I Don’t Know the Original, I’m Too Busy Trying to Make a Living

"It's clean enough, I suppose. Not my style, but passable," Ahwin said, glancing around the reception room as if he were some kind of architectural critic.

Penelope’s voice rose sharply.

"Not that! I’m talking about Duke Quantis’s intentions. He deliberately made us walk through all those Emperor’s faction nobles to intimidate us!"

"And? Is that supposed to be intimidating?" Ahwin asked, tilting his head in genuine confusion. Of course, he could be so nonchalant—he hadn’t been subjected to the nobles’ stares.

Ahwin had likely used magic to blur his presence. Not a single noble had paid him any attention. Even Viscount Lindo hadn’t spared him a glance last night.

‘Funny, considering he used to hide behind my back wearing a robe when we were in the capital,’ Penelope thought, seething.

It had to be some new spell Ahwin had developed, letting him control his presence at will.

‘Being a genius makes him even more irritating! If he’d just acted normal, all those nobles would’ve been gawking at him instead of me!’

Frustrated, Penelope gave up on trying to reason with Ahwin. She turned to someone more reliable.

"Ivetta, what’s your take?"

"Duke Quantis seems to be a very cunning man," Ivetta replied without hesitation.

Penelope’s face lit up. "Exactly, right?"

"Yes. By showing off his allies in a subtle but clear way, he’s trying to assert dominance even before the meeting begins," Ivetta explained.

"You all heard my brilliant secretary, didn’t you?" Penelope said, throwing a pointed glance at Ahwin.

"…You all live such exhausting lives," Ahwin muttered, making Penelope want to grab his cheek and shake him.