I quickly straightened my hair and got into the carriage where Cassian was waiting for me.
When he saw me like this, he smiled sarcastically, which annoyed me in some way.
In fact, even without Cassian's actions, I wouldn't have been able to be in a good mood today..
'It's really a place I don't want to go.'
Cassian Artiz was a completely unpleasant person, but there was one very small positive point...
That he sees people as they really are, at least?
It seemed like Cassian was judging people based on whether he could use them or not.
So, what mattered to him was whether or not I could do the job I was hired to do.
The fact that I came from a humble baronial family steeped in debt or that I had never even gone to a debut party was not worth causing confusion in his thoughts.
'But the place we're going now is….'
I let out a deep sigh without realizing it.
Hearing my sigh, he looked at Cassian, who was busy sorting documents inside the cart, then looked back indifferently to his papers.
“Open that.”
"Yes?"
“We're here, don't be too late.”
He said some mysterious words and then left without waiting for me to come down.
I thought I should get down quickly, so I opened the box which Cassian obediently pointed at..
He had a tyrannical nature and hated his orders not being followed immediately.
It was big enough for documents, so I thought it might be extra papers, and opened it..
'...What is this?'
A new form of bullying?
Inside the box was an elegantly designed hair ornament.
One that fits perfectly with my usual hairstyle.
Is he asking me to wear it?
It seemed like that, but...
My hands trembled when I looked at the decoration.
Just a few months ago, I had to make a careful study of all the types of luxury goods circulating in the capital.
'We had to forcefully confiscate assets from those who evaded taxes and claimed poverty.'
These hair ornaments were among the five most expensive items seized.
I put decorations on my hair, which showed the sadness on my face.
In a place full of people who whispered as soon as they saw me...
Cassian Artiz, that guy, was using my head as a declaration of war!
“Even though I told you not to slow down.”
It's only been a minute and 20 seconds.
I looked at Cassian with some dissatisfaction, then quickly turned my head, and heard a low laugh from above.
"not bad."
Of course, judging by the intense looks I'm already being bombarded with...
I sighed deeply inside.
This place was nothing but a ceremonial hall, where state ceremonies and imperial events were held.
Older nobles with high noses held key positions here, and they loved the opulence and privileges that came with being a noble.
They were so old-fashioned that there were no noblewomen among the members of this ceremonial hall.
“Aren’t you ashamed of not having any social skills despite being the prince’s assistant?”
“Baron Salis’ family must have really gone too far.
How could they let their eldest daughter run everywhere so recklessly?”
“Look at her wearing clothes that common people wear.
Even though she comes from a humble family from a remote area, wouldn’t it be better to l the title?”
Throughout the past year, the whispers I heard whenever I confronted them because of Cassian's work kept echoing in my ears.
For these already conservative people, I was undoubtedly an annoying brick that they wanted to remove.
But today, we were here to “audit” the ballroom, so how could their looks be so kind?
Even in front of the prince, they were having a cultural conversation.
“Look at this, her wearing a precious hair ornament that was brutally seized!”
"Oh my god, are you trying to threaten us?
Just a baron's daughter?!"
“Indeed, why would the prince allow such insolent behavior!
I wonder if this shabby thing influenced the prince’s thinking.”
“Exactly.
Ever since Miss Saliss arrived, the prince has been at odds with the nobles instead of being friendly.”
Cassian Artiz was like this even before I came!
This was a really unfair accusation.
Of course, he's the one who won't lose to anyone in the empire when it comes to having a fearless face..
“Isn't this fun, Rose?”
He talked to me like he was having a great time.
“You better get to work soon, Your Highness.”
Of course, I answered with the intention of not adding hours to my work after work, even a little.
“This is my Rose.”
Cassian Artiz, 20 minutes after arriving at the ceremonial hall, had fully exposed their flaws and embezzlements through the data he had previously verified, and then walked quickly towards the ceremonial hall's archive room without hesitation..
“It doesn't matter if you're the prince, this is too much disrespect towards us!”
The elderly ceremonial hall master shouted, his face turning red and blue upon seeing the disaster named Cassian, whom he met for the first time in his life.
“Open it.”
Naturally, Kasyan pretended that he did not hear such screams and instructed the servant...
They were so far away that he could pretend not to hear if he wanted to.
“This cannot be allowed!”
Once again, the desperate cry of the head of the ceremonial hall echoed...
The server was now in a state of panic in front of the archive, unable to do anything.
Cassian looked at the servant for a moment, sighed, and spoke to me.
“Rose, open it.”
“It seems that it would be faster for Your Highness to open it yourf.”
"This can't be right, Rose.
You must open this archive.
This is the only way the decorations I put on your head will make sense."
"Sorry?"
Cassian smiled evilly when he ordered me..
Which made me feel a pounding in my trembling heart.
With a real feeling that he was preparing something to upset me!
“I thought you would be able to relieve some of the stress.”
“What do you mean by that, Your Highness?”
When I looked at him in complete amazement, Cassian smiled beautifully and said to me,
“Dear Rose, do you doubt me now?”
"Sorry?"
It seems that a scary title has just been added to my name by His Highness..
In addition, this is a hall where wedding celebrations are also held!
You also didn't want to get involved with them, which is why you were putting off dealing with this place!
Do you want me to take all the blame for this hatred?!
With a face that deliberately did not hide his feelings, Cassian laughed softly and whispered to me tenderly...
“Five times more.”
“I'm asking you if you doubt that I wouldn't pay at least that much to entrust my precious Rose with these annoying things.”
Open-
My actions were faster than my answers.
“Ru, Roita Sales!
Are you ignoring the Hall Master’s words now?”
The head of the ceremonial hall shouted in a sharp voice.
So I am
Broken-!
I opened the archive door forcefully and turned to face them.
Then she received them with a polished business smile under Cassian's care.
“I'm sorry, but as Your Highness's assistant, I'm just following His Highness's words.”
“Can't you just pull over at once, Miss Saliss!”
“Starting at 9:45 this morning, this archive is being audited by the Second Prince’s Palace.
Complaints will only be accepted on official documents.
Please understand that it may take approximately five business days to process and respond.”
“Can't you hear me?!”
“From now on, entry to this place is prohibited without permission from me or from His Highness the Second Prince, Master of the Ceremonial Hall.”
Behind my voice, which increased fivefold in strength, Cassian entered the archives with a satisfied expression.
“This, this, what…isn’t this an act without law or decency!
This is tyranny!
Miss Saliss, you are wrong!”
I'm not afraid to hear this anymore...
Maybe it's a bit annoying, but ever since I became Cassian's assistant, I've been trained in different ways, so I wasn't afraid at all.
With a continuous smile, I addressed the head of the ceremonial hall in a bright tone.
“Thank you for your concern, sir.
If I turn
If it is my fault, I will definitely seek your guidance.”
After that, I did not forget to bow politely at a ninety degree angle before following Cassian and closing the archive door forcefully.
“Those, those…!
The demons of the Winter Palace!!”
The hall president's loud voice echoed from behind the door.