I Don't Know the Original, I'm Too Busy Trying to Make a Living-Chapter 184

Kael felt his chest tighten as he carefully explained the situation to Lianel.

"Your betrothed disappeared a month ago and seems to be in the Halo territory now. We don't know the exact reason, but it appears she wanted to avoid marrying you. Emily Dot is currently on her way to Halo, and both Countess Corindel and the Duchess Dowager have sent spies to follow her. Does that make sense so far?"

Kael took a deep breath, hoping even a child would understand at this point. He looked at Lianel, waiting for some acknowledgment.

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Suddenly, Lianel stood up and announced, "I'm going out. Prepare everything."

Kael blinked in surprise. "All of a sudden? You're not planning to go to Halo, are you?"

"That's exactly where I'm going," Lianel confirmed. Kael felt the need to double-check.

"Your Grace, you were rejected by Baroness Halo, and the Tower Master will surely be there. Won't it be uncomfortable?"

"...I need to stop my mother from dragging my so-called fiancée or betrothed directly in front of me," Lianel muttered.

"Understood. I'll make the preparations immediately," Kael said before rushing out of the room.

***

Meanwhile, in the Halo territory, Pablo had arrived to discuss the sales of newly developed household appliances.

Penelope decided to meet him personally at the castle gates. Though Ahwin clearly disapproved, his discontented expression didn’t stop him from staying close to her.

As expected, Ahwin voiced his objections the moment Penelope started walking. "You could have just waited in your office. Why bother going to greet him?"

"How often do I get to enjoy some fresh air during the day? Besides, this doubles as a date," Penelope replied, taking Ahwin’s hand.

That silenced him immediately. His ears reddened quickly, revealing his embarrassment. Clearly, the idea of turning this into a date hadn’t occurred to him.

He still has such an old-fashioned way of thinking about romance, Penelope thought, amused. It seemed he struggled with anything outside the norm.

Though he has improved a lot compared to before.

Ahwin had recently grown more comfortable with "office dates," sneaking in moments of affection while reviewing documents. However, he wasn’t entirely used to it. At times, a kiss from her would leave his face flushed, his neck blotchy, and his hands instinctively covering his lips. It was so endearing that Penelope often found it hard not to laugh.

"Sometimes, I wonder who’s older between us," Ahwin grumbled.

"Maybe my mental age is higher," °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° Penelope teased.

"Do you really think so?" Ahwin narrowed his eyes at her. He was particularly frustrated about one thing: he couldn’t take the lead in their kisses. Penelope’s initiative constantly caught him off guard, leaving him flustered.

I need to figure out how to seize the right moment for a kiss, he thought, his resolve firming.

Just then, Penelope released his hand and looked ahead. Ahwin instinctively reached for her hand again, but she whispered, "Pablo has arrived."

Ahwin froze. He’d been so preoccupied with planning his next move that he hadn’t even sensed Pablo’s arrival.

Penelope greeted Pablo warmly as he stepped out of his carriage. "Welcome! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?"

"It has, Baroness. I’m glad to see you looking well," Pablo replied, clearly moved by her hospitality.

"Has everything been calm in the capital?"

"Nothing noteworthy—just as I mentioned in my reports," Pablo answered, touched by her concern. Still, he avoided looking directly at Ahwin.

Penelope smiled and motioned for him to follow. "Come along. I’ll show you to the sitting room. The castle has changed quite a bit since your last visit; you’ll be surprised."

"I’ve heard as much from the steward. I’m looking forward to it," Pablo said, walking behind her.

When they entered the Great Hall, Pablo’s jaw dropped. Though only a few months had passed since his last visit, the castle was almost unrecognizable.

Is that... a magical elevator?

Penelope pressed the elevator button, and Pablo struggled to maintain a neutral expression. The last thing he wanted was for Penelope to laugh at him or, worse, for the Tower Master to notice his surprise. Ahwin’s sharp gaze was already making him uneasy.

Stay cautious. Avoid provoking the Tower Master at all costs.

Ahwin was a man who had reached the pinnacle of power purely through strength. Pablo had no intention of crossing him and even kept a deliberate distance from Penelope.

As the elevator ascended, Penelope turned to Pablo, her tone casual but thoughtful. "It must have been hectic preparing for the appliance store opening on top of managing the soap shops and salons. I hope it hasn’t been too much?"

"It wasn’t as overwhelming as you might think. After a few experiences, I’ve grown accustomed to setting up new stores," Pablo replied confidently.

Currently, the capital had three soap shops and seven beauty salons, all established under Pablo and Lucas’s management. Pablo’s efforts were especially noteworthy, as he had overseen every step of their growth. Watching the stores flourish filled him with pride and a strong sense of responsibility.

Baroness Penelope truly has an exceptional business sense, he thought, glancing at her with admiration. She wasn’t stingy when it came to investing in people, and it showed. The Halo workshops and stores attracted talented individuals from across the empire.

Penelope also prioritized fair treatment of her workers. She implemented fixed working hours of nine hours a day and ensured everyone had at least one rest day per week, with longer tenures earning additional time off.

"Wouldn’t this affect the profits of our trade guild?" Pablo had initially expressed concern about her policies, especially since the wages and benefits far exceeded industry standards. However, he quickly realized Penelope’s approach was correct. Workers at the Halo stores and workshops exhibited unmatched dedication and pride, leading to higher-quality products and exceptional customer service. It was no wonder the stores thrived.

Following her was the best decision of my life.

"Do you think opening the Halo Appliance Store might be too soon?" Penelope asked, her tone tentative.

"Not at all. Weren’t we already planning to separate the appliance sector? I believe now is the perfect time," Pablo reassured her.

"That’s good to hear," Penelope said, her smile easing the tension in his shoulders.

But Pablo couldn’t let his guard down entirely. Ahwin’s piercing gaze reminded him to remain composed, even as he felt the urge to grin ear to ear from Penelope’s praise.