Civil Servant in Romance Fantasy-Chapter 105: There was a Brief Commotion (4)
The source of this cšØntent is ššæš²š²šš²šš§šØšš²š¹.š°šØš¦
ā There was a Brief Commotion (4) ā
My summer working hours were similar to the sunās working hours. It was hard to guess the passage of time due to the long daylight, leading to an unfortunate overtime. How unfair. I donāt work shorter hours in the winter because the days are shorter, so why do I voluntarily work longer hours in the summer? Maybe Iāve developed a slave mentality over the past four years.
Ideally, Iād like to enjoy punctual arrival and departure times. But then, the tasks I had to do would pile up, and things could get disastrous at the end of each quarter. This was just a matter of dying now versus later.
Thatās why I couldnāt get back to the mansion until it was late in the evening. freewe(b)novel
āWelcome back, Carl.ā
Marghetta greeted me at the mansionās entrance.
āMar? Why are you out here at this hour?ā
Although I said late evening, it was practically night. By this time, everyone should have finished dinner, had a short chat, and retired to their rooms.
I wondered if the thing Iād been worrying about had finally exploded. Yes, I had neglected the guests for too long. Such behavior would typically be considered a great insult.
The reason why things hadnāt exploded until now was because Marghetta had been understanding given that it was due to work, but anyone else wouldāve felt slighted and left after two days.
āI will never forget this! I will formally protest in the name of the Valenti Dukeās name!ā
I could imagine Marghettaās face as she shouted these words, her face flushed with anger. It pained me to think that I had upset someone whoād remained calm even after her marriage proposal was rejected.
First, I should apologize. The fact that she hasnāt left without a word means thereās still a chance to mend things.
āYou must be tired. Here, drink this. I heard that honey water is good for fatigue.ā
āAh, thanks.ā
Marghetta handed me a cup before I could say anything.
āYouāve been working hard despite the weather being so hot. You arenāt pushing yourself too much, right?ā
I felt awkward after hearing her gentle voice, which was filled with concern. It felt weird being worried over by someone younger. Itās always been a bit embarrassing, even when Louise used to fuss over me.
I nodded to reassure her, and she finally smiled.
āIām well aware of how hard you work, Carl. So you donāt have to worry about the club anymore during the vacation.ā
Marghetta then added that even advisors deserved a holiday break, which made the corners of my mouth go up a bit. I was thankful for her words, but it was hard. It wasnāt that I was doing this because I liked it. It was just that there was no one else who could handle those idiots without me.
The moment I abandoned my post saying, āAn advisor deserves freedom!ā the situation would explode. And the Crown Prince? Heād probably demote me from a noble to a slave.
Waitā¦ Maybe I was a slave from the beginning.
āIāve lived up to the trust Carl has placed in me, so I hope you can rest a bit.ā
āWhat?ā
What was she talking about?
I was feeling already guilty for neglecting Marghetta, so I would have been crazy if I had expected something from her under these circumstances.
I felt stumped, so I just stood still. It seemed as if she interpreted my reaction differently. She raised her head with a hint of pride, though it was more like she was looking up because she was shorter than me.
āToday, the princes were talking about going outside of the Capital.ā
Damn it.
I was shocked by the words that came out of her mouth. Go where? Outside of the Capital? Those bastards. It was already troublesome to have them in the Capital; what nonsense was this?
āThese damn build-ups.ā
Their intentions were clear. They werenāt trying to do it out of genuine interest in other areas. They probably wanted to go to Louiseās territory and make connections with the people who were close to her. But heading straight to Louiseās territory would be too obvious, so theyāre trying to build a justification by exploring other areas.
You bastards. Instead of trying to court those around her, you should be courting Louise herself.
āThey seemed more interested in the Capital, though, so they withdrew their words.ā
I was trembling in anger, but Marghettaās following words calmed me down. It was fortunate. I almost had to undertake the Prosecutorās Officeās duties and a business trip abroad simultaneously.
Only after calming down could I see things clearly. She waited for me outside until late at night and had purposedly told me about what had happened. Then, that proud look on her face, and those words about me trusting her.
āSo she stopped it.ā
Marghetta had stopped things from going out of control. Otherwise, there was no reason for her to act like this.
When I invited Marghetta to the mansion, I did hope she would stop them if they wanted to do something reckless. However, that was merely a faint hope. I never really thought of throwing such a massive responsibility on her.
