Chapter 66
I almost opened my mouth without realizing it, but with a shred of reason left, I hastily raised my fan to cover my face.
The others who first encountered the “air conditioner” were so flustered they practically fell over or fainted, but I maintained a remarkably calm demeanor.
Of course, that was just how it appeared on the outside.
“Lady Clotilde, how did you manage to create this refreshing air?”
Even though I tried to hide it, the excitement in Empress Miriel’s voice couldn’t be completely suppressed.
‘For someone from the Kingdom of Estria, which values a stoic face and calm demeanor, raising her voice like this is a big deal.’
She was enjoying it more than an ordinary imperial citizen might.
Moreover, she had lived as a princess her whole life and was now an empress, yet she couldn’t completely hide her satisfaction.
‘From the perspective of an imperial citizen, this reaction is like someone seeing snow for the first time in their life.’
I responded politely to Empress Miriel.
“I tend to be sensitive to heat, so I collaborated with Lord Damian on creating a magical artifact. I’m honored that it pleases Your Majesty.”
“You even prepared a shawl for the summer, didn’t you?”
I flinched for a moment but quickly regained composure, thinking it was actually a good thing.
Right. Even after setting up something like an air conditioner today, I didn’t mention that I had worked hard to prepare it so Her Majesty wouldn’t feel hot.
‘Empress Miriel doesn’t like people showing off or boasting.’
Even without mentioning it, she must have noticed the shawl draped over my arm.
‘That probably left a good impression.’
I had set the air conditioner to blow a very cold wind to impress Empress Miriel. I had also brought the shawl in advance to cover up later.
“Thank you. I almost thought I was in the north.”
Indeed, it seemed that Empress Miriel appreciated my modesty even more.
‘Outside is hot, but the reception room should feel cold enough—that was the right call.’
The dramatic effect would be most noticeable when she first opened the door. Adjusting the temperature after she entered would have made the impression weaker. First impressions are everything.
“This thing is called an ‘air conditioner,’ right?”
When she entered, Empress Miriel had no energy, but now her eyes were shining, and she began asking questions actively.
“The device that produces cold air is called an ‘air conditioner,’ and the rotating wings are a ‘fan.’ This is how you adjust the temperature and airflow…”
“Oh, to think someone came up with this.”
I had heard she wasn’t one to lavish praise openly, so this level of admiration was extraordinary. My goal had clearly been achieved.
The head maid who came along was also watching the scene in awe. She must have been worried seeing Empress Miriel so uncomfortable all this time.
“If you don’t insist on tea, Your Majesty, I would like to offer a beverage I’ve been enjoying recently.”
“Not tea?”
“Yes, it’s a drink I made myself.”
Naturally, the noble Clotilde family would have expected to serve tea, but I had prepared something different.
I poured the drink from the bottle and glanced at Empress Miriel. She didn’t recoil even though it was a drink she had never seen before.
‘Of course, it must have been exhausting to drink only hot tea in this heat.’
I drank some myself first, showing there was no harm in it.
It was refreshing and crisp, very different from regular black tea or floral tea.
‘I must admit, I made this quite well.’
I had spent a lot of time in the kitchen yesterday to make it taste more appealing.
‘I hope Her Majesty enjoys it.’
However, Empress Miriel remained silent after tasting it.
“…….”
Hmm, unlike the air conditioner, was this a failure?
Anxiously watching, I saw Empress Miriel finally speak.
“Did you make this drink too? How did this come about?”
“It’s hot these days, so I felt constantly thirsty. But drinking only hot tea was difficult, so I devised a different drink.”
I had prepared an electrolyte drink for Empress Miriel. Even if she sweats less than most, the Empire was hot 24/7 for her. It couldn’t have been easy.
“They say adding sugar and salt to water gives energy, so I make a point of drinking it on hot days. I hope Your Majesty finds it to your liking as well.”
“Indeed.”
Her eyes brightened. It must have felt like her heavy head was lifting. After drinking the refreshing beverage and feeling the cool breeze, she probably felt alive again.
“What is the name of this drink?”
“I named it ‘Electrolyte Drink.’ If it pleases Your Majesty, I can make several more bottles and send them to the palace.”
The base recipe was sugar and salt, but I added orange juice for a fresh taste, knowing that Empress Miriel liked oranges.
“Remarkable, truly remarkable.”
Her eyes widened, and she no longer pretended to be elegant.
Seeing someone from the Kingdom of Miram smile like that was genuinely delightful.
“Lady Clotilde, it seems you came prepared today?”
Indeed, I had. I didn’t want to be engaged to Polius, nor could I bear seeing Lord Damian bow to Count Veldert.
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
But I didn’t foolishly admit that I had deliberately prepared for this in front of Empress Miriel.
She smiled slightly without pressing further.
“How did you come to think of magical artifacts?”
“At first, I wasn’t particularly interested in magical artifacts. I was curious about creating a projection crystal, which eventually led me to other areas.”
A sudden question about magical artifacts? I answered smoothly, having thought about it extensively.
“Sometimes, I can’t go out due to my health, so I wondered if I could watch plays or performances at home.”
“Seeing the air conditioner today makes me realize that magical artifacts can influence daily life, not just for projection or combat.”
Empress Miriel snapped her fan shut with a sound.
“Remarkable. Who came up with the idea for the air conditioner? You or Lord Damian?”
“I conceived it, and Lord Damian helped develop it further.”
“I wonder about the principles behind it, but I suppose I shouldn’t ask. So you are in charge of planning Black Moon, and Lord Damian handles the technical side?”
“Yes, Black Moon is a business we established together…”
The questions kept coming, and I answered carefully while making sure not to take too long.
“The projection crystal’s promotion, offering two weeks free, was very effective.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“You came up with that as well?”
“Yes, though imperfectly.”
“Did others oppose your proposal?”
While others were busy introducing the business to the Empress, I was answering questions—even about why and how I started the venture.
“Yes, I’m from the Kingdom of Estria. But if I say I’m from the northern continent, people just think I grew up in a cold, snowy wasteland.”
“…….”
“I know some northerners were overwhelmed by the Empire’s gardens. They constantly bring flowers as if dealing with a stranger.”
Empress Miriel laughed with interest, though not purely for amusement.
“But you approached it differently. You made an air conditioner knowing I would be sensitive to heat. Impressive.”
“Thank you.”
“With such insight, you would have won me over even without the magic tower’s technology. That someone with broad vision met someone with excellent technical skills… it’s simply remarkable.”
Empress Miriel held her fan in her palm and smiled.
“I’m pleased that this opportunity arose because I think you will become an even greater figure in the future.”
