Partings and Reunions

Ajani panted as she crawled to the bedside. She had been every bit as arrogant before as she was now disheveled. She hurriedly gulped down a large mouthful of water, then let out a long sigh.

"Whew! You're a born little bastard! If I hadn't watched you grow up, I'd have thought you were a devil straight out of hell. How can you be so—"

Ajani's words cut off abruptly. She saw that Franz had already dressed and washed up, as if nothing had happened. The mess strewn across the floor and the youthful air filling the room, however, were impossible to hide.

Franz stole a glance at the pale, soft body sprawled across the bed and thought, So this is my [Physical Health and Safety] lesson. He might not have any practical experience, but he was rich in theoretical knowledge.

After all, having lived two lifetimes, Franz was forty years old on the inside. Still, he kept a straight face as he asked,

"Who's going to take over your work?"

"Don't worry, I've already pulled out all the hidden dangers for you. Everyone in the Violet Knights, from top to bottom, is now a fervent follower of the House of Habsburg and you.

"Fleglova, Miss Mia Arties, and Miss Karena will each take over one of the roles I've been playing."

As a former lead dancer at the theater, Fleglova had no trouble socializing or digging up information. The stereotypes surrounding Gypsies also made it easier for her to adapt to the job.

Mia Arties was the eldest daughter of Arties Bank—or rather, Arties Mining Bank now, since Old Arties (Jacob Arties) had accepted Franz's proposal.

As the Austrian Empire's industrial fixer, it was hard for him not to make money. Arties Bank had spent years navigating the business