Glass sat on a table in the corner of the "Very Sweet" Café, in incognito she was watching the "Confession" store across from it. Sure, enough the store was nearly filled with a line of people. Rica was the largest province in the Hall family's hold. Yet, this "Confession" store has the largest number of customers on a daily basis. Not to leave out "Very Sweet" which also has its fair share of large customers. Isa and Deacon accompted her.
"My lady. I apologies for the sorry for the wait" Said the manager of Confessions as he brought a report.
"Please do not be so weary' Isa said, "Lift your head."
"Yes. Business has been flourishing in abundance lately, and I suspect all of the employees grow weary after yet another hard day of work; and so, I decided to bring juices for everyone to enjoy." Glass said as signaled to the employee, who brought her a tray.
"Oh, thank you very much."
"Is there enough juice for all the employees? Or is it ….."
Clash..! There was a loud cracking noise followed by a scream. Glass stood up and looked at a gentleman cause and talking nonsense at the cashier.
"Bring out the boss" He screamed
"Deacon" Glass looked at him. Deacon nodded as he walked over, Glass moved her gaze toward the manager of the Confession store "Please take these backs to your .employees"
The manager nodded and eyes the manager of "Very Sweet" as he walked out. Deacon had brought the trouble maker to Glass and sat him down along with the cashier who had been replaced. Before he finally took his seat.
"… It has been a while, Mr. De." The store manager of "Very Sweet" said.
"At your behest, I have shown myself to you… So might you now explain why a 'Former Employee' is the cause for this uproar?"
"…." The man had said nothing and then got somewhat distracted as looked at the beautiful women sipping her coffee in front of him.
"Keeping your lips sealed, huh… I, as the supervisor, have the responsibility of overseeing this establishment so that the customers may browse our wares at their leisure. Under usual circumstances, we would've already had you handed over to the proper authorities, and this would've been finished by now. But. since I was courteous enough to give you this opportunity to speak for yourself, it would be in your best interest to seize it." The manager said with confidence. He was an oderinary commoner that was handpicked by Glass to run this store after seeing his grades in the Academy for commoners. He loved his job, and the family that came with it brought him more joy than anything in this world. He was not going to let this fool ruin is, a former employee just like what he heard from his best friend whose managing "Confession" caused trouble.
I'm not at fault here!" Mr. DE looked at his former employer's gaze, which seemed like he wanted to kill him.
"Playing innocent this late in the game, huh." The female cashier whispered in disgust.
"I'm not playing innocent! It wasn't my fault! I have worked at this firm and produced results. And I have these results from working until I was bare bones. Yet. when I applied for reinstatement, I was so easily brushed away…"
"… If memory serves me right, weren't you the one to quit after being lured into another company four years ago? In that case, why can't you just produce the same results over there?" the manager said.
"Wh-… Well… it may be so… But I came to understand that I could make better use of my capabilities in this company. That is why I applied for reinstatement… So, to just be cast aside like this…"
"In any case, you are suggesting that we re-admit you… You, a man who gladly joined another firm, and then casually submitted for reinstatement after four years…?"
"Bu-But… Isn't it only natural that you accept people of my caliber with pleasure?! I was once in charge of cooking for this store! If you were to hire me again, you would see immediate results!"
"You certainly did give an excellent performance while still at our firm."
" … Then…."
"We already have a multitude of employees at your skill level," The female cashier said cutting the man off.
"Certainly, you may possess those skills right from the get-go. But now, even those without any initial skills strive hard to obtain them, and in the long run, achieve much more than people like you who are stuck in their ways due to pride… Did you honestly believe I wouldn't look at one's work ethic? Sure, skill is essential, but that's not the whole of it. Suppose there was someone with your level of ability: between you, someone content in their skills and is prone to turn-coating in a state of crisis, or a hard worker who would remain loyal in the face of it… I don't need to state which one I would choose, now, do I…?
"… So you say, but a woman who left the company around the same time as I got re-employed. She's right there!" He glared at the female Cashier who looked at him disgusted.
"… She was on maternity leave. Since she filed for it, I was made aware of the circumstances and gave her express permission to come back. It is a wholly different matter from yours; so then, why did you inquire about her?"
"…. Well, humph. I didn't know if it was for maternity leave or whatever, but there are a ton of women in this firm who only serve to stock items or work at the register. And although that woman was able to return, I for some reason cannot. This company is clearly prone to favoritism. Or do you believe that to be unfounded? How about you and that woman over there?"
Glass stayed quiet even though the vulgar man had brought her into the conversation. However, Isa and the manager's expression became deadly.
