"Who is that behind you, Vivian?"

"Father, this is Esmeralda. My new personal maid."

"Lozanish name… she is a Hulking though."

"Indeed, Father."

"Interesting… Saskia, did you recommend her?"

"No…" Saskia replied with dissatisfaction.

"Knight Logan reached out to Mr. Jonah, the broker who introduced her to me." I replied.

"... I see."

Father was well aware of the happenings inside the house but he always wants his family to solve their disputes on their own. Saskia and I are at each other's throats and Father is aware of that, Old Theo gives him detailed reports about what's going on even between the ghosts of the afterlife.

Right now, we are having dinner together. I am back in the old Vivan's dresses that Nadia hates to death. I just don't want to make too many changes that may cause Father to worry.

Two hours since Esmeralda came to my service and I put her through the extreme loyalty tests. She showed no hint of being fazed. Her skill in chores is exceptional and she prepares a nice aromatic tea.

To be more honest, Logan and I couldn't corner her one bit.

"Master Julian! Master Julian! Where are you?"

"I am here, Old Theo."

"And here comes the ghost."

The old man came walking supported by a cane while carrying a ledger that looks heavier than me.

*Slam*

"Old Theo, I am eating." Father complained.

"Once you finish your homework, you get to eat."

Even Father avoids an argument with the ghost. This guy is incredible!

"Here… the little miss wants to be handed her allowance personally. It seems some complications happened regarding the overall payouts and we need to avoid cramping up numbers on each other." Old Theo said something that somehow sounded like music to my ears.

"Hmmm… Vivian's allowance is 10 Gold Pieces? Is she still a child? I would give her more but we are in a situation here. Right, Vivian?" Father looked at me.

"You mean my career choice, Father?"

"Indeed."

"I know I am in such a situation and two weeks is just a short amount of time to plan for the exams, the future career, and get myself together. I am making a scheduled study of my options after graduation based on my talents and what I majored in. It is a bit foggy and I feel somehow overwhelmed so I want guidance from you, Father."

If that sounded too fancy, what I mean was that I was busy mindlessly shooting guns all day and practicing the Knights Training in the afternoon.

To avoid further interrogation, I employed sparkling words and exhibited inexperience and humility, seeking guidance. And in light of these tactics, I believe I have a promising future in the theater.

Father, however, had a different opinion.

"The way I see it, you're only overwhelmed because you think too much. I will excuse you because you were getting ready for a political life beside that Prince and now you need to fend for yourself in society. You can either come and work in the Moore Conglomerate or try something for yourself. If I were you, I would do the latter." He said.

"... Father, that's even more overwhelming than before."

"Don't worry, I just want to test your depth. By graduation, your allowance would be canceled…" Father said.

Saskia made a satisfied face as she turned to me. Such a shallow woman!

"... instead, you will be given 1000 gold pieces and sufficient professional assistance of any kind you ask for. You will be given a month after graduation and your mission is…"

No, do not say it that way! Sir System, cover your ears.

"... to impress me."

« New Quest: Impress Count Julian »

Yep, I knew this would happen.

I massaged my temples out of frustration.

"Fine, Father. I'll do my best."

Father seemed satisfied as he closed the ledger and sent Old Theo away.

Ghost, begone!

"So, what kind of personal assistance do you think you would need in the business world?" Father asked.

"For a starter, any business needs planning, knowledge, and connections. Planning is my job, my knowledge is a bit lacking due to my lack of experience, and I just lost all my connections with my late social disaster. I need someone who is knowledgeable about the market and very experienced."

Father narrowed his eyes and thought deeply.

"That's all?"

"No, I'm merely getting started but for now that's all I can think of."

"So you need a good assistant who can guide you around. You took the first step right but isn't trust necessary? How do you know you can trust someone?" Father said while sparing a glance at Esmeralda.

I smiled wryly.

"Trust someone? Father, I am the last person to ask about trusting someone." I said with a bitter memory coming to mind.

"..." Father knew he stepped on a landmine.

"To answer your question, I simply mustn't trust anyone. I should have a chair on every table and speak every language."

"That's Politics, not Commerce. Trust and speed are essential in commerce."

"Thank you for your guidance, Father. I'll fix my methods."

