Chapter 89

I was left alone in the spacious office, buried in paperwork. By the way, it's ongoing, you know?

Hired as a secretary by Lord Claude, I have so much paperwork that I might as well be a clerk. But I can't complain because the pay is good. When I asked a colleague who works in the palace, I was shocked by their salary. Not because it was high, but because it was so low. And apparently, they have to do work outside their expertise as well. Well, in my case, I'm a secretary, but the work is more clerical.

I was approached by Lord Claude early in my college days, and I didn't actually know what the real salary was, so in a sense, it might have been a good thing that Lord Claude took me in. He's a pretty strict employer, but at least he doesn't skimp on the pay, and there are raises based on performance. The workload is beyond black, but compared to other places, it's better—yeah, I'll try to think it's better.

If I think I'm recognized, I might be able to endure it!

Now, Lord Claude, who is a bit of an enigma as to whether he's a good or bad master, is currently back in the territory, with Lady Reisha. And I've been told I can take a vacation during this time. When I heard that, I secretly thought it might rain tomorrow. Well, Lord Claude probably knew, though. That guy, I really think he has some kind of mind-reading ability.

But anyway, with the permission of the new head butler, Mr. Ragnar, I plan to meet three old friends for the first time in a while.

They are, of course, elite graduates from the academy. These elites are currently having their self-esteem crushed by their actual work, and their complaints are mainly about their superiors or seniors.

"Seriously, I can't take it! If they could do the job, it would be one thing, but how can they not even know this! I wanted to yell back at them."

"I get it! I have the same problem! Just because they're nobles, it's all connections, right?"

Basically, those gathered here are from the upper to middle classes. In fact, the nobles didn't like us and always picked on us. In the academy, those who could study better had the advantage. That's why the nobles didn't like it.

"I chose to work in the palace because it's stable and the pay is better than elsewhere, but maybe I should have shown my skills in the private sector and climbed the ranks."

"No, the private sector is tough too. There's fierce competition for contracts, and in the end, those with connections are still stronger. Well, at least there's no discrimination based on status. Some still get jobs through connections, though."

"Everywhere, they claim to be merit-based, but in the end, it's the same. By the way, you're working for that noble, right?"

Three pairs of eyes turned to me.

"Well, I was approached in college."

"The Duke of Lindvold... He seems like a very capable boss."

More than capable, I think he's not human. No, I'm serious. I think Lady Reisha feels the same way.

"He doesn't seem to get angry over unreasonable things, though."

He might not get angry over unreasonable things, but he often assigns unreasonable tasks. However, if you make a mistake, you only get a sarcastic comment, not a scolding... Wait, is this actually more exhausting?

"But the pay is good, right?"

To be honest, I'm a high earner compared to the general public. But in exchange, I work without breaks, have no time for a girlfriend, and even less time to sleep... Wait, isn't this place actually a black workplace...?

But maybe it's better recently? Thanks to Mr. Ragnar, the paperwork is running smoothly, and Lady Reisha is incredibly capable. The malicious rumors about her seem to be just that—rumors.

"By the way, didn't the Duke of Lindvold get married? I heard from a rumor that his wife is quite terrible?"

"No, that's not true!"

I blurted out a denial without thinking.

"Lady Reisha is incredibly beautiful, smart, and very kind!"

I really think she's a goddess! Thanks to Lady Reisha, I can eat proper meals and have tea time!

"But still..."

"I've learned well that you shouldn't judge people by rumors."

"But maybe Diego is right."

"What do you mean?"

One of them whispered in agreement with my words.

"Didn't you hear all sorts of rumors about her, like extravagant spending and strange drugs? If those were true and she got married, her family's territory should be improving. But I've heard that the situation is getting worse."

"Huh?"

"I've also heard that farmers are fleeing to neighboring territories. That's a serious issue, even for nobles. If I'm hearing it, it must have some truth to it."

"Really? But how do you know?"

"The neighboring territory is where I'm from. When I went back last time, I heard my parents complaining."

They looked at me, wondering if I knew something, but I don't. Probably, someone like Mr. Ragnar would know the detailed situation, but not saying anything probably means something.

Besides, I haven't heard good things about Lady Reisha's family. I can tell that she was probably neglected in her family.

"Now that she's married, she's from another territory, so there's nothing that can be done, right?"

"Diego, you're so cold. This is about your employer's wife's family. Hasn't Lord Lindvold done anything about it?"

"Yeah, technically, they're related now."

Hmm... What would Lady Reisha do if she found out? Would she do nothing? Or would she be concerned?

Mr. Ragnar must know, but if he's not telling her, it means he doesn't want her to know.

Lady Reisha doesn't like socializing and mostly stays in the mansion, so she gets little outside information. And among us here, only one person knows, and Mr. Ragnar probably knows too, but...

Lord Claude is as capable as Mr. Ragnar, and he might not know either.

But I can say that I don't know anything.

"At least, I just found out about this situation, and I think Lord Claude probably doesn't know either. He's so busy that he might not even know, and if he did, I would have heard about it."

I want to doubt whether Lord Claude really doesn't know, but I really just found out.

The three of them were skeptical for a moment but quickly believed me.

"Well, you really seem to not know, so there's no point in asking more."

"Let me tell you, I have a duty of confidentiality too, you know."

"Of course, that makes sense."

"But you're pretty easy to read, so a little pressure and it shows on your face."

"Wh-What!?"

I'm not good at lying, but I thought I had a poker face!

"Actually, I wonder if that's why you were hired by the Duke. You're so obvious, but stubbornly won't talk... I'm starting to think that's the case."

"N-No, that's not true! I was the top of my class!"

"Maybe you're smart, but you have a clumsy side, which is good."

"Yeah, I get it. It's perfect for teasing, and the more obvious you are, the more trustworthy you are. We can tell what you're thinking right away."

This is so frustrating.

But! When Lord Claude approached me, he said I had interesting qualities and seemed trustworthy, and he appreciated my abilities—did he really appreciate them?

"Diego, don't think too much. You can't understand what those super-privileged nobles are thinking."

"Either way, you're the most successful among us."

"If we ever become independent, please introduce us to the Duke."

I thought they were comforting me, but that last part is definitely impossible!

Anyway, the four of us drank until late into the night.

The next day, Mr. Ragnar mercilessly dumped a pile of documents on my desk, telling me to sort them for his lordship, and it echoed in my hungover head.

Sure, sure, I get a good salary, but is it wrong to want a little kindness sometimes?

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