Chapter 110

The first teddy bear was the Sun King Bear.

The bear, with platinum fur and sapphire eyes, wore a small crown and held a royal scepter, dressed in coronation attire.

The maids from the wardrobe department perfectly recreated the jewels and intricate embroidery on the dress. They engraved a splendid sun pattern on the crown and cape.

They even made a throne for the teddy bear to sit on. It was truly insane quality.

“How did you even make this…?”

When Evelyn checked the doll, she felt momentarily breathless. What she had designed was just a bear with a crown and a cape, but this was on a whole different level.

“Huh, I worked hard because I wanted to see that expression.”

Camilla wrinkled her nose with a cat-like face.

Looking at the brilliantly shining bear, Evelyn asked, just in case.

“Are all up to number 7 like this?”

“I put the most effort into number 1, but you can say they’re almost similar.”

Finn, who was in charge of the doll props, said with a proud face. No, these people. They don’t even know what they’ve done.

“Everyone, I think we need to patent this.”

“What? A patent? It’s just a doll.”

“If not a patent, then at least a monopoly contract. This shouldn’t be released into the world as it is.”

If this gets announced, countless knockoffs will be made soon. Seeing the chicks who worked so hard and wouldn’t get any reward made Evelyn feel like crying.

“But who are we supposed to make a contract with?”

“You have to contract with a guild or shop for the rights to sell and distribute the dolls.”

“Sell? You mean to sell this for money?”

The pure aristocratic chicks were startled and shrank back. No, you have to sell products for money, not give them away for free.

“Isn’t that something merchants do? How are we supposed to do that?”

“It’s not about making and selling it directly, but granting the rights. Other nobles also lease land, don’t they?”

At Evelyn’s words, the chicks finally calmed down and chirped.

“But will dolls like this be profitable?”

“We don’t even know any guilds.”

“…Just contract with me. I’ll take care of all the sales and distribution.”

Evelyn had no choice but to play her last card. She thought she should contact Mr. Marcus, the general manager of Gloriana Department Store.

“Then can’t you just take all the rights, Lady Hynes? It was your idea anyway.”

“Are you trying to make someone a ruthless businessman? Be quiet and just make the contract!”

In the end, Evelyn made a contract on the spot.

It was temporary, but she planned to create a formal contract after having it reviewed by the chamberlain.

‘Even if knockoffs are inevitable, we should still promote the genuine ones sold at the department store.’

Putting a copy of the contract in her pocket, Evelyn set out to find an owner for the Sun King Bear.

They performed a short ceremony in front of the King.

During the grand music played by Juke, they carefully placed the teddy bear on the throne, staging a coronation.

Finally, using a mirror, they shone light over the teddy bear’s head, marking the end of the performance.

Then Evelyn spoke earnestly.

“In the future, we plan to select notable figures who have greatly influenced the kingdom and present them with a teddy bear resembling them. It is a great honor to first offer this bear to you, Your Majesty, the Sun of Astria.”

“Is this supposed to be me?”

The King laughed heartily and received the teddy bear on the throne. Evelyn was worried if the unfamiliar shape of the doll would be disliked, but thankfully, it seemed to be liked.

“It’s truly exquisite. It really feels like seeing the clothes from that time.”

The King, who swept the dress of the doll, looked at the throne and was silent for a moment. It seemed as if she was reminiscing about the past.

“I remember the first time I sat in this position. I promised never to forget the feelings of that time, but perhaps I had forgotten.”

At the solemn voice of the King, the ministers, who had expressions of ‘What is this about?’, quickly bowed their heads.

“From now on, I will not forget the heart of being the first notable figure of the kingdom and will protect the nation. It was indeed a good gift.”

“It is an honor! Your Majesty!”

The maids from the wardrobe department shouted, kneeling in unison.

Evelyn followed suit, reading the room. Thus, in a warm atmosphere, the awarding ceremony ended. As they came outside, they shared joy by clapping hands together.

“Let’s keep this momentum going!”

“It would be good to hold the second awarding ceremony as soon as Lady Hynes returns from the north.”

However, as they were chattering about future plans, they didn’t foresee that the day after presenting the doll, Evelyn would be appointed to the honorable position of ‘Northern Inspector General,’ and the teddy bear would soon be swept up in a storm of fame.

* * *

-Beeeeeep! Beep! Beeeep!

Late at night, Boksil threw a tantrum, wriggling all over like a child lying in a mart.

Evelyn sighed as she checked the things to take to the north.

“No matter what, you can’t come. It’s too cold for a baby like you, Boksil.”

Even the black dragon who lived on tropical islands or Cami, who basked in the greenhouse every day, hated cold places.

