After a few days.
“Huff, huff...”
I abandoned the track and ducked into the bush, desperately trying to calm my ragged breathing.
“Ah, ma'am...”
“Shh!”
I raised my finger to my lips, signaling Bonita to be silent, and listened intently for the approaching sounds.
“Ha-ha-ha, His Highness the Archduke is absolutely right.”
“Then let’s finalize the arms deal with the Armor Merchants Guild at a fixed price.”
“By the way, the head of the Ambrose Guild...”
A group of men passed by the bushes where we were hiding.
I did not release the breath I had been holding until the familiar robes of the Archduke and his aides had disappeared from sight and complete silence had returned.
“...Oh shit.”
As I was getting up, the leaves stuck to my hair and clothes fell to the ground.
You ask me: What on earth was I doing?
Well-
“Obviously I'm avoiding the Archduke.”
As I looked around nervously for fear that he would turn back, Bonita's voice reached my ears.
“Ma’am... your dress is a mess.”
“It's okay. Ha-ha, ha-ha-ha…”
I reassured her while she was on the verge of tears, and as we got back on the road, I couldn't hold back the bitterness filling my chest.
Since I became aware that the Archduke had shown inappropriate interest in me, I felt an increasing urgency to remedy the situation.
He needed time for serious self-reflection!
But this place – this palace – was his kingdom. A place where the Archduke could suddenly appear at any time.
So, the method I ultimately chose was to avoid him completely – hide from him, in short. What a shame!
Even when I had a topic to discuss at work, I preferred exchanging documents rather than meeting face-to-face. I refused all invitations to eat under the pretext of an upset stomach.
But… in sudden, inevitable confrontations like today, my only option was to dodge him like a professional wrestler jumping out of the ring!
I've already ruined several dresses because of this trick – including the one I was wearing now.
...Sorry, Bonita.
“Hmm...”
As she walked around - so to speak, at a walk - Bonita spoke cautiously.
“Is there some relationship between you and the Archduke?”
"Hmm? No!"
I stiffened like a wooden doll and answered with lightning speed.
"No, no way! Nothing at all!"
In a state of panic, I even started moving my arms and legs in unison like a malfunctioning robot. Bonita simply responded with a suspicious hum.
“Hmm…?”
...Did I overdo it?
Bonita's look now was clearly suspicious.
Oh, right – Bonita is not just an ordinary maid. I overlooked that.
To confuse her, I hastened to make a hasty excuse.
Well, I feel like I've been overworking him lately, and I'm starting to feel guilty! I only talk about work, so I'm afraid to remind His Highness of his duties even when he's trying to relax. This is bound to tire him out, right? He's not invincible! What if he collapses from stress, just like me? It will be a disaster! The entire Blair Duchy may plunge into chaos! Since I rely on this place for shelter, I… I don't want things to get worse like this!
Bonita listened to my irrational chatter in silence before asking quietly:
“Ma’am, is this really the reason?”
Ah...she's smart as always.
"Yes! Oh, look at the time! We have to hurry Ashley!"
“...Okay. Of course, ma’am.”
I did my best to ignore Bonita's skeptical look, and walked towards the annex where Ashley was.
Soon, I found Ashley and the assembled artists whispering among themselves.
Yes. The reason I took the risk of meeting the Archduke and taking this step this morning was…
Condition
Breaking news!
Storyboard “Safety Rules in the Duke’s Haunted Palace”
Was it produced by exploiting its artists?!
This article was just published.
"my lady!"
“Let me take a look too.”
I took the newspaper from Ashley and began to read it slowly.
Indeed, the title was infuriating, and the content was no less infuriating.
*****
Unknown Artist A:
That place is like a cemetery for painters.
In the beginning, they lure you with promises that will allow you to showcase your talent.
But soon everyone realizes the truth.
They only offer attractive terms for stealing great ideas
For unknown artists.
*****
Unknown artist B
As soon as the next issue is published,
That problematic business will end, too.
Because the whole world will see
She blatantly stole our work.
*****
“…ha.”
I let out a dry laugh as I looked away from the printed image.
Why was this exclusive article published today?
That was clear. Today, the new issue of the book “Safety Rules in the Haunted Duke’s Palace” was published.
Yesterday was the release of the second volume of the book “Secrets of the Ghost Duke.”
Stefan Marquez's long-awaited masterpiece, 《Secrets of the Ghost Duke》, has achieved massive sales, just like the original story.
Even the limited-edition merchandise—silk curtains—sold out every time, arousing great interest from readers.
As a result, it was quite clear that the Stefan Marquez Guild was making money in huge amounts.
But-
“This is unbelievable.”
Ashley, who read the article as carefully as I did, sneered coldly.
“All this for money...they lie like that? I never imagined they would stab the hardworking artists who stood by them in the back.”
“Exactly. We did our best to support everyone equally so that they could showcase their talents...”
I got closer to the frustrated artists.
“I hope you don't feel too discouraged.”
“But...”
“If it were me, I would celebrate with a toast instead of standing here feeling upset.”
Hearing my words, Ashley and the artists had a slight look of relief on their faces.
Why could they relax like this?
Because-
“The latest issue of 《Safety Rules for the Duke's Haunted Mansion》 has arrived!”
The departing artists claimed in their interviews: “Once this issue is released, the plagiarism will be exposed!”
But in reality, our new version had a completely different story than the one they had just published.
“Hohoho.”
Bonita was the first to burst into a laugh that sent shivers down her body.
“With these different stories, I wonder how they will justify this interview! Hohohohot!”
exactly.
Did they think we wouldn't come up with any countermeasures to Stefan's dirty tricks?
Here's how we managed to turn the situation in our favor:
Just before Stefan's picture book came out – on the same day as my last meeting with Baroness Fabron – I knew that he had included dissident artists from our team. This left me with bitterness, so I discussed the matter with the Baroness.
“Baroness, Stephan Marquis is using devious methods. We have to be more careful.”
“…What should we do from now on?”
"If we suspect a leak, send them a fake story so we can be prepared with a real story. I'll handle the rest."
"That sounds like a good plan. Shall we outline the upcoming episodes today?"
“Let's do it.”
As I expected, Stefan copied our previous content verbatim.
So Baroness Fabron sent him a ridiculous, made-up story for this issue – and I, without even reading it, wrote my own version.
We had already discussed the future plot extensively through countless meetings, and the extra brainstorming session that day provided me with enough to work on for the next episode.
Thus, our picture book reached publication without any hitches, and in conclusion—
“You're in trouble, you little bastards.”
Stefan's bastard sons were about to reap what they sowed.
Why?
Because I was going to make sure of it.