Chapter 35
The Errand
The reason the brooch turned red became clear soon enough.
“I’d like you to deliver this document to the Minister of Finance.”
It was an extra task—the kind that spelled trouble.
Aidan, who had followed me all the way to the Marquis’s study in surprise, examined the brooch curiously.
“Well, from the wearer’s point of view, I suppose this counts as a crisis.”
“If that’s the case, it’ll be turning red several times a day.”
Utterly useless.
I wanted to toss the brooch out the nearest window, but since it had been a gift from the next Lord of the Magic Tower, I reluctantly slipped it back into my pocket.
It wasn’t even an errand worthy of making a brooch flare up like that. I just had to deliver a document, yet it had startled me for nothing.
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
After listening carefully to Butler Fenel’s instructions, I took the envelope and climbed into the Marquis’s carriage.
About thirty minutes later, a massive golden gate came into view.
It was so enormous and dazzling that, for a second, I couldn’t tell if I was dreaming or awake.
When the coachman showed something to the gatekeeper, the huge doors swung open, allowing us to pass without stopping.
The Marquis’s estate was grand, but the Imperial Palace… that’s another level entirely.
If the Marquis’s mansion felt like a fortress made up of multiple manors, then the Imperial Palace was more like a kingdom built from several castles.
I’d heard that noble estates were restricted in height and size to preserve the prestige of the Imperial Palace, and now I understood why—no one could possibly imitate this scale without bankrupting themselves on maintenance alone.
“We’ve arrived, my lady.”
I’d been so busy gawking that I hadn’t realized we’d stopped.
Taking the knight’s hand—the one Lady Chiara insisted accompany me for safety—I stepped down from the carriage.
This is where the Imperial officials work—the central government offices.
It wasn’t as tall as the palace towers, but it was far larger than any other building around.
After showing my identification badge to the guard at the entrance, I followed Fenel’s directions to the third floor, where the Ministry of Finance was located.
So basically, this is their version of a government office.
Officials bustled back and forth, most dressed in neat uniforms that resembled matching suits—almost like a school uniform for civil servants.
There were mostly men, though I did spot a few women among them. It was a small relief to know that women could hold official positions in this world.
Different world, same corporate suffering. Watching everyone drown in paperwork gave me an odd sense of déjà vu as I climbed to the third floor.
The sign “Ministry of Finance” stood out in bold letters.
Knock, knock.
No answer.
Knock, knock.
Still nothing.
Is no one here?
I hesitantly pushed the door open—it wasn’t locked.
The moment I stepped inside, the atmosphere hit me like a cold wind.
Blue walls gave off a frosty hue, gold pillars stood in neat rows, and mahogany desks and chairs lined both sides of the room in perfect symmetry.
Only the soft rustle of papers filled the air.
Officials with monocles were furiously scribbling on documents with quills, completely absorbed in their work.
No one looked like they’d stop to greet a visitor.
So that’s what the brooch’s color change meant…
Still, I had a mission.
I approached the most approachable-looking employee and said quietly, “I’m here on behalf of Marquis Aurelius. Could I see the Minister of Finance, please?”
Without even glancing up, the man pointed toward a separate office.
“Over there.”
“Thank you.”
The atmosphere was so identical to my old workplace that I almost felt my office trauma returning.
After bowing politely, I walked to the indicated room.
When I introduced myself, a calm voice immediately allowed me in.
“You’ve worked hard to come all this way. Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
I sat down on the guest sofa as the man took his seat across from me.
“I am Nathan Harcourt, head of the Ministry of Finance.”
His tone was gentle, his demeanor unexpectedly kind—quite the contrast to the cold air of the office outside.
“I heard you’re the one who created that ‘Black Diamond’ product that all the noble ladies are raving about.”
I blinked in surprise. Even a senior official of his rank knew about it?
Still, I’d gotten this question often enough to respond smoothly.
“You flatter me, sir. Lady Chiara was the one who gave me the opportunity to contribute. By the way, I brought this document from the Marquis.”
I handed him the envelope.
“Ah, my apologies. I got a bit carried away when I realized who you were. Please tell the Marquis I’ve received it.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You look quite young. May I ask your age?”
“I’m twenty.”
As expected, he followed up with the standard ‘So how old are you?’ that adults always ask when meeting younger people.
