I Don't Want To Work! - Chapter 94
CHAPTER 94
“We’ve rounded up the rest of the rebels in hiding.”
A nervous imperial knight continued the report.
“We’ve arrested a person named Shaun, who was in charge, and discovered important lists and documents near him.”
Stella, who had been sitting quietly, flicked her hand without a word.
The knight immediately placed the documents in front of Stella.
“This is the guest list, and here’s the inventory ledger.”
“This is the list of registered guests. Hmm, so Count Spella was a regular here, too?”
“He usually only sold goods.”
Gerol added, flipping through a document.
“It seems they primarily issued entry passes to those who had built trust by trading with them for a long time.”
“The location of the auction house changed each time. Sometimes it would open in a bustling capital city like this, other times it would be in a secluded mansion in the woods. Probably to evade attention and regulation.”
Stella frowned.
“It’s disgusting.”
Stella remarked, to which Gerol nodded in agreement.
Stella’s hand paused as she flipped through the documents.
‘It’s here.’
Not long ago, the items that had put her subordinates and employees at risk were here.
It was exactly as Lottie had said.
‘That mansion butler. He intended to use my money to build up his reputation here for the auctions.’
Though he was just a mansion butler, he too was of noble descent, enough to have the means to frequent this place.
“Ah…”
Stella’s head throbbed at the realization that her money had inadvertently contributed to slave auctions in the capital city.
“Your Highness Stella.”
Gerol called out to her.
“We’ve recovered all the important documents and apprehended all the administrators, so please don’t worry too much.”
“But there are still those we missed, right? Those four.”
She ran straight for them at the sound of the knight’s shout, but they missed them.
It would have been good to at least see their faces properly, but even that failed due to the hazy smoke filling the corridor.
“They seemed to consist of two men and two women based on their size.”
Gerol nodded.
“And at least two of them were mages.”
After the mist cleared, all that remained in their place were traces of water, fire, and earth being manipulated.
“Their attire was also peculiar.”
“Yes, it wasn’t something commonly seen.”
Stella agreed.
“They could be from a kingdom with little interaction with ours, or even from a different race.”
“Or it could be a disguise.”
“That’s possible…”
Stella lowered the documents and looked at Gerol.
“Has the Emperor been informed?”
“He has.”
Gerol confirmed.
Thunk!
Suddenly, a sound interrupted them.
The Emperor and his chamberlain were standing behind them.
“Your Majesty.”
“Welcome, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor raised his hand to stop Stella and Gerol from bowing.
“So, a slave auction house has been found in the capital city.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Gerol summarized the situation.
“By the way, the tip-off about the auction house came from Princess Lottie. It seems she stumbled upon it by chance.”
“Hmm.”
The Emperor cleared his throat at Gerol’s words.
Stella, burdened with guilt, fidgeted with her fingers.
It was a shameful feeling, and she knew it well.
In terms of merit for this incident, Lottie was undoubtedly the hero.
Stella herself hadn’t held Lottie in high regard.
But the thought of Lottie receiving praise from the Emperor, whom she wanted recognition from, left a bitter taste in her heart.
‘Pull yourself together, Stella Pandelion!’
Stella shut her eyes tightly.
There were certainly suspicious aspects, but Lottie had helped her, and she was physically weak.
Moreover, at the ball, Lottie hadn’t tried to harm her desperately.
Yes, Lottie had done something commendable enough to please the Emperor, so even if the Emperor praised her, Stella should be happy and applaud as well…
“Well done.”
Huh?
No matter how she heard it, it didn’t sound like something directed at Lottie.
Stella opened her eyes.
The Emperor was looking at her.
“Princess Stella, you were able to mobilize the Knights so quickly and without damage.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Gerol laughed merrily.
“We were concerned as it’s an area with many commoners, but thanks to Her Highness Stella’s rapid and thorough command, not a single victim emerged.”
“Hmm.”
The Emperor nodded and smiled benevolently.
“You’ve done well. Princess.”
“Oh.”
Stella felt her cheeks flush.
Was she really hearing praise?
Had her abilities been recognized?
The Emperor was exceptional, both politically and as a knight.
That’s why Stella wanted him as a father figure and someone to impress.
She also had aspirations for the throne.
But the Emperor was usually stingy with his praise, so Stella had never received proper commendation until now.
Stella lowered her head slightly and blinked.
