3rd Person POV
Apparently, even the kitchen staff, who had become friends with Ekaterina and the others as they went to the kitchen every day, had heard that it was her brother Alexei’s birthday and wished him a happy one. It was so heartwarming.
Alexei put his hand on his chest and bowed.
“Ladies, I offer you my thanks, as the Duke of Yurinova, Alexei.”
Marina and Olga squealed at the sight of the picture-perfect figure.
The two of them left, saying they would have lunch in the dining room as usual. So in the office, the usual group of people ate a slightly more elaborate meal than usual.
At the end of the day, Flora brought out a modestly sweet pound cake beautifully decorated with dried fruits as a small gift from me, making the occasion even more heartwarming.
Alexei asked her to stay in the office after school, so Ekaterina showed up as soon as class was over.
1st Person POV (Ekaterina)
“Welcome, young lady.” (Novak and others)
Alexei was still nowhere to be seen, while Novak and the others stood up to greet Ekaterina.
“My Lady… it is presumptuous of us to say this, but lunchtime was a very good time. It was a pleasure to be able to celebrate Your Excellency’s birthday in such a warm manner.” (Novak)
“Sir Novak, gentlemen, I have always appreciated your thoughtfulness towards Big Brother. Is it possible that Big Brother has never been fond of celebrating his birthday?” (Ekaterina)
Not only Big Brother, but everyone else seemed to be acting as usual, which meant that Big Brother was indicating that there was no need to celebrate.
Novak gave an uncertain look at Ekaterina’s words.
“The former Duke…your late father liked his celebrations to be very lively. There were times when it went a little too far, so His Excellency decided that after he inherited the dukedom, it would cease to be so. Still, the duke’s residence has continually been receiving congratulatory gifts from various people, but almost all of them are being handled administratively.” (Novak)
That was what Big Brother hated.
I guess my dad had been doing that since my grandfather passed away, when Big Brother was between ten and seventeen years old. He was at an emotional age… stupid father.
Just then, Alexei arrived.
“Ekaterina, you’re here.”
“Yes, Big Brother.”
“I’m sorry to bother you. I’d like to talk to you about your glass pen, Halil, accompany me.” (Alexei)
“Yes, sir.” (Halil)
Halil Talaar, the commercial distribution manager, bowed. He had a very nice smile on his face, a grin filled with anticipation.
“Actually, I was hoping to discuss this with you as well. I would like to develop this glass pen into a profitable product for the Murano workshop. Would you be willing to help us?” (Ekaterina)
Alexei smiled as I asked.
“That’s great, you are quick on the uptake. I think it has great potential. Not only is it innovative as a writing instrument, it’s also beautiful. …I think you’re the only one who could create something like this and give it as a gift to your family first. I was worried that you were too selfless, but I’m relieved to see that you have the vision to develop it into a business. You really are a smart one after all.” (Alexei)
3rd Person POV
She didn’t create it, so it was just impossible for her to be greedy. She was really sorry to the wind chime maker who invented the glass pen in her previous life during the Meiji era.
She wondered if he had a patent or something. No, the patent was valid for only 20 years, so it must have expired a long time ago. And the Yurigran Kingdom was not a member of the Paris Convention, an international treaty that protects patents and the like from previous generations. Of course, this was a different world, so who cares about that?
