Since It's My First Time Being a Lady, I'll Cause Some Trouble - Chapter 15

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A Lady Does This for the First Time Episode 15
Calderon held his index finger to his temple and rotated it in a small circle, his expression deadly serious.
“What makes you think I’ve lost my mind?”
“Because otherwise, why would you spout such insane nonsense? Our guild is the best, but we’re not omnipotent! If that were possible, we’d have done it ages ago!”
Infuriating as it was, he had a point. If such a thing were possible, someone would have attempted it by now.
“Still, there has to be some other solution, doesn’t there? At this rate, we’re looking at an actual civil war.”
I gave him a brief account of what had transpired at the Batori Estate, leaving out the part about it being my fault.
“It’s not just the Batori Estate. We’ve received reports of similar incidents occurring throughout the provinces.”
“A nationwide uprising is only a matter of time, then.”
“Precisely.”
At his blunt confirmation, I furrowed my brow.
Now I understood why the nobility studied foreign languages as an accomplishment—it was preparation for moments like this, so they could flee the country.
‘Should I go back right now and start studying languages?’
Everyone, it’s been a pleasure knowing you all, and I hope you find your lost daughter soon, Calderon.
“But it’s not entirely without options…”
“You just said there were none a moment ago.”
“No, I said if such a thing were possible, we’d have done it already—I never said it was impossible.”
At this sophistic wordplay, I narrowed my eyes and glared at him.
“Stop dancing around it and explain properly.”
As I issued the command, Calderon shrugged and spoke in a low voice.
“What I mean is, the problem solves itself if we collect taxes from those who aren’t paying them.”
“Those who aren’t paying taxes… Oh!”
The nobles with tax exemption privileges!
“So you’re saying the solution is to beat those tax-exempt nobles into paying their taxes?”
“Something like that. Do you know what Omerata is?”
“Of course I do.”
It was the most famous—and most suspicious—social club on Toglo Street.
“According to intelligence, something is happening at this establishment.”
“Something?”
“I can’t discuss the details, but significant matters are unfolding there—the sort that could shake Rodinia to its core.”
I stared at him in shock. His meaning was unmistakable.
“Who exactly is orchestrating this?”
“Marquis Penri appears to be at the center of it.”
“Penri?”
What the hell is that bastard doing? Wait—wasn’t he exiled to the countryside?
“Of course, I don’t believe that idiot is the mastermind. He’s likely being used.”
“A financier, in other words.”
“And given that he knows the Imperial Palace’s structure and geography inside and out—having lived there since birth—he’d certainly know all the emergency escape routes as well.”
I’d already known he was worthless, but I hadn’t realized he was quite this scatterbrained. Was he born with his brain left in his mother’s womb?
“The Imperial Court doesn’t know about this?”
“If they did, would the marquis still be alive?”
So this was what they meant by darkness beneath the lamp.
“The marquis may be an idiot, but those around him aren’t. Just look at how they’ve deceived both the Imperial Court and the people.”
“…So where did you get this information?”
“The Imperial Palace wasn’t staffed entirely with fools, it turns out.”
Translating Calderon’s words: someone within the palace had discovered this and submitted a request to the Resolution Guild to apprehend the conspirators.
Either the Emperor had been informed but didn’t believe them, or without evidence, they had no grounds to make arrests and were simply gnashing their teeth in frustration.
‘I’ll assume it’s the latter.’
I didn’t want to admit that the person at the highest point in the empire might be an idiot.
“So why are we just sitting here? We need to do something immediately.”
“We are. The problem is the club’s security is formidable.”
When Calderon used the word “formidable,” it meant the level of security was nothing to scoff at.
“How formidable?”
“Armed mercenaries are stationed at the back entrance and surrounding alleys of the Omerata social club. A few more are in the manager’s office.”
“Why not just disguise yourselves as mercenaries or wait staff and slip in?”
“That’s the problem—it’s not that simple. The mercenaries all know each other by sight, making that impossible. The staff uniforms change irregularly, so old ones can’t be reused. They’re custom-made for each employee, so nothing circulates on the black market.”
The urge to just slaughter everyone and be done with it crept up my throat.
‘If we do that, who disposes of the bodies? In a busy district like that, discovery would be immediate.’
I swallowed my sigh and spoke.
“So the only option is to enter as a client. Can’t the requestor help us? If they know what’s happening inside the club, they must be a member themselves.”
Calderon snapped his fingers, and the Bartender slid a Business Card across the counter.
On black paper, cream-colored elegant script spelled out “Omerata”.
“He said to give you this and have you find him.”
I burst out loud.
“Hey! Who the hell are you?”
The Business Card held no clues whatsoever. There should have been something—where to meet, at least—but the back was covered only in incomprehensible squiggles like worm tracks.
“Why something so inefficient…….”
“Probably testing our skills. The problem is the Imperial Palace is just as heavily guarded as any club.”
I found myself curious about my client’s face. The country was in this state, and in the middle of it all, he was giving me this absurd task to find him.
I exhaled slowly.
“Getting into the Imperial Palace isn’t the problem. Figuring out who you are—that’s the problem.”
“That so? Getting in is nothing to you?”
Calderon grinned and forced the Business Card into my hand.
“The compensation will be generous.”
Damn it all.
I came to request a job and ended up accepting one instead.
* * *
The next day, I attended yet another tea reception hosted by the Crown Prince.
I’d sworn that if I received another invitation to this tedious social gathering, I wouldn’t stand for it. But what could I do? At most I was a viscount’s daughter, and if the Crown Prince commanded it, I had no choice but to comply.
The Crown Prince’s herald delivered the invitation in person again, informing me of the time and place.
Though this was my second attendance, the looks directed at me from the guests seated at the refreshment tables were no warmer than they’d been the first time.
Were they hazing the newcomer? Would you like a bullet in the thigh too?
The attendance was the same as before. It seemed the Crown Prince was trying to give another chance to those who’d been disappointed by my words.
‘Still, this is an opportunity.’
I planned to discover whether any Omerata members were present, and if so, find leverage to force their cooperation in infiltrating the club.
It was far more efficient than searching for that scatterbrained client.
Unfortunately, Lord Remington, who’d brought up Toglo Club, and the young nobles with him were members of a different club entirely, not Omerata.
‘My luck is truly terrible.’
I sighed. I’d forced myself to attend this pathetic gathering and gained absolutely nothing from it.
‘Where’s an Omerata member when you need one—preferably some hapless fool of a man?’
I was complaining to myself as I headed back to my carriage.
Leaves rustled, and a familiar head of red hair suddenly appeared before me.
‘Was this bastard a cat in his past life?’
I couldn’t fathom why he kept appearing without warning from strange places like this.
I wished he’d just disappear back to whatever club he frequented without speaking to me.
‘Wait? Club?’
I rushed at Tatio, who was turning away with a scowl on his face.
“You said you go to a club, didn’t you? Which one?”
“Why would you—”
“Just answer me! Which club do you go to? Do you go to Omerata?”
“……Yes.”
Overwhelmed by my intensity, he answered without thinking.
“Christ, this is unbelievable.”
I swept my hair back and glared at Tatio.
Of all people, the perfect candidate I needed had to be this man.
He was already full of resentment toward me. He wouldn’t readily agree to help.
If he didn’t curse me out, that would be a miracle.
‘I suppose I have no choice but to apologize.’
My pride would suffer, but for the greater good, there were times when one had to bow before refuse.
“I’m sorry for insulting you and calling you garbage last time.”

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