Chapter 18
The Aristocrat’s Close Aide?
The Aurelius Marquisate — the owner of the Empire’s largest merchant group.
And the Marquis’s daughter, the one he cherished more than his own life.
She wants to meet me?
A mere merchant employee like me succeeding with a cosmetics line wasn’t enough to attract that kind of attention. If the Marquis himself had called for me, that would have at least made some sense.
But what could the young lady — who never even involves herself in business — possibly want from me?
Could it be another troublesome errand? That seemed the most likely.
Then suddenly, the Vice President interrupted my thoughts.
“Introduce yourself with your full name. That’s proper etiquette when dealing with a Marquis’s household.”
Wait, wasn’t he the one who said using full names in formal settings was unnecessary and just slowed down paperwork?
Still, I did as told, showing no irritation.
“My name is Cornelia Libertas.”
“Libertas? I’ve never heard of that family.”
“We’re a minor noble house. Practically commoners.”
I had no intention of dressing it up. I simply told the truth. The butler, Fenel, nodded thoughtfully.
“I see.”
Somehow, I got the feeling he rather liked my straightforwardness.
He went on to explain, “It seems the young lady took quite a liking to your cosmetics project. She asked if you might be willing to come to the Marquis’s household and work under her directly.”
What?
How on earth did a successful cosmetics line turn into working for a noble family? I couldn’t help but be suspicious.
“May I ask why you’re extending such an offer to me? Daijo Company has had plenty of successful cases before. I’m not sure what makes this different.”
The butler sighed, looking suddenly older — perhaps by ten years.
“Our young lady likes to lead trends. She’s always searching for something new. But in this household, there’s no one who can match her standards. How could an old man like me possibly understand a young lady’s sense of fashion and culture?”
He wasn’t wrong. But given her position, she surely had access to every kind of information imaginable.
“I heard that the aristocracy exchanges plenty of fashion and social trends among themselves. And most trends start with the royal family or high-ranking nobles. I’m sure she could get better insight from her peers — or even her maids.”
But Fenel shook his head.
“No, no. The truth is… the young lady isn’t the type to open her heart easily. She doesn’t have many friends.”
Ah. So that’s the real reason.
She wanted a companion. A playmate.
You’ve got to be kidding me. You think I came this far to babysit a bored noble?
I must not have hidden my reaction well, because the butler hastily tried to smooth things over.
“That’s not what I mean, of course! It’s not that she’s difficult or—”
The Vice President quickly cut in.
“He means the lady hasn’t found anyone who meets her standards.”
Which, in other words, meant her personality was the problem.
“I doubt she’d like someone of my background,” I said bluntly.
But the butler waved his hand dismissively.
“Even a fallen noble is still a noble. Your status won’t be an issue. And our young lady doesn’t judge people by title. I just think you might be the one person who could understand her — and be a good companion.”
Please, I’d rather she did judge by status so this offer wouldn’t even reach me.
Still, it was the Marquis’s daughter. Refusing outright wasn’t an option.
Well, it’s not like she’s actually going to like me anyway. Once she realizes we don’t get along, that’ll be that.
A few days later, I visited the Aurelius estate.
The butler, Fenel, greeted me warmly. “You must have had a long trip. The young lady is waiting in the second-floor salon. Please, follow me.”
I climbed the grand staircase in silence, gazing around the mansion in awe.
It was so breathtakingly beautiful that it didn’t even feel unfair.
Even if I saved every coin I ever earned, I’d never afford a place like this.
But I didn’t despair. My dream was to become comfortably rich, not obscenely wealthy. A cozy, independent life — not a gilded cage.
So I admired the mansion purely as an outsider might admire fine art.
Even meeting a high-ranking noble didn’t make me nervous.
After leading such a major project, walking into an executive’s office felt natural.
As long as I mind my manners, I should make it out of this alive.
At the salon door, Fenel gave a last-minute warning.
“Our young lady is… a bit eccentric. But she’s not a bad person. Just stay calm and be yourself.”
He’s admitting this now?!
I’d already suspected as much, but hearing it directly still threw me off.
Before I could fully collect myself, the door opened.
