Eleanor's eyes widened in surprise at Ismel's words.It was an unexpected proposal.
"Working with Your Highness…?"
"That's right. To be precise, it'll be a collaboration with the Imperial Family."
Ismel nodded and added a brief explanation.
"The Empire will cover all costs for production, distribution, and promotion. In exchange for distributing it across the entire Empire free of charge, we'll ensure you receive fair compensation."
"I'll make sure you're well taken care of," he added with a playful wink.
"You'll handle creating the teaching materials, and the Imperial Family will take charge of running the program. It's the kind of work that requires several qualified instructors."
"That's true. That part was actually what I was most worried about."
"Well, looks like that's easily resolved now. What do you think?"
"Uh…"
Eleanor parted her lips, still dazed.A collaboration with the Imperial Family?It wasn't something she'd ever even considered. The sudden expansion of scale was intimidating—but when she thought about it, there really wasn't a better way.
She liked the idea of being able to distribute the materials freely, and earning some compensation for it didn't hurt either.
"I think it sounds good…"
"'Sounds' good?"
"I just don't know if someone like me should be doing something that big. Especially when it's funded by the Imperial treasury—it feels like such a heavy responsibility."
Ismel burst into laughter at her words.
"Eleanor, it was your idea. Who else could possibly do something like this, if not you?"
"Well, that's true, but…"
"Getting paid for your work is natural. There's nothing burdensome about that."
Eleanor nodded slowly. He was right. His proposal was both fair and a tremendous opportunity.Still, there was one thing that weighed on her mind.
"Your Highness."
"Yes?"
Eleanor hesitated, trying to think of the gentlest way to phrase her question.
"What made you decide to do this?"
"Reason?"
"Well, I was just wondering… did you make this offer because you truly agreed with the purpose of it, or because…"
"Because I wanted to score points with you?"
Ismel immediately understood what she was trying to say, even though she'd been circling around it.Eleanor's face flushed red when he struck straight at the heart of it.
"That's not exactly what I meant…"
"Then what?"
"It's… close enough."
Her voice trailed off, growing smaller and smaller as embarrassment twisted her up inside.
Ismel, who had been laughing heartily, finally answered.
"No, I thought it through seriously. Your words struck me more than I expected—they made me realize things I hadn't considered before. I'm grateful."
He smiled warmly.
"It just seemed more efficient to carry this out on a national level rather than individually. But I never meant to take any credit away from you, so please don't misunderstand."
"I don't."
"Good. Of course, the fact that this means I'll get to see you more often is a pleasant bonus. And if I happen to earn a few points along the way, I certainly wouldn't complain."
Eleanor smiled helplessly and tilted her head. Being around Ismel always made her feel at ease.
"So now there's nothing bothering you, right?"
"No, I'm happy with it."
"Anything else you'd like to request?"
She was about to say "no," but paused. Maybe she could allow herself just a little more ambition.
"I think I'll need Lian's help with editing and layout. He has a much better sense for that kind of thing than I do."
"The Young Marquis?"
Ismel's brow lifted slightly in disapproval. Eleanor quickly added,
"Yes. When I made the workbooks before, I got a lot of help from the people at the Broden Trading Company."
"If you need them, then do it that way."
Eleanor's eyes sparkled as she leaned eagerly forward.
"So, about that, Your Highness… when the materials are printed, I'd like the Broden Trading Company's logo included somewhere. Oh—and you can leave my name off!"
"Why on earth would I leave your name off?"
Ismel chuckled and crossed his arms.
"But why the logo?"
"It's a kind of advertisement."
"Hmm… so, helping out a little in exchange for including an ad…"
Ismel fell silent, mulling it over.Eleanor rested her cheeks in her hands and tilted her head slightly, smiling. Her large round eyes curved into gentle crescents as she did.
"You'll let me, right?"
He stared at her for a long moment before turning away first. The tips of his ears had turned red.
"Don't smile at me like that."
"Why not?"
"…Because it makes me want to say yes to everything."
Eleanor laughed out loud, taking his words as a joke. Her bright, bouncing laughter filled the room.
Ismel slid a few dessert plates toward her and said,
"Enough laughing—eat."
"There's too much for me alone, though."
"You'd better eat plenty. You'll need the energy—with how much work you'll be doing."
He gave a sly grin.
"I'm a pretty demanding boss, after all."
"Anyway, that's how it happened! I'll be working with His Highness the Crown Prince for a while. Isn't that crazy?"
Eleanor, who hadn't seen Adrian in some time, excitedly recounted her conversation with Ismel.
Adrian could only blink, looking dazed.
It had only been ten days since he'd returned from Deln after the exams. To start something new already—and on this scale? A nationwide literacy campaign, in partnership with the Imperial Family?
