“This kind of thing is all about timing, so how about posting the bulletin in the central square on Rilton Street around dawn the day after tomorrow? It should attract plenty of attention there.”
There was no place in the capital where news spread faster than the central square, especially in such a bustling area.
By then, the heartfelt love story of Count Olsen and his wife would be known throughout the entire capital in less than half a day.
‘Wait, should I hire a guild to put up the bulletin?’
As I was lost in thought, the Countess across from me hesitated before speaking.
“Um, Your Grace?”
“Yes?”
“Why are you helping me like this? I’m grateful, of course, but this really has nothing to do with you.”
“Oh, that.”
I let out a delayed exclamation and lightly patted her shoulder.
Moving as this was, my purpose was still my purpose.
“…Consider it an investment in the future?”
“Pardon?”
I smiled coolly at her puzzled expression.
“It’s just what good people do, helping others. But if you’re really grateful, just do me a favor once this is all over.”
“Is there anything I could possibly do to help?”
Of course. In exactly three years, you’ll discover and get an investment to develop that gold mine.
I almost let out a sly grin but managed to keep my expression in check.
“For now, let’s focus on this. Are you ready to preserve those memories?”
❖ ❖ ❖
As soon as I returned to the duchy, I headed straight for the office.
I was rushing up the stairs when I ran into Ian, who was coming down from the first floor.
He looked at me curiously as I walked quickly but nodded in greeting.
“You’re back earlier than I expected. I saw you leave early this morning.”
“Yes, I finished my business sooner than expected.”
Though it was already well into the afternoon, well past lunchtime.
I was about to greet him briefly and move on, but Ian’s voice caught me again.
“Now that you’re back, will you spend the evening together this weekend?”
“Oh.”
Right, it’s the weekend today.
I had completely forgotten while focusing on the Olsen Count’s affairs.
I rolled my eyes and looked at Ian. He was standing below, looking up at me with a slightly crooked gaze, as if waiting for an answer.
‘Why does he seem even more irritable than usual today?’
Did something happen while working alone? Whatever it was, it had nothing to do with me, so I put on my polite face and smiled.
“No, I’m busy, so maybe later.”
“No, My lady…”
Before the conversation could drag on, I quickly nodded and turned back to the stairs.
I could tell Ian wanted to say something more, but it wasn’t anything I needed to worry about.
I felt that familiar disappointed gaze following me as I walked away.
❖ ❖ ❖
Once back in the office, I quickly summoned the butler.
“My lady, I was told you called for me.”
“Yes, butler. You have the key to the document storage room in the duchy, don’t you? I’m thinking of making a new writing paper since my old notebook is worn out.”
“Would you like me to have the servants prepare it for you?”
“No, I’ll check it myself. Do we have uncut paper?”
“Of course, we do, but… are you sure you don’t want the servants to handle it?”
How could I explain that I’m going to write a bulletin on a large piece of paper?
“I wasn’t quite satisfied with the paper last time, so I’m planning to inspect the quality myself this time. If necessary, I’ll ask for help with the cutting. Can you give me the key?”
The butler looked at me with a puzzled expression, but then he nodded.
“Yes, I’ll bring it to you right away.”
“Oh, and could you call for a guild errand boy? I lost something a few days ago and haven’t been able to find it.”
“Certainly. Shall I contact a guild of my choosing?”
“I trust you to take care of it. Thank you.”
“Understood, my lady.”
Sorry, that’s a lie. But I could definitely make use of a guild member.
As I smiled nonchalantly, the butler bowed and quietly left the room.
As soon as the door closed, I pulled out a sheet of paper from the drawer and picked up my quill again.
‘Well, time to put my skills to the test.’
I admit it now, I have a bit of a knack for writing.
Oh, but I don’t mean writing novels or essays.
If I had been good at that, I would have written something I liked instead of getting angry at other authors’ works.
I let out a brief sigh.
The kind of writing I’m good at is a little different.
To put it simply, I used to be a keyboard warrior, skilled at publicizing issues, writing lengthy explanations with elaborate excuses, and including heart-wrenching anecdotes to gain sympathy.
When you’ve been on the internet long enough, you eventually find yourself exchanging documents with strangers, don’t you? Whenever that happened, I’d always manage to gain sympathy with a mixture of heartfelt appeals and just the right amount of playing the victim.
‘Who would’ve thought I’d put that skill to use here?’
Life is full of surprises. But if there’s one thing I’m confident in, it’s this.
I grinned widely as I picked up the quill.
Diana, just wait. I’m about to set up another ally for you!
❖ ❖ ❖
Writing the story based on Countess Olsen’s tale wasn’t difficult. In fact, there wasn’t much I needed to embellish. It was a story that was moving enough as it was.
So, I decided to write her story as vividly and in as much detail as possible.
“I am a former servant of the Olsen Count family. Although I cannot reveal my name, I couldn’t stand by and ignore the heartbreaking story of the Olsen Count couple, so I decided to write this. Twenty years ago, under the tree on the hill, a girl and a boy had a fateful first meeting…”
Hours later, I finally put down my pen, looking over the paper filled with writing.
“This should do.”
I had created a masterpiece—a tear-jerking narrative that dramatized the love story of the couple as if I had witnessed it firsthand, and I even added a touch of sympathy for the Countess’s current situation.
As I held up the paper and reviewed the content, I couldn’t help but be impressed.
“Wow… nailed it.”
Who could possibly read this and not be moved?
‘As I thought, my skills haven’t rusted a bit.’
I felt a surge of pride.
“Now, I just need to transcribe it.”
Next, I took out a large sheet of paper and carefully transferred the content, matching every word perfectly with a different handwriting style.
Then, I called for the guild’s errand boy.
Not even five minutes had passed after I signaled through the window when a darkly dressed figure appeared.
“Take this paper and post it in the most prominent spot in the central square on Lilton Street, where it will be easily noticed by everyone.”
“Yes, understood. Anything else?”
“Nothing more. You’ll keep this completely confidential?”
“Of course, no need to even say it.”
The figure’s lower face, wrapped in cloth, twitched slightly.
It seemed like they were smiling confidently.
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
“Thank you for using our services, ma’am.”
It wasn’t until the guild’s errand boy disappeared without a sound that I took a deep breath and leaned back against the chair in the reception room.
‘Perfect.’
The trap was set. Now all I had to do was wait for the prey to walk right in.
♧♧♧
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