Rose could just leave, go home and pretend she hadn’t seen him. But she couldn’t do that, could she? He’d probably run after her and make everything worse. She cursed under her breath.
What is he doing here? she wondered. Shouldn’t he be hiding in his office, complaining about his life?
At first, she liked Felix. He had seemed like an actual gentleman—or at least he hadn’t harassed her. He’d even given her a job. But over time, his true nature made it hard to work for the man, especially when he wouldn't stop complaining about his life to her. her. If he weren’t such a miserable boss, she might have given him a piece of her mind.
With a sigh she shook her head, the action making her head a little dizzy. The best course of action was to go with it. It was always to go with it. “Cant step out of line, that would be the end of your time.” she chuckled miserably as she started walking over to them.
He wasn’t alone. As she grew closer she saw who it was, her eyes widening in surprise. Beside him stood a nobleman—and not just any nobleman. The man’s rich, reddish-blonde hair was cut and styled meticulously, and his gentle blue eyes twinkled like the midnight sun in the warm light. His face, handsome enough to draw attention wherever he went, was unmistakable. This was Fernand Élouan Valère, the city lord.
You could tell how important he was just by his long name—a name she’d been forced to memorize when she started working here, along with those of other notable counts who occasionally graced the city with their presence: Milan Eugène Léonide, Émeric Florian Normand, and Michaël Yanick Fabien Lazare. She knew their names, brief descriptions, and one critical rule: if she ever saw any of them, she was to run to Felix and inform him immediately. So far, her average distance traveled in such instances was zero feet and zero inches.
She plastered a smile onto her face and bowed as low as her stiff back allowed. “Warmest greetings, Fernand Élouan Valère. This humble assistant of the library offers her greatest respects to Your Grace.”
“Oh, you know who I am?” His voice, smooth and self-assured, came from above as Rose remained bent, waiting for permission to rise.
Rose chewed her lip. Here, at the gate, at home—everywhere she went she could only bow and scream internally. Her body trembled as she fought to keep herself from laughing bitterly. “Of course, Your Grace. You are the Count of Valère, as well as the owner of this wonderful city.” Rose managed to say with an even tone.
Now send me away so I can leave, bastard, she spat silently. This so-called ‘humble assistant’ hadn’t slept properly in days. Soon, she’d get some proper rest—sleep in as long as she wanted and blame Lady Ricaut when she arrived late. Felix would love that, wouldn’t he? Bastard.
“I see. It’s so rare these days to find proper manners, what with the movement and all,” Count Valère remarked.
Yeah, well, step on people enough and they fight back. A broken finger will mend, Rose thought, glancing briefly at her own hand resting over her stomach. Her finger felt numb now, both hands did. Honestly, it was a welcome reprieve.
“Rose here is our best,” Felix chimed in, his voice dripping with false pride. “A true model employee.”
Yeah, well, if the choice is between you and me, of course I’d win. Rose took the opportunity to make a face, safely hidden beneath her hair as she remained lowered in a bow.
“See what I mean?” Count Valère said, a faint smile playing at his lips. “Even those who would be noble fail to properly address others. Ah, but where are my manners? Forgive me for playing the fool. Please, rise, Lady Rose. This lord of Marchenne accepts your graceful greeting and is gladdened to receive it.”
Finally! Rose thought as she straightened up, she caught Felix rubbing his hands as if trying to wash away a bruised ego. Why are you glaring at me like that? You called me over.
“Miss Rose, Your Grace,” Felix interjected quickly, as though correcting the nobleman might save his image somehow. “Hiring good help is hard these days, and we’ve been stretched thin trying to find quality assistance.”
Rose clenched her teeth, the strain of maintaining her composure making her jaw ache. Hired one person to manage an entire library, she thought bitterly. Good help isn’t hard to find. Good managers? Now that’s a miracle. She bit her tongue to stifle a laugh, her breath hitching and her nostrils flaring slightly as the fit passed in her stomach.
“Quite right,” Lord Valère said, nodding in agreement. His gaze returned to Rose, and he offered an apologetic smile. “Forgive me, Miss Rose. It seems I mistakenly elevated your rank. I hope you’re not insulted.”
Rose returned a tight smile and inclined her head slightly. “It’s no problem, Your Grace. I’m just happy you remembered my name.”
She hesitated for a moment, deciding she was too tired to care. “I apologize for the intrusion, but I felt it necessary to inform you that the book is complete.” She extended the finished tome to Felix. Now take it and send me home.
“Ah, yes,” Felix said, accepting the book with a flourish. He inspected the binding, running his fingers along the spine before flipping through a few pages with exaggerated care. “Marvelous job,” he declared with a nod of approval. “Excellent work.”
