Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: The Wristwatch Gift
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“Uh, well... You’ve never seen a watch like this before, right? The demand isn’t huge compared to the effort it takes, so it’s not something made just to sell...”
“T-This, this... You made this?”
“Yeah.”
Jeremy averted his gaze shyly, rubbing the tip of his nose, then added,
“I’m sorry for glaring at you at first and acting all mean. I kept wanting to apologize... but just saying it felt a bit shameless.”
“...”
“I lashed out even though it wasn’t your fault...”
I clamped my hand over my mouth and slowly shook my head.
“You helped with the workshop and chased out the baron too... Honestly, I never imagined you’d help me like this. I must’ve had some prejudice against nobles. I’m really sorry about that...”
“No. No need to apologize. I-I totally get it.”
“Rubette?”
Jeremy tilted his head at my reaction, glanced down at the “gift” in his hand, and then quickly hid it behind his back.
“Y-You don’t like it? It is kind of unusual... I’ll talk to my dad and have him make you a big, pretty clock you can put in your villa.”
“No!”
I paled and glanced behind Jeremy.
“Give it, give it to me... I really, really want it.”
“Huh?”
Jeremy’s eyes widened as he pulled out the gift again, and I eagerly thrust out my left wrist like I’d been waiting.
“Eek.”
“...Rubette?”
“It goes on the wrist, right? Eek.”
“Y-Yeah. How’d you know? Hold still. I’ll put it on for you.”
Blushing and beaming, Jeremy quickly fastened the gift around my wrist.
‘This is insane.’
A “watch” made with mechanical devices required incredibly precise craftsmanship.
It was so tricky that most artisans produced inaccurate timepieces.
That’s why Lubon watches sold so well.
The Works family of artisans produced the most accurate watches in existence.
Something so difficult to make naturally demanded even more precision and effort the smaller it got.
With current technology, the best they could do was a pocket watch small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.
In other words...
‘A wristwatch!’
The “wristwatch” Jeremy had offered me as a “gift” was an incredible invention that didn’t exist yet at this point in time.
‘Demand won’t be high? Jeremy, you idiot! You have no idea!’
Having lived in the 21st-century modern world, no one knew better than I did.
A wristwatch...
Was practically synonymous with luxury goods!
“Done!”
Staring at the watch perfectly fitted to my wrist, I grabbed Jeremy’s hand in overwhelming gratitude.
“Jeremy, thank you. Thank you so much. I love it.”
“...Really?”
“Genius. You’re a genius. This is a groundbreaking invention that’ll change the clock business—no, history itself. You can’t bury it in Lubon.”
“Huh? W-What are you talking about?”
Flustered but clearly pleased by my lavish praise, Jeremy’s lips twitched.
Cute. Barely suppressing my rising smile, I said,
“Make a ton of money with this. I’ll make sure you do.”
* * *
“Siena.”
“Yes, miss. We’ve submitted a patent application for the ‘wristwatch’ to the Imperial Family in Jeremy Works’ name.”
“Mmm. Good, good...”
I grinned at the gift on my left wrist.
A pretty wristwatch with a pale pink leather strap—clearly designed with a noble lady’s tastes in mind.
“Very good!”
When I first suggested commercializing wristwatches, Charlie and everyone at the workshop had been skeptical.
The massive time and labor required versus an untested product—would there really be enough demand to justify the price?
But I...
“This won’t fail. Even if you don’t believe me, I’ll make sure there’s no loss. Let’s give it a shot. I’ll cover all labor costs, parts, and royalties for the technology.”
Convinced them with utter certainty, and it worked.
Of course, I wasn’t pushing wristwatch commercialization out of pure altruism with no gain for myself.
“The contract?”
“Here it is. The exclusive manufacturing rights contract with [Blanc de Ruby].”
“Hehe...”
I’d secured a collaboration contract giving [Blanc de Ruby] exclusive rights to produce and sell the initial batch of wristwatches.
“But the workshop suggested revising the contract. They say it doesn’t make sense for you to cover all production costs and take only 10% of the profits on an unproven product. I agree...”
“Oh, Siena.”
I waggled my index finger and added,
“My ultimate goal is to build trust with the workshop and renew the contract each time it expires. It was easy to snag exclusive rights at first, but it won’t be later. Wristwatches will fly off the shelves, and everyone will want a piece.”
“Ah... So you mean you’ll treat them so well they won’t want to work with anyone else?”
“Exactly. Plus, even 10% will bring in massive profits.”
“How can you be so sure?”
I shrugged and said,
“Just a strong hunch.”
“Hmm...”
