I’m a Rookie, but I’m an Experienced Professional - Chapter 44

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 44

 

Though it was my first time seeing this man today, I could immediately tell he was the son of the Smith Viscount couple.

 

He resembled both of them so remarkably.

 

“Ah, I’m late with introductions. I’m called Barto Smith.”

 

As expected, he’s their son.

 

“I’m called Eileen. It’s an honor to meet you, Young Viscount Smith.”

 

I lightly grasped my skirt hem and greeted him with proper etiquette.

 

It was a greeting method I had hastily learned from Noah Roheim on the way to the party venue.

 

“The honor is mine in meeting Miss Eileen.”

 

Barto Smith gave a good-natured smile. When he smiled, he looked even more like the Viscountess.

 

“Miss Eileen is the hero who saved our Nuviar.”

 

“Ah, hahaha…”

 

I hadn’t even completely prevented the Raed River’s flooding yet, and we were just starting construction.

 

But they were already calling me hero this, hero that, which was quite uncomfortable.

 

“By the way, this is my aide, called Fabian Noguen.”

 

The neat young man with brown hair standing behind Barto Smith stepped forward and lightly bowed his head in greeting.

 

“Pleased to meet you, Miss Eileen. I’m called Fabian Noguen.”

 

The fact that he used formal speech even knowing I was a commoner—does that mean he’s also a commoner?

 

Of course there were exceptions like Noah Roheim, but generally nobles tended to speak informally to commoners.

 

“Fabian Noguen is also a commoner, but his skills are excellent so I took him on as my aide.”

 

Barto Smith neatly clarified the confusing part.

 

“Come to think of it, Miss Eileen is also a commoner but entered the City Planning Department due to excellent architectural skills, right?”

 

“Yes, well…”

 

“That’s exactly like Fabian. Your ages are similar too, so it would be wonderful if you became close friends.”

 

“I’d certainly love to become friends with such a beautiful lady.”

 

…What is this conversation?

 

I felt an undertone of trying to subtly pair me with Fabian Noguen, which made me very uncomfortable.

 

“Miss Eileen, here’s your champagne.”

 

Just then, Noah Roheim returned.

 

“It’s been a while, Lord Roheim.”

 

“Yes. It’s been a while, Young Viscount Smith.”

 

Apparently they knew each other, as the two exchanged friendly greetings.

 

After also greeting Fabian Noguen, Noah Roheim turned to me.

 

“There’s lots of delicious finger food over there. You must be hungry since you couldn’t eat dinner, so let’s go have a light snack.”

 

“How about leaving that to Fabian?”

 

Barto Smith interjected into the conversation.

 

“You two have similar status and age, so I think you’d converse well. Wouldn’t it be good to become friends while you’re at it?”

 

See? He’s definitely scheming to pair me with that aide.

 

“I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible.”

 

Noah Roheim drew a firm line with a smiling face.

 

Well done, Noah Roheim!

 

“The Lord earnestly requested that I escort Miss Eileen well. If he found out I left her with another man, lightning would surely strike.”

 

I, who had been inwardly cheering him on, paused at his additional words.

 

To think Callix Crowbell made such a request. I can’t believe it.

 

“Ah, really? Then it can’t be helped.”

 

I don’t know if his words were true, but it was suitable for getting rid of the guy trying to pull strange schemes.

 

“Then we’ll be going.”

 

I escaped that place while being escorted by Noah Roheim.

 

Barto Smith watched us with regretful eyes before disappearing into the crowd.

 

“Did the Lord really say such a thing?”

 

Having come to the table with finger food, I lowered my voice and asked.

 

“Of course. I don’t lie about such matters.”

 

Seeing him say this, it seems to be true…

 

Still, when I looked at him with half-believing eyes since I couldn’t readily believe it, Noah Roheim let out a small laugh.

 

“You may not believe it, but the Lord cherishes Miss Eileen very much.”

 

It was truly unbelievable.

 

If that man had cherished me, he wouldn’t have held a sword to my throat or suddenly thrown a sword in my direction.

 

Of course the latter was to kill the spider monster, but still, recalling that moment gave me chills even now.

 

“But why isn’t anyone eating the finger food?”

