Chapter 6 (Part 7)

For the time being, it was decided that Meia would review all the receipts that would be charged.

Matthew had nothing to say. He could only sigh. It wasn’t just Matthew. No one had solved the problem Meia had posed.

A few days later, another accounting staff member came to Meia to ask her to present the problem again, but he also failed to solve it properly.

<Meryl, look. Which is more expensive, the swan feather pen or the gargoyle inner wing feather pen?>

<Swan feather pen…….>

<No. The gargoyle inner wing feather pen is more expensive. It’s harder to get. So why didn’t we buy the more expensive feather pen and instead bought the swan feather pen?>

<That, that’s…….>

<If you don’t know the reason for the purchase, you need to ask the person who bought it and write the document accurately.>

<Yes, I understand. I’m sorry.>

<I’m not the one you should apologize to. Apologize to the Grand Duke.>

<……Okay.>

An accountant needs to understand the financial status from various angles. They must know income and expenses accurately and report based on documents. But they ignored that.

Meia intended to use this opportunity to change their idea that being good at math was enough. But from start to finish, they only brought disappointment.

Theodore, watching Meia with concern, asked her.

“Aren’t you exhausted from working so hard?”

“No, it’s so much fun. I really seem to enjoy working.”

Meia said that she wanted to personally verify all expenses for a while due to the incompetence of the staff. Theodore agreed to her request and asked about their dismissal.

“It’s not time to fire them yet.”

“Just let me know when it’s time to dismiss them.”

Letting them go now would mean they would find employment elsewhere. Even if they were fired, their tenure and experience at Florence would not be disregarded elsewhere.

Employers would hire them with high expectations based on their work experience at Grand Duke Florence’s estate, but if they proved incompetent, it would tarnish the reputation of the Grand Duke’s estate.

Therefore, instead of firing them now, their abilities as accountants would be developed before their dismissal.

It wasn’t out of fondness for them, but an investment to prevent future noise.

Lady Jasmine couldn’t help but be astonished by Meia’s work. Documents that might have taken three days to complete were finished in just one day.

“I’ve finished all my work for today, so I’ll be heading back.”

“……I’ll see you this evening.”

“Yes.”

Theodore’s face became noticeably sullen at the thought of not seeing Meia until evening.

Seeing this, Meia smiled and said to Theodore,

“Grand Duke, would you come to escort me to my room this evening?”

Theodore, unable to contain his joy, responded to Meia like a sunflower blooming brightly.

“I will come to your room this evening.”

“Then I’ll be reading a book in the room.”

“Understood!”

Theodore hadn’t imagined she could work so accurately and swiftly.

After she left, Lady Jasmine spoke.

“The lady is truly amazing.”

Lady Jasmine didn’t bother to hide her genuine admiration.

“Indeed.”

Butler Venable, who had approached after hearing Lady Jasmine, added,

“Above all, her gentle nature and noble demeanor are remarkable.”

As Theodore liked Meia, Venable made efforts to welcome her as the future Grand Duchess. She was already impressive as a potential Grand Duchess due to her work efficiency.

Lady Jasmine also shared her impression of Meia.

“She’s meticulous, intelligent…… and she has charisma. She’s only nineteen years old, but whichever family welcomes her…….”

When their eyes met, Lady Jasmine and Venable didn’t need to speak to understand they both strongly wanted Meia as the Grand Duchess.

“Can I assume we share the same opinion?”

“Of course, Lady Jasmine.”

“If there’s anything I need to do, please tell me quickly. My daughter is about to give birth, and I’m planning to take leave.”

Venable’s plans were slightly off due to Meia’s unexpected work efficiency, despite expecting to spend the entire day with her in the office.

“There’s a meeting with the staff this evening. Would you like to attend?”

“What kind of meeting?”

“The master will soon be an adult…… and we need to prepare for the Grand Duchess.”

“Oh, I agree with that. What time should I come?”

At 8 p.m., Venable and the staff, including Hannah the head maid and Lady Jasmine, gathered where Aethon was resting. Under Venable’s direction, an “emergency staff meeting” began.

They had only one reason for gathering.

“Where is Physician Worst?”

“He went for a drink with Quini. As Quini is close to Lady Meia…… to prevent her from discovering our plan, Physician Worst took him out on purpose.”