Turning to Count Valère, he added with a smug smile, “As I said, Miss Rose here is one of our most reliable workers. She even managed to perfect a rush order beautifully.” He presented the book for the Count’s examination.
Only employee, Rose thought, her fingers tightening around the hem of her sleeve. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from voicing it. Come on, dismiss me. I just want to sleep—but not forever.
Although… her thoughts wavered for a moment. Leaving a conversation with a count without permission? That’d let me sleep forever… doesn’t sound so bad right now, does it?
Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted as Felix handed the book back to her without warning. She scrambled to catch it, the weight of it thudding into her stomach as she had some difficulty grabbing it with both of her numb hands.
“How wonderful,” Lord Valère said lightly, his interest seemingly piqued. “I was just telling the Baron that I’m looking for a skilled transcriber. Tell me, Miss Rose, do you understand the Corian language?”
“The Corian language?” she repeated, her brow furrowing. She glanced at Felix for guidance. He responded with a few sharp, encouraging nods. Yeah, yeah, fuck you too.
“No, I don’t believe I do,” she continued, “but I should be able to transcribe it without any issue, as long as translation isn’t required. Otherwise, I’d need a translator, and the work would take considerably more time.”
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Count Valère let out a soft chuckle, “A lovely idea, but the Corian language isn’t composed of words—it’s more akin to paintings.” His tone shifted, growing slightly dismissive. “Cultists for sure, no doubt.” He nodded at his own words before continuing with a dramatic flourish of his hand. “But! We have an opportunity here—an opportunity to reopen diplomatic relations.”
Rose blinked, caught off guard. “Diplomatic relations?” she echoed, then, realizing her slip, quickly added, “It shouldn’t be a problem, but I would need to see the book to be sure.” Hopefully, he won’t be annoyed I tried to direct the conversation. She thought, holding her breath. Nobles were all about having their questions answered and keeping quiet otherwise.
Count Valère seized the moment, clearly eager to elaborate. “Ah, wonderful, but of course. What was I thinking? Why would someone of your lowly station know about politics?”
His tone lacked malice but was steeped in casual, self-assured condescension. While Rose knew he didn’t mean to insult her, the remark still stoked the irritation throbbing in her head. All she could do was mash her teeth together and remain silent.
Nothing new. Nothing new. Nothing new.
Count Valère carried on, oblivious to the subtle shift in Rose’s heavily bagged eyes. “Tensions between nations have been rising ever since the Empire was declared. They’ve been aggressive—viciously so—in expanding their territory and attacking their neighbors whenever possible. Diplomacy has been the only thing keeping them in check. None of us would allow such a country to do as it pleases.”
He gave a small shrug. “But our hands are tied on both ends. The Empire won’t attack directly, lest it incur everyone’s wrath. It’s not strong enough for that, but it is growing.” he scoffed. “Though it's doubtful that it would ever threaten us.”
Yeah right, the Empire will threaten the kingdom soon enough, Rose thought bitterly, biting her tongue to keep from saying anything aloud. And it won’t help when the royal family is exposed as frauds, leading the kingdom into a civil war at a critical moment—or whatever. The point is that my poor Dahlia will make a grave sacrifice to keep the nation together.
The thought of Dahlia’s future calmed her, or at least slumped her shoulders as annoyance was replaced by mild grief. The miserable girl would suffer a lot as the heroine but at least she had plot armor. Rose blinked heavily at the thought, her eyes were just so heavy. Dahlia’s actions would name her saint, and rally everyone to the Duke, with the royal family abandoned or whatever they will focus on the empire, killing the Emperor and causing the Empire to fracture and ending it before it can solidify. The kingdom will expand in the Duke’s name, claiming it’s all for finding a cure for the Saint.
“Yes,” Count Valère’s sharp inflection on the word jolted Rose, pulling her drifting thoughts back to the present. She opened her eyes to refocus.
“Suffice it to say, we are in a strong position to defend ourselves,” Valère continued. “However, it would be prudent to have an old ally return to our side.” He paused, his tone softening as he went on. “My family has been in possession of a very old prayer book—a paperweight to us, but a holy relic to the Corians. Offering it to them is the final act of goodwill that will reopen relations completely.”
He smiled, sweeping his hand through the air as if erasing the past. “Finally allowing us all to leave that whole incident behind.”
“Very good, Your Grace,” Felix chimed in obsequiously, “only you could think of something so clever.”
Rose blinked, trying to push through the haze clouding her thoughts. Corians? She couldn’t recall anything about a Corian nation from the story—or maybe she just couldn’t remember right now. All she could focus on was keeping her eyes open.
