Lorle Panach
"The new people are adjusting well," I said as I looked at another week of progress.
"They have decades of experience in the legacy. Velvet Garden is a little different, but they are adjusting well." Replied Cendan Baelir.
It's been a week since he has been working under . He is displeased by that, as he was displeased working under Lyra before .
He hadn't expected that. As the son of Mariha Baelir, he thought, he would be training under Grade I or Grade II. Well, that was what he wished.
Even Alina Lindgren is working in departnts headed by Grade IV.
Though her training is being overseen by Grand Madam Caena herself, unlike her, he is not an heir. He will just be an employee of the new Vanis Tavern.
Still, being the son of Mariha Baelir cos with privileges. When he starts working in the tavern, he will be Grade III.
It would be similar to a Grade II in Velvet Garden. They will have the highest authority below the masters and the heir. They will be given the rank of Grade II.
There will only be three Grade I.
I want to achieve Grade III. I know I can—if I apply myself and et every expectation.
There are nurous vacancies across all grades, and these will fill quickly once capable candidates are found, but it won't be easy.
Competition is fierce among Grade III's. Eliyen, Lyra, and others are working just as hard as I am.
"Adjusting isn't enough; they need to learn the work and rules," I stated. "I believe they are doing a good job," he replied, clearly disagreeing.
"That's your opinion, Mr. Baelir," I replied sweetly without changing the smile on my face.
His behavior irritated , but I didn't let it show. I learned a long ti ago that you can get more with a smile than by being sour.
He looked like he wanted to argue further, but nodded. This is not his mother's legacy, but Velvet Garden. They must et our standards; otherwise, they will be fired without hesitation.
It is my responsibility to train them to our standard, and I will do it.
After a few minutes, he walked out of my office, and I went back to work. The work had increased since the people from Vanis Tavern had co.
Now, I not only have to handle the responsibilities of the cleaning departnt, but I also have to train and supervise the people who have co from Vanis Tavern.
"Madam, they are here," inford Triss through the intercom. "Let them in," I replied and closed the file. A mont later, three people stepped into my office.
All three of them are initiates.
Two n and one woman. The oldest is a man in his mid-thirties. His na is Travis Garr, and he was selected from the gardens.
Beside him is a man in his mid-twenties, with short brown hair and a wooden stump for a foot. It was eaten by the undead during the first battle while defending the building where the girls were staying.
His na was Josh Hertz, one of the rare few granted direct admission to the Initiate Grade.
The raven-haired orc-blood woman in her late twenties beside him is Rona Bales, from Velvet Garden.
"Madam Panach," they greeted.
Even after a month, I can't get used to my new position. I had dread about it day and night, and it is countless tis better than I had imagined.
"Take a seat," I replied, and they sat before .
I t with them daily and asked questions. They perform a variety of roles in the housekeeping departnt, ranging from clerical tasks to cleaning duties.
I want them to be familiar with every aspect of the job. If any one of them gets assigned here after becoming trainees, I want them to do a good job and avoid any rookie mistakes.
The eting lasted for half an hour before I sent them away with a new assignnt.
A few minutes later, I walked out of my office and took the elevator. Soon, I reached the cleaning departnt and shadowed the people there.
They are good employees, but it is essential to let them understand that I am watching them.
That I could appear at any ti.
So of the Grade IV didn't like this level of micromanagent. They work differently, and it is their choice.
I will not change mine as long as it brings the results.
I stayed there for an hour before walking away. I would have stayed longer, but I need to go to the top floor to et Lady Carla.
I don't know why she asked
to her office; there was a letter in my office in the morning. I hope it's not sothing bad; I believe I am doing a good job.
I stepped into the elevator and saw a familiar orc blood woman.
"High Administress Senar," I greeted. She is a Grade II, with one of the important authorities in Velvet Garden. She is responsible for the training of initiates.
It is up to her to decide where to send the initiates, what they learn, and their promotions.
I idolize this woman. I want to reach the position she is in. It is the highest one could go, below the triumvirate.
"Madam Lorle," I replied.
