Chapter 145 - #144 Night Raid (1/2)

After Akashi arrived home, he immediately went inside his study and sat down at the table with a pensive expression on his face.

*clang* Only when Aiko put teacup with a plate on the table, Akashi woke up from his thoughts and looked up at Aiko leaning forward above the table. Her hairstyle never changed, still 2 pigtails despite those years...This actually made her look slightly childish even though she was no longer a little girl.

”Thank you, Aiko. Can you please start your report on our expanding businesses?” Akashi forced out a smile and asked.

”Before that...Is anything troubling young master?” Aiko asked with a concerned expression while looking at Akashi.

'Was that scent what I think it was? It certainly smelled like another woman...When did the young master have time for this? Maybe I am just misunderstanding the entire situation, it could be Lady Phoenix's scent but...she smells quite different.' Aiko thought when she remembered the scent she smelled from Akashi when she was leaning forward to put down the teacup.

”Hm? Nah, it's nothing that important, just...interesting” Akashi replied with a slightly surprised expression before he returned to his stoic expression.

”Alright, I won't ask any further, however, know that you can always talk to me and discuss anything you want, after all, I am young master's personal maid!” Aiko joined her hands together and said with a bright smile.

Akashi nodded with a small smile and gestured her to start the report.

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GOLD: 4 423‬

'That's the amount I previously had after paying Oarburgh to join me which left me in quite a dire situation but as I hoped for, my business here only continued flourishing. The estimated amount I made in those days I was away is about 15.000 gold coins but the Empire is quite ruthless with their taxes despite me being one of the most powerful nobles. Well, it's only expected since taxes rose quite a lot since the Revolutionary Army kept pressing against the Empire.'

'The final amount is around 12.500 gold coins and that is after meeting some important people in the Finance department of the Empire. After talking with them for a while I was able to save roughly around a thousand gold coins. They were boring but I guess I can call it worth it. However, as expected of Aiko, she always kept some percentage of earnings away for development of other potential businesses or improving already existing ones. At least I don't have to worry about that type of thing with my own money anymore.' Akashi thought when he was returning from the palace together with Aiko who accompanied him there.

Akashi glanced to the side at Aiko and found that she was frowning and her expression itself was radiating that 'upset' aura.

”Are you alright?” He asked but he already knew why was she like that.

”Y-Yes...I just hate how most of these men were ogling me. Just because I am wearing a maid outfit they think that they can do whatever they want even if I am not their maid” Aiko replied and tried to form a smile, not wanting to appear too depressed in front of Akashi but she failed quite miserably.

”I suggested you change your clothes but you insisted that it will show everyone that you are 'MY' maid. Sometimes you can still be very childish.” Akashi shook his head and replied with a small smile.

”I know but I thought that they won't stare if they will know that I belong to you. One of those leaders of the Finance department even suggested making taxes lower for a little ”favor”! I was already shaking under his stare not to mention after what he said...” Aiko replied with a disgusted expression while putting her arms around her ċhėst while holding her shoulders.

”I can't do anything about stares you are receiving, after all, you are beautiful young woman and I am pretty sure that those wolves know how to smell out if the girl is innocent or not...which only excites them more” Akashi replied with an apologetic smile, although he stopped some men who were staring too much and from too close but he can't do anything about people staring from afar.

”He-he, thank you for the compliment, young master.” Suddenly, Aiko's mood took 180 degrees change and she giggled with a bright smile and blushing cheeks.

”Hm?! Then, if they can smell that I am 'innocent' how about young master helps me with that?!” Aiko suddenly blurted out while looking expectantly at Akashi.

”...*sigh*” Both of them stopped walking and Akashi turned at her and kept silent for a while before he sighed while shaking his head with a smile. He went ahead while Aiko kept staring at his back with a slightly surprised expression.

”You better treasure it and not use it for your convenience!” Only when she heard Akashi's voice from afar, she picked up a pace to catch up with him.