Chapter 31
The Spy’s True Identity
“Good afternoon, Lady Seref. I’m Cornelia Libertas, aide to Lady Chiara of House Aurelius.”
Since we had no personal connection and were of different ranks, I introduced myself using my surname instead of my given name.
Golden hair shone like honey under the chandelier, and her clear blue eyes curved gracefully as she smiled.
“Pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard you played quite a role in preparing for this party.”
Ah, this wretched noble society.
Even those who looked younger than me spoke down to me without hesitation the moment we met. I would never get used to it.
“It’s all thanks to Lady Chiara. She oversaw every detail personally and made the final decisions. I only supported her to make the process smoother.”
In truth, it was her leadership that allowed my ideas to take shape. No matter how creative I was, nothing would move forward without her approval.
But the Lady Seref didn’t seem to agree.
“Hmm. And yet, everyone says you’re the one who created Black Diamond. Ever since you moved to the Marquis of Aurelius, the young lady’s influence has soared.”
Her tone was light, but her eyes were cold.
“Even if I have good ideas, they mean nothing unless someone recognizes their worth.”
I kept my polite smile, directing all credit back to my superior. When dealing with potential enemies, it’s best not to give them an opening.
“I could make your ideas even more valuable, you know.”
“…Pardon?”
Despite her angelic appearance, Lady Seref was anything but gentle.
“Come work for me. Whatever the Marquis’s daughter has done for you, I’ll do far more.”
So this is… a recruitment offer?
Tempting, maybe—but working for the Marquis’s family was already an excellent position. Jumping ship to a rival household would be unethical… and dangerous for my future.
Now, how do I reject this without offending her…
With someone of her status, even turning her down required delicate precision.
I began carefully.
“I truly appreciate the offer, my lady. I’m honored that you see me as someone of such value. However—”
“Cornelia!”
Before I could finish, a sharp voice cut through the air.
Lady Chiara—who should have been greeting guests—appeared out of nowhere and seized my arm.
“My lady?”
After a polite nod toward Lady Seref, Chiara’s tone turned icy.
“What are you discussing so pleasantly with my aide? Surely you wouldn’t be making a recruitment offer while her superior’s away?”
Lady Seref didn’t flinch. She simply raised her fan to her lips and smiled behind it.
“Of course not. I only wanted to commend her for her work. Since she’s quite talented, I merely advised her that greater opportunities await her. Nothing more.”
Then, as gracefully as she had appeared, she curtsied and stepped away.
Chiara’s expression darkened immediately.
“She tried to poach you, didn’t she?”
I only smiled, neither confirming nor denying it.
Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Don’t go.”
“…What?”
“I’ll treat you better. Just… stay by my side.”
“…Excuse me?”
Her words sounded straight out of a romance novel—except this wasn’t one, and I was very confused.
Thankfully, it didn’t seem like the story was about to turn into a girl’s-love drama.
Still, I wasn’t someone to be won over so easily.
Maybe if I were still a naïve newcomer, I’d have been moved enough to pledge eternal loyalty. But now? With experience under my belt and the instincts of a seasoned survivor? This was the perfect chance to negotiate.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Cornelia?”
She looked shocked, as if she hadn’t expected that answer.
I grinned playfully.
“Please don’t think of me as a fish you’ve already caught, my lady.”
Always keep your employees guessing—and improving their benefits!
Chiara looked like she wanted to continue the conversation, but too many guests were waiting for her.
The Marquis—her father—called for her to introduce her to merchants and nobles, dragging her away before she could protest.
Watching her go, I had a sudden thought.
Maybe this party isn’t just about social prestige.
Could she be preparing to become the next head of the household?
I almost laughed at the idea of becoming a kingmaker. But well, imagination costs nothing.
Satisfied that Chiara and the butler could handle things inside, I turned toward the entrance to check the situation outside the hall.
“Miss Cornelia!”
I stopped. The master jeweler, Bandai, was waving at me.
Of course—today’s success owed a lot to him. I hurried over.
“I knew it—these places aren’t for me. Too flashy, too loud,” he grumbled.