Father is right, trust is necessary, assuring, and warm. The market is harsh but friendships make money.

My Adept Diplomat trait will help me with politics but clearly not business. I barely studied Business Management but I still have an idea of what to do.

I have to step through a hornet nest called Trust again. To be ready to get stabbed in the back a few more times.

After dinner was over, I met father once again in his study.

"The Training Manual, Father." I handed it over to him.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"You copied the Agility chapter?"

"Yes, there were many interesting principals and notes but I think I am not fit to train such a scary art anyway, even the Agility chapter is hard enough."

"Yes, yes, I won't blame you if you give it up. Girls shouldn't train that sort of thing."

Bruh!

"However, I received a report that you were exceptional with Firearms. That's a rare praise coming from a Knight such as Logan." He said.

"Heh, it wasn't easy at all."

"Vivian, remember the report from this morning's Daily."

"About the Death of the Baron's Son and the fingers pointing at us?"

"Yes, that report. It seems the Noble Society wants to open an investigation. They say that the Assassin was so overwhelming and swift that no one felt him entering or leaving, such a talent is now thought to be one of our people. Some are demanding answers." Father said.

"And we are going to humor them?"

"If we have such talented underlining then I would have tried to hide him but we don't so we have nothing to hide. They rudely took my testimony on the matter and I made it clear that we don't have the blood of the Hewes boy on our hands, but I added that I think his death is closely related to the matter regarding you, maybe some young and talented lord is pushing away competition for the sake of my beautiful young daughter." Father said, making a remark.

"Daddy, I'm flattered."

"What is important here is when they question you. They told me that they are sending someone to ask you a few questions."

"Ask me? More like trying to condemn me."

How annoying! A little piggy died, what's the big deal?

"What you need to worry about is how to deal with the investigator. I heard that it will be someone carefully picked." Father said.

"Who?"

"No idea but we will find out a few days from now."

"Picked by the Crown Prince and his entourage?"

"Who else?"

"Maybe Edmond Black but that guy hates arguing… Richard Marshall is too calm and hates speaking, Valentine is impossible… Valentine… maybe."

Then my genius pulp lit up.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Am I allowed to leave the mansion, Father?" I asked.

"Where do you want to go?"

"The De Clare Auction House."

"The first thing you do after getting your engagement with the Crown Prince broken off is visiting an Auction House? What is your reasoning?"

"There is a big auction every weekend, someone will be there and I need to ask him a few questions. As dear father is known to be a frequent visitor to the auction, I'm sure you have a good spot there. This will help me get the identity of the said investigator and prepare beforehand."

"... So Valentine De Clare is your target, huh? Isn't he one of the Prince's cronies?"

"He is."

"Do you need me to remind you that this is a terrible idea?"

"You don't."

"... Take this with you. A seat number I use for the auction. It can guarantee you funds on our family's behalf."

Father passed me a plate with the number 66.

"Am I free to spend?"

"You are but don't buy anything worthless. Listen, Auctioning is a hobby of mine, so try to do what I would do."

"Thank you, Father. I promise to be swift and bring home all the trophies you love."

Father likes to test people and me above all, especially after my engagement got broken off. The reason he allowed me to auction is to see if I have a taste for it. Father may not admit it but he just loves bullying others with money in auctions.

I left my father at the study and headed to my room. There are still a few hours that I can spend studying for the exams.

***

The next day passed quietly with me doing nothing but training. I woke up the day after as early as I could and snuck out in my training clothes while leaving a word for Logan with Esmeralda.

As long as I finish all the training in the morning then return before breakfast for a hot bath, everything will be perfect.

The training took me an hour and a half starting from 6 in the morning. I was battered by pain after that but I felt a little better than yesterday. I can transform this hidden area in the back garden to my own little Gym one day. I just need weights and several tools that I can't find in the System Shop.

After training, it was a bath then a normal breakfast with the family all as planned until the time of noon, I somehow felt that I am lacking something.

"An outfit."

"Excuse me, my Lady?" Esmeralda, who was pouring me tea, asked.

"I am just saying… I am lacking a good outfit."

"I just familiarized myself with my Lady's dresses. Should I prepare anything in particular?"

"Nope… I'll just try to figure out something to dress suitable for extreme occasions."

