Bertrando shot me a mischievous grin that looked anything but scared.
“I don’t know why he feels the need to toy with everybody like that,” muttered Osti. “Lady Conrad, I hope the captain hasn’t gotten you worried. Everybody here in attendance from the Bahre family is here by the family lord’s order, and nobody will lay a finger on you.”
Osti’s comment told me that all the siblings in the battle for Bahre succession were at the party. I wondered briefly about it and what it might mean, but ultimately it wasn’t worth thinking about—the Bahre family’s conflict was not one I was going to stick my nose into.
“How strange,” I commented. “From all the rumors I’ve heard, I assumed we’d never get along, but having met you like this, I must say I don’t mind you at all, Sir Bertrando.”
“My character, I suppose. I’m often told that my honesty is a virtue.”
“I see you are so well-liked that people are only too happy to share their sarcasm.”
“A generous helping of jealousy and envy along with it.”
I glanced at the man and saw a smile on his face carved by age and experience.
“What is it?” I asked. “That expression is most unlike the Sir Bertrando I’ve come to know.”
“Well, it’s just that I can see that we do share certain similarities. I almost feel like it’s not all bad, having a daughter.”
“I already have a father, and one is enough. I don’t recall ever having another, more troublesome one in my life.”
“And I can do without anybody calling me ‘father,’ too. I’m just indulging in the more enjoyable aspects of the role.”
“It’s as I thought—you’re just not suited to settling down.”
“Yeah, I get that a lot.”
Bertrando escorted me all the way to Geoff, who was patiently awaiting my arrival. Their job done, Bertrando and Osti left.
“Are you sure about leaving?” asked Geoff. “It’s still very early.”
“I’ve arranged everything I came for,” I replied. “The emperor’s favor is rather impressive for all the doors it can open.”
“Please don’t push yourself, my lady. You won’t get anything done if you end up working yourself into another fever.”
“Oh, but I must. There’s so much to be done.”
Geoff’s warning seemed to echo in my heart, perhaps because I knew there was no going back. I looked down at my feet, now firmly stuck in the muddy fate I had chosen, and smiled. I couldn’t help but think back to just a few years ago, just before I left for what was then a new home in Conrad. Back then, I had longed for freedom—the freedom to eat what I pleased, drink what I pleased, and do whatever I felt like in the moment.
But if I could have that freedom now, and if that wish could be granted right here in this moment, would I accept it with open arms?
“In which case, use my skills as necessary and without hesitation, my lady,” said Geoff. “I pledge you my life.”
“Thank you. But don’t you dare throw that life away.”
I knew only one thing for certain. I couldn’t do it. There was too much resting on my shoulders for me to simply throw it all away. It was all too easy now for me to see that I would run into freedom’s embrace only to find myself riddled with regrets.
In the life I lived now, I saw other goals to reach and everything yet to be done. I could no longer say that I longed for total freedom as I had in the past, but I did not regret the path I had chosen.
“Hey, none of that,” I said, scolding the little black shadow that peeked from my shadow, staring blankly up at me and blinking. “You stay nice and hidden until we get home.”
Black Bird plunged once more into the shadows.
“Perhaps it doesn’t like the dark...” I muttered.
“From what I’ve seen, it always seems in a rather bright mood. That said, I still can’t tell whether it’s a help or a hindrance.”
“At least it listens, and it has the smarts to hide where nobody will notice it. It’s been practically invisible since the start of today’s ceremony.”
I was grateful that Black Bird knew how to hide itself, but it also made for yet more questions. And though the bird did listen to instructions, I got the sense that it did not like hiding—the moment we got home it was only too happy to be rid of its shadowy hiding spot.
“Welcome home, my lady,” said Whateley. “I’m glad to see you safe, well, and in one piece.”
The steward smiled warmly at Black Bird as it clung to him in a sort of greeting.
“I haven’t seen Martina around. Is she okay?” I asked.
“She seemed awfully tired, so I had her take the rest of the day off. She’s been working herself to the bone of late, so there was likely no better time for it.”
“I see... I’d hoped to speak with her if she had some time, but I suppose it will simply have to wait. She seems so restless recently, so we’ll have to make time to sit down and chat about it.”
“Indeed. Master Emil has noticed too. He’s tried asking her about it, but she claims it’s nothing.”
“But she’s so pale, and I think she’s lost some weight too. I simply can’t work it out.”
We were all worried about the girl, but there were other matters that needed attention first—namely, releasing myself from the suffocation that was my dress. Once free, I went up to the second-floor study, which was being used as a secretarial office. Inside, I discovered a most surprising guest.
“Pardon me,” he said.
“You’ve the most horrible manners, Claude,” stated Whateley.
“What can I say? I see a nice desk, I have to sit at it. Forgive me, I just can’t seem to kick the habit.”
Claude Badinter, of the Badinter Detective Agency, sat at the office’s main desk with his feet up, looking rather sprightly. He was decked out in his usual black suit with gold trim, complete with his ever-confident smile. Blacky lounged by his side, looking more than a little like a co-conspirator.
“You could have told me that Claude was here,” I said.
“I imagine he intended to speak to you alone, without me,” Claude replied. “My visit was something of a gatecrash, as it were. He told me he’d bring it up with you after the ceremony was over, and I happened to be here at exactly that time.”
“I don’t follow... Whateley?”
The two men nodded at one another before making a most surprising suggestion.
“As long as you’re amenable to the idea, Lady Karen,” said Whateley, “I’d like to bring Claude into the fold as a dedicated consultant. Though he’s already played the role in an unofficial capacity, I’m suggesting we make it official.”
The two men had considered this option and discussed things privately.
“Conrad is growing beyond my earlier expectations,” continued Whateley. “At first I thought it would be enough for us to gradually hire the help we needed, as with the secretary we recently brought on board. However, we simply lack manpower, and I mean this specifically with regards to recent events...which I’m sure you’re already well aware of.”
“You mean the Tuna domain?”
“Indeed. We need people to help oversee it, and quite desperately.”
The plan was, of course, for Duke Tuna to continue managing the estate, but Conrad still had to move in for the sake of appearances. We’d still have to oversee parts of the land ourselves, and once everything was official, there were matters of accounting that needed to be addressed. This was not to mention the fact that Duke Tuna herself planned to do more trade with us.
“I had hoped we might be able to headhunt from among Hugo & Co.’s ranks, but we’d never find somebody in time. Our reputation is still in its nascent stages here in the capital, and finding trustworthy people to employ will take time.”
“Which led you to Claude,” I said, filling in the blanks.
“Fields and farming are not what he’s most accustomed to, but the man knows his way around business relationships, and he’s well-versed in management. He’s also been living here in the capital for quite some time. He’s well-known and well-connected, which will play in our favor.”
Claude offered something of a theatrical wave of the hand in agreement. Whateley was never lacking in complaints about his former superior, but he would never deny that the man was capable. Claude’s experience would go a long way toward aiding Conrad’s future endeavors.
“Of course I’d be happy to welcome him into our employ,” I said. “Your stamp of approval goes a long way, Whateley, but it’s also nice to have another former diplomat among our ranks.”
“And yet you seem doubtful,” said Whateley.
“I have a question for Claude, yes.”
“Let me handle this alone, Whateley,” said Claude. “You’ve never, ever complimented me in the way you have just now, you know. It’s nice, if somewhat alien, but I believe it’s time that I spoke directly with the acting lord of the house. It’s like a job interview. Hmm... How best to sell myself, I wonder...”