250 gilders. With that money…’

She could really do a lot. It was enough to pay the overdue wages of the elderly couple, make sure Jena didn’t have to struggle washing Elize’s clothes, and immediately repair Elize’s room.

“Um, is it really 250 gilders?”

“Yes. And while we principally prohibit advances, it’s possible if the executives judge it necessary. So if you wish, we can pay it right away.”

At his words, Ael could only open and close her mouth without saying anything, knowing it wasn’t the proper attitude.

“No, um, really that much… But that would surely need the branch manager’s permission…”

Such an enormous offer would surely need the branch manager’s approval.

But so far, Nisha hadn’t said anything, and only Kalon had been talking.

“Huh? Me?”

At Ael’s words, Nisha, who had been sitting, looked surprised.

“Ah, that’s right. My approval is needed, but I usually leave these matters to Kalon. When I’m busy, he sometimes acts as the full proxy for the Denertum branch manager.”

Nisha was quite old. Though not exact, she seemed to be in her mid-40s.

But Kalon looked only a few years older than herself at most. He might have a young face, but even then, he definitely didn’t look to be in his mid-30s.

‘To be in a position to substitute for the branch manager in such a huge trading company…’

He must have worked incredibly hard to reach that position at such a young age.

Ael’s gaze towards Kalon now began to shine with respect.

Kalon felt a tickle in one corner of his heart at that gaze directed at him, and couldn’t keep his hands still. As if he was embarrassed.

He casually brushed his cheek, where Ael’s gaze had touched, with the back of his hand.

The contract was quickly drawn up. Ino, who had been coming and going in the background, said, “Then is everything decided?” and ran off like the wind to prepare the contract.

Faced with the contract that only needed her signature, Ael wondered if she might be dreaming.

Even when coming here, her body had been so heavy and her mind so dizzy that each step was difficult.

She had worried the entire way.

What if they said they had already found an Imperial language instructor, what if they laughed and thought she was begging now. Moreover, was Jena alright?

There had been no hope, and her thoughts had turned increasingly to despair.

Tomorrow would be even harder than today, and she didn’t even want to imagine the more distant future.

To the point where she had even had unpleasant thoughts for a moment.

Yet now, not even hours later, she was sitting in the best room of Ash Trading Company, receiving offers that made her doubt her ears repeatedly.

A doctor had tended to her wounds, and her hungry stomach was filled with quality food. And she was among people who treated her warmly while offering her good conditions.

Ael looked at Kalon, who seemed to be waiting for her to sign quickly.

The day she first met him, the day she couldn’t come out because her parents had beaten her, and today.

Every day she met him was like a gift to Ael.

‘Then…’

If she were to work here now and see him every day.

Would every day be as happy as today?

Ael picked up the pen with trembling hands. And signed firmly at the end of the contract.

It was the first signature in her life with only her name, without any other family members.

* * *

The next day, Ael got up before the morning sun had even risen.

“…”

After being dazed for a while, Ael slowly turned her head.

There was a money pouch on the bedside table. And it had the large emblem of Ash Trading Company on it.

Ael reached out and picked up the pouch. The sound of coins clinking inside could be heard.

“It wasn’t a dream…”

Ael knew how much was in this pouch. There should be exactly 23 gilders left.

It was the money left after paying the wages of the elderly servants and Jena, and buying this week’s food ingredients from the 250 gilders.

‘Amazing.’

Although she wasn’t unaware of the importance of money, it was surprising how most of the problems that had been troubling her were resolved at once, as if by magic.

First, she bought enough food ingredients for everyone to eat plenty. Thanks to that, the kitchen storage was filled with fresh vegetables and fruits for the first time in a long while.

Milk, butter, and various types of bread that she had bought all of.

Jena burst into tears after looking at the full storage. They had really been on the brink of running out of food.

Next, Ael called the elderly couple and Jena to check when her father had last paid their wages.

Ael couldn’t bring herself to scold them for not telling her earlier, seeing the three of them speaking painfully while watching her reaction.

Ael settled their wages.

They were all so happy to receive the money. She felt pathetic for not noticing earlier.

‘Still, it’s hard to believe that this all got settled with a weekly wage.’

Kalon had said he would give her 250 gilders a week.

When she said it was too much, he told her that the ancient language specialists at the Imperial headquarters were receiving the same amount despite being less skilled than her.

He also added that her weekly wage would increase further after a month.

‘250 gilders is already enormous, and it’s going to increase even more.’

Thinking that this much money would come in again every week, Ael’s steps became light as if she could fly.

Humming a light tune, Ael went downstairs. And she looked at Elize’s room where the fire had occurred.

It was still a mess there. But looking at it didn’t make her chest feel tight anymore.

‘People are coming this morning, they said.’

When she was leaving Ash Trading Company yesterday, Kalon had called her back.