“You, who work all day surrounded by glittering jewels, say this is too flashy?”
“That’s different! Jewels are refined—this is chaos!”
I’d barely convinced him to attend, and now he was complaining about how long the party was running.
“Still, it’s thanks to you that everything went perfectly tonight. Truly, thank you.”
He scratched his head awkwardly, pretending to grumble.
“Well… I do like the way you arranged the venue. Not too loud, clean, balanced.”
“That was the plan,” I said with a smile. “We wanted the new Glitter Line to shine without distraction. It deserves the spotlight—especially since it’s your work.”
For all his gruffness, Bandai wasn’t just a craftsman—he was a seasoned businessman who’d run his own workshop for decades.
His gaze drifted toward the demonstration table, where guests were trying out the products.
“When you first explained this concept, I thought you were mad. But seeing it now… I was wrong. My instincts were right to trust you. My apprentices are excited, too. Inspiration’s important for artists—even if it does mean more work.”
He had forgotten one important detail, so I added helpfully,
“And more money.”
“What? You think I’m in this for money?!”
His shout could’ve shaken diamonds loose from the walls, but I didn’t flinch.
“Of course not. If you were that kind of man, I wouldn’t have approached you in the first place.”
He huffed but didn’t argue.
“Still,” I said lightly, “a steady income doesn’t hurt. You could upgrade your tools, experiment freely, make whatever you like. And if you ever want to collaborate again—we’d be happy to work with you.”
He seemed intrigued despite himself.
“Hmm… I’ve been meaning to check out that new enchanted crafting pen everyone’s talking about. If it’s good, maybe I’ll replace everything in the workshop.”
And of course, I didn’t forget to slip in one last sales pitch.
“If you need supplies, please visit the Daijo Trading Company. We’ll provide the best service possible.”
He shook his head, half amused, half exasperated.
“You’re a ruthless one, kid.”
Once Bandai wandered off, I finally continued toward the garden.
The night was calm. The garden, meticulously maintained, was bathed in a soft glow from the magical lanterns—one of Chiara’s brother’s inventions.
Guests strolled about, whispering and laughing in pairs. Everything looked peaceful.
Good. No problems so far.
I was scanning the perimeter when a shadow fell over me.
“Enjoying yourself, are we?”
“Ah. Advisor Bartolo.”
The greasy nuisance himself.
Why wasn’t he inside helping the Marquis? And judging from his slurred tone, he’d clearly had too much to drink.
“Ha! It’s all thanks to my guidance, you know! If I were Lady Chiara’s aide, this would’ve been child’s play!”
“Is that so.”
I gave him the dead-eyed stare of someone mentally checked out of a bad meeting.
“I’m thrilled, truly,” he went on, hiccupping. “Now, a bit of advice. Usually, reports and proposals meant for the Lady should go through your senior, got it? People keep asking what you’re working on, and I’ve got nothing to say! We’re supposed to be close, you and I. I’ve forgiven you for what happened before. You have too, right?”
Oh, here we go.
“To achieve great things, you can’t get hung up on the little stuff,” he rambled on. “In a man’s career, this kind of thing happens all the time! Of course, as a woman, you probably wouldn’t understand—too narrow a view, you see.”
“Right. Of course.”
No, you idiot. It’s just you.
My polite tone seemed to encourage him, because he puffed out his chest and bellowed,
“Trust me! Trust Bartolo!”
“That might be… difficult.”
“…What?”
The unexpected retort made his brow twitch, his greasy face shining even more under the light.
I smiled sweetly.
It wasn’t just to annoy him.
“What could I possibly trust a spy from the Duke’s household with?”
“W–what did you just say?!”
He froze. The alcohol made him slow to react, but not so drunk he couldn’t realize the danger.
“W–what nonsense! Who told you that?! I’ll find whoever spread such—”
“You walked right into my trap.”
“…What?”
“The ridiculous flower accessory on Lady Seref’s head tonight? That was the evidence.”
I had hoped he wasn’t that low of a person—but as expected, men with no morals never stop at just one flaw.
Caught you.
I tilted my head and smiled, voice low and clear.
“You’re finished.”
