The Former Empress Roughly Hides Her Abilities - Chapter 16

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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 16】

Til, who was known as a senior at the Tax Bureau, looked over the report and asked.

“You could have written it roughly, why did you work so hard on it?”

“Because I need to receive the business trip allowance.”

Til was so dumbfounded he almost dropped the report.

“…I’ve been curious before, but why are you so serious about money?”

If she was the young lady of House Vincenheim, she must have grown up wealthy.

Mel also nodded inwardly.

He too couldn’t understand why Rianel was living the life of a civil servant.

When he didn’t know Rianel well, he even thought it might be some naive noble lady’s commoner experience game.

“I’m an illegitimate child with no inheritance rights, so I need to prepare for my retirement.”

Rianel didn’t bat an eye while speaking about what was a shameful part of herself.

Rather, the people around her were startled enough to turn their heads or pretend to cover their ears.

“Retirement preparation…”

“R-right. We should do that too…”

People glanced at each other.

The fact that Rianel, whom they thought was just a pampered noble young lady, was desperately focused on salary and allowances just like them came as a refreshing surprise.

At the same time, they felt both kinship and pity.

‘I guess even nobles get no mercy if they’re illegitimate.’

‘If I were a duke, I would have kept such a smart daughter in the family and showered her with praise every day.’

Among them, Wilbrin empathized more deeply than others.

“…Let’s stay strong, us.”

Wilbrin placed a fatigue recovery potion on Rianel’s desk.

When Rianel glanced at it, Wilbrin smiled awkwardly and said it was a product under 10 gold.

“…Thank you.”

Only then did Rianel accept it.

But such a relaxed atmosphere didn’t last long.

“The Empress Dowager ordered us to submit a report on tax evasion status among civil servants by department?”

A bomb disguised as work orders had fallen on the Special Tax Bureau.

* * *

Civil service life was like the life of a duck floating on water.

On the surface, they looked like lucky ones who had succeeded in the job market and secured important positions.

But they too had to kick countless times underwater to stay afloat on the surface called civil service.

One reason for the kicking was ‘upper management.’

Work orders falling at all hours. Enforcement decrees pouring down claiming to break bad practices. Plus various guidelines that changed constantly.

They had to implement all of that while not offending their superiors’ moods.

Moreover, the achievements gained from kicking were generally packaged under the name of upper management’s performance. It was hard to even feel rewarded.

Given this situation, it was natural that they couldn’t welcome orders from above, but this time was different.

First, the schedule was relaxed. Thanks to Rianel, major tasks including the third quarter performance report were almost finished.

“The Empress Dowager seems to be trying to completely crush the Ministry of Finance this time?”

“Must be. Count Bartello taking out loans to pay his overdue taxes was just recently, and now asking us to submit this… The intention is too obvious.”

Moreover, the Empress Dowager had shown her intention to support the Special Tax Bureau during the last meeting.

Thanks to that, everyone’s shoulders were raised high. It was a moment when company loyalty and pride, which had been crushed to the ground, finally raised their heads after a long time.

“Just asking in case, none of you have overdue taxes, right?”

“As if we would.”

Wilbrin let out a hollow laugh.

The people gathered here were those who had been pushed out because they didn’t even have the ability to slip bribes to their backers. You need capability to accumulate overdue taxes too.

Even while having this idle conversation, they kept looking at Rianel.

The vitality that came to the coffin-like Tax Bureau was also thanks to the newcomer.

Even those who used to take pride in showing up like salary thieves and killing time during work hours were now burning with enthusiasm.

“Senior, you could take it easy, you know?”

“What are you talking about! How can we pressure the Ministry of Finance people if we work so carelessly?”

When Til answered firmly, Molly lowered her voice while reading his mood.

“Senior, you weren’t like this before. Please regain your original mindset.”

“What are you saying? I was always like this.”

Civil service life that prioritized seniority over performance just suppressed my enthusiasm.

“….”

Molly fell silent.

Of course, no matter how much enthusiasm they burned, they couldn’t keep up with Rianel.

Her overwhelming processing speed came from her ability to look at and synthesize numerous pieces of information simultaneously.

Rianel said she was doing things ‘roughly,’ and indeed she was working with less effort by her own standards.

It’s just that the proficiency from experience overwhelmed everything.

And that sight.

“….”

Asil watched intently.

Since the administrative council meeting ended, Asil’s gaze kept going to Rianel.

Since she too had suffered harassment through groundless criticism and false accusations like his teacher.

He kept worrying whether there were other circumstances he didn’t know about.

“Have you had any difficulties while performing your duties?”

Eventually, he ended up asking.

“Any parts you think are unreasonable, or parts you think need adjustment.”

He meant it out of consideration for Rianel, but the person in question interpreted it differently.

‘Why is this guy throwing trap cards in front of people?’

It might be different in a private setting.

But badmouthing colleagues or whining about being the only one having a hard time in a public space was foolish.

“How could work ever be easy, but thanks to Senior Mel taking on the difficult parts, I’m working while receiving consideration.”

“Indeed, you handle your duties skillfully despite the heavy workload you’ve been assigned.”

The words were gentle, but the underlying meaning was significant.

This meant, aren’t you taking on all the work of this department?

“I think it’s thanks to the guidance and encouragement from the Team Leader and many others. I’m always grateful.”

Rianel smoothly deflected this trap as well.

She had received almost no help from this department, but it was better to say so as a matter of convention.

Reading the strong will in that answer, Asil briefly said “I see” and withdrew his gaze.

People who had been eavesdropping on their conversation while pretending not to were inwardly impressed.

‘Her way of speaking is a bit unique, but she’s not a bad kid.’

‘How can she speak so prettily…’

Their evaluation of Rianel rose in their minds.

Among them, Wilbrin was the most deeply moved.

Overflowing with company loyalty, good at work, and even considerate of colleagues…

No matter how she thought about it, this newcomer was a blessing.

She almost wondered if the Tax Bureau hadn’t had a newcomer for nearly a year just to send them Rianel.

‘I… I am one body with the newcomer from today. From today on, badmouthing the newcomer will be considered badmouthing me.’

On the other hand. There was someone who wasn’t swept up in the situation and stood apart with a subtle expression.

“Mel, don’t you think this newcomer is amazing too?”

“Yes, well. I suppose so.”

It was Mel.

“How can she give such an answer in that situation? Does she normally store such model answers and live with them?”

Mel quietly laughed. If he asked Rianel, he knew he’d get that damn ‘roughly’ answer again anyway.

Just as a mosaic becomes a masterpiece when viewed from afar, there are people who seem good only when seen from a distance.

“But why do you look like that?”

“It’s nothing.”

This was for his senior’s sake.

Ignorance was bliss.

* * *

Late evening when everyone had left work.

“So you’re saying you’re on the verge of being kicked out of House Vincenheim?”

Minister of Finance Royhum was sitting face to face with his niece Vanessa in the Minister’s Office.

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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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