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IN the end, the truth of the matter was fairly simple.
The cleaner had been drowning in debt when a man he met in a gambling den coerced him into stealing the schedule for the Ordination Ceremony. It seemed he’d been targeted because his job gave him access to the entire Ministry of Ceremonies. After overhearing Samael’s conversation with the Ceremony Coordination Division staff, he’d misunderstood and thought there was a new version of the schedule, which he’d impulsively decided to steal, hoping he could receive an even larger payment for it. Except, the version the cleaner had already passed to his contact was the newest version.
It turned out that the official who’d given Bruno the old version of the schedule was the same man who’d been bothering Miranda. It seemed he’d developed a grudge against Bruno for interfering in his “courtship” of Miranda because he admitted that he’d handed over the incorrect version of the schedule as “a little prank.”
However, the copy of the schedule Bruno had been given didn’t match the one the arrested suspect was carrying, which ironically ended up exonerating Bruno of all suspicion, thanks to the jealous official’s “little prank.”
“I’m very sorry for the trouble I’ve caused for all of you. Furthermore, I’m deeply grateful for your efforts on my behalf.”
Despite the formality of his words, Bruno’s demeanor was light-hearted as he bowed his head slightly to his gathered coworkers. He had been released immediately after his involvement was disproven and had returned to the Director’s Office on his own with a quiet dignity that made it seem as if nothing had happened at all.
“Lord Bruno, I’m so glad you’re all right.”
Bruno’s eyes narrowed happily when Ophelia said that. “I’m fine. Although they brought me in for questioning, it was conducted in a reception room reserved for nobles, and I could hear the director shouting just outside the room, so I felt assured that they wouldn’t dare rough me up.”
Claudio wrinkled his nose in displeasure at the chuckle Bruno let out while recounting his ordeal. Angelo was lounging at his desk, chin resting casually on his hand, and Samael was in his favorite spot by the window, drinking a cup of coffee. Ophelia felt a deep sense of peace come over her at the ordinary scene in the Director’s Office.
“When I arrived this morning, everyone was already hard at work getting ready to prove your innocence, Lord Bruno. That proves just how much everyone here trusts you.”
Bruno tilted his head to the side the tiniest bit in response to Ophelia’s remark. “I don’t know about ‘trust’… The fact that I can be in the same room with you, Lady Narve, is the only proof I need that I’m squeaky clean, don’t you think?”
“Oh!” everyone exclaimed in unison, looking back and forth at one another. Claudio covered his mouth with his hand, irritated with himself for the noise that had unintentionally escaped from him, and quickly returned his gaze to the paperwork on his desk.
After a long moment of silence, Bruno’s eyebrows sagged sheepishly, and he spoke. “…It seems that everyone overlooked that fact. Perhaps I am trusted after all.”
“That’s right! The Director’s Office wouldn’t be able to function without you, Bruno!” Angelo cried, beaming with joy.
“Angelo, you seem to be in a good mood today…”
“Of course I am! During my first ‘downstairs interrogation’ in ages, the criminal obediently confessed everything, so I’m in a great mood!”
“…Obediently…” Ophelia repeated quietly, her mouth twitching involuntarily.
“Sure, it would’ve been more fun if he’d resisted a bit more, but we didn’t have time for that.”
“Knock it off, Angelo.” Bruno covered both of Ophelia’s ears with his hands.