Nick forced the slowly rising corners of his lips back down.
It was so great having Cian as his superior.
He was able to enjoy such vivid reactions while giving unexpected surprise gifts to another person!
Of course, it didn’t hurt that he was also given a generous wage for any work performed outside the office.
In a calm voice, Nick repeated himself as Rachel requested.
“His Majesty has decided to grant Lady Rachel a mansion in front of the west exit of the imperial palace and a hundred employees. The mansion is a reward given by the emperor, and the employees are supplied by the Noble Council.”
Near the western exit of the imperial palace were all of the ultra-luxurious mansions where the great nobles and wealthy people lived.
Although it was close to the downtown area, security was tight so no one could approach without permission. This meant that neither Jane nor Theodore could even come close.
She couldn’t believe they assigned 100 people to the mansion in front of the west exit! It must be truly enormous.
Besides, that location…
“Isn’t that across from the residence of Archduke Dicarsignac?”
“That’s correct.”
“Wow! We’ll be living in the house across from Master!”
Graham shrieked.
Rachel suppressed the urge to scream as well.
Right in front of the Archduke’s residence! This would be a great opportunity for Graham to meet Dolorosa naturally without having to make a separate appointment.
Instead of a bittersweet drama where Graham became a murderer and won love, he would become the protagonist of a childhood romance!
“All costs necessary to maintain the mansion will be taken care of by the imperial palace for the next 20 years. Initial maintenance and cleaning have already been completed, so you can move into your new home as soon as you pack your bags.”
For the next 20 years!
They could live without any difficulties until Graham married Dolorosa!
She was very surprised, but also thrilled, to receive a mansion as a gift just at the moment she needed one.
She wondered if Cian, who knew her whole situation, had prepared it, but quickly dismissed the idea.
The mansion was a reward given by the emperor. No matter how great Cian was, he wouldn’t have been able to get what Rachel needed from the Emperor.
Nick smiled proudly at the delighted Rachel and Graham.
“I’ve prepared the carriage, so you can leave whenever you’re ready. I’ll be going back now.”
Graham started to jump around before Nick’s profile even disappeared.
“Mom, Mom, let’s leave right away. Okay? We’ve already got all our bags packed!”
“Really? Should we go visit the new mansion right now?”
“Yes, yes, yes! Let’s go!”
Graham and Rachel got into the carriage carrying the bags they’d prepared in advance. The employees were confused by their miniscule amount of luggage, but didn’t dwell on it.
The mansion she was gifted was so beautiful and majestic that it was easily noticed from afar. Unlike Elrosa Mansion, there was a tall, thick wall, and the entrance was guarded by a knight in armor.
As they got off the carriage, Cian greeted Rachel and Graham.
“Welcome, Lady Rachel. And Graham.”
Perhaps because they met often now, she felt happy to see Cian. It seemed like something good happened to her every time she met him.
“Your Highness, it’s a great pleasure to see you in a place like this.”
“Hello, Master!”
Rachel and Graham looked excited. They seemed to like the gift. It made Cian feel good, knowing that his effort had paid off.
Emperor Sigar entrusted Cian with sending the gift to Rachel. He clearly ordered the reward to be ‘overflowing’ and Cian was only following his orders.
Cian knew that what Rachel needed most at the moment was a home, not money, and the mansion he’d prepared for her was both convenient and safe, close to the center of the capital. It would satisfy both Graham and Rachel.
And perhaps because it was rewarded in the name of the Emperor, Rachel received it without question.
If she’d known it was Cian’s idea, she might’ve turned it down, feeling overwhelmed; a hundred people and an ultra-luxurious mansion, the upkeep of which was the equivalent to a small town’s budget.
As they followed Cian into the mansion, there were people lined up in the huge hall.
Cian introduced the person standing at the front of the group. She was a sharp-looking woman with brown hair, brown eyes, and thick glasses.
“This is Katie, the head maid and secretary. She’ll help you manage the mansion and daily life.”
“Good evening, Lady Rachel. I’m Katie. I’ve been appointed by His Highness the Archduke to take charge of the mansion’s upkeep and daily life. I look forward to serving you.”
“It will be my pleasure.”
“Please speak comfortably. Since you’ve just arrived, I’ll first guide you to the parlor.”
Katie led Rachel and Cian to the room and gently held Graham’s shoulder as he was about to follow them inside.
“Master Graham, please follow me. There is a training room, playroom, and study in the mansion that you might enjoy. I’ll show you the way.”
“Oh, me? But, ummm…”
Graham turned to Rachel. It seemed he didn’t want to be separated from his mother since the place was still unfamiliar.
She was about to say that she’d keep Graham with her, but the child shouted.
“Well, okay. Please show me around that mansion!”
“Graham? Are you sure?”
“Yeah! I’d like to take a look around the mansion first, then give mom a tour later! Is that okay?”
Rachel blinked in surprise at the unexpectedly brave response.
Graham grinned at Rachel and made eye contact with Cian.
‘Please take care of my mother, Master!’
Cian smiled.
‘Okay.’
For some reason, Graham chuckled as he took Katie’s and the maid’s hands and walked down the hall.
Several employees came and went, setting refreshments on table. Cian took a sip of tea, looking at ease, and spoke first.
