Chapter 24
“…!”
Startled, Theodore jumped to his feet. Items on the desk clattered to the floor, but grabbing Claire was far more important.
With his long legs, he quickly reached the door and caught it before it closed.
“Don’t go.”
“You told me to leave.”
“…That wasn’t directed at you.”
“Then who was it meant for?”
Claire looked up at him with her large, clear eyes.
After a brief pause, he answered.
“…It was for Rune.”
“Rune?”
“The boy outside.”
“But he said his name was Lindus.”
Ah.
So instead of using the alias inspired by Lindus, he went with something completely unrelated.
Caught off guard and unable to come up with an excuse, Theodore saw the suspicion in Claire’s eyes.
“Are you just making excuses because it was really aimed at me?”
“Hah… No, it really wasn’t. I misspoke. I’ll apologize, so please come in.”
“Hmm, fine.”
Finally managing to get Claire to sit across from him, Theodore took a breath before immediately questioning her.
“Why haven’t you contacted me?”
“You’re acting like I’m the one at fault. If anything, I should be the one upset.”
“What do you mean…”
“If you were going to make the Crown Prince of Trisanne Empire my partner, you should’ve warned me beforehand. Didn’t it occur to you that meeting him out of the blue might throw me off?”
Her calm but chastising tone made Theodore reflexively cross his legs, only to stop mid-motion.
“…Were you dissatisfied with your partner?”
“That’s not what I’m saying. The issue is that you moved forward without consulting me. By the way, how do you even know the Crown Prince?”
Theodore flinched subtly at her question but replied smoothly.
“He’s used our guild’s services before.”
“Is he currently a client?”
“No, at the moment, you’re our only client. And we prioritize active contracts above all else.”
Relieved that the Crown Prince wasn’t still a concurrent client, Claire relaxed slightly.
“Then, make sure never to proceed without my consent again. Understood?”
“Understood.”
Theodore obediently agreed. Claire felt her irritation ebbing away.
In a softer tone, she spoke.
“I’d like to commission a new job.”
“What is it?”
“Investigate the Ravello Marquisate. I want to know the weaknesses of the entire family and even their servants.”
“When do you need it done by?”
“The sooner, the better. I’ll be moving into the Marquisate soon.”
“I’ll handle it swiftly. Among the Marquisate, is there anyone who takes priority?”
Claire paused to think at his question.
‘I already know my father and stepmother’s weaknesses. But Alex…’
Victor Ravello could be exploited for his gambling. Phoebe Ravello’s penchant for luxury could also be used against her.
However, Claire knew little about her half-brother, other than that he was lazy and self-centered.
‘Of the three, Alex should be dealt with first.’
It’s always better to eliminate unknown threats early on.
“Alex Ravello is the top priority.”
“Understood.”
Claire nodded in satisfaction, and Theodore, after watching her for a moment, hesitated before speaking.
“But honestly… Were you really unhappy with the Crown Prince as your partner?”
“Of course not. Thanks to His Highness, I wasn’t thrown out of the party.”
“No, I mean as a partner itself.”
Claire fell silent, mulling over his question. Theodore suddenly felt parched.
Uncharacteristically, he began tapping his fingers on the armrest of the sofa, waiting until Claire finally spoke.
“In fact, there’s something I’d like to ask about His Highness. Can you investigate him for me?”
“…What’s the reason?”
Theodore was inwardly startled at the request to investigate himself.
Claire answered calmly.
“I want to know if he’s someone I can trust.”
“…”
“I want to know if he’s someone I can trust—his situation, his circumstances, or anything about him.”
To Claire, Theodore Johannes Trisanne was an ironic presence. Despite being Eric Muton’s close friend, he had indirectly or directly helped her multiple times.
While she had once assisted the Crown Prince of Trisanne Empire, considering her relationship with the Muton Duchy, they were closer to being enemies.
‘Why did he even come to escort me in the first place?’
As she debated whether a contract relationship with him was beneficial, a fundamental question arose.
Did Theodore know she was Priscilla Muton’s niece?
If he did and still proposed this contract relationship, did he have ulterior motives?
Until she discovered the truth, she couldn’t take his hand.
“Is it possible?”
“Yes, I’ll handle it.”
