Lorle Panach
"The new people are adjusting well," I said as I looked at another week of progress.
"They have decades of experience in the legacy. Velvet Garden is a little different, but they are adjusting well." Replied Cendan Baelir.
It's been a week since he has been working under me. He is displeased by that, as he was displeased working under Lyra before me.
He hadn't expected that. As the son of Mariha Baelir, he thought, he would be training under Grade I or Grade II. Well, that was what he wished.
Even Alina Lindgren is working in departments headed by Grade IV.
Though her training is being overseen by Grand Madam Caena herself, unlike her, he is not an heir. He will just be an employee of the new Vanis Tavern.
Still, being the son of Mariha Baelir comes with privileges. When he starts working in the tavern, he will be Grade III.
It would be similar to a Grade II in Velvet Garden. They will have the highest authority below the masters and the heir. They will be given the rank of Grade II.
There will only be three Grade I.
I want to achieve Grade III. I know I can—if I apply myself and meet every expectation.
There are numerous vacancies across all grades, and these will fill quickly once capable candidates are found, but it won't be easy.
Competition is fierce among Grade III's. Eliyen, Lyra, and others are working just as hard as I am.
"Adjusting isn't enough; they need to learn the work and rules," I stated. "I believe they are doing a good job," he replied, clearly disagreeing.
"That's your opinion, Mr. Baelir," I replied sweetly without changing the smile on my face.
His behavior irritated me, but I didn't let it show. I learned a long time ago that you can get more with a smile than by being sour.
He looked like he wanted to argue further, but nodded. This is not his mother's legacy, but Velvet Garden. They must meet our standards; otherwise, they will be fired without hesitation.
It is my responsibility to train them to our standard, and I will do it.
After a few minutes, he walked out of my office, and I went back to work. The work had increased since the people from Vanis Tavern had come.
Now, I not only have to handle the responsibilities of the cleaning department, but I also have to train and supervise the people who have come from Vanis Tavern.
"Madam, they are here," informed Triss through the intercom. "Let them in," I replied and closed the file. A moment later, three people stepped into my office.
All three of them are initiates.
Two men and one woman. The oldest is a man in his mid-thirties. His name is Travis Garr, and he was selected from the gardens.
Beside him is a man in his mid-twenties, with short brown hair and a wooden stump for a foot. It was eaten by the undead during the first battle while defending the building where the girls were staying.
His name was Josh Hertz, one of the rare few granted direct admission to the Initiate Grade.
The raven-haired orc-blood woman in her late twenties beside him is Rona Bales, from Velvet Garden.
"Madam Panach," they greeted.
Even after a month, I can't get used to my new position. I had dreamed about it day and night, and it is countless times better than I had imagined.
"Take a seat," I replied, and they sat before me.
I met with them daily and asked questions. They perform a variety of roles in the housekeeping department, ranging from clerical tasks to cleaning duties.
I want them to be familiar with every aspect of the job. If any one of them gets assigned here after becoming trainees, I want them to do a good job and avoid any rookie mistakes.
The meeting lasted for half an hour before I sent them away with a new assignment.
A few minutes later, I walked out of my office and took the elevator. Soon, I reached the cleaning department and shadowed the people there.
They are good employees, but it is essential to let them understand that I am watching them.
That I could appear at any time.
Some of the Grade IV didn't like this level of micromanagement. They work differently, and it is their choice.
I will not change mine as long as it brings the results.
I stayed there for an hour before walking away. I would have stayed longer, but I need to go to the top floor to meet Lady Carla.
I don't know why she asked me to her office; there was a letter in my office in the morning. I hope it's not something bad; I believe I am doing a good job.
I stepped into the elevator and saw a familiar orc blood woman.
"High Administress Senar," I greeted. She is a Grade II, with one of the important authorities in Velvet Garden. She is responsible for the training of initiates.
It is up to her to decide where to send the initiates, what they learn, and their promotions.
I idolize this woman. I want to reach the position she is in. It is the highest one could go, below the triumvirate.
"Madam Lorle," I replied.
