32

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

That jerk pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his greasy sweat, pretending not to know.

‘Are you an idiot?’

“This isn’t a situation you can deny. Even if you claim amnesia, you’re the culprit. You’ve been selling off Lady Kiara’s social plans and preparations like you owe no one anything.”

“What?! I’m not— Do you have proof? Do you have proof?!”

My face flushed red as I prepared to secure a chain around the lecherous man’s neck.

“The comprehensive plan that Lady and I review records every step and every detail. It was an important party. So I set a trap. I didn’t mean much by it—I was annoyed because of you and wanted to play a little prank.”

“A… trap?”

His cornered expression made the corner of my mouth twitch up without meaning to.

“Yes. I wrote false information. Heh.”

“False information…?”

His face gradually turned pale.

“I wrote that a special-party dress item was being custom-made and that it would be crucial at the party. I even noted it down that the design and finished piece would be kept at Madame Laurant’s shop for only one day. It wasn’t in the plan at all—I thought it would be a cute little warning to spite the princess’s followers.”

“Ha, do you really think something like that could be evidence?”

I made a gesture with my forefinger, shifting it left and right.

“Mmm~ The story isn’t over. I left a gap on purpose. I gave the plan to Meloni and sent her on an errand to deliver it to the merchant guild. And then we got a big catch like this.

I learned you told her to leave the documents while you stepped away for a moment. That you threatened Meloni into silence. The only source of information on the headpiece was that plan. Aside from Lady and me, you’re the only one who saw the final copy.“

“That maid did it! She was the princess’s spy. I’ll have her arrested right away!”

“Unfortunately, our Meloni is just about to learn to read—writing’s still a bit hard for her.”

“What?”

Among commoners, reading and writing were only for children who’d had village lessons. Pinea and Nicola could read but were clumsy at writing. They only started studying properly after coming to headquarters.

Meloni, too, was illiterate from lack of proper care by parents or village elders. After she became entangled with that jerk, the steward and I had been helping her little by little.

“So if it wasn’t you, how could Princess Lilis’s side have known details that were only in the plan and obtained an item that wasn’t even for sale? Come on, rebut that.”

“Eek! That f- that wench!”

“If you’re thinking of firing Meloni or taking revenge, give up. I asked the Lady to put her under protection. It will soon reach the Marquis’s ears as well.”

He wasn’t pleasant to look at, so watching him wasn’t particularly enjoyable.

“H-hey! I’m your senior. Seniors and juniors always stick together! Loyalty! You know that?”

‘What is he saying now.’

I snorted in disbelief.

“Think before you speak. Se-nior. Loyalty from someone stabbing the Marquis in the back? My loyalty is telling my boss about this and having you dealt with.”

“Damn!”

“Go out and stop those bad hands of yours, you sexual harasser!”

“Just because I gave you a blind eye, you went off, you little wench!”

His reason gone, the jerk’s hand shot up. Rather than admit his wrongdoing, he resorted to violence; pathetic. I decided I’d gladly take a hit to secure further evidence and increase the severity of his punishment.

‘One hit, one more piece of evidence added. I’ll make sure he can never recover.’

I squeezed my eyes shut, but the pain I expected never came.

‘Did he pass out drunk?’

I slowly opened my eyes. Someone behind had grabbed and stopped the jerk’s arm.

“Who’s that! …Y- you!”

He looked bewildered as if he knew the person. I turned my head to see who had surprised him—and I knew them too.

“Long time no see.”

“Y- Your Grace, Duke!”

“The Duke?”

A tall man with dark gray hair tinged with violet, red eyes beneath double eyelids that seemed to pierce you, a large frame that looked as if sturdy muscles were woven onto solid bone.

‘My last shift’s guest?’

It had to be that guest—cold, sculpted features that were unforgettable once seen.

‘This man is the Duke?’

I couldn’t memorize every noble face, but I remembered the noteworthy names on today’s guest list. In the Seraphina Empire, there were only two ducal houses. One was House Seref, which had Princess Lilis—an enemy of Lady Kiara—and the other was House Ariadne.

