That day, Rudolf and I went around the government offices as usual. The previous ambassador's debts were already public knowledge, and whenever we met someone, that topic would come up naturally. We'd get the line "How rough it must be for the new ambassador!" paired with "Make this a lesson for you!" every single time.
"People enjoy other people's misfortune. As long as the splatter doesn't hit me, I can look down on the person in front of me and say cruel things. There's no more delightful story than that."
Rudolf said it with the face of a man chewing a bitter bug. There was nothing we could do about it now. We'd just have to pay it back slowly and steadily.
"Well, there's nothing we can do about it. But we really need to think of a way to return the debt as fast as possible."
It was too good to be true, but we could at least speak brightly about it.
"Lord Robin, please do not consider returning the debt all at once. Steady and reliable repayment is the first priority."