"You are doing a good job with initiates. They need someone to micro-manage them to bring out their flaws and fix them," she praised.
"Thank you, High Administress," I replied. She smiled before stepping out as the elevator stopped.
I remained there until it reached the top floor before I stepped out of it and walked toward Lady Carla's office.
As I got closer, I couldn't help but get nervous. She didn't usually meet the Grade IVs or most madams. It is Grand Madam Caena who does those things.
Soon, I reached the office.
"You can go inside, Madam Lorle," informed her assistant. I nodded, took a deep breath, and walked toward the door.
Click!
As I reached the door, it opened on its own. After a moment of hesitation, I stepped inside.
It is a beautiful office with a fantastic view of the city. Unlike my office, which had a fake window, this one is significantly larger.
"Lady Salt," I greeted the most powerful woman of the Dominion with a faint bow as I had been taught. "Take a seat, Lorle," she replied, looking at the file she was reading.
The woman is so beautiful and graceful that I doubt I could ever become like her.
She is an idol to all girls—a whore, who has become an heir to the legacy. After Master Silver, it is to her that the girls of the Velvet Garden are most loyal to.
"Do you know why I called you?" she asked. "I hope it's not because of any mistake I made?" I replied hesitantly, with my heart filled with nervousness.
I don't want to lose my job or the department I lead.
I would deny that I wasn't a fan of it when I was first assigned to it. Seeing the other Grade IVs got the envious departments, but it's an important job and a necessary cog in the Velvet Garden.
She laughed at my words. Her laugh is melodious. I could do a melodious laugh and even have a skill, but I couldn't pull it off with the grace she does.
"No, nothing like that. You are doing an excellent job, which is one of the reasons I called you," Carla replied.
It filled me with relief; even now, it feels like a dream.
"There is a vacancy for the assistant to the Governor; Master Silver is offering the position to you," she stated, with her eyes serious.
Saying, I am surprised would be an understatement.
I had expected many things — a reprimand over my methods, demotion, and even promotion — but I never expected this one.
An assistant to the Governor is a position that does not come with a considerable salary or any official power. They serve only as an assistant to the Governor, but that role comes with significant indirect power.
They represent the Governor's authority and have access to all the information and important people.
As madam, I know how important that is.
The indirect power they provide is vast, not to mention the chance to become something greater. Lady Ina had been an assistant to Lord Silver.
Miss Lola wields considerable power in the city as well as in legacy. So did sister, Onaz, in Panar.
"Which Governor?" I asked after nearly a minute of silence, but there was no answer other than a smile from her.
"Will I have my position here?" I asked. Despite working for the Dominion, they usually keep their position here.
Lady Ina is technically Grade I. Miss Lola is a Grade II, and so is her sister Barb. Even sister Onaz had maintained her position in the Velvet Garden.
"Yes, and you will be promoted to Grade III in six months to a year," she replied. "You will not receive a salary from Velvet Garden, of course," she added.
"Why me?" I asked. There are many people here; some are at a higher level than I am and are more capable of this job. She smiled, and I thought she wouldn't answer, but she opened her mouth.
"You have the qualities that this job needs." It is not an answer I had been hoping to get.
"You are capable. You are very good at hiding your thoughts. The persona you project is good enough to fool even intelligent people, and you can lie very well," she answered.
The first sentence made me glad. The words that came after had kind of shocked me.
I wouldn't have, if it had been spoken by my friends who knew me for months and years.
They know the real me and the fake me, but here is the woman I had only spoken to a few times, yet she unraveled me like a book.
I didn't know what to think of it; it is too much. "Can I have some time to think about it?" I asked.
"You have until tomorrow," she replied. It made me relieved; I don't think I am in a condition to think about it right now.
A minute after the conversation ended, I left the office, still processing everything that had transpired.
I made my way to my own office. The weight of the discussion lingered with me, leaving me in a dazed and contemplative state.
I immersed myself in the job, working steadily until seven in the evening.
Throughout those hours, my mind struggled to focus, distracted by the magnitude of the offer and the uncertainty it brought.
I usually stay at the office until at least nine, sometimes even midnight, but today, I am leaving on time.
