After sending the guests off and handing me the newest reports, Carl and the subordinate that impersonated the boss, Ethan, kept staring at me with blank expressions.
"What?"
Carl scratched the back of his head and with the dumbest expression I have ever seen finally asked what was on their mind.
"Miss, are we going to clean a stain in the Duke's house instead of harming the Prince?"
Hearing the ridiculous statement made by Carl, I resisted the urge to laugh and decided to tease them a bit. It doesn't hurt to have a little bit of fun at your employees expense right?
Narrowing my eyes at them, I spoke with my voice filled with disappointment.
"What? You can't clean properly? Is the training to bland? Maybe I should be a bit more strict to you guys..."
"NO!"
Ethan quickly and strongly denied my statement. As if he realized his rudeness and eagerness, Ethan quickly tried to redeem himself.
"Miss what I mean is that you don't need to overexert yourself. W-we can clean a place spotless clean right Carl?"
Bobbing his head so quickly that I thought it might fall, Carl agreed with Ethan.
"Yes, yes. Miss need not to worry, we will make cleaner than ever before"
"Is that so? I don't mind teaching you personally though"
"No, no. Miss need not to worry about us AT ALL. You have so much to handle... the stain will be cleaned as per requested, worry not"
Seeing their flustered appearance I couldn't hold any longer.
"*pffft*"
Seeing my two lovely subordinates looking at me flabbergasted with the reaction they got, I started to explain the conversation with Duke Fournier.
"The plan with the Prince Albert is still up. The stain that the Duke Fournier refers to is Prince Albert and the squirrel is Julia, do you get it?"
"Sort of.... but why a squirrel?"
"I could say is because she looks like one, but this is only partially true. The truth is because she's cute but is still a 'rat', so the noble circle came up with the nickname... I heard that Miss Julia rather liked being compared with such adorable creatures, that's why Prince Albert still permits the nickname as long as he doesn't hear it. I wonder if we can make squirrel plush toys a thing. We can ask Julia to advertise..."
"As I thought, nobles are really different. Even the way of cussing is refined and could be mistaken as a compliment"
Ethan nodded to Carl's statement.
"Yes, they are scary. Miss and the Duke transformed an assassination and a crime against the Crown in a talk about pest extermination and cleaning. Miss is even more amazing since she will make the Lady in question sell a plush toy that it's an insult to her "
"You are right, no one knows how to take advantage of a situation as well as our Miss!"
"You do realize I'm still here right?"
Averting their eyes to the floor, both of them spoke in monotone.
"Miss is the Society Flower"
"Miss is unique"
' ' our Miss is the scariest of them all' '
Deciding to ignore the stupid duo, I started to think how should I disclose to Father today's meeting.
————
"You're telling me that, that snake-like person is behind all of this?"
"Yes, he was the one that showed up at the meeting and discussed the details with me"
"...hahaHAHA"
A loud laugh filled Father's study. I think Father's grudge against Duke Fournier was bigger than I thought. I never saw Father laugh so loud and happy in my life!
"Finally! FINALLY CECILE!! This time he's doomed! And is all thank to you my dear"
Saying so, Father gave me a hug so tight that I thought that some bones may brake.
"F-father.. I-I can't b-breath"
"I'm sorry little bunny, I was just to excited"
Releasing me from the torturous hug, Father went back to his chair.
"*cough* *cough* where were we? Yes. The mastermind is Fournier. Hmm... when did he wanted you to execute the task?"
"Next month. He didn't gave us a exact date, but we have the Royal Parade and New Year's party next month. He left to my discretion which one to take advantage of"
"I see... putting both events on a scale, the one which is more favorable to act is the parade. You can mix your people with Royal soldiers and commoners"
"No. Too risky. If I put guys on the Royal guard I will need to involve more people then necessary and in turn it will increase the chances of leaking our plan. I thought in having many disturbances a long the path chosen to the Parade"
Father went silent for a few minutes. I know it's a bold move, but is the most effective one Dear Father.
"Father-"
"You want to do terrorism?"
"... such an ugly word. No, I'm helping the country by scaring a few people..."
Father didn't even acknowledge my argument with a sound and just kept staring at me.
"Hm-eh... maybe is terrorism. But listen to me first. I will strategically blow the black organizations' stores that are in the path. I already put someone of trust to study their architecture so that when blown it won't hurt any innocent bystanders. Plus, just in case I will make free clinic consults for the people at strategic points so that this won't happen. The clinics will be open an entire week so that it won't be suspicious"
"You seem to have thought well about this..."
"Of course is for the sake of our country!"
"...how for example besides receiving money from the Task, rewards from the King you will also eliminate your competitors from the Underworld"
'Hehe... seems that I was found out'
"As I said for the sake of our country!"
"Yes, yes. You're very patriotic indeed. How will you deal with the nobles in the aftermath? They will probably spread rumors saying that your benevolence was nothing but a sham to hide your dirty real face as the Boss of the Underworld"
"I already have a plan. You will ask the His Majesty to make an edict ordering me to be in charge of the lives of those man. I will play the saint role and make them redeem themselves by giving them a chance to ask forgiveness about their past with a honest life and community works. This way, even when accused of being a sham, the population will be by my side as always"
After all I have a big credibility in the society as a role. The many social projects I did and my benevolence is well known fact amongst everyone.
"I remember reading somewhere that the receptivity of the masses is very limited, their intelligence is small, but their power of forgetting is enormous. In consequence of these facts, all effective propaganda must be limited to a very few points and must harp on these in slogans until the last member of the public understands what you want him to understand by your slogan."
"... your slogan is 'I am a sant'?"
"No way, it's too tacky. 'I am a good person' is the slogan. Is not a lie anyways right Father?"
"Yes my Dear, you are the best of them all, but may I now where did you read this phrase?"
'I want this book. Where it is' is written all over my father's face. I guess previous leaders quotes are a good study material to any type of leader.
"Don't remember... but I will look for you"
It seems that I'm forgetting to report something...
"Right! Father Duke Fournier has a mole inside the Palace. He knew that I had a private meeting with Her Highness, the Princes and Lady Julia. You should report this to His Majesty as soon as possible"
"As expected. At least now we have a smaller range os people to investigate. You did a good job today bunny. You must be tired, you can retire now if you want"
"I'm glad of being able to help Father. I'll be going now but you shouldn't stay until too late also, otherwise Mom will scold you later"
"Ah, yes. I will be over soon"
After seeing the pale face of my Father after mentioning Mother's scolding, I went to my little paradise: my bed.