22

After that, the meals at our house began to change.

I had sold off gifts whose color or design didn’t suit me to supplement our living expenses. Still, there were plenty of clothes I hadn’t worn yet. To be honest, I hurriedly sold some because the house was cramped and there was nowhere to store them.

“The bread is so soft!”

“There’s meat swimming all through the soup…!”

“Can I have two bowls?”

Seeing the three of them eating heartily until their cheeks bulged made me quietly pleased. I admit that, as a K-office worker, I can’t stand going hungry or eating meager meals.

‘Juliana and Rio are in their growth spurt stage; they need to eat well.’

I also contributed some toward Rio’s medical expenses. That would buy us enough time to find a treatment method. The remaining money was intended for the side business I had planned.

I gave up sleeping in on the weekend and headed early to the Information Guild.

There I sought out a small office where I could come and go safely and discreetly.

True to the guild’s nature, they asked nothing and quickly provided the relevant information.

‘It’s not for living purpose, so I’ll find a suitable place and sign the lease quickly.’

That day I viewed several places with a staff member and signed a lease on a tidy one. I spent all the jewels I’d received as rewards on simple furniture and interior decoration.

“Don’t you need a signboard?”

When the guild staff, knowing I was looking for a space for a side business, asked, I shook my head.

“No. I won’t put one up.”

“Then how will people find you?”

“Word of mouth will do.”

I planned not to tell anyone what side business I was running unless absolutely necessary.

I intended to promote the shop by spreading rumors through the Information Guild.

“Here, please take the contract.”

After signing, I worried about what if it failed, but I calmly rationalized it.

‘They said it’s best to spend unexpectedly incoming money quickly.’

This was better than nibbling away savings and having nothing when I actually needed it.

I hoped the side business—my own real venture starting next week—would run smoothly.

“Cheers!”

The next stop was a popular beer pub near Daijo.

Pinea and Nicola had arranged this because we hadn’t had a proper farewell party. I declined, saying it wasn’t necessary, but they wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“Ahh!”

The cold beer going down gave a thrilling, tingling sensation through my throat, chest, and stomach. Having spent the morning hunting for an office and worrying, it felt like a weight lifted from my chest.

“I didn’t expect the senior to come see me.”

It was surprising that Senior Yul was there as well.

“The manager, the aide, and Jemina all wanted to come, but since the Black Dia launch they’ve been unbearably busy, so I’m here representing them. The manager worries about how you’re doing. How is the Marquis’ residence?”

“Yeah, we’re curious too.”

Pinea’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

I thought of my somewhat peculiar direct superior and an apparently trashy supervisor from another department, but I kept quiet since there was still much to figure out. It wasn’t a conversation just between Pinea and Nicola.

“How long have you been working there? I’m fine; nothing special has happened.”

“I heard you accepted ridiculous conditions. Rumors have spread to the higher-ups.”

I shrugged instead of arguing with Senior Yul’s remark. It was natural to me, but hard for them to understand.

“That’s why I’ll work hard. If I annoy them even a little, I could be fired in an instant.”

He chuckled and shook his head at my joke.

“As long as you don’t offend their temper, that won’t happen. Fortunately, the marquis isn’t the type to wreak havoc. It probably depends more on your attitude—well, actually—I don’t really know much either.”

If it’s not a private place and you’re not a close friend, it’s better not to gossip in an open setting like this. Especially when the subject is a high-ranking noble who, unlike in modern times, could have you executed.

Wary that pointless talk about the marquis’ family might come up, I changed the subject.

“How’s the merchant guild doing these days?”

“Thanks to you, business is booming. Black Dia products are selling steadily. We’re planning to open more shops.”

“Let us know when the next new product comes out. I need to report to the young lady.”

“Of course. It’s a big help for us to learn the young lady’s intentions quickly through you.”

Senior Yul seemed particularly dependable today. I praised the Black Dia cosmetics the management seniors had given me and the fountain pen Nicola’s senior had given me, then subtly slipped in a customer’s request: could they add an eraser function. Nicola responded that he’d convey it well.

‘I’ll be the first to buy it when it’s released.’

As we exchanged updates, the conversation warmed up.

“Right, Coco, I have something to show you.”

Pinea handed me a thin booklet that looked like a magazine from her bag.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a magazine for noble young ladies. They call it ‘Gossip Young Lady.’”

“Gossip… Young Lady?”

