The sound of a quill quickly scratched on a coarse surface of paper, like using nails on a chalkboard.
Elizabeth stood from her stool, her back aching from the amount of time spent of these papers.
She had been working ever since she came back from her little detour in the city centre. The work she was doing right now probably would have been completed, had she not lost track of time.
That was when another stack of was plopped onto her desk.
It appears the crossword wasn't her brightest of ideas. She rolled her eyes.
"Ahem...These are regards to the three renters who have terminated their contracts with my lady's apartment." A new voice called out.
"As their expiration date has yet to come, the papers also include the penalties and other miscellaneous costs relating to their departure."
This was her new assistant, Jeremy. A young lad, merely a nineteen-year-old, yet the most capable person she has had on her side for a long time.
Jeremy is adept when it comes to anything law related. It's as if he knows it like the back of his hands.
Naturally, he gets a larger sum of pay than her previous employees for his remarkable work and help with these papers. Had he not been here, this amount of work would have taken her not one, but two weeks to complete on her own.
She had simply stuck gold with her new employee.
"Thank you." Elizabeth stared at his worn-out brown eyes. "But you ought to rest. I cannot let you overwork yourself."
"... work...uch." he muttered something.
"Pardon?"
"Ah. If you need any help, I will be resting in the drawing room on the second floor." He lowered his head.
"Please use the bedroom, Jeremy. Do you not know what people would think if I can't give my employees the minimum of care and accommodation?" Elizabeth sighed.
"Yes.." Jeremy slumped in disappointment and left shortly after.
Eli eyed the stack of papers. She was almost finished with her preparation for a banquet.
It had been a work in progress for a few months now, and turning it into reality was coming closer and closer.
Even though she's been suffering because of rumours going around about her being a murderer and spy these past few week, a project like this one couldn't be postponed.
All she could do is bear with it until it dies down.
Sadly enough, it was unlikely that it would calm down in time for the banquet. It's date was approaching quickly and in a month's time, Elizabeth would be greeting her guests in the entrance hall.
Regardless of what happens, she is content with how things are going. It may look intimidating with all the stacks of paper around her office, but Eli wouldn't give it for the world. She felt content doing this kind of thing, to say the least.
Enough side tracking, she needed to think about all the other necessary things she has to do.
'Let me think. The banquet hall is obviously going to be the one I own, I have rented out people to clean out the place, given out invitations and decoration...'
What was left was procuring servers, guards and complimentary food.
Elizabeth could find servers through a advert on a newspaper. She could do the interview herself to cut costs and make sure they're at least sane people.
But guards? Most of her guests were nobles, who would feel uneasy because of the lack of protection in the hall. She could rent a mercenary guild, but that wouldn't be a great idea. They act like actual barbarians most of the time. Bringing people who live on the battlefield for a living into a sparkly, shiny banquet hall is going to result in a remarkably awful mix of people. The invitees would be more frightened than feel secure.
There was a renowned swordsmanship family that she invited, perhaps she could ask for a favour and use their squires? Knights would be too out of budget, since they too were of nobility.
She would need to write a letter to them, however.
...
'Should I just call for the kid? I don't even know where the sealing wax is..' Elizabeth debated.
Not now. She'll let him rest a for a little bit. It was cruel to ask him of something when he's probably just fallen asleep.
Anyways, what was left was food. That was the simplest one she could handle. Just ask for a patissier to procure some charming treats.
Eli wrote down her in notebook all these three points. The servers were probably the most important—and probably the simplest.
The newspaper company made advertising surprising effortless.
Elizabeth yawned deeply.
'Maybe I also need some rest.'
Staring at the clock on the wall— it was already 12 o'clock.
Maybe a one or two hour nap wouldn't be a bad idea. Right?
She had already worked herself to the bone since she came home. The candle was beginning to show signs of finishing in a few minutes. This was perhaps a good time to rest.
rustle...
Hm? What was that?
'I'm so sleep deprived I am starting to hear thing..' she yawned again.
thud. Thud. THUD!
'....huh?'
BANG!!BANG!!-
Two explosions echoed through the hallways, as someone pulled the trigger twice. The deafening sound of bullet being fired shot Elizabeth fully awake and aware.
THUD, THUD, THUD!!
"What is going on..." a groan came out of her as she stood up.
CREAAAAK—
Jeremy hastily opened the door, closing it shut with full force. His breathing was haggard, and he slumped down to the floor.
"Madam!" he exclaimed while trying to catch up on his breath. "There's an intruder in the house!"
His ghastly appearance was in direct contrast to what he looked like a few noments ago.
"What happened?!" Eli exclaimed." Is it not like last time?"
He stopped for a moment to think. She was reffering to the first week of his employment when something similar happened, claiming this was common occurence afterwards. Jeremy thought her crazy, as she let fools run around in her house without worry.
"No..." he muttered. It was really strange.
"They didn't talk to me last time. Just stared me down. This one was... "
"And he shot you?" she interrogated.
"I felt the first shot graze my calf. The second, I only heard."
" I see. There is no time for more discussion." She walked towards her desk.
It was make of walnut wood, with a compartment she uses for storage. She opened it and threw away all the papers in there. At the bottom of it, awaited a small knob and when pulled revealed a secret compartment.
Elizabeth also had something under her sleeves. A small gun lay in her hands, cool to touch.
"Jeremy, can I ask you a favour? Please leave the manor and report for an intruder." She smiled while brushing away all the dust on the handgun.