The Doll Has a Name Chapter 21.1 - About Us 

“If that wasn’t your intention, then you shouldn’t have said it that way. Isn’t that right?”

 

“Wh-what is this… what’s with this new secretary?”

 

“What’s with her? She’s correct. As you know, she’s the new secretary. This is Kise Ohara.”

 

Kise exuded an aura of confidence and extended her hand for a handshake. Her calm, piercing eyes seemed to say, ‘Go on, try me.’

 

Otto, the accounting manager, looked at Leonhardt with an expression that said, ‘What kind of impudent new hire is this?’ 

 

But Leonhardt just stood with his arms crossed, observing without intervening.

 

As Kise came out of the room and moved closer to him, she whispered.

 

“Right? That guy. A chirping brat.”

 

“Kise, I never said he was a brat.”

 

Leonhardt whispered back similarly.

 

“But he is a brat, though. A chirping brat.”

 

He glanced at her and then broke into a faint smile. 

 

The two were sharing a moment of satisfied agreement when Tristan, with a sullen expression, blocked their path in the middle of the hallway.

“Why was I left out?”

 

“Tristan handles currency exchange.”

 

In a tone that suggested he wasn’t the least bit sorry for leaving her out, Leonhardt replied smoothly.

 

A currency exchange merchant? Seriously?

 

Kise looked at Tristan with an expression of utter disbelief.

 

A currency exchange merchant was, literally, a merchant who brokered money. 

 

Since there was no fixed exchange rate, the value of a currency was determined for each transaction based on the merchant’s judgment of value and analysis of the situation. 

 

In short, it was high-level, high-intensity work.

 

‘She was an intelligent character.’

 

When Kise bowed her head in apology, Tristan’s expression brightened somewhat, the previously subdued pride visibly returning as she lifted her chin.

 

“Leo, I heard Admiral Victor has left for the Sumatra Islands as the Navy Office’s procurement officer. We need to turn him into our informant quickly.”

 

“Submit the approval documents.”

 

He had just replied and was about to leave his seat when a boy, clutching a package and letters, appeared with a rapid ‘tap, tap, tap’ of footsteps on the stairs and ran straight to Leonhardt without hesitation.

The boy stood on his tiptoes and held out the letter that was on top of the pile for him.

 

“Kise.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Say hello to Jans too.”

 

Leonhardt gently pushed the boy toward Kise.

 

“Jans handles all the picking up and dropping off of packages and mail. He’s our office errand boy. If you have anything to send, just find Jans. It’s the same with the newspaper delivered in the morning.”

I see. Kise nodded, then bent her knees to lower herself to his eye level.

 

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Kise Ohara, the new secretary who will be working here.”

 

The boy gave a bright smile, seeming pleased, and shook Kise’s offered hand. Their clasped hands swayed back and forth.

 

“He can’t speak, but he can understand, so it shouldn’t be a major problem.”

 

Noticing the slave brand on the boy’s dark nape, Kise looked at Leonhardt with a startled expression.

 

After gently stroking the boy’s head and sending him back to work, Leonhardt nudged her toward the stairs leading to the third floor and began walking slowly.

 

“One of our sailors happened to spot her drifting from a wrecked slave ship, rescued her, and brought her here. She was lucky. I think the shock took her voice.”

 

There are still countries on the continent that deal in the slave trade. 

 

It’s been prohibited as something that should not be done, but selling slaves remains a major boon to a nation’s finances.

 

“Is it alright?”

 

Kise’s question held many meanings. 

 

Was it acceptable to employ someone of slave origin? Would there be an issue having a dark-skinned child around, would she be able to work properly, and so on…

 

“Kise. Jans has already been with this company for three years. The past is just the past. Don’t you think everyone deserves an equal opportunity to brush away their past?”

 

The past is just the past. The words lingered in her ears like debris. 

 

Could I do it too—clear away the past? 

 

As Kise stood there blankly, Leonhardt turned to look at her and asked, What are you doing? \

 

Only then did she hurriedly rush after him.

 

Even then, her footsteps still made no sound.

 

💫

 

The company’s work ended at 5 p.m. 

 

Except for those with urgent remaining tasks, the majority had already left for home one after another.

 

After turning off the lamp and tidying the cluttered desk, Kise also left the office alongside Leonhardt. She accepted his offer to take her to the place where she would be staying from now on.

 

When she came out in the morning, she ended up carrying all the luggage she had brought with her, making her body feel heavy. 

 

Just then, she saw two horses shaking their blueish heads at the company’s main gate.

 

Wow, I’d love to ride that and go comfortably.

 

As she was inwardly drooling over the thought, Leonhardt approached exactly that carriage and opened the door.

 

“Get in first.”

 

He gestured for her to enter.

 

Me? I’m really riding this? Are we riding this? Are we gonna zoom off in this?

 

Seeing her eyes filled with anticipation, Leonhardt naturally reached out his hand, telling her to take it and get in. Without refusing twice, Kise grabbed his hand and energetically climbed into the carriage.

 

“Uh.”

 

“Hey, hello?”

 

Inside, a passenger was occupying the entire opposite seat all by himself. 

 

Sitting in the middle with a small pink bag and a large pink bag placed on either side, Tristan greeted her, saying, “Welcome, is this your first time in a carriage?”

 

What is that? It’s not three butts on one face. It’s like three Tristans are in the carriage.

 

Thinking this to herself, Kise sat down by the window opposite him.

 

Leonhardt, who entered after her, had no choice but to take the seat next to hers.

 

The carriage, now carrying everyone, slowly began to roll its wheels.