There was a lot of chatter in the crowd.
"How can that be?"
"Why was he so foolish?"
" Didn't he say he was on good terms with the Esselgardes ?"
"What would become of us?"
"We can't find another job on such short notice."
" I have to pay for my daughter's medicines."
"This is a mess."
Carseain expected this and continued.
" So, here's the deal. The Esselgardes will take over the whole business.
After a brief and thorough investigation, you all will be allowed to stay in your current positions. You all shall work for Esselgarde's direct family businesses. Bear that in mind while you work. "
Carseain took a good look at their faces. Confusion, Relief, Uncertainty, Hope and little fear was expressed.
"Moving on, here's what you all have to do. Stop all the transactions for a month.
Explain the situation to the clients, suppliers and customers. Make a concise report of all your activities in your respective departments. Make a separate report of any suspicious or illegal activities or transactions.
Submit it in three days. You'll be pardoned if you were threatened or coerced into it. So, you better come clean while you can. But if I find anyone missing during the investigation or any suspicious activity unreported, I'll send your necks flying.
Ask anything if you want to."
There was a very long pin-drop silence.
Nox sighed. 'Do you think anyone has the guts to, Young Master?'
"My Lord" a woman's voice echoed who had olive skin, short silver hair and amber yellow eyes.
'Oh, a brave soul!' Nox exclaimed.
"There's a supplier whose payment has been due for months. I promised to pay him this month as he and his workers are struggling because there was a monster attack in his village."
"Make a shortlist of such cases which need to be done as soon as possible. A person who'll oversee the business in our stead will arrive soon. I'll instruct him accordingly. Anything else?"
"Also, I would like to request a 2-day extension to submit the report for my department."
Carseain tilted his head and grinned a little.
"Why? Is there so much dirt to clean up? "
She hesitated to speak.
" Umm...it's not that but our office was on the top floor and..."
" Young Master, you just destroyed it."
Rovenin pretended to whisper but they all could hear it. Carseain gritted his teeth.
" I know that!"
The quiet crowd eased up.
Carseain turned back to the girl, composed.
"Okay, you can submit it late. What's your name, Silver hair ?"
'You just gave her one.' Nox thought.
" It's Hilde, Young Lord."
"Okay, Miss Hilde. You'll be temporary in charge of everything, see to it that things run smoothly. Don't worry about being overworked, we'll pay you generously. "
Rovenin pressed his fingers against his lips to suppress laughter.
" I guess ... that's true. Considering my workload and pay."
The whispers started floating around in the crowd.
" I guess it's better we don't lose our jobs. "
" But he's making Miss Hilde the in-charge."
" I'm happy, it's easier to work with her and she's kind."
"But the others ..."
" Is the Lord crazy?"
"He wants a woman to lead us?"
Hilde bit her lips looking down and frowned lividly.
"The honour is all mine, My Lord. But I believe rather than a woman like me, someone who's accepted by all is better suited for this position."
She heard a few chuckles.
"At least, she knows her place."
" That's right, women should be at home in the first place."
Carseain stared at the scene with contempt.
'A woman, huh?'
He noticed a small dagger hanging by her waist.
"Hilde, here take this."
He threw a dagger at her. She caught it and had a look. It was about 1/4 of the arm's length, very sharp. An emerald was embedded which had the Esselgarde insignia engraved on it. She was shocked.
One cannot use or produce any items with a noble's insignia without their permission. If anyone was granted the right to possession of such an item, it means they're under their wing and have their support.
"Take it and use it for gouging out the eyes that see you without acceptance and put it on display in your office. If you can't do it yourself, hire a mercenary."
Rovenin smiled with the image of Carseain reflecting in his eyes.
"That's a little distasteful, Young Master."
"It can't be helped. They dare question my decisions. Ah...Hilde, mind you this isn't a request but an order."
Hilde stepped forward and walked towards Carseain. She glanced at his ruby red eyes once which were following her actions. Hilde kneeled and bowed her head.
" I shall heed to your command and use it well, My Lord."
Carseain smiled at her gently.
" Alright then, it's settled. You all shall follow Hilde and --"
Carseain hesitated a little and continued.
" Ahem...The renovations will begin soon. Make sure not to taint the Esselgarde name while you work. You're all dismissed."
They all bowed as Carseain left. He glanced at them once.
'A scene I couldn't even dream to see in my past life.'
That thought crossed his mind as he boarded the carriage ingraining the fact that he was a noble with responsibility.
"Rovenin, Leave a guard with Hilde just in case."
"As you command."
The crowd had dispersed. Hilde stood there in silence lost in her thoughts gazing at the dagger.
.....
Carseain stared outside the carriage window.
"What do you think, Rovenin?"
"Oh, do you want me to praise you, Young Master? How very cute of you."
