Chapter 16

"Here you go, it's iced tea."

When Jill served the tea, Matthew smiled.

He politely thanked Jill and took a sip.

"This is delicious... very good..."

"I'm glad you like it."

Jill thought to herself, what a person with such rich emotions and expressions.

"...It has a familiar taste, yet there's also something new. It refreshes the throat. Did you add any spices?"

"Yes, a little cinnamon."

Before putting the tea leaves into the boiling water, Jill crushed a small amount of cinnamon and boiled it. Then she added the tea leaves, steeped them, and cooled them to the right temperature. Instead of chilling it with ice, she used magic to remove the heat directly.

If she chilled it for too long, it would become cloudy, and the taste would be diluted by the melted ice. Jill used magic without hesitation to avoid this. There were methods to brew it stronger to account for the dilution from the ice or to brew it differently, but Jill preferred to "fully open the tea leaves with hot water and cool them without changing the strength."

"There's a sharpness to it, yet there's also a gentleness. The flavor is rich. Second flush leaves... no, that's not it. Autumn leaves, perhaps?"

"You're right... but, can you really tell that?"

Jill was a bit taken aback by his accuracy.

"Remarkable... Even using the same tea leaves as that iced tea, you've developed your own unique flavor. This is the way of tea."

"That iced tea?"

"No, never mind. Thank you."

Matthew did not answer Jill's question but thanked her seriously.

Jill wondered if he was a tea critic.

"Hmm... You're welcome."

"I enjoyed it thoroughly. Now it's my turn to be of service. Please let me know what you need."

"No, I wouldn't ask for just anything..."

Despite Jill's confusion, Matthew's face was unusually bright.

He looked as if a long-standing worry or mystery had been resolved, with a clear and content expression.

(I've never met someone who loves tea this much...)

Jill thought, well, it's fine.

She convinced herself that she had just discovered that a slightly odd person was actually quite odd.

"By the way, would you like to see the clothes I made?"

With that, Jill pulled out the clothes and accessories she had stored in the closet.

There were still very few of them.

Five dresses, including the failed ones.

Five hats.

And about ten scarves and handkerchiefs.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I don't have that many yet..."

"It's enough. They're all interesting. Did you dye them yourself?"

"Yes. I started from sewing the dresses, but I dyed the robes from ready-made items."

"And you want to run a general store that sells these?"

"Yes. As I mentioned earlier, my primary focus is on making clothes and accessories. Once that's settled, I'd like to try leather crafts as well."

"And you want to sell them here?"

"Yes. Is that difficult?"

"...It is."

Jill was speechless at his frankness.

"It's too innovative. If you release this, it will either be highly praised or harshly criticized. It's impossible for it to go unnoticed. We need to carefully plan our strategy."

"Huh?"

But this was not a harsh criticism because he didn't appreciate Jill's clothes.

Rather, Jill thought it was almost an overestimation.

However, Matthew continued to speak seriously.

"Also... it would be a waste to use this mansion as a store. I think it's better to use it as a workshop and only invite customers for important negotiations. For window shopping, you can rent a vacant store in town."

"Oh, I see."

"Also, there are monsters on the way. Even if they're docile, it's dangerous for customers to travel alone. It's important to ensure the safety of both yourself and your customers while also enhancing your brand image."

Jill thought it sounded like a song.

He spoke enthusiastically about "this" and "that."

It even felt as if Matthew himself was opening a store.

"Hmm... Yes."

"Is something wrong?"

"No, it's just... thank you for the compliment?"

"Not at all. I was rather rude. Please forgive me."

"...You're amazing. To point out the issues so clearly just by a quick look."

"No, no, it's nothing special."

The previous intensity was gone, and Matthew looked awkwardly away.

Jill found it oddly amusing.

"You're an interesting person, Matthew."

"I'm often told that."

"Really?"

"Well, I just try to be normal."

Matthew shrugged as if he were troubled.

"I'm the same. I try to be normal, but I'm often told I'm off."

"No, Jill, you're a bit off. You're definitely on the interesting side."

They both chuckled.

It was a blunt and almost insulting exchange.

For Jill, it was a type of conversation she hadn't had in years.

"Jill, what made you want to make such clothes?"

"What made me...?"

"For example, if you wanted to dress up or stand out, you wouldn't make stylish everyday clothes. You'd make dresses or formal wear. And for hats, there are better materials than straw, right?"

"Ah..."

Jill had just made things that caught her interest from reading books. But when she thought about it, she realized she hadn't considered making evening dresses or hats. The idea hadn't even crossed her mind.

"But I really want to make dresses."

"Huh?"

"But preparing the fabric and materials is difficult, and the sewing is incredibly challenging... Besides, while I like dresses, the situations where you need them are often stressful, aren't they?"

Matthew's face lost its energy as he listened to Jill.

"I see."

"Is that strange...?"

"No, I understand your feelings. It's just not something you often hear from young women. I often hear complaints from ladies-in-waiting who are busy preparing for balls or from the lords who host them."

