Chapter 106

Ekaterina’s POV

When I presented the painting I had shown Mina last night, Garen gave me a wry look.

“Huh. What’s this?” (Garen)

“It’s a glass pen.” Ekaterina)

“What? A pen?” (Garen)

“Yes. It’s a glass pen.” (Ekaterina)

Yes. A glass pen, a beautiful writing instrument that was very popular among some enthusiasts in her previous life.

It was invented by a Japanese wind chime craftsman in the Meiji era, and it seems to have exploded in popularity at the time, but with the emergence of ballpoint pens and the likes, it is no longer in general use. However, there are still a certain number of people who prefer glass pens because of its aesthetic and writing quality.

In the Imperial Kingdom, quill pens are the most common writing tool. This pen also looks nice, but the barrel is too thin to hold, the ink is so small that you have to dip it thoroughly into the inkpot before you can write a line in your notebook, and the nib is so easily crushed that you have to sharpen it with a knife. It’s not very practical. It’s a pain in the ass for a 21st century Japanese like me.

So, if I could recreate that glass pen here, I’m sure Alexei would be pleased, since it’s much more practical than a quill.

But…

Garen snickered.

“I don’t know how you came up with this idea, but I’ve never even heard of glass pens before. Don’t you know that glass doesn’t absorb ink? I don’t know why you think you can write with glass, hehehe.” (Garen)

“You carve a groove in the tip. The ink is sucked up into the groove. It’s the same as the way a quill pen’s barrel sucks up ink.” (Ekaterina)

It’s called capillary action. It’s a term from my previous life.

With that being said, quill pens don’t suck up ink, either.

3rd POV

Suppressing her annoyance, Ekaterina fanned herself a little. It was then that she suddenly noticed someone watching from behind the master. The kind-looking young man who had called out to her earlier was staring at the glass pen drawing that Ekaterina had made in the master’s hand.

Garen noticed, turned around and yelled.

“Hey, Rev, what the hell are you doing!” (Garen)

“I’m sorry!” (Rev)

The young man called Rev rushed back towards the furnace.

“I’m sorry, miss. I’m afraid I’m not very good at disciplining young people.” (Garen)

Laughing again, Garen handed Ekaterina back the glass pen drawing.

“Well, if you want to order glassware, I can get you some of the finest. I’ll show you now—Hey, bring it in.” (Garen)

He didn’t want to make exactly what I ordered, he only wanted me to order what he was good at.

Ekaterina sighed behind her fan as she watched the apprentice-like young men struggling to bring her a vase so large and heavy that it took two people just to carry it.

“It is not for you to carry, my dear. I apologize for wasting your time, Mina, but we must return.” (Ekaterina)

“Yes, my lady.” (Mina)

Mina stands up.

“No, no, wait a minute, miss. You’ll like what you see.” (Garen)

Garen, a little impatient, reaches out and grabs Ekaterina’s delicate hand. “I’m sure you’ll like it.”

—Mina’s white hand clamped down on his thick arm.

She says in a low voice.

“Don’t touch the young lady with your dirty hands.” (Mina)

“What the hell, b*t*h—Hmph!” (Garen)

Garen’s eyes widened as he tried to shake off Mina’s hand. The thin, white hand didn’t falter, but clamped down on his arm in a vice-like grip.

The sound of bones creaking sounded.

“Ugyah!”

Garen screams.

In the meantime, Ekaterina had gotten up and moved behind Mina, out of Garen’s reach.

“Mina?” (Ekaterina)

“Yes, my lady.” (Mina)

Mina tosses Garen out with a ‘pop’.