‘If it’s Duke Ariadne, then it’s Sir Vespera Fortuna, the Next Archduke. An exceptional warrior and recently the youngest head of the Ministry of Justice—the empire’s top catch and that pompous character?’

I had assumed the guest was a noble when I first saw him at the merchant house, but I hadn’t expected such an eminent lineage. I swallowed without meaning to.

“Your Grace!”

The jerk dropped to his knees even faster than I did to show respect.

“You reek of alcohol—what are you doing here at this late hour?”

The cold voice made him break into a forced smile and sweat nervously.

“It’s nothing. I was simply having a brief work-related conversation with my junior.”

The Duke let out a low, contemptuous chuckle.

“Then what is this arm I’m holding? It looked like you were about to lay a hand on a woman.”

“A- absolutely not! I would never do such a thing! It’s a misunderstanding!”

“A misunderstanding…”

The Duke’s gaze shifted to me, silently asking if this was true. I hesitated a moment.

‘It’s an internal matter of the Marquis’s family—do I want to cause unnecessary disgrace? I shouldn’t spill every little detail.’

Seeing the jerk’s slimy smile—whether from sweat or oil—made me want to expose everything, but my head warned me it was too soon.

That didn’t mean I intended to defend him.

“He’s a senior with bad hands.”

“C-Cornelia!”

His embarrassed, flushed face looked like steam might start coming out at any moment.

“Luckily, I’m not the type to just endure things. The Marquis’s family will deal with this, so you needn’t worry, Duke. I’m sorry you had to see such a thing—it’s shameful for the hosts.”

He looked at me calmly, then motioned toward the jerk as if to say ‘go on’.

“Remember clearly that I saw this.”

“T- thank you!”

The man bolted away quickly, fearing the Duke might change his mind. He must be wringing his hands—I’d missed a good chance to gather evidence, which was a little disappointing.

“So you were here.”

Duke Vespera removed his white gloves and tucked them into his coat.

I thought I’d never see him again, but as they say, you never know. Yet he seemed like a person from a completely different world now.

It felt awkward to be face-to-face with a great noble who was no longer merely a guest, but I steeled myself to do my duty.

‘He’s a client contact—someone I must impress.’

If my actions upset him, the Marquis’s family could get dragged in. It’s a good position—I have to stay. I mentally coached myself to relax.

“Lady Kiara favored me and arranged for me to work at the Marquis’s family.”

“I see. What’s your position then?”

His voice was arrogant and low, his manner of speaking down to others natural for a great noble.

“I’m the Marquis’s daughter’s aide.”

“Not bad.”

He nodded a few times as if understanding.

“Then you must have prepared today’s brand party.”

“I only assisted Lady Kiara at her side.”

“I’ve heard you played a large role in Black Dia’s success. It’s unlikely Lady Kiara suddenly became a miracle worker—no need to be so modest.”

He was sharp.

I deflected with an appropriate smile, as I always did.

“I came up from the countryside and didn’t know the honor of Your Grace. I didn’t realize you were so exalted… If I or the shop were rude, I apologize.”

At the same time, inwardly I wished to send minor shopping errands to a subordinate from now on.

“Don’t worry about it. Items used for work directly affect efficiency. If something suits me, it’s only natural I check it myself.”

With that status he could have called people to his mansion, but I didn’t press. He could simply be out for some fresh air.

“How was the fountain pen I gifted you last time?”

A faint smile flickered at the corner of his mouth like a fleeting illusion.

“It has been one of the better things I’ve used recently.”

I worried I’d unsettled him with a needless gift, so I breathed a sigh of relief.

“I’m glad. If you need anything in the future, please tell me. I’ll look into it.”

“Very well.”

He smiled faintly again and our eyes met. I forgot to bow; I held his gaze as if time had stopped.

My admiration for his beauty was brief—suddenly a conversation I’d had with the Bull flashed through my mind.

‘He damn well does his job! He can’t stand a stupid assistant like me making mistakes! … (omitted) … His mouth is so unlucky—guess what he says? Just “incompetent” and the like! Just because he’s the youngest Supreme Justice doesn’t mean he’s everything! We’re the same age, you bastard!’

For some reason, he looked a little less handsome than before.