Capital City, Clovis Empire
In a certain Room on the Rheid Group Main Office Building, the temperature is cold and heavy. Beads of cold sweat can be seen on each and every forehead of the people sitting around the long table.
"What? Can't anyone give me a proper explanation?" His cold voice swept the entire room. He took a folder and throw it on the table. "If no one can explain this to me, then all of you should look for another job starting tomorrow." He stood up and left the room.
Ezekiel was in a bad mood due to the unidentified disbursement of fund during the time of his disappearance. Of course, he knows who took the money. Looks like he needs to start cleaning up his company.
He just took a 15-minute break then proceed again to his next meeting.
At 3 pm, Rin arrived at the Capital. She walked her way until she arrived at the Rheid Group Main Office Building. Before walking in, she's thinking if she should have informed him beforehand or… "Let's go with the surprise." She grinned and enter the building.
She looked around and her eyes where shinning bright. Indeed, it is not only his Title that is Noble; but is also the Building the he owned. During Ezekiel's stay in the forest, he has already mentioned to her his identity and background.
As expected of the only Archduke of the Empire. She thought. She observed first the surrounding then after several internal debates, she went close to the girls sitting in an area called "Information Center".
Oblivious to her surroundings, this Little Girl didn't even notice that most of the people inside are checking her out. She's only wearing her undying knee length White Dress and a pair of doll shoes. Her long black hair is styled in a simple flower braid. She has pale white skin and rosy cheeks. Her lips have a natural pink color. Her nose is perfect fit for her cute and pretty face. But the most interesting part is her eyes, she has a rare light green iris. Of course, she had used her magic to change the color of her eyes. Overall, she looked like an innocent and pretty doll. Like a girl who is not tarnished by the sins of the world.
"Ahm. Hello… "She smiled at the Girl in the Information Center. The Girl stared at her for a while. "Hello? " She waved her hand and the Girl regain herself.
"Ah, yes. What can I do for you?" The girl smiled back at her.
"Is the Archduke here?" She asked. The girl was taken aback and before she could answer her, the woman beside her butt off.
"Why are you asking about the Archduke?" The woman whose taller than her spoke. She eyed her from head to foot then smirked.
"It's because I want to ask."Rin said and gently smiled ignoring the looked of the woman in front.
The woman looked at her with a straight face and asked, "Do you have an appointment? If you don't have, then I'm sorry. The Archduke is not someone you can easily meet. You better get the hell out of here."
Looking at this girl. She may be pretty but she looks like a village girl. She doesn't have any accessories. Tsskk… How dare this girl ask for the Archduke? She is rather shameless!! The woman thought while watching her.
"Oh. If that's the case, may I know if he's here? Don't worry, I will not insist on anything. If he's not here – "
"The Archduke is away. He is on a business meeting outside the company." The woman cut her off before she even finished her words.
Rin tilted her head. But Yuu is here. So how could he be outside? Hmmmnn… "
"My lady, do you want me to devour this foolish human?" Kyell asked her thru telepathy.
"Nah. No need. It'll be troublesome. And I don't want him to worry." She answered. "Okay. Thank you for the information. Rin turned her body and decided to just wait for him outside. But before she could step outside, she bumped into someone. "Sorry." She said without looking at the person.
Wait… This voice… The man she bumped caught her arms before she could leave. "Wait!"
Rin immediately turn her head and when she saw the man's face, she tilted her head thinking that this man is familiar.
He is one of his people. Kyell told her and that's the only time she remembered him.
"Mr. Michael?" She said his name then smiled.
Michael was taken aback at what he did. He immediately let go of her arm and stare at her. "A… Are you… "Black Hair… White Dress… The Shoes… He gulped after realizing the identity of the woman. Even if she's wearing a mask that time, it cannot heed her strong but innocent aura. "Lady Eyrhin?" He asked without blinking.
The man beside him frowned. He crossed his arm and just observe the people on his front.
Rin nodded and she smiled brightly. "How could I forgot, the first time you saw me and I am wearing a mask. How did you know that I'm me?"
Michael gave out a hard laugh. Can he answer her honestly? Her aura is the same from when the last time he saw her with a mask. And that her aura is strong and dangerous.
"Of course, that doesn't matter anymore. As long as you are here My Lady."
"Oh please, just call me Rin. Enough with the 'My Lady." She remarked.
"I can't do that Lady Rin. You know how my boss is. Haha. Oh by the way, where are you going?"He answered and immediately deviate to another topic.
"Someone told me that he is not here. So, I planned to - - "
"Who told you?" Michael's heart sank after hearing it. If he did not accidentally bump into her today, his Boss might kill everyone. "Rence, did he call you that his out of the office?" He asked the man beside him.
"No. And I'm here, it's obvious right." Lawrence just answered casually. He still has no idea who is Rin.
"The tall girl in the Information Center told me that he is not here." She answered innocently.
Michael massaged his temples. "Ahh… That woman. I'm sorry for that. The Boss is here and - - "He stopped talking when he suddenly remembers something. "Thank God that you are here. He is not in a good mood for almost weeks."
