The Second Life's

LXXI - Mass Firing

Anna greeted me in front of the palace as I got off the horse carriage together with Hendery. I let it go and went straight into the palace with my chin raised. While walking, I tried to remember some things that I needed to remember in the past. All the important things concerning the check up of the palace ledger.

I threw my ass into a leather chair in my new study. The palace treasury book and the ledger I finished comparing. Now, only the execution stage remains.

“Please call Anna here,” my door to Hendery.

“Good, Queen,” said Hendery who then left me alone.

Before long I waited, Hendery returned with the Chief Maid, Anna. I looked at his arrival and smiled happily. Anna, who caught my smile, could only look down. I kicked down my desk so he could look me in the eye.

“You know what I mean by this call?” I asked her, hoping that Anna would have a sense of self-knowledge of her own guilt.

“Sa-I don't know anything, Queen ...,” Anna said.

A liar!

“You have been the Chief Servant of this palace for two years, and from what I have obtained, in these two years .. the palace treasury does not correspond to what is recorded in the ledger,” sayku firmly. “There are 100,000 pieces of gold that disappear magically. Can you explain that to me?”

Instead of answering, Anna prostrated herself on the floor. He did not dare to raise his head and remain in that position even though I had ordered him to stand. “Ratu ..., forgive me .... I don't know anything! Trust me!” exclaim Anna.

The grin did not escape my lips when I heard Anna's confession. “Hoo, really? You don't know anything about the palace treasury that you yourself managed all this time?” I applauded in amazement at his pretentious innocence. “I heard you bought a big house in the middle of town. The price is quite big. How much is it about? Ah, if it's not wrong... 100,000 pieces of gold. It's a coincidence, isn't it?”

Anna raised her face, and it made me even more fed up. It could be that a creature like him could still put a sinless face before me. Does he think I was a little kid yesterday afternoon who doesn't know worldly cunning?

“Queen ..., it's all not true!” Anna remained cool on her stance.

“Shut!” yell emotion. “It's wrong still evasive. If you still don't want to confess, I'll hang you right now! Don't you have any thoughts at all? Is your own salary not enough to finance your luxurious life? It is the behavior of people like yourself that makes people miserable.”

Anna hunchback.

“If you don't confess right now, I'll make sure you die miserable,” I threatened Anna.

“Be-right ...,” says Anna finally. “Sa-I took the money.”

“Good,” I am happy. “If you confess from the beginning, I don't have to bother giving you unnecessary threats. From this second on, I fire you from the position of Chief Maid. As for your 100,000 piece of gold house, I'll confiscate it. Now, get your clothes done and get your feet off here.”

My eardrum seemed to want to break because of the cry begging Anna. I handed Hendery a paper containing the servants and palace staff to ask to be summoned. Anna was dragged out by Hendery, and after that, I waited again inside my study.

One by one I asked him to come face me. There were so many mistakes after mistakes that they made and were not touched or even left by the late Queen XIX. If left unchecked, I'll get the sap myself. I could be labeled as a queen who likes corruption and negligence.

The Queen's Palace Counsel was caught embezzling 150,000 gold pieces for gambling. Again, she was the person of the late Queen XIX. He's working with Anna to keep it a secret from the Empire and from me. Only the Queen can check the Queen's Palace's ledger.

There were four senior servants who secretly set aside a spending allowance for personal gain, each as much as 50,000 gold pieces. They're Anna's personal assistants.

A coachman took 50,000 pieces of gold to treat his sick son. But then, he took the money twice with the same nominal for gambling.

Five young servants took 20,000 to 50,000 pieces of gold from the basic allowance. All the money was the result of their loot for two years.

“Wah, once spooky Queen ...,” comments Hendery as the last waiter comes out after I've been scolded all out.

I ignored Hendery, and was busy taking care of the recruitment of new staff. The faster, the better. I don't want a job in the palace to be crippled by a lack of manpower. Regarding the Chief Servant ..., I have not got the right person.

“Do I want to ask the Queen to make tea?” haggar Hendery.

“Hm? Could too. I would be very grateful if Mr. Franklin did that,” I said indifferently.

“Then, the Queen do not ignore me constantly,” said Hendery.

I glanced at Hendery, knowing that his face was very close to me. Out of shock, I pushed Hendery's body reflexively. Oh gosh, I don't know what's in Hendery's brain, he's trying to tease me again?

Hendery smile. “What is the Queen nervous about with me?”

“Stop teasing me, Mr. Franklin. Just ask Matilda to make me tea.” I tried to ignore Hendery.

“Alright, Queen.” Hendery came out and I was breathing.

My head just seems to break.

“Thank you for giving me such an interesting spectacle.”

I went to the origin of the sound. That's Ava. He stood beside me, it seemed like he was wearing disappearing magic until I was unaware of his presence.

“Attractive spectacle?” I scrunched my forehead.

“Ya, scene of a Queen firing her corrupt subordinates,” Ava said. “But, if I were you, I would have executed them all in front of the people. Disgusting mice like them do not deserve kindness, let alone the chance to live.”

I looked at him in horror. “Does the blessed Goddess of Virtue have a sadistic side like this?”

“Heh! You insinuate me, huh?” Ava pouting.

“No,” elakku.

“Forget it. By the way, I want to check on Isla tonight. Do you want to come?” ask Ava.

“It's not dangerous if he knows my presence?”

“You know if I have a potion that Lucas used? You can drink that and not a single people on the face of this earth can recognize you,” Ava said.

“But I knew Lucas,” said I was trying to tease Ava.

Ava clucked in annoyance. “That's because you guys are close. So, you want to come or not?”

I'm nodding. “Yes. I'm coming.”