Theodore, in his persona as Teddy, made the promise. He would investigate himself and hand over the findings to her.
“I’ll contact you within a week.”
“Thank you, Teddy.”
The two shook hands.
Theodore resolved to make it clear to Rune that he hadn’t been rejected as the Guildmaster.
And as the Crown Prince? That was still pending.
_
Teddy first sent Claire information about the Ravello Marquisate’s staff and their personal details.
With those documents securely in her possession, Claire prepared to leave for the Marquisate.
“Take care, Franz. Stay healthy.”
“If anything happens, make sure to tell me.”
“Don’t worry. See you later.”
Claire waved her hand gently as she boarded the carriage. Franz, still wearing a worried expression, watched her off.
When she arrived at the Ravello Marquisate shortly after, she found no one had come out to greet her. She let out a quiet laugh.
‘How careless. If it were me, I would at least pretend to be welcoming until today.’
If Claire changed her mind and left, it would be over for them.
How little respect they must have for her and Franz to let their guard down so quickly.
Clicking her tongue silently, she saw familiar faces approach.
“Greetings, I am Lance, the butler of the Ravello Marquisate.”
“And I am Maggie, the head maid.”
The appearances of a bystander who had ignored the siblings’ abuse and a traitor who had turned against her when their master changed.
The butler had overlooked the siblings’ mistreatment by the Marchioness, and the head maid had actively participated in aiding her.
Claire surveyed them with a cold gaze before responding lightly.
“Nice to meet you. Let’s get along well.”
“Yes, my lady. These are the maids assigned to you.”
The head maid introduced two maids standing behind her: Jane and Becca. Their appearances were ordinary, but their expressions were insolent.
“They will assist you.”
“Well then, we’ll be off. We’re quite busy.”
The butler and head maid offered perfunctory bows before leaving.
Typically, it was customary for at least one of them to remain and assist a guest. Their actions blatantly disrespected Claire.
However, Claire allowed them to leave.
‘I’ll let it go for now.’
It wouldn’t do to stir up conflict with the leaders among the staff right at the beginning.
Such matters were best addressed step by step, starting from the bottom.
“This way, my lady.”
Claire’s gaze shifted to the maids who had arrogantly gestured for her to follow them.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to deal with them first. Crossing her arms, she stood still.
The maids, already halfway up the stairs, finally realized she hadn’t moved and turned back.
“What are you doing just standing there?”
Claire silently gestured toward the luggage at her feet with her eyes.
The larger items had been carried inside by the coachman, leaving only smaller bags for Claire and the maids.
Now, only she and the two maids were in the lobby. It was their job to carry the bags.
“Oh, just pick them up and follow me.”
The problem was, they didn’t seem inclined to do so.
Smiling benevolently, Claire called out.
“Jane, Becca. Come here.”
With a soft voice and a graceful gesture, she beckoned them over. The two hesitated but approached with reluctance.
With discontent clear on their faces, Claire spoke kindly.
“You’ll carry them.”
“…Ah, but the bags don’t look heavy. Surely you can manage them yourself, my lady.”
Jane, the more outspoken of the two, replied sullenly.
Claire fixed her gaze on her before speaking.
“Your name is Jane, correct?”
“Yes.”
“You’re fired. Pack your things and leave immediately.”
“…What?”
Jane’s mouth fell open at the sudden dismissal.
Ignoring her stunned reaction, Claire turned to Becca.
“Now, you pick up the bags and follow me.”
“Y-yes…?”
As Becca fumbled in confusion, Jane, regaining her senses, flushed red with anger and protested.
“Wait, what are you doing? You don’t have the authority to fire me!”
“Why not? I am a Ravello, and you are a mere maid employed by this house.”
Claire, her smile now gone, looked down at Jane with icy eyes.
She had dealt with situations like this far too many times.
The servants of the Muton Duchy would seize every opportunity to challenge her and try to rise above her.
At first, she had foolishly endured it.
She had thought being kind would improve their relationship, only to lose control.
But experience had taught her otherwise.
When it came to wielding authority, the stick had to come before the carrot.
It was impossible to win over everyone. Rooting out rotten weeds early was the only solution.
“T-this is… unfair!”
“Did you expect to openly defy your master and get away with it?”
—
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