"Duchess, are you inside? Can I co in?" Vix’s voice broke through the silence, interrupting my contemplations.
"Yes, co in," I replied, granting her entry. She arrived bearing food and fresh clothes for the disheveled woman who had been waiting with eager anticipation.
The woman’s eyes widened as she beheld the array of food before her. "Food! Finally, food is here. All of this is mine. No one is going to touch them. All of this belongs to alone," she declared, her possessiveness over the al apparent as she circled it protectively.
Vix looked puzzled as she set down the provisions. "Duchess, who is she? And why is she behaving like this? Didn’t you ask to bring food for yourself? Then why is she here?" she inquired, her brow furrowing.
"No, I did ask for her. I found her when I went outside. No hotels allowed her inside, and I couldn’t find a suitable place to leave her, so I brought her with . She kept saying she was hungry, so the food is the only thing that can calm her down," I explained, watching the woman as she began eating with fervor.
Vix tried to comprehend the woman’s circumstances. "How was she living like this?" she wondered aloud, unable to fathom the harsh reality the woman had endured.
"I’m not sure. I’m not sure how everyone keeps living like this. If seeing just one person in this condition affects like this, how will I feel when I see crowds of people facing the sa situation?" I mused, my voice tinged with sadness and determination.
"Crowds?" Vix questioned, her curiosity piqued.
"Yes, crowds! She’s not the only one behaving this way. There are thousands of people living in similar conditions. I have to take swift action to address this issue," I declared, a sense of urgency coloring my words.
As our conversation continued, I noticed Grant standing at the door, patiently awaiting my attention.
"Did you bring everything I asked for?" I inquired, shifting my focus to him.
"Yes, I brought everything as you ordered," he replied dutifully. However, before handing over the ledgers, he hesitated and raised a question that had been weighing on his mind. "But, Duchess, shouldn’t you seek the Lord’s opinion on this matter?"
"The Duke’s opinion? Why?" I queried, genuinely interested in his perspective.
"After all, you are discussing matters concerning Ablia, which falls under his jurisdiction. Shouldn’t he have a say?" Grant suggested, his tone laced with uncertainty.
A soft chuckle escaped my lips as I contemplated his suggestion. "Grant, do you rember the first ti I asked for all the docunts of this mansion and Ablia? What did you tell ?"
His brow furrowed as he recalled the past. "That the docunts haven’t been checked by anyone for years. I used to check them when I first arrived at this mansion, but that was for a short ti. It’s been a long ti since anyone even touched those docunts."
"Exactly, Grant," I affird, satisfied that he rembered. With a nod, he departed, understanding the point I was making.
"So how could you even ask to seek the Duke’s opinion when he hasn’t even glanced at the docunts during the years before I arrived? If he didn’t do it then, why would he do it now?" I added. With a nod, he departed, understanding the point I was making.
"Ah, Vix, could you please take this lady to a guest room? I think she needs to see a doctor. I’m not sure what’s wrong with her, but I believe she’s going through a lot, so it’s best to have her checked by a physician," I instructed.
"As you wish, Duchess. I’ll have the maids clean her up first and then check if she has any physical injuries. After that, I’ll call for the doctor," Vix assured before leading the woman away.
Turning my attention back to the task at hand, I called upon Erios. "Erios, please review these files. Even if you don’t fully understand them, check if anything seems unusual in the docunts. I’ll investigate further."
Erios nodded and began examining the ledgers while I continued to flip through the pages, my eyes focused on the budget allocated for the state’s welfare. Everything appeared to be ticulously maintained, with millions of gold coins earmarked for Ablia’s developnt, and signatures from the citizens confirming receipt. Yet, the evident lack of progress and the region’s dilapidated state couldn’t be ignored.
"Erios, did you notice anything unusual?" I inquired, my gaze still fixed on the ledgers.
"No, the budgets appear to be ticulously maintained. It’s challenging to find any discrepancies here. But where is the money allocated by the Duke? It’s docunted that he sanctioned millions of gold coins monthly for Ablia’s developnt and the mansion’s upkeep. Yet, you ntioned the maids wearing the sa uniforms for five years. Who is siphoning off the funds ant for the people?" Erios voiced the sa concern that had been troubling .
"Let investigate this myself," I decided, rising from my seat and stepping out into the hallway. The mansion’s bustling activity continued unabated as I raised my voice to command attention.
"Attention!" I called out, demanding the focus of those present.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, filled with both curiosity and exasperation.
"What’s going on now?"
"Didn’t she create enough chaos a mont ago?"
"Yeah, I wonder what she’s planning this ti," I overheard the whispered complaints from the assembled staff, but I paid them no mind.
"Yes, Duchess, do you require sothing?" one of them inquired.
"Yes, I need everyone’s attention for an important discussion," I asserted, determined to get to the bottom of the financial discrepancies that plagued Ablia.
"What is it?" they asked, curiosity piqued.
"Tell , tell your salaries, which are paid by the Duke," I requested, prompting a collective gasp of astonishnt that swept through the crowd. It was clear they were contemplating the implications of my inquiry.
"Duchess, aren’t you aware of our salaries? They are always docunted in the budget, and we sign for our pay," one of the maids replied, her voice trembling slightly.
"Yes, I am aware. That’s why I’m asking again. Tell how much you receive," I pressed further, determined to uncover the truth behind Ablia’s financial mysteries.
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