Chapter 92

2/2

Without letting her guard down, she followed the girl.

"…Tanya"

Suddenly, she called out the name where no one was around.

No one is here… Before she could think that, another woman was already standing in front of her.

"Did you call, Miss?"

"Yes. Please arrange for a doctor immediately."

"It's already prepared. We're just waiting for your instructions, Miss."

"Oh, as expected of Tanya. …So, what will you do?"

Caught off guard by the sudden question, she was at a loss.

"What do you mean…?"

"The preparations to take a doctor to your brother are already in place. Now, you can either take Tanya and the doctor to your brother, or come to my mansion first."

For a moment, her heart wavered. Honestly, she wanted to take them right away.

…But.

"…I'll go to your mansion."

She chose the latter. At her words, the girl who introduced herself as Iris narrowed her eyes.

"Oh, why?"

"As I said before, I'm not foolish enough to trust a stranger right away. I can't entrust my brother to you until I see your mansion and talk to you."

Hearing her honest thoughts, the girl smiled, seemingly pleased.

"Reasonable. …If you change your mind, just let me know. And don't worry about the fees; it's an advance payment for you."

"…Understood."

With that, they started walking again. After a short walk, they arrived at a main street and got into a carriage waiting there.

It wasn't a public carriage but seemed to be her own. Though plain in design, it was clearly a first-class item to those who knew.

…The head of the Azuta Trading Company might not be a lie after all.

While thinking this, she was called by her name and snapped back to reality.

Oh well…!

Resolving herself, she got into the carriage.

They rode in silence for several minutes. When she thought they had come quite far, they had apparently arrived in an area lined with noble mansions.

The carriage entered one of the most luxurious buildings in the area.

…Huh? She was dumbfounded as the carriage kept moving forward.

"Welcome to the House of Duke Armenia."

"…Duke…?"

Her words shocked her again.

She never thought she would ever be involved with a duke. Could such an encounter really be so sudden?

"Come, hurry inside."

Urged on, she entered.

They turned left and right repeatedly, like a maze.

She was certain she wouldn't be able to find her way back to the entrance alone. She would definitely get lost in the mansion.

Even I, who lived a fairly wealthy life until I was taken by "him," had never seen a mansion like this.

Finally, they arrived at a room that looked like a parlor.

Thinking nothing could surprise her anymore, she sat in the indicated seat.

"…Have you calmed down?"

"Do I look…calm?"

Reflecting on it, I hadn't used polite language in a long time. Would I be charged with a crime because of that? …Well, if that happens, I'll deal with it then.

Probably, she wants me to do something, so she won't charge me with a crime right away.

"It's fine. You don't have to change your tone right now. It's fine if you learn it later."

I thought I would be scolded, but I didn't expect her to approve of it.

I always thought nobles didn't consider us commoners as human beings, treating us like insects.

That's why I never thought I could use an equal tone with them.

"Hmm…"

As evidence, she approved, but the maid standing behind her kept glaring at me.

"…Isn't that right, Tanya?"

Seemingly sensing this, she warned the maid.

The maid sighed, seemingly resigned to her mistress's command.

"…Yes, as you say."

"Now, to the point. There's nothing specific I want you to do right now. If I must say, it's to learn etiquette and manners for after you work."

"…Huh?"

"I want you to work for me in the trading company. To repay you for that, I'll help with your revenge and take care of your brother. Isn't that a great deal?"

"Ah, it's so good that I suspect there's something fishy about it."

"Hehehe… What I want is for you to be useful to our trading company once you start working. I'll give you instructions as needed."

"Those instructions sound scary."

There's always a catch in a good deal. …I wonder what kind of instructions I'll receive.

"I am the head of the Azuta Trading Company, the first child of the House of Duke Armenia, and the acting lord of the Armenia Duchy."

Taken aback by her sudden introduction, I was surprised again, despite thinking nothing could surprise me anymore.

Thinking about it, being here means she's related to the House of Duke Armenia.

But I never expected her to be a direct descendant and, moreover, a woman governing the duchy.

Moreover, the first daughter of Duke Armenia was the woman who caused a stir with her excommunication from the church recently.

"Considering what I might lose, I can't do anything strange. It's also for my father, who holds the position of prime minister, but more importantly, I can't do anything that would make me lose face with my subjects. …Besides, if I were to do something shady, I would hire someone more experienced in such matters."

The first part was questionable, but the second part made some sense.

Indeed, she could easily hire someone more skilled in such matters than me.

"…You've noticed, haven't you? That I'm the one who caused the excommunication scandal?"

Asked that, it was hard to answer. She laughed at my hesitation.

"That reaction says it all. …If I make even a slight move, they'll try to trip me up. Being a noble makes it hard to move. That's why I need your help."

From there, she roughly explained what she wanted me to do after hiring me at the trading company.

I see, she wants to use my name and strength for that, I strangely understood.

"…So, will you accept this offer? If you do, I'll send the doctor I arranged for."

With that, I agreed to the deal she proposed.

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