I have a date.
I wanted to cancel, but since it's the fifth date, I've grown to like the man. It might help me relax from the chaos of thoughts swirling in my mind.
Fifteen minutes later, I reached my suite. It is a good size, much better than the private room I had.
Being a trainee does not provide any housing privilege. In the current rules, at least one person needs to be in Grade IV to be allotted a suite.
I undressed and went to the shower, after coming out. I looked at my closet and selected a black dress.
It is slightly revealing, but I wore it; after all, it is the fifth date.
After that, I did my makeup. By the time I finished, it was time for me to leave.
I had just walked out when I saw the familiar woman. She turned to me and, seeing me dolled up, a smile appeared on her face.
"A date?" Eliyen asked. "Yes," I replied.
"Good luck," she wished. "Thank you," I replied and walked away.
A few minutes later, I am in the carriage traveling toward my destination. The date is not in the legacy. If they insist on keeping the meeting in the legacy, I will never see them again.
Dating is hard for us.
Most people want to date us to make use of our position in the Velvet Garden, the money we have, and our being a whore. Just so, they could fuck us.
The girls of Velvet Garden are famed for our fucking skills. That is a privilege, especially with a Madam.
It is hard to see what is in one's mind, but we have developed a system to understand it.
First, never have a date in the legacy. Second, avoid sleeping with someone until at least ten dates. Third, never go on a date with people who are married.
Soon, I reached the destination. It is one of the best restaurants in the city.
I stepped out of the carriage and entered. I could feel eyes on me, with some flashing with the recognition. Those who recognize me are surprised to see me here.
We have life beyond the legacy; most people associate us only with it. Thinking we have no life without it.
I stopped beside the maître d. "Miss Panach, welcome to Syviarian. Let me lead you to your table," said the elf with raven hair.
Clearly dyed; elves don't have black hair.
As for her recognizing me, despite my never coming here before, I am not surprised.
I had booked the table in my name.
She led me inside. It is a busy restaurant, and there are barely any empty seats. It is a popular restaurant, so every table will, of course, be full.
Soon, I saw my date; he was sitting by the window, looking handsome as always.
He is a half-elf from Owlspring. He is an enchanter who has opened his own workshop, which is incredible considering he is only twenty-five.
He is handsome with pale violet hair and dark blue eyes. They suit those envious elvish cheekbones well.
"You look beautiful," he complimented. It brought a smile to my face. The compliments aren't new to me; I hear them at least ten times a day, but it feels different hearing them from him.
"You are not looking bad yourself," I replied with a smile as I sat down.
"How was your day?" I asked. "Better than I had expected," he replied with a big smile appearing on his face. "I was able to get the bigger order than I had come expecting," he added.
For the new firms, contracts are essential. It keeps them afloat and spreads their name.
"Congratulations," I said. "Thank you," he replied. That is when the waiter came and took our orders.
"You have asked about mine. Tell me about yours?" he asked. "Interesting," I replied before I could even think about it.
He arched a brow, curiosity evident in his expression, but a moment later, his features softened. It was as if he understood that I might not wish to elaborate further, and so he let the matter drop, offering me a silent reprieve from further questioning.
"I got offered a job," I replied. This time, it wasn't intentional. Since I got the offer, my thoughts have been swirling madly in my mind. I want to talk about it to someone.
"It's more like a promotion," I explained. "I believe promotions are something to be happy about," he replied gently.
"I am happy. I am honored to be given the opportunity," I said, unraveling the jumbled thoughts swirling in my mind.
Yes, it is an honor. There are many capable girls in the Velvet Garden.
I have heard my seniors, colleagues, and friends discuss it. They knew that an assistant position would be open with Sister Onaz gone and a new Governor.
Many would have accepted it immediately.
"What have you decided?" he asked, without expressing his opinion. It is the thing I like most about him. Oh, he has opinions, a lot of them, but he knows when to give them and when not.
"I am going to take it," I replied. Once more, surprising myself.
It is a massive opportunity, not because of the access or power it offers, but because it will give me a chance to leave a mark on history.
I would be foolish not to take it.