Chapter 30 --30
"Good. You’re hired. I need a full audit of my household finances going back two years. Everything that was spent, everything that was transferred, every account that touched my budget. You’ll have access to palace archives and my personal authorization. Your salary is four hundred gold monthly, plus discretionary funds for hiring assistants if needed."
Mira’s eyes widened slightly. That was nearly double standard rate for senior accountants. "Your Highness, I—"
"You were dismissed for refusing to participate in embezzlement. That’s exactly the kind of integrity I need." Elara slid a contract across the desk. "Sign here. You start today."
Mira took the pen with hands that trembled just slightly, then signed.
The second candidate was younger—a man in his late twenties with ink stains on his fingers and the cautious posture of someone used to being overlooked.
"Dimitri Orlean. Former correspondence clerk. Family runs a textile import business."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"You were let go for ’insubordination.’ Explain."
Dimitri swallowed. "I questioned why letters addressed to you from the Merchants’ Council were being rerouted to the Empress’s office before reaching your desk."
Elara’s expression didn’t change, but she made a mental note. "How did you notice?"
"Seal marks, Your Highness. Official council correspondence uses specific wax compounds. The letters you received had been opened and resealed with standard palace wax. Different melting point, different texture."
"And you reported this?"