"Carrying merchandise, accounting… Well, they do certainly seem like monotonous jobs. But it is because of that very same work that the shop manages to function well. From my standpoint, the work you were doing and work she is doing are of equal importance. The job hierarchy isn't everything. Either way, she is an important member of our workforce, able to do her job with efficiency, competency, and proficiency." The manager nearly barked back.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow! It hurts!!" Deacon squeezed the man's arms tightly.
"Your denouncement of women has reached my ears; However, did you forget? Who it is that owes this store?" Glass said as she looked at the man with a deadly gaze "Upon retirement, you receive your pension and a bonus; but to leave the company for good and not only that for four years. That is different from a leave as the person in question is bound to come back after their period of absence is over. However, you have not come back in four years." Glass then looked at the female Cashier "In the documents that received signatures when we hired people, and it is clearly stated that leave of absence and retirement are different. It should have also been explained it beforehand."
"Yes, when I was trying to quiet because Of my pregnancy, I had to explain my reason just like Mr. DE. When Mr. Sei, the manager said I could take Maternity leave instead. Which allowed me to leave for a few months and come back to work simply fine." The casher said putting her audience in shock.
"Truly? Astounding!! I also want to work here! We can't get by only with our husbands' salaries, and considering the child on its own matter is difficult to say…" a female customer whispered
"Certainly. I'll put it in layman's terms: basically, I have to quit my job whenever I give birth to a child; however, in this company, after giving birth, I could go back and work the same way I did before. It's a shame that this company is the only one employing that system!" Another said.
Glass continued to glare coldly at the man "My company does not restrict your freedom when you leave, of course the chance of being rehired. Was due to your incompetence as a future employee. But now that I you have caused a ruckus inside the store you have also proved that you have taken as my company as a plaything" Glass said, making the man and the customers finally realizing who she is. "Mr. Sei hand this man data to Isa. He will now be barred from any East Trade Company store we own." Glass stood up "You may take this has punishment for denouncing me a daughter of a Duke" Glass nodded at Deacon who singled the nearby security team as he walked out with Glass.
Mr.De's eyes became lifeless as he sat there and let himself be taken away by the guards.
Using teleport Glass and Deacon were within her office in seconds.
"My excommunication from back then is still causing problems," Glass said "Even after four years, and Deacon"
"Well, I find it amusing how the other provinces and nobles were trying to please you after it happened. They wanted a taste of your goods again, since you where no longer using the old trade routes and even started trading with foreigners after building the docks" Tally walked in.
Deacon smirked
"The wedding is in the next two weeks, Deacon makes sure none of them escape," Glass said. 'Sara had finally said yes to marrying Henry. It took them long enough'
"My Lady, here you go" Grace said with a displaced said "Prince Jared has increased his Tariff on us again"
"..…"
"He's been really pushing it lately" Tally said.
"He'll get his just dearests on his wedding day" Deacon said.
"I'll go home for now." Glass said after looking at the report from her newly built stores in the capital. And handed back to Glass. "comply for now, we have raised more than enough. And besides, it won't be for long" Glass said as she casted teleport.
She sat in the garden as a newly poured tea and book where placed before her. By the maids, she forgot that Sara was no longer here. She relaxed in the quiet before she was her brother approach her.
"Sister, what are you doing?"
"I am already finished with my work for the day."
"…Then, can I have a bit of your time?"
"So, what happened?"
"I am not sure if I should call it a discussion or a report but…"
"…The other day, the proposal to disassemble the army was raised to the King."
"It was rejected due to the Warring regime law"
"Ah! Yes, how did you know…"
"So, what did Father say" Glass ignored his question and looked at Breton.
"He told me to think about the biggest problem and make sure to tell you."
"I guess that he told you to come over to me if you couldn't find the problem."
Breton nodded and Glass closed her eyes. "You still haven't figured it out"
"No, Sister"
"The neutral party agreed, that's the problem."
"Huh?!"
"My little brother me nor father may not be able to help you when future problems like this arise."
"…." Breton was silenced.
"Little brother take this advice you should look at things from every possible angle. What were the thoughts of the neutral party about agreeing to this, and how far would you be able to see judging from that. I am telling you to think about all that. There are no definite right and wrongs so the. more you think."
"Thank you, Sister," Breton said as he walked away in deep thought.
'After four years they made a move, that's what you wanted me to know, Huh, Father?' Glass thought as she used telepathy. "Deacon prepares to take in more new members and up the training. I want them fully mission capable within the two weeks of the wedding." Glass said