Surviving as a Terminally Ill Heiress - Chapter 45

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

Chapter 45

I didn’t expect such a sudden headache to be thrust upon me.
I gazed blankly at Count Grahm before me.
He’d simply arrived at the mansion this morning, and when I offered a few courtesies, he immediately made such a request.
I’d never pegged him as the type to overstep like this.
“Why me?”
I’m sorry, but I’m busy.
My words came out backwards from what I actually meant.
I covered my mouth with a soft groan, and Count Grahm—true to Vincent’s father—burst out laughing with such infectious cheer.
“The more I see you, the more you resemble His Grace.”
He really was crossing the line.
I glared at him as hard as I could, but the cheerful fellow simply kept grinning.
“His Grace dislikes wasting time, doesn’t he? And beating around the bush.”
“Well then, since I also happen to dislike wasting time and beating around the bush, I’ll be on my way.”
I’d just begun to bow and slip away.
“Children of Ambrose, much like yourself, have earned pocket money through various tasks since childhood. Do you know how errand fees are typically priced?”
He really did have a knack for dangling temptation before me.
I stopped in my tracks and glanced back at him.
“It’s simple. The fee is set high according to how satisfied both the one sending and the one receiving are.”
“Hmm… but in that case, I can’t expect much from the recipient.”
There was no chance that old fox would pay me handsomely.
Count Grahm only laughed harder at my grumbling.
“Is that so? In any case, today happens to be the Regular Meeting, but an urgent matter has come up, and I must leave immediately. I rushed to visit in hopes of filing a report with His Grace first, but…”
He’d already left early.
I’d thought his departure unusually early today, so it must have been an important one.
Count Grahm wrinkled his nose in apparent distress.
“It’s not just any report—the Regular Meeting comes only four times a year. I’d much prefer to entrust it to you rather than to a mere servant.”
“Hmm… well then, how much are you paying for this errand?”
Running errands to the Duke of Ambrose was still distasteful. But money changed everything.
When I asked so bluntly, Count Grahm’s eyes—which bore a striking resemblance to Vincent’s—lit up with delight.
He held up two fingers.
“Double whatever His Grace offers you.”
The man certainly knew how to negotiate.
He’d stoked my enthusiasm in one breath, and even raised the quality of my service in the bargain.
I grinned widely.
“Fine. We have a deal? No backing out later.”
“Of course not.”
I shook his hand and received the Document Envelope in exchange.
Count Grahm left the mansion first, and I hurried to prepare for my outing.
‘The weather isn’t looking good.’
A late spring rain was falling in a light, steady patter.
Thanks to it, the air had turned rather chilly.
I changed my clothes while looking out the window and gave the maid a few instructions.
Once all my preparations were complete, I left with the servants’ farewells following behind.
Toward the grand headquarters of the Ambrose Company.
The headquarters was said to be near Horen Market, where I’d gone before for the mule workshop.
‘That’s unexpected. Isn’t that the common folk’s district?’
Jedo’s largest shopping districts were divided into two.
Horen to the south, Elain to the north.
As I’d visited several times, Horen was the common people’s quarter, while Elain was the nobility’s.
So I’d naturally assumed the headquarters would be in Elain’s prime location.
Though the main office conducts business only now, the Ambrose name still carries weight, doesn’t it? Perhaps this too was mere prejudice on my part.
I gazed out the carriage window at the rain pattering against the glass for a long time, then suddenly slid it open.
“Miss, you’ll let the raindrops in.”
Alec’s protest came at once.
But after all, the reason I’d opened the window was because of him.
“Can’t we just ride together in the carriage since it’s raining?”
“What then becomes of our protective escort?”
He laughed as he sat astride his horse, clad in a Poncho.
My conscience was pricking me, that was the thing. He’d been dragged out because of me, and now he was getting soaked.
That was right. I had an escort.
Apparently, since my face had become known, it was considered dangerous.
Both Fin and Maya had pressed me so urgently to take knights with me that I couldn’t refuse.
‘And not just one, but two.’