“So, let’s get down to business, shall we? I’m sure you have a lot of questions.”
As usual, Cian was quick on the uptake.
Rachel nodded and quickly asked her question.
“I’m happy to suddenly be rewarded a mansion, but I’m also in shock. Can I really accept this?”
“The mansion was vacant anyway, there’s no reason not to. You’ll be receiving your title soon, so you’re qualified to live here. From now on, this place will be Count Fram’s mansion.”
“How will the disposal of the empty Elrosa Mansion proceed?”
“That’s a bit complicated.”
She could see that.
“First, we need to retrieve the money that Carl and Jane stole. We need to know how much Count Elrosa’s estate is worth so we can assess the taxes that were taken. Disposal of the mansion and payment of alimony will come next.”
“How long will it take?”
He didn’t know how to answer that question.
The Noble Council was a group made up of laid-back nobles. For them, you had to light a fire under their feet to get them to move. There was no way that the powerless count’s family’s affairs would be dealt with quickly.
Bestowing this mansion to Rachel would’ve taken years if Cian hadn’t directly intervened.
Fortunately, Rachel wasn’t in a hurry.
“There’s no need to rush on my account. Since this mansion was gifted to me, I don’t need money urgently. I only have one thing I’m worried about.”
“And what is that?”
After thinking for a moment, Rachel suddenly said something strange.
“Your Highness. Is it possible for you to accept a request at the moment, as Alias?”
“Of cou-”
Cian was about to agree, but quickly shut his mouth, surprised at what he was about to say.
‘Why am I being like this?’
He always did his best when recruiting any talent, but strangely, he was more generous and impatient when Rachel was involved.
This was also the case when preparing the current mansion, rather than other mansions in the center of the capital or the mansion originally owned by the Fram family, he felt a strong urge to bring Rachel to the house in front of him.
It was only after Nick and the carriage had pulled away that he realized he felt excited to be able to see her often.
Cian took a deep breath and calmed his mind.
“I’ll listen, as Alias. What kind of request do you have?”
“Please don’t let Jane steal the money she received from Theodore.”
Slipping away with the money.
From the sound of it, Jane could do that. She wouldn’t have taken the money from Theodore in the first place if she was willing to return it.
Cian nodded.
“All right. We’ll retrieve the Elrosa family’s property that Jane received as soon as possible.”
“And one more thing.”
“Please speak.”
“Please send a letter to Jane’s house.”
* * *
In the middle of the night, Jane paced the house, which was barely lit by a single candle.
Her lover and family were gone. She was terribly lonely, in pain, and filled with hatred.
“That bastard Theodore!”
She was furious, but then regret soon washed over her.
Shouldn’t she have hung onto Theodore’s pants and begged him to drop the charges?
If he didn’t drop the charges, the Guild’s debt collectors would be there soon. It was ridiculous that she had to meet with a debt collector when she hadn’t even borrowed the money!
The money wasn’t stolen, it was all a gift from Theodore. It was unfair that she was falsely accused, but it was even more ridiculous that all the money would be taken away.
Jane still didn’t understand the situation clearly.
Feeling anxious, she’d visited the Elrosa mansion several times, but Theodore was nowhere to be seen. She couldn’t bear to go inside and ask if Theodore had returned. She was scared of Rachel.
In this situation, there was only one thing Jane could do.
‘I’m smart too.’
She smirked, pleased with the solution she’d come up with.
Knock, knock
Someone knocked on the door. Her heart sank, like she’d been caught stealing.
Jane held her heaving chest and carefully walked over to the front door.
“Who, who is it…?”
“…”
“Theodore?”
Unfortunately, it wasn’t Theodore who stood at the door. There were five large men wearing black cloaks.
Cian, wearing a mask and standing at the front of the group, answered in a low voice.
“I’m the guild’s debt collector. We’ve come to collect the money Carl stole from the Elrosa family.”
They’d finally arrived! Good thing she’d taken care of everything in advance! What great foresight!
“Father never stole any money! It’s a false accusation!”
“Open it or I will break down the door and enter.”
“Ugh.”
Pretending she had no other choice, she opened the door.
Debt collectors entered the house. Their large shoes tracked dirt all over.
Cian also went inside and slowly looked around.
Jane pleaded in a voice laced with injustice.
“My father really never stole any money. Look at this shabby place. There isn’t a single expensive item here.”
“Jane.”
Walking through the tiny parlor, Cian stopped on a rug.
Hearing a voice call her name, she lifted her eyes to see who was standing in front of her. She couldn’t make eye contact because he was wearing a mask, but for some reason she was terrified.
“If you’re going to tell clumsy lies, it’s better to just keep your mouth shut.”
“Uh, what do you mean by clumsy lie?”
Did he really notice? No, that’s impossible. She’d hidden everything meticulously, without fail…
The old wood creaked beneath his feet.
Cian drew the sword sheathed at his waist.
Startled, Jane stepped back, covering her throat with her hands.
However, it wasn’t her throat that Cian struck, but the rug on the floor. The thin floor splintered with a crackling sound.
“Ack! Uh, how did…!”
Jane’s face went white, and Cian smiled.
‘Please don’t let Jane steal the money she received from Theodore.’
The request was successful.