“Not many young ladies keep their hair short unless they’re knights. Is there a reason for it?”
“Nothing special. I had to cut it for personal reasons, but once I did, it was so convenient that I kept it this way.”
He chuckled. “I can see why. Maintaining long hair must be quite a task. Anyway, I’ve heard things have been a bit noisy at the Marquis’s estate lately. Who replaced Adviser Bartolo?”
So the Minister of Finance was quite well-informed.
Wait—could he be another spy planted in the mansion?
He seemed to sense my suspicion and waved his hands quickly.
“No, no. The Marquis himself mentioned it. He was wondering if the embezzlement evidence against Bartolo was solid, so I helped verify it. Comes with the territory, being the finance minister and all. I was just curious how it turned out.”
That sounded reasonable, so I let my guard down.
“I’ve been temporarily filling the position under the Marquis’s orders.”
“Is that so?”
He went silent for a while, lost in thought.
Did I say something wrong?
As I tried to recall my words, he murmured softly, almost to himself.
“That young lady…?”
There was a flicker of interest in his eyes.
He soon smiled, saying we’d likely be seeing each other often, and added the classic noble version of ‘Let’s have lunch sometime.’
Then, to my surprise, he offered to escort me back to the entrance himself.
“Minister, you really don’t have to—”
“I’ve been cooped up in this office for too long. I could use some fresh air. Don’t feel burdened.”
He smiled warmly and guided me through the corridors, pointing out which departments handled what.
It felt more like a guided tour than a farewell.
I nodded along politely until we entered the first-floor hallway—where we suddenly ran into a man with an intimidating presence.
“Chancellor Marcus.”
The Minister greeted him cheerfully, but the Chancellor merely gave a curt nod and strode past without a word.
Wow. Rude much?
The awkwardness was suffocating.
But the Minister didn’t flinch—he just kept his gentle smile. Experience clearly had its benefits.
Still, something about that man bothered me.
That’s the Chancellor?
He looked familiar—maybe I’d seen him at the launch party?
There were so many nobles that day that my memory blurred together.
Something feels off… but I can’t place it.
Before I knew it, we’d reached the exit.
“Well then, I hope to see you again.”
After exchanging polite farewells, the Minister went back inside.
Come to think of it, he hadn’t said a single word after running into the Chancellor.
Maybe something happened between them. I suppose not everyone gets along in such a huge organization.
Still, the Chancellor didn’t give me a good impression.
If he was truly the emperor’s right-hand man, I could easily imagine him abusing that power however he pleased.
Whatever. It’s not like I’ll be back here again.
I started walking toward where the carriage was waiting. Since my visit had taken longer than expected, I picked up my pace.
That’s when something caught my eye—something I couldn’t just ignore.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace.”
Leaning against the stone wall, lost in thought, was none other than Duke Vespera Ariadne—the empire’s ultra-elite, perfectionist powerhouse.
He looked… strangely dejected.
Stay calm. Don’t get involved. If you irritate him, you’ll regret it.
I quietly turned to leave, pretending not to notice.
“You there.”
Please, no.
“…Were you speaking to me, Your Grace?”
He gazed at me for a moment, then suddenly shook his head.
“No. Go on.”
And just like that, dark clouds seemed to gather around him.
“Yes, sir. Excuse me, then.”
I tried to leave, but something about the sight of him stopped me.
He looked less like the cold, unshakable Duke—and more like a lonely puppy left out in the rain.
Oh, for heaven’s sake.
I could practically hear a bull crying somewhere.
Still, this was the same man who had once been a rather good customer—the one who’d unknowingly vented his troubles to me while wearing a lamb mask.
Even if I couldn’t possibly understand a high noble’s burdens, people were still people.
After a moment of hesitation, I spoke softly.
“Um… if something’s troubling you, perhaps don’t carry it all alone. Sharing it with someone might give you a new perspective—or at least lighten the weight a little.
I know it’s not my place, but… when everything feels stressful no matter what I do, that’s what helps me most.”
“……”
I bowed politely and made a quick escape toward the carriage.
Even inside the Marquis’s coach, my heart wouldn’t stop pounding.
He’s not going to take offense and summon me for ‘insolence,’ right…?
The next day, I wanted to scream into the ground.
“…You’re here again, Little Lamb.”
That wasn’t at all what I’d meant when I told him to talk to someone.
