Chapter 34

Because it was a matter of survival, I had volunteered for overtime against my will, but that was over now.

I’d been so busy I was only taking people for TWCR, but thanks to the Rabbit girl’s word-of-mouth, business was surprisingly booming. Watching the bank balance grow with satisfaction, today I met a customer wearing an adorable lamb mask.

“Thank you for waiting. What brings you to our TWCR?”

“I heard it’s popular among bureaucrats.”

He handed over a promotional business card. Despite the cute mask, his voice was a low male tenor. Now that I noticed his broad, thick shoulders, he was quite large. He’d apparently been fooled by the overly cute lamb disguise.

‘It was meant for female clients, but tastes really do vary.’

The man, despite wearing the lamb mask, seemed very relaxed. I steered the atmosphere in my now-familiar manner.

“As you can see from the setup, you won’t see each other’s faces, and nothing that happens here ever leaks out, so you don’t need to worry.”

“I see.”

But somehow his unfamiliarly impressive build and voice felt familiar.

‘From the Marquis’s household?’

I thought he might be a knight, so this time I waited for him to speak rather than press him.

He seemed to ponder, then spoke.

“I’m troubled by incompetent people. Tell them to do one thing and none of them do it properly. I expected palace officials to at least have the basics down, but they’re underwhelming. They don’t understand how important their work is or that they should have pride as nobles, and even if they stay late they can’t finish a single assigned task. And that’s not all. Also…”

At that moment, like a flash, the image of the bull lord overlapped with the lamb in front of me as if it were a lie.

‘Crazy. Why is Duke Vespera Ariadne here!?’

His story continued without regard for my inner shock. His tone was utterly blasé.

“You guys have the subtitle ‘Resignation Impulse Countermeasures Center’ attached, and if they don’t fire those people I think I’ll resign. I don’t expect much, but I’m curious about your stance on this. Maybe you are fraudsters luring naive subordinates and fleecing them of their money.”

The lamb’s eyes were chilling. In other words, if he saw something off about this he’d shut down the business. While the empire’s ultra-elite spec guy in a lamb mask vented mercilessly, I hurriedly worked out a plan inside. If I could pick up on it, he might pick up on the voice too.

‘Wait, I have to make a different persona.’

Even for an instant, make it impossible to imagine that I’m the Marquis’s kindly aide. While I schemed, the Duke’s summary finished. I calmly requested:

“From now on, for smoother counseling, I’ll speak informally. Please understand.”

“Do that.”

The Duke, who would never dream I knew his identity, nodded. I took a deep breath and raised my voice and energy to the max.

“Alright! Then shall this big sister tear apart which damn bastard is rotting your insides, one by one?”

For some reason the lamb in front of me seemed to flinch.

“From what you say, you’re fed up because neither your subordinates nor your superiors live up to expectations, and you want to quit, right?”

“Yes.”

He nodded arrogantly.

“Actually, that’s your problem too—”

“…What?”

He straightened up from his relaxed posture as if stunned by the unexpected reply.

“If you have subordinates, that means you’re in a managerial position, right? A manager isn’t just someone good at the work itself. Managing people is part of your job too. Making your subordinates perform to your standards is your responsibility too—”

“My… job…?”

He could barely continue, as if he couldn’t believe it.

“One or two might not meet your standards, but you claim all your subordinates and superiors are incompetent? That sounds like saying you’re the incompetent one. Maybe in their eyes you’re the hard-to-work-with boss—”

“Ha!”

The lamb shook his head repeatedly.

“Ridiculous.”

“I don’t know how capable and proud you are—”

I know full well he’s the empire’s ultra super-elite spec guy.

“Most work can’t be done alone, so raising them to your level is also your job. Ignoring them as incompetent and only getting angry creates a vicious cycle for you, your subordinates, and your superiors. Waiting for a subordinate who perfectly fits your taste to fall from the sky is close to a miracle, isn’t it?”

I also know you’re notoriously work-obsessed at the palace.

“…..”

The cute lamb was silent for a while.

“…A new perspective, Master Quokka.”

