At this rate, they might be able to test the ondol heating system before the first snowfall.
Ahwin spoke excitedly,
“If the design works as planned, the room’s internal temperature can go up to 60 degrees. You could even create a greenhouse!”
Penelope clapped her hands together in response.
“That’s truly good news.”
“Good news? Is that all you have to say?”
Ahwin looked at her in shock. To him, Penelope’s reaction was far too lukewarm.
If it were the wizards of the Mage Tower, they’d be jumping around and doing sorsaults by now.
‘She seems so amazed by magic, yet she’s so indifferent to alchemy.’
It irked him more than he cared to admit.
Ahwin was used to Penelope treating him casually by now.
He had entered the Mage Tower at the age of three, quickly mastering not just magic and alchemy but even magitech. Being a commoner by birth, he had no concern for etiquette or hierarchy. In fact, he was the exact opposite.
Penelope stared blankly at Ahwin, who, unable to hold back his curiosity, pointed it out directly.
“Can’t you act a little more amazed?”
“I’m really amazed right now,” Penelope replied flatly, bewildered. Did he expect her to be more dramatic?
But having watched the lodramatic reactions of the Mage Tower wizards for years, Ahwin frowned.
“Are you secretly hundreds of years old or sothing…?”
Penelope shrugged wordlessly, as if to say, Do I look that old to you?
At most, her appearance suggested she wasn’t older than twenty-five. To be honest, she looked closer to nineteen.
Ahwin clicked his tongue.
“You must get told you’re boring all the ti.”
The remark implied she acted like an old person despite her young age.
Penelope imdiately understood and thought to herself, Seriously? Spaceships fly across galaxies back on Earth, and I’m supposed to be amazed by a re ondol boiler?
While magic was fascinating, alchemy didn’t impress Penelope in the slightest. After all, wasn’t it just an inferior version of science?
Of course, she couldn’t say that, so she gave a halfhearted excuse.
“I’m really, really amazed. I even clapped earlier, didn’t I?”
Liar.
Ahwin was sure Penelope was lying, but he let it slide.
“Anyway, how’s the soap business going?”
“Funny you should ask. I’m eting with the rchant today to finalize the contract. I plan to entrust him with the distribution of the soap on behalf of the territory.”
“What? You’re negotiating before you’ve even finished making the soap? Do you have a trustworthy rchant in mind?”
Penelope shrugged.
“Well, I’ll only know after I speak with him.”
“So you don’t know much about this rchant yet? Aren’t you worried he’ll swindle you?”
“Do I look like soone who’d get scamd that easily?”
No, she didn’t. If anything, she looked like she could survive being dropped in the middle of a forest and co back alive.
But instead of admitting that, Ahwin simply flopped onto the sofa and crossed his legs nonchalantly.
“When are you eting this rchant?”
“In about thirty minutes. I’ve asked him to co here.”
“Perfect. I need to et this rchant, too. As your business partner, I think it’s only right to check him out.”
“Do whatever you want. Would you like a scone? I’m about to order tea and snacks.”
“Are they corn scones?”
Ahwin’s face brightened as he asked. Penelope nodded.
Ahwin smirked in satisfaction.
“For a struggling estate, you’ve got a pretty good cook.”
Does he have to twist every complint?
Penelope snorted inwardly and tugged the bell cord. Soon, Giselle entered the office.
“Could you bring so tea and scones? Make sure to bring so for the wizard, too.”
“Understood. Please wait a mont.”
Giselle gave Ahwin a subtle glare of disapproval before leaving to prepare the tea. Monts later, she returned with a tray of tea and scones.
Slurp. Crunch.
The two of them enjoyed their tea in silence.
It was the only ti of the day when the two managed to coexist peacefully. It was also when Ahwin was at his most agreeable.
“This territory is absolutely awful, but the tea and scones are decent,” Ahwin remarked.
“I’ll take that as a complint.”
“If you consider that a complint, you might need a hearing test.”
“My ears are perfectly fine.”
The two continued their pointless banter, neither one willing to back down.
They looked like two cats growling and swatting at each other with soft paws. Neither Penelope nor Ahwin saw it that way, though.
This ti, Penelope struck back.
“By the way, can’t you do sothing about that ridiculously long hair? It covers half your face.”
“Mind your own business. It’s my choice.”
“Well, I guess I shouldn’t expect much from soone with no sense of aesthetics.”
Penelope no longer bothered to hold back her remarks.
It wasn’t that she had lost all fear.
Despite his blunt words, she knew Ahwin was soft on her.
When he had first heard about her losing her husband, Ahwin had seed to care about it more than she did.
From the beginning, she could tell he wasn’t the type to misuse his power recklessly.
Scary but also sloppy? He’s such a contradictory wizard.
Before long, she couldn’t stand looking at the hair covering half of his face.
He’s not a rebellious teenager with issues—what is this ss?
Just then, Ahwin smugly folded his arms and said,
“If I tidy up my hair, it’ll only make things awkward for you.”
“Oh, sure.”
“You don’t believe at all.”
“I believe you.”
Penelope responded absentmindedly as she finished off her scone.
Roughly thirty minutes later, the steward entered with news.
“The rchant has arrived, Madam. Shall I let him in? I’ll also have tea and refreshnts prepared.”
“Please do.”
The steward bowed politely.
Soon, Pablo walked into the office.
“It’s good to see you again, Madam Baroness.”
Ahwin’s face stiffened as he looked at Pablo and muttered in shock,
“What the… Why is he here?”
“Do you know ?” Pablo asked, puzzled, as he turned to look at Ahwin.
He flinched slightly at the sight of the scruffy, long-haired man.
“Of course…”
Ahwin quickly caught himself and clamped his mouth shut, realizing he couldn’t let on that he recognized the rchant.
Why is that dog who used to trail after Betty here?
Ahwin frowned as he gulped down his tea, while Pablo tilted his head in confusion.
It was only natural—given Ahwin’s current disheveled state, even his own mother wouldn’t recognize him.
Penelope glanced at Ahwin before turning back to Pablo.
“Please, have a seat.”
“Ah, thank you for the invitation.”
Pablo calmly took his seat across from Ahwin. A tray of herbal tea and scones was placed in front of him, as if they’d been waiting for this mont.
Penelope introduced Ahwin to Pablo.
“This is my business partner, the wizard.”
“Ah, I see. A pleasure to et you. I’m Pablo, head of a small rchant group.”
“….”
Ahwin didn’t respond, only scowling instead. The re fact that Pablo was acquainted with Betty rubbed him the wrong way.
Penelope spoke up preemptively,
“Don’t mind the wizard. He doesn’t enjoy conversation.”
“Ah, I see.”
Pablo’s expression turned slightly doubtful, but he quickly composed himself.
Penelope got straight to the point.
“You’re aware that I’m making soap, aren’t you?”
“Of course.”
Pablo replied sincerely. He’d been nearly brought to tears when he received the large-scale order for soap ingredients from Halo Castle.
“Then do you have any idea why I called you here today?”
“…?”
That part hadn’t crossed his mind. Even after receiving the invitation, he was at a loss as to why the acting lord had called him.
Could it be that she’s recognized my potential? Does she want to recruit for an important role in the territory?
Pablo’s thoughts ran wild as he tried to deduce the reason.
Penelope slid a greenish soap toward him.
“This is the soap I created with the wizard.”
“Ah, I see. It’s very well-made…”
Pablo examined the soap with an awkward smile, clearly trying to maintain a professional deanor.
Reviews
All reviews (0)