'Wasn't she the one who said she'd be a jobless bum for life…?'
Seeing his complicated expression, Eleanor added carefully,
"I'm sorry I couldn't ask you in advance—it's partly your business too. But really, there's not much for you to worry about! You can just read things over and give feedback when you have time."
Adrian shook his head.
"No, don't apologize. I'm just… surprised, that's all. I didn't know you'd been thinking about something like this."
"I guess the idea came to me bit by bit. But after visiting the Duke's territory, I started to think about it more concretely."
He nodded slowly, though he still looked like he had a dozen questions. Eleanor went on.
"I always knew there were problems, but I never thought I could change anything. I didn't have that kind of power."
"Mm-hmm. And then?"
"But then I realized—I just have to do what I can. Thinking of it as some grand social movement makes it overwhelming, but teaching people… that's something I've always done."
Adrian tilted his head slightly.'Always? Wasn't it just Ena, Luke, and Demi?'
Eleanor continued matter-of-factly.
"Anyway, His Highness agreed with the idea and said he'd give his full support. I also thought it might be a small way to make up for the trouble I caused the trading company."
"Trouble? Eleanor, when did you ever cause trouble?"
She shrugged.
"The Duke of Izent's affair."
"That turned out fine, didn't it? Things are running more smoothly than ever."
"That's because you and the Marquis worked hard."
Adrian pressed his lips together. The Izent affair had ultimately been settled by the Duke of Valentine.
The Duke was famously reluctant to invest in trading companies—too volatile, too speculative. For such a cautious man to break his own rule had been completely out of character.
It was an impulsive choice, made for one simple reason: he didn't want Eleanor to be hurt.
So in a way, the one who had truly resolved the Izent affair was Eleanor herself.
'The Duke told me to keep that a secret…'
Adrian's expression flickered for a moment before he casually changed the subject—to a rumor he'd recently heard.
"Anyway, the Duke of Izent's been unusually quiet lately. I heard he's been looking miserable all the time. They say every business venture he touches now collapses."
"Really?"
Eleanor's expression turned curious.
'So, Chloe got the message to Anais properly, and Anais took the bait.'
Unaware that Eleanor was behind it all, Adrian continued. He looked faintly amused.
"I didn't get the full details, but apparently he's taken a huge loss this time. He's even selling off some of his favorite villas."
Eleanor's eyes widened.
"He's having to sell off property? But he's one of only three dukes in the Empire!"
"Titles aside, the House of Izent is very different from the House of Valentine. The Valentine Dukedom will stand as long as the Empire stands, but Izent doesn't have such deep roots. It's easy to shake something that shallow."
Adrian smiled coolly.
"People say it was bound to happen sooner or later. The Duke's reckless gambling's been infamous for years."
"I see."
Eleanor nodded thoughtfully. At least he'd been hit back as hard as he'd struck her—that much felt satisfying.
'He landed a blow, and I returned it. Let's hope this ends here.'
She clasped her hands together in silent prayer.
Looking into Adrian's bright golden eyes, she suddenly thought of Siena.
"By the way, how's Siena doing? Is she feeling any better?"
Adrian nodded slowly.
"She's been a little down, but Mother and my sister-in-law are looking after her. I don't think you need to worry too much."
"That's good… Tell her I'll visit sometime. And until then, make sure she eats and sleeps properly."
"Sure. I will."
Adrian smiled, meeting Eleanor's gaze.
"You know you need to do that too, right? Eat well. Sleep well."
Eleanor chuckled softly.
"Of course. Do I look like a kid?"
"I've seen you overwork yourself too many times."
He raised a hand as if to flick her forehead.
"And if His Highness ever says something unnecessary again, just politely ignore him."
"What?"
Eleanor burst into laughter at the unexpected line. Adrian scratched the back of his neck, muttering under his breath.
"It just… bothers me. I get jealous. And maybe a little envious."
"It's just work."
"I know. But having used 'work' as an excuse to hang around you plenty myself, I know how that feels."
Eleanor couldn't help but laugh again at his teasing tone.
"So remember me sometimes while you're working. I'm keeping an eye on you, you know."
His golden eyes curved into crescent moons.
"I'm a very childish man, after all."
"Eleanor, meeting room."
"Yes…"
Meetings, meetings, and more meetings.Nagging, nagging, and more nagging.
Eleanor started to wonder if she'd somehow been sent back to 21st-century Korea.
If there was one difference, it was that her boss's face was dazzling enough to make her irritation melt away—and that her workplace looked like it would literally glitter if she rubbed it hard enough.
Ismel hadn't been exaggerating when he called himself a demanding superior. When it came to work, he was a thorough perfectionist.
'I think I finally understand why Dwight was always working overtime…'