SOLIRF~32

Chapter 32

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Gichu pulled a handkerchief from his chest pocket and repeatedly wiped the greasy sweat from his face, blatantly pretending ignorance.

Is he an idiot?

“This isn’t a situation you can deny your way out of. Even if you suddenly developed amnesia, you’re still the culprit. The one who sold off every single detail of Lady Chiara’s social-circle plans and preparations—without a shred of gratitude for the trust you were given.”

“What?! I told you it wasn’t me! Where’s your proof? Huh? You got proof?!”

His face flushed bright red as he shouted, veins bulging.
I calmly prepared the chain in my hand, ready to loop it around the greasy man’s neck.

“The master plan that Lady Chiara and I share records every stage of progress and even the smallest details. It was an important party, after all. So I set a little trap.”

“…A trap?”

“There wasn’t some grand intention behind it. You irritated me, so I felt like playing a small prank.”

Gichu’s expression tightened as the corner of my lips slowly curled upward.

“Yes. I deliberately wrote down false information. Heh.”

“F-false… information?”

The color drained from his face.

“I wrote that the party dress accessory was being specially produced and that it would play a crucial role at the party. I even added that the design and finished item would be stored at Madam Laurent’s boutique for exactly one day.”

I shrugged lightly.

“It wasn’t even part of the original plan. Just a cute little warning—meant to mildly spite the baroness’s followers.”

“Hah! And you think that counts as evidence?”

I wagged my index finger from side to side.

“Mmm~ we’re not done yet. I intentionally left a gap. I handed the proposal to Melony and told her to deliver it to the merchant guild. And what do you know—we caught a big one.”

I tilted my head.

“We found out that you told her to leave the documents behind because you ‘had something to take care of.’ You even threatened her into silence.”

Gichu’s breathing grew uneven.

“The information about the hair ornament exists only in that proposal. Other than Lady Chiara and me, you’re the only one who saw the final version.”

“That damned maid must’ve done it! She was a spy for the baroness! I need to arrest her immediately!”

“Unfortunately, Melony is about to start learning how to read and write.”

“…What?”

Among commoners, literacy was rare—only children who’d attended village schooling could read, and writing was even harder. Even Pinea and Nicola could read but struggled to write until they came to headquarters.

Melony, too, had been illiterate, lacking proper care from family or village elders. After crossing paths with Gichu, the butler and I had been teaching her little by little.

“So tell me—if it wasn’t you, how did Baroness Seref’s side learn details that existed only in the proposal? And how did they obtain an item that was never even for sale?”

I smiled coldly.

“Go on. Refute it.”

“And if you’re thinking of firing or retaliating against Melony—give it up. I already requested Lady Chiara’s protection for her. This will reach the Marquis soon.”

Watching him any longer was unpleasant.

“H-hey! I’m your senior! Seniors and juniors are supposed to stick together! Loyalty—don’t you get it?!”

What nonsense.

I scoffed.

“Think before you speak, sen-ior. You’re stabbing the Marquis in the back, and you’re talking about loyalty? My loyalty is reporting this to my boss and crushing you.”

“Damn it!”

“And fix those filthy hands while you’re at it, you sexual predator.”

“Who do you think you are, you little—!”

His reason snapped.
Gichu’s hand shot upward.

Instead of dodging, I chose to accept it.

One hit. One more piece of evidence. I’ll make sure you never recover.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

…But the pain never came.

Did he pass out drunk?

I slowly opened my eyes.

Someone behind me had grabbed Gichu’s arm mid-air.

“Who—?! …Y-you are?!”

Gichu froze in visible shock.

I turned to see who had intervened.

And I knew him too.

“It’s been a while.”

“Y-Your Grace!”

“Your Grace…?”

Dark gray hair tinged with violet.
Deep red eyes beneath double lids that seemed to pierce straight through a person.
A tall frame with the build of a perfectly honed warrior.

My last customer from work.

There was no mistaking him.

He’s… a duke?

In the Seraphina Empire, there were only two ducal houses. One was House Seref—home to Lady Chiara’s rival, Baroness Lilith.
The other…

House Ariadne.

Then that means—Vespera Fortuna, the next Grand Duke. A master warrior. The youngest head of the Ministry of Justice. The Empire’s ultimate marriage prospect with an absurd stat sheet.

I swallowed.

“Your Grace!”

Gichu dropped to his knees before I could even react.

“Your body reeks of alcohol. What were you doing here at such a late hour?”

The Duke’s icy voice settled heavily over the space.

“It’s nothing, Your Grace. I was merely discussing work with my junior.”

The Duke scoffed.

“Then what is this arm I’m holding? It looked very much like you were about to strike a woman.”

“N-no! Absolutely not! A misunderstanding!”

“A misunderstanding…”

His gaze shifted to me.

A silent question.

This is internal Marquis business. No need to expose everything.

But seeing Gichu’s vile grin drenched in sweat made my patience evaporate.

“He does have poor control of his hands.”

“C-Cornelia!”

His face turned so red it looked ready to steam.

“Fortunately, I’m not the type to endure silently. The Marquis household will handle it internally. I apologize for showing you something unpleasant. As the host of the party, I feel ashamed.”

The Duke studied me for a moment, then gestured at Gichu.

“Go. And remember—I saw everything.”

“Th-thank you!”

Gichu fled as if his life depended on it.

A shame. It would’ve been solid evidence.

“So you were here.”

Duke Vespera removed his white gloves and slipped them into his coat.

I hadn’t expected to see him again.
Standing face-to-face with a grand noble who was no longer merely a customer felt strange.

Still, professionalism first.

“Lady Chiara looked favorably upon me and allowed me to work for the Marquis household.”

“I see. And your position?”

“Lady Chiara’s aide.”

“Not bad.”

He nodded slowly.

“Then I assume you prepared today’s brand party.”

“I merely assisted Lady Chiara.”

“I heard your role in Black Diamond’s success was substantial. There’s no need to be modest.”

Sharp.

I smiled lightly, deflecting as always.

“I came from the countryside and didn’t recognize Your Grace. I apologize if I was rude at the shop.”

“Pay it no mind. Tools used for work directly affect efficiency. It’s only natural I choose them myself.”

“…I see.”

“If I may ask—was the fountain pen I gave you satisfactory?”

A fleeting smile crossed his lips.

“It was among the better ones I’ve used recently.”

Relief washed over me.

“I’m glad. If you need anything in the future, please let me know.”

“Very well.”

Our eyes met.

Time seemed to stop.

Then suddenly—
A memory of a certain furious consultation flashed through my mind.

‘If you’re that damn competent! If you’re so perfect! Of course you’d never understand the mistakes of an ignorant aide like me! …All he ever says is “inefficient”! Just because he’s the youngest Supreme Judge—damn bastard!’

…Somehow, he looked slightly less handsome now.