Chapter 25
As expected, when a reincarnated person shows too much skill, people get suspicious. Mr. Smith was watching me carefully. His handsome eyes curved slightly—and my heart skipped a beat.
“Uh? I-I just came up with the idea after meeting lots of people!” I quickly dodged the question, trying to sound casual.
I lifted my chin and changed the subject.
“Anyway, our first goal is to fix the rumors about His Majesty.”
Good. That shifted the topic.
“To do that, we’ll need a newsletter published by the Imperial Palace, right?”
“Right.”
I pointed to the new team’s list.
“I’ve asked the younger staff to write drafts for the newsletter. I gave them a few topics and told them to turn it into an article. The one who does best will get a big role.”
If I find the best fit for this role, the new team will be strong from top to bottom.
“You’ve even thought of the evaluation system already,” Mr. Smith said, chuckling softly. Then he looked at me—like I was something special.
…It must be my imagination. He’s probably just happy the work is going smoothly. I tried to hide my burning ears.
“This feels very new,” he said, lips curving in a lazy smile.
“What does?” I asked.
“Having someone by my side who can take on something this big.”
He sounded genuinely happy.
“Until now, you were always lower in rank than me. But now, we’re equals.”
He flipped some papers in front of me and smiled with his eyes.
“And I really like that.”
I blushed. Nervously, I picked at my nails.
“Haha… I see. That makes you happy.”
This man and his smiles are dangerous. I needed to stay focused.
‘Mr. Smith really has many sides.’
He used to look at me with suspicion, and now he looks soft and kind.
“It’s just… I feel a little sad that you’re no longer someone I can’t reach,” he said quietly.
“Oh, come on. We’re in different departments now, but we’re not strangers.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
He hesitated, his expression saying, “You know what I mean.”
“You like someone, right…”
“Frisbee!”
“Yes, Frisbee—wait, what?”
Just then, Frisbee appeared. I jumped to my feet, using the perfect excuse to escape. Mr. Smith looked disappointed.
“I have to go. I need to talk to Frisbee.”
“That guy always ruins the moment.”
“Sorry. I need to discuss the new department’s evaluation system.”
“Isn’t that for the HR team leader?”
“Well, Frisbee’s the special HR leader in the assistant office. And the youngest, too.”
“Right, I forgot. Go ahead.”
Mr. Smith let me go, a little awkwardly. I grabbed my files and rushed off.
“Phew. Anyone watching would think you just got dumped.”
As soon as I left, Mullin appeared behind Alastair.
“Don’t say things like that when I’m already in a bad mood.”
Alastair lazily raised his arm to shield his eyes. Mullin studied him carefully.
“Were you disappointed?”
The Emperor didn’t answer.
“You haven’t been reading the ‘John Smith Conduct Manual’ lately. You shoved it in your drawer…”
“She already has someone she likes. What can I do? It’s too late now.”
“That’s why you drank a whole bottle of whiskey alone last night?”
Alastair’s eyebrow twitched.
“You really know how to hit where it hurts.”
Mullin tilted his head.
“But I didn’t get the feeling that Miss Foy has a lover.”
“That’s because you don’t notice things. She’s with Frisbee almost every day. Watching it just makes me upset.”
“Hmmm… I don’t think they’re like that.”
Mullin clearly didn’t believe the emperor.
“My gut says there’s nothing going on between them.”
“How can I trust your gut?”
“Isn’t it better than the gut of a man who’s never dated?”
Alastair glared at him, and Mullin quickly shut his mouth.
“Ahem. Anyway, Your Majesty, please don’t assume. Just ask her directly.”
“You sure love to talk.”
Alastair replied grumpily, but his tone was lighter than before.
“Yes, I hope it works out. I think… you still have a chance.”
“No way.”
“I’m serious.”
“Ahem. Don’t say things like that.”
Alastair waved him off like swatting a fly, but the small smile on his lips betrayed his mood.
As you know, our task force’s first mission was to correct the false rumors. We planned to do that by creating an official public announcement—what we call a “press bulletin.”
“I want our bulletin to carry the seal of the Advisor’s Office on the front page. That way everyone will see it’s official,” I explained.
I was in charge of production and even stayed late a few nights to help.
“But… is this really okay?” one junior asked. “Once the bulletin’s out, nobles loyal to the Duke will resist us like wildfire.”
“What if they claim the Advisor’s Office press is lies, and we end up making enemies?”
“What if they target us—nobody wants to be on the Emperor’s allies’ bad side.”
Everyone was still anxious.
I forced a confident smile. “It’ll be fine. Just trust me.”
That night, I couldn’t sleep. I worried: Is it too risky? What if they retaliate against me, Mr. Smith, or even the Emperor? We were three people linked now—and even with palace protection, we could be attacked outside work.
“Did I create a disaster?”
The doubts piled up. I felt like an average person in a hero’s world. How can we minimize backlash and stop nobles from speaking out? A cunning thought slid into my mind. They say Duke Devilport uncovers noble secrets. What if we exposed theirs too?
Yes. That’s it.
I leaped out of bed. That night, I revisited old articles by newspapers tied to the Duke. I noticed their subtle insults toward the Emperor—careless words, demeaning phrases.
A brilliant idea formed. I tossed and turned in bed, planning how to rewrite public opinion. By dawn, I was up and heading to work—bleary-eyed at six AM.
Would someone please stop waking me so early?
I shuffled to the team’s space, clutching my coffee. The mood felt tense, like they feared me.
“Everyone?”
“Screech!”
It seems my voice alone gave them a start.
“Wh-what’s wrong?”
Being their boss felt… intense.
“Calm down. I’m not making you stay late tonight.”
They relaxed immediately. I brushed my dark circles away and continued.
“What do noble families hate most?”
“A riddle?” one guessed. “Uh… dishonor?”
“Duels? Bankruptcy? Losing privilege?”
“Being called ungraceful!”
They answered eagerly.
“Exactly. Now imagine how angry they’ll be if they’re pinned on that.”
They exchanged confused glances. I placed a stack of newspapers on the table and smiled.
“Let’s turn their own words against them—starting now.”
I love Rose. She is so clever. Our emperor, not so much