31

“Hello, Princess Seref. I’m Cornelia Libertas, who assists Lady Kiara, the Marquis’s daughter.”

Since our ranks differ and we’re not acquainted, I used her family name instead of her given name. Her honey-blond hair and clear blue eyes fluttered shut like a sigh.

“Nice to meet you. I hear you played a big part in preparing this party.”

This damned status-conscious society.

I still can’t get used to people who look younger than me speaking in an informal tone from the first meeting.

“No, Lady Kiara carefully reviewed and decided everything herself. I only helped make those decisions easier to execute.”

Trusting my choices and following them is also her ability as my superior. No matter how many ideas I propose, nothing can proceed without approval. But Princess Seref seemed to think differently.

“Hmm. Who would believe it if the person who made Black Dia said so? And as soon as you moved to the Aurelius Marquis’s residence, the Marquis’s daughter sprouted wings.”

Her tone was light, but her eyes were not smiling at all.

“No matter how good my ideas are, what use are they if no one recognizes their value?”

I kept smiling and consistently credited my superior. It’s best not to give enemies any unnecessary excuse.

“I could make your ideas worth more.”

“Sorry?”

Princess Seref, contrary to her angelic, innocent appearance, was unreserved.

“Come to me. Whatever the Marquis’s daughter is done with you, I’ll support you beyond that.”

‘So this is… a recruitment offer?’

But the Marquis family I’m with now isn’t bad, and suddenly quitting to join a rival family would be wrong morally and bad for my future prospects.

‘How do I refuse this without offending her…’

Given who she was, refusing required a high-level skill.

So I started by declining politely.

“Thank you for the offer, Princess. That you see me as someone valuable means a lot. However…”

“Cornelia!”

As I was trying to refuse as kindly as possible, Kiara—who should have been attending guests—suddenly appeared and yanked my arm.

“My lady?”

She bowed slightly to the princess out of courtesy, then turned sharply fierce.

“What are you talking about so enjoyably with my aide? You wouldn’t be offering to recruit her behind my back, would you?”

Princess Seref wasn’t fazed; she stared at Kiara, opened the fan she held to cover her mouth, and replied.

“Of course not. I was merely encouraging her for her important role in today’s party. I thought her talent was a pity if not recognized, so I kindly pointed out there are many opportunities. Now that I’ve said my piece, I need to go.”

Princess Seref moved gracefully and stepped aside; Kiara scowled.

“She was trying to pull a trick on you, wasn’t she?”

I smiled without denying it. Kiara’s expression turned serious.

“Don’t go.”

“Yes?”

“I’m asking you to stay because I’ll treat you better. Stay by my side.”

“Uh, yes?”

I was quite flustered when such a fantasy-romance male-hero line slipped out of her mouth. Fortunately, this wasn’t turning into a GL plot.

But I’m not that easily won over. If I were a rookie, I’d be moved and pledge lifelong loyalty, but with my sly career at its peak, opportunities like this don’t come often!

“I’ll think about it.”

“Cornelia?”

Kiara was startled, perhaps because it wasn’t the answer she expected. I answered teasingly.

“So don’t think of me as a fish you’ve already caught.”

Always consider me! Better employee benefits!

Kiara looked like she wanted to press the matter, but too many people were seeking the host of the party. She was dragged off to be introduced to prominent businessmen, merchant houses, and nobles at the behest of her doting father the Marquis.

I suspected this party wasn’t just a show of social power.

‘At this rate, they might end up making her the next lord of the family?’

Would I become a kingmaker too? The thought amused me; well, imagination is free.

With lady Kiara and the butler handling the ballroom, I went toward the party entrance to check the outside situation.

“Miss Cornelia!”

At that moment, jewel artisan Vandai beckoned to me. He was the key to today’s great success. I hurried to him barefoot, so to speak.

“I’m really not cut out for places like this. Too flashy and noisy.”

“You work with glittering gems all day and you call yourself weak at this?”

“That’s one thing and this is another. The texture’s different, isn’t it? It’s a different kind of shine!”

