Chapter 157
One by one, extravagant dishes began to appear on the table. There seemed to be quite a lot of food. I wondered if the 1st Manager was being considerate because we had guests, or if he usually enjoyed lavish meals.
Of course, considering that the 1st Manager usually only brought a single piece of bread to work, it was probably the former.
“Isn’t this a bit excessive?”
“Not at all. If I neglect our guests, my father will scold me.”
Right, it was the first option. It’s a bit surprising that he’s concerned about how others see him, though.
But from the Marquis’s perspective, it was a good thing. The fact that the 1st Manager worried about displeasing him meant he respected and cared for the Marquis as someone superior or family.
Phew!
Marquis Iones, the father of the 1st Manager. I didn’t have much of a connection with him aside from seeing him at last year’s and this year’s New Year’s Balls. Still, I always felt a bit bad for him.
To think the 1st Manager is his daughter; how much emotional turmoil must he have endured? Rumor has it he vehemently opposed her joining the Prosecutor’s Office. Look how that turned out.
“He’s a bit impulsive and unpredictable but he’s thoughtful and kind-hearted. Please take good care of him.”
“Ah, yes, I understand.”
Perhaps that’s why Marquis Iones always takes my hand with a pleading look during the New Year’s Balls, earnest… no, more like begging me to take good care of his daughter.
He must see nothing but beauty in her. He’d spout incomprehensible things like, “Thoughtful? Kind-hearted?”
But the Marquis’s eyes seemed so heart-wrenching that I didn’t dare to counter him with facts.
What a relief…
I guess the 1st Manager is aware of her father’s feelings and is hesitant to make him upset. Marquis, are you watching? Your love is not misplaced.
“Executive Manager, would you like an aperitif?”
The 1st Manager’s words snapped me out of my thoughts. I had briefly zoned out at the dining table.
Turning my gaze, I saw the 1st Manager holding one bottle in each hand. One was red wine, and the other was white.
“White, please.”
“White?”
I casually picked, but the 1st Manager smirked, and uneasiness crept in. Is there something mixed in there?
“Actually, just give me the red—”
“Here you go!”
Before I could retract my statement, she thrust a glass filled with white wine into my hands.
“Drink it and think of me!”
I hadn’t even taken a sip yet, yet her words sounded like she’d already downed several bottles.
I looked at the 1st Manager’s hair. It was white. Then, I looked back at the glass. Though it was called white wine, it wasn’t actually white.
Damn.
However, after being told to take it as her, it started to merge with the imagery of her hair.
This kid didn’t just learn to torture physically; he’s also learned mental warfare…
“White is pretty, isn’t it?”
“…Yeah.”
With her still smirking, I merely nodded. Overreacting here would only invite more teasing. I should just try to eat and leave normally.
“With the prettiest white right beside you, Executive Manager, you’re so lucky!”
Her overwhelming confidence left me too embarrassed to respond.
*
The meal itself progressed without a hitch, aside from the 1st Manager occasionally saying odd things, but that’s just her being her. Honestly, it’d be stranger if she spoke normal sentences.
“Black goes well with red, but I think it also looks good with white.”
Seriously, what did that mean? My brain immediately conjured thoughts of cola, seasoned chicken, and radish salad, and trust me, that’s not normal either.
Anyway, the 1st Manager committed the outrageous act of mixing red and white wine in the same glass.
“Why would you mix those?”
“Because they go well together!”
I really don’t know what she was thinking. I’ll probably never understand.
As I sighed at such a revolutionary vision of half-and-half wine, the voice from the other end of the communication crystal chimed in.
“Sir Carl must be a great boss, huh? So easy-going?”
“There’s a fine line between a good boss and an easy target, isn’t there?”
That made the Invincible Duke burst into joy-filled laughter. Well, as long as it brought him happiness…
After a moment, the Invincible Duke composed himself and continued, “I called out of concern, but it seems everything is fine. That’s a relief.”
“If anything happens, I’ll shamelessly contact you first.”
“What a reassuring thing to say.”
Seeing the Invincible Duke smile again brought a smile to my face too, warming my once-lonely heart amid a disciplinary haze.
After finishing the meal and returning to my office, I was unexpectedly called back by the crystal. It was the Invincible Duke, and I was a bit surprised.
“Sir Carl, I believe you wouldn’t act without reason. There must’ve been something.”
I was startled by his opening line after I answered. It sounded akin to a teacher warning a mischievous student.
Of course, I had my reasons. Having achieved the legendary status of assaulting royalty and arriving in this situation, news undoubtedly reached his ears.
But assaulting royalty? That’s not simply mischief; that’s bordering on treason. His understanding that there must’ve been circumstances made me feel touched.
“…That’s what happened.”
So, I detailed everything while trying not to break into tears. Had he known the entirety of the situation, he likely wouldn’t have even used the word ‘circumstances.’
