Chapter 13

“First, I will ask questions of this reporter here.”

“It’s an honor. I will do my best to respond.”

Rita, the junior reporter selected before Jaime, had vaguely sensed Aneta’s intentions. However, she had no intention of letting her senior know, so she replied calmly.

“How long have you been working at Hermione?”

“It’s been a little over five months.”

Having joined Hermione, a newspaper company meaning “messenger,” she had so far handled various odd jobs under the instructions of her senior Jaime.

“I’m still in the learning phase.”

Honestly, she felt awkward even attaching the word ‘apprentice.’ Her colleagues who joined together met good mentors and learned in a cheerful atmosphere, while she could only dream of such things.

The tasks assigned by Jaime were always the same. Demanding drinks, asking to clean his place, and giving instructions on things completely unrelated to work made Rita exhausted beyond measure.

What was even more unbearable was the musty mindset that believed women should only help men with their work.

“I noticed you were incredibly fast at taking notes earlier.”

“That’s because reporting is the only thing I do when I go out for coverage, so naturally, I’ve developed my skills in that area.”

Her proficiency in note-taking was the only thing she had improved due to Jaime’s monopolization of questions and the inconsiderate pace of progress.

Criticism like, “What have you learned under me all this time?” or “What have you accomplished?” would pour out whenever she missed something, causing Rita to feel unjustly accused.

Even if there was something taught, it wasn’t fair. As memories of past grievances surfaced, she felt her anger building up.

“Thanks to my excellent teaching, of course.”

As Jaime tried to interject with awkward timing, Aneta smoothly drew the conversation back.

“I see.”

However, with her sharp blue eyes resembling a blade ready to strike, it seemed like she could pounce on him at any moment.

Rita hoped the powerful figure in front of her would crush her arrogant senior. If that happened, it would be a small comfort to her past self, who had struggled to catch up with her ambitious colleagues.

“You’ve got yourself a great junior.”

Aneta refrained from voicing out the fact that Rita was too good to be kept under him.

Aneta could read the sincerity behind Rita’s actions. Rita’s eyes held a familiarity that was all too real. The emotions within them were ones she had encountered countless times before.

The various eyes she had met before seemed to overlap with Rita’s eyes. Aneta never deemed the emotions in their eyes as evil.

Some things rot and emit a foul stench on their own.

Aneta subtly glanced at Jaime, who remained oblivious, then continued with her questioning.

“What do you think is a journalist’s mission?”

“I believe that, as a journalist, one should take full responsibility for the articles they produce and only convey the truth.”

“Why is that?”

“The words spread through the media are often perceived as the truth regardless of their accuracy. Even if the truth is later revealed and the facts are proven wrong, less than half of the people will truly acknowledge it. Simply raising doubts can cause significant harm to the other party.”

Rita’s response flowed smoothly. It was evident that she was not speaking from prepared words but was sincerely expressing her thoughts.

“Therefore, I believe that journalists should always be cautious and skeptical of their pens.”

“Excellent.”

Aneta expressed sincere admiration. The reactions of Madam Lefevre and Lord Bennet were no different.

The only one not enchanted by this atmosphere was Jaime. His only concern was to win Aneta’s favor, and he couldn’t care less about journalistic duties.

Jaime pondered how he could give a plausible answer to Aneta’s question. Since nobles liked grandiose and elaborate explanations, he decided to embellish both the questions he received and the response provided by his junior.

That way, they would recognize his competence.

Jaime felt his body tense as he waited for his turn. Fidgeting anxiously, when Aneta noticed his state, she changed the subject as if she had been waiting.

“Now, I’ll ask the next person.”

“Yes. I’ve been waiting.”

Jaime tried to hide his excitement as best he could. However, he couldn’t hide his greedy gaze, so Aneta confidently concluded that her goal would be achieved.

“Are you planning to write an article as soon as you return?”

“Yes. It is not appropriate to delay what needs to be done immediately.”

“What clothes do you plan to wear then?”

“Pardon?”

Feeling puzzled by the sudden change in the direction of the question, Jaime asked in confusion.

“What do you mean by that all of a sudden?”

“Exactly as I said. Are you not going to answer?”

With a slightly coercive tone in her eyes as she stared at him, Aneta made Jaime snap out of his confusion.

“I plan to wear comfortable clothes as much as possible.”

“Comfortable clothes… I see. By the way, your mustache looks very nice. Do you receive special care for it?”

After that, Aneta continued with her series of seemingly pointless questions.

“Which wardrobe department’s work are you currently wearing? I’m curious about your usual diet. Do you feel the need to lose weight?”