Moreover, it was a place lacking food, so it was impossible to get quality meat for Boksil.

In the end, Evelyn decided not to take Boksil.

-Bwook!

Pouting, Boksil turned her head towards the wall. Anna, who was helping Evelyn pack, sighed.

“I understand how Boksil feels. Do you know how surprised I was when you said you were suddenly going to the north? It’s such a dangerous place.”

“I’m not going alone, we’re all moving together.”

The King also promised her safety, and the Marquess of the North, who considered her a benefactor, wouldn’t let her be in danger.

Then Anna mumbled with a gloomy face.

“You’re too brave, my lady. I’m scared just thinking about meeting the people of the north.”

“Then why did you say you’d come along?”

“I’m your personal maid, of course I have to follow.”

Feeling grateful for the calm answer, Evelyn’s heart warmed. But Anna hadn’t finished speaking yet.

“And although I can’t manage everything, I can certainly manage your face even during the trip. Trust me.”

“…”

No, getting facial care even on a business trip?

-Bwook?

At that moment, Boksil, who was lying limp, raised her head. As if she heard something, she tilted her head and suddenly started crawling energetically towards the window.

“Boksil?”

At the moment Evelyn called out in confusion, Boksil, springing like a coil, disappeared through the open window.

“Ahhh! Boksil!”

Startled, Evelyn threw down her luggage and ran to the window. But it was too dark outside to see anything.

“Boksil! Answer me! Boksil!”

Not hearing Boksil’s response, Evelyn’s heart sank. Her room was on the second floor, quite high for Boksil. She might have fallen and gotten seriously hurt.

“Eve, Boksil is fine. I caught her.”

The voice from below almost made Evelyn slip her hand.

“Seth? Is it really you, Seth?”

“…Yes, sorry for startling you.”

With those words, a small glow like a firefly flew up from below. Then Seth, holding Boksil, appeared below the window.

“Miss, I have something to prepare, so I’ll go out for a while. Take your time talking.”

Staring blankly at Seth, Evelyn snapped back to reality at Anna’s words. Thinking there was no time to waste, she quickly put her foot on the window sill. Seth stopped her.

“Eve, I’ll come up, so just stay put.”

“What?”

Wouldn’t it be easier for me to jump down than for Seth to come up?

But before she could say anything, Seth, who had taken a few steps back, jumped up like a bird. Kicking the wall to propel himself upward, he easily grabbed the window sill and climbed up. Startled, Evelyn stepped back.

“May I come in, my lady?”

Seth, perched on the window, asked politely. Evelyn nodded reflexively. Then he climbed down from the window and handed Boksil over.

“As you can see, she’s safe. It seems she noticed I was outside and jumped.”

-Bwook!

Seeing Evelyn, Boksil turned her head with a huff. Sighing, Evelyn scolded Boksil.

“What if you got hurt? Do you know how worried I was?”

-Bwook!

Boksil, who shouted defiantly, slipped out of Seth’s arms and went straight to her bed.

No, that rascal? Is she going through a rebellious phase?

“Please understand. Boksil probably couldn’t even imagine being apart from you.”

“Seth, are you taking Boksil’s side?”

Looking at Seth with a sullen face, he gave a wry smile.

“I feel the same way right now. I’d rather throw a tantrum like Boksil.”

No. That would be… kind of cute?

A tantrum-throwing Seth, Evelyn thought she’d like to see that. At her expectant gaze, Seth flinched and pretended to look around.

“This is your room.”

“It’s usually well-organized. Really.”

The various items scattered due to travel preparations caught her attention.

Seth chuckled softly at her excuse.

“It’s well-organized even now. I feel like I’ve made you uncomfortable by coming suddenly.”

“No. I’m really glad you came, Seth. Truly.”

Thinking she wouldn’t see him for nearly a month, Evelyn felt like she had hit the jackpot.

“But what’s the matter? Is there something urgent?”

It was rare for Seth to visit the annex. If he appeared, it meant something very important had happened.

“Well, actually…”

Seeing him hesitate uncharacteristically, Evelyn tilted her head. Then Seth’s ears turned slightly red.

“To be honest, there’s no special reason. I just ended up coming here thinking about what you might be doing now.”

“What?”

“I missed you.”

Seth confessed with difficulty, avoiding her gaze. Seeing his reddened ears, Evelyn felt her cheeks heat up as well.

“I missed you too, Seth.”

When she blurted out her true feelings, Seth looked at her with surprised eyes. Evelyn added honestly.

“I really missed you. Truly.”

Then Seth approached and hugged her tightly. Evelyn embraced him with all her strength. Somehow, despite being happy, she felt like she might cry a little.