When the Invincible Duke struggled to stifle laughter, it hurt me. It’d have been easier if he just outright mocked me instead of showing thoughtful pity.
Maybe he sensed my feelings because the Invincible Duke quickly changed the subject. We chatted about various matters, and eventually, the topic of my meal with the 1st Manager came up. Let’s just say that led to me explaining the bizarre combo of red and white wine.
Discussing a subordinate’s antics in front of the Invincible Duke felt shameful, but it was still better than dealing with heartfelt empathy.
Is this really better?
I found myself perplexed.
“Well, that kid probably looks up to you, Sir Carl. Don’t be too hard on him.”
“Yeah, I get it.”
Nodding in response to the Invincible Duke’s words broke me free from my worries.
In fact, traveling this far to feel annoyed by the 1st Manager’s antics was a bit of a waste. I was just shocked by her playful behavior around food; it wasn’t genuinely weird after all.
And even if I were genuinely upset, I couldn’t dare to show it in front of the Invincible Duke. Unfortunately for me, to him, the 1st Manager felt almost like a sibling of his daughter.
This is driving me insane.
Every single time, the fact that the Crown Princess and the 1st Manager were close friends during their academy days astonished me—especially with their connections to the Invincible Duke. It was dizzying, really.
*
After quite a while chatting, I finally ended the transmission with Sir Carl. I had lingered too long on what was supposed to be a brief exchange. Seems I’ve become a chatterbox with age.
But at least that was a relief. When I heard from His Royal Highness that Carl had received punishment for assaulting royalty, I was baffled about what could have gone wrong. That kid wasn’t the type to stir up such large-scale incidents.
After hearing it from the horse’s mouth, it turned out it was only an injury during an academy event. So, it wasn’t really assault but rather an unfortunate accident. Sure, they could wrap it in the label of assaulting royalty, but His Highness wouldn’t have any reason to target Carl directly.
Seems like fateful chaos is destined for him.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. Ever since becoming the Executive Manager of the Prosecutor’s Office, Carl has been right at the eye of the storm. I never expected him to get dragged into stuff even while at the academy. Or maybe he’s the one orchestrating the drama?
After chuckling a few more times, I operated the communication crystal since I had checked on Carl’s well-being, and it was time to manage other affairs.
“Father?”
“Your Highness the Crown Princess.”
I bowed my head immediately when Aria picked up.
“I told you to just call me Aria in private.”
Her pout made me chuckle again. How has she not changed a bit since childhood?
“How can I address the future mother of all our people in such a casual way?”
“I’m hanging up.”
“Sorry. I’ve learned what you wanted me to, so please forgive me.”
At that, Aria’s expression brightened. It was remarkable how delighted she could be over matters that had nothing to do with her.
“It seems Carl thinks of her as just a subordinate.”
“I expected that.”
Despite the not-so-great news, Aria remained unfazed. Perhaps her lack of surprise stemmed from her expectations.
“Well, that’s typical of Eli. She probably just hovered around and poked at him. It’s actually a relief if he doesn’t dislike her.”
Such a brutally honest evaluation! Usually, she speaks softly, but she can be blunt regarding Lady Elizaveta.
Yet, Lady Elizaveta was the reason she asked me to check on Carl. Despite the harshness of her words, her feelings towards Lady Elizaveta are sincere.
“Well, at least he doesn’t seem to dislike her. If Carl truly hated someone, he’d ignore or push them away.”
To Carl, Lady Elizaveta was more of a subordinate than a potential romantic interest. But it appears he’s developed a fondness for her through their time together.
If Carl heard this, he’d likely shudder and deny it. But from a third-party perspective, it makes sense—it’s clear he does not keep those he genuinely dislikes close. In fact, the fact that they keep bumping heads yet remain close indicates genuine affection.
“Really? If Eli hears this, she’ll be happy.”
Her delivery was blunt, but the slight upwards curl of her lips gave her away.
Perhaps it’s because they’ve been close since their academy days. I didn’t expect her to discuss her friend’s romantic entanglements like this.
What a tangled web this is going to be.
Carl is just starting to open up to Lady Marghetta. Given that Lady Marghetta has had feelings for him for quite some time, it won’t be long before something good happens between them.
And it will likely coincide with Lady Elizaveta’s moment to step in. Knowing Carl, he’s probably going to be pretty flustered.
This is Carl’s business to sort out.
If Lady Elizaveta were genuinely angling for the throne as Carl’s first wife, I likely wouldn’t have involved myself even if Aria asked. After all, I know how much the Iron-blooded Duke cherishes Lady Marghetta.
But if she were simply angling for the next in line, that’s not something I need to worry about. While I wouldn’t need to assist actively, I couldn’t outright reject Aria’s requests either.
“Thank you, Father.”
Seeing Aria’s smiling face warmed my heart.
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