"You are doing a good job with initiates. They need soone to micro-manage them to bring out their flaws and fix them," she praised.
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"Thank you, High Administress," I replied. She smiled before stepping out as the elevator stopped.
I remained there until it reached the top floor before I stepped out of it and walked toward Lady Carla's office.
As I got closer, I couldn't help but get nervous. She didn't usually et the Grade IVs or most madams. It is Grand Madam Caena who does those things.
Soon, I reached the office.
"You can go inside, Madam Lorle," inford her assistant. I nodded, took a deep breath, and walked toward the door.
Click!
As I reached the door, it opened on its own. After a mont of hesitation, I stepped inside.
It is a beautiful office with a fantastic view of the city. Unlike my office, which had a fake window, this one is significantly larger.
"Lady Salt," I greeted the most powerful woman of the Dominion with a faint bow as I had been taught. "Take a seat, Lorle," she replied, looking at the file she was reading.
The woman is so beautiful and graceful that I doubt I could ever beco like her.
She is an idol to all girls—a whore, who has beco an heir to the legacy. After Master Silver, it is to her that the girls of the Velvet Garden are most loyal to.
"Do you know why I called you?" she asked. "I hope it's not because of any mistake I made?" I replied hesitantly, with my heart filled with nervousness.
I don't want to lose my job or the departnt I lead.
I would deny that I wasn't a fan of it when I was first assigned to it. Seeing the other Grade IVs got the envious departnts, but it's an important job and a necessary cog in the Velvet Garden.
She laughed at my words. Her laugh is lodious. I could do a lodious laugh and even have a skill, but I couldn't pull it off with the grace she does.
"No, nothing like that. You are doing an excellent job, which is one of the reasons I called you," Carla replied.
It filled
with relief; even now, it feels like a dream.
"There is a vacancy for the assistant to the Governor; Master Silver is offering the position to you," she stated, with her eyes serious.
Saying, I am surprised would be an understatent.
I had expected many things — a reprimand over my thods, demotion, and even promotion — but I never expected this one.
An assistant to the Governor is a position that does not co with a considerable salary or any official power. They serve only as an assistant to the Governor, but that role cos with significant indirect power.
They represent the Governor's authority and have access to all the information and important people.
As madam, I know how important that is.
The indirect power they provide is vast, not to ntion the chance to beco sothing greater. Lady Ina had been an assistant to Lord Silver.
Miss Lola wields considerable power in the city as well as in legacy. So did sister, Onaz, in Panar.
"Which Governor?" I asked after nearly a minute of silence, but there was no answer other than a smile from her.
"Will I have my position here?" I asked. Despite working for the Dominion, they usually keep their position here.
Lady Ina is technically Grade I. Miss Lola is a Grade II, and so is her sister Barb. Even sister Onaz had maintained her position in the Velvet Garden.
"Yes, and you will be promoted to Grade III in six months to a year," she replied. "You will not receive a salary from Velvet Garden, of course," she added.
"Why ?" I asked. There are many people here; so are at a higher level than I am and are more capable of this job. She smiled, and I thought she wouldn't answer, but she opened her mouth.
"You have the qualities that this job needs." It is not an answer I had been hoping to get.
"You are capable. You are very good at hiding your thoughts. The persona you project is good enough to fool even intelligent people, and you can lie very well," she answered.
The first sentence made
glad. The words that ca after had kind of shocked .
I wouldn't have, if it had been spoken by my friends who knew
for months and years.
They know the real
and the fake , but here is the woman I had only spoken to a few tis, yet she unraveled
like a book.
I didn't know what to think of it; it is too much. "Can I have so ti to think about it?" I asked.
"You have until tomorrow," she replied. It made
relieved; I don't think I am in a condition to think about it right now.
A minute after the conversation ended, I left the office, still processing everything that had transpired.
I made my way to my own office. The weight of the discussion lingered with , leaving
in a dazed and contemplative state.
I imrsed myself in the job, working steadily until seven in the evening.
Throughout those hours, my mind struggled to focus, distracted by the magnitude of the offer and the uncertainty it brought.