Rin frowned upon hearing what he said. Then the air surrounding them suddenly felt heavy. The bright sun outside is slowly disappearing. The people around felt shivers down to their spine. "What? Why? Did something happen to him? Did those bastards… "
Lawrence and Michael felt a deadly aura coming from her. "No. No. It's not what you think My Lady. What I mean is he's not in the mood of because of the employees. Please calm down. He is safe and healthy. I bet those people upstairs are the one in danger and not him." Beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. Indeed, this is how powerful the Ruler of that Forest. Her mood can change the weather and her surroundings.
"Oh. Okay. Sorry. "As she flashed a smile, the surroundings turn back to normal. Michael and Lawrence sighed.
"Since you are already here, why don't you wait at his office? Then I can call him for you. "
Before Rin could answer, Michael was pulled by Lawrence into the corner.
"Michael Borbon, what the hell are you doing? Do you want to anger that monster upstairs? You know that no one is allowed to wait on his office! "Lawrence said reminding him how their boss is. "And besides, you notice what happened earlier? She's dangerous!"
Michael snort at Lawrence reaction. He then raised his hand and pat his shoulder. "Don't worry. Our Boss will not be angry. And she is the last person in the world that would hurt him. And even if she really did, the Archduke will gladly accept it with open arms. "
"What - - "
Michael left him and he guide the Lady to the CEO's Private Elevator.
Upon seeing this, everyone has a look of surprise on their faces. It is their first time seeing someone use the elevator other than the Archduke's aides and himself. Even those from the Imperial family is not allowed on that elevator. They can only use the Guest VIPs Elevator.
With a ring sound, the Elevator door opened and they walked out.
The Girl sitting on the side stood up upon seeing Michael and Lawrence. Then her gaze turns to the Little Lady on the middle.
"Lord Michael, Lord Lawrence, His Grace is still in the meeting room on the 12th floor. How can I help you?" She asked.
"Nah. It's okay." Michael said then he turns to ask Rin. "Are you hungry? I will ask them to buy something. Or I can call the Archduke and tell him that you're here."
"No need. I can just wait." She answered.
"Then I'll send snacks on his office. So that you can eat while waiting for him. "
She nodded in agreement. The girl on the side looked like there is something she wants to say.
Michael frowned at her. "What is it?"
"Lord Michael, you know already the rules. His Grace doesn't like anyone waiting on his office. "Then she shot a cold glance at Rin. This is the same glance she got downstairs.
"You don't need to worry." Michael gave her a black look then he escorts Rin to Ezekiel's office. Lawrence just sighed.
After settling her in Ezekiel's office, he called the Manager of the Building's canteen and after 10 minutes, the door opened again and they served her the food.
Rin's eye lit up upon seeing the desserts and drinks. "Wow. Thank you so much. Indeed, the food in the Empire is different from where I lived in."
Michael laughed and scratch his head. "You're welcome My Lady. As long as you are in the Empire, you can eat lots of delicious food." So please stay by his side. "We still have something to do, so we will just leave you here."
"Em. You can do your work. Don't worry about me." After saying this, Michael bid farewell and he dragged Lawrence out.
"Are you really sure about this? Lord Borbon, I was just recently promoted as the Head of Rheid Knights. I don't want to be replaced the soonest."
Michael just simply laugh at him.
"Just who is really that woman?"
"You will know later." He smiled like he is having a good time.
While waiting, Rin ate the desserts and drank the mocha frappe. Maybe due to tiredness, she instantly dozes off.
The girl outside is thinking if she should get the girl out or not. She had been working for the Archduke for almost a year. She had met different kind of guests ranging from aristocrats to High Ranking Nobles and members of the Imperial Family. And all of them waited in the Guest room.
And now, a simple looking girl with a pretty face suddenly appeared and was brought to the CEOs Office! If this didn't go well, she will be removed immediately from her position! And how could she accept that?! She had been working so hard just to claim this position. She had used every connection she has and begged her father for help! No, she will not let that happen.
She dialed a local number and the other line immediately answered.
"Is meeting still on going?" She asked.
"Not anymore. It ended a minute ago. His Grace is on his way back there." Said the Lady on the other line.
She sprung up from her sit and hanged up the call. She walked directly into the CEO's room and when she opened it, the girl inside is sleeping soundly.
This damn girl? Who does she think she is? She even waited here and fill her stomach, and now she's dozing off??!!
"Miss???!! Hey Miss!!! "She called her. After seeing that she's not waking up, she walked towards her. And when she tried to dragged her up, the door suddenly opened.
The woman instantly froze on her feet.
Upon seeing her, Ezekiel frowned and his face turned sour. "What are you doing here?" He asked her in a cold and dangerous voice.
Fear immediately engulf her body that she could not evenly speak.
"Are you deaf? Or just dumb? What are you - - "
Before he could finish speaking, a familiar sweet voice aired in the room. "You're being grumpy Mister."
His eyes lit up and a head peak out from the woman's back. "Hello. I'm back." Rin said and a gentle smile flashed on her face.