Reincarnated as the Lady Prodigy

Sixty

After the Mess... is Another Mess

ZAIRE/JOZINE's

I placed the papers on my left then raised my head to look at Elise.

She has been staring at me ever since I started immersing myself in paperwork. The expression on her face shows that she can’t believe what she is seeing. I’m slightly insulted since it looked like I’m the type of boss who doesn’t work– which I am not. I do my job, thank you very much.

Although I admit that I am lazy at times, but not all the time. Okay?

Guh! I sound so defensive.

I shake my head internally then resumed working.

Err… I can still feel Elise’s eyes on me, it’s much intense this time. Is she not blinking anymore?

“Phew…” I heaved a sigh, place the pen back in its place. “Is there something wrong with my face, Elise?” I questioned genuinely curious as to why she keeps on looking at my face.

She flinched before she quickly shakes her head. “There isn’t, my lady! I’m… um…” I knew it. There is something going on.

“What’s wrong? You’ve been staring at me for quite some time now. I’m getting worried.”

“M-My lady, I’m sorry I made you worry!”

She started apologizing to me. I let her apologize since I can’t interrupt her because of how fast she is talking. When she finally calmed down a little, her face is flushed, her nose is a little red that’s why I couldn’t help but chuckle. She looked like the red reindeer of someone who is said to give away gifts during Christmas.

“Don’t worry about it, there is nothing for you to apologize for. I’m just worried about what keeps your attention solely on me.” I tell her with a small smile.

Elise stared at me for a couple of seconds before she sighed. “I will tell you, my lady. The truth is…” She hesitated for a moment before she closed her eyes then looked back at me. “I’ve been worried for you, my lady. Ever since the attack two days ago, you have been curled up in this room doing nothing but work. You also do not go out often like before.” Yeah, I remember I like going out ever since I came to this world. “And also my lady, Mistress Felicia, and Lady Clarence has been looking for you, they have been aggressively using every force they have just to find you. There are rumors circulating that you died during the attack and that the Vesaurious house will be inherited by Lady Clarence. People are assuming the worst, my lady! They are spreading lies! You must show yourself because— “

“Elise,” she stilled before her eyes found mine. I gestured for her to the seat since she is standing in front of me despite the empty chairs.

“My lady…”

“Seat, Elise. You’re too tense you might fall.”

She followed my command, she timidly sat in front of me but was unable to look at my eyes directly.

“I’m sorry for my sudden outburst, my lady. Because I was too hasty I even decided ahead of you and without asking for what my lady’s decision is. I shouldn’t have overstepped my boundaries…” she whispered, drooping even further. I won’t doubt if one day Elise starts kneeling in front of me all of a sudden.

Elise has always been sensitive about matters regarding Jozine, regarding me, that’s why I understand where she is coming from. I’m not unaware of the fact that there are rumors surrounding about my so-called ‘death’ but I don’t plan on showing myself.

Let the rumors be. If it will help the plan, then I would be very much glad to stay in Faceless. Besides, I like it here than in the mansion.

Being with Felicia and Clarence who left me during the attack without a second thought fuels my anger.

“It’s okay, Elise. I understand where you are coming from. To be honest, I don’t plan on showing myself even if there are rumors like that circulating around right now. Besides, I don’t have the time to entertain Feli– mother, and Clarence right now. We have more important matters to worry about.” I tell her. Elise’s face still showed worry so I gestured for her face to come closer and then ruffled her hair. “Don’t worry about me too much. Trust me, when things get too complicated for me, I will ask for you first. I trust that my personal maidservant knows what to do to make her lady feel better?”

When Elise heard that, her face brightened. “Of course, my lady! I will prepare the most relaxing bath that even royals will be jealous of!” She exclaimed proudly.

“Haha, thank you, Elise.”

She turned to me again, her expression relaxed with a small smile. “You do not have to thank me, my lady. It is always an honor to serve under you, my lady. I’m just happy that Lady Jozine… you have become someone who is now able to express herself freely. Thank you, my lady, for choosing me as your maidservant and for helping me learn magic. I am indebted to you for all my life…” Elise bowed her head and kneeled in front of me. I also did not miss the lone tear that fell on her eyes when she did that.

