Episode 6
While the audit was ongoing, I decided to stay in Ron’s office. Not that I had anything to do, really—I wanted to take some time off and relax—but if they called for me and I wasn’t around, it could get awkward. So I had no choice.
Mien apparently went on vacation. Is this proof that pretending to be incompetent is the best way to survive in a company?
“Ail. If you ever meet someone connected to Count Poison, don’t acknowledge them, no matter what.”
“You can get executed for not greeting a noble, though?”
“That’s not what I meant. Come on, I’m being serious.”
Ron had been jumpy for two days now, constantly asking if Count Poison had tried to approach me. I appreciated the concern, but honestly, it was getting annoying.
I nodded absentmindedly and bit into the cookie he gave me.
Wow. This is really good. He should’ve shared these earlier.
As I crunched away on the cookie, I swallowed it down and asked Ron,
“Commander, the second prince doesn’t attend training at all, right?”
“Yeah. His name’s on the roster, but not because he’s expected to train. I just wanted to make sure he gets paid at least.”
I grinned where Ron couldn’t see.
“Then what should I do? I need to explain the budget usage and supply allocations to him.”
“There’s something like that? I don’t remember doing it last year.”
“It’s in the regulations. We’re supposed to give monthly budget reports and conduct training sessions. Supplies are technically supposed to be handed to him personally, too. I guess no one’s bothered to follow the rules until now, but that’s why the audit prep nearly killed me.”
That wasn’t a total lie. Faking a training session that didn’t happen isn’t easy. You have to find days when no one was out of the office, pick a reasonable topic, and get signatures on all the attendance sheets.
The important part is—it’s not mandatory. Just a recommendation. So none of my predecessors ever did it.
“It’s annoying, but if it means I get to see Mishi, then sure!”
Ron probably didn’t know whether it was mandatory or not. Since he never got involved in admin work, he’d just take my word for it.
As expected, Ron gave me a sympathetic look.
“I didn’t know that. You’ve been working hard. So what do we need to do from now on?”
Gotcha.
I flashed a victorious smile.
“Twice a month. I’m planning to hold in-person training sessions for the second prince.”
“Hm-hmm-hmm~”
Rose gave me a weird look as I hummed from the morning, but I ignored her.
Now I had a legit excuse to go see Mishi! My life finally had some healing in it!
After eyeing me suspiciously, Rose shook her head and changed the subject.
“By the way, how’s the audit going?”
“So far, nothing’s happened. If we get through today, we’re good. Just gotta hope it ends quietly.”
The audit was nearly over. Thankfully, I hadn’t been called in—yet. There might be some nitpicky notes afterward, but that’s fine. Getting called in during the audit itself? That means something big went wrong…
Thud. Thud.
“Who knocks like that?”
“…Yeah, seriously?”
Someone knocked on our door, more like banging than knocking. It gave me a bad feeling, but I couldn’t just ignore it, so I cracked the door open.
“Sir Reinolf?”
“Ail. The audit team wants to see you.”
Crap. I’m screwed.
I rushed to the office where a stern-looking man and woman holding documents were waiting for me.
I gulped.
“You called for me?”
“Sorry for the sudden summons. Our team leader wanted to speak with you.”
“The team leader? Why would someone that high up want to talk to me…?”
“We submitted the audit results for the Royal Knights yesterday. He seems to have some follow-up questions.”
Why me, though? Something went wrong? But I fixed everything after barely sleeping for a week!
I was flooded with anxiety, but it’s not like I could run.
“If something goes wrong, I’ll just drag Ron into this. He is the commander, after all.”
Maybe sensing my dread, Ron gave me a pitying look as I left with the audit team.
The place they took me to was the Main Palace, where the Administration and Oversight Department was located.
Wow. First time here, and it’s huge, beautiful, luxurious—has everything.
Our Knights’ office is decent, but it’s still mostly training grounds and break rooms. The admin area is just a big, empty space with only two staff. Not exactly inspiring.
