chapter 18

The patrons of the tea house all eyed each other warily.

Nadia was right; this was no elegant salon. Laborers and those who toiled at the roughest jobs were its main clientele, seeking cheap meals or gathering for card games.

Or perhaps to use the bed chambers upstairs.

Juju subtly glanced upward through her veil. The first two floors held tables, but the third was divided into individual rooms.

Since it wasn't an inn, the rooms were likely rented by the hour. For quick naps during breaks, or for lovers seeking privacy.

Of course, there was no guarantee against longer-term occupants either.

Someone who moved from place to place like this...

Juju chose an empty table. Nadia hesitantly sat across from her.

When they asked the waiter for a recommendation, he brought them almond cakes. Nadia cradled her coffee cup with both hands.

"Madam... I fear I risk seeming an overly inquisitive servant, but I confess I struggle to grasp your intentions."

"Now that you've brought me here, your task is done, Nadia. Oh, and from now on, drop the honorifics, understand?"

"May I ask why you seek out an informant so soon after taking me as your maid?" Nadia's voice was barely a whisper.

Juju silently chewed on her almond crape for a moment. "Nadia, have you ever resented someone? Ever wanted to kill someone out of sheer fury?"

"Pardon?"

"Just keep that in mind."

That was enough. No need to explain everything. Let her connect the dots with the Grand Duke's situation as she saw fit.

Nadia must have spent the last five years thinking about many things anyway.

As expected, Nadia pressed her lips tightly together. Her gaze at the coffee was thoughtful. Even if Juju asked directly, she wouldn't utter a word.

The harsh world had made her seem more mature, but it was a little sad that no trace of her former innocence remained.

Finally, the plates were empty.

A man, who had been watching them from the beginning, slowly approached.

"Are you ladies from some noble estate?"

Nadia started to answer, but Juju slammed her coffee cup down, silencing her. "What business is it of yours where we work? I'm having tea with a friend."

"Since when has this place been worth coming to on purpose? Hey, owner! Have you ever been featured in the newspaper?"

"Even if I was, I'd refuse. We already have too many troublesome customers!"

The woman behind the counter retorted.

Clearly mocking. Her tone was exaggerated to hide her unease.

The conclusion was clear. The owner was in on it too. The man was pretending to be a regular who hated outsiders, afraid the organization would be exposed.

This was definitely the informant's headquarters. Nadia's information was accurate.

Having figured it out, Juju sipped her bitter coffee. The man's voice turned rough as she smoothly picked up her saucer.

"Must be real nobility. That hat looks expensive too..."

The moment had come.

"Hey, you bastard, who do you think you are?"

Juju struck at the fist coming toward her with the saucer. It shattered with a clang, sending shards flying. The man instinctively clutched his bleeding hand.

"Damn it!"

If one side was injured, the other would be. As expected. Juju grabbed him and stood up. His arm twisted, he lost his balance. Juju kicked him in the chest, sending him crashing to the floor.

"Ugh!"

"Madam!"

"Stay put!" Juju snapped at the panicked Nadia. Nadia froze.

Juju glanced around. With the man's coughing, the atmosphere changed instantly. Even the people on the second floor glared at Juju from over the railing. They were slowly getting up and gathering.

Much to their surprise, Juju smiled, holding her hat with one hand. She counted them.

"I was worried their numbers had dwindled. But this is a decent turnout."

"Get her!!"

"She's not just any girl, be careful!"

Some people jumped from the railing. Others charged from near the windows, drawing daggers.

Juju pushed Nadia's chair towards the counter. Blocking her, Juju threw the crape dish. It was surprisingly heavy, and it cracked one man's head as it spun. She grabbed a nearby chair and slammed it into the guy coming at her from the side, then twisted his ankle.

I probably don't need to use the ribbons.

She didn't want to dirty her new ones.

She knocked out a woman jumping down from above by striking her jaw. She poured coffee over the head of a man who emerged from under a table. Ignoring his screams, she blocked a knife with an empty cup, twisting the attacker's wrist and taking the knife. He fell, cut by his own blade.

Several others repeated the cycle of futile resistance and unconsciousness.

"Oh, my..."

Nadia was frozen in her chair, watching her new employer's every move.

She realized that witnessing something so shocking could make you forget to breathe.

Her previous employer, Hilarion, had been a thug. He'd often fought with customers. But this was different.

She wasn't even really using weapons.

It wasn't elegant, calculated swordsmanship.

In a way, it was just brutal violence, without morals or justice.

The girl hadn't moved an inch from the spot protecting Nadia, yet her movements were like a dance.

She systematically took down her attackers with her frail frame, as if it was a play with pre-planned choreography.

I only heard stories and never saw it myself, but...

She'd heard that the master she served before had been this strong.

She had been punished for being an infamous villainess. But she had actually been kind to Nadia.

It had happened when Nadia was at a sensitive age, and she'd felt disillusioned about good and evil.

