How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 40.1
On the day we sold the mid-range glass products for the first time, I remembered the strangely complex expression on the artisan’s face.
Only now did I faintly understand the emotion.
‘Could it be that they pitied us…?’
It seemed they had felt sorry for me, who took those products, called them glass items, and worked hard to sell them.
Perhaps that was also part of the reason they decided to settle in Hezekia. They must have thought that if they could make proper glasscraft, they could show it to us. They had unwittingly received our sympathy. I was simply grateful for their pity.
Standing in front of the furnace, I watched the molten glass coil like beads before speaking.
“Do not start off too complicated.”
The artisan, engrossed in his work, turned to me. He bowed his head and said.
“Please tell me, Your Grace. What direction do you wish to take?”
“I know your skills. But now, both manpower and resources are limited. There is a shortage of assistants, and besides your family, there is not a single skilled worker, right? So producing the elaborate, delicate pieces made in the capital would take a long time.”
“…You speak correctly. But if you give me a little time…”
“Do not misunderstand. I do not say this to blame you. What I mean is, with simple yet elegant designs, you could create them with the skills you already have.”
The man nodded vigorously at my words. The somber expression he had worn brightened again.
I smiled faintly and continued.
“The tastes of the northern continent differ greatly from the atmosphere of this empire. There is no reason the elite artworks popular in Belforte Harbor would appeal to northern customers. From my perspective, practical yet beautiful pieces will likely sell better. Can you do it?”
“Of course, Your Grace. Just leave it to me.”
The artisan smiled gently and bowed deeply.
Now all that remained was to wait patiently.
I walked slowly with Tristan, looking out at the view. Beyond the hill, the village landscape unfolded.
Wide fields lay fallow, exposing bare earth. They had been left uncultivated after exhausting the soil several years ago. Hezekia had many such lands that were difficult to use.
Tristan gazed at his territory with a complicated expression. Although spring had passed and summer was approaching, the wind brushing against his cheeks was still chilly.
“Someday, Hezekia will become a prosperous territory, Your Grace.”
I did not know whether he spoke to comfort himself or to encourage me, but it was not an empty statement. Starting with this small glass workshop, the barren and impoverished Hezekia would gradually develop.
The original story guaranteed it. Tristan and I were doing our best to bring that day closer.
Tristan turned his head and looked at me quietly. His gaze was somehow awkward, and I rolled my eyes in embarrassment. Then Tristan suddenly spoke.
“You have a remarkable eye. I did not expect you to already understand the tastes of northern customers.”
“….”
Not exactly… I had only seen it in the original story. I had just taken advantage of my position to gain a favorable lead. I could not reveal the truth, and being praised without doing much made me feel sheepish, so I quietly lowered my gaze.
“Hezekia is a difficult place to survive through agriculture. I was always worried but could do nothing. Yet thanks to you, it has changed so much. Alone, I could have achieved nothing.”
“…It is not so. It is because Your Grace trusted me.”
It was my honest feeling. Tristan had trusted me. Perhaps that had been the hardest thing.
After all, I am Ruellin, who came to Hezekia as Everett’s spy. For years, I had caused trouble for Tristan and the Grand Duke’s retainers. I had been arrogant and insufferable.
Yet Tristan had never hesitated to trust the proposals I made.
Still, Tristan shook his head lightly.
“Beyond trusting you, there is nothing else I can do.”
It sounded almost self-deprecating. His low voice carried a lonely tone.
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