I gazed blankly through the opposite window at the other knight.
Her name was Pepper, if I recalled correctly. A rare female knight. Her temperament seemed even rarer.
Like Alec, she rode her horse in Poncho attire, and appeared to be chewing on something.
I thought it might be dried meat, but looking closer, it was dried chili pepper.
‘Well, that truly is uncommon.’
I gave up trying to convince them and slumped into the carriage seat.
There I was, soaked through, while Alec quickly closed the window, and Tru across from me was dozing off halfway.
What a fine life. Going out once and trailing servants and knights behind me like puppies.
My elaborate dress hem and shoes hadn’t gotten wet at all, either.
“We’ve arrived, miss. Just a moment, please.”
As I stepped out now, just as when I’d climbed in, both Tru and Alec unfurled an umbrella and prepared a step for me.
Honestly, it felt excessive. Such treatment seemed unearned, and that made it all the more uncomfortable.
I swallowed a silent sigh and placed my foot on the ground.
In any case, we’d arrived.
This building was the Ambrose Company headquarters…?
“Oh dear.”
Truly?
I blinked in disbelief.
It was far smaller and more dilapidated than I’d imagined.
Thinking I might have gotten off at the wrong place, I looked around, but only this building stood alone.
It couldn’t be. The great Ambrose Company’s headquarters, so ramshackle and shabby?
With equal parts disappointment and bewilderment, the door opened.
“Wow.”
Magic unfolded before me.
I understood at once. Despite the modest exterior, the interior was impossibly vast.
Large, pristine, and tastefully luxurious.
It rivaled the lobby of Ambrose Mansion itself.
As I stood gaping and looking around, Alec kindly offered an explanation.
“This building’s exterior has been maintained exactly as the First Family Head originally built it.”
I was taken aback.
“The First Family Head? Then that’s well over six hundred years ago.”
No wonder it looked so worn. But how old was this building? And they were still using it?
I looked again. In fact, the place was maintained meticulously—not just inside, but outside as well.
How fascinating. My eyes were gleaming when someone emerged into the lobby.
“Miss?”
“Oh, Naomi.”
A familiar face, fortunately.
I was oddly glad to see her here. But Naomi’s eyes held a note of confusion as she regarded me.
“What brings you here?”
“I’ve come on an errand. Count Grahm said he couldn’t attend due to an urgent matter, so…”
I explained briefly and pulled out the Document Envelope I’d been keeping carefully tucked away.
Not a single raindrop had touched it—it remained perfectly dry.
Naomi nodded with a smile.
“I see. He’ll be very pleased.”
Who will?
Before I could tilt my head in confusion, Naomi turned partway around.
“Then come along. I’ll show you to the conference room.”
“What?”
Why would you take me there?
I asked in a rush.
“Aren’t they in the middle of the meeting?”
“They are.”
“Then I shouldn’t really go in…”
Doesn’t that seem odd?
It would be an uninvited guest interrupting an important gathering.
Especially since I was just a child. The meeting participants might not welcome me.
“You said you’d come on an errand, didn’t you?”
“Well… I could just give it to you, couldn’t I?”
“That won’t do.”
Why so firm?
As I started to protest, Naomi spoke with considerable coldness.
“I don’t wish to create complications for myself.”
Huh? What was so complicated about me dropping off something and leaving?
Ah, was it a matter of proper handoff? Did she not want to be blamed if something went wrong with the documents?
I was impressed.
So she wouldn’t even take responsibility for a child’s errand. Drawing the line so cleanly.
Naomi Serman truly was as sharp as a blade—the woman who held the position of the Duke of Ambrose’s chief aide.
‘I respect that. There’s much to learn from her.’
It was right to be cautious about losses.
I bobbed my head in agreement and followed her.
Then I suddenly remembered and spoke to Tru.
“Tru. Get ready right away and bring it.”
“Yes, miss.”
Tru picked up the basket she was carrying and hurried off somewhere.
Naomi asked at the sight of her leaving.
“What did you prepare?”
“Simple refreshments. It seemed rude to arrive empty-handed.”
Naomi nodded, then seemed to grasp something and murmured softly.
“Ah… an investment in your errand fee.”
I smiled demurely.
She was perceptive too. I really ought to cultivate a friendship with her.

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