Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Precautions for the New Week
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"Everyone, pay attention for a moment! I have something to say before we start working."
After placing the ad and welcoming a new week, I gathered the employees before diving into work.
"A new precaution came up over the weekend, so let's just go over that one thing."
"Yes."
"Those who walk to work—starting tomorrow, I'll send a carriage right to your homes, so use it for commuting."
"Pardon?"
The sudden announcement of commute carriages left the employees blinking in unison and tilting their heads in confusion.
"Why the sudden decision?"
"It, it won't cost us extra money... right...?"
"I actually get here faster walking—can I skip it?"
"I'm good with it!"
"No extra cost, and I won't take no for an answer."
"Why? Did something happen?"
"I placed another ad in the newspaper, and things might get noisy because of it."
"Ah..."
"Don't we already have plenty of customers?"
"Why run another one?"
At the mention of the ad, the employees shuddered and trembled from head to toe.
They'd witnessed the chaos last week, and even after the first day, people kept showing up while letters poured into their homes. They could easily picture what lay ahead.
As a noble, I could brush off the hassle, but commoners ignoring nobles? Not a chance.
Even if they dumped everything on me like I'd told them to, it'd still weigh heavily on them.
"Fine for commuting, but what about at home? I'm seriously worried something big's gonna happen to me."
"You..."
I narrowed my eyes at Caterina, who was pointing at herself.
The other employees weren't widely known, so they weren't in too much danger, but Caterina's face was famous nationwide.
"Let's move you temporarily for now. Finding a new place right away would be tough, so how about staying in our servants' quarters until things calm down?"
"Then... I'll impose on you a bit."
"Sure."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I'd warned the employees to stay cautious, but I had no intention of leaving all the countermeasures to them.
Commoners enduring nobles' bullying required solid backing—otherwise, it was impossible.
And since those nobles would steamroll anyone short of the imperial family, even having me as backup wouldn't fully shield the staff.
That's why I needed ironclad measures that even nobles couldn't ignore.
"Sir William?"
"Nice to see you, Lady Rachel."
So, I left the work to Lady Elizabeth for a bit and headed out to visit the knight order.
"What brings you to the knight order so suddenly?"
"I had a question for the knights."
"I see. Your visits are always welcome, but showing up unannounced, it might be hard to meet anyone senior to me."
"That's fine. It's not a complicated question."
"If I'm good enough, please have a seat and let's talk."
"Thank you."
"This way, then."
Lady Rachel seemed a little surprised by my abrupt visit but calmly led me to a small visitation room near the outpost entrance.
"S-sorry for bringing you to a place like this. It was the only spot for a quick chat..."
As we entered the modest room in the visitation area, Lady Rachel hurriedly prepared tea and snacks while apologizing.
I waved her off with a shake of my head.
"My fault for dropping by unannounced, so no worries. Skip the formalities—shall we get to it?"
"Understood."
I gestured to the chair opposite, and she quietly set down her cup before sitting.
"So, what was it you wanted to know, Sir William?"
"Can I get support from the knight order?"
"What do you mean?"
"Ever since I ran the ad for my atelier, crowds have been overwhelming the shop. Nothing's happened yet, but if it keeps up, trouble's bound to hit the staff or the place itself."
"Hmm..."
A deep furrow formed between Lady Rachel's brows.
She let out a vague hum, lost in thought, staring blankly at the table for a while.
"Is it not possible?"
"Well... I'm not sure."
After agonizing over it for ages, she shrugged with a troubled, complicated expression.
"As an honorary knight, the request itself is valid."
"Yes."
"But what you're asking for feels too personal, and no honorary knight's ever made a demand like this. It's above my pay grade."
"I see. So, safe to assume it's a no?"
"High chance, yeah."
Ugh...
Disappointing, but deploying knights for personal matters came with too many hurdles. I'd half-expected it.
"I'll pass your request up the chain, Sir William."
