Little Spy in Obiel

It had been two months since 'my lady' went missing. The official reports stated that although there was a letter to validate her absence, since it is a reckless move to pursue an organization with no information, the MTA and Duchess Obiel wanted to declare her dead or missing already.

I could understand their point of view but of course, even if you do understand, one can't just easily accept it.

It had been merely a few minutes when the Duchess declared through an announcement that Lady Tabitha Obiel was either dead, missing or if alive, will be dismissed as a member of the Obiel Household.

That mere few minutes had already gained much uproar not just from the nobility but even the attendants, including Clarice and I, which had been the temporary maids of Lady Tabitha.

Within the first two months before Lady Tabitha entered the academy, she was a pretty quiet person aside from interacting with Young Master Khiel and Lady Lanessa. Sometimes she even looked like she's forcing herself to interact with others.

A hidden persona. The real one wasn't visible all along.

"Don't you worry about her Linette?"

"In the short time we've served her, I can tell that her ladyship is wise. I doubt she went on a journey without any plans." was what I said but...

Three weeks ago that 'wise' and 'lady who plans' ideal concept about the Miss of mine was shattered.

She had entered the land in a maid outfit and no one saw her as it was almost 3am when she came in. Unfortunately so, she even caught me communicating with a fellow liaison member at the walls thus I was able to interact with her.

'Linette Jacques. You are the spy in the Obiel Duchy, right? It's fine since I'm the one who caught you!' and she laughed like it wasn't a big deal.

Really, that lady was peculiar.

In the end I had to ask for forgiveness as I was still her official maid.

'Oh! You don't have to do that! You're from the Rosario family, right?' I remember trembling in shock when she asked me that. I could only sigh right now.

'Don't ask me how I know but just send this letter to Venetian Rosario as soon as you can. Personally, if you will.'

Aside from being tasked about that, I even received a short mission to place 'what looks to be' a crimson gem and a letter on the desk of the young master Rakhiel.

Even after that I had to pack comfortable clothes from her room too. I sneakily took light garments both pants and shirts. She even asked me to pack small amounts of food.

I sighed.

Someone who plans, my ass.

She was wise in her own sphere. Kinda dejected about a lot of things at first but she was just definitely getting used to how things work here.

It seems Lady Tabitha predicted already that the young lord will go back home.

Like the situation that's right about to happen.

The young lord, who practically flew all the way here using magic that flabbergasted the people, barged in the mansion demanding a meeting with the duchess.

"He-hey... What should we do...?" Clarice whispered, tidying up her black hair that got tangled during the young lord's arrival.

'May I tell Clarice about your presence, my lady?'

'No. She's a spy of the Duchess. I can't trust her easily. Of course it's the same for you too but I had a job for you, that's why I revealed myself. Anyways, I'll get going now. Don't forget the letter.'

It was her last instruction and information before leaving, without even looking I back.

I knew she wasn't attached to this mansion but it seemed a little cold. She lived her for two months, you know.

"I don't know..."

"Ugh. I hope we don't need to clean up too much mess..."

I completely ignored everything Clarice said after that and stared at the door which barricaded two powerful mages in a confined small space.

[Reinforcement Magic: Eyes]

[Reinforcement Magic: Ears]

It didn't take long for me to watch and hear what was going on behind the door to the duchess' office.

"Grandmother! I told you already not do things like this!"

"There was nothing I could do. She continued to be reckless, it will sully the name among the nobles. It's disgraceful."

"Nonsense. You're cutting her off the damn paper."

"She's a rat who suddenly appeared!"

Uh oh. It might become even more chaotic if those two actually got on each others' nerves. I need to find a way to stop it.

Beep beep.

It was then that my watch sent a noise signal for 3pm. Time for snacks.

My feet lead me to the kitchen.

"Are the snacks for the duchess ready yet?" I asked the chef and maids.

"Yes but..." It looks like they're scared to open the office door. I sighed and took the tray from one of the maids' hands. "Oh. Are you sure?"

I nodded before making my way towards the duchess and the young lord's battlefield.

"Rakhiel. Respect my will as the head of the family."

"Will as a family head?! You? You're a dir–"

Knock Knock.

The shouting stopped at my knock. Even if I wasn't told to come in, I just had to get their attention for a minute before they would actually cut off each other's throats.

"What is it?"

"It is time for your snacks, Duchess."

"Come in."

When I opened the door, the young lord's hair was tangled all over the place. He was still wearing his school uniform while standing aggressively in front of the duchess' desk.

I quietly set up the snacks, with different assortments, at a nearby table as they continued talking, calmly this time.

"Rakhiel. You should sort out yourself first before you come to me about that girl. She's tainting the family in bad light."

"What do you mean bad light? She's fairly popular in the academy and to be honest, she's stronger than you."

"Rakhiel Obiel!"

"You're lucky she didn't want this shabby job or else you're packing." He walked out as he said that. Even the Duchess was speechless.

In my two years serving the Obiel Household, Patricia Obiel had only earned the respect of the people by being the Duchess. When the previous Duke Dharvo, the young lord's father, had died and even the Duchess' husband who was the duke before that, the Duchess Patricia will always get the throne.

She was originally from an outside family. It wasn't revealed from where though.

As I finished setting up the table, I walked out the door and caught up to the young lord.

It seems he doesn't want to stay here for long. If he won't go to his room then I'll make him do so.

"Young master..." I called out.

Like a cherry petal flowing in the wind he turned smoothly, his rose-gold hair swaying as he did so. "You're Taby's maid... What is it?"

"There is a letter and an artificial crimson gem placed on your desk."

"What?"

"There is a let–" He walked away in a hurry and left me.

Oh he didn't want me to repeat what I said. He was just shocked.

It looks like he knows who the artificial gem was from. He had a bright look on his face despite the constant frowning though.

The only task I've yet to do was deliver a different letter to my cousin Venetian.

I had already delivered a message through the MCD but she had yet to respond. It's already been a week since I sent it.

There is no reason to be worried however, the chosen Rosario children who will lead at the center of the merchant Rosario family, all have artifacts on them which triggers when one of us gets attacked or endangered.

We have different colors for the signal. Mine was blue, right below Venetian in the rankings as she was the red one. The very core of the potential successors.

Linette Jacques, in which case Jacques was a name from my mother, but my mother was a Rosario.

Due to their unwelcomed marriage by the nobility, I ended up inheriting my father's name and hiding my identity even in the Rosario household.

That is not the case for the potential successors.

Aside from Veni, there is no one from the other potential successors who crossed me and almost died the same day. I was a surprising occurrence. From a family that became noble due to businesses, I was a rare mage from that normal magic-less family.

She must be busy.

"Everyone is so busy with their lives..." I couldn't help but talk to the air.

Haha. Everyone's changing little by little, just because of a small piece in a puzzle.

...That tiny piece might end up being the queen of the board however.

I think I got lucky. To have an interesting lady to serve even though I'm just a spy.