Chapter 103
While we could have put an end to the Twilight Cult and made many people happy, I, in fact, wasn’t happy at all. Just as I was buried in my overdue tasks, I was summoned by the Minister of Intelligence, and there was still a mountain of work waiting for me.
I had completely forgotten in the chaos of Tannian joining the fray and the incident report. I didn’t actually participate in the Twilight Cult raid after finishing my chores; I was dragged in halfway through. Who’s going to take responsibility for the time I lost?
Ugh—! Heugh!
“Just five more minutes.”
First of all, my subordinate, who was starting to shed crocodile tears, wasn’t exactly my enemy. I meant to let her off the hook, but upon seeing the tofu in the 1st Manager’s hands, I lost my sanity. Only someone with an extraordinary amount of patience could handle that without cracking.
I hadn’t been detained yet. It wasn’t an official probation, just wrapped up with a report.
‘Does tofu even fit a European setting?’
Caught off guard by the sudden rush of nostalgia from my homeland, I was at a loss. Wait, is tofu served as a welcome gift in the West when you get released from prison? Who knows! I’ve never been there myself to find out!
The more I mulled it over, the more I felt that simmering anger rising. Why is she bringing tofu if she thought I had already returned to the mansion? Was she planning to come directly to the mansion to provoke me?
“Executive Manager! Don’t commit any more crimes from now on! Okay?”
I could practically hear how she would have boldly declared that in front of the staff and club members. So predictable, that rascal.
“I’ll be heading back since I still have some work left.”
“Oh, take care.”
Lately, the 3rd Manager’s survival instincts seemed to have improved, and he made a fiendish attempt to escape. It was rather impressive how he desperately avoided looking at the wide-eyed 1st Manager.
Thinking back, I hadn’t seen the 5th Manager around. He would simply appear when needed, which was fine by me. But really, what does he do in his free time?
I had completely forgotten that the Ministry of Finance is full of members obsessed with survival. They’re like starving beasts—eager to sink their teeth into their prey’s weaknesses at any opportunity they spot.
— Congratulations. I heard you wrote another report.
“Why is news like this always so fast?”
While I dealt with tasks after sending the 1st Manager off, a certain someone in charge of the Ministry of Finance decided it was time to roast me. Damn it, can’t you just act your age for once? Seriously, why is a guy in his 50s doing this?
It seemed like as soon as he heard from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he jumped on the chance to tease me. After boring himself to death with mundane tasks, he must have thought, “Finally, something amusing!” Making fun of others is a long-standing tradition of the Ministry of Finance.
— I told you. I had a feeling you’d end up getting imprisoned too.
The sight of the Minister grinning like he’d won the lottery made me want to grind my teeth.
I definitely remember saying something like that when I visited him in prison, taunting him as I slipped in some snacks. Back then, who would’ve imagined it would lead to this?
“How did you even get imprisoned? I thought you had to write about forty reports for that.”
“With a subordinate like you, who wouldn’t end up in jail?!”
“Oh dear, it sounds like you had a string of bad luck with your subordinates. Maybe you should consider retirement.”
Back then, I had no idea my luck with subordinates would go down the toilet like this. With someone at least somewhat capable like me on the team, managing ten would have been a breeze. Instead, I miraculously ended up stuck with the unbeatable lineup of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Managers!
But what can I do? Just like I became a manager at a young age, these guys made it to their positions while still young too. As a result, every disaster from A to Z struck, and the mess just led to more reports piling up.
Now that I think about it, this is all that jerk, the Crown Prince’s fault. If he had promoted me like a normal person, I wouldn’t have needed to write all these endless reports. “One-body-and-mind relationship,” my foot! I wish he’d just disappear from my sight.
— But don’t worry about it too much.
As I mentally announced my resignation from the bond with the Crown Prince, the Minister chuckled.
Him telling me not to worry suggests he might offer me a lifeline if I truly end up in prison. After all, we’ve been through quite a bit together over the last four years. He wouldn’t just ignore me, right? And hey, if I got imprisoned, it would be a pain in the neck for him too.
— If you get imprisoned once, it’s like starting all over. You’ll need to write forty more reports before they even think of locking you up again.
He shrugged it off. Was those four years we spent together just dust in the wind?
“That’s reassuring.”
I swallowed the urge to cuss him out and managed to pull together a few words instead.
Such a “helpful” comment from someone who’s been there several times before. I’m so thankful I might just gift him a heart attack to show my gratitude.
Damn.
No surprise I wanted to go home, but today that desire felt even stronger. I was promised not having to come to work every day as the price for accepting unexpected guests in my mansion. But here I am, getting into all sorts of trouble and coming in every day!
