CH 111

If we buy it, we’ll have to run it, won’t we? And then there would be running costs, right? If we end up in the red, we’ll be putting the Yurinova family through even more financial trouble.

How can I do that? I’ve been in the service of businesses, but I’ve never run a business in my previous life. However, if someone asks me to keep this, I’ll take good care of it until the end! I mean… Oh, I’m not keeping it, I’m buying it.

I’m not going to keep it, I’m going to buy it.

Rev, you said it yourself, the odds are good.

The manager of the restaurant, Moore, also said that Murano’s works will only increase in value. If that’s the case, even if it’s not his work, there will always be people who want Murano Workshop’s products.

Besides, there is Rev. He can provide the quality of the works of the Murano Workshop as they were before his master’s death.

Rev is now twenty-two years old. He first joined his master’s workshop as an apprentice when he was ten years old and was recognized as a craftsman the following year.

Mina told me that it usually takes more than two years to graduate from an apprenticeship. If you are recognized as a full-fledged craftsman in just one year at the Murano Workshop, the highest level in the Imperial Kingdom, which requires a higher level of skill than a normal workshop, then you must be a very talented person.

He has also passed the guild’s master’s exam and is qualified to have his own workshop. Nevertheless, he remained in the Murano Workshop to further hone his skills under his master.

… That’s what I love about this career…. Rev, are you a health product acupuncture stick?

And anyway! I’m making a proposal presentation to my brother and all the dukedom officials!

But today, I’m just going to give a head start. We’ll see how they react, set some hurdles for them, and work with Rev to come up with a way to solve the problem. We’ll try again later and do a full-scale presentation.

First, gather information. Don’t be scared to move with that in mind. Good luck to you.

Oh, the music in my brain has changed. A violinist with a shaggy head is playing the theme song of a passionate continental TV program.

Let’s borrow that momentum and go for it.

—

3rd POV

Alexei smiled when he saw his sister appear in the Oval Office.

“My dear Ekaterina, what can I do for you?” (Alexei)

“Brother… Actually, I have a favor to ask of you.” (Ekaterina)

“Oh.” (Alexei)

Rather happily, Alexei’s neon blue eyes twinkled.

“Tell me, anything.” (Alexei)

“Um… I have something I want.” (Ekaterina)

Ekaterina throbbed, fidgeting with her combined hands as she dropped her gaze.

“It’s unusual for you to want something. I wonder what it is.” (Alexei)

“A glass…workshop.” (Ekaterina)

“Workshop?” (Alexei)

“Big Brother, I hope you remember this. At the restaurant you took me to, you may have noticed some beautiful glassware. I was a little curious, so I asked Mina to look into it and found out that the master who made the beautiful piece of glass, Murano, has passed away, but his workshop is for sale. I found an apprentice of his who still wishes to continue working there, so if we buy the workshop, we can freely create such beautiful things. That’s what I want.” (Ekaterina)

Alexei’s lips formed a smile. Then he started to chuckle.

“That’s just like you. I told you you were thinking outside of the box, didn’t I? I have considered looking for a craftsman’s work and buying it, but you have found a workshop, and now you want me to create works of art from it.” (Alexei)

He then turned his gaze and looked at his men.