“So,” she said slowly, testing her words, “you wish to have this prayer book transcribed to preserve a copy while keeping the original intact?”
Felix shot her a glare, his face turning an alarming shade of red. Before he could say anything, Count Valère scoffed, dismissing the tension with a wave of his hand.
“Nothing would give me more pleasure than to throw it out,” he said. “But, as I mentioned, it’s an old gift to my family from the Zhihao family. It does have historical significance between our two lineages—even if it is… heresy.”
He shook his head, as if trying to rid himself of an unpleasant thought. “Still, I can’t ignore the opportunity. This could be a chance to reunite our kingdoms. Trade, military strength, and cultural exchange—all worth the price of losing an ancestral relic. And perhaps,” he added with a faint smile, “we could save more than a few of those poor souls from the Infér. I could handle the backlash easily enough. However…”
His words trailed off, hanging in the air like a challenge.
Felix moved to speak, his eagerness palpable, but Count Valère raised a hand to silence him. His attention shifted back to Rose, his expression inviting her thoughts.
Rose considered his words, the wheels in her mind turning painfully slow.
“You could argue that the original is too delicate to be moved if they ask,” she said with a shrug. “Say the copy was made from a faithful reproduction of the original. That way, giving them the copy won’t be seen as an insult, even if they discover the truth later. It could also work in your favor—an invitation to view the original might pave the way for diplomats to meet in your domain.”
Silence hung between them. Felix gave her another angry glare, but Rose barely registered it, her irritation outweighing his. He could have just let me put the book down and go home. But no—he forced me to meet a noble. Not just any noble, but the lord of the city. What the hell was he thinking?
Count Valère chuckled, breaking the tense quiet. “An interesting idea. Quite right, too.” He leaned forward slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing as though examining her more closely. “I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?”
Rose blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Her gaze flickered between Felix and Count Valère before she answered, “My name is Rose.”
“Just Rose?” he asked, one eyebrow arching in curiosity.
“Yes,” she replied, her tone calm but firm. “I was born in a village far from here. Uh… S-Sayotheo.”
“I see.” Count Valère nodded slowly, studying her like an intriguing puzzle. “Sayotheo, you say. I heard about what happened there. Awful tragedy. However, it’s our gain, it would seem. You appear exceptionally intelligent for someone that comes from a village.”
Rose froze, her breath catching in her throat. Our gain? That’s how you deal with the loss of an entire village? Shrug it off and smile at the fact you gained something?
Her chest tightened as she tried to swallow the mix of emotions roiling inside her. It didn’t matter if she impressed him—If she did something, said anything, it was the same story. Over and over again. But another thought needled at her: What does he know about what happened? What Acker said about Iris being lost to the Myst… it keeps playing in my head, over and over.
Before she resolved herself to ask, Felix jumped in, seizing the opportunity the silence brought to insert himself into the conversation.
“She has a brilliant mind, my lord. Thanks to her work in the library, she’s far more knowledgeable than your average commoner. Honestly, we’re lucky to have her.”
Rose glanced at him, her expression unreadable. Lucky to have me? The compliment felt sickening, wrong, unnatural. She wanted so desperately to wash that mouth out with soap.
Count Valère gave a slow nod, his expression carefully neutral. “So you say.”
He paused, letting the words settle, before continuing. “Then it would seem prudent that I receive two copies of the text. Baron Silvio,” he added, turning slightly to address Felix, “if you could arrange for the necessary equipment to be delivered to my residence so Miss Rose can complete her work there, that would be ideal.”
Felix stiffened, his tone suddenly defensive. “It would probably be better for the work to be accomplished here, my lord, where the tools are already in place—”
“Nonsense,” Lord Valère said, cutting him off smoothly. “The book is rather fragile and can’t be moved, just as the young Miss Rose already suggested.”
He gave Rose a smile, causing her to blink, her mind stubbornly blank.
“So, I would much rather keep it safe in my own home. I’m sure you can make the arrangements.”
“My lord—” Felix began, but Lord Valère interrupted again, his tone firm and final.
“I’ll double the payment,” he mused aloud, as though speaking to himself. “After all, this will save me a great deal of time and effort—not to mention mitigating the political and social backlash. Although…” He tilted his head slightly, his voice taking on a thoughtful edge. “The church won’t like this, that’s for sure.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode away, his boots clicking sharply against the floor.
Felix hastily bowed, and Rose belatedly realized what was happening, following his example.
“Very good, Your Grace. I’ll see that it’s done,” Felix called after him.