Chapter 004
Episode 4
Fortune Telling for the Year, Part 2/2
I couldn’t help but let out a wry chuckle as I looked at the screen filled with text.
Duke Deira was impeccably formal. The casual message I’d sent earlier now felt embarrassingly out of place.
‘Should I match his tone, or just stick to my own style and push forward?’
After some thought, I decided to lighten my tone a bit and tapped away at the typewriter.
[“Thank you for your kind words! We’re thrilled to provide TokTok to the ducal house ^0^”]
[“Have you checked the price per TokTok? Since you’re purchasing in bulk, we can offer about a 20% discount. Payment can be made in cash or by promissory note.”]
[“Would you like the invoice sent by mail, or delivered via TokTok?”]
I sent the message and wondered how the reply would come. I tapped my index finger on the desk, waiting.
It goes without saying, but I’ve never met Duke Deira. I don’t know his face or his voice. Still, I know a few things about him.
First, the duke was born into a wizard family and inherited magical powers.
Second, he doesn’t venture to the capital but stays in his own territory. No one knows why, but I’ve heard most wizards avoid getting entangled in political disputes.
Third, unusually for a wizard, he also wields a sword. Some sort of… magic swordsman? I haven’t heard why he learned both swordsmanship and magic.
As I was reviewing what I knew about the duke, a reply arrived.
[“Thank you for your prompt response.
I will make the payment in cash. I plan to visit the capital soon, but I’d like the products to arrive at my estate before then. If I pay directly to the merchant through the bank, is it possible to have the products shipped promptly?
As for the invoice, I’d like to receive it both by mail and via TokTok.”]
Oh, this time it’s a bit less formal. At least he didn’t repeat his introduction.
I quickly sent a reply.
[“Understood, payment in cash and invoice by both mail and TokTok! Noted.”]
[“We’ll ship the TokToks as soon as the payment is confirmed. They’ll be carefully packed to avoid damage and sent to the address provided in your order. If you encounter any issues after receiving the products, please feel free to contact us anytime!”]
After that, it was just routine back-and-forth. We coordinated the exact payment date and double-checked the address.
When I felt the matter was mostly settled and glanced at the clock, 30 minutes had already passed. Still, thanks to TokTok, work has become so much easier. In the past, I’d have had to visit the ducal house in person or exchange letters over weeks.
“Ughhh!”
Stretching to loosen my stiff body, I sent a closing greeting.
[“Welcome to the ‘TokTok’ family. We look forward to your continued support and will strive to be a Hexen Trading Company that repays your trust.”]
[“Thank you!”]
Right on cue, a knock sounded at the door.
The old butler came in, holding a plate in one hand. On it was… a sandwich so massive it looked impossible to eat even with my mouth stretched wide. He’d even brought a fork and knife, as if I was supposed to carve it up like a steak.
I took the plate with a grimace, and the butler gave me a slightly relieved look.
“You need to eat properly, my lady.”
“Ugh…”
I’ll just eat a bit and leave the rest, whatever.
“You mustn’t leave any.”
“…”
Do I really need this kind of supervision when I’m not a child?
As I seriously pondered this, a sudden reply came from the duke.
[“Yes, thank you.”]
Why’s he replying again? Such a polite duke. I was about to ignore it and start slicing the sandwich when the butler subtly interjected.
“You should reply. He’s a big client.”
“He just said thanks. Do I really need to respond?”
“You know how nobles are.”
Ugh, seriously.
It’s a bit annoying, but the butler’s not wrong.
High-nosed nobles, dealing with a “commoner-born countess” like me, often put on strange airs of pride. When chatting via TokTok, if I ended the conversation first, they’d get oddly upset, feeling ignored or whatever.
I mean, come on, we’re done with business, so why keep replying?
But I’m a slave to capitalism. Sob. So many trading company employees to feed…
“My lady?”
“Alright, fine!”
Pushing aside my melodramatic inner monologue, I chomped down on the freshly sliced sandwich. The sound of the typewriter clacking rang out cheerfully.
[“Yes, Duke. Wishing you a happy day today!”]
There, done.
I was getting hungry anyway, so I went to finish the sandwich when—TokTok! Another notification. Text popped up on the screen.
[“Yes, Countess, have a good day as well.”]
What? Still, I replied. Ugh, if only I weren’t a commoner-born.
[“Thank you ^^”]
TokTok! Another reply.
[“Yes ^^”]
…
What is with this duke?
Still, seeing him use a smiley face, it seems he’s getting used to TokTok. Amid my bewilderment, the smiley caught my eye first.
The butler, glancing at my TokTok, had a puzzled look too. I didn’t reply further and started eating the sandwich. The butler seemed to think that was enough and didn’t urge me to respond again.
But did the butler eat lunch?
“Grandpa, I’m gonna eat lunch and rest a bit.”
“Alright, call me if you need anything.”
“Mm-hmm.”
I answered briefly and sent him off. He’s old; I hope he’s taking care of his meals.
I ate the sandwich (left a bit), got up, stretched, and wandered around the office to refresh. Maybe because I ate lunch, I felt sleepy and dozed off on the sofa for a quick nap.
You might think, as the head of a trading company, I shouldn’t be this idle, but others handle most of the work. I deal with finicky nobles, plan the company’s direction, take responsibility if things go wrong—that’s my job.
It really hits me that our trading company has found its footing. Reliable employees, a flagship product raking in money, peaceful days…
Yeah, let’s be grateful and work hard!
Feeling recharged, I sat back at my desk. I reviewed a few special orders and checked the new designs proposed by the design team. They were for a dog-themed design the emperor had subtly requested, but none really stood out.
Spinning my chair and looking at the hand-drawn drafts, I stopped abruptly.
This doesn’t feel right. I need to talk to the design team. The emperor has a beagle now, but he misses his late cocker spaniel more! So this design should focus on cocker spaniels, not beagles!
As I pulled my chair closer to the desk—
“Huh?”
A chill ran down my spine, like I’d come face-to-face with a headless ghost. I even felt something tug at my hair.
I whipped around, but no one was there. Letting out a sigh of relief, I tried to move my chair closer to the desk. Or rather, I tried to.
“Hm?”
Why won’t my legs move?
What’s going on? Are they numb? No, that’s not it. I can’t feel my legs at all. It’s like they’ve turned to stone, no strength, no pain, nothing. From my toes to my knees, completely numb!
Clutching my racing heart, I bent down to check my legs. As I lifted my pant leg—
“AAAAAHHH! Grandpa! GRANDFATHERRR!”
My scream was so loud the butler rushed in immediately. Thinking a thief had broken in, his face was pale with panic as I shouted at the top of my lungs.
“My legs have turned to stone!”
