"My Lady there's a problem with this document"
"The complaints involving the north have successfully been compiled"
"My Lady Francis Caden is requesting a meeting to discuss expanding into the food industry"
So...so....so much work!!! This is what I signed up for. I'm supposed to spending money, having fun and enjoying my life not being buried under mountains and mountains of endless work. My hand hasn't had a break since morning.
"My lady the Marchioness Anastasia Novan has invited you to a tea party. Would you like to attend?"
A tea party!!! How are old are these people five!!! Who has time to drink tea with all this work. I'm so hungry my stomach is practically eating itself.
I toss aside the papers and lay my head on my desk. So this is the life of a duchess. To be honest I expected more of drinking and partying and less of office work and files. Onto more pressing issues.
"Please bring me all the information we have on Baron Kent. Don't leave anything out even if it seems irrelevant"
"At once my lady"
I'm so tired. I've only been here for a day and a half and I'm already tired.
Looking into the issue of nobles and commoners. Some nobles are particularly proud and have a habit of acting haughty and arrogant. They've butted heads with the common folk because of their attitude. There has been over 50 altercations between nobles and common folk in this month alone. Most if not all of the victories in this matter go to the nobles unfortunately.
Seems like the Baron is no exception. Responsible for at least half the cases on this file. It's safe to say he's a bit of a ****.
A servant hands me the documents I requested and takes his leave.
Carlos Kent first son of the Baron Jacqui Kent. A merchant of goods. He specializes in the import and export of this kingdom's goods to other kingdoms. He's made quite a name for himself in the business world as a ruthless man whose only goal is to increase his wealth.
As rich and wealthy as he is no man is without his flaws. He is a habitual drinker. Spends most of his time getting drunk on liquor and has made a habit out of mistreating his subordinates. Out of fear no one has come forward to verify these claims and as such they remain baseless rumors. I'll have a bit of an uphill task getting Sonya's brother out of the Baron's clutches. I can't make a case against him he'll likely bribe the judge. And if I try to do it'll look suspicious. They might suspect he's a secret lover or something ridiculous and false.
But first things first. I'm starving and on the verge of collapsing.
Sensing the emptiness of my stomach and its desire for content. A large platter of food is brought before me.
Abandoning my desk I dive head first into this meal. Too busy stuffing my face too notice all the weird looks I'm getting. I start to slow down as I become full.
"Please go and call Sonya for me" I say in between mouthfuls.
The servant bows his head and rushes out of the room. Food is the best. Is there anything that food doesn't make better?
A couple minutes later I hear a knock on the door.
"Ex...c.use me my L...l..ady m..ay I com...m..e in"
It's a small stutter I can only hear cause I'm no longer chewing loudly.
"Come in"
Sonya enters the room and bows her head.
"Thank you my lady"
"I was able to gather some information about the Baron Kent you told me about"
Sonya looks at the floor not wanting to make eye contact with me.
"Come have a seat we can discuss more over some sweets"
She falls to her knees and lowers her head to the floor. I almost choke on my meal.
"I apologize for burdening you with my problems. Please do not trouble yourself anymore..."
"What on earth are you going on about. I said I'd help you and that's final. Now please get up your making me uncomfortable"
She flinches at the harsh tone of my voice but obeys.
Ugh! This atmosphere is terrible I need to do something to lighten her mood.
"You simply have to try these biscuits they're to die for" I say in a cheerful voice pushing a plate of biscuits to her.
A bit hesitant at first she takes a biscuit and bites into it. Like a hungry animal she practically inhales the rest of it.
Then takes another one and eats it just as quickly as the first. Seeing her eat with such gusto I can't help but feel pleased with myself. I'll wait for her to finish eating.
"Would you like some warm milk and honey to wash that down"
She nods her head vigorously. I giggle at her child like behavior for a moment.
"Here have as much as you like"
She pours herself a cup of milk and begins pouring what I'd describe as an unholy amount of honey to it. I love sweet things too but that's a little too much sweetness. My teeth ache simply just by looking at it. I thought that was the end of it but she's even adding sugar to it.
She drinks it and a small smile appears on her lips.
"I don't have the full details of what exactly happened between your brother and the Baron. It's likely the Baron wants to keep this incident out of the public eye"
She tenses up her smile disappearing. She clenches her hands tightly. Her face contorted in a slight frown.
"I see"
"Sonya tell me about your brother"
"He works at the ports as a cargo loader, He also sells cloth for a small chain of stores.And he doesn't look for trouble. I know the Baron is lying"
"Tell the coachman to ready the carriage, you get dressed as well"
"Huh?"
"We're heading over to the Baron's estate"
"Yes my lady! Thank you"
She bows her head then rushes out of the room leaving me to my thoughts. There was no mention of this in the book so I guess this shouldn't affect the story.