 

The long table was filled with pretty and delicious-looking food, but no one was touching it.

 

Everyone was just holding champagne glasses, focused only on conversing with people.

 

“Usually such food is for display. If the party continues late into the night, that’s when they might pick at something.”

 

“Why? Isn’t it set out to be eaten?”

 

“It is, but for some reason everyone doesn’t eat it.”

 

Noah Roheim also shrugged, not knowing the detailed reason.

 

“Then what happens to the leftover food?”

 

“Usually the servants eat it. That’s why everyone finds party preparation bothersome but secretly likes it.”

 

Indeed, servants wouldn’t often have opportunities to eat such delicious food.

 

“Then shouldn’t we also not eat it?”

 

“There’s nothing wrong with it. As I said, it’s set out to be eaten. So don’t worry about others and eat.”

 

If that’s the case.

 

Since I happened to be hungry, I picked up and ate several finger foods.

 

As they say good-looking rice cakes taste good too—they were all delicious, but there was a problem.

 

‘Ugh, I feel like throwing up.’

 

With my waist tightly bound by the corset, even breathing was difficult, but eating food made my chest feel stuffy too.

 

‘So this is why people don’t eat the food.’

 

I don’t know about men, but I could clearly understand why the women didn’t eat.

 

“Miss Eileen, are you alright? You don’t look well.”

 

“I’m fine. More importantly, let me go to the restroom for a moment.”

 

As nausea welled up, I hurriedly left the party venue.

 

I came to the restroom intending to throw everything up, but nothing actually came out.

 

Rather, perhaps from moving hastily, my waist was throbbing.

 

“Damn corset.”

 

How do other women wear this for hours at a time?

 

I clicked my tongue and leaned against the sink. The corset was uncomfortable, but the unnecessarily high-heeled shoes were also a problem.

 

‘I want to go back to my room, throw everything off, and lie on the soft bed.’

 

But unless there were special circumstances, if you attended a party, it was proper etiquette to stay for at least an hour.

 

Considering the Viscountess’s efforts in lending me the expensive dress and accessories, it was right to endure at least that much.

 

‘Do I need to endure about 30 more minutes now?’

 

I’m already dying from difficulty—could I really last until then?

 

“Miss Eileen.”

 

As I inwardly swallowed a sigh while leaving the restroom, I ran right into Fabian Noguen.

 

“Hello.”

 

I tried to give a light greeting and leave, but Fabian Noguen grabbed my wrist.

 

“Could we talk for a moment?”

 

His lightly smiling face was quite sleazy. I had an ominous feeling too.

 

“There’s something I really want to ask Miss Eileen.”

 

“Me?”

 

“Yes. I’m curious about the reservoir and floodgate construction.”

 

“Hmm, then please ask about that during our next meeting. Or you could send it to me in writing.”

 

Normally I would have answered readily, but right now I felt I should escape this situation, so I declined.

 

At that, the corners of Fabian Noguen’s mouth stiffened slightly.

 

“Do you perhaps dislike me?”

 

“This is the first time we’ve met today, so it’s too early to discuss such things, Mr. Fabian Noguen.”

 

“You can call me Fabian comfortably.”

 

“That also seems too early still.”

 

As I drew the line firmly to the end, Fabian Noguen’s expression gradually hardened.

 

“Since we’re both in the position of serving difficult superiors, I wanted to become friends by sharing various stories… but it seems Miss Eileen has no such intention at all.”

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

Rather than declining halfheartedly and leaving unnecessary lingering feelings, it would be better to cut things off decisively.

 

“From what I hear you saying, it seems what you want, Mr. Fabian Noguen, is more than friendship, so this makes me quite uncomfortable.”

 

As if he hadn’t expected me to say such things so directly, Fabian Noguen showed clear signs of bewilderment.

 

“And I don’t believe men and women can be friends either.”

 

It might be possible when young, but not as adults.

 

Becoming friends between a man and woman was impossible unless at least one side harbored no feelings.

 

“So I’ll be going now.”

 

I bowed my head in greeting, then passed by him.

 

I worried he might grab me, but fortunately that didn’t happen.

 

Instead, Fabian Noguen stared at me intensely with eyes full of lingering attachment.

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