The name, which brought to mind a TV show I used to binge, gave off an aura that made its purpose obvious without explanation.

“You need to know the society news. I got it thinking it might help you! Though it’s called a noble gossip magazine, wealthy commoners read it too. It’s entertaining. The marquis’ young lady might know about it, but she probably wouldn’t hand it to you on a first meeting—it… the content isn’t exactly flattering.”

“What’s so bad about it?”

I flipped through the magazine Pinea gave me. A bold headline there immediately caught my eye.

“Duke Vespera Promoted to Youngest Supreme Justice. Who Can Stand Against Him?”

It was a short article with only a black silhouette illustration, but it dominated the front page.

“At twenty-six, promoted to the youngest Supreme Justice… wow, insane.”

He must be an extraordinary elite among the nobility.

Pinea added, as if she knew which article I was looking at.

“This isn’t all. He’s the son of Archduke Fortuna, so he’s the Next Archduke, and he earned many merits in the war and even received a separate Duke title. Afterwards, by the emperor’s order he entered the Ministry of Justice and in just over two years rose to lead it.”

“He’s a broken character—overpowered.”

His credentials were excessive to have such backing behind him.

“Apparently he doesn’t show up much in society. So there are hardly any proper portraits. But rumor says he’s a tremendous handsome man…”

“You sure know a lot, huh?”

Pinea’s face flushed slightly and she coughed softly.

“Hmph, being in the External Relations Department I hear all sorts of news, and knowing gossip is… fun. A little daily pick-me-up. Anyway, you can consider him the most popular man in the empire right now.”

It made sense; condition-wise he was almost too perfect.

“It feels unreal; it doesn’t really sink in.”

Pinea agreed and gestured back to the magazine.

“What I want to show you is the next page.”

Turning it, an article about my employer took up a conspicuous spread.

“The Marquis’ Family’s Villainess Wields the Merchant Guild to Her Whim?”

It claimed that Kiara had thrown tantrums at the Marquis, exploited the merchant guild employees, and forced the release of Black Dia. It also added that an innocent employee had been fired in the process.

‘About eighty percent of that is true.’

The problem was that important parts were erroneous. They were told to make the cosmetics business successful; they didn’t force Black Dia out arbitrarily. Also, the supposedly sinful employee had been justly punished and dismissed without the young lady’s knowledge.

“Overall, the tone is a bit negative.”

Pinea nodded in agreement.

“Right. I have a hunch that that Bator guy gave the interview.”

“It’s quite possible.”

“And the gossip about the Marquis’ young lady isn’t limited to this. I found out she keeps being featured as a villain in ‘Gossip Young Lady.’”

Apparently there were flashy accounts like pouring drinks on other ladies’ heads, insulting them, or slapping them. Nicola, sitting beside us, shivered as if afraid and said,

“Coco, is that really true?”

“Of course not. None of that has happened—yet.”

I handed him a snack and reassured him. At the same time, I thought to myself.

‘At least she didn’t poison anyone.’

If it didn’t reach murder, I could accept a master’s warped temperament. If you’d watched that TV show, this would be child’s play.

But from talking with her, she didn’t seem the type to act that way for no reason—what could have happened?

“Seems my boss has a lot of enemies.”

I began to understand why she needed an aide. I thanked Pinea for the useful information and tucked the Gossip Young Lady magazine safely into my bag. I also kept the tidbit Yul senior had slipped out at the end for later use.

“Hey, junior.”

‘Junior?’

From the morning, an unwelcome face had appeared.

“If you’re at the Marquis’ residence, you should come greet me. Isn’t that polite?”

‘Is he insane?’

Bartolo approached with an oily, slick smile.

“As a newcomer you should be respectful to your seniors when you arrive. You’re still young, so if you just do as I tell you you’ll succeed. Don’t worry. Honestly it’s all ridiculous even now, but since you’re practically a commoner, maybe it’s hard for you to understand, so we’re giving you time to adapt to this mansion.”

“Oh, really.”

I put on a stunned fish-eye expression. It was hard to take in with a sane mind. My fish-eye reaction seemed to have some effect, and he puffed up even more.

“So if there’s anything you don’t know, I’ll kindly tell you—feel free to ask. From now on when you come in the morning, make tea and bring it to greet us.”

“…Yes?”

I wondered if I had heard him correctly. He kindly clarified to confirm his order.

“Tea tastes better when a woman brews it.”

‘You’re dead.’

I mentally sentenced him and smiled faintly.