“Come on, trust me a little. Any word from the jeweler? It’s pretty intricate work—can they handle it?”
“Ah, yes. Hamilton Galachio, our collaborating jeweler, got back right away. The diamonds you specified are quite small, so the setting is a bit tricky...”
“Oh no, really?”
“...But of course, he boasted that he’s famous for a reason and it’s totally doable.”
“Wow, that surprised me.”
I patted my chest in relief, and Siena bowed her head, stifling a laugh.
Oh, Siena... I thought you were such a stiff miss prim, but you’ve got a playful side.
I shot her a mock glare without any real annoyance, then lifted my wrist again to admire the watch contentedly.
We’d produce a top-of-the-line wristwatch encrusted with diamonds and debut it as [Blanc de Ruby]’s first luxury accessory.
“Hehe... Ah! Siena, by the way, National Holiday’s next month, right?”
“Yes, miss. Crown Prince Highness’s birthday on November 16th. The second week of November is the festival period.”
“Mmm, good.”
I nodded, thinking of Lark, and chuckled to myself.
* * *
Rubettria Diorus, one month into Lubon quarantine.
Lubon investigation team leader Crown Prince Lark van Rashumah Decard tilted his head at the sight of Rubette after a long month apart.
“Wow, Your Highness! You’ve gotten even more handsome since I last saw you!”
“...Hmm, not sure about me getting handsomer, but I can see the duchess has become even more beautiful.”
“Flattery still sounds nice.”
“I mean it.”
What was it...? A flutter low in his chest.
Not unpleasant. Probably just the simple joy of seeing Rubette again after a month.
“I love Lubon. Let me show you around. Got time?”
“Appreciate the offer, but I’m short on time. I have to relay a message quickly and head back.”
“Ugh, I knew it... Busy 24/7, 365 days a year.”
Watching Rubette pout in disappointment, Lark hesitated for a split second.
The noble council meeting this afternoon—should he just skip it...?
‘What am I even thinking? It’s an important meeting today.’
Shaking his head, Lark said,
“I have urgent banking business to push through, and it has to be on today’s noble council agenda. Sorry. But I’ll make time to come back next week.”
“Oho, so the bank’s doing well these days?”
For some reason, Rubette covered her mouth and grinned.
“Yeah. Deposits are looking good, so I can finally try some plans I’d been mulling over. Thinking of encouraging citizens with decent interest rates...”
“...”
Mid-sentence, Lark tilted his head at Rubette’s giggling expression.
“Deposits improving? Must’ve landed a big investor.”
“Right. The bank president said...”
Casually continuing, Lark paused, thought, then chuckled.
“...Some incredibly wealthy merchant’s been patronizing the capital bank. That you, duchess?”
“Ahem, yep. That’s right.”
Rubette, nose in the air, added,
“No idea who thought of it, but nothing beats a bank for convenience. Makes managing money so easy.”
“Hah.”
As Rubette playfully poked his shoulder, Lark pressed his forehead and laughed helplessly.
“Thanks. For everything.”
“Hehe, if you’re grateful...”
“Anything I can do?”
Seeing Lark brimming with eagerness, Rubette rubbed her hands together with a sly look.
“It’s just...”
“Say the word.”
“Ah! Right, right! Look at me! I almost forgot the gift!”
About to get to the point, Rubette exclaimed and beamed brightly.
“First off, happy birthday!”
“...?”
Lark’s eyes widened at the sudden greeting. His mouth slowly fell open.
“...How’d you know?”
Rubette tilted her head at his shocked face.
“It’s a national holiday—how could I not?”
“Ah! R-Right. Yeah. Of course. Haha...”
The emperor, empress, and crown prince’s birthdays were national holidays in the empire.
Embarrassed, Lark cleared his throat awkwardly as Rubette excitedly pulled out something she’d hidden—a small box.
“What’s this? A gift?”
“Yes.”
Inside the box was...
“This... a watch?”
He’d never seen one like it, but it was clearly a watch.
Much smaller than a pocket watch, and despite its practicality, the diamonds studding it sparkled gorgeously.
“Looks a bit unusual, right? It’s a portable watch you wear on your wrist. I’ll put it on for you. Give me your hand.”
“Uh... okay...”
In a daze, Lark extended his left hand. Rubette bent over it attentively and fastened the watch.
“Ta-da!”
It fit his wrist perfectly, the dazzling watch gleaming.
The diamonds densely set around the face showed immense craftsmanship.
The cool silver steel hugging his wrist...
“Hehe... I designed this myself. Thinking only of Your Highness.”
Staring blankly at it, Rubette added with a radiant smile,
“It’s the one-of-a-kind birthday gift in the world.”