Hiding the Fact That We Are Dating From the Amnesiac Villain - Chapter 33

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 33
* * *
I couldn’t begin to describe how startled I was when I happened upon the Aide’s report.
It was an accounting report from the Ardan Territory.
According to the report, grain reserves had increased to an abnormal degree compared to the harvest yields. Naturally, the amount of grain distributed to the territory’s residents had to be reduced accordingly.
‘…This looks like someone’s been skimming from the top.’
If this continued, the territory’s people would starve….
That thought brought my siblings to mind.
They had experienced terrible hunger in their childhood. So whenever they opened their mouths, they would tell me about the hunger of those days.
‘…Poor children.’
One of my two siblings even had binge eating disorder, likely from the trauma.
It might look suspicious, but I simply couldn’t overlook it.
“…As you mentioned, there were indeed suspicious irregularities in the accounting report. Thank you for pointing them out.”
‘Phew. Thank goodness.’
But the problem was….
He seems to be viewing me with suspicion, doesn’t he?
A mere worker identifying problems in accounting records was certainly suspicious.
Most commoners couldn’t even read.
“While working at the Imperial Palace, I briefly handled ledger management. I also investigated food prices as part of my duties….”
I offered a hasty explanation while gauging the Aide’s reaction.
I despised drawing suspicion at this critical juncture.
If Decklin had already told him about me, the Aide might be watching me closely because of the Banquet Hall incident.
Moreover, for the sake of my future ‘plans’… it would be best to earn as much trust as possible.
“I also frequently assisted with hiring external workers….”
“By the way, I found this report suspicious as well and set it aside for further review.”
“…Ah, you were already aware of it.”
…Did I overstep unnecessarily?
“If I may, I have one question for you, Miss Freena.”
Unfortunately, my explanation alone didn’t seem to dispel the suspicion that flickered across the Aide’s eyes.
‘This won’t do. I need to stay here for the time being….’
That way, I could seize the opportunity to access the Grand Duke’s library.
“…Why did you work as a worker at the Imperial Palace?”
Hm?
It was a question I hadn’t anticipated.
‘Why did I work as a worker at the Imperial Palace….’
Well, there was nothing else I could have done…?
“With the ability to identify problems in accounting reports based solely on the documents, without knowing the full context… you would have been more than qualified to become a bureaucrat at the Imperial Palace.”
“…Th-thank you.”
When the Aide suddenly spoke of me in such high regard, I was flustered.
“I’m not merely making conversation, Miss Freena. I mean it sincerely.”
…But saying that wouldn’t change anything.
‘I’ve already failed the civil service examination multiple times.’
I was certain I’d done well, yet I received an inexplicably low score and failed.
After that, I abandoned my aspirations and decided to work at Daisy Hall.
With my siblings to support, I couldn’t afford to cling to impossible dreams.
But there was no need to burden Ronan with such pathetic circumstances.
‘His gaze does seem to have softened somewhat….’
Was it merely my imagination?
“If matters conclude successfully, it will be thanks to you, Miss Freena. I shall ensure you’re compensated accordingly.”
…Compensation would likely mean money, wouldn’t it?
In my impoverished circumstances, such words were welcome. Yet in this situation….
‘If only he’d grant me access to the Grand Duke’s archives….’
Such a shallow, desperate wish escaped me.
‘For now, I’ll simply smile as though delighted.’
* * *
How peculiar this is.
Ronan adjusted his monocle as he observed the woman purifying the sacred artifacts contaminated by mana.
It was a standard procedure for all purifiers entering Caesar.
He recalled what had transpired moments earlier.
“The grain reserves in the Ardan Territory’s directly-managed storage are increasing each quarter. A full thirty percent compared to the same period last year.”
“…Isn’t that because the Southern Region experienced an unprecedented bumper harvest this year?”
“Then the quantities released to market should have increased proportionally. Yet the report contains no such entry.”
Freena methodically addressed the next point.
“The direct market sales are presented as stable, but that only applies to the fortunate few who happened to purchase limited quantities at low prices. At this rate, the territory’s residents will face starvation within six months.”
Ronan regarded the woman anew.
It was suspicious that a mere worker could identify such discrepancies.
Yet her gaze remained sharp—unwavering despite her awareness of the suspicion she might provoke.
‘How truly peculiar.’
Why had such a woman been languishing as a worker in the Imperial Court?
She seemed like someone who’d lived her entire life unaware of her own brilliance.
Even if she failed the purifier recruitment, he was inclined to propose employment in another capacity.
‘I should mention this to His Grace.’
In any case, the suspicious behavior she’d displayed would eventually reveal its truth if observed carefully.
Then, the examination results arrived.
…This was quite remarkable.
* * *
Moments later.
The purifier examination concluded smoothly.
“Given the exceptionally high purity, despite being rank 7, the practical efficiency appears to match that of a rank 6 purifier.”
While a rank 7 purifier could purify at most one or two individuals per day, a rank 6 could manage up to twenty.
‘Come to think of it, I think I’ve purified up to twenty people at most….’
Yet even so, it remained woefully insufficient for working at Caesar Grand Duke’s Residence.
After all, this place housed monsters that could purify hundreds with ease.
‘So perhaps this man wasn’t satisfied with my purification either.’
In any case, Freena had accepted Decklin’s proposal, so her employment was confirmed.
But if she failed to earn this man’s approval, her plans would falter.
Because her plans required the Aide’s recognition.
And yet….
“Now I understand why His Grace decided to employ Freena Crowell.”
“….”
“…It’s truly remarkable. This is the first time I’ve witnessed purification of such pristine purity.”
…Why are you evaluating me so highly?
“Freena Crowell.”
He called her name softly.
The moment she sensed his voice had grown somewhat gentler, a hand extended toward her.
“Let’s work well together going forward.”
‘…Fortunately, it seems he doesn’t dislike me.’
That was a close call….
“My name is Ronan Winston.”
I see, Ronan Winston.
…Wait.
“Did you say Ronan Winston?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Ronan raised his eyebrows as if asking what the problem was.
Of course there was a problem.
‘That’s not the name of Decklin’s Aide that I know.’
That person is Frederick Markt, not Ronan Winston.
‘Now that I think about it….’
In that moment, a passage from the original work surfaced in her mind.
[Frederick Markt swirled his wine glass lightly.
“My predecessor, you know—Winston was his name. His noble house was nothing to speak of, but the man was exceptionally clever.”
He lifted the corners of his mouth slightly and took a sip of wine.
“Then one day, he suffered from inexplicable madness. He couldn’t even recognize his own attendants’ faces, and eventually he began pointing weapons at everything within reach. There was nothing to be done.”
“….”
“So His Grace personally ended it. He finished what his own Aide had become with his own hands.”
Frederick slowly drained the last sip.
“It’s a shame. That such talent disappeared from this world.”
After setting down his glass, he added a beat late.
“…What good is intelligence if you can’t use that mind in the end?”]
So the Aide would be replaced within a few months before the original story began?
“Freena?”
As she stared blankly at Ronan’s hand, he called out to her with a puzzled expression.
“…Are you quite all right?”
Ronan examined her complexion with careful concern.
Freena finally gathered her wits and grasped his hand in return.
“…I’m counting on you as well.”
This man would soon succumb to madness.
‘…And then die a cruel death at Decklin’s hands?’
It made no sense.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————