As we went up to the second floor, I saw the Administration Division, the department above mine.
So that’s where the important people work. And people like me with no power or connections get dumped into the Knights?
No wonder Ail wanted to quit without notice. This kind of blatant favoritism is infuriating.
We arrived at a corner office on the second floor, filled with sunlight and dominated by a massive window.
‘Holy crap, look at that window. Look at the sunlight.’ It was the kind of space that made you want to work.
Though honestly, being a rich, jobless bum is still the dream.
As we entered, a man stood from inside.
“Welcome. You must be Ail. I’m David Owen, team leader of the audit division under Admin and Oversight.”
“Hello, Team Leader David.”
He really looked like a “David”—classic Western-style handsome. Deep eyelids, tall nose, flashy blond hair.
But… after seeing Mishi, he’s just okay.
That’s what happens when you see someone at the top of the food chain. Everyone else feels bland.
David smiled brightly, unaware of my inner thoughts.
“Don’t worry. We didn’t call you in because there’s a problem with the audit report.”
Then why’d you call me?
I considered answering with my usual sarcasm, but decided against it. He’s not Ron, and we just met today. No point making enemies.
“I’ll get to the point. Ail, have you considered joining our team?”
“…Excuse me? The audit team?”
The offer came so suddenly I thought I misheard and literally dug in my ear.
“I was really surprised after reviewing the audit results. I mean, everyone knows Marquis Ron doesn’t care about admin. So I expected the Royal Knights’ paperwork to be a mess. But it was flawless. Not a single issue. I’m sure some knights went out without permission, drank, gambled—but there was no trace of any of it.”
Is he indirectly accusing me of faking records?
But his expression was too sincere for that.
“Still, people can lie with nice faces too.”
I’ve been in the workforce for over a decade. I don’t fall for a pretty face anymore.
“Hmm, maybe our knights just have a strong sense of chivalry.”
What a load of crap.
Reinolf drinks at Carrie’s bar every night, and Fynes kicks desk drawers like they owe him money.
David gave a small chuckle. Yeah, I know it’s BS, but did you have to laugh in my face?
“Let’s go with that. Still, my offer stands. What do you think? Isn’t it a waste for someone like you to rot away in the Knights?”
I stared at David.
Just from this office alone, you could tell the audit team held serious weight in the palace.
If he had made this offer three days ago, I would’ve jumped at it.
The pay would be higher, the benefits better. No more being treated like garbage compared to Mien. With more staff, the workload would be lighter. Objectively, this offer was a no-brainer.
“If I hadn’t seen Mishi, that is.”
Problem is, if I join this team, I’ll never get to see him again. There’s no reason for an audit staffer to go to the second prince’s palace.
Plus, David didn’t seem like the kind of guy who’d fall for vague excuses like Ron. He wouldn’t just nod and let me sneak away to the western annex.
I drew a mental scale.
On one side: Mishi.
On the other: My dream.
Being a rich, jobless bum has been my lifelong goal. With a higher salary, I’d get there faster.
And finally, a boss who actually values me. That’s a rare find. Unlike the Knights, where they just look down on me for being a commoner. Ron isn’t terrible, but he’s not exactly appreciative either.
“But can I give up Mishi? That beautiful face?”
I’ve never been that into looks. Honestly, I wasn’t even interested in guys. But Mishi is good-looking enough to make me rethink everything.
The scale was perfectly balanced. Not tipping either way.
Sensing my hesitation, David smiled gently.
“You must have grown attached to the Knights. That’s understandable. Take some time to think it over.”
Actually, I have zero attachment to the Knights.
David misread the situation completely, but I didn’t bother correcting him. What was I supposed to say? “There’s a hot servant at the second prince’s palace and I want to keep seeing him?”
“Thank you. Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Sure. I hope it won’t be too long.”
David knew how to keep it professional. He showed interest without being pushy.
He’d be great to work with—assertive without being overbearing, and his confident demeanor made a solid impression.
“A natural leader.”
That was my evaluation of him.
To be continued.