The System Shop has a lot of options but I lack SP. I need to try that thing with Magic Crystals.

I went ahead and looked around but it seems that the Old Vivian wasn't interested in anything with the word Magic in it. What a shame! If I started as Vivian from childhood, I would have studied nothing but Magic.

I can ask Logan, can't I?

"I need a Magic Crystal."

"Absolutely not."

"... Wha… Why?"

"Ladies shouldn't come in contact with those dangerous things."

Dangerous your a… ehem!

"Why can't I have one? Other than being a Lady."

"Because Lord Julian told me that Firearms are already too dangerous, it will be problematic if you gain interest in Aura or Magic."

Logan completely turned me down.

"Hmph, fine."

Looks like Father is okay with me using something as petty as firearms but not something as dangerous as Magic. Let's not argue here. Logic works in mysterious ways too.

As I got away from Logan, Esmeralda spoke.

"Excuse me, my Lady."

"Yes."

"If you are interested in Magic Crystals, I have seen Mistress Saskia command the Head Maid to send an errand boy to the Magic store and buy Magic Crystals for young master Robert."

"For your third day, you are overhearing things and running your mouth a lot, Esmeralda."

"... Excuse me, my Lady. I meant no disrespect at all…"

"It's okay. You are still in the trial period so I get that you are trying to earn my trust." I said and smiled, somehow, my evil intent betrayed me and was reflected on that smile.

"By any chance, did you overhear where Robert's Magic Crystals are being kept?"

Esmeralda opened her eyes wide and nodded.

"In his room… my Lady."

"Aha! Good, very good indeed."

Hehehe! That's a good thing, Robert spends his time in the Academy and sleeps in the dorm. He only comes when he needs money or resources and it seems he is coming tonight.

"Walk behind me. Act natural."

I walked in the hallway of the second floor and patrolled it a few times without anyone spotting me. The maids of Saskia are mostly working on the laundry and the kitchen by now. Some are cleaning the windows, while some are busy with the furniture.

As the maids cleaning the windows were done, the hallway was empty for the time being.

"Watch the door." I said and nimbly walked to Robert's room.

"What!" Esmeralda almost panicked.

I glared at her and signaled with my head for her to move. She tensed up immediately and took a guarding spot with a worried face.

Atta girl.

I knocked on the door gently and no one responded, I have no visual on the inside so I need to be extra careful.

The door was locked but I know this kind of locks which is known as the lever tumbler Locks. It has 3 or 5 levers from the inside and… thankfully, this one has 3.

I had the chance to pick this kind of lock before but we preferred to use skeleton keys as the ones we came across were old antiques. They were a burden because they were mostly unmaintained but this one is all nice and greasy.

Three tiny and hard hairpins can do the trick and against me, the lock didn't stand a chance.

I slipped in the room slowly and scanned the place in a second. If a door is locked then nothing inside is that seriously hidden. A box on the end table, some drawers in the desk, a vase, this, that… I had no time.

Everything I had to search was just put back as it was. Soon enough, I found pinky-sized glowing gems in a pile inside a wooden strongbox.

"Sir System, can you turn those into SP?"

« Lesser grade Magic Crystal = 138 SP »

Only that for a Lesser Crystal?

« Common grade Magic Crystal = 356 SP »

Somehow better. Fine, Robert. I'll be taking some of your stash. Big sister is not that greedy.

I hurriedly stacked some of the Magic Crystals into my Storage Purse and nimbly snuck out.

"Anything?"

"No." Esmeralda said in a firm tone but she was sweating buckets.

"Good."

As I picked the lock before entering, I reverse-picked it in seconds and we were on the way back to my room.

Esmeralda kept sweating immensely from the experience. Well, she at least helped and didn't chicken on me.

"That was good, haha!" I was also kinda nervous.

"My Lady, do you do that often?" Esmeralda asked with a frigid face.

"Not really. My first time."

… in this life.

"But… the lock… that was too skillful."

"Do not think too much of it. Also, weren't you the one who told me that they have Magic Crystals in there?"

"I… I only said that implying that my Lady can use the Errand Boy to buy what she needs too."

"..."

"..."

"Aaaah!"

I could have just done that!