“I will explain about Lady Meia of the Hatzbellua Ducal family. After the death of Duke Hatzbellua and his wife last year…… following the breakup of her ten-year engagement with the Crown Prince, she met our master on her way to the Mage Tower…….”

Everyone focused on Venable’s words.

After Venable’s explanation, Lady Jasmine placed some documents on the table and said,

“So that’s why she’s so meticulous with documents. Having observed the affairs of the imperial palace for ten years……. And her breakup was without any disqualification. To break off an engagement with such a remarkable fiancée, tsk. But thanks to that, we can have an excellent Grand Duchess.”

“Moreover, without Lady Meia, the Grand Duke’s lovesickness worsens, so we must strive to bring them together.”

Hemann, who had been silently reading the documents, muttered,

“Lady Meia likes books and horseback riding.”

Placing the documents down, Hemann suggested,

“How about we proceed with Plan A? One indoors and one outdoors.”

“We must act quickly before someone named Juan arrives.”

“That’s right.”

Venable smiled with narrowed eyes.

“I agree. Please continue sharing your ideas.”

“We need to increase the time they spend together.”

“I would love to send them on a secluded island trip.”

“I also agree with Venable, but how do we send them to a secluded island?”

Resting against the headboard and eating snacks, Aethon chimed in,

“Once on the island, if the boat is said to be broken…… will that work?”

“Then let’s decide on an island where they can stay together…….”

The mere thought made Venable happy.

Clap clap clap.

Lady Jasmine clapped her hands to gather everyone’s attention.

“I oppose the secluded island plan.”

“Pardon?”

“The Lady Meia I know is meticulous. She wouldn’t agree to a sudden trip. So…….”

“So?”

“We need to turn the Grand Duke’s mansion into a secluded island.”

“Do you have a good plan, Lady Jasmine?”

“Hoho, everyone gather around.”

***

Theodore felt like he was floating with joy. He couldn’t be happier!

After working together in the office, he had dinner with Meia. And now, they were heading to the library together.

This was all thanks to a single word from Lady Jasmine.

<You like books, right, my lady?>

At Lady Jasmine’s words, Meia nodded and replied.

<Yes, I do.>

<Have you ever been to the Grand Duke’s library?>

<No, I haven’t.>

<Our Grand Duke’s library has as many books as the Imperial Palace library.>

Lady Jasmine looked at Theodore and spoke in a slightly reproachful tone.

<To think that Lady Meia has not yet visited the proud library of the Grand Duke’s household…>

Understanding what Lady Jasmine was implying, Theodore immediately said he would show Meia the library.

<I happened to need a book to read as well. Then, could you show me the library?>

Meia, who had always loved books, had read through all the ones she had at hand. So, she decided to go to the library with Theodore to find something new to read together.

The grand golden doors of the library had a carving of a ship sailing on rolling waves.

“Here it is.”

Theodore said it was in front of the library door, but no matter how hard one looked, there was no handle to be found.

“It feels more like a mural than a door.”

“It opens only with a magical activation phrase.”

“I see.”

Theodore said, stroking the carved ship on the door with his palm.

“Theodore of Florence.”

“So the activation phrase is the family name and first name.”

“Yes.”

With Theodore’s activation phrase, the library door slowly began to move.

The intricately carved door split in two and opened, looking as if waves were rolling.

“The way the door opens is impressive.”

“Yes, I always think it’s impressive whenever I open it.”

As the library door opened, Theodore extended his hand to Meia. Meia placed her hand on his and stepped inside. As the two entered the library, the door closed firmly.

At the end of the library hallway, Butler Venable, who had been watching Meia and Theodore, quietly approached the library door after confirming it was closed and placed his hand on the carved ship.

“Change activation phrase.”

• Please state the new activation phrase.

Venable, with a sly smile, changed the activation phrase for opening the library door from inside.

Now, even if they wanted to leave, they couldn’t.

“This way, the two can be alone.”

Theodore inside would have no idea the activation phrase had been changed. In fact, Venable wanted to inform Theodore, but Aethon was adamantly opposed.

<The Grand Duke never lies in front of Lady Meia!>

Venable covered his mouth to suppress a laugh.

This was Lady Jasmine’s ‘Operation to Create a Remote Island in the Grand Duke’s Residence.’

‘Plan A. Confine them in one space’ was a success.

Venable clenched his fist towards the library door, striking a fighting pose.

‘Master, good luck.’