Maybe it was because her new master had investigated her past so thoroughly. Nadia couldn't help but strongly associate the girl with her former mistress.

There are many powerful people in the world. Is this what it feels like when someone who died comes back to life?

Nadia quickly shook her head. She was letting her imagination run wild, startled by the brutal scene.

Meanwhile, Juju grabbed the last man by the collar and threw him towards the counter. The owner, who had been hiding behind it, screamed.

The fork they had used to eat was still on the table. Juju grabbed it and hopped onto the counter. Swinging her legs and the fork, she spoke to the owner.

"That about wraps it up. Was that enough to prove my skills? Time to tell me where your boss is."

"You...you vicious, wicked woman!"

"I appreciate the compliment, but I'm not sure this fork feels the same way."

"No one's ever barged in here like you... I-I'm just renting out the place, I'm not in a position to say anything! Get out of here!"

The owner trembled when the fork came close to his right eye. Juju frowned, thinking he might be telling the truth.

"Enough. Come on up."

Juju lifted her head at the familiar voice.

The fork slipped from her fingers.

He was on the third floor, as expected. In the least conspicuous room, facing the corner behind a pillar. The door was open.

Juju quickly dragged Nadia up the stairs. The person they were looking for had already gone inside. Juju strode confidently forward, and Nadia quickly closed the door behind them.

Juju removed her veil and looked at the person across from her.

"Still going strong, even at your age, Mirta, the Ghost Queen."

She had been an old woman five years ago, and she still was.

Juju had been worried she might be dead or gravely ill. But she seemed to be moving around just fine.

Mirta slowly sat in a rocking chair near the old bed. She took the unfinished knitting from the armrest. She put on her glasses and hunched over, picking up the knitting needles.

"You're still so young. How do you know me, miss?"

"Of course I know you. I came here on purpose. Who else in the capital is as good as you at gathering information?"

Of course, this wasn't the only way to get information.

The nobles each had their own spies, and the Imperial Palace had assassins. Officially, the Imperial Knights, who guarded the Emperor, were the most reliable source.

But the most secretive and trivial clues came from the underbelly.

Back when Charlotte had been a maid, stuck in the corners of the Marquess's mansion, she had naturally learned what kind of information could be found in the maids' gossip and the servants' whispers.

Sometimes, gathering the fleeting fragments from their mouths could reveal a surprising picture.

Someone who had realized that early on and made it a hobby was Mirta. In her youth, her profession was uncertain. She had worked so many hard jobs that it was hard to count.

The connections she had made then had led to more connections, gossip had led to more gossip, and she had flourished in old age. Before long, she had formed a vast information network and organization.

That was why she was called "The Ghost Queen."

As soon as Charlotte had come to the capital, she had sought her out and barely managed to reach her.

"You know me well. But why make such a racket? You were flying around out there."

"Wasn't the whole point to protect that information from people who can't get through those layers of guards?"

The old woman narrowed her eyes faintly.

"There was a young lady who came here like you a long time ago."

"..."

"Since you're here, I should sell you something. How much are you willing to pay?"

Juju dipped her fingernail into a nearby ink bottle. She wrote an address on the old woman's palm.

"Have it delivered here. I'll pay whatever you ask."

The old woman wiped her hand on her old skirt. She continued knitting.

"Tell me what you want. I'll have it delivered with the price."

"I want everything you have on the Four Heroes. Even their dogs' breakfast menu. Just bring it all to me."

"This is everything they've collected so far?"

Ruslan asked, scanning the bills.

Juju, sitting in front of her vanity, couldn't see him clearly. She had her eyes closed while applying powder.

"I told them to send it as they collected it. I need to know what those people are up to."

"Indeed, investigating the Four Heroes openly is too complicated. Among the guests who visit this mansion, there aren't any with the position to approach them boldly."

Juju knew that too. Her old companions were now high-ranking officials in the Empire. They weren't people she could carelessly stir up trouble with, newly arrived in the capital as she was.

So, while Ruslan was busy with guests, she had taken care of this herself.

She was glad Mirta was still alive. And if it hadn't been for Nadia, she would have wasted time finding the old woman. She had been right to take her.

Nadia put away the makeup brush. Juju finally opened her eyes.

In the mirror, Ruslan was dressed in formal attire. The refined silhouette and the beautifully woven muslin cravat were amazing. He even wore a long cashmere cloak over his shoulders, making him look extravagant.

"Dressed to impress for the ball. The ladies of the capital will be shocked."

"Whatever. You're the main character tonight, aren't you?"

That was true.

Today was the day of the long-awaited Imperial Palace ball. An invitation had come in the name of Empress Bathilde, and at Ruslan's request, there were two invitations.

Juju wore the lavender dress that she had tried on as a sample for her finished evening gown. Inge had worked hard to add a corsage that suited Juju. She would definitely stand out.

It was the day the maid, Juju, debuted in society.

It was also the day Charlotte, the former villainess, would meet her enemies again.