Chapter 22
1.Becoming the Secretary of the Dark Master (22)
What kind of thoughts led you to make the mistake of possessing me? Is this… because we’re inside the book?
Helwid, who seemed to have read my thoughts, twisted the corner of his mouth into a lazy smile.
“So there was a scheme after all.”
“N-No, no, that’s not it. It’s nothing like that… I just… um, well, my father has been very concerned about this matter, so I wanted to ease his worries as soon as possible. You know, I like to show filial piety.”
But, naturally, Helwid didn’t even listen to my desperate explanation.
Hmm~ just as I thought.
“To be honest, I was going to send her, but I suppose it was right to use a little trick after all?”
He smiled as if to say, ‘Even after saying this, you wouldn’t tell me the truth?’ How could I possibly explain this situation to someone like you, the Dark Master?
“Send only that woman to the temple.”
“B-But…”
“The three weeks will pass quicker than you think. By the time my secretary finishes the first half of the year’s accounting, she’ll be back. Then you can complete the induction procedure. Perfect timing.”
Helwid said this with a smile, merciless as ever.
If I missed this chance, going to the temple would be postponed indefinitely. My heart began to race.
Just as I was about to say another word, Indellis entered.
“Miss, here is the statement of the educational budget assigned to me for this first half of the year. Once reviewed, I’d like to plan the second half’s schedule. When do you think it can be done?”
The moment Indellis finished speaking, Helwid’s eyes lit up.
No… this is bad.
“Well, Indellis, my secretary has submitted a two-day leave plan.”
“Hmm? What is that supposed to mean? Is that true, Miss?”
Ah… my luck really is terrible.
“W-Well, actually, Glumy has… some spiritual energy, so she needs to accompany me to the temple to obtain permission—”
“Ah, so you plan to take two days off when you already have so much work?”
Ah… why do you keep acting like your brother?
Helwid watched Indellis’s cold words with a pleased look, as if saying, ‘Tada, Tada!’
“I’m not taking a break—”
“Even His Majesty didn’t put down his pen, and yet the secretary plans to?”
At Indellis’s words, Helwid quickly grabbed his pen. Ugh, so irritating.
“Besides, I planned to solve the problems together this week, didn’t I?”
“Y-Yes, that’s right.”
“You intend to break our prior agreement?”
Despite looking soft and tender like a squishy bean cake, he carried the weight of a prince. Very intimidating.
No matter how young, a prince is still a prince.
Seeing me appear to give up, Indellis firmly addressed Helwid:
“Your Majesty. I believe matters at the temple should be handled by the temple’s own people.”
“I agree.”
“Moreover, that woman possesses spiritual energy, correct?”
“Yes.”
“We cannot induct her into the Nostalgia family, which is rapidly gaining fame in the empire, without knowing whether her spiritual capacity is great or small. If her capacity is enormous, it could pose a significant threat to the throne.”
“W-What…!”
This is absurd! How can this be considered treason! Of course, I was worried about that point myself!
Indellis glanced once at my astonished expression and continued.
“Please formally request the Infelion Temple to submit observation reports on Glumy’s spiritual capacity and control ability.”
“W-Wait a moment!”
Suddenly, Helwid’s face lit up with unexpected delight. As if thinking, ‘Ah, so that’s a way!’
He smiled and said:
“As expected of a prince considered one of the greatest geniuses in the empire. Very excellent and coldly logical. Even I overlooked some points that you have clearly identified. I will fully adopt your suggestion and order the Infelion Temple to submit reports on Glumy’s spiritual energy every two weeks for six months.”
In short, he planned to send Glumy to the temple for short-term exile just to obstruct my two-day leave.
Are you insane? Even if so, does it have to be this complicated…
Helwid smiled cheerfully at me.
“Is there a problem?”
If I complained now, Indellis might see it as a potential threat to the throne.
I apologize, Father. I must survive this.
“Is there a problem? It’s a proper decision.”
“Then proceed as planned, Your Majesty.”
“Very well. Let it be so.”
Helwid and Indellis smiled with satisfaction and declared the matter settled.
Ah… they’re completely wrecking the original story.
It had already been three months since Blain became Helwid’s secretary.
Many events had occurred during that time, but the most recent major one was Glumy being sent to the temple for short-term exile before being inducted into the Nostalgia family.
Blain’s father, Count Asen, had raged and submitted petitions, but since no one consented, they were dismissed.
For some reason, Blain calmly assisted in Glumy’s exile.
‘I thought she’d oppose it again since she looked so startled…’
Instead, she acted as if it was for the best, which was somewhat puzzling.
