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Chapter 16
“This way, please!”
After leaving the office, I walked around the building to get a general sense of its layout.
‘Thankfully, it’s not too complicated.’
I’d expected it to be exhausting since there were so many floors, but it turned out the place was only divided that way because of the number of employees.
That made it easier to grasp where everything was. I wouldn’t be getting lost anytime soon.
‘All I need to remember are the 4th and 6th floors.’
The 6th floor was where I’d be working. The 4th floor was the pantry. Everything else was used by the merchants and guild staff, so I wouldn’t have much reason to visit.
‘First thing’s first, I’m going straight to the 4th floor.’
I’d heard there was a head chef from the imperial palace working here. To think I could eat food made by someone like that every day!
‘The employee benefits here are insane.’
Because at the end of the day, eating well makes working better.
Reciting that truth to myself, I climbed the stairs eagerly.
“Ah, and please feel free to call me Roten. Since you’re assigned to the 6th floor, I imagine we’ll be seeing each other quite often.”
The 6th floor, he explained, housed Lord Gilbert’s personal office.
The one I’d visited earlier was for public affairs; the 6th floor was where he handled private matters.
“To be honest, I was surprised. It’s the first time His Lordship has allowed someone else to use the 6th floor.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It’s always been his private space. You wouldn’t guess it from how he acts, but… he actually values his personal space quite a lot.”
“Oh?”
“You don’t believe me, do you?”
“Nope.”
At my honest reply, Roten chuckled.
“That’s understandable. He does seem rather… carefree. But he has his own strict standards, and in his own way, he’s quite particular.”
“Well, now that you mention it, I suppose that makes sense.”
He did seem casual when talking, but when it came to work, his eyes changed completely. He might look like a lazy aristocrat, but he was definitely a sharp businessman.
“So, I don’t know if I should say this, but—”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Ahem. It’s just… surprising. His Lordship has only ever personally invited two people before you.”
“Two people?”
“Yes. Though, to be fair, those two tend to just barge in—ah, I mean, visit—without invitations, so perhaps that doesn’t mean much…”
Roten coughed awkwardly. His expression was suspicious as hell, but I’d been in society long enough to know when to keep my mouth shut.
Just as we turned a corner—
Thud!
“Ah!”
I fell backward before I could dodge.
“Milady!”
“Ow, ow, ow…”
Ouch. What the hell was that?!
Rubbing my sore backside, I looked up.
“What are you?”
“…?”
Huh? Why did he sound like I’d done something wrong? We’d bumped into each other, right?
The longer I thought about it, the more irritated I felt.
“…Who are you, then?”
“What?”
The boy standing in front of me furrowed his brows. I blinked, momentarily stunned.
Roten hurried to my side and bowed to him.
“Are you all right, Milady?”
“Ah, yes, I’m fine.”
He offered his hand, and I gratefully took it, standing up quickly.
Then I looked at the boy again—
‘Wait… why is he so tall?’
His face looked young, but he was easily two heads taller than me. That automatically made me look up at him, which was more than a little frustrating.
But before I could process my wounded pride, the boy lost interest and turned away.
“Hey, excuse me.”
He stopped. His expression stayed sour as he glanced back at me.
“We both ran into each other.”
“And?”
His tone all but said, so what? Roten shifted anxiously beside me, but I took a breath and pressed on.
“I’m not asking for an apology, but you could at least not act like I did something wrong.”
Accidents happen when you turn a corner. Usually, you check if the other person’s okay—not glare at them like you’re ready to duel.
At my words, he let out a short, incredulous laugh.
“Heh.”
Then, with a dismissive smirk, he said, “Then maybe you shouldn’t have been standing there.”
And just like that, he brushed past me with a flick of his chin.
“…Unbelievable.”
What was wrong with his personality?!
Still dumbfounded, I froze—until hurried footsteps approached.
“L–Lady!”
A man rushed over, still fixing his tousled hair, and bowed deeply.
“My deepest apologies! Are you hurt anywhere?”
He shot the boy a sideways glance as he spoke. Judging from that, he was probably a subordinate.
I sighed. “I’m fine. But his attitude just now—”
“Yes, yes, it was terribly rude. I know. Our young master has a bit of a… foul—no, um, difficult personality. Not exactly blessed with social grace. Please allow me to apologize in his stead.”
“Hey.”
The boy hadn’t gone far, and he glared back, voice sharp. The man ignored him completely and bowed even lower.
“If you ever feel unwell later or simply uncomfortable about the incident, please contact us at once. We’ll see to it that you’re properly compensated.”
“Oh, it’s really fine. There’s no need for that.”
The man’s mix of apologies and open shade toward his master was so refreshing, I couldn’t even stay mad.
I hadn’t been asking for much anyway—just some basic courtesy. His apology was more than enough, so I gave him a small pat on the arm.
He stiffened, then lifted his head, eyes shining with emotion.
“If that’s the case, there’s a famous dessert shop nearby. I’ll put your name down for an open tab—please, enjoy yourself whenever you like!”
“Really, it’s okay—”
“Their cream cakes are said to be the best in the entire capital—”
“…Well, if you put it that way, I suppose it’d be rude to refuse.”
Roten blinked as I caved without hesitation. The man, looking deeply moved, bowed again.
“Thank you, Milady! I’ll inform the shop today. Please visit any time!”
“Thank you!”
I mean—come on. That shop’s cream cakes were nearly impossible to get in the capital. That alone made the incident worth it.
Having swiftly justified my greed, I nodded politely.
“Then, take care.”
“Please, you as well!”
With that, the man hurried after his master, and I finally let out a long breath.
Roten turned to me. “Milady—”
“Just call me Amelia. No need for formalities.”
“Ah, yes. Then… Lady Amelia.”
He coughed into his fist.
“I don’t know if I should say this, but…”
“Go ahead.”
“You remind me of His Lordship.”
“Right. Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that.”
“Truly, you do. Especially the part where you’re easily swayed by financial incentives.”
“…Also pretending I didn’t hear that.”
Ignoring him, I wrinkled my nose.
“Anyway, that person just now—do you know who he was?”
Roten had bowed to him earlier, so he had to be someone important. The boy’s hair—deep blue, like the sea—was strikingly familiar somehow.
‘Where have I seen that color before?’
As I tried to recall, Roten hesitated, his eyes darting about.
“Well… you’ll find out soon enough anyway…” he muttered.
“And?” I pressed.
After a long pause, he finally said, very slowly:
“He is… His Grace, the Young Duke of Kazliden.”