At a lavish table sat a woman with long, lustrous brown waves cascading over her shoulders. Even at a glance, she radiated sophistication.
“Come in. Sit down.”
Ah yes — definitely a noble. That aura of confidence, that air of superiority — it was innate.
Stay calm. All humans are equal. All humans are equal…
Repeating that mantra, I stepped forward and bowed politely.
“Good day, Lady Aurelius. I’m Cornelia Libertas from Daijo Company.”
Just as the Vice President advised, I introduced myself with my full name.
When I lifted my head, her cool blue eyes met mine — sharp and assessing, like a predator studying its prey.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Chiara — the Aurelius Marquisate’s precious first daughter.”
Her self-introduction already sounds… off.
I’d worked in plenty of offices, but meeting the chairman’s daughter was rare even in my old world.
So this was the fantasy equivalent — the heir of a corporate conglomerate. And people like her? I had zero experience dealing with them.
Her eyes examined me intently.
What is she staring at?
I’d washed my hair, showered, worn clean clothes, and even put on some makeup using Black Dia products — now that’s corporate loyalty.
But the longer her gaze lingered, the more uncomfortable I became.
Is she actually insane?
Suddenly —
Thud.
She stood up abruptly and strode over. I was too stunned to react.
Then—
Fwump.
Wait… fwump?
Before I knew it, my face was pressed against her chest. She gently stroked my hair, then poked my cheek as if testing it.
I froze.
“L-Lady Chiara?”
The icy sharpness in her eyes had vanished — replaced by a satisfied catlike gleam.
“Just by looking at your hair, I knew you were the one who led the Black Dia project. I’ve never seen short hair suit someone so well!”
“…Excuse me?”
“You’re adorable!”
Things were spiraling wildly out of control. I quickly stepped back, lightly grabbing her wrist.
“I appreciate the compliment, my lady, but please don’t do that. It’s improper, especially on a first meeting.”
Even between women, grabbing and hugging like that was crossing a line — particularly by noble standards.
Chiara blinked, then smiled sheepishly.
“Ah, sorry. You were just so cute. I have a weakness for pretty, charming things. I’ll try to restrain myself… as much as I can.”
That last part didn’t sound reassuring, but at least she apologized easily.
Maybe the butler was right — she wasn’t bad.
But she’s definitely strange.
Resting her chin on one hand, Chiara gave me a sly smile.
“Now that I’ve met you in person, I like you even more. The way you entered confidently, the way you looked me straight in the eyes, the calm way you expressed discomfort — I love all of it. Cornelia, starting tomorrow, you’ll report to the Marquisate.”
That was… abrupt.
Given my track record with sudden job changes, I didn’t expect this one to be smooth either. I carefully voiced my doubts.
“With all due respect, I’m nearly a commoner. I doubt I’ll meet your expectations. Besides, if this is about managing your schedule or being a companion, I’d be of more use focusing on Black Dia for Daijo.”
Chiara chuckled softly.
“I’m not asking you to be a maid or a companion. I don’t have such hobbies. What I need is a strategist — someone who can help me lead trends in high society. Your hair, your makeup, your clothes — everything about your style is refreshing. It’s not what we usually see in the capital, but it suits you.”
It was clear she had taken a particular interest in me.
If only it were a handsome crown prince obsessed with me instead of… this.
Her proposal continued.
“When we named the cosmetics brand after my favorite gem, it tied me to it, in a way. Depending on how I lead the social scene, Black Dia’s reputation will rise or fall. It’s both an opportunity and a risk. But here in this household, there’s no one who speaks my language. Maids understand trends, but not strategy. You, however — I think you’re perfect for the job.”
So… she wanted me as her stylist-slash-strategic aide?
Lady, I’m just a regular office worker who watched too many beauty YouTubers!
I’d scraped by with cheap cosmetics, living vicariously through tutorials.
Almost as if she read my mind, Chiara smiled faintly.
“I’m asking you to become my aide.”
“…Huh?”
That was a huge position.
Wait. So becoming her aide means… I’d be the close associate of the Empire’s most powerful heiress?
…I’ve officially been scouted by a fantasy conglomerate princess.
