"Good. You're hired. I need a full audit of my household finances going back two years. Everything that was spent, everything that was transferred, every account that touched my budget. You'll have access to palace archives and my personal authorization. Your salary is four hundred gold monthly, plus discretionary funds for hiring assistants if needed."
Mira's eyes widened slightly. That was nearly double standard rate for senior accountants. "Your Highness, I—"
"You were dismissed for refusing to participate in embezzlement. That's exactly the kind of integrity I need." Elara slid a contract across the desk. "Sign here. You start today."
Mira took the pen with hands that trembled just slightly, then signed.
The second candidate was younger—a man in his late twenties with ink stains on his fingers and the cautious posture of someone used to being overlooked.
"Dimitri Orlean. Former correspondence clerk. Family runs a textile import business."
"Yes, Your Highness."