I had barely convinced him to come, and now he was complaining about the party dragging on.

“Still, thanks to you, mister Vandai, today’s party was very successful. Thank you so much.”

He grumbled awkwardly, as if he appreciated my sincerity.

“Still, the venue suits my taste. Not gaudy and tidy.”

That was intentional.

“So today’s new glitter product can shine more. I couldn’t introduce it carelessly — it’s Mister Vandai’s work.”

He seemed like a cranky old man, but he was also a businessman who had run a traditional workshop for a long time. His eyes moved toward the product demonstration where people had gathered.

“When I first heard your explanation, I wondered what you were talking about, but seeing it like this, I’m glad we did it. My instincts weren’t wrong. The staff enjoy the new work too. Inspiring artists is important — though it does mean more work.”

Listening quietly, I noticed Vandai had omitted something important and added it for him.

“You’ll make more money too.”

“Hey! Do you think I do this for money?! Are you insulting me?”

Even at his fiery scolding, I didn’t flinch.

“Of course not. If it were for money, I wouldn’t have sought you out.”

Vandai himself embodied the brand’s value. That’s why people were amazed and wanted this collaboration.

“You could at least say it.”

“Anyway, steady income is good. Take this chance to upgrade your tools and make the pieces you want freely. If good opportunities come up, work with us again.”

He looked tempted by my offer.

“Yes, I should go see that new magical engraving pen everyone’s talking about in the empire. If it’s good, I’ll replace all the tools in my workshop.”

I didn’t stop my sales pitch.

“If you need anything, contact the Daijo merchant guild. We’ll help you wholeheartedly.”

“You’re a persistent young one.”

After sending the slightly exasperated Vandai away, I returned outside the ballroom to complete my original task. Finishing things is important.

The well-kept garden and the magical lanterns lady Kiara had urged her younger brother who is the next Magic Tower lord to make gave off a soft atmosphere. Groups of guests were enjoying the romantic mood everywhere.

‘Nothing special.’

I scanned the surroundings and checked every corner when a shadow fell over my head.

“You must be feeling very smug.”

“Aide Bartolo.”

The greasy lecher appeared with a rotten smile. Why was he wandering here instead of assisting the Marquis? He’d forgotten his duties and seemed drunk.

“Isn’t this all thanks to my guidance? If I were the lady’s aide, I’d have handled all of this easily.”

“Oh, really.”

I met his nonsense with a deadpan stare.

“I’m so thrilled the party was a huge success. But hey, I’ll give you one piece of advice.”

“Yes.”

“Usually, proposals and documents for the lady are shared with seniors, right? You do interim reports too. People keep asking about the new junior, but I don’t have much to tell them about what she’s been doing. Senior-junior bonds should be strong. I’ve forgotten the last incident; you have too, right?”

‘Ugh.’

“If someone wants to achieve great things, they can’t cling to every little thing. Men in society encounter this all the time! Once you’ve lived this life, you’ll understand. Of course, as a woman, there will be many things beyond your understanding.”

“I see.”

‘Only you’re like that, you lunatic.’

Thinking I was meek, he laughed loudly and proclaimed proudly.

“Trust me! Trust Bartolo!”

“That’s a bit… difficult, isn’t it?”

“What, what?”

Caught off-guard by my unexpected pushback, Bartolo frowned and his greasy face seemed even sleazier.

I smiled slyly. I hadn’t meant to simply offend him.

“What could you possibly trust and share with the Duke family’s ‘spy’?”

“What, what?!”

His drunken attempt to hide his expression was clumsy. But he wasn’t completely out of it and immediately denied it.

“What are you talking about! Who said such a disrespectful thing? I’ll find the one who spread that rumor and…”

“You’ve all fallen into my trap.”

“What?”

“That crazy flower decoration the princess had in her hair today — that’s the evidence.”

I had hoped he wasn’t that trashy, but men lacking morals never stop at just one flaw.

I’d hooked a big one.

I told the slow-to-grasp guy briefly and clearly.

“You’re done for now.”