The Doll Has a Name Chapter 15 - Recruitment Ad

 

“There’s a river flowing through the 37,000 hectares, bordered by vineyards. There’s a large mountain behind it, but that wasn’t included—technically, it wasn’t our land. Forty-seven percent of the entire population cultivates the vineyards, while another 26 percent are children and the elderly who can’t engage in productive labor. The remaining 16 percent have been systematically allocated to forest development over the past five years for cultivating other varieties. That very mountain I mentioned earlier, the one that wasn’t ours.”

 

‘Well, it’s illegal. But it’s fine.’ 

 

Kise casually added this as if taking a brief pause, her nimble tongue continuing to move swiftly to prevent him from interrupting.

 

“Another 4 percent are engaged in production or technical roles. Half of that, 2 percent, work in the service industry. About 4.8 percent are individual business owners running restaurants, fabric shops, or general stores.”

 

She paused there and took a sip from her teacup. When Kise gave him a look asking if he wanted more details, Leonhardt shook his head as if to say that was enough.

 

“You have quite an impressive memory.”

 

Impressive? 

 

She had just rattled off vague numbers. 

 

It wasn’t like he could verify them anyway. That was the power of statistics. Throw out specific figures and data, and most people just nod along without questioning.

 

The man before her didn’t seem entirely convinced, but she could still sense that her answer had left a strong impression.

 

At the end of the report, Leonhardt couldn’t hold back a chuckle when he read Kise’s post-employment pledge, to work diligently, give her best, and ensure no one dared speak of unearned income.

 

“Excuse me, but may I ask why you’re laughing?”

 

“Ah, my apologies. Don’t take it the wrong way. It’s just that your first impression matches reality. And that’s a compliment, of course.”

 

Leonhardt quickly waved his hand to dispel any misunderstanding. 

 

Pouring warm tea into Kise’s empty cup, he revealed his main point with an amused expression.

 

“Though it wasn’t mentioned in the notice, I’m actually looking for a personal assistant.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“Since this person will be working closely with me, I want to hire someone who suits me best.”

 

Kise was about to respond indifferently with an “Is that so?” 

 

But at that moment, Leonhardt leaned one arm on the table, tilting his upper body toward her until they were uncomfortably close. 

 

His voice dropped to a dangerously secretive whisper, sending a shiver down her spine. Her heart lurched, pumping hot blood in an instant.

 

“What do you think, Signora Ohara? Do we seem like a good match?”

 

His sharp gaze demanded an answer, tension crawling up her back. 

 

Gripping the teacup handle tightly, she pondered, ‘So, what he was really asking was, I feel like I already know you a bit—so what do you think of me? Choose your answer carefully.

What’s this?’ 

 

I thought he was a gentleman, but he’s got a bit of a rogue in him.

 

This kind of question was an ambush. Lulling her into comfort, then striking without warning—hardly fair play.

 

Moreover, from an applicant’s perspective, it was both difficult and awkward to answer. She had to respond positively without sounding obsequious, all while implying they’d work well together.

 

So demanding… 

 

Only now did she fully grasp the meaning behind the notice’s line, ‘The representative will hire based on personal preference.’

 

What a refined scoundrel. No—what a gentlemanly, elegant scoundrel!

 

Maintaining her dignified tone, Kise answered clearly and deliberately, “It might not suit me. Are you asking me to say whether I like or dislike you in a word? But it seems too hasty to make such a judgment yet. Today is the first time I’ve met you, and while I don’t dislike you, I wouldn’t say I particularly like you either. Well, though I am starting to.”

 

“So, the conclusion is that you like me? How perplexing.”

 

“It is perplexing. But you understood, didn’t you? I think we’ll get along well.”

 

As if she had been waiting for Leonhardt’s response, Kise promptly added an affirmative remark and closed her mouth.

 

‘…Oh, dear.’

 

The moment Leonhardt saw the faintly smug curve of Kise’s lips, he realized he had fallen into her trap—answering her question without even meaning to.

 

Ah, quit picking fights and playing games for no reason!

 

He seemed to have noticed even that slight irritation of hers.

 

‘Tsk, I’m not too fond of clever applicants.’

 

Leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs leisurely, Leonhardt let out a languid smile—one so dazzling it could have spiked his pheromone levels in an instant. 

 

It was a fantastical smile. 

 

Then, as if wrapping things up, he spoke, “Do you have anything special you’d like to say or any particular talents you’re proud of?”

 

“Of course,” Kise answered without hesitation, “I might be quite fast at mental calculations?”

 

“Might be?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“What’s 999 plus 999?”

 

“111.”

 

“What’s 999 minus 999?”

 

“111?”

 

“That’s wrong.”

 

“But it was fast.”

 

Hey, when did I say it had to be accurate? I said fast.

 

“Sorry for teasing you earlier.”

 

“Okay.”

 

“I won’t do it again.”

 

“Sure.”

 

You’d better not! 

 

As Kise laughed, Leonhardt laughed too. 

 

Not to be outdone, Kise smiled even brighter. Soon, Leonhardt’s smile grew brighter as well. 

 

A harmonious conclusion. 

 

The two exchanged handshakes as a farewell. It felt like they should have exchanged lines like, “That was a fine match,” but neither said a word.

 

Just as she was about to let go of his hand, the door burst open with a loud noise.

 

“Kyaaah! Leo! Emergency! Emergency!”

 

A man—no, a woman—no, a man… yes, a man—came charging in like a bull, holding something in both hands.

 

Kise, still gripping Leonhardt’s hand, froze solid like a Moai statue.

