"You say she's not well?" Leon asked his secretary, without leaving the papers.
After dinner, he arrived at home and went straight to his office. When his father and older brother left, he had to do all the work, although he didn't know much about it. He spent his whole life in the imperial army.
"Yes. During the preparation for tea, her health deteriorated. Madame Bella sent Dr. Orlo to her. "
"Is there anything to worry about?" Still, he continued to ask formal questions impartially, handing over documents to the secretary.
"No, my lord."
"Good. When will her office be ready?"
"Tomorrow before lunch the workers will set up the phone and all, but my lord." For a moment the young man paused, thinking. "Why does she need an office? As far as I know, lady Veronica has never left the walls of her home. Her emotional state is rumored to be bad, so how does she how to do business? I'm still confused, my lord. Why did you take such a woman as your wife? Your position is shaky and without it."
While the boy is saying everything he has in mind, he inadvertently dropped the formal address. Leon didn't interrupt him, but kept going through the documents.
"We've known each other for years, Leon." His confusion turned to sadness quite unexpectedly. "I seemed to know what's behind that cold face, but now you're really scaring me.
"You know why I like you, Ethan?"
Leon finally looked up at his angry friend, who was about to cry.
"Do you like me?" He said with a grudge, trying to make Leon feel any regret. "It feels like you don't trust me when you're secretly plotting something with me.
Instead of answering, the guy handed him some papers.
"What is it?" Wiping out his wet eyes, the guy took a piece of paper and looked at the writing.
"This is what Veronica gave me. A copy of the original deal that my father and brother are doing in the South now. Remember what they said?"
"They were going to make a deal to sell land to build a warehouse for goods from the south, but that's quite different than what it says here. Why do they have so many weapons? Is the Aristophan family planning something? And no less important, where does lady get this document?" Without waiting for an answer, the guy gave a gentle laugh. "Don't say that she bought you with this paper?"
But the serious and unflinching face of the Leon was immediately blinded to him. It felt like a sobering slap in the face.
"Are you crazy?" Looking back, he whispered angrily and a little carefully. "Do you seriously want to destroy your family with the help of this crazy woman? Don't you find it a little...?"
The guy left the end of the sentence unsaid, meeting with a lively and gambling flame in his master's eyes.
"Ha..." He gasped, giving up. "It doesn't matter."
"See how clever you are, Ethan. " He had the greatest pleasure in seeing the wheels spinning at an incredible speed in the head of the secretary." That's why I like you." Leon approached the window, looking up at the round moon. "The wedding, the office and other minor things seem to be nothing if I reach my goal, don't you think?"
"You're crazy..." The guy whispered a familiar remark out of desperation.
"Are you saying you're leaving me?"
"My life belongs to you alone, commander. " Said the man with a firm head, not thinking long.
***
"Milady!" A familiar ringing voice called out to Veronica on the way to the dining room for dinner.
The redhead girl in milk-light dress was approaching her.
"Good day, milady Bella."
"Good afternoon! How are you? Your face is much healthier. I didn't want to bother you with my visits, so I tried to ask your maid," she became very sad "but she persistently avoided the answer."
"Thanks for the concern. I apologize for Deya. She just happened to be forbidden from talking about my health. If you want to know something, I'll be glad to meet you, milady."
"Really?" The girl lit up, taking Veronica under her elbow. "You're so kind, lady!"
Today at the dinner table were only Veronica and Bell. This emptiness did not bother the redhead. She continued to enjoy the food when the vegetable soup in Veronica's plate did not cause her any appetite.
"Milady, can I ask?" Asked Veronica to get some relief from the nauseating smell of food.
"Of course! What's bothering you?"
"Where is Viscount Hadid Kir-Erdey? I also don't see your spouse, Viscount Denis. I didn't see either of them at the wedding."
"Oh... Um..." The girl was visibly lost, sliding her eyes across the table.
"My husband does not tell me about business, but as far as I know he and father went south. It must be the land we own in the south. That's all I know. Excuse me." She nodded slightly.
"All right." Veronica focused her thoughtful gaze on the glass of water.
As if she didn't know it.
"This is your office now."
The young fellow who introduced himself as Ethan, Leon's secretary, took Veronica to a prepared office in the afternoon.
"We tried to accommodate all your requests, milady. I hope you like it."
Small but spacious room with a huge table on the side of the window, which has a soft area. And also sofas for guests. Her first private phone was on the table. Veronica picked up the phone and put it to her ear. Nice, quiet whistle. The smell of fresh paint and new furniture was still in the air.
While Veronica was looking at every inch, Ethan stood in the doorway and looked at the girl with skepticism. He was still thinking about the night-time conversation with Leon. He didn't understand how this girl, looking like a little child enjoying a new toy, could get such a document. Ethan felt she had a lot of skeletons in her closet. It was, however, out of proportion to her spoiled aristocrat way.