He said in a very coy voice leaning a little forward. Carseain didn't even spare a glance at him.
" If you really think I'm asking you to praise me, I will go and demolish the complete building."
Rovenin promptly sat straight and adjusted his bow tie neatly.
" I believe her name was Hilde. She's already thinking ahead in a cool-headed way despite the chaos ."
" She also seems like someone who stands by her words no matter what."
"Yes, it wasn't ' the company' but 'she' who promised to pay the supplier. Also, it doesn't seem like she's well-received by her male co-workers."
"Those cowardly assholes, they were dead silent until she spoke but no sooner than I appointed her, their jealousy came bursting out. Although, that was kinda amusing to see."
" I believe she'll be a wonderful asset with proper exposure. "
"Ditto."
"Most of all, she spoke confidently without fumbling to YOU, YOUNG MASTER! Isn't that bravery commendable? "
" You needn't emphasize that so much, Rovenin. For once, we were ending a conversation peacefully."
Carseain knitted his brows.
" Have you ever let a day pass peacefully? I have never been bored thanks to your stunts and my desk is always swamped."
Carseain gritted his teeth while Rovenin was smiling shrewdly, savouring his reactions.
" What a petty way of taking revenge."
" You misunderstand, Young Master. I'm trying to talk to you longer because it makes me happy."
" You can shut your trap now, Cringe carrot."
He went back to the window gazing while the nature of Rovenin's smile changed a little and his eyes were glistening.
'I wasn't teasing you when I said the last part. Just the last part though .'
He giggled in silence.
....
Hilde, still stuck in her thoughts, found herself losing on time. Three days was nowhere near enough to complete a report on the company's status. She paced towards the office chalking out a strategy and workload distribution in her head.
"Hilde, wait right there."
A hoarse voice made her snap out of it. She saw three of her co-workers approaching her while thumping the grounds as they walked. Hilde clasped the dagger Carseain gave her tightly.
"This bitch, just because you can get a little work done I told you not to get it to your head."
" The Young Lord is still callow. He doesn't know how the world works. Entrusting things to a woman..."
" Don't think you can handle everything without us here. "
Hilde gritted her teeth.
"Then I just have to get rid of you ." She mumbled.
She was shakily taking out the dagger, unsure if that was the right thing to do.
"What did you say?" One raised his voice.
"Take that dagger! l We'll make the Young Lord understand things later."
There was a commotion.
Hilde braced herself. Somehow she felt she shouldn't back down now.
As one of those men stepped forward, Hilde saw a longsword slicing through air right above her shoulder. It stopped before the man's eye by a hairline.
Hilde was frozen slowly comprehending the situation.
" I'm afraid that's not possible. The Young Lord's orders are ultimate. Making him compromise on it would tarnish his honour. As a knight, I absolutely cannot allow that."
The knight stepped forward. He wore a black Cape with the Esselgarde insignia on it. A Prussian blue linen shirt and black pants. He was two heads taller than Hilde with an overbearing presence.
"For the crime of disregarding the Young Lord's orders, insulting him and attempting to deceive him ."
He raised his sword to slash them while his voice got deeper and colder.
"And most of all, harassing a Young woman due to your unsightly jealousy. How pathetic. In the name of My Lord, I shall persecute you."
Hilde screamed.
" Wait."
The knight turned towards her."
"What is wrong?"
" You must not do that."
"Why? " He asked, tilting his head.
"Why, you ask? For the most obvious reasons."
"Oh, that's right! The orders were to gouge out their eyes and put it on display in the office. Will you do it yourself or should I do it for you?"
Hilde was dumbfounded. She looked at the pathetic faces who harassed her up till now.
'Well, that's not what I meant but let's go with the flow for now.'
" We can't do that right now because they also are involved in money laundering and frauds along with the previous head. So, I believe it's best to keep them confined to get more information which aids in the smooth investigation."
"Oh, I see. That's very wise of you. The Young Lord must have a very keen eye. "
She watched the people who demeaned her for the longest time screaming in anguish. They were dragged to a dark musty room just like that.
She felt a little happy and relieved. She bent a little because her legs gave out.
"Are you alright, Miss Hilde?"
The knight said supporting her.
"Ah ...yes. Please don't worry and you have my deepest gratitude for your help earlier, Sir...?"
"Oh pardon my late introduction. I am Gale, a knight from the 16th regiment of Esselgarde knightage. Please don't mention it, I was ordered to be of help to you."
' The Lord sure is thorough.'
"I see. Nice to meet you, Sir Gale and again thank you very much."
"A pleasure to meet you too, Miss Hilde."
They shook hands with each other while having different thoughts.
' Gale, What an eccentric knight. Being so respectful to a commoner woman.'
' Hilde, What a sweet and brave woman. She speaks with so much wisdom.'