 

The overwhelming lace reminiscent of a medieval queen, patterns, and decorations that seemed to declare, ‘No one but me dares to claim extravagance.’ 

 

Even the bold hot-pink hue—a color so intense that most women would hesitate, trying it on and taking it off repeatedly in front of the mirror.

 

The mysterious man, flailing dramatically, was about to rush at Leonhardt when his eyes locked onto Kise, standing stiffly in place.

 

He immediately covered his mouth with both hands and shrieked.

 

“Oh my! A pretty lady!”

 

🫧

 

“Tristan, get out.”

 

Not even a flick of the wrist—just a simple point. Leonhardt directed him with two fingers pressed together, swiping through the air.

 

But Tristan, as if such a command meant nothing, was utterly enchanted by Kise.

 

The silhouette of her ivory-white dress in the kingdom’s style, the delicate slope of her exposed shoulders, the cinched waist emphasizing her figure—all things he adored.

 

And on top of that, jet-black hair as smooth and fine as silk thread?

 

Tristan wore a dreamy expression, completely at a loss.

 

“Aww! She’s like a doll! What do I do?!”

 

He leaned in abruptly, sniffing deeply at Kise.

 

“Mmm… Saffron? How did you know that’s my favorite scent?!”

 

Know what? I didn’t know anything.

 

Storing clothes with saffron to infuse them with fragrance was just another tired aristocratic habit.

 

Startled, Kise stepped back and spoke with deliberate, syllable-by-syllable seriousness.

 

“Please don’t shove your nose at me like a dog.”

 

Please interpret this text literally. There is likely no intention of insults or slander toward her. Probably.

 

“Big sis?”

“I’m not your big sis.”

“The way you talk is so sharp and—wow! Crisp! Your pronunciation is so precise it stings my ears! And the rhythm’s great too! Big sis, can I hug you just once?”

“No.”

 

She almost went as far as saying, ‘I don’t like it, don’t do it,’ but stopped at ‘No.’ 

 

This sexual harasser. Still, as if worried he might come closer, Kise’s body instinctively leaned back. 

 

The glimpse of her upper body line made Tristan’s eyes sparkle again.

 

“Then, can you at least tell me your size? Your physique is amazing!”

 

This kind of thing is also sexual harassment! 

 

Kise bit back what she wanted to say and pressed her lips together.

 

Just then, Leonhardt, looking annoyed, swept his bangs up and stepped around the table, physically blocking the space between them. 

 

The intruding man cut off their line of sight.

 

Even if it’s just his back, he’s way too close. Staring at the back that thoroughly separated her from the other man, Kise held her breath for a moment. 

 

It was because of an unexpectedly stimulating scent.

 

She expected a stronger, more refined fragrance from a man, but up close, he carried a sexy, smooth woody scent.

 

“Tristan.”

 

A voice, slightly subdued yet intensely stimulating, flowed into her ears.

 

“What do you think I’m doing with a guest right now? Get out.”

 

“Leo! Pick this, big sis! Huh? Don’t go for those other girls like before, that one was…!”

 

Ah, that woman…

 

Kise quickly recalled. Right before coming in, she made me uncomfortable. Honestly, it pissed me off. She had no manners.

 

“No manners at all.”

 

“…!”

 

A chill ran down her spine. 

 

Did he… read my mind? 

 

Even though she knew it was impossible, Kise clutched her chest as if struck by the same accusation that had just left Leonhardt’s lips.

 

“Get out. Hurry up and leave. Run. Disappear.”

 

Tap, tap—

 

Leonhardt lightly kicked Tristan’s shin with the tip of his shoe.

 

Tristan, who had been screaming as if he were being tortured, suddenly froze when he saw the crystal vase in his hand. His face drained of color as he erupted into panic.

 

“No! No, no! This isn’t the time for me to leave! Leo, we’ve got an emergency! Look at this—our stockpile of sheet glass, the one we’ve been hoarding since last year! We’re about to lose it all! The Girash Merchant Company has teamed up with the Glassworkers’ Guild!”

 

The urgency in his voice must have been real because Leonhardt stopped tapping his foot. 

 

Kise’s ears perked up as well. Even from just that short outburst, she could tell—this was a case of sabotage and slander. Instantly, her immersion in the situation shot to its peak.

 

Tristan spat out his words like rapid gunfire.

 

Apparently, anticipating high domestic demand for glass, they had been steadily purchasing sheet glass since last year, amassing a stockpile of 40,000 panes. 

 

Because of this, their competitor, the Girash Merchant Company, had been unable to secure enough glass.

 

Now, in retaliation, they had secretly bought up crystal and were selling it—higher quality and more expensive than glass—at prices comparable to sheet glass.

 

They were willing to take a loss just to deal a blow to Marée Société.

 

“They’re supplying it exclusively to the Glassworkers’ Guild, and at dirt-cheap prices! Look—these are the items flooding dishware shops and general stores right now!”

 

Crystal vases and centerpieces. Items that should have been expensive had their prices slashed due to cost-cutting, and now, signs of a crystal craze were beginning to stir. 

 

That was the real problem.

 

“Seriously, if the prices are the same, who’d buy glass products? We’re sitting on 40,000 sheets of glass! We’re about to be stuck with all of it as unsold inventory!”

 

It was true—compared to glass, crystal was better. It scratched less easily and had a clearer sound. Kise nodded slightly in agreement.

 

And if vases were the trend, that made it even worse.

 

Vases had been symbols of wealth since ancient times. Fresh flowers themselves were already a luxury, but if a household also had a crystal vase to display them in, the host could strut around in front of guests—no matter how obnoxious or childish—and people would just have to tolerate it.

 

Because that was the whole point of the set in the first place.