“Over here!”
After leaving the office, I wandered around the building, getting a rough sense of its layout.
“Thankfully, it’s not overly complicated.”
I had expected it to be difficult because of how many floors there were. But it wasn’t that the structure itself was complex—it was simply divided into multiple levels because there were so many employees.
Thanks to that, I was able to figure out where everything was fairly quickly. I didn’t think I’d get lost.
“I only really need to go to the 4th and 6th floors anyway.”
The 6th floor would be where I’d be working from now on, and the 4th floor was the pantry. The other floors were used by the trading company and guild staff, so I had no reason to visit them.
“Guess I’ll start with the 4th floor first.”
I’d heard there was a former head chef from the imperial palace working there. And I could just… eat food made by someone like that every day?
“This place’s benefits are insane.”
When it comes to work, nothing beats good food.
Reinforcing that truth in my mind, I climbed the stairs diligently.
“Oh, and you can just call me Roten. Since you’ve been assigned to the 6th floor, I imagine we’ll be seeing each other often.”
The 6th floor, I’d been told, was where Gilbert’s private office was located.
The place I had visited earlier was for general work matters; anything personal was handled there instead.
“To be honest, I was quite surprised. It’s almost the first time my lord has invited someone onto the 6th floor.”
“Really?”
“Yes. That place was originally used only by him. He doesn’t look like it from the outside, but… he’s actually quite particular about his personal space.”
“Oh.”
“You don’t believe me, do you?”
“No.”
My blunt answer made Roten burst out laughing.
“That’s understandable. He’s a very free-spirited man. But he does have his own standards, and in some ways, he can be quite strict.”
“Yeah… now that you mention it, I think I’ve noticed that.”
Even though he spoke casually, his eyes changed when it came time to work. He might seem like a carefree loafer, but he was definitely a businessman at his core.
“So I’m not sure if I should be saying this, but—”
“Please, feel free.”
“Ahem. Well… I just found it surprising. There have only been two people in history that my lord personally handed a business card to and invited like this.”
“Two people?”
“Yes. Well, there are people who show up uninvited anyway… I mean, who just barge in—no, visit regularly, so it doesn’t mean much.”
Roten cleared his throat awkwardly, quickly correcting himself. It was suspicious, but I’d already learned enough about social survival to pretend I hadn’t noticed.
Just then, as we turned a corner—
Thud!
“Eek!”
I failed to avoid the collision and fell straight to the floor.
“Lady!”
“Ow… that hurts…”
What the hell was that all of a sudden?!
Rubbing my aching backside, I looked up.
“What’s your problem?”
“…?”
Even as I tried to recover from the pain, I blinked in confusion. We clearly bumped into each other—so why was I the only one being spoken to like I was at fault?
The more I thought about it, the more annoyed I became.
“…And what’s your problem?”
“What?”
The boy standing in front of me frowned deeply. I blinked blankly.
At that moment, Roten rushed over and bowed his head toward him.
“Are you alright, Lady?!”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Roten quickly offered his arm to help me up. Accepting his support, I got to my feet.
And then I saw the boy clearly.
…What? Why is he so tall?
His face looked youthful, but he was at least two heads taller than me. I had to tilt my head back just to meet his gaze.
A strange sense of defeat pricked at me, and I clicked my tongue inwardly.
The boy, who had been staring at me, quickly lost interest and turned away.
“Hey.”
His steps stopped.
He turned back toward me with an irritated expression.
“We both bumped into each other, didn’t we?”
“So what?”
His tone practically said, What do you want me to do about it?
Roten looked flustered, but I calmed him down with a glance and faced the boy again.
“I’m not asking for an apology, but you didn’t have to act so hostile.”
It couldn’t be helped that we collided—we just happened to turn a corner at the same time.
Normally, you’d at least check if the other person was okay. Not glare at them like I’d committed a crime.
At my words—
“Hah.”
He let out a disbelieving laugh.
“You shouldn’t have been standing there.”
“…Excuse me?”
“And walk properly with your eyes open.”
With that, he clicked his tongue and turned away as if I weren’t worth another second of his time.
“…Crazy.”
What’s wrong with this guy’s personality?
Just as I stood there, dumbfounded at my unexpected rival in rudeness, hurried footsteps approached.
“L-Lady!”
A man with disheveled hair hurriedly bowed his head.
“I sincerely apologize! Are you injured anywhere?”
He glanced nervously toward the boy’s retreating back. He seemed to be his subordinate.
I let out a long sigh.
“Yes, I’m fine. But that attitude just now—”
“Was rude, yes, I know. Our lord’s personality is… a bit terrible—no, somewhat like that. He lacks empathy and isn’t good with people. I apologize on his behalf.”
“Hey.”
The boy, who hadn’t gone far, glanced back.
The man ignored the murderous glare and bowed even deeper.
“If you feel unwell later, physically or otherwise, please contact us anytime. We will compensate you fully.”
“I-it’s okay. It’s not that serious…”
The mixture of insults and apologies was oddly efficient. Strangely enough, I actually felt better listening to it.
I wasn’t even looking for much. Just the apology was enough.
I patted the man lightly to signal him to stop.
Startled, he looked up, deeply moved.
“If you don’t mind… there’s a very famous dessert shop nearby. I’ll put it on our account. Please feel free to go anytime and enjoy whatever you like!”
“Really, it’s fine—”
“I heard their cream chef’s cake is the best in the capital—”
“…Well, if you put it like that, I suppose I can’t refuse. I’ll gladly accept.”
I surrendered to capitalism.
Roten stared at me blankly.
The man bowed deeply, almost emotional.
“Thank you, Lady! I will notify the shop today. Please use it anytime!”
“Yes!”
Well. If it was the cream chef’s cake said to be the hardest to get in the capital, I could forgive a lot.
I quickly rationalized it.
“Then take care on your way.”
“Please also return safely, Lady!”
With the situation resolved in an instant, I exhaled heavily. The man who had promised me cake hurried back to his master.
“Lady.”
I turned to Roten, patting my backside lightly.
“Don’t call me ‘Lady’—just call me Amelia.”
“Ah, yes… then, Lady Amelia.”
He cleared his throat carefully.
“If I may say something…”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“You resemble my lord.”
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”
“…You resemble him quite a lot. Especially in how easily you fall to capital.”
“I’ll also pretend I didn’t hear that.”
Ignoring Roten completely, I tilted my head.
“By the way… that guy I just bumped into. Do you know who he is?”
For a moment, I thought I’d seen Roten greet him urgently. Was he a client?
His hair, like the deep blue sea, was especially memorable.
I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before…
As I searched my fading memory, Roten looked troubled.
“Well…”
After a long pause, he glanced around awkwardly.
“Ah… I suppose you’ll find out soon enough…”
“Who is he?”
Unable to wait, I pressed him again.
Roten slowly parted his lips.
“His Grace… the Sub-Duke of Kazleden.”