I usually stay at the office until at least nine, sotis even midnight, but today, I am leaving on ti.
I have a date.
I wanted to cancel, but since it's the fifth date, I've grown to like the man. It might help
relax from the chaos of thoughts swirling in my mind.
Fifteen minutes later, I reached my suite. It is a good size, much better than the private room I had.
Being a trainee does not provide any housing privilege. In the current rules, at least one person needs to be in Grade IV to be allotted a suite.
I undressed and went to the shower, after coming out. I looked at my closet and selected a black dress.
It is slightly revealing, but I wore it; after all, it is the fifth date.
After that, I did my makeup. By the ti I finished, it was ti for
to leave.
I had just walked out when I saw the familiar woman. She turned to
and, seeing
dolled up, a smile appeared on her face.
"A date?" Eliyen asked. "Yes," I replied.
"Good luck," she wished. "Thank you," I replied and walked away.
A few minutes later, I am in the carriage traveling toward my destination. The date is not in the legacy. If they insist on keeping the eting in the legacy, I will never see them again.
Dating is hard for us.
Most people want to date us to make use of our position in the Velvet Garden, the money we have, and our being a whore. Just so, they could fuck us.
The girls of Velvet Garden are fad for our fucking skills. That is a privilege, especially with a Madam.
It is hard to see what is in one's mind, but we have developed a system to understand it.
First, never have a date in the legacy. Second, avoid sleeping with soone until at least ten dates. Third, never go on a date with people who are married.
Soon, I reached the destination. It is one of the best restaurants in the city.
I stepped out of the carriage and entered. I could feel eyes on , with so flashing with the recognition. Those who recognize
are surprised to see
here.
We have life beyond the legacy; most people associate us only with it. Thinking we have no life without it.
I stopped beside the ma??tre d. "Miss Panach, welco to Syviarian. Let
lead you to your table," said the elf with raven hair.
Clearly dyed; elves don't have black hair.
As for her recognizing , despite my never coming here before, I am not surprised.
I had booked the table in my na.
She led
inside. It is a busy restaurant, and there are barely any empty seats. It is a popular restaurant, so every table will, of course, be full.
Soon, I saw my date; he was sitting by the window, looking handso as always.
He is a half-elf from Owlspring. He is an enchanter who has opened his own workshop, which is incredible considering he is only twenty-five.
He is handso with pale violet hair and dark blue eyes. They suit those envious elvish cheekbones well.
"You look beautiful," he complinted. It brought a smile to my face. The complints aren't new to ; I hear them at least ten tis a day, but it feels different hearing them from him.
"You are not looking bad yourself," I replied with a smile as I sat down.
"How was your day?" I asked. "Better than I had expected," he replied with a big smile appearing on his face. "I was able to get the bigger order than I had co expecting," he added.
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"Congratulations," I said. "Thank you," he replied. That is when the waiter ca and took our orders.
"You have asked about mine. Tell
about yours?" he asked. "Interesting," I replied before I could even think about it.
He arched a brow, curiosity evident in his expression, but a mont later, his features softened. It was as if he understood that I might not wish to elaborate further, and so he let the matter drop, offering
a silent reprieve from further questioning.
"I got offered a job," I replied. This ti, it wasn't intentional. Since I got the offer, my thoughts have been swirling madly in my mind. I want to talk about it to soone.
"It's more like a promotion," I explained. "I believe promotions are sothing to be happy about," he replied gently.
"I am happy. I am honored to be given the opportunity," I said, unraveling the jumbled thoughts swirling in my mind.
Yes, it is an honor. There are many capable girls in the Velvet Garden.
I have heard my seniors, colleagues, and friends discuss it. They knew that an assistant position would be open with Sister Onaz gone and a new Governor.
Many would have accepted it imdiately.
"What have you decided?" he asked, without expressing his opinion. It is the thing I like most about him. Oh, he has opinions, a lot of them, but he knows when to give them and when not.
"I am going to take it," I replied. Once more, surprising myself.
It is a massive opportunity, not because of the access or power it offers, but because it will give
a chance to leave a mark on history.
I would be foolish not to take it.
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