I was reborn as an orphan, But I won't let that stop me

(One week later)

All the criminals involved have yet to be served a penalty for their crimes as there is a lot of information to sort through to decide an appropriate sentence for each of the surviving criminals they also need to find more information about others that could be involved instead and the locations of the drug dealers. So, for now, they are put inside the royal dungeon until their sentence is decided. But most likely most of them are going to be publicly executed. But for now, nothing is decided yet and Annette has returned to her usual life at the grand duke's mansion. Where right now she is reading books about magic in the library together with Cassi. Cassi on the other hand is reading an accounting book. They are sitting there quietly keeping each other company just like a pair of close-knitted lovers that are happy with simply being in the presence of each other. Of course, Annette Cassi is like a favored customer that the retailer enjoys the company of. While for Cassi it is a simple way to bond with Annette without being pushy, after all, she has realized that being as clingy as her mother is and pushing her ideals of doting onto her is not going to let her become closer to Annette. And don't even speak about her father who likes to tease and prank people.

While Annette is a very patient person it does not mean that she enjoyed how she is treated even if it is good-natured. So Cassi decided to be a bit mellower in her approach and luckily Annette does not dislike her. If she did her attitude would be colder and would only be doing her duty. Like how a farmer treats their livestock with who they don't have an emotional connection to. Luckily they share many interests, which is a great way to form a bond of friendship. Also, the book she is reading is something that she had wanted to read for a while now ever since it got published  17 days ago. After all, the only thing she loves more about money is counting money, and isn't accounting a more fancy term for counting your money and how to use and earn money most efficiently? The only things she likes more are pretty clothes and cakes. Onfurtunalty she can't become the grand duke, if she could she would be happy counting money all day. In fact, she is actually more of a miser than Annette, of course, that is a secret since it is not proper conduct for a noble lady to be greedy. Well out in public that is.

"Annette, can I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"Do you think that... I would be a great grand duke if was allowed to?"

"... That depends on what kind of leader you want to be." 

"... Isn't a good leader someone like father?"

" There are more ways than one to be a great leader."

"Like what?"

"Well it all depends on perspective, commoners would want a lord who put their people and the land first. Nobles think that either someone who is skilled at navigating the social scene and profiting from it or someone who is well educated and has a lot of achievements to his name is a great leader. There is also someone who knows how to earn money and make their territory richer. Some are not great on their own but know how to use their people and leave most of their decision-making to them. Well, many are a mix of all these examples."

" I think. that the money-making one is the most appealing to me."

"... Well I think that you are already halfway there, you would just need to bring it to action. I believe that you are intelligent enough not to screw up too badly."

"Realy?!" Cassi shouts with excitement.

"... No I was talking about your brother." She says sarcastically."

"I never knew you valued me so highly." She smiles brightly.

"... Dont let it get to your head, my lady."

" I told you to call me Cassi." She pouts.

"Only when I am in a generous mood," Annette says with a teasing smile.

" You... when are you going to be a little more friendly towards me instead of being a by-the-book servant." She asks still pouting. 

"Pfft, you know that I am not that of an idealistic servant, if I was we would not be having this conversation." She answers playful glint in her eyes. 

"You... why do you always win?"

"Because my tongue is as sharp as a knife, also I am much wittier than you."

"..." 

" Well, it is time for your mistress to go and play with my replacement for the grand duke position," Cassi says as she runs away she has realized that she can not win against this thickheaded person who is even more thick-skinned that the king himself. Seeing this Annette just laugh it off, knowing that she has turned her tail between her legs. Thinking that that girl really needs to go through a little hardship so that she will not be pushed around by the other noble ladies in the future. Though it would be a shame once she loses her childish innocence. After all, it will be a lot harder to tease her in the future. 'Well then, since Cassi has left it is time for me to head to the training ground.'Annette thinks