“The illegitimate son of the Endran Duke, Iroel Endran, has returned to his estate.”
“Hmm, I see.”
Helwid replied indifferently to Blain’s report.
For a moment, the thought, ‘You heartless child!’ flashed across Blain’s face, but Helwid smiled gently.
Iroel Endran, the illegitimate son of the Endran Duke, had been Blain’s senior.
The man who was fired the day she first became a secretary.
Blain didn’t know, but for Helwid, his dismissal was justified.
‘His skill at extracting information was top-notch. I couldn’t tell if I had a secretary or a spy.’
For Helwid, he had simply replaced a secretary who needed firing with a better talent at the right time.
Since Iroel Endran was of no further use in the capital unless he was the Emperor’s exclusive secretary, there was no reason to keep him there.
‘But he was quite late. Come to think of it, wasn’t it the Endran Duke who insisted he couldn’t trust a new secretary to the end?’
Apparently, after all attempts to reinstate Iroel Endran failed, he was finally sent back to his estate.
Blain said:
“By the way, you know there’s a regular state council today, right?”
“Ah, yes. It’s the meeting for the first half’s settlement and the second half’s budget.”
“Yes. And there’s also the summit agenda. I’ve organized all the related documents, so please review them later.”
“I will.”
Blain gave a brief salute and returned to her desk.
Helwid leaned on his chin, watching Blain busily working and muttering to herself.
Her antics were so amusing that he couldn’t help but laugh silently.
He couldn’t understand why she talked so much to herself, why her expressions changed so vividly while doing tedious office work, or why her words were so funny.
A few hours later, having handed over the remaining tasks to Indellis, Helwid attended the state council alone.
With Blain having handled everything perfectly, the council was unusually harmonious.
“The new secretary is more competent than expected.”
“Indeed. Such excellent management…”
Praises for Blain came from all sides, making Helwid swell with pride.
The Endran Duke remarked:
“I heard that since the arrival of the new secretary, Your Majesty has been taking occasional naps. Your relationship seems close; many find it admirable.”
“Already rumors? Oh, how embarrassing.”
“Not at all. Everyone here knows how hard Your Majesty works for the Infelion Empire. You deserve rest.”
The Endran Duke spoke flattering words, while slyly planting thorns in them.
In noble language, his words meant: ‘I know you’re distracted by a woman. You sleep instead of attend to state matters, right?’
Helwid faced the Endran Duke, who looked like a raccoon stuffed with three old ones, with a calm expression.
“Exactly. My secretary is so competent that I can ease off my shoulders without affecting the schedule. It’s quite reassuring. These days, if I didn’t take a nap, it would feel boring, ha ha ha.”
‘When your illegitimate son was my secretary, she was so incompetent I thought she’d die from overwork without sleep.’
The Endran Duke’s face turned pale, then red again.
The Marquis of Lantlesia, observing the Endran Duke’s embarrassment, spoke to ease the atmosphere:
“Your relationship with the Crown Prince has improved noticeably. I was delighted to see the front page of yesterday’s paper. Surely, it’s thanks to the new secretary.”
The Marquis of Lantlesia was skilled in diplomacy.
He instinctively knew whom to flatter for the best effect.
In fact, Helwid had intended to dismiss the Marquis from his position as aide during this council.
‘But since he’s unwittingly securing Blain’s position, it’s better to wait for the next opportunity.’
Helwid nodded subtly, smiling with a satisfied expression.
“Indeed. She is like a finely-cut gem, shining perfectly in sunlight.”
“Where did you find such an excellent talent? Your Majesty’s judgment is truly noble.”
The Marquis of Lantlesia continued flattering Helwid without pause.
Seeing this, the other nobles also eagerly began praising Blain.
The council room quickly turned into a place of Blain admiration.
‘I wonder what expression my secretary would have made seeing this. A shame I didn’t bring her along.’
Helwid genuinely thought this, suppressing the urge to grin at his rising pride.
“Since everyone is so curious about my secretary, she shall accompany me to the next summit.”
At that moment, the nobles wondered, ‘Does he intend to bring his aide and secretary together to the summit?’ But seeing that it was merely an introduction, they nodded in agreement.
‘Only my aide will actually attend with me, though.’
Helwid clapped casually, pretending ignorance, yet gave a broad smile to the Marquis of Lantlesia, who was subtly observing him.
Had it been Blain, she would have furrowed her brow, thinking, ‘What the—why is he smiling?’ before hastily smiling back.
‘Hmm… suddenly, I miss my secretary.’
He found that cheeky, mischievous face unbearably endearing.