I’ve known it ever since the first day I took over and became Jozine. This girl in front of me is someone who considered Jozine not only as her master but also her only friend. A friend to who she is willing to offer her life. Also, the feeling that Jozine shared with me, I clearly know just how important for Jozine Elise is. Elise is her sister, not by blood but bound by heart.

There are times when I think that, what would happen if Elise finds out I am not entirely Jozine. That Jozine’s soul decided to reside within me instead while I took over her body. What would Elise’s reaction be?

I smiled to myself before I immersed myself with work once again. I should think about everything else once I’m done with my paperwork.

With all the things that need to be done ranging from providing funds for the rebuilding of the houses nearby the auction house which I offered personally, to confirming the items we lost from the recent attack. From important tasks to menial ones, I worked with it all with the help of Elise, and Eufema.

I laid the papers on my table while Eufema quickly took them and started reading over them again.

“How were the funds that we provided with the refugees with broken homes? Were they enough?” I ask while stretching my neck. Ugh. My neck is sore.

Eufema paused reading the documents to answer me. “It was enough my lady. Currently, we have two thousand families who owed us debt. Will this really be all right, my lady? You know it’s not our responsibility to help them, besides, the duke and marquess along with the royals’ help will settle them sooner or later.” She responded. It was Eufema who voiced her concern when I decided to lend money to the refugees we helped during the attack. “I also do not understand why you did not impose an increase on what they should pay. Ten gold coins to not only help them build their homes again but also provide them temporary funds to help them recover. I believe lending them money for their homes is more than enough, my lady.” It sounded cold coming from Eufema if other people were to hear her say this but she is not wrong. I know that what I did was too much help for others. Seriously, this looks like I’m doing foundation rather than business.

We lost too much money during the attack based on the auction’s records of our funds. We might have earned a lot during our opening but it’s almost emptied out now. But I’m not broke, okay? Just to be clear, I still have money. LOTS of it.

“I don’t see anything wrong with it since I still have money. I know that you are worried about the auction’s budget since we did lose some money. Don’t worry though, we’re still safe.” I told her, smiling.

“Lady Jozine, that is not my concern. I am worried that you will be— “

“Exploited?” I cut her off. I didn’t need to hear her reply because her reaction alone is enough. “I know. This looks like charity work but these people will soon become our consumers, helping them now will help us recover our image because of what happened before.” When I was arrested for using black magic.

“But— “

“Not only that Eufema, with the people, the public as our backing aside from the duke and marquess, but we have also already established a safe footing on this city. This is already a perfect abode for my chill life!” That is the main purpose. Now that the people opened their hearts to me, I doubt there will be others who will disturb me in this place, not when they literally owe me money. Hello, who wouldn’t anger the person you owe money to, a very kind one at that? Hoho. I’m such a fake b***h, omg.

“I don’t know what a chil life is but if you believe this is the right action then I will trust you.”

I grinned. “Thanks!”

Eufema shakes her head at me then resumes reading the paper while Elise stepped forward “My lady, I have finished sorting out the names of the hunters who received the equipment and weapons during the attack. Here, I sorted it through the level of equipment and weapon they have. That list also contains the signature of the hunter, their personal details, majority of them also wrote what type of magic they have.”

“Eh? Why?” That’s basically a declaration of the weakness of hunters, especially those that do not have strong magic in the first place.

“Ah, Soka said that one hunter raised about this matter. For them, it shows their gratitude for letting them use the equipment since the equipment and weapons were of outstanding quality. It gave them a sense of hope that they will be able to survive through what they wear and use.”

I fell silent. Fook. Now I feel guilty. Those equipment were the only thing that the hunters can use, they are the lowest quality since the high-quality ones cannot be easily reproduced and are far too overpowered to use. My conscience is being pricked.

“Okay. Thanks, Elise. I will handle this.”

“Yes, my lady, ah! I forgot to give this, my lady.” She handed me an envelope with the familiar insignia of the marquess’s house. “Soka gave that to me, a little for my lady.”

“From who?” I asked. Is this from the marquess? Or maybe Suri? She wanted to have tea with me once before the attack since she was so interested in the teleportation magic circle.

“Mhm… ah! Soka said that messenger stated that it was from the third prince.”

ACK! WHAT THE FOOK!

“Are you personally acquainted with the third prince, my lady?” Elise innocently asked.

“No way! We are not close, nope, no way.” I responded my eyes finding their way to the envelope and the ring.

Fuck. I’m in a serious trouble.

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To be continued...