The office still looked the same as it had two months ago, but there were noticeable differences. The golden sign Aegor had personally ordered still hung high above the gate, yet outside, several strange billboard-like structures had been erected. Dismounting, Aegor stepped forward and touched one. Paper. He examined the contents—conscription notices, recruitment postings, bonds, and investment instructions—everything was there. It seemed his orders before leaving had been carried out well.
These notices were originally meant to be posted on the wall, but now the office staff had built wooden stands to display them by the roadside. A bold innovation—and an effective one.
This had to be Tyrion's idea again. The man was truly a business genius, though his last name was a burden. Aegor couldn't help but smile, feeling at ease, and walked into the office with Casey.
…
It was an odd feeling—Aegor didn't recognize anyone in his own "shop." The men in black vests were likely employees. The two stationed at the door seemed to be guards, while a young man with a refined air sat behind the reception desk, speaking fluently with a man who looked like a potential client. Listening in, Aegor realized the man was applying to be an industrial security guard for Night's Watch Industries. The receptionist was explaining the benefits and responsibilities of the position in detail.
Things had truly changed. If the new notices and the presence of a "lobby manager" were small surprises, what came next truly stunned him: three people were waiting in line on the benches along either side of the room.
Back when Aegor ran this office, it was common to go days without a single visitor!
Was it because he was too intimidating, scaring people away? Of course not. Without his persistence and tireless efforts, this office wouldn't even exist, let alone flourish as it had.
With a quiet sigh, Aegor strode toward the door leading to the inner chamber.
"What do you think you're doing? Do you have an appointment?"
The receptionist, who had been explaining the job details moments ago, abruptly stopped talking, stood up, and blocked his path. He was about to summon the guards at the door when he hesitated. His gaze fell on Aegor's well-tailored black suit, an unmistakable mark of wealth and status. He froze, stunned for a few seconds, unable to finish his sentence.
Aegor was about to introduce himself when Casey, his ever-keen companion, sensed an opportunity to make an entrance. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and snapped, "How dare you! This is the Chief Logistics Officer! He needs an appointment to enter his own office?"
---
Aegor found the situation amusing, he never expected to experience the classic scenario of an employee failing to recognize their own boss. He studied the receptionist, curious whether the man truly had no idea who he was or if he was merely trying to assert his authority. After all, Aegor was far better known in the rebel army camp than in King's Landing, and he had been gone for two months. He could hardly blame them.
Through sheer determination and the fortune of meeting the right people—Aegor, once an unlucky transmigrator and a brother of the Night's Watch, had clawed his way to his current position. Although these employees had been recruited by Tyrion, they were still his first real subordinates, his own power base. He had no intention of humiliating them for their mistake.
Raising a hand to calm the indignant Casey, Aegor gave the receptionist a reassuring smile. "It's fine. You've worked hard. Carry on."
With that, he pushed open the door and stepped inside, unconcerned with the man's reaction.
The door had changed as well. Once a simple wooden slab, it was now much thicker, likely for better soundproofing. Because of that, the people inside hadn't heard the brief commotion outside. Aegor expected to find Tyrion or another one of his personally recruited staff inside, but as he entered, he was met with an unexpected sight.
A young woman sat behind the desk.
Who was she? Could she be Tyrion's new mistress? This was the inner chamber of the Night's Watch office, the very place where Tyrion and he once conducted their… business dealings. Even if she was a partner, it was rather bold to sit in his chair.
Aegor frowned, displeased. But before he could say anything, he noticed the woman's posture—her head lowered as she scribbled something on parchment. Without looking up, she spoke in a brisk, professional tone.
"Contract signing, bond purchase, investment negotiations, or are you here for a loan or joint venture application?"
(Ah, so she's not just some outsider.)
Aegor relaxed. She had clearly rehearsed that line countless times, delivering it smoothly and with confidence. He also found her voice vaguely familiar, though he couldn't immediately place it.
Then, as if sensing something off, the woman finally looked up.
"Master Aegor!"
She shot to her feet so quickly that the desk nearly shook, almost toppling an ink bottle in the process. Luckily, she caught it in time. Her reaction was no less startled than the receptionist's.
"You… Why are you back?"
It was Nina.
