I Don't Know the Original, I'm Too Busy Trying to Make a Living-Chapter 182

The servants efficiently prepared the ironing board, a wrinkled shirt, and a spray bottle. Professor Orlan pressed the power button on the iron. Like the earlier tools, the iron heated up quickly.

“I’ll handle the ironing,” a laundry servant said confidently, rolling up his sleeves. Professor Orlan handed him the iron. The servant sprayed the shirt collar lightly with water and began ironing.

Hissss.

“...!”

The servant’s eyes widened. With just a few strokes, the wrinkles in the collar were gone, leaving it perfectly crisp.

The servants and onlookers marveled at the iron, their admiration clear. It was far superior to the conventional irons they were used to.

With a satisfied smile, Professor Orlan said, “Now, let’s test the steam iron.”

“The steam iron?” someone asked.

“Yes, an iron that releases hot steam at the press of a button. I’ll demonstrate how to use it, so watch closely.”

Professor Orlan picked up the steam iron with a button on its handle. He opened its water reservoir and filled it with water from a prepared bottle.

“Before using it, you need to fill the water reservoir. Afterward, always empty it to prevent mineral buildup. Now, let’s begin. Bring me the shirt.”

A servant placed a wrinkled shirt on the ironing board. Professor Orlan carefully folded the sleeve and pressed the iron down while holding the steam button.

Hisss!

“...!”

“Wow!”

“Is that steam coming directly from the iron?!”

As white steam hissed from the iron, both servants and retainers gasped in amazement. With just a few passes, the sleeve’s wrinkles disappeared, and the edges were pressed sharp and straight.

Hiss! Hiss!

Professor Orlan moved to the shirt’s collar, pressing it a few times. The wrinkles vanished, leaving the collar perfectly crisp and stiff.

In moments, the entire shirt was wrinkle-free and hung neatly on a hanger, looking as if it were brand new.

The servants swarmed around the freshly ironed shirt to inspect it.

“This is incredible! All the wrinkles are gone!”

“It’s unbelievable how fast it works!”

“I’d pay any price for something like this!”

In the past, pressing a collar required soaking it in starch, weighing it down, and carefully ironing it with a charcoal iron. Mistakes with the heat could burn the fabric or leave soot stains, ruining the garment.

But now, with barely any effort, the wrinkles were gone, and the shirt looked brand new. It felt like a miracle.

Penelope glanced at Professor Orlan with awe. Clearing his throat, he asked, “Well, what do you think?”

“It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect. We should get these on the market immediately—”

Before Penelope could finish, her vision spun.

“...?”

Startled, she blinked and found herself face-to-face with Ahwin, who had gently pulled her closer by the hand. His face was right in front of hers.

“Um, what’s this about?” she asked, bewildered.

“You were just looking at my acquaintance with far too much enthusiasm.”

“Well, considering he made two extraordinary magical devices in just ten days, isn’t that warranted?”

“And yet, I’ve shown you much cooler things, but you’ve never looked at me like that. Why is that?”

Ahwin sounded genuinely indignant. Extraordinary magical tools? Sure, they wrung out wet clothes and pressed wrinkles—but was that really so impressive? He had demonstrated feats like levitating her in midair or folding entire spaces, and those spells were far more complex.

Meanwhile, Penelope wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and hide.

Ahwin continued his case. “I made the schematics, remember? That’s the hardest part of all.”

...He actually said it out loud.

Penelope was at a loss for words, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Now wasn’t the time to be boasting!

She could feel the subtle glances from the servants and retainers around them. Some of the retainers even looked amused and pleased as they watched the two.

Grabbing Ahwin’s hand, Penelope tugged him along, laughing awkwardly. “Shall we call it a day for the demonstration?”

She dragged him toward the elevator.

“Where are we going? Is it over already? Did you even listen to my point?”

“We’ll talk upstairs!”

In an instant, the two disappeared into the elevator, leaving behind an audience charmed by the amusing couple.

With a gentle smile, Professor Orlan addressed the remaining crowd. “That concludes today’s demonstration. The finished products will be delivered to the manor shortly.”

“Thank you so much,” the steward replied on behalf of everyone.

The servants beamed with excitement. A revolution in household appliances had begun.

***

Ellano Empire, Capital City, Lusol Street.

A buzz of chatter filled the air outside the Halo Beauty Salon. A new sign had just been put up on the adjacent building: Halo Appliance Store.

An appliance store? The name alone piqued curiosity. What kind of products would they sell?

People speculated eagerly.

“Have you heard? Starting next month, the hairdryers sold at Halo Soap Shop will be available here instead. I think the soap shop will focus exclusively on beauty products now.”

“Oh, so that’s why they’re opening a separate appliance store. The soap shop did feel a bit cramped.”

“Does that mean there might be new products coming in?”

“I heard Baron Halo has developed something new again.”

“Whatever it is, it’s bound to be ingenious and groundbreaking! Baron Halo is undoubtedly ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) a genius of our time!”

The capital’s citizens spoke with excitement. Recently, Baron Halo’s popularity had been soaring, especially among women who credited her inventions, like the hairdryer and curling iron, with elevating their quality of life. For many, she was practically a deity.

Passing through Lusol Street in a carriage, sisters Emily and Violet Dot overheard the excited chatter.

Violet leaned toward the window, her face alight with curiosity, before turning to Emily.

“It sounds like Baron Halo is about to launch new products. I can’t wait to see what they’ll sell, don’t you think?”

“...”

“Emily?”

“Huh? What did you say?”

Emily finally responded, but Violet, noticing her sister’s distracted demeanor, repeated herself patiently.

“They’re opening a Halo Appliance Store on Lusol Street. Did you know?”

“Oh, yes, I heard about it.”

Emily’s response was brief, her expression quickly turning distant. She seemed preoccupied, perhaps still weary from the ball they had attended the previous night.

Violet clicked her tongue in mild exasperation. “Do you have any idea what new products Baron Halo might have developed? And are you even listening to me right now?”

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“I’m listening.”

Emily replied, but her detached tone made it clear her thoughts were elsewhere. Concerned, Violet studied her sister closely.

“What’s been on your mind lately? Can’t you tell me? You’ve barely eaten or slept properly these past few days.”

Finally, Emily couldn’t hold it in any longer. “It’s Yvette. I haven’t received a letter from her.”

“Yvette? You mean the Countess of Corindel’s daughter? Isn’t she recuperating at her family’s southern estate?”

“No. That’s not it. She’s... run away.”

“...What?!”

Violet’s jaw dropped. The daughter of Count Corindel had run away? For what reason?

“Wait, you mean there’s still no word from her?”

This was a scandalous development, and Violet’s expression grew grave.

“Didn’t she send you a letter before leaving the capital? When was that?”

“Over a month ago.”

“Oh, heavens!”

Violet clasped her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide in shock.

At last, she understood why Emily had been so distracted, her mind clouded with worry. Her dear friend had disappeared, and the anxiety had taken its toll on her daily life.