“Oh, no, it’s not like that. Princess Lottie provided valuable information, and Gerol’s swift actions also contributed.”
“But still, capturing all the culprits without any casualties was thanks to the Princess’s command, wasn’t it?”
“That’s true, but…”
“And you’ve always shown exceptional skills. I’ve always been proud of you.”
The Emperor said, closing his eyes slowly and then opening them again.
“Well done, my daughter.”
“.…”
Stella felt like tears might well up at any moment.
She nodded.
“Yes, Father. I’ve worked hard.”
She knew she had to say the right things here.
But something else slipped out of Stella’s mouth.
Raising her head to look directly at the Emperor, Stella added.
“I really have worked hard.”
She closed her mouth firmly, then added.
“…Father.”
The Emperor, with a kind smile, nodded his head.
“Yes, well done.”
Stella nodded back.
“But how did Princess Lottie find out about this? How did she know?”
The Emperor asked, furrowing his brow as if he didn’t quite understand.
Stella briefly reported the incident to the Emperor, including Lottie’s involvement.
“So, Princess Lottie had been investigating in her own way.”
“Hmm?”
The Emperor furrowed his brow, seeming puzzled.
The kid who always stayed in the palace started investigating, and now she claims to have found something like this. It doesn’t make sense.
Stella added to the Emperor’s appearance.
“Maybe it was Duke Marcus who helped her.”
“…Duke Marcus?”
The Emperor’s voice lowered.
Gerol, who hadn’t noticed, grinned and nodded.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Didn’t both of them dance at the last ball?”
“.…”
The Emperor fell silent.
A bitter atmosphere began to pervade.
While Stella and the chamberlain were at a loss for words, Gerol, oblivious to the tension, continued.
“It seems Duke Marcus has a soft spot for the princess. He should accompany her on the summer trip.”
“…”
“Certainly, Duke Marcus wouldn’t be a bad husband for the princess.”
“Gerol.”
“Yes?”
“It seems the discipline of the knights has deteriorated lately.”
“Yes, yes?”
“Perhaps you should start running drills in the training grounds from now on.”
“What? Why are you saying that all of a sudden?”
“It’s nothing. Shall we spar together for the first time in a while?”
“Y-Your Majesty?”
Only then did Gerol realize that something was amiss, and he looked at Stella and the chamberlain with desperate eyes.
“…”
“…”
However, Stella and the chamberlain simply lowered their heads.
That day, Gerol’s cry echoed through the palace.
* * *
“Hmm?”
What was that?
It sounded strange.
Like a scream?
“What’s wrong, sis? Are you still feeling queasy?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Was it an auditory hallucination?
I blinked and adjusted the wide-brimmed white hat that Betty had prepared for me, taking a sip of the water she handed me.
“By the way, how much farther do we have to go, Arkin?”
“Uh, just a little more.”
Right now, I was riding in Arkin’s carriage heading to his summer villa.
A few days ago, it was the day of Betty’s surprise party.
“Sis, I’m going to the villa in a few days. Do you want to come?”
“The villa?”
“Yeah, I go there every summer. It’s close to the sea and the lake. The flowers are really beautiful.”
“It sounds refreshing just to hear about it.”
“Right? So, let’s go together. I’ve been bored going alone all the time.”
Arkin invited me.
Thanks to him, Betty, Liena, and even Raven were with me.
We were heading to the villa he received as a birthday present when he turned five.
If there was an unexpected problem, it was the distance.
‘I thought it was a light invitation and it would be close.’
It was much, much farther than I expected.
Fortunately, there was a teleportation spell installed.
Unfortunately, it was my physical condition.
“Shall we stop for a moment and rest?”
Arkin asked cautiously, considering that I might vomit something a few times.
“No, I’m okay.”
I shook my head.
“I feel a bit queasy, but I don’t need to stop and rest.”
Certainly, when I went to the Tower with Leonard before, I vomited right away.
Now, I could bear it tolerably.
‘Surely, the leaves of the World Tree are helping.’
My body, which cost a fortune to maintain.
Tears welled up in my eyes.
“And you said we’re almost there.”
“Oh, look, sis, there it is! That’s my villa!”
Arkin stretched his arm out through the carriage window and pointed to a place.
There, atop a hill, sat a white villa.
Looking at the sparkling and beautiful villa, I smiled broadly.
This time, I really need to relax and enjoy myself!