Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Finding the Ring (1)
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“Hmm, this definitely has a different flavor.”
A woman with a slightly flushed face, as if she had just finished bathing, was draped in a soft silk gown, gazing out the window.
A room with a clear view of the capital's nightscape.
She sat leisurely in a chair right by the window, crossing her legs and picking up the glass on the table.
The light fruity aroma of the wine slid smoothly down her throat, filling her mouth.
“It's completely different from when I was here ten years ago...”
Her eyes, which always looked up at the night sky, now reflected the sparkling streets below.
“Have I been holed up in the mountains too long? It's hard to keep up with the trends these days.”
There was nothing more enjoyable than gazing at the night sky.
A pitch-black sky that seemed like it might come crashing down.
Stars twinkling beautifully, nestled densely within it.
Finding new stars she had never seen before was delightful, and tracking the subtle rotations of constellations over time was equally pleasurable.
Captivated by the magic of the night sky in her childhood, she became a mage specializing in astronomy.
Since ancient times, there had been a belief that constellations allowed one to read the energies of the heavens and glimpse the future to some extent.
That alone was motivation enough for the empire in its strongest era to support research in astral magic.
The young girl, simply enchanted by those distant twinkling stars, soon became a promising talent in the Magic Tower and ultimately captured the stars' sparkle in her own eyes.
Having perfected her 'rank' as a mage, she built her own observatory in a remote area to gaze at the stars more purely.
Fifteen years holed up deep in the mountains.
Times changed, and even her secluded spot began drawing crowds.
Villages sprang up, cities were built, and lights never went out even at night.
The stars no longer shone as clearly as before, so she made a decision.
“I guess I'll have to stay here until it's completed.”
She decided to build another observatory in an even more remote location.
Having diligently communed with the stars and contributed to the empire, she had plenty of money.
She was a member of the Imperial Astronomical Magic Society and a cherished astral mage in the Magic Tower.
It would take time, but building a new observatory was no big deal.
“Excluding the Magic Tower, this is the tallest place in the imperial capital... honestly.”
She twirled the glass in her hand and chuckled softly before standing up.
Passing through the smoothly opening window, she stepped out onto the wide terrace, where the cool night air greeted her.
“Julian... Everglow...”
Even with the streets blazing brightly despite the sunset, most stars hid their faces—but some starlight pierced even artificial lights.
Stars that dazzled and lit up the night sky.
Sometimes, stars signified special people, like ill omens when malevolent stars rose heralding national crises.
Such stars shone more intensely than others, and now, a new star was rising in the distance.
“Observing it up close like this might not be bad.”
Asteria murmured as she leaned against the railing, as if anticipating the events to come.
Today's Everglow Hotel was peaceful as always.
I'd worried that the initial boom might fizzle out and guests would dwindle, but it was needless concern—visitors kept increasing.
People didn't come just to sleep in rooms, so the hotel's ancillary facilities naturally saw rising sales too.
I was reaping the benefits of tearfully rejecting love calls from others and funneling them into my own businesses.
Humming a tune unconsciously, I descended to the first floor and switched shifts with Delpi, asking if there were any unusual matters.
“A guest who visited a few days ago asked if they could stay not just one or two days, but a few months.”
“Huh? Not even a few weeks, but months?”
I blinked dumbly, wondering if I'd heard right, but Delpi nodded, confirming it.
“Something about building an observatory? They said it would take a bit longer to finish.”
“Ah, so they want to stay at our hotel until it's done?”
“They asked if it was possible and to let them know.”
“Hm, it's not impossible... Did they say when to reply by?”
“No specific deadline, but they're staying until tomorrow, so probably before then?”
Delpi checked the registry and gave me a what-do-we-do look.
“I'll think it over tonight and let you know by morning at the latest. It's pure profit to take them, but for months-long stays, we'd need to offer a discount.”
“Yes! See you tomorrow then!”
“Get home safe.”
I sat in the chair, watching her blue hair vanish as she bowed and hurried out.
“Her sister works at a merchant guild...”
She'd seemed sharp and quick-witted last time too.
The more competent people, the better, so I'd love to recruit her—but would she come when she was already doing well?
She didn't seem solely profit-driven; she appeared to value loyalty.
She probably felt grateful to the guild that took her in and gave her a job.
“Where am I gonna find someone talented who's unemployed...”
Even I cringed at how entitled that sounded.
Now that I was in the boss's seat, I understood why companies in my past life loved experienced new hires.
The ones I'd brought on had all been doing decently somewhere before.
“Hm, should I go scouting on foot myself?”
Not everyone could read the job postings anyway.
The capital wasn't just nobles; plenty of commoners lived here too.
Sure, prices were high, but hard work made it livable.
Lots of jobs didn't require literacy, so illiteracy rates stayed high.
Damn, King Sejong, I worship you.
“What are you thinking so deeply about?”
As I pondered where to find good talent, a familiar voice reached my ears.
“Arselia, didn't you head home? You weren't in the office.”
She looked a bit tired.
She'd been working late lately, so I'd told her to leave early today.
“Tired or not, work's work. Putting it off just makes tomorrow busier.”
“Still, take care of your health. That way, we can fully enjoy our dates.”
“Hehe, thanks for thinking of me.”
Confirming no one around, I gave her a light kiss, and her face brightened happily.
Older than me, but soft-hearted—praise got to her easily.
I couldn't let whoever made my future in-law (not married yet) cry get away with it.
“Speaking of which, when do you want to go on our next date?”
“Next week? No, that's too far. This weekend?”
Twirling her hair, she asked slyly—she must've been looking forward to it.
“I almost got disappointed thinking next week.”
“I'd love to go everywhere together every day.”
“Me too. But what can we do? We're both greedy, so we gotta work hard for what we want.”
She leaned on the counter, smiling brightly, and whispered.
“Then I'll look forward to it?”
I held her smiling eyes' hand and caressed it.
Maybe time for couple rings...
Was that too much? I was hesitating.
Unlike my past world where it was casual, here rings meant near-certain marriage.
I worried about pressuring her, agonizing alone.
Ah, Sion was watching my dilemma, so not alone?
Somehow, we'd ended up in office romance—boss and executive, no less. They thought they hid it, but everyone knew.
Even if people knew, wearing rings would be another level.
“That tickles.”
“Your hands are too soft, sis.”
Massaging to check her ring size, she blushed and tried to pull away, but I hooked my pinky around hers.
Smaller than mine, it looked like she was being devoured.
“...Your hands are definitely big. And thick.”
Carefully flexing my fingers without hurting, I heard her gulp.
What? Salivating big time?
Meeting her eyes with that vibe, she shyly turned away.
“I-I gotta go...! See you tomorrow!”
“Get home safe!”
I waved as she fled, embarrassed.
Men really need bigger hands, huh.
No calluses from rough work, but like Dad, my knuckles were thick.
Thankfully, height too.
“Should I exercise more...”
“What you're doing consistently is plenty, Young Master.”
Sion approached silently, tail swishing.
“I said you could go first.”
“How could your secretary leave before you?”
“I can come in late, but you clock in on time mornings.”
“I'm tougher than you stamina-wise.”
“...Enviable. Oh, while you're here, one question.”
I beckoned Sion closer and whispered so no one else heard.
“If I gave you a ring, what material would you like?”
“Young Master...”
“Yeah?”
“Shouldn't you ask the recipient directly? Like Executive Director.”
“But then no surprise!”
“True, but...”
Sion pondered.
“Still, I think asking directly is better.”
“Yeah? Then...”
Not exactly a ring expedition party, but...
Guess we'd go sizing this weekend.