When they entered the cafeteria, most employees’ eyes turned to the woman with Cedric. Olive’s face reddened, wondering why everyone was staring at her.

“Don’t worry about it. They’re paying attention because I’m the second most powerful person here after the boss.”

“I see……”

While ordinary employees lined up with trays to receive food, Cedric opened a door connected to the cafeteria and gestured for Olive to enter first. Her heart fluttered at his manners as he held the door until she entered.

“Thank you. But shouldn’t we be standing in line too?”

“We don’t need to. This space is prepared for employees who feel uncomfortable eating together in the same place.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean no employee wants to eat with their boss.”

Well, that makes sense. She wouldn’t want to eat with her employer, Marquis Michael Paine, either—the food wouldn’t digest. Understanding this, she nodded.

Cedric pulled out a chair for Olive, seated her, and then sat down across from her.

“What’s your name?”

“Olive.”

“Have you been serving Miss Gabrielle for long?”

“Well, I’ve worked for the Paine family since my master got engaged, so a little over two years.”

A faint smile appeared on Cedric’s lips.

“I see. Then you must know the young miss very well.”

“Even if I do, I won’t talk about her outside. My master strongly dislikes servants with loose lips.”

“Then how about questions about you?”

When Cedric leaned forward and brought his face closer, the maid’s cheeks turned as red as peaches.

“Wh-what do you want to know?”

“Your eyes are so beautiful. It’s too unfortunate for you to be just doing maid work. Olive, you’ve heard about it too, haven’t you? How much the sales staff at this department store earn in a year?”

She had heard rumors that store managers earned 12,000 Flora a year. There were also stories that salespeople with outstanding performance earned even more. But since these were passed by word of mouth, it was hard to confirm the truth of the rumors. Nevertheless, there were many women in the capital who wanted to become employees of the Liv Department Store.

“I know the rumors, but for someone as provincial as me, working under a grand noble is already more than I deserve.”

Besides, housing in the capital is too expensive and I wouldn’t have a place to stay, but the Paine family provides food and shelter, making it a good job.

Olive muttered in a small voice. Hearing this, Cedric nodded slightly and gave a seductive smile.

“I’m from the countryside too, so I understand that feeling very well.”

Olive’s eyes widened in surprise.

“What?!”

Cedric’s spotless, clean white skin and his sophisticated fashion seemed elegant at a glance. So she had been prejudiced, thinking he must be the son of a very wealthy family who had risen to his position without any hardship.

“I had no idea. Where is your hometown?”

“It’s been so long that I can’t even remember the name anymore. I think your story would be more interesting than mine.”

He avoided answering and changed the subject. He seemed to dislike rumors about him circulating in the department store.

Around that time, a cafeteria employee entered pushing a trolley loaded with food.

Olive could tell at a glance. The food being served to them differed in quantity and quality from what people outside were eating.

It’s not that the food for the outside employees looked poor. Rather, the fresher vegetables, heavier steaks, pretty desserts topped with expensive sugar, and steaming white bread were the kind of food you’d expect from a high-end restaurant.

As Olive couldn’t take her eyes off the splendid dishes, Cedric continued speaking.

“Liv Department Store has accommodations on the fifth floor for employees who have nowhere to stay. Of course, the men’s and women’s quarters are separated. There’s a curfew and a supervisor who nags if you break the rules, which is inconvenient, but it’s excellent for countryside people to save money.”

“Is that so.”

Olive liked sweet things. While sugar-preserved fruits were sweet and delicious, she had never, ever eaten chocolate in her life. Some maids working in the Marquis’s household might have tasted crumbs by flattering the kitchen staff. But she found spending money on chocolate wasteful, and she didn’t want to act cute to men she wasn’t interested in.

But chocolate cake! She immediately swallowed her saliva and glanced at the person sitting next to her.

‘If I eat dessert before finishing the meal, won’t they think I’m a glutton?’

Nevertheless, her fingers kept twitching with the desire to taste it right away.

“What do you think?”

Misunderstanding Cedric’s meaning, she answered immediately.

“It looks delicious.”

“…Of course, such desserts are always provided to employees. If you want higher quality food, you’ll need to pay extra, but it’s still cheaper than outside shops.”

“The employees here are lucky.”

To be able to eat such things every day. Olive bit her lower lip with envy. Cedric smiled contentedly and made her an offer.

“Then would you like to submit your resume?”

“What? Me?”

Olive was so surprised that she dropped the fork she was holding onto the floor.

She thought he had just been boasting about his workplace out of pride, but it turned out to be a recruitment offer.

“Soon, one of the silk section employees will get married and move to another region with her husband. We haven’t posted a job opening yet, but we’ll need to hire a new employee in five months.”

The silk section dealt with nobles and wealthy bourgeoisie. Olive knew it wasn’t a position just anyone could aspire to. If she established herself there properly, she would certainly be among the highest-paid commoners in the capital. Of course, she would also receive more introductions to good potential husbands.