‘Was I… acknowledged by him?’

He rose with graceful composure and placed several times the consultation fee in gold coins from his bosom onto the table.

“…You don’t seem to be a fraudster, at least.”

Then he left the shop briskly and rhythmically.

“Farewell—”

I breathed a sigh of relief.

‘Don’t ever come back!’

Fortunately the Ariadne Duke didn’t return after that. Still, I felt the need to prepare a few precautions just in case. I pondered whether to invest the bonuses I earned from the traitor incident and the successful launch of the Black Dia new product into this.

‘Medicine for Rio isn’t something to worry about for the time being… but strangely he isn’t getting better.’

I thought a few months of steady medication would cure him, but his condition wavered between seeming to improve and not. I even tried switching physicians to see if they were milking me for treatment costs, but the prescribed herbs and dosages were the same. One physician said early treatment was neglected and that’s why he wasn’t healing well. Thinking of Rio, who can’t run around freely outside, left a bad feeling in my chest. He no longer even reminds me of my sibling.

“My lady’s aide, huh.”

I hadn’t noticed someone approaching while lost in thought. The Marquis’s young master, Aidan, appeared as always, flaunting his flawless beauty.

“Hello, Young Master Aidan.”

“You can just call me Aidan.”

“Aidan-nim is my limit.”

“I’m stubborn too, but you’re not kidding.”

After our persistence in the library the last time, he’d been nagging me to call him by name, but I finally gave in.

“I thought you’d gone back to the Magic Tower.”

“I intended to, but this place is more fun.”

From the traitor incident to parties and spy accusations—whatever he finds entertaining, I couldn’t tell, and I swallowed my words in front of his grin.

“I heard the new product is selling great? Big sister seemed thrilled.”

I was too busy with the traitor affair to say anything, but the Black Dia launch party was an absolute hit. The glitter cases and parts made with Vandai artisan sold out instantly, and demand surged so much we had to take reservations. Rumor even had it that Princess Seref and her followers were secretly buying and using them.

“Thanks to the young lady’s tireless preparation. I’m glad it went well too.”

“My sister couldn’t stop praising you. She practically spit while saying you even trapped that detestable princess’s lackey.”

“I was lucky.”

“I didn’t expect he’d go that far. I should’ve given him a proper scolding when we met.”

He must be referring to the Meloni incident where he argued with me in front of the Marquis’s residence.

“You can’t touch the Marquis’s aide without clear evidence.”

Aidan shrugged his shoulders. He didn’t especially agree.

“Anyway, our family owes you, so I should at least give you compensation. Here.”

He produced a brooch with beads from his bosom.

“You already gave me a generous bonus…”

“It’s a magic brooch.”

“Thank you.”

I didn’t refuse twice. Seeing my reaction, he chuckled.

“If the wearer is in danger, its color changes.”

“Can magic really do that? By what principle…?”

“You wouldn’t understand even if I explained. Do you really want to know?”

“…No, it’s fine.”

His eyes conveyed ‘Are you sure? I could do it if you want, but… are you prepared?’ so I hurriedly declined.

“The judgment of being in danger is a bit ambiguous, but it’s better than nothing.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to give me something more certain then?”

“Is there anything you want?”

Something I could ask the next Magic Tower head for… The voice-altering artifact I’d been considering came to mind.

“I’d like an artifact that can change my voice to the voice I want.”

He tilted his head for a moment.

“The voice you want, huh. There’s nothing like that on the market, but I’ll make one for you. Sure!”

“Really?”

“It’s not that difficult. Tell me when you’re ready.”

“Thank you, Sir Aidan!”

Yes! Saved money!

I was elated at the unexpected boon when the butler Penel called.

“Miss Cornelia, the Marquis is requesting to see you.”

“Yes, I’ll go right now.”

I wrapped up the pleasant conversation with Aidan and turned to leave.

“Hm?”

Then Aidan pointed at my hand. Following his gaze, there was the brooch he had gifted.

But it was strange. The brooch, which had been translucent white, had turned crimson like a rose.