"Ah..."

Jill, after all, was the first princess.

She was mostly on the side that hosted balls.

Her etiquette was impeccable, and the moment she put on a dress, her "work" mode kicked in.

But she had no intention of revealing her background.

She didn't want to make the other person unnecessarily nervous.

"Well, anyway, I don't dislike dresses. I'd like to make one someday. But for now, I want to create things that everyone can enjoy casually. Clothes that can be worn based on the mood of the day, or accessories that add a touch of style to everyday wear..."

"Even so, the designs are quite innovative."

"Ugh..."

"Ah, no, having a clear vision of what you want to make is very good. However, as a business, you need to think about what kind of customers you want to wear your clothes and how you want them to enjoy them. For example, if you want as many people as possible to wear them, you could focus on design and hire seamstresses."

"Ah... I need to think about the business strategy as well, not just the products."

"Yes, that's right."

Jill felt like he had hit a nerve.

"Thank you for your advice."

Despite her words, Jill looked resentful.

But Matthew remained calm.

"I've also had my share of setbacks. The mark of a good businessman is not to be discouraged by them."

"Ah, right..."

Jill remembered Matthew's words from their first meeting. He had indeed said he had tried to sell without understanding the customer's needs.

"Even I make mistakes. Please take my advice with a grain of salt."

"I will."

Jill smiled, and Matthew laughed.

"Anyway, that's all I can say for now... but I have a request."

"A request?"

"Could you sell me that hat?"

With that, Matthew grinned.

◆

A few days later.

Merchant Matthew visited Lady Emily again.

Not for business.

"I thought I'd bring a gift to celebrate your pregnancy. Oh, of course, it's a gift, so there's no charge."

"Oh, you didn't have to... I'm sorry, I wasn't feeling well the other day."

"No, no, I was the one who was rude."

When he mentioned the pregnancy gift, Lady Emily welcomed him more warmly than before.

(Matthew guessed that her visits were closely monitored.)

Lady Emily's visitors were likely checked thoroughly.

Her child could be the heir to the captain of the knights or the lord's great-grandchild. Lady Emily was watched not only by her mother-in-law but also by her real parents, grandparents, and many servants... which meant her private life was constantly under surveillance.

Matthew was confident that his guess was correct, as he imagined she often faced criticism even for her shopping.

"Can I open it?"

"Yes, please."

When Lady Emily opened the package, she looked puzzled for a moment.

She realized it was a straw hat.

But when she took it out completely, her puzzled expression turned to joy.

"Is this... a straw hat? It's wonderful!"

It was almost identical to the straw hat Jill had worn.

The only difference was the artificial flower, which was a vivid crimson, tailored to Lady Emily's taste.

"You see, this is a secret... When I dress up and go out, my parents get annoyed."

"I see."

"They say I should dress more modestly because I'm pregnant and that I should go out less. My mother-in-law is even more annoying, and she even scolds my husband, telling him to 'look after his wife properly!' It's really frustrating. I understand they're worried, but I end up having to comfort my husband."

"That's tough..."

"But this is perfect. With a straw hat, no one will say anything. I could even wear it to a tea party, couldn't I?"

Lady Emily spoke with shining eyes and put on the hat, smiling.

"I'm glad you like it."

"I want to show it to my husband right away."

Matthew loved this moment.

The moment when a customer tries on the clothes, imagines wearing them outside, and is delighted.

Of course, this was also part of Matthew's strategy.

A stepping stone to the next job.

Lady Emily would need many things in the future, and there would be many opportunities for a merchant.

If he could be remembered as the go-to merchant, it would be a worthwhile investment for Matthew.

Additionally, by gifting the straw hat to Lady Emily, he could add prestige to his business.

It was only a matter of time before the question "Who made that hat?" would come up.

But even with all these ulterior motives, becoming a merchant to see customers enjoy stylish clothes and accessories was not an exaggeration.

(My sister used to make that face.)

Matthew, as a young boy, became a merchant to see his reclusive but fashion-conscious sister smile. Successful clothing sales would earn him money for medicine and clothes, a win-win situation.

But as an adult, he had almost forgotten his purpose. The joy of customers became a byproduct, and he focused solely on working tirelessly.

The workaholic Matthew, after being turned away by Lady Emily and meeting Jill by chance, had rediscovered the simple joy he had forgotten.

(No matter the situation, whether in bed or pregnant, there are people who want to dress up. Delivering what they want is very enjoyable.)

(I said some big words to Jill, but I had almost forgotten my own motivation and plans.)

I'll go thank her again.

Besides, Jill has a somewhat otherworldly quality. I should give her some advice... Matthew thought.

"Oh, right. Matthew, do you have time?"

"Sure, what's up?"

"Actually, my grandfather is here incognito. When he found out you were here, he said he wanted to meet you."

You must be joking, Matthew almost said.

Lady Emily's grandfather.

The ruler of this town, the surrounding rural areas, and the mountains.

The Lord of Shelton, Sir Scott.