Now, thinking back, I’ve inadvertently become the host of a twisted Hell’s manor, leaving my guests unattended. At least Arina and the club members wouldn’t mind my absence, but I’m really worried about Marghetta—she’s someone I invited after all!
Is she doing okay?
I need to hurry and finish this work so I can attend to my guests!
*
Lately, everything seems exceedingly beautiful, even the smallest details.
The Mansion of Carl.
Every single window, curtain, and flowerpot felt charming as I glanced around. This was Carl’s mansion, the place where Carl and I would live together.
Thinking about it as a home to share with my beloved made everything look so wonderful. I’m certain I would have been happy even if the mansion wasn’t in the capital and was just an old shack in the countryside. That’s for sure.
Of course, if we look at it objectively, Carl’s mansion is splendid enough. After all, it originally belonged to the Asilon family. And since this mansion was bestowed upon him by the Crown Prince, I’m sure it’s being taken care of with utmost care.
As expected of Carl.
A swell of pride filled my chest. The mansion was the easiest way to see just how dignified the owner is.
For the Crown Prince to give such a gift meant he recognized Carl’s worth, and the fact that Carl managed to keep the mansion in such good condition meant his judgment was spot on.
But a mansion doesn’t just get defined by its exterior or size. The skills and elegance of the staff that fill the mansion are far more important.
In that regard, the staff at this mansion were absolutely remarkable.
“It’s the first time the Master invited a guest for reasons not related to work.”
That was what the butler suddenly said when he walked by.
“Madam? No, my lady?”
“For now, it’s fine to call her ‘my lady.’”
Two young and adorable maids were gossiping.
“The Master has no interest in gardens at all, so it’s fortunate that the lady seems to have a keen aesthetic sense.”
Finally, the gardener remarked.
Everything was just too perfect. The foresight they showed in anticipating the future was so excellent that it made me smile.
And then, discovering Carl’s not-so-honest side just made me chuckle.
Just how much has he talked about me?
He’d acted indifferent while I was around, but clearly, he was chatting about me behind my back. Otherwise, how would the staff consider me as his future wife? He’s such a bad person, leading me on even after turning down the marriage proposal!
To be fair, I had felt quite disappointed not so long ago. When I received the invitation to his mansion, the excitement of staying with Carl had me tossing and turning, but ironically, he had vanished from early morning until late at night.
Of course, it made sense. Carl was not just any manager—he was the Executive Manager of the Prosecutor’s Office. I wasn’t narrow-minded enough not to understand that he was busy pouring his heart and soul into serving the Empire.
But as the days dragged on, turning into three, then four, then five, my feelings of neglect grew stronger. I placed my hopes in him! I left behind my father’s teary pleas to return home and chose to come to the capital over the Dukedom’s residence.
He entrusted them to me.
But as I listened to the staff’s chatter, I finally grasped the true intention behind the invite. This wasn’t about inviting me just to leave me hanging. He had entrusted someone to look after the place while he was away for work.
When the husband is gone, the wife is naturally expected to manage the house. Yes, that is just common sense! Obvious as the sun!
The resentment I harbored towards him melted into regret. I had unfairly held onto my frustrations, not realizing that he was counting on me to manage the mansion.
Fufufu…
Being alone in the room allowed me to laugh out loud without anyone hearing.
I really need to step up! For now, this may be just his personal estate, but once he becomes a Count, he’ll have to manage a territory too. So, as the Countess, I need to prepare to handle lots of responsibilities on his behalf!
I can do this.
I’ve lived a life that befits the name Valenti. If I can’t fulfill even the basic duties of a noblewoman, then the name Valenti will just end up in shame.
Of course, officially Carl and I aren’t married yet. In the fullness of time, we will surely unite as husband and wife. The issue right now is that I lack the authority to involve myself in the mansion’s matters, as I’m just a guest.
But I can interact with the people.
However, dealing with the guests who are also present in the mansion is a different ball game. I could leave the mansion-related tasks to the capable staff and simply focus on the guests. The one causing the biggest headache for Carl is probably that pastry club.
Since Carl’s away, the staff won’t be able to control the unpredictable antics of foreign princes or the potential saint candidates. But I’m a Duke’s daughter. I may not be above the royal family, but I’m also not at a disadvantage.
With respectful demeanor and persuasive reasoning, I can certainly hinder any royal nonsense. That’s something I can do for Carl.
“The thoughts of those in high positions aren’t that different from ours. Surprising things do happen sometimes.”
That was something Carl once said during our semester. Though he smiled while saying it, the fatigue in his eyes was unmistakable.
Moreover, unlike his time in the Academy, Carl was juggling his duties at the Prosecutor’s Office as well. If he has to keep worrying about that pastry club too, he might really end up burning out.
At least here.
Let’s lighten Carl’s load.
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