"The office is great!" She exclaimed, her cheek lightly brushed, and squatting in the soft chair at the table. "Much better than I had imagined! Please convey my sincere thanks to Leon. "
The secretary's eyebrow was twitching.
"You can call him and thank him personally." With a taut smile, the guy cracked. "Try the phone for one. "
"Oh! Can I disturb a busy man?" She stretched out her arms with annoyance.
"It's all right."
The guy came to the table and picked up the phone, dialed one number in a circle.
"I think my lord would be pleased to hear thanks from you personally, milady. This is his office number."
He was determined to give the girl a phone, which was slightly overtaken by his insistence. She looked for a while at the handset, from which the beeps came.
"Leon Kir-Erdey, listen." A quiet low voice sounded from the handset.
Smiling wide, Ethan kept holding the phone, literally forcing the girl to answer.
"Dear, it's Veronica!" Said the girl, firmly intercepting the phone. "I'm calling from my office to thank you."
She briefly cast a cool look on the boy. It read clearly: "Are you satisfied?".
"He is much better than I imagined. Thank you very much."
"Glad to hear." All in the same familiar tone after a few seconds of silence answered Leon. "If there is an opportunity, then I'll say myself: I'm going to leave soon for a military base. I'll not be there for a couple of days. If anything is needed, call Ethan. He's my man. I trust him. Do you understand what I mean?
Did she realize that this nasty guy, who made her praise his master in front of him, knows everything? Well, it's all written on his face.
"Of course." She continued without losing her face. "Don't forget to eat properly and do not overwork! Good road."
Was there any point in this circus? Obviously not, but Veronica was amused to see people's reactions to her contradictory, sometimes even absurd, actions and words. Did it achieve its goal? Definitely. The expression on the secretary's face as he tries to understand what is going on in Veronica's head, the girl found it incredibly funny.
After the conversation was finished, Ethan left the room immediately and Deya came in.
***
Meanwhile, on the other side, Leon put down his phone and looked for a while into nowhere.
"What's wrong with her? I'm getting goosebumps."
Leon frowned, but a second later he dismissed the thought and returned to work.
***
Veronica was panting her fingers on the armrest.
"Something wrong?" Deya noticed the displeased expression on her lady's face.
"I don't like him. "
"Secretary Ethan? Why? I thought he was a nice man and did his duties well. "
"He tried to get into my head. Even made me personally thank Leon for the office, just to make myself feel better. He definitely doesn't like me. "
"This is just your first meeting for a hasty conclusion. Don't burden yourself, milady. Would you like some tea? "
Veronica sighed and closed her eyes.
"It would be nice. And some fruit. "
The gentle knock rang out and a slim, dark-blue, brown-haired guy in a dark blue shirt entered Leon's office.
"Lord, are you ready to go? "
"Yeah. I finished with one part. Can you deal with the other part while I'm gone? "
Leon got up and, grabbing his coat from the coat hanger, threw it on his shoulders.
"As you command. I'll report back later. Don't worry. "
"And how is she?" Leon asked.
Ethan looked at his lord insensibly for a few seconds, then frowned.
"I don't like her, milord. I'm sorry." He was too honest. "I can't understand the reason for my feelings, but I don't want to meet this girl."
The corner of Leon's lips twitched slightly. He cheered the boy on the shoulder.
"Watch the estate in my absence. And Veronica. "
"What? Milady?" The Ethan said in a confused way. "Why did you ask me about her if you were going to do it anyway? Do you find this funny? Lord!"
"And what? Are you planning to lose sight of her?"
The guy froze. Of course he wasn't going to. As people say, keep friends close, and suspicious people even closer.
"No, my lord."
Suppressing his indignation, he will answer meekly. Anyway, Leon has always achieved his goal regardless of the sincere wishes and concerns of his loyal subordinate.
***
"These are the new documents I received this morning. "
Deya put the envelope on the table. She put a cup of dark liquid in it, which was still empty. She opened the envelope and frowned.
"Homanine? I had no desire to have dealings with them before, and even more after the end of our engagement. However, something has been long since news from them... oh?" Pleasantly surprised she extended. "Can this be considered a wedding gift?"
Veronica was thinking about something pleasant. She nodded at some decision.
"Deya, at night, move the bag with other documents to the office. And don't let anyone see. "
"I got it, milady. Anything else? You seem to have some good news. You look happy."
"Do you think?" She said playfully. "I need to find out more about this personally. Send a letter to the informant asking for a meeting tonight. Ah! " She was happy, couldn't contain her enthusiasm, and she jumped up. "This night will be full of fun, don't you think, Deya?
"Yes, lady." She said, looking at the lively Veronica.
An interesting fact unrelated to story: Veronica had an extraordinary mind, so she learned to read quite early, at the age of 3. By the age of 15, she had read the entire library on the estate, which contained about 3,000 copies. (up to 5 books per week)