Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: A Kiss of Gratitude
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Lark أطلق ضحكة قوية بينما يضع الجهاز السحري الذي يشبه بندول الإيقاع على الطاولة بصوت مسموع.
He then announced that he was considering ordering several video boards for his own purposes.
I expressed my surprise at his sudden declaration.
He advised me not to misunderstand his intentions, noting that his purpose was for the public good unlike my own.
I inquired about the specific reason he would require such devices.
He pondered the matter while speaking fluently, suggesting the production of promotional videos for the imperial family to be displayed throughout the city.
He explained that such a move could demonstrate to the public that imperial officials were working diligently rather than slacking off.
He also proposed filming the new park in the capital to promote the aesthetic results of national tax spending.
I remained in a state of silent contemplation.
He noted that video boards were already being implemented on every street in Millen for rapid national announcements.
Shane, who had been resting deeply in his chair with his eyes closed, offered his immediate and unhesitating approval.
I found myself astonished by this unexpected development.
I wondered if this was truly the same individual known for being exceptionally strict even with members of the imperial family.
I could not help but feel a sense of resentment at how easily the approval was granted.
Shane opened one eye and observed my involuntary pout.
He informed me that he would gladly produce the devices for me if I could provide a purpose as acceptable as the one Lark had presented.
I offered a half-hearted response while maintaining my displeased expression.
Lark chuckled at our interaction and rose from his seat.
He planned to install five boards as a preliminary test and promised to send a detailed report to the Magic Tower within two days.
Shane irritably waved him off and commanded him to depart.
Lark smirked at Shane’s back and quietly remarked that he found the Tower Master to be quite endearing.
Shane whipped around with a look of profound annoyance while Lark offered a playful shrug.
He offered his thanks for the swift approval before making his exit.
Lark had secured the production rights in a single minute, a task that had eluded me even after a ten-minute discussion.
Lark teased me as he followed me out of the Magic Tower, asking if I was currently sulking.
I denied his claim repeatedly, though I was indeed feeling a sense of deep resentment.
He had managed to secure approval without the typical two-week review period usually required for such orders.
I reflected on how he had seemingly stolen my idea right in front of my eyes.
My original plan to utilize video boards for advertising had been snatched wholesale by his imperial promotion proposal.
Lark commanded me to look at him and traced a large rectangle in the air with his hands to represent a video board.
He explained that they would play the imperial promotional videos as planned.
I responded with a grumpy acknowledgment, telling him to proceed with his project.
He then suggested that they could insert a short advertisement for my boutique as a breather between the imperial videos.
I was wide-eyed with surprise at his unexpected proposal.
He asked for my opinion on the idea with a triumphant grin.
I stood there in a state of daze as I considered the implications of his offer.
In essence, he was offering to slot my commercial content into the boards he had just secured.
I asked with a sense of wonder if such a thing was truly permissible given the nature of his approval.
He remarked that the Tower Master likely would not have listened to him at all if it were not for my presence.
He showed me a copy of the order form and pointed to the section regarding the intended use of the devices.
The form stated that the boards were primarily for imperial promos, a phrasing that did not strictly exclude other content.
He explained that as long as the majority of the content was on-purpose, my advertisements could be displayed on the boutique street.
I was deeply moved by his foresight and his willingness to help me from the very beginning.
I declared him to be an upright and magnificent leader of our era.
Lark erupted into a hearty laugh at my enthusiastic praise.
His plan was flawless, allowing me to promote my business without placing any real burden on him.
I expressed my sincere gratitude but wondered if it was appropriate to accept such a significant favor without offering anything in return.
Lark insisted that he was already receiving plenty from me.
I still felt a lingering sense of guilt, especially considering he would soon be modeling for my shop.
I offered to buy him dinner as a token of my appreciation.
He declined the offer and stated that he needed to return to his duties immediately.
I pressed him to suggest an alternative way for me to show my thanks.
Lark paused thoughtfully before leaning down and tapping his right cheek with his finger.
I flinched back in surprise and asked if he was truly requesting a kiss.
He asked with a smirk if I found the prospect to be distasteful.
I reminded him that we were not involved in a romantic relationship.
He inquired if the customs regarding casual greetings had suddenly changed.
I acknowledged that a cheek kiss was indeed a standard greeting between acquaintances.
I recalled my previous life as Juliet Karena and noted that such customs were not inherently shocking to me.
He offered to forget the request if I were truly uncomfortable with it.
I quickly assured him that was not the case and rose onto my tiptoes.
Lark leaned down to accommodate my height and I placed a brief peck on his cheek.
The contact was momentary, yet Lark seemed to freeze for a second while blinking in surprise.
He eventually smirked and remarked that the experience was not bad at all.
I arrived at the National Bank in the heart of the capital city, Decarn, as I had scheduled.
I reflected on the necessity of storing the significant wealth I had recently acquired in a safe location.
I informed the bank teller that I wished to repay the loan under the name of Leonard Diorus.
My guard placed a large bag of cash on the counter and revealed the stacks of high-value bills within.
The teller was startled by the immense sum but quickly recognized my identity.
She requested a moment to verify the loan details and calculate the accrued interest.
I scanned the quiet interior of the bank while the staff treated the few customers with extreme politeness.
The manager observed me from behind the counter while the guard personally prepared tea for my wait.
I recognized that the bank remained empty because the citizens of the empire were not yet familiar with financial institutions.
They did not understand the convenience of allowing others to manage their wealth.
I admired the foresight of Lark, who had introduced these institutions at such a young age to boost the national economy.
I lamented the fact that banks would only become popular after his tragic death and that his rival would claim all the credit for their founding.
I shook my head at the injustice of the future and informed the teller that I also wished to open a personal account.
The teller was surprised by my request and the bank manager hurried over to assist me personally.
He inquired about the amount I intended to deposit into the new account.
I smiled at his eager expression, knowing that the institution required substantial depositors to truly thrive.
I signaled for my three guards to place their bags on the counter and reveal the contents.
The bags were filled with stacks of currency and shimmering bars of solid gold.
I intended to contribute to the nation’s financial flow by becoming a premier customer of the bank.
I informed the stunned manager that I would begin with an initial deposit of five hundred million marks.