It seemed that there was a small misunderstanding between Marghetta and me.
āIām glad.ā
But thanks to that misunderstanding, I was saved.
āI understand. I must also repay Marghettaās trust.ā
At those words, Marghetta smiled, but she seemed somewhat embarrassed. Whatās wrong? Was there something else?
āLady Louise played a significant role.ā
Ah, so it was nothing serious.
āThat doesnāt mean you havenāt done something important.ā
I also relied on Louise when it was about stopping those princes, so it was only natural. No, Marghetta, who quickly realized that Louise was the only brake to stop them, was admirable.
When things are peaceful at home, one feels at ease while wandering outside. The combo of Louise, who had the power to stop those incompetent members, and Marghetta, with the will to stop them, was unbeatable.
With my peace of mind restored, my work started progressing more rapidly. It really does depend on oneās mindset.
ā The signs arenāt good.
But no matter how peaceful things were internally, if something happened externally, there wasnāt much one could do.
While signing some documents, I received bad news from the 2nd Manager whoād been sent to help Margrave Sorden.
āWhat happened?ā
ā Margrave Sordenās concerns were valid. There are definitely many gaps in the movement of goods.
The faint hope that perhaps Margrave Sorden had miscalculated things vanished. Well, if reports have reached the central authority, Iām sure he would have verified it multiple times. I was hoping for too much.
ā Iām sure theyāre hidden somewhere, butā¦
The 2nd Manager seemed frustrated as he roughly ran his fingers through his hair. It was evident that some of the goods that had been sent to the North were missing. Someone was intentionally hiding them.
The problem was that this was all he could find out. All he could do was confirm that what Margrave Sorden was worried about was true. But what else could he do? It hadnāt been long since the 2nd Manager was dispatched.
āAt least weāve found out now. Donāt rush things.ā
ā Yes, understood.
While making a grim face, the 2nd Manager lowered his head. His frustration from dealing with the North combined with the anxiety that this could lead to a major accident caused his uneasy expression.
āDo you need more people?ā
ā Itās okay. Just our presence is already drawing a lot of attention.
Due to the gravity of the matter, I wanted to provide him with more personnel. However, the on-site worker refused. Damn it, so the Northās still a mess.
The North originally had many pro-Empire tribes. But that bastard Kagan subdued or converted all the pro-Empire tribes in the north, making the aftermath of the great war complete chaos.
The Empire had suffered a lot due to the Great War, so it wasnāt in a shape good enough to intervene or dominate the North. Not only that, but there were some internal issues regarding the succession of the throne. Also, it had been a long time since the pro-Empire tribes were sent to heaven due to Kaganās really spicy punch.
The Empire was already struggling because of the Great War and succession issues. Yet, it began sending a friend fee to the North. Compared to how strong the Empireās influence over the Northās tribes was in the past, things were pitiful right now.
ā Back in the day, no one would bat an eye at an imperial citizen. Now, we stand out like sore thumbs.
āDamn it.ā
The 2nd Manager was a testament to how things were at the moment. Before the Great War, interactions were vibrant and the Empireās influence was strong, so there were no issues with the Empireās citizens roaming in the north.
But now that everything was wiped out and was being rebuilt, every move of an imperial citizen was noticeable.
The nomads looked at the Empireās citizens with eyes that seemed to be saying, āExcuse me, but why donāt you leave the money and go? What business could you have at our place?ā
It was infuriating. Would setting the northern plains on fire get rid of this mess?
āIf something strange happens, contact me immediately. Keep up the good work.ā
The only thing I was sure of was that there was nothing I could do to help apart from waiting for more information from the 2nd Manager.
ā Executive Manager, could you send me aā
The 2nd Manager was about to say something when the connection was cut off. Judging by his last words, it probably wasnāt anything important. If it was, heād call again.
āIt was probably alcohol.ā
It was obvious what that guy, who drinks alcohol like water, would ask. Well, since he was working hard, I should send him some.
***
I felt that there were many prying eyes on me from all around the place. Otherwise, I wouldnāt be getting these kinds of things as soon as I finished clearing up the stacked work.
āWho sent this?ā
Looking down at the letter handed over by the butler, I asked again. My happy plan to just chill at home for a while since I had no work to do for the time being was shattered instantly.
āItās from the Countess.ā
I received a letter from the woman who was the mother of this body.
āA letter from mother and not the Patriarch?ā
I really canāt understand whatās going on.
You can rate/review this series here.