IBWHK 18

~Chapter 18~

“So, who’s in charge of this construction project?”

I got straight to the point.

The reason I called this guy here was to figure out what was really going on.

Clayton answered right away.

“It’s the Alnor Trading Company. We signed a contract for them to supply all the materials needed.”

“The bidding ended this fast?”

“Haha, madam, you don’t need to worry about such details when you’re so busy. I followed past customs and took care of everything, so you only need to give your final approval.”

He tried to avoid my question and handed me the approval papers, expecting me to sign and praise him.

Of course, I didn’t even look at it—I just tossed it back.

“Are you dodging the question?”

The papers hit Clayton in the face and scattered everywhere.

“I asked you about the bidding.”

“Madam, we already have a company we’ve always worked with. Why make extra work by having a bidding process? Isn’t it common sense to avoid unnecessary paperwork?”

“Oh, I see. So I must not know common sense. Is that why you think you can teach me?”

“I—I misspoke. That’s not what I meant…”

Clayton, who’d gotten upset, quickly became obedient again.

As a high official in Lombard, he didn’t like being scolded by someone much younger and, in his view, dumber.
But there’s nothing he can do—the “dumb girl” outranks him.

“Alnor, huh? Never heard of them.”

To supply materials for all the cathedral construction in Lombard, you’d need a very big company.
But Alnor Trading was a name I’d never even heard before.

Sensing my doubt, Baron Comte quietly stepped in from the corner.

“Madam, there’s an Alnor County nearby Lombard.”

“Does the count run the company himself?”

“Yes. And, unfortunately, Count Alnor is Viscount Clayton’s cousin.”

“What?!”

It was a clear case of a special relationship—basically, corruption.

Baron Comte, knowing my temper, looked proud and smug now that he was back in my favor, but Clayton still seemed clueless.

I pressed my temple, feeling a headache.

“Viscount Clayton, do you know how much tax money is going into this project?”

“It’s about 20,000 gold coins.”

“Exactly. And you’re giving out a private contract? This isn’t just fixing a few windows or replacing some old desks—it’s a massive project!”

“Madam, I know you want to enforce discipline since you’re new here, but isn’t this a little much?”

Clayton could barely hide his annoyance.

“This is how we’ve always done things in Lombard, long before you arrived. No one ever complained, and there’s never been a problem.”

“No problem? That’s even worse!”

“Madam…!”

“That’s 20,000 gold coins—taxes the people sweated and bled to pay! Do you really think it’s okay to run things so carelessly?!”

“This is too much. I was ready to serve you loyally. There was no need to do things this way!”

He didn’t listen at all.

He clearly thought I was just using the people as an excuse to boss him around.

“Let me be frank. I heard some things happened between you and the councilors of the inner wall. I also want to show my loyalty.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’ll give you 20% of the construction budget. Is that enough?”

My mind went blank.

How did the incident with the inner wall councilors turn into this?

I just stared at him, dumbfounded.

“If you take 20% off the budget, how will you get enough materials?”

“You just cut a little on quality and quantity. If you cover up the outside, nobody will notice. I’ll take care of it so you won’t have to worry.”

Clayton thought he had me convinced and even started explaining the details of how to cheat.

Suddenly, I remembered something from my past.

Big budgets were always popular. Someone like me, a commoner, couldn’t even get close.

I sometimes wondered what really happened with all that money, but I was too busy and it wasn’t my business.

‘M-major trouble! The third bridge in the south has collapsed!’

One day, the biggest bridge in Lombard collapsed—only 20 years after it was finished, with no warning.
There were a lot of casualties.

The third bridge was vital for Lombard’s trade.
Its collapse stopped the economy, food prices shot up, and the poor suffered the most.

I regretted it deeply.

Even though I knew in my head it wasn’t my fault, I still couldn’t sleep from guilt.

‘Damn it, I just wanted to impress the Inquisitor, but look at this mess…’

I knew exactly what happens when you cut quality and quantity for money.

“Viscount, thank you for your loyalty.”

I pretended to be satisfied.

To avoid attention—especially from Mrs. Olden—I met with Clayton secretly in the castle’s prayer room, not my office.

If I confronted him head-on like I did with the mine, things could get out of control.

‘Let’s use my brain for once.’

My lazy brain complained, but I smiled and held out a piece of paper.

“Now we finally understand each other. Anyone would be touched by such sincerity.”

“I’m just grateful you see my true feelings, madam!”

Clayton’s eyes sparkled.
He went back to bragging about how capable he was and listing all the important projects he’d handled.

I nodded and listened, then acted like I just remembered something.

“Hmm, we should put this all in writing so we both feel safe, don’t you think?”

“What do you need?”

“Just a signed agreement from you would do.”

“Of course! If it means I can be on your side, I’ll sign anything!”

Clayton wanted something in writing too.

He eagerly wrote a statement agreeing that in exchange for me overlooking the special contract with Alnor Trading, he’d pay me 20% of the project funds.

‘Got it.’

Now I had undeniable proof of corruption.

I immediately rushed to Bertolt’s office.

Bertolt was the chief steward of Lombard Castle and the Duke’s right hand. He’d been acting as the lady of the house in my absence.

That meant he had almost as much authority as the Duke.

I pushed past the guards at the door and kicked my way in.

“Baron Comte has something he wants to tell you.”

“…What?”

“Me?!”

Bertolt, who was working at his desk, and Baron Comte, who followed me in like a little duck, both looked surprised.

Bertolt blinked between me and the broken door.

There was another guest: Head Administrator Ramon, one of the few honest officials in this corrupt place.

With his tired eyes, you could tell he worked too hard and slept too little.

“Um, I’ll just leave you and Bertolt to talk.”

“Where do you think you’re going? Sit down.”

“Tch.”

Ramon, sensing danger, tried to slip away, but I stopped him.

I walked up to the desk, dragging Baron Comte with me.

“Speak, Baron.”

“M-me? I have nothing to say…”

“…”

“Yes! I do! Of course I do!”

Seeing my sharp look, Baron Comte quickly pulled out Clayton’s written confession.

“How are you two running the place?! This is outrageous!”

“Baron, what is this?”

“Let me see… It says, ‘I’ll pay 20% of the construction budget to madam’?!”

Head Administrator Ramon’s eyes went wide.

“Madam was furious when she saw this. The reason she was angry is, um…”

Baron Comte glanced at me, desperately asking for a hint.

I waved my fan, covering my mouth.

‘Say it’s because you tried to bribe me with the people’s tax money—so insulting I couldn’t stand it! Got it?’

Thankfully, he caught on and shouted,

“She says she’s so insulted by the attempt to bribe her with this little money that she can’t stand it!”