"Thanks—that's plenty."
She quickly added the reassurance to my sullen look, but I wasn't one to pin hopes on empty words.
"That's all I needed. Sorry for the bother."
"N-no, don't mention it. I couldn't help much—I'm the one who should apologize."
I stood without lingering and gave Lady Rachel a slight bow.
She hastily rose and bowed in return.
"I'll be off, then."
"Ah, yes—safe travels."
"Thanks."
With that, I left the knight order without a second thought.
I had other options besides them, and nothing was lost.
If they said no, I'd just ask higher up.
Once I wrapped up my errands, I'd prepare a letter for someone influential.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The newspaper ad was causing a stir, but I couldn't drop everything because of it, so I headed to Lord Hans's textile mill.
I usually handled things by letter or through staff pickups, but this time, I had a lot to discuss with him personally, so I made the trip myself.
"I've been waiting, Sir William."
"Good to see you."
We shook hands and exchanged light greetings before I took a seat in the parlor. Noting his unusually bright complexion, I asked:
"You look healthier than before—what's up?"
"Quite the opposite, actually. Last week, deliveries wrapped up fast for once, so I finally got a good night's sleep."
His face lit up as he answered with a hint of pride.
"That's great news."
"You, on the other hand, look swamped lately, Sir William. Fatigue's written all over your face."
"Yeah, business exploded out of nowhere..."
I leaned back in the chair, squinting tiredly as I replied.
Unlike Lord Hans, who'd lucked into some free time, my workload had surged, cutting into sleep and personal hours.
"Must be that ad you ran—it was so stunning, even I wanted to inquire, and I'm a man."
"Ha ha, thank you. We make to order regardless of gender, no questions asked. Feel free anytime."
"Pfft ha ha! Come on, what man wears women's undergarments?"
He reacted as if it were a joke, but contrary to his thinking, a few letters from men had trickled into the atelier amid the flood.
Most wanted gifts for wives or fiancées, but "most" implied a tiny fraction of exceptions.
"Ha ha..."
"Oh, really..."
I chuckled awkwardly and sipped my tea.
Lord Hans's ears twitched, his face paling slightly.
"Ahem! The world's a vast place."
"Indeed."
"So, what brings you here in person?"
"What business does a designer have at a textile mill? I'm here to commission new fabric."
"Ah~ New orders are always welcome."
He let out a long, admiring sigh, cheeks lifting into a beaming smile.
"What kind did you have in mind?"
"Silk yarn base, but thinning out gradually toward the bottom—like a gradient."
"Pardon?"
He frowned at my words.
"Can't you just layer two fabrics?"
"No, not that. I want it to taper seamlessly, like a true gradient."
"......"
His expression twisted sharply.
"What kind of dress is this for?"
"A dress for Founding Day. Someone wants to wear one I make."
"Amount... at least 10 meters?"
"Yes, but woven in 2-meter sections."
"2 meters..."
He stared at me gravely, scratching his head in frustration.
"Haa..."
Finally sighing deeply, he shot me a reproachful look.
"You only bring the tough ones these days, Sir William."
"I'd prefer easy, but pretty clothes need pretty fabric, right?"
"True, but tone it down a notch."
"Can't do it?"
"Not impossible, but it'll take a ton of work. I'll charge top price—still want it?"
"Name your fee—please."
"Argh..."
He clutched his forehead with a groan, his face a mix of joy and sorrow.
"By when?"
"How soon can you?"
"Tomorrow if rushed, Thursday at latest."
"Thursday, then."
"Yes... Write the specs here."
"Got it."
His voice lacked energy as he handed over paper and pen.
"Here you go."
"Thanks."
"Send it to the atelier Thursday."
"Yes..."
I detailed the requirements on the paper and handed it over with an advance payment.
Even seeing the gold coins sparkle didn't erase his worry over the complex weave—his expression stayed conflicted.
Not my problem, though—he'd said it was possible.