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Chapter 5
“I already have another job at night.”
“…Another job?”
“Yes. Well, technically it’s a different position.”
“…I see.”
“And I can’t really be late for that one, so I wanted to ask—will there be overtime?”
Lady Rosette stared at me as if she’d been struck speechless.
What? Back in my pre-possession job, if they told you to work, you worked like a dog until it was done. Isn’t this something you’re supposed to confirm in advance? I honestly didn’t understand why she looked so shocked.
Novels never really talk about things from the perspective of working people.
And besides, the aides that show up in romance fantasy novels all seem to have extreme jobs. Some wield swords, some use stealth techniques, some act as spies or intelligence agents.
Suddenly, I felt incredibly insignificant.
The only possession bonus I got was looks, so my confidence shrank a little.
“No, this kind of thing is something you volunteer overtime for—!”
“The Duke estimated that this task would take about six months.”
“Six months for three years’ worth?”
“…I meant six months for one year’s worth. Reorganizing that massive volume of records isn’t an easy task.”
“Just checking—did you really mean six months, not six days?”
Wow. Why is this place so relaxed? This is basically a dream job.
Still, compared to other aides with borderline cheat abilities, I was clearly lacking.
There was no way a clumsy person like me could learn swordsmanship, and I definitely wasn’t the type to throw my life away for my employer without hesitation. And being an intelligence agent? Please. I’m good at following instructions, that’s it.
In the end, the only way for me to earn a solid recommendation letter was to demonstrate the office skills I’d spent my life honing.
“…If you’re willing to consider my proposal, I think I could organize three years’ worth of records in about six weeks.”
“……”
Lady Rosette looked at me with trembling eyes, as if she were staring at a monster.
Why that reaction? Everyone can do this much, can’t they?
She told me that if I had a proposal, I should present it directly to Duke Christon. If it was work-related, he would support whatever was necessary. So, with a light heart, I headed to the Duke’s office.
“Oh—Mr. Aidan!”
I ran into Aidan on the way there. Judging by our directions, he seemed to be heading to the same place.
When I called out, Aidan looked at me with a visibly tired expression.
“Miss Roella. Are you on your way to see His Grace?”
“Yes. I have a proposal.”
“As expected, organizing three years’ worth must be too much. His Grace will understand.”
“Huh? Oh, no—it’s not that. I think six weeks should be enough… but the current workflow seems very inefficient. That’s why I wanted to ask His Grace for something.”
“…Six weeks?”
“Yes! That should be plenty. I do work fairly fast—I learned speed reading when I was young.”
I didn’t forget to sneak in a bit of self-promotion.
Appeal is important these days. When you’re aiming for a recommendation letter like I am, it’s better to show your abilities than to hide them.
Who knows? Maybe Christon or Aidan would add just one more favorable line.
That single line can change your destiny—I learned that from years of office life.
I smiled brightly.
A smiling face invites goodwill.
I don’t know if the original Roella really learned speed reading, but I did, during after-school classes. And I am fast at office work. Surely that should be enough?
Aidan looked at me with the same stunned expression Lady Rosette had earlier.
“…I’ll say it again—you don’t have to push yourself.”
“Push myself? I’m just stating what I believe is reasonable.”
“…That’s impossible.”
His eyes shook.
“Oh, come on. You could do it too if you learned, Mr. Aidan. Ah—are we here?”
As I reached for the door, Aidan flinched and grabbed my arm, lowering his voice.
“Miss Roella. Today, His Grace is in a very, very bad mood.”
Why? Don’t tell me—it’s because I fell asleep before he arrived last night?
Suddenly nervous, I swallowed hard. If that was the reason, it might be best to retreat now.
As I slowly pulled my hand away from the door, Aidan added,
“After reviewing the ledgers you organized, His Grace summoned those responsible for maintaining the northern bridges. He discovered that they had been embezzling funds. You’re aware that a bridge collapsed recently, aren’t you? Many were injured and killed. Now that he knows the cause, how could he possibly be in a good mood?”
Ah. So it wasn’t my fault. Thank goodness.
“His Grace ordered the records reorganized to determine exactly how much was stolen. It doesn’t seem to be an isolated issue. He’d already suspected negligence.”
“I see…”
The sense of betrayal must be immense. To discover corruption among people he trusted—especially when he’s the one who must punish them.
“He’s been meeting with them privately since this morning. He’s also struggling to appoint new officials. On days like this, it’s best to stay out of sight. That’s why I’ve been focusing on outside work today.”
“Oh dear.”
Seems like today wasn’t the right day. Facing an angry boss is the last thing I want.
I figured I’d come back another time—this wasn’t urgent anyway.
Just as I was trying to sneak away, the door suddenly flew open.
“Kyaa!”
“…I can hear everything you’re saying out here. Come in. My mood is fine.”
Christon spoke with the expression of someone who’d just finished grueling labor under a forty-degree summer sun.
That is not a “fine” face.
Before I could hesitate further, Aidan gently pushed me forward—and then shut the door behind me.
That bastard.
Christon strode to his desk and sat down.
“You looked like you needed something. Say it.”
“Th-that is…”
Why today of all days? Why was I so bold today? I could’ve said this tomorrow. What was so urgent that I chased him down like this?
“I think it might be better if I just draw the tables by hand. I’ll take my leave—”
“Say it properly. Don’t regret it later. It’s better to ask for what you need when you need it—unlike those scum who siphoned off bridge repair funds for their own wants.”
I flinched.
Dark energy billowed around Christon, making it hard to breathe.
Now I understood why Aidan said it was best not to stand out today. My mouth went dry. In that case, it was better to say what I needed quickly and escape.
“I just thought drawing every table by hand was a bit inefficient, Your Grace.”
Thankfully, this world had printing presses.
“So I was wondering if we could commission printed tables from a print shop. Of course, it’s fine if you refuse! I can draw hundreds of tables myself!”
Yes—better to destroy my wrist than face that expression again. Please let me leave.