She had swapped her work clothes from the paper mill for a sleek black outfit, looking every bit the part of an office worker. No wonder he hadn't recognized her at first.
But why was she here? She should have been overseeing production and technical improvements at the paper mill. What was she doing working in his office instead?
Of course, outright asking her that might make it seem as if he disapproved of her presence. Concealing his initial confusion, Aegor stepped forward with a smile.
"I'm back. So what? Why are you back?"
"No, I mean..." Nina's face flushed at Aegor's teasing. Seeing him approach the table, she quickly pushed back her chair, making space for him. "I mean, if you wanted to return, you could have let us know in advance so we could go and greet you."
Let them know in advance… And how exactly was I supposed to do that?
To Nina and the others at the Night's Watch office, I might be someone important, but to the king's army and the noble lords who had gathered to suppress the rebellion, what was I? Before returning, was I supposed to ask Robert to lend me a raven to send word to King's Landing, then have Maester Pycelle dispatch someone to notify the office to prepare for my arrival?
"You think too highly of me," Aegor said with a chuckle, shaking his head. "I may not mind the trouble, but I'd rather not cause it for others."
There was no need to explain further. Flaunting himself before his admiring subordinates would have been foolish.
Stepping up to the large desk, Aegor immediately noticed that his chair had also been replaced. It now had a high backrest, wide armrests, a soft cushion, and was covered in velvet. Apart from lacking wheels and the ability to swivel, it was practically the prototype of a proper lord's chair.
Damn chair… this thing…
It must be comfortable.
Since it was his seat to begin with, there was no reason for hesitation. Aegor sat down without a second thought, leaned back, and let himself sink into the plush cushion.
"Who bought this chair?"
"Yes, my lord… Lord Tyrion ordered me to purchase it."
"Not bad. Far more comfortable than that hard one I had before."
The cushion still retained Nina's warmth, and a faint fragrance lingered in the air. They say that once a man's basic needs are met, his thoughts inevitably turn to other desires, and Aegor was certainly well beyond mere survival.
Looking up at Nina, he quickly realized why he hadn't recognized her at first. She hadn't just changed her clothes, she had done her hair and put on makeup as well. Aegor wasn't well-versed in such things, but he could tell she was wearing lipstick.
How was it that something as simple as lipstick could make such a difference? Well, from a biological standpoint, red lips were often a sign of good health and nutrition. Their fullness and shine reflected the skin's hydration and elasticity, a natural indicator of youth and, from an evolutionary perspective, a subconscious signal of fertility…
Stop. Stop.
She's merely the acting representative of the Night's Watch office, presenting herself well for the sake of the organization. She put on lipstick. That's all. Why overthink it?
Snapping himself out of his thoughts, Aegor suddenly realized he had been staring at Nina's lips for far too long. The girl was clearly flustered, her face now redder than the color on her lips.
"I… I'll fetch you some water, my lord," she stammered. Without waiting for his response, she hurried off, nearly stumbling in her haste to escape.
Watching her retreating figure, Aegor sighed. Lipstick truly was a woman's best weapon. A simple touch of color had transformed Nina's once plain, unremarkable features into something striking. The black, form-fitting dress made her skin appear even fairer, while her red lips added a vivid contrast. The combination of black and red was like the final flourish on a painting—turning her from an ordinary girl into something almost… captivating.
A man who seeks greatness must take care of his brothers, whether they are his subordinates or… other parts of himself.
Letting out a long breath, Aegor pushed aside his distractions. Abstaining for a year and a half… perhaps that had been too long. Some things needed to be dealt with before they became a problem.
When Nina returned, carrying a cup of water, the flush on her face had yet to fade, but she seemed more composed. Taking a seat in an ordinary chair beside the desk, she said, "Thank you for your hard work, my lord. Was your journey smooth?"
"The road was good, and the weather was clear. It couldn't have been smoother," Aegor replied, taking a sip of water. He smiled at her, keeping his gaze as steady as possible. "This time, we've truly returned with a full haul."
"A full haul?" Nina looked around in confusion. Even Casey was empty-handed. "Where are your things, my lord? Should I arrange for someone to bring them in?"
Aegor laughed, waving a hand dismissively. "No need. I'm already here."
"I'll explain it all in detail later. For now, tell me what's been happening at the office these past two months."
(To be continued.)
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