Jaime could feel his mouth twitching to say something, but he held back.

‘She’s interested in my competence, that’s why. She’s probably starting with trivial questions and will ask more substantial ones later.’ While thinking so, he felt the limits of his patience.’

“Let’s end the questions here.”

Despite eagerly waiting for his turn, the questions posed to him were trivial matters.

Jaime, feeling absurd and angry at the stark difference in attitude compared to Rita, protested.

“My Lady, why are you only asking work-related questions to my junior? She’s still an apprentice, and I handle more tasks than she does!”

“Are you feeling upset about it?”

“I can’t help but feel upset. Isn’t this blatant discrimination?”

“Then you shouldn’t have acted that way in the first place.”

Aneta stared at Jaime with a cold face, as if asking when she had ever smiled. Her tone, previously formal, had now turned indifferent.

“If you came here for official purposes, you would inevitably inquire about this place, and you might as well know who the actual operator is.”

Aneta directed her sharp blue gaze at him.

She always referred to this place as Madam Lefevre’s gallery. Despite having another co-owner, the reason for calling it that was clear: Lord Bennet did nothing in terms of operation; he was merely a name on paper.

“Nevertheless, while you asked proper questions to Lord Bennet, a man, you continued with discriminatory questions to Madam Lefevre, a woman.”

Doing such a thing once is a significant issue. Repeating it multiple times leaves no room for excuses.

“That’s a misunderstanding…”

“You better not try to make excuses.”

Aneta warned Jaime with pursed lips and gestured towards the newspaper that had been carelessly placed aside.

“Seeing that, it’s clear that there’s a distinct difference in the questions you ask. You have quite a dirty trait. I never dreamed that someone I trust would be treated like this.”

Jaime’s face flushed at the obvious mockery.

“I will not forget the disrespect you have shown me today, and I hope you don’t forget the discomfort you’re feeling now.”

His face, previously flushed with anger, was now pale. He couldn’t guess what kind of pressure she would exert on him.

Whether he spoke out or not, Aneta rose from her seat.

“Let’s go now, Madam Lefevre. It seems we might run out of time to see the paintings we haven’t seen yet.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

In response to Aneta, Lefevre stood up and followed her, giving Jaime a disapproving look as she left.

“Excuse me first, Lord Bennet and Jaime; I wish you would leave this place as soon as possible.”

Lefevre reprimanded him with a cold tone that she had never displayed before.

If Aneta hadn’t stepped forward, Lefevre would have intervened herself, unable to contain her anger. If that had happened, he might have written a negative article about the gallery, and the damage would have fallen squarely on the artists.

Of course, Aneta would have probably intervened and prevented it, but as Rita said, it was dangerous to be mentioned negatively in the media regardless of the truth.

She imagined what would have happened if Aneta hadn’t been there. The thought made her shiver, and she discreetly wiped her chest as if to erase the imagined scene.

She worried about Aneta’s well-being, but it was just a momentary thing. Aneta, of all people, wouldn’t fall victim to someone like him.

While Lefevre breathed a sigh of relief, Aneta passed through the open door and left the resting area where the interview had taken place.

As soon as she came out, she heard applause coming from somewhere.

This time, when she turned her head to see who it was, she saw a familiar figure leaning against the wall.

“Serce?”

As Aneta approached, calling his name, he straightened up with a mischievous smile, gathering his long hair to one side.

“I heard all about it. It was impressive.”

“Thanks to you, I survived.”

In response to the praise for handling the journalist well, Lefevre, who followed Aneta, nodded in agreement.

“I feel like I’m always indebted to you, My Lady”

“You don’t need to make that expression because of my own doing, Madam. If you’re truly sorry, consider my visit an apology for coming unannounced.”

Lefevre, unaware, felt grateful as the thoughtless words turned considerate.

“By the way, when did you arrive?”

Aneta turned her attention to Serce, knowing Lefevre would say the same thing again.

“Just now. I was planning to wait since there were three passengers. But I don’t think that’s necessary. Do you mind if I go with you, Aneta?”

Serce asked as if he thought she would grant his request. Aneta couldn’t hide her laughter at his shameless attitude.

“I think you plan to do it even if I refuse, don’t you?”

“Exactly, but if you remember the debt you owed me on the day of Marquis Bauter’s welcome ceremony, I believe you will grant it.”

She felt a pang in her chest when the matter was brought up, as she and Carlos had forgotten about it.

“See? My opinion doesn’t matter in the end.”

“So, what’s your answer?”

“All right. Since there is a debt to repay, I’ll do as you wish.”

Aneta reluctantly nodded her head.