‘But I heard even academy graduates frequently get rejected from this department store. My humble resume would just be used to clean the floor.’

Reading Olive’s disappointed look, Cedric assured her.

“Before we post an official announcement, employment is possible with my recommendation.”

Does that mean he’s offering her an opportunity? She got so excited at the good news that she almost grabbed his collar.

“Really? Can you help me work in the silk section?”

“Yes. But in return, you should provide me with information I need. For instance, bringing information your employer might dislike before you transfer your workplace here, that kind of small effort.”

Hmm. Even if she got fired from her maid position for gossiping elsewhere, it would be fine if she could get a job at the department store. Olive lowered her head and pondered. The chocolate cake no longer caught her eye. Of course, her nose was already intoxicated by the sweet aroma.

“I’m also willing to assign you the best room and measure a high base salary with my authority.”

Olive hesitated to answer Cedric’s proposal, which clearly stated that they should make a fair exchange. Her deliberation was brief. She nodded with a solemn look.

I called Meryl, the department store’s chief seamstress, and employees from the ready-made clothing section to my office. Since they couldn’t leave the stores unattended, I left the head salespeople at each section. Most of the remaining ready-made clothing staff came to my office, quite tense, and looked around curiously. It seemed this was their first time here.

“The reason I called you all here today is because I want to produce and sell these as ready-made clothes. Please look and give me your honest opinions.”

I showed them Gabrielle’s drawings.

“What do you think? This time, the ready-made clothing concept is brightness. After winter comes spring, right? It’s when people dress up for picnics. We want to show customers that the clothes sold in our department store, though ready-made, are no less than custom-made.”

Meryl pushed up her glasses, examined the drawing intently, and replied.

“Customers will definitely like this. We can lower the unit cost by using leftover lace from last season for this part.”

However, unexpectedly, the ready-made clothing section manager stepped forward in opposition.

“I think older ladies won’t like such flashy colors.”

Is that so? But don’t women, regardless of age, like pretty clothes that suit them well?

Young employees who shared my thoughts looked at the drawing and let out low cheers.

“If the clothes are this pretty, I’d be the first to open my wallet. My friends buy clothes from the department store because of the fixed price system.”

“That’s right. They said it’s tiring to have to argue with shop owners and haggle over prices at other stores.”

“Besides, custom-made clothes cost too much. The existing ready-made clothes had disappointing designs, but if they’re this pretty, I’d want to wear them too.”

That was true. The current level of ready-made clothing lacked vibrant colors and had simple designs. To avoid revealing that they were wearing ready-made clothes, young maidens in the capital made efforts to alter them in different ways. They styled themselves by wrapping colorful scarves, pinning brooches, or adding lace to their clothes.

“Then how about opening another ready-made clothing section targeting young people? It might disappear soon, but let’s try it during the sale event.”

The ready-made clothing section manager who had opposed showed distaste, waving his hands.

“I don’t have the confidence to run two sections simultaneously. I’m already overwhelmed managing just one section.”

“Then we’ll promote someone with good performance from the existing section staff.”

At my words, one of the young employees who had been exchanging glances quietly raised her hand.

“Excuse me, boss.”

“What? Feel free to speak if you have something to say.”

“What happens if the newly created ready-made clothing section doesn’t sell well? Will it disappear right away?”

“Probably?”

If the sales rate is lower than expected or the deficit becomes severe, it would disappear right after the sale event. A businessperson can’t just watch losses accumulate. That would be deceiving investors.

“Then the employees working there would be fired, right?”

Ah, they’re worried about being fired for taking responsibility for failure. I smiled and reassured them of their concerns.

“Don’t worry. I’ll let you return to your original sections.”

At this point, the ready-made clothing manager stepped forward.

“It would be inconvenient if you only take employees from our section. As you know, we’re short-staffed during large-scale sale events.”

“Then I’ll accept applications from all employees for this section, focusing on young people. But since you’re taking risks, I’ll measure the performance bonuses to be higher than other sections.”

The ready-made clothing employees returned to their section, reassured. What I said would soon be spread throughout the department store through the section managers’ mouths.

I turned to Meryl.

“When do you think you can complete the new clothing samples?”

“Give me three days. I’ll mobilize all my people to complete and bring them.”

“Good, after the samples are made, we’ll entrust them to the factory. If we hurry from now, we can make it before the sale event. Oh, there are a few more pictures drawn by the designer, so I’ll send them to the cutting room tomorrow.”

Meryl’s face turned pale at the mention of more drawings. Her workload had suddenly increased. I cleared my throat and slightly eased her concerns.

“I’ll extend the period by another week.”

It would still be a murderous schedule for the cutting room staff, but in return, I would set generous compensation for their labor, so it should be